Johor Sultan sponsors hi-tech machine for cancer treatment
Permaisuri Raja Zarith Sofiah of Johor (right) handing over a mock cheque of RM2.3mil to Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S.Subramaniam at Hotel Istana. With them is director general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
KUALA LUMPUR: Cancer patients in Johor and its neighbouring states can look forward to undergoing treatment with a new advanced machine soon.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said Hospital Sultan Ismail in Johor Baru would receive a new CT-Simulator machine for cancer treatment in the next few months.
“The machine is sponsored by Sultan Johor who visited the hospital last month.
“The state ruler saw that the present machine is already old and heavily utilised,” he told reporters after receiving a mock cheque from Johor Permaisuri Raja Zarith Sofiah for the purchase of the machine here yesterday.
The machine, costing RM2.3mil, will be placed in the Oncology Department of the hospital.
“The existing machine has been in use for 12 years and its usage has increased with the number of cancer patients each year. This new machine is of the Siemens Somatom AS type and is the first of its kind to be placed in a government hospital,” said Dr Subramaniam.
He added that the ministry would be spending another RM1.3mil on the necessary accessories and preparations for the new machine.
Dr Subramaniam said there was an increase to 1,960 cancer patients admitted to the hospital last year from 1,235 patients some six years ago.
In 2012, a total 37,400 people were diagnosed with cancer nationwide.
