Unimas inks MoA with Eye Specialist Centre Kuching

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Kadim (third from left) exchanges the signed MoA with Dr Kong. Abdul Karim is third from right, back row. Photos by: Chimon Upon.

Kadim (third from left) exchanges the signed MoA with Dr Kong. Abdul Karim is third from right, back row. Photos by: Chimon Upon.

KUCHING: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Eye Specialist Centre (ESC) Kuching yesterday to bring enhanced eye or ophthalmology services to the state.

The MoA was signed by Unimas vice chancellor Prof Dato Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi while ESC was represented by its medical director Dr Dennis Kong and director Dr Tiong Tung Hui.

BN candidate for Asajaya Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah witnessed the signing.

Kadim said the collaboration marked another milestone for Unimas, especially its Medicine and Health Science Faculty.

“The enhanced service in the important sub-specialties of complex glucoma and vitreo-retinal/retina surgery services will complement existing ophthalmology services in the state,” he said.

Kadim added the collaboration would provide a good platform for research and training to benefit students, lecturers, medical practitioners and the community, in general.

“All these efforts are vital towards contributing to the advancement of the standard and quality of eye care, through new discoveries, innovation of new treatments and surgical techniques.”

Meanwhile, Dr Kong said ESC hoped to work synergistically with Unimas and complement each other to enhance specialised eye care services in the region.

“Leading this effort from Unimas Ophthalmology Department is Prof Dr Lim, who has dual sub-specialties in complex glaucoma and vitreo-retina surgery.

“Like the saying goes, ‘if you want to work fast, you work alone. But if you work together, we can go much further.’ As such, ESC is looking forward to walk very far with Unimas.”

ESC, Kong shared, was set up by several senior eye specialists in Kuching last September.

“The ambulatory care, in which there is no overnight admission, good practice and the sharing of expensive and highly specialised equipment will help us to be more cost effective and to improve the standard of eye care services in the region.”

In his speech, Abdul Karim hoped the partnership between a public university and private sector would help produce more quality students and medical practitioners.

“This is a good synergy that will benefit both entities and the public. Sharing of knowledge and technology in eye care is the way forward.”

Also present were Unimas’ deputy vice chancellor (Academic and International) Prof Dr Wan Hashim Wan Ibrahim and Dean of Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Prof Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit.