The Health January/February 2024 | Page 23

January-February . 2024 | The HEALTH

People

23

Anaesthesiologist ’ s quick thinking saves cyclist ’ s life

DURING the recent LEKAS Night Ride 2023 , a popular cycling event along the Lekas Highway , Dr Shahridan Mohd Fathil , an off-duty anaesthesiologist from Gleneagles Hospital Johor , showed admirable medical expertise by aiding a collapsed cyclist .

On Oct 21 , 2023 , amidst 6,000 participants , Dr Shahridan made a crucial decision to join a first responder ’ s CPR efforts , which proved to be instrumental in saving the cyclist ’ s life .
Collaborating with Dr Farihan , another physician-cyclist , they both awaited emergency response , utilising an Automated External Defibrillator ( AED ) resulting in the patient ’ s return of spontaneous circulation ( ROSC ). The patient was then taken by ambulance to the Hospital Tuanku
Ja ’ afar Seremban .
Dr Shahridan and Dr Farihan also accompanied the patient in the ambulance . It proved a critical decision as the patient lost ROSC en route to the hospital . Their continuous CPR efforts were vital under limiting conditions of the ambulance until reaching the hospital .
The patient was later transferred to Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz UKM and underwent emergency primary coronary intervention ( PCI ) and admission to the ICU . Although experiencing some memory impairment , the patient is recovering under rehabilitation at the Ministry of Health Rehab Hospital in Cheras , Kuala Lumpur .
Dr Shahridan emphasised the significance of “ The Chain of Survival ” in cardiac arrest scenarios , stressing immediate emergency
Dr Shahridan Mohd Fathil
response , early CPR , rapid defibrillation with AEDs , advanced life support and post-arrest care for patient recovery .
His actions underscore the pivotal role of medical knowledge in emergencies , showcasing the life-saving impact of quick and informed intervention .

Multilingual nurse garners praise

FORMER Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah admired the multilingual capabilities of a clinic nurse Shamini Sadha Sivam at UCSI Hospital .
In a Facebook post , Dr Noor Hisham highlighted Shamini ’ s proficiency in five main languages - Bahasa Malaysia , English , Tamil , Malayalam and Mandarin , along with several Chinese dialects .
Impressed by Shamini ’ s soft skills and capabilities since day one , Dr Noor Hisham acknowledged her as a very talented nurse contributing to the team ’ s provision of highquality care and a pleasant experience for patients at UCSI Hospital .
He said Shamini assisted in translating Chinese for patients . Noor Hisham , who is Chairman of UCSI Healthcare Group emphasised the significance of multilingualism in a multicultural country like Malaysia .
Shamini stands out as an exemplary

Woman ’ s brain surgery costs just RM258

A MALAYSIAN man recently shared his positive experience with Malaysia ’ s healthcare system , emphasising the stark cost difference between government and private hospitals .
The revelation came after his wife underwent brain surgery and a 26-day hospitalisation and the bill was a mere RM258 at a government hospital , Lee shared in a Facebook post .
Initially seeking medical attention for severe headaches , the woman was treated with painkillers at a clinic before a CT scan at a private hospital revealed serious brain haemorrhage .
Opting for a brain coiling procedure at the private hospital , they were quoted a staggering RM150,000 ! Then complications arose when his wife healthcare professional , showcasing the importance of linguistic diversity in delivering effective patient care .
tested positive for Covid-19 on Dec 17 leading to a mandatory relocation to a central government hospital in Johor Bahru .
Government regulations dictate that patients who are Covid-19 positive must undergo quarantine at the central hospital . Hence , her scheduled surgery was delayed until Jan 7 . Despite an additional waiting time for the doctor ’ s return , the procedure was successful , marking the end of her 26-day hospital stay .
Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah and Shamini Sadha Sivam .
Lee and his wife .
To the man ’ s surprise , the total bill at the government hospital was only RM258 . Expressing gratitude , he highlighted the accessibility and cost-effectiveness of Malaysia ’ s public healthcare system . It also showcases the efficiency and affordability of Malaysia ’ s public healthcare infrastructure .
Comparing it to private alternatives , he remarked that choosing a private hospital would have incurred at least a thousand times more costs .

Supermax announces new CEO and four new directors

GLOVE manufacturer Supermax Corporation Berhad recently made significant changes to its senior management team to bolster its global operations , with a particular focus on Malaysia and the United States .
The healthcare-related company announced the appointment of Tan Chee Keong , also known as CK Tan , as Senior Executive Director and the new CEO . CK Tan ( pic ) is the nephew of Supermax ’ s cofounders Datuk Seri Stanley Thai Kim Sim and his wife Datuk Wira Cheryl Tan Bee Geok .
Additionally , Tan Bow Kok , referred to as BK Tan , has been named Chief Operating Officer ( COO ). CK Tan and BK Tan have substantial tenures with Supermax , dating back to 2000 and 1999 , respectively .
In addition to these key leadership roles , the company has introduced a new Deputy COO and a Chief Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs Officer .
Supermax Corp Bhd ’ s organisational restructuring and new appointments signal a proactive approach to navigate and capitalise on opportunities within the evolving landscape of the global market .
These strategic appointments aim to fortify the management team , aligning with Supermax ’ s plans for an expanded distribution network and an increased manufacturing footprint in the US market .
The company has expanded its board with the inclusion of Gan Kim Khoon , Shelley Wong Phait Lee , Dr Yap Lang Ling , and Yip Kit Weng . The company said that this diversified board is expected to bring valuable insights and expertise to support Supermax ’ s objectives in the global market .
These appointments were effective Jan 2 , 2024 .