May-June. 2025 | The HEALTH

NEW cardiac initiative in Selangor A significant collaboration was established between Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City( SMC) and SEL- CARE, the designated programme operator under the Selangor State Heart Treatment Scheme.

The formal signing ceremony was attended by Selangor State ' s Public Health and Environment Executive Councillor Jamaliah Jamaluddin. This partnership aims to enhance early diagnosis, screening, and treatment for heart disease throughout the state, with a specific focus on vulnerable communities.

The memorandum of understanding( MoU) highlights SMC ' s commitment to corporate social responsibility( CSR) by aligning its efforts with SELCARE to promote public health through early intervention and accessible cardiac care.

SELCARE, which is the healthcare arm of the Selangor government and part of the SELGATE Group, has a history of providing affordable healthcare to underserved populations.

This collaboration will enable SMC to enhance public health initiatives by ensuring accessible and quality healthcare. At the same time, SELCARE will continue to facilitate

THE Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health Malaysia( MoH), hosted its first Cataract Carnival, a significant event that provided free cataract surgeries to 60 individuals from the B40 socio-economic group.

This two-day initiative aimed to combat preventable blindness, especially among older Malaysians, while raising awareness about the importance of early detection and access to quality eye care.

According to the National Eye Survey III, nearly 160,000 Malaysians aged 50 and above suffer from low vision, with eight per cent experiencing blindness, a significant portion attributed to cataracts, which account for over 58.6 per cent of these cases.

The event saw participation from healthcare professionals from Hospital Ampang, Hospital Serdang, and Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah, Klang, who collaborated with the access to top-notch medical services for those facing financial or logistical challenges.

Partnering with SMC, Malaysia ' s largest private quaternary hospital, marks a key milestone in extending the reach of the Selangor State Heart Treatment Scheme.

By combining SELCARE ' s grassroots engagement with SMC ' s exceptional medical expertise, the initiative aims to bring about positive change in the lives of Selangor residents, offering services at no cost or highly subsidised rates.

SMC ' s Chief Executive Officer Dr Seow Vei Ken said: " Sunway Medical Centre has always been dedicated to providing the highest standard of patient care.

" With our 28 Centres of Excellence, including our renowned Heart, Lung & Vascular Centre, we leverage the latest medical technologies and skilled healthcare professionals to serve our community.

" Our team includes 13 cardiologists, offering both adult and paediatric care alongside comprehensive cardiology subspecialties, supported by state-of-the-art facilities."

SELGATE Group Chief Executive Officer Dato ' Noor Hisham Mohd

medical team at The Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital to facilitate patient referrals and perform surgeries.

The launch was officiated by MoH Deputy Director-General of Health( Research and Technical Support) Datuk Dr Nor Fariza Ngah, Selangor State Health Department Deputy State Health Director( Medical) Dr Faizal Mat Arifin, The Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital Chairman Tan Sri Tengku Azlan Ibni Sultan Abu Bakar, and The Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital Chief Executive Officer Dato ' Michael Goh.

In her address, Dr Nor highlighted the importance of early intervention and the power of collaborative efforts in tackling vision-related challenges.

" Good vision is more than a health issue. It is a gateway to opportunity and independence. The Cataract Carnival exemplifies what can be achieved when expertise, compassion, and coordination unite."

WELLNESS PACT: Working together to ensure accessible cardiac care. From left: SMC Consultant Cardiologist Dr Mohd Kamal Mohd Arshad, SMC Chief Executive Officer Dr Seow Vei Ken, Selangor State Public Health and Environment Executive Councillor Jamaliah Jamaluddin, SELGATE Healthcare Sdn Bhd Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer Dr Nurul Mu ' az Omar, and SLEGATE Group Chief Executive Officer Dato ' Noor Hisham Mohd Ghouth.

Ghouth said: " This initiative underscores SELCARE ' s mission to bridge public health policy with private sector capabilities, ensuring that no one in Selangor is overlooked regarding their heart health."

VISION CHECK: Members of the public received complimentary eye screenings during the Cataract Carnival 2025, an initiative aimed at promoting early detection and

She also noted that over 66,000 cataract surgeries were performed in Malaysia in 2024, with an average patient age of 65, underscoring the commitment to restoring sight and enhancing lives, particularly among the elderly.

Tengku Azlan remarked: " Restoring sight is not merely a clinical act; it restores hope, independence, and quality of life. We are proud to lead this initiative with the Ministry of Health and our partner hospitals. It is our shared duty to ensure that no Malaysian is left behind when it comes to such a vital aspect as vision."

Shell SELECT expands

EVERYDAY ACCESS: Shell and CARiNG Pharmacy make

SHELL Malaysia is making significant strides to enhance its retail experience at petrol stations, reinforcing its vision of Shell SELECT stores as comprehensive destinations for essential products.

In an exciting new development, Shell has partnered with CARiNG Pharmacy to introduce healthcare essentials alongside its existing range of food, beverages, and lifestyle products.

This strategic partnership transforms Shell SELECT into a one-stop convenience hub where Malaysians can effortlessly satisfy their daily needs, from snacks and fresh food to pharmacy-grade over-thecounter medications.

In a significant enhancement for customer convenience, a dedicated bay showcasing a full range of CARiNG Pharmacy ' s health essentials will now be available at over 600 Shell SELECT stores across Peninsular Malaysia. This selection includes over-the-counter medications such as pain relievers, cold and flu treatments, and digestive aids.

This initiative underscores Shell ' s commitment to providing a holistic retail experience, which includes offerings such as freshly baked pastries and barista-crafted coffee from Shell Café, Shell Lubricants, Shell Recharge EV charging hubs, and Shell Car Care products- all supported by the reliable service customers expect at Shell stations nationwide.

Shell Malaysia General Manager of Mobility & Convenience, Seow Lee Ming, noted that this partnership signifies Shell SELECT ' s ongoing innovation in meeting the everyday needs of Malaysians.

" We are delighted to collaborate with CARiNG Pharmacy, as we both believe that health products should be easily accessible to all.

" By integrating healthcare essentials into Shell SELECT stores, we aim to be a trusted partner that understands the needs of Malaysians. This initiative brings greater peace of mind and convenience to our customers, reinforcing our commitment to enhancing everyday journeys.

" This partnership with CARiNG Pharmacy marks an exciting new chapter in that journey, solidifying Shell SELECT ' s status as a true convenience destination."

CARiNG Pharmacy Managing Director Chong Yeow Siang expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration.

" This partnership is a significant advancement in our mission to make healthcare more accessible to all Malaysians. With Shell ' s extensive network, we can bring CARiNG Pharmacy ' s trusted health and wellness products to even more communities."