SJMC Joins Partnership To Advance Global Surgery Initiative (GSI)

Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) has partnered with Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad, the Sabah Treasury Department, and the Ministry of Health (MOH) to advance the Global Surgery Initiative (GSI), a corporate social responsibility initiative providing access to safe and affordable surgical care in underserved areas in Malaysia. 

Since 2019, MOH has led the national Global Surgery agenda, implementing a framework through partnerships between district hospitals and specialist centres. 

In 2023, the Malaysian Society of Anaesthesiologists, with the support of MOH and SJMC, brought together private healthcare professionals to collaborate with the public system. This partnership initially addressed critical medical procedures at Hospital Sri Aman II in Sarawak, marking the first public-private partnership CSR initiative of its kind. 

In 2025, the mission expanded to Keningau, Sabah, and with Alliance Bank's support, the SJMC team was able to complete 13 surgical procedures on 7 and 8 July 2025 at Hospital Keningau.

The SJMC team, consisting of three surgeons, one anaesthesiologist, and three nurses, worked alongside Hospital Keningau staff to deliver life-changing care. 

"We are honoured to play a role in advancing the GSI, a cause that aligns with our belief in inclusive growth and equitable access to essential services. As the Bank For Life, we recognise the significant positive impact GSI has on local communities," said Alliance Bank Group Chief Officer, Kellee Kam. 

Sabah Treasurer Datuk Mary Angela Sipaun commended Alliance Bank's participation, emphasising that corporate involvement in community investments plays a crucial role in enhancing national wellbeing and sustainable development. 

"This will also encourage more organisations to back GSI, as this public-private collaboration ensures equitable distribution of progress benefits across all societal segments," she said. 

The medical team from SJMC included Consultant Anaesthesiologist Dr Gunalan Palari Arumugam, Consultant General and Hepatobiliary Surgeon Dr Haritharan Thamutaram, Consultant General and Vascular Surgeon Dr Liew Ngoh Chin, and Consultant General and Upper GI Surgeon Dr Pok Eng Hong. 

The nursing team was led by Operating Theatre Service Administrator Angie Ng, with staff nurses, Chin Li Thung and Muhammad Nazrul. 

Dr Gunalan, who has been actively participating in GSI since its first mission in Sarawak, emphasises the rewarding nature of the initiative while expressing humility in working alongside dedicated colleagues to provide essential care. 

He advocates for the continued expansion of the programme to reach additional communities and ensure quality healthcare accessibility for all populations. 

SJMC CEO, Bryan Lin said the hospital takes pride in participating in the initiative, describing it as a meaningful initiative that extends crucial surgical access to communities with the greatest needs. 

"We are deeply grateful to our partners for their dedication and to the Hospital Keningau team for their coordination efforts," he said, adding that as SJMC marks 40 Years of Transforming Care, the initiative highlights their commitment to serving communities beyond their immediate service area. 

Among the beneficiaries was Rizwan, a 30-year-old former lorry driver from Keningau, who had been on dialysis since his end stage renal failure diagnosis in 2024. He underwent catheter insertion surgery to transition to Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis, allowing him to receive treatment at home rather than at a hospital. As a father of two young children, this brings renewed hope for his health. 

Lina, a 43-year-old from Nabawan, had endured months of debilitating abdominal pain before being diagnosed with gallstones in March 2025. Her surgery had been delayed due to complications and was initially scheduled for September. 

"I feel relieved and happy, and hope the pain doesn't return. I am thankful for the successful operation. May the doctors be blessed in their future surgeries, and I hope there will be more programmes like this to help others in need," she said. 

This mission demonstrates the power of collaboration between the public sector, private healthcare providers, and the business community. 

Source: Bernama