A NEW state-of-the-art radiotherapy treatment facility, known as Elekta Versa HD, has been launched at Gleneagles Hospital Penang.
State Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry, Rural Development and Health Committee chairman Dr Afif Bahardin said he was glad that the hospital has invested in the facility at its cancer centre.
“This will help cater to the growing healthcare needs of the medical tourism,” Dr Afif Bahardin said at the launch of the facility on Dec 3. The launch was graced by the Yang diPertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas.
“The high quality treatment, accessibility, cutting-edge technology, state-of-the-art facility and competitive costs are among the factors that continue to position Gleneagles Hospital Penang as a preferred medical treatment destination globally.
“I look forward to seeing positive progress in the medical fraternity and more importantly, that every level of society having access to high-quality healthcare in the years to come.
“The majority form of radiation therapy is now delivered using linear accelerations.”
Dr Afif said cancer is a major health problem in Malaysia.
According to the Malaysian Study on Cancer Survival 2018 report, he said cancer is the fourth leading cause of deaths and is estimated to rise to more than 55,000 newly diagnosed cancer cases by 2030.
The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development Penang, he said, reported the highest rate of breast cancer among women in the state with 50 cases per 100,000 women.
He added that the state government aimed at building a robust community and that included improving public health, strategising on the delivery of healthcare services as well as promoting health and wellbeing for all.
Also present were Gleneagles Hospital Penang Board of Directors chairman Datuk Seri Dr Goh Eng Toon, Gleneagles Hospital Penang Medical Superintendent Dr Goh Kay Wah and Gleneagles Hospital Penang chief operating officer Yong Zi Ling and its consultant oncologist & radiotherapist Datuk Dr Adel Zaatar.
Yong said its Elekta Versa HD, second Linac is the latest radiation therapy treatment system that is designed to improve patient care and treat a broader spectrum of cancers.
“The Elekta Versa HD has the versatility to deliver conventional radiotherapy in addition to advanced therapies such as stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and radiosurgery (SRS).
“With this new addition, our centre is now not only equipped with advanced technology but also is backed by a strong, skilled and experienced multi-disciplinary team of clinical oncologists, haematologist-oncologists, surgical oncologist and others who specialise in treating cancers from brain, head and neck, breast, lung, colon, gastrointestinal tract, reproductive organs, blood and so on.
‘We believe that with our continuous effort in providing the best care for our patients via a multidisciplinary team of specialists, facilities designed for comfort and advanced technology, Gleneagles Hospital Penang will be at the forefront in providing comprehensive one-stop tertiary care for locals as well as those from neighbouring countries,” she commented.
Story by Danny Ooi
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis