SULTAN NAZRIN GRACES OPENING OF UTAR HOSPITAL IN KAMPAR

KAMPAR, Feb 19 (Bernama) -- The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah today graced the opening ceremony of the Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Hospital, here.

Also present were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad and UTAR Hospital board chairman Emeritus Prof Tan Sri Dr Chuah Hein Teik.

In his speech, Chuah said the idea of UTAR having its own teaching hospital was a natural progression after the establishment of the M. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (MK FMHS) at the UTAR Sungai Long Campus, Selangor in 2009.

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He said in 2014, Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, the then UTAR council chairman, announced plans to establish a specialist training hospital at UTAR Kampar Campus, here. 

According to Chuah, located within the beautiful landscape of the UTAR Kampar Campus, the hospital benefits from a spacious environment and its strategic accessibility to nearby communities, including Ipoh, Gopeng, Tapah, Proton City, Tanjung Malim, Teluk Intan, Cameron Highlands and Malim Nawar. 

“This allows UTAR Hospital to effectively serve the wider Perak region and beyond. The hospital is developed in phases, with an initial complex comprising 250 beds for Western Medicine and 100 beds for Traditional and Complementary Medicine. 

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“The facilities include out-patient and in-patient treatment, diagnostic and treatment centres, medical and non-medical support services, research and education facilities. There is a provision to expand by an additional 250 beds in the future when the need arises,” he said.

Chuah added the Health Ministry granted the zoning approval in 2017, followed by the approval of the hospital detailed plan in 2018, with the construction commencing on Oct 5, 2018, and today, we are proud to say that UTAR Hospital Phase 1 is now completed and operational. 

He said UTAR Hospital follows the same principle as UTAR which is “by the people for the people” as it is established as a self-sustained and not-for-profit hospital. 

According to Chuah, the initial cost of construction, facilities, and medical equipment amounted to RM300 million as they have fund raising activities such as tree planting projects, charity concerts and dinners, while receiving the trust and generous support of many organisations, philanthropists, donors and individuals.

Chuah said UTAR Hospital Western Medical Centre began operation on Aug 1, 2023 with the medical team comprising resident specialists in Internal Medicine, Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Psychiatry, Paediatrics, General Surgery, Emergency Medicine, and Dental & Oral Surgery, supported by Medical Officers.

“Our ear, nose, and throat (ENT), ophthalmology and cardiology services will be introduced mid of this year. In addition, we shall in the near future focus on niche areas such as keyhole and robotic surgeries, oncology, cardiovascular and cardiothoracic services, stem cell applications for regenerative medicine, advanced cell-based therapies like immunotherapy, and advanced stroke care,” he said.

He also noted that UTAR Hospital emphasises a holistic approach to healthcare by paying attention to the balance between modern medicine and preventive treatment approaches as well as community health with the UTAR Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM) Centre that aims to enhance understanding, and broader and more effective use of traditional, complementary treatments in the modern medical landscape. 

“UTAR T&CM Centre is unique with the presence of three main branches of traditional medicine, namely Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, and Traditional Malay Medicine. With this approach, patients can receive holistic treatment that leverages on a variety of healing methods from different cultures.

“The UTAR T&CM Centre began offering Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) services in April 2022 and as of January 2025, the centre has received over 100,000 patient visits.

These patients come from various parts of Perak, as well as from other states such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Melaka,” he said.

One of the centre's key achievements according to Chuah, is the establishment of the TCM Rehabilitation Centre, which provides a range of rehabilitation treatments, including Herbal Baths, Herbal Foot Spas, Herbal Fumigation, Herbal Patches, and Postnatal Recovery therapies.

-- BERNAMA