IPOH: Mercy Malaysia has officially donated medical equipment valued at RM340,200 to the Neurosurgical Critical Care Unit (NCCU) at Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun (HRPB) here.
Its president, Datuk Dr Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus, said that the contribution includes three portable ventilators, three ICU patient monitors, three fluid management systems and three DVT (deep vein thrombosis) pumps.
“Ward 6B of the NCCU began operating on April 7, 2025, with 11 beds. The unit is dedicated to treating critically ill neurosurgery patients who require ventilators and continuous monitoring.
“In response to this need, Mercy Malaysia has contributed additional medical equipment to strengthen the unit’s capacity,” he said at the Medical Equipment Handover Ceremony from Mercy Malaysia to the Neurosurgical Critical Care Unit (NCCU) of Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun (HRPB) on Saturday (Sept 20)
The handover ceremony was graced by the Raja Permaisuri of Perak Tuanku Zara Salim.
“We believe that this added capacity will enable HRPB to provide more effective and quality treatment for neurosurgical patients, both before and after surgery.
“The tough lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic have shown us the importance of hospital readiness to face future health crises,” said Dr Ahmad Faizal.
HRPB deputy medical director II Dr Yu Fai Ying said that HRBP was the only hospital in the state to offer neurosurgery services, which involve brain and nerve surgery.
“These services are also extended to patients from Cameron Highlands in Pahang and Sabak Bernam in Selangor.
“Our neurosurgery department is the second busiest in Peninsular Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur Hospital, ” she said.
“All these factors highlight the urgent need for ICU-level facilities to ensure quality patient care.
“The initiative, supported by the Perak Health Department and the Health Ministry, became a reality in 2023. By 2024, the infrastructure was completed, but there were challenges in equipping the unit,” she added.
Dr Yu also said that this was the second time the Neurosurgery Department has received support from Mercy Malaysia.
“During the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, Mercy’s assistance helped set up a High Dependency Unit (HDU) to cope with the rising number of neurosurgery cases,” she added.
State Health director Dr Feisul Idzwan Mustapha added that there are plans for Taiping Hospital to provide neurosurgical services.
“We are looking at 2026 to establish it, which would give the state two hospitals offering such services.
“Neurosurgery services are already available there, but they remain limited and not at the level we would like them to be. Planning is still underway,” he added.
