TheHEALTH January/February 2026 | Page 4

04 LOCAL NEWS

The HEALTH | January-February. 2026

Beyond sight

THE Faculty of Health Sciences at University Kebangsaan Malaysia( UKM) hosted a significant academic milestone on Dec 15, 2025, with the delivery of an inaugural professional lecture by Prof Datuk Dr Rokiah Omar, a senior figure in optometry and public health.

The lecture, held at the UKM Chancellery Building, drew academics, professionals and guests from across disciplines.
Titled " Pencegahan Kebutaan, Pemulihan dan Kualiti Hidup Orang Berpenglihatan Terhad: Pendekatan Berasaskan Prinsip Pelbagai Disiplin ", the address examined how blindness prevention and low-vision care must move beyond clinical treatment to embrace rehabilitation, mental health support and community-based interventions.
In her lecture, Rokiah underscored that visual impairment affects not only physical function but also emotional well-being, confidence and social
participation.
She stressed that early detection- particularly at preschool and school levels- remains one of the most effective strategies to prevent avoidable vision loss, aligning Malaysia ' s efforts with global frameworks such as WHO Vision 2020 and national eye health strategies.
She centred her lecture on the urgent need for multidisciplinary collaboration, positioning optometrists as the frontline while working closely with ophthalmologists, occupational therapists, educators, and mental health professionals.
Rokiah showed how integrated care models have improved outcomes for children, industrial workers and individuals with complex eye conditions such as diabetic retinopathy.
She advocated rehabilitation as a pathway to restoring independence and quality of life beyond clinical care. This approach includes using assistive devices, providing adaptive training and
Prof Datuk Dr Rokiah Omar
supporting community programmes- such as para sports- which have clearly improved mobility, confidence and social integration among people with low vision.
The lecture also showcased Rokiah ' s extensive career in research, education and policy advocacy. After UKM trained her as an optometrist and she earned a PhD from the University of New South Wales, she led numerous national initiatives.
She established standard operating procedures for community optometry. She played a key role in positioning optometry services as essential healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The event concluded by recognising Rokiah ' s contributions not only as a scholar and clinician, but as a strong advocate for inclusive health systems that prioritise dignity, access and quality of life for people with visual impairment.

Cardiac care record

THE Cardiology Department at Hospital Sultan Idris Shah( HSIS), Serdang, achieved one of its most demanding days in cardiac care when staff treated 76 heart patients in a single day during a prolonged 17-hour operation, setting a new internal hospital record.
The intensive effort included 48 Percutaneous Coronary Interventions( PCIs), commonly known as stent procedures, making it the highest number performed in one day at the hospital in two decades.
The achievement reflects the department ' s growing capacity to manage high patient volumes amid increasing cardiovascular disease cases nationwide.
HSIS Cardiology Department Head Dr Asri Ranga Abdullah Ramaiah said the hospital typically handles between 50 and 70 cardiology cases a day, placing the latest figure among the highest ever recorded.
" We set a record for PCIs at Hospital Serdang today, with 48 PCIs performed in a single day- the highest in the past 20 years," he said.
He added that the operation was not without challenges, particularly
CARDIAC FRONTLINE: Hospital Sultan Idris Shah plays a central role in providing specialised cardiac care to millions of patients across the region involving critical emergency cases.
" Thankfully, no patients lost their lives, although a few emergency heart attack cases came close, including one patient who required CPR prior to stenting, but all patients survived," he told Bernama.
Managing high case volume relied on the hospital ' s seven angiogram machines, which are essential for diagnosing and treating blocked arteries. Dr Asri credited nearly 100 staff- including doctors, nurses, assistants, radiographers, and support staff- for their continuous teamwork from 8 am Friday to 1 am Saturday.
Of the total patients treated, 26 were emergency referrals from seven hospitals, including Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Hospital Kuala Pilah, Hospital Seremban and Hospital Cyberjaya.
In 2025 alone, HSIS recorded 9,483 coronary angiograms and 6,486 PCIs, both among the institution ' s highest annual figures. The hospital currently serves as the main cardiac referral centre for an estimated 12 to 13 million people across Selangor, the Federal Territory, Melaka and Negeri Sembilan, while also handling complex cases from other states.
To meet rising demand, HSIS plans to install two additional angiogram machines within the next year and continues to strengthen its workforce, which includes nearly 30 cardiology trainees and 15 specialists.- The HEALTH