Comprehensive Stroke Rehabilitation & Care at SJMC: An Indonesian Patient’s Journey

Our first encounter with Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) was in early 2023 when we sought breast cancer treatment for my mother. While my mother was undergoing treatment, my father suffered his 4th stroke in March 2023 in Indonesia. This marked our first meeting with Dr Gurmit Singh, Consultant Neurosurgeon at SJMC, whom we sought treatment from in Malaysia.

In July 2024, my father experienced his 5th stroke in Indonesia. After conducting teleconsultations with several neurosurgeons familiar with his case, we decided to bring him back to SJMC under Dr Gurmit Singh's expert care in August 2024.

Seamless Coordination for International Patient Transfers

One standout experience during this challenging time was the transfer of my father from Telogorejo Hospital in Semarang to SJMC. At that point, my father was in the High Dependency Unit (HDU), and the transfer required meticulous coordination between the hospital in Indonesia, the air medevac team, and SJMC. While I managed the arrangements with Telogorejo and the medevac team, Suzita from International Patient Care (IPC) at SJMC played a pivotal role in managing all internal coordination. Her assistance ensured I had a single point of contact, significantly easing the process and reducing stress.

Comprehensive and Compassionate Stroke Rehabilitation & Care

The 5th stroke left my father bedridden and unable to speak. However, as his primary doctor, Dr Gurmit ensured comprehensive care by collaborating with other medical teams, including occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech therapists from rehabilitation services. Over nearly four months of intensive stroke rehabilitation, my father’s condition improved significantly.

The dedication of the SJMC rehabilitation & nursing team stood out, especially as the nurses & therapists adapted their language to my father’s native Indonesian vocabulary. This personalised approach was invaluable during therapy sessions, where precise communication was critical for recovery.

Remarkable Recovery and Rehabilitation Outcomes

From being unable to speak, my father can now say a few words and communicate in a simple manner. Once completely bedridden, he can now sit upright and move with the help of a wheelchair. Remarkably, he has regained enough motor control to use a remote and swipe on a phone—tasks that were impossible upon his admission.

A Testament to Excellence in Healthcare

There have been many other positive experiences that I feel I should give credit to several individuals who were incredibly helpful throughout our journey, but overall, I hope this sharing inspires others and helps highlight the excellent care provided by SJMC. I also hope that SJMC maintains the strengths that are already in place and continue striving for even greater excellence.

Mr Ardianto Prabowo
Son of Mr Gunawan, Indonesian Stroke Patient at SJMC