The CEO of the nonprofit hospital hopes to reach the poor while also serving those who can pay.
Professional health care for many Malaysians remains out of reach due to distance and infrastructure gaps. The CEO of Tunku Abdul Rahman University (UTAR) Hospital is trying to bridge these gaps.
UTAR Hospital CEO Ding Lay Ming upgrades the facility’s services to focus on five M management – machines, manpower, money, materials and methods.
Last February, the hospital was chaired by Sultan of Perak, in Kampar, Perak, a region once known for its tin mining but is now sparsely populated compared to Malaysia’s urban centers. As a result, it does not have access to professional health care in major cities.
“We want to bridge this gap for those who have to travel long distances for treatment,” Ding said through Zoom. “Once in place, we will focus on expanding the hospital’s third-level care.”
As a “non-profit” medical facility, the hospital's initial expense of $67.9 million (RM300 million) is funded through tree planting, charity concerts, dinners and support from various organizations and philanthropists.
Ding said that self-sustainment is necessary, although it takes time. “[The hospital] “It's still in its early stages. But we will make sure we reach the unfortunate people while serving those who can pay,” she said.
UTAR Hospital plans to purchase positron emission tomography (PET), a medical imaging device that uses radioactive substances to measure metabolic processes in the body to evaluate cancer, nervous system and cardiovascular disease.
Ding said the hospital also set up a nuclear medicine unit, while services for ears, nose and throat (ENT), cardiology and eye care are expected to operate within the year.
Also in the pipeline is a catheter laboratory where doctors perform minimal invasive tests and procedures to diagnose and treat cardiovascular disease.
Retired Extinction National Health Director Ding said sustainability lies in groundbreaking systems that can be developed, improved and adapted. “People come and go, but the system still exists.”
“I have been deeply involved in high-quality initiatives throughout my career,” she said. “A coordinated, systematic approach to quality improvement can significantly increase efficiency and improve patient outcomes.”
Ding said hospitals planning medical research will establish an ethical and research committee to regulate such activities.
She added: “Since this is a new hospital, we are building the necessary work processes to ensure our clinicians have access to the latest knowledge and relevant medical journals.”
Uttar Hospital combines Western medicine with traditional and complementary medicine, and the model provides models for alternative treatments such as acupuncture and Ayurvedic therapy.
“A dedicated traditional and complementary medical institution runs side by side with the hospital and is linked to the bridge,” Ding said.
She said the integrated model is particularly beneficial for Malaysia’s population aging. “When they come to take traditional and complementary medicine, they may also need Western medicine. Our setup ensures they complement each other.”
