Penang Adventist Hospital Nuclear Medicine Centre Grand Launching
Speech by Yang Amat Berhormat Tuan Chow Kon Yeow The Honourable Chief Minister of Penang
Penang Adventist Hospital Nuclear Medicine Centre
Grand Launching
13th March 2022 (Sunday)
Mr Ronald Koh Wah Heng
Chief Executive Officer of Penang Adventist Hospital
Doctors, Unit Heads & Members of the Staff of Penang Adventist Hospital,
Distinguished guests,
Members of the Press,
Ladies & Gentlemen.
A very good morning to all.
It is an honour for me to be here today, as part of the grand launching of the very first private comprehensive Nuclear Medicine Centre in Northern Malaysia.
Improving human health and providing access to affordable, high-quality health care has always been a top priority to the Penang State Government. It is not only an ethical and social imperative, but it is also a necessary component for the long-term development of our societies and economy.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Our healthcare sector, as evidenced by the Covid-19 pandemic, is constantly confronted with new challenges, particularly in the form of new illnesses, diseases, and complications. Nonetheless, as technology advances, we are fortunate to have access to new medical technologies that are constantly being developed and improved. Many diseases that were once deemed to be incurable can now be treated or controlled.
The Adventist Nuclear Medicine Centre is a prime example of a centre of excellence at the cutting edge of medical technology. With nuclear imaging, physicians are now able to efficiently and cost-effectively diagnose and treat patients while avoiding more invasive procedures, such as surgery or biopsy. As a result, I strongly believe that it has a huge potential in providing the best healthcare to the people of Penang and the rest of Malaysia.
Given the Prime Minister's recent announcement that international borders will reopen on the 1st of next month, the opening of the Nuclear Medical Centre could not have come at a better time. In addition to serving domestic patients, the centre can now make the necessary preparations to serve international patients once international borders reopen.
This, will be an excellent addition to the state's already burgeoning Healthcare Travel Industry. According to the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Industry Blueprint 2021-2025, Penang leads the way in healthcare travel revenue, earning RM750 million from 500,000 patients who flew to the state in 2019 and being named the “Most Established State in Healthcare Travel.”
Ladies and gentlemen,
The manufacturing and services sectors are the twin engines of growth for the State. In the year 2020, the service industry accounted for nearly half of the state's GDP, while Penang's approved manufacturing investments reached an all-time high of RM76.2 billion in 2021, accounting for nearly half of the country's total. I hope that this recent exemplary performance will inspire our Healthcare Travel Industry to reach new heights and continue striving for the betterment of the State and the nation as a whole.
Having said that, I would like to congratulate all of you at Penang Adventist Hospital for launching this Adventist Nuclear Medicine Centre. It takes true dedication to bring such medical advancement to our community and I am pleased to say that this is an achievement we can all be proud of.
I would also like to take this opportunity to compliment your efforts in launching the “12 Ribbons Campaign” today in an effort to raise awareness not only on cancer as a disease but also toward the vast care gap that exists within our society.
As the campaign's theme "Close the Care Gap" suggests, and in line with Penang2030 vision of uplifting vulnerable communities and reducing inequalities, we envision a future in which cancer care is not influenced by where you live, your background, or how you identify. We hope to see everyone working together to ensure that all cancer patients, no matter where they are, receive the necessary care and attention.
Lastly, I would like to express my gratitude for the honour of witnessing this historical moment: the grand launching of Penang Adventist Hospital’s Nuclear Medical Centre, and I wish Penang Adventist Hospital every success. I believe it will serve as a beacon of hope for many patients and members of our community.
Thank you.