Penang: KPJ Healthcare Bhd today launched its first Orthopaedics and Rheumatology Centre of Excellence at KPJ Penang Specialist Hospital (KPJ Penang), marking it as the third Centre of Excellence under the KPJ Health System (KPJHS).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, KPJ Healthcare, recognized as Malaysia's first private integrated academic health system, is working towards enhancing musculoskeletal and joint care services by integrating clinical practice, education, research, and innovation. Datuk Syed Mohamed Syed Ibrahim, chairman of both KPJ Health System Governing Council and KPJ Healthcare University Sdn Bhd, emphasized that the centre aims to manage complex cases by uniting various orthopaedic subspecialties, rheumatology, specialist expertise, and rehabilitation services within a coordinated care model.
Syed Mohamed, who also serves as president and chief executive of Johor Corporation (JCorp), explained that the centre consolidates consultation services, diagnostic imaging facilities, treatment rooms, and advanced orthopaedic rehabilitation services on a single floor, ensuring a seamless treatment journey for patients from diagnosis through rehabilitation and recovery. He referred to the fourth floor of KPJ Penang as the "Orthopaedic Island," where patients with orthopaedic conditions can receive comprehensive care without moving between departments.
The chairman expressed aspirations for each Centre of Excellence under KPJHS to evolve beyond its current status, focusing on enhancing clinical, academic, and research capabilities to become recognized referral centres in their fields. The centre offers a wide range of services, including general orthopaedics, spine surgery, arthroplasty, arthroscopy, foot and ankle surgery, hand surgery, paediatric orthopaedics, trauma management, rheumatology, and pain management services.
Syed Mohamed also highlighted the centre's goal to lead high-impact research publications, produce leaders in clinical and academic fields, and establish strategic partnerships with industry, academic institutions, and government, embodying a world-class institution. Additionally, KPJ Healthcare noted the centre's advanced facilities, including AI-powered robotic technology for joint replacement surgery, computer navigation systems, and minimally invasive surgical techniques that aim to improve surgical precision and patient recovery.
The centre also provides specialized rehabilitation programmes tailored to individual patient needs, featuring advanced technologies such as anti-gravity treadmills to support post-spinal surgery, sports injury, and paediatric orthopaedic rehabilitation.