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Category: Sunway Medical Centre

  • Safer Raya Travel: Every Moment Matters on the Road

    Dr Mohamad Hafiz bin Mohmad Hassim, Consultant Orthopaedic & Advanced Musculoskeletal Trauma Surgeon, Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City 
    Dr Mohd Khalis bin Abdul Rahim, Consultant Emergency Physician, Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City

    As Malaysians prepare to balik kampung for Hari Raya Aidilfitri, highways and roads nationwide are expected to see a significant surge in traffic. The festive موسم coinciding with school holidays means longer travel hours, increased congestion, and more families journeying together. While the spirit of Raya centres on reunion and celebration, it is also one of the most high-risk periods on the road. Even a brief lapse in attention, fatigue, or a moment of speeding can lead to life-altering consequences within seconds.

    According to data from Royal Malaysia Police Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department, over 15,000 road accidents and 123 fatalities were recorded خلال the 2025 festive travel period, reflecting a worrying rise compared to the previous year. For medical professionals, this seasonal spike translates into a surge of trauma cases, ranging from road traffic collisions involving motorists and motorcyclists to घरेलू and recreational injuries during the holidays.

    At Sunway Medical Centre, emergency teams operate under intense pressure during this period. Consultant Emergency Physician Dr Mohd Khalis bin Abdul Rahim explains that trauma care begins with the critical ABCDE approach—airway, breathing, circulation, disability, and exposure—to quickly identify and treat life-threatening conditions. This process involves a coordinated effort from multidisciplinary teams including surgeons, radiologists, anaesthetists, and critical care specialists, all working in sync to stabilise patients before further intervention.

    Recovery doesn’t stop after surgery, physiotherapy and rehabilitation are crucial in helping patients get back on their feet. 

    Once stabilised, orthopaedic specialists like Dr Mohamad Hafiz bin Mohmad Hassim take over to assess injuries and determine the best course of treatment. Trauma cases often include fractures, joint injuries, and complex conditions requiring urgent surgery. However, not all injuries demand immediate العمليات—careful judgment is essential in deciding when surgical intervention is necessary and when conservative management is more appropriate. Importantly, doctors caution that some injuries may not be immediately visible, making early medical evaluation crucial even when symptoms appear mild.

    Modern imaging technology has revolutionised trauma care, enabling faster and more accurate diagnosis. From X-rays to CT scans and MRI, doctors can now visualise injuries in detail within minutes. Advanced 3D imaging also allows surgeons to plan procedures more precisely, reducing complications and improving outcomes. In some cases, interventional radiology can control internal bleeding without the need for open surgery, significantly increasing survival chances.

    However, recovery does not end after surgery. Rehabilitation and physiotherapy play an equally vital role in ensuring patients regain mobility and strength. Early movement, sometimes within days after surgery, helps prevent stiffness and long-term disability. Skipping rehabilitation can lead to prolonged recovery or permanent loss of function, highlighting the importance of consistent follow-up care.

    Advice for bystanders, call 999 straight away. Press firmly on any heavy bleeding using a clean cloth or bandage. Only do CPR if you are trained. Otherwise, just keep the victim calm, still, and breathing.

    For bystanders, immediate response can make a life-saving difference. Ensuring personal safety comes first, followed by calling emergency services at 999. Applying firm pressure to bleeding wounds, keeping the injured person calm, and performing CPR if trained are crucial steps that can stabilise victims before professional help arrives.

    Ultimately, prevention remains the most effective approach. Simple اقدامات such as wearing seatbelts, using proper helmets, ensuring child safety seats, and maintaining vehicles can significantly reduce the risk of severe injuries. Road users, especially motorcyclists and cyclists, are urged to avoid speeding and practise defensive driving at all times.

    As festive journeys bring loved ones together, safety must remain a top priority. With greater awareness, responsible behaviour, and timely emergency care, tragedies can be prevented—ensuring that every journey this Raya ends safely at home.

  • Enjoy Festive Foods in Moderation for a Happier, Healthier Stomach

    Enjoy Festive Foods in Moderation for a Happier, Healthier Stomach

    Festive seasons are often associated with joy, togetherness and the warmth of reconnecting with loved ones. In Malaysia, celebrations such as Hari Raya are also marked by generous open houses where families and friends gather to enjoy a variety of traditional dishes. Popular festive favourites including rendang, lemang, kuah kacang and an array of colourful kuih are typically served across multiple gatherings, often over several consecutive days. While such culinary traditions form an important part of the celebration, repeated indulgence in heavy meals within a short period can place considerable strain on the digestive system.

    One of the most common digestive issues that arises during festive seasons is dyspepsia, more widely known as indigestion. It is estimated that between 15 and 25 percent of Malaysians experience dyspepsia, making it among the most frequent gastrointestinal complaints in the country. Symptoms may include upper abdominal bloating, early satiety, nausea, excessive belching and a burning sensation in the upper abdomen. These symptoms are often linked to how the stomach functions rather than structural abnormalities in the digestive tract.

    According to consultant gastroenterologist and hepatologist Dr Deborah Chew Chia Hsin of Sunway Medical Centre Velocity, festive eating patterns can easily aggravate digestive discomfort. Dishes high in fat, such as those prepared with coconut milk, can slow the process of gastric emptying. As food remains in the stomach for a longer period, individuals may experience prolonged fullness, bloating and discomfort. Consuming large meal portions repeatedly over several days further increases pressure within the stomach, preventing it from recovering between meals.

    Sweet desserts, sugary beverages and carbonated drinks may also worsen digestive symptoms by increasing gas production and stomach distension. Meanwhile, spicy foods can trigger discomfort in individuals with sensitive stomachs or conditions such as gastritis, acid reflux or functional dyspepsia. Although spicy ingredients do not necessarily damage the stomach lining, they can intensify the sensation of burning or pain for those already prone to digestive sensitivity.

    Lifestyle habits during festive gatherings can further contribute to indigestion. Remaining sedentary or lying down immediately after a large meal slows digestion and increases the likelihood of acid reflux. Medical experts generally recommend waiting at least two to three hours after eating before lying down to allow the stomach sufficient time to empty.

    While occasional indigestion is usually temporary, persistent symptoms should not be ignored. If discomfort lasts longer than two to three weeks or is accompanied by warning signs such as unexplained weight loss, vomiting, black stools or difficulty swallowing, medical evaluation may be necessary. Diagnostic assessments may include blood tests, Helicobacter pylori testing or upper endoscopy to determine the underlying cause.

    Ultimately, prevention remains the most effective strategy. Practising portion control, pacing meals and maintaining balanced eating habits can help minimise digestive discomfort during festive celebrations. By listening to the body and avoiding excessive indulgence, individuals can enjoy the festive season while keeping their digestive health in check.

  • Nasopharyngeal Cancer in Malaysia: Early Detection Is Key

    Nasopharyngeal Cancer in Malaysia: Early Detection Is Key

    KUALA LUMPUR, 10 February 2026 – Persistent nasal congestion, unexplained ear symptoms such as blocked hearing, ringing in the ears, or painless neck lumps are often dismissed as routine ENT complaints. However, these symptoms can sometimes indicate nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC), a disease that develops in a hidden area behind the nose and often presents with subtle, non-specific early signs. In Malaysia, NPC remains one of the most common cancers affecting men, with cancer-related deaths rising to 14.3 per cent of all fatalities in 2024, up from 13.8 per cent in 2023.

    Dr Hafizah Zaharah Ahmad, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at Sunway Medical Centre Velocity (SMCV), emphasizes that early detection is critical, as survival rates can exceed 90 per cent. Many early symptoms are mismanaged as sinusitis, allergies, or ear infections, which underscores the importance of awareness and prompt medical evaluation. NPC arises from the nasopharynx, the region located behind the nose and above the throat, which makes early tumors difficult to detect during routine examinations. Dr David Yee Leong Wai, ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon at SMCV, notes that painless neck swellings caused by enlarged lymph nodes are often the first noticeable symptom, but they are frequently overlooked.

    SMCV Dr David Yee Leong Wai
    SMCV Dr Hafizah Zaharah

    Risk factors include Epstein-Barr virus infection, smoking, family history, genetic predisposition, and diets high in preserved or salted foods. Diagnosis involves structured assessment, including nasoendoscopy, MRI or CT imaging, and tissue biopsy to confirm cancer type and grade according to WHO classification. Treatment depends on disease stage, with radiotherapy as the primary modality and concurrent chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced disease. Advances like Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) and Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy allow precise tumor targeting while protecting surrounding tissues.

    Supportive care is crucial during treatment to manage side effects such as fatigue, nausea, oral ulcers, and reduced appetite. Post-treatment follow-up is essential to detect recurrence early and maintain quality of life. With increased awareness, timely intervention, and modern treatment techniques, outcomes for NPC patients continue to improve, highlighting the life-saving impact of early detection.