The launch of Malaysia’s first photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) system signals a shift towards precision-driven and digitally enabled healthcare, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
Speaking when launching the PCCT at Sunway Sanctuary Suites on Friday (Dec 12), Dzulkefly said the launch aligns with the Digital Health Strategic Plan 2026-2030, aiming to modernise healthcare amid rising non-communicable diseases and an ageing population.
00:00Now, as a nation, we are at a pivotal point in our health reform journey.
00:22The Ministry of Health is building the foundation of a system that is future-focused, future-ready, hopefully future-proof as well.
00:31A system that is digitally enabled, data-driven, and centered on early detection, personalized care, and stronger population health outcome.
00:44And I have pledged and I have vouched to do this. And already, if you are coming back a second time, as they say, second bite to the cherry,
00:55I really want to make sure that you will have a health care system, both system and delivery worthy of a Madani government and citizenry,
01:06so that we'll be able to truly, you know, exemplify health care, you know, beyond just acute sick care.
01:18So, that will be the way we want to go.
01:22And we have just recently launched our plan strategic pendigitalan, our strategic plan for digital health, 2026-2030.
01:31And together with the National Health Interoperability Platform, and our shift towards finally an overarching, you know, purpose or objective of a value-based health care.
01:48You know, we really want to ensure that Malaysia now transition from the episodic care to precision-driven, continuous health management.
02:00And this is truly the value-based health care that I vouch to deliver in at least for the next two years in this 15 parliamentary session.
02:12And technologies that enhance diagnostic clarity and accuracy will be truly, will be really essential to this evolution.
02:23And this transformation becomes even more urgent as we confront the burden of disease of cancer, cardiovascular diseases,
02:33chronic respiratory conditions, chronic respiratory conditions, and as we very well know, the number one premature death, killer Malaysia is still IHD,
02:47followed closely by lung, by pulmonary and the rest of it.
02:52So, you having this truly would be a great help.
02:56Now, the rising burden of cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory condition, and realities of a demographic transition into an aging population and aging society
03:06will all, you know, demand for a more modernized, if I may use that word, care model and delivery model,
03:22which has, which must now, you know, be put in place.
03:27And the future of health care will depend on only on treatment, but on how early and how precisely we can detect diseases.
03:40And all these cutting-edge technologies are really, you know, making it all possible, yeah.
03:46Now, ladies and gentlemen, within this national agenda, innovation plays a defining role,
03:54and advanced diagnostics are no longer an option.
03:59They are almost foundational to enabling early intervention and strengthening clinical decision-making.
04:08And imaging technologies that we are now seeing that reduce radiation exposure,
04:14these are very low radiation, by the way,
04:18improve precision or clarity, enhance tissue differentiation are key to achieving a better outcome for patients.
04:28So, patient journey is so very important.
04:31And patient experience, and especially their unmet expectation all this far.
04:36Yet, technology must be complemented by strong partnerships.
04:40And Malaysia's healthcare ecosystem is at its best when public and private sectors work in synergy.
04:49The Ministry of Health welcomes public-private contributions that elevate standards,
04:55expand capacity, and introduce capabilities that benefit the entire nation.
04:59The spirit of shared purpose is essential to building a system that is resilient, modern,
05:08and truly centered on the well-being of all Malaysians.
05:13Against this backdrop, today's milestones stand out as significant and both significant and timely.
05:26Sunway Medical Center is now the first hospital in Malaysia to introduce photon counting,
05:34computed tomography, the PCCT, your new tom, you know, alpha model,
05:40the next generation innovation that I've just said and alluded to you earlier.
05:46Now, I've already, this has been well elaborated by Dr. Adam earlier.
05:54And I also want to make a mention that up to 50% lower radiation exposure is offering safer scan
06:04for pediatric patients, chronic patients, and those requiring repeated imaging.
06:11That's where it becomes, you know, it's become higher risk.
06:16So you have, you know, even congenital heart diseases follow-up would be truly amenable to all this technology.
06:27And, of course, it's shown that, you know, from cardiovascular imaging, oncology, neurology,
06:34pulmonary and infectious diseases as well.
06:38So all the range, yeah.
06:40So these advantages translate into greater diagnostic certainty and more informed treatment pathways
06:47that make it all the more pertinent to have at least one in Sunway to represent all of us in Malaysia for the time being.
07:00Thank you so much, you young people, Dr. TTC Alman, for making the time and effort to join us here at this monumental achievement.
07:17Thank you so much, Dr. TTC Alman, for making the time and effort to join us here at this monumental achievement.
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