KUCHING: Cardiologist Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian believes that he can fight for better medical benefits for Sarawakians if the people give him the mandate to be in the government.
SIMPLE CEREMONY: Dr Sim (second right) and Wee (fourth right) jointly cut the ribbon to mark the opening of the Chinese medicine books and equipment exhibition. Also seen are Dr Wong (right) and other guests.
The Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Pending candidate yesterday said his contribution to the people and the nation would be restricted if he remained as a cardiologist.
“As a cardiologist, I can only serve the people who have heart problems. What I can do is limited. I can’t fight for a second hospital for Kuching people. I can’t fight for better medical facility for Sarawakians as well as the future generations.
“I have done my part to establish the Cardiac Unit of Sarawak General Hospital (SGH). I have trained many qualified doctors over the years who are now serving the people throughout the country. I think it is time for me to turn a new chapter, which is politics.
“I believe I can do more if I’m in politics,” said Dr Sim at the 15th anniversary of Chung Hua Institute of Chinese Medicine at Abell Road here.
Dr Sim, the academic advisor of the institute, said it was high time for Kuching to have a second general hospital due to the increase in population.
He pointed out that Kuching with a population of 700,000 has only one 850-bed general hospital while Kota Baru, Kelantan has two general hospitals with a total of 1,600 beds. The population of Kota Baru is around 500,000.
Dr Sim also advised Chinese medicine practitioners in the state to carry out more scientific researches to enhance professionalism of traditional medicine.
He said by adapting Chinese medicine with science and technology, it would help to further position the medicine in the world, pointing out that producing only quality and well-known Chinese physicians was not enough to ensure that the traditional practice stays relevant in the new era.
“It is crucial for Chinese physicians to adapt to technology to make Chinese medicine more scientific so that it will be able to stand firm in the medical world. If you are good in research, people from all over the world will approach you even if you are in the rainforest of Borneo,” he said.
“When we first started the unit 10 years ago, not many people thought that we can do so well and today, the results speak for themselves. Everything starts from small. The most important thing is we must have the faith, confidence and determination in our undertaking,” he stressed.
Also present was the Malaysia BIMP-Eaga (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines East Asia Growth Region) Tourism Council chairman Datuk Wee Hong Seng and the academic advisor and the institute’s president Professor Dr Wong Ching Chiong.
Wee suggested the government to assist the institute or private sectors develop the herbal industry in the state, saying Sarawak with its good weather and soil is suitable for herbal cultivation.
“By developing the herbs industry, it will not only enhance Chinese medicine but also the state’s economy in terms of health tourism,” he reasoned.
He also advised the institute to play an active role in improving the standard of traditional medicine to attract more patients from overseas.