First paediatric heart surgery
KOTA KINABALU: The Cardiology team at Gleneagles Kota Kinabalu Hospital successfully performed its first paediatric open heart surgery - a first for the private sector in Sabah.
The patient is a three-yearold girl from Papar, who was diagnosed with ventricular septal defect (VSD). She underwent surgery on November 21 and was discharged on November 29 last month.
VSD, more commonly known as a hole in the heart, is the most common congenital heart disease. The incidence of congenital heart disease is up to 10 of every 1,000 newborns.
In Sabah, about 400 new cases of congenital heart disease are diagnosed every year.
“The Gleneagles Kota Kinabalu team is delighted with the outcome of this surgery. This achievement is a remarkable testament to the clinical capabilities, outstanding medical expertise and state-ofthe-art equipment that Gleneagles Kota Kinabalu Hospital offers, which enables us to treat complex cases.
“With this, we have taken another step closer to becoming the leading international healthcare provider in Sabah,” said Jean-Francois Naa, CEO of Gleneagles Kota Kinabalu Hospital.
“Previously, most children with congenital heart disease had to travel to Peninsular Malaysia or abroad to get treatment.
“With the establishment of Gleneagles Kota Kinabalu Hospital in Sabah, we are now able to perform paediatric heart surgeries locally, giving them a new lease on life,” said Dr Abu Bakar bin Mamat, Consultant Paediatric Cardiothoracic Surgeon at Gleneagles Kota Kinabalu Hospital.
This paediatric open heart surgery is done as part of the hospital’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, in collaboration with the Ministry through The Society for Sabah Heart Fund (SOSHF), a member of Sabah Council of Social Services (MPMS).
The patient’s hospital expenses were fully paid for by the Khazanah IHH Healthcare Fund, which provides partial and fullysponsored medical treatment to needy patients in IHH’s home markets of Malaysia, Singapore and Turkey.
Janet Chee Ken Liam, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Community Development and Consumer Affairs Sabah, on behalf of Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad, visited the little girl while she was recovering from surgery at Gleneagles Kota Kinabalu Hospital.
Janet was accompanied by Dr Siva Rao, Paediatric Cardiologist in Queen Elizabeth Hospital 2 and Visiting Consultant at Gleneagles Kota Kinabalu, Datuk Eva Susau, Honorary Secretary of SOSHF, Joeanne Lee, Executive Secretary of MPMS, and Tan Hui Sin, Medical Social Worker, Queen Elizabeth Hospital 2.
“We were worried and anxious when we were told that she needed surgery after she was diagnosed with VSD at three months old. During a checkup at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in October this year, we were told again that she needs the surgery and were given the options to do it in Kuala Lumpur or Kota Kinabalu.
“After considering the logistics problems, travelling costs and the undue stress of having to leave behind the rest of our family, we chose to do it locally. We are happy and relieved that she is recovering well - thanks to the Khazanah IHH Healthcare Fund that we received and the excellent team of doctors and staff at Gleneagles Kota Kinabalu Hospital,” said Jafarlie Matusin, father of the patient.
Gleneagles Kota Kinabalu Hospital is in discussion with the ministry to provide help to the local communities in Sabah who require paediatric heart surgery services.