28/04/2025

MONDAY | APR 28, 2025

HEALTH 26

Life-saver liver

MULTI-SPECIALTY TERTIARY MEDICAL FACILITY IN PUTRAJAYA Putrajaya Holdings Sdn Bhd (PjH) and Sunway Healthcare Holdings Sdn Bhd (SHH) have inked a heads of agreement to jointly develop an integrated private medical centre in Precinct 7, Putrajaya. Within proximity of Putrajaya Sentral, Putrajaya Hospital, the National Cancer Institute and Academy of Medicine Malaysia, PjH and SHH aim to build a modern and high-quality integrated healthcare ecosystem. The first component – the proposed medical centre – is expected to house a tertiary hospital with over 300 beds, offering advanced medical services and specialist care, including a burns unit. Located next to the soon-to-be-launched Destina Putrajaya – PjH’s latest commercial development slated to open in November – the proposed medical centre will benefit from connectivity across Putrajaya and modern public transport links. Sunway Medical Centre Velocity (SMCV) is embarking on a multi-phase expansion, including the expansion of its medical wards to accommodate increased inpatient capacity, a revamped accident & emergency (A&E) department and the enhancement of specialist services. SMCV is increasing its inpatient ward capacity to 247 beds with the addition of an 18-bedded medical ward at Tower B. Its A&E department’s layout will be restructured, with registration, treatment and consultation rooms, radiology and pharmacy services now conveniently located on the same floor. The upgraded emergency department features three consultation rooms, four green zone observation bays, seven yellow zone bays including an asthma bay and two red zone bays for high-dependency cases. It plans to also develop Tower A into a 22-storey integrated medical facility. pharmaceutical products. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said although Trump had previously indicated an intention to exempt pharmaceuticals from these tariffs, recent developments suggest otherwise. “Some of the announced tariffs remain unclear, and with Trump’s unpredictability, we must remain vigilant. It is crucial for me, as the health minister, to stay attentive to these two matters,” he told a press conference after opening the state-level 2025 Madani Afiat Programme in Tunjong last Saturday. He was responding to questions about the potential impact of the US tariffs on the nation’s healthcare supply chain. Dzulkefly said the ministry was also making early preparations to find alternative markets and sources to ensure the country’s healthcare supplies are not affected. HEALTH MINISTRY MONITORING NEW U.S. TARIFFS The Health Ministry is closely monitoring two key issues following the tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, particularly those affecting medical devices and SUNWAY MEDICAL CENTRE VELOCITY EXPANDS

vitamin D, muscle weakness from lack of vitamin E and poor blood clotting without vitamin K. 0 Immunity Among its many other functions, the liver produces Kupffer cells, which are concentrated in the liver. These cells help to filter and remove harmful pathogens like viruses and bacteria, which can enter the liver from the gastrointestinal tract. By helping to prevent inflammation and infection, Kupffer cells play a vital role in protecting liver health, allowing it to perform its various functions in the body. 0 Metabolism The body’s ability to store energy and manage blood sugar levels is also regulated by the liver, which stores glycogen (a form of glucose) so that it can be released for energy when needed. Another important metabolic function is the development of proteins that help with blood-clotting, and albumin, which is essential for maintaining blood volume. In terms of these metabolic functions, the implications of poor liver health would include low energy, dysregulation of blood sugar levels, easy bruising and swelling in the abdomen and legs. Everlasting organ? Not really Much has been said about the liver being the only organ that is capable of self-regeneration, and while that is good news, there are limits to what it can handle. Unhealthy lifestyle habits are the leading cause of poor liver health and liver disease, and the main culprits are excessive alcohol intake, diets that are very high in saturated fat, sugar and processed

T HE liver is a hard-working organ that plays an essential role in digestion, detoxification, immunity and metabolism. A healthy, well-functioning liver is the foundation for good health. Trending detox diets often appear online, claiming various health benefits. However, the liver is the primary organ responsible for dealing with toxins and it does not need any fads to get the job done. The liver produces its own enzymes to break down metabolic waste and convert substances so that they can be secreted in urine and faeces. Without this function, waste substances such as bilirubin would build up in the body, leading to problems like jaundice. Eventually, this build-up would affect even brain function and leads to a coma. 0 Digestion The liver produces bile, a digestive fluid that helps to break down fat so it can be absorbed, and also helps store fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Without bile, the human body would be unable to absorb these vitamins, which could lead to deficiencies that affect different aspects of health, such as impaired vision from low levels of vitamin A, weakened bones from insufficient o Organ’s many functions show why it must be protected Essential functions 0 Detoxification HOSPITAL Picaso in Petaling Jaya has opened its Cancer Centre, a purpose-built facility offering seamless cancer care under one roof. By integrating early screening, diagnostics, advanced treatment and supportive care in one central location, the centre fosters close collaboration between specialists. This model enhances decision-making, reduces treatment delays and ensures a more personalised patient-centred experience – raising the standard of care for cancer patients in Malaysia. “By integrating the entire process – from screenings to surgeries – all orchestrated within a single centre, we are redefining the cancer journey through a wholesome approach, providing advanced surgery and personalised care for every patient,” said Hospital Picaso consultant clinical oncologist Dr Mastura Md Yusof at the opening of its Cancer Centre last Thursday. Championing an integrated approach to cancer care, patients at Hospital Picaso will no longer need to coordinate between multiple care providers independently. The centre brings all essential services under one roof – from early screenings and diagnostic imaging to specialist consultations, advanced surgery and post-treatment care. With an integrated care, patients benefit from faster decision-making, shared

BR I E F S

Few people recognise the critical importance of the liver, but this humble organ does more than most people realise.

find yourself more prone to bruising or bleeding. As liver functions continue to worsen, you may even vomit blood and experience confusion or weakness. Moving forward, the damaged cells can become cancerous, leading to liver cancer or progressing to liver failure. Healthy liver, healthy life As liver damage has its roots in unhealthy lifestyle habits, the key to turning things around is to adopt healthier habits. 0 Watch what you eat Eat more good fats from sources such as olive oil, avocado, fatty fish, seeds and nuts. Consume salt and sugar in moderation. Cut back on processed foods, saturated fats and substances such as alcohol. 0 Stay active and maintain a healthy weight This is good for overall health. Among those who are overweight, a 5–10% reduction in weight can reverse fatty liver. 0 Get adequate sleep The liver works hardest while we are at rest. This article is contributed by IMU University family medicine specialist Dr Chow Suet Yin. to recovery. “In a multidisciplinary team, we are not just treating cancer, we are caring for the whole person. When specialists collaborate early, from diagnosis through to treatment planning, it leads to more informed decisions, faster interventions and ultimately, better outcomes for the patient,” added Mastura. With the lifetime risk of developing cancer now at one in eight for both men and women, the need for accessible, coordinated care has never been more urgent. A facility that brings together all aspects of treatment and support under one roof is both timely and essential in tackling this national health challenge with greater precision, compassion and speed. Hospital Picaso Cancer Centre offers a comprehensive range of oncology services under one roof – from early screening and precision diagnostics to surgery and advanced cancer treatments. This includes systemic therapies such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy, alongside a wide range of radiotherapy treatments tailored to each patient’s needs. Since its opening in June 2024, the hospital has done 350 robotic operations, 28 intraoperative radiation therapy cases, 102 radiotherapy cases and 900 procedures at the chemotheraphy daycare centre, all within 11 months.

food, obesity, which is related to diet and lack of exercise, and the impact of certain medications, supplements and traditional or herbal remedies. Stages of liver disease While early symptoms of liver disease are non-specific, more obvious signs appear as its condition deteriorates. Fatty liver is the initial stage of liver disease and it is not associated with any symptoms – only a scan will reveal the fat deposits that have built up in the liver. This progresses to inflammation and subsequently scarring – by this time, you may have symptoms such as fatigue and abdominal pain that comes and goes. Without intervention, scar tissue will build up from the liver’s ongoing attempts to heal itself, advancing to fibrosis. At this stage, liver functions are impacted, leading to more severe symptoms, such as abdominal pain from an enlarged liver or fluid build-up in the abdomen. The next stage of liver disease is known as cirrhosis, in which the damage to the liver and its blood vessels becomes irreversible. When the liver becomes cirrhotic, you are likely to have symptoms such as jaundice and

Hospital Picaso opens Cancer Centre

Patients will benefit from faster decision-making, shared clinical insights and a more seamless care journey, resulting in better experiences and improved outcomes.

Since June 2024, the hospital has completed 900 procedures at its chemotherapy daycare centre.

Malaysia, with 65.1% of cases between 2017 and 2021 detected at late stages. These alarming figures highlight the urgent need for not only earlier detection but also a more integrated approach to treatment from diagnosis through

clinical insights and a more seamless care journey – resulting in better experiences and improved outcomes. This Cancer Centre comes at a crucial time as cancer remains the third leading cause of death in