KUCHING, Oct 31 — Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) has successfully carried out East Malaysia’s first vagus nerve stimulation and anterior temporal lobectomy surgery for medically refractory epilepsy, marking a new milestone in the state’s healthcare capabilities.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian congratulated SGH’s Department of Neurosurgery in a Facebook post for performing the historic operation on Oct 23.
He said the breakthrough procedure means that epilepsy patients in Sarawak will no longer need to travel to Kuala Lumpur for such advanced neurosurgical treatment.
“This marks a new era of hope for epilepsy patients in Sarawak,” he said.
The operation was led by a multidisciplinary team from SGH comprising neurosurgeons Dr Lim Swee San and Dr Alyssa Ooi, neurologist Dr Linda Then Yee Yen, neuro-anaesthetist Dr Wong Li Mei, neuropsychiatrist Dr Chhoa Keng Hong, and the Department of Radiology.
They were supported by assistant medical officers led by chief Carldrige Gali and nursing staff headed by senior staff nurse Bensy Jagu.
Dr Sim also expressed his gratitude to the University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) epilepsy surgery team led by Prof Dr Vairavan Narayanan, Prof Dr Lim Kheng Seang, and Assoc Prof Dr Fong Si Lei, for their collaboration and expertise.
The operation in progress. — Picture via Facebook/Dr Sim Kui Hian
He credited the strong leadership of Dr Donald Liew Ngian San, head of Neurosurgery at SGH, and his predecessor Dr Albert Wong Sii Hieng, for turning the long-held vision into reality, as well as SGH director Dr Ngian Hie Ung for her continued support.
Dr Sim noted that despite challenges such as staffing shortages and limited funding, SGH continues to achieve national and regional firsts in healthcare.
“SGH has 1,000 beds with an annual funding of RM824 million from the Health Ministry, yet it remains under-resourced and understaffed, with at least 50 medical officer vacancies,” he said.
He added that following a visit by the ministry’s human resources division in July, it was recognised that SGH requires an additional 4,000 staff on top of its current 5,000 to address the workload and burnout issues.
Dr Sim reiterated Sarawak’s continued push for health autonomy under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), stressing that the state must be empowered to address its own healthcare needs.
He attributed the hospital’s achievements to the shared values and professional dedication of Sarawak’s medical community.
“The specialists who came after me share the same vision, passion, and mission for Sarawak nation-building, working beyond the call of duty despite all challenges,” he said.
Dr Sim also thanked the entire SGH neurosurgical team for their commitment and professionalism, saying their success is a source of pride for Sarawak.
“Wishing the patient a speedy recovery and the beginning of an epilepsy-free life,” he added. — The Borneo Post
