SIBU: Sibu Hospital has advanced its cardiovascular diagnostic capabilities by becoming the first hospital in Malaysia to be equipped with near helium-free cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technology, expanding access to specialised treatment for patients in central Sarawak.

Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian said the technology is not only cutting-edge, but also marks a significant shift from conventional MRI systems which typically require large amounts of helium for magnet operation.

According to the Sarawak Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, the ability to perform cardiac scans places Sibu Hospital at a higher level, given that the technology is far more complex than standard MRI.

He said this when met by reporters after officiating the launch of the machine at Sibu Hospital, on Friday.

The acquisition of the asset was realised through a strategic collaboration between the Sarawak Heart Foundation, the Ministry of Health (MOH), 20 donors and Philips Malaysia.

The initiative began with contributions from 20 donors who successfully raised RM2.02 million, while MOH also allocated RM1,208,018 to upgrade the facilities for housing the machine.

With the availability of this technology, patients no longer need to travel to Kuching to undergo cardiac scans, thereby reducing travel burdens and improving access to timely treatment.

Datuk Amar Dr Sim said cardiac MRI enables doctors to assess blood flow to the heart and detect blocked arteries with greater accuracy.

In addition, he said the technology can determine whether heart muscles are still functioning or have become non-viable, which is a critical factor in determining the effectiveness of further treatments such as bypass surgery, balloon procedures or stent placement.

The machine is also capable of performing various other scans, including brain and whole-body imaging, further strengthening Sibu Hospital’s diagnostic capabilities as one of Sarawak’s key medical hubs.

Also present during the ceremony was Deputy Minister of Health Dato Hanifah Hajar Taib. -UKASnews