MENTION Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian and many will agree he is a driving force behind the word-class cardiology unit at the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH).
THE HEART DOCTOR: Dr Sim working with his team of doctors in the operation theatre.
However, few know him beyond that persona. Away from the glare of publicity, he is a down-to-earth doctor with a golden heart.
His empathy and compassion is privy only to those who know him – his patients whom he cares for with genuine kindness.
“I have always been inclined to help others, especially the less fortunate,” he said.
The magnitude of his work as a cardiologist and head of the cardiology unit overshadows the true nature the man. His thoughtfulness and consideration for others can only be seen through his works.
The plight of the natives who have to travel from the deep interior to seek treatment at SGH, and are forced to use private transport that would cost them an arm and a leg, has not escaped his attention.
“By the time they want to go home, they have no money left for transport,” Dr Sim noted.
To overcome the problem, he lobbied for a van and after three months, the cardiology unit was equipped with one.
He believes that by looking after the welfare of his medical team such as giving them opportunities to further develop their careers by sending them to Australia after three years of service, they will stay and serve the hospital.
Many view this negatively, saying the doctors will not return to rejoin the local workforce.
Brushing the remark aside, Dr Sim said it’s better to send them and have the return of a handful than not to send them at all and have to contend with less experienced doctors.
His doctors’ welfare is paramount to him and he makes sure they are well taken care of. He takes pride in the fact that while brain drain is common, his unit has brain-gained.
The cardiology unit in the Hospital has attracted many local medical talents. So far, as head of the unit, Dr Sim has trained 30 specialists throughout the country.
It is to his credit that he has single-handedly built up the cardiology unit which has gained international recognition. The unit was set up in 2001.
The Clinic Research Centre (CRC), closely associated with the unit, came in being in 2003. It is located in the old hospital building.
Numerous accolades
Sim received numerous accolades for his medical achievements, especially in the field of cardiology.
Foreign medical professionals who came over were impressed with what they saw. They had not expected to see world-class expertise and technology in the heart of Borneo.
Dr Greg Thomas, president of the Nuclear Cardiology, USA, wrote in the journal of the American College of Cardiology: “Flying over thousands of kilometers of jungles to arrive in the capital city of Kuching, I was surprised to find a modern cardiovascular centre gracing the capital. Advanced cardiac surgery, coronary stenting and diagnostic services were the order of the day. The Centre that Dr Kui Hian Sim and his colleagues created there was remarkable.”
Explained Sim: “These professionals never expected to see research on the sickness (heart) conducted in this part of the world.
“They were expecting only to see services. The CRC caught them by surprise and on top of that, the in-depth research carried out by a team of highly-trained professionals left them highly impressed.”
President of the American College of Cardiology, Professor James Dove also referred in the same journal to the high standard found in the local cardiology unit that is on par with their international counterparts.
So impressive was he that Malaysia – on his recommendation – became the first international chapter of the American College of Cardiology – a prestigious accolade in the medical field.
This is only one of the international recognitions accorded the unit, led by Dr Sim.
On the home front, the team in cardiology unit managed to convince the federal government to provide a RM35 million grant for a new premise at the CRC which is expected to be ready in 2013.
Presently, the Centre rakes in RM2 million annually in foreign exchange and expects to increase its earnings to RM20 million.
Impressed with the work of Dr Sim’s team, Prime Minister Datuk Sri Najib Tun Razak granted the state the right to build the Sarawak Health Metropolis, the second research centre in the country.
It will encompass manufacturing and health services and clinical studies as well as enjoy a wide range of affiliations with local and foreign universities.
“The Sarawak General Hospital gave me the platform, and without my team of doctors, we would not have been able to achieve all these. It is their dedication and commitment that brought us to where we are today,” Dr Sim said.
No regrets
Sim has no regrets returning to Sarawak after working for more than a decade in Australia, quipping that he was a “small fish in a big pond in Australia but a big fish in a small pond in Sarawak.”
Surprisingly, medicine was never his passion when he was young. He took it up because none of his cousins did.
“I guess I just wanted to be different.”
Dr Sim enjoys his profession, given that he has always been a people’s person. His desire to help others is obvious.
Dr Sim had his early education in St Joseph’s School, Kuching, and later attended high school in St Bede’s College, Memtone, Australia where he scored 6As in the Higher School Certificate.
He had his tertiary education in Monash University, Melbourne, where he attained the 27th position in the final year ranking.
A truly gifted person, Sim excels in whatever he endeavors. He was in his final year of medical school, majoring in intensive care, when he made a switch to cardiology and he passed with flying colours.
Dr Sim is married to Enn Ong Siok Ean and the couple blessed with two sons – Enson and Simson.
He is the nominated SUPP candidate to stand in the Pending constituency in the coming election.