Sunway Medical Centre First In Southeast Asia To Launch AiBLE™ Spine Surgical Suite
Consultant Spine Surgeon at Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City Dr. Saw Lim Beng delivered his speech during the launching of AiBLE™ Spine Surgical Suite. Credit: SMC Sunway City
President of Sunway Healthcare Group, Datuk Lau Beng Long delivered his speech during the launching of AiBLE™ Spine Surgical Suite. Credit: SMC Sunway City
KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 (Bernama) -- Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City (SMC) has made history as the first medical facility in Malaysia and Southeast Asia to introduce the AiBLE™ Spine Surgical Suite, a cutting-edge, robotic-guided technology designed to enhance precision, safety as well as efficiency in spinal surgery.
In a statement today, SMC said the introduction of the AiBLE™ system addresses the growing prevalence of back pain and spinal disorders, which are among the most common health issues globally and in Malaysia.
Citing data from the World Health Organisation (WHO), SMC said low back pain (LBP) affected 619 million people worldwide in 2020, with the number projected to rise to 843 million by 2050.
According to the hospital, LBP is the leading cause of disability globally, particularly among individuals aged between 50 and 55, and affects a significant number of Malaysians.
'Given the complexity of spinal surgery due to the spine's three-dimensional anatomy and its proximity to critical neurovascular structures, the AiBLE™ Spine Surgical Suite integrates the Spine Robotic Guidance System, StealthStation™ S8 Surgical Navigation System and O-arm™ Imaging System,' the statement read.
SMC said the integration of these technologies offers several patient benefits, including enhanced accuracy through real-time imaging and advanced guidance technology to ensure precise implant placement.
It said the system enables quicker recovery through minimally invasive procedures with smaller incisions, reducing tissue damage and postoperative pain, while lowering intraoperative and postoperative complications.
'The AiBLE™ system is part of SMC's commitment to bringing international levels of care to Malaysians. With the latest spine solution integration at SMC, surgeons can now plan the entire procedure in advance using a detailed 3D model of the patient's spine, even before stepping into the operating room,' it said.
The statement explained that during surgery, the tools guide the surgeon in real-time, making the operation more precise, efficient and confident, which ultimately benefits patients with improved outcomes.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
4 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Unpacking the truth about palm oil consumption
Research has shown that, when used in moderation as part of a balanced diet, palm oil does not pose health risks. (Freepik pic) KUALA LUMPUR : A recent national survey commissioned by Pertubuhan Transformasi Dayak found that 37% of Malaysians believe palm oil causes high cholesterol. This finding highlights a widespread misconception that should be clarified through better public health communication and science-based education. While palm oil is often misunderstood and wrongly assumed to contribute to high cholesterol and heart disease, it is a plant-based oil that contains no dietary cholesterol. The assumption that it is harmful likely stems from outdated or oversimplified views on dietary fats. A comprehensive review published in the National Library of Medicine in 2023 analysed 31 studies involving nearly 2,400 participants. The findings showed that palm oil does not increase the risk of cardiovascular disease when compared to other commonly used vegetable oils such as soybean, olive, or sunflower. The study also found no significant negative effects on cholesterol levels in healthy individuals. Palm oil has a balanced fatty acid profile, with approximately 50% saturated fat, 40% monounsaturated (heart-healthy) fats and 10% polyunsaturated fats. This composition can help reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol. Moreover, palm oil is naturally trans-fat free and does not undergo the industrial hydrogenation process that may create trans fats in other oils. Trans fats are typically produced by partially hydrogenating liquid vegetable oils to extend shelf life and change texture. This process alters the fat's structure and introduces well-documented health risks. Palm oil, by contrast, is naturally semi-solid at room temperature and stable during high-heat cooking, eliminating the need for hydrogenation. Instead of placing blame on a single ingredient, Malaysians are urged to look at their overall lifestyles, including diets and activity levels. (Envato Elements pic) It is also important to recognise that high cholesterol is usually the result of a combination of factors. These include poor diets, lack of physical activity, smoking, stress, inadequate sleep, or genetics. Singling out palm oil oversimplifies a complex issue and distracts from the more significant contributors to cardiovascular risk. Palm oil is widely used in Malaysian households. It is locally produced, widely used, and economically important. It is also affordable and accessible to the majority of households. When used in moderation as part of a balanced diet, palm oil does not pose any health risks. As we continue to encourage healthy lifestyles, we must ensure our public messaging reflects current scientific understanding. Outdated assumptions should not guide how we view food and health; instead, a more informed, balanced conversation around nutrition should be fostered. Malaysians are also urged to shift the focus from blame to balance. Instead singling out an ingredient, look at overall lifestyles, including diets, activity levels, stress, and habits. It is equally important for policymakers, educators, and healthcare professionals to come together and strengthen public understanding. When we ground our decisions in science instead of speculation, we make real progress in improving heart health. This article was written by Dr Malar Santhi Santherasegapan, a medical doctor and social media health influencer.
The Sun
18 hours ago
- The Sun
Prologue By SL Aesthetic Group Opens at Ngee Ann City: Integrating Lifestyle Medicine with Specialised Women's Care
SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 20 August 2025 - Recognising a crucial need for a more holistic and personalised approach to healthcare, SL Aesthetic Group announced the launch of Prologue at Ngee Ann City. The healthcare facility comprises two complementary entities: Prologue The Lifestyle Medical Clinic, which provides lifestyle medicine and preventive care services for families, and Prologue Centre for Women's Wellness, a dedicated sanctuary for women's health needs, including postpartum and menopause symptom management. In alignment with Singapore's recognition as a Blue Zone—where people live healthier and longer than average—Prologue puts overlooked lifestyle habits at the forefront of personal health management. At its core, the concept is built on the philosophy that healthcare should begin long before illness, focusing on key lifestyle principles such as stress management, quality sleep, and balanced nutrition, as seen in the world's longest-living communities. Prologue The Lifestyle Medical Clinic operates as a primary care clinic that empowers individuals to take control of their long-term health through a data-backed, prevention-first approach. The clinic focuses on the cornerstones of well-being: nutrition, sleep, stress resilience, and physical activity. This methodology helps manage health from its very foundation, with personalised care plans supported by complementary diagnostic tools. Key services include in-depth health screenings using BIA (Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis) devices for precise body composition assessment, alongside essential family healthcare services such as vaccinations and weight management programmes. Notably, Prologue is among the early adopters in Singapore of ReCOGnAIze™, an AI-powered tool for early dementia screening, demonstrating its commitment to incorporating technology in preventive healthcare. Prologue Centre for Women's Wellness provides a discreet and deeply supportive environment for women navigating the pivotal, and often underserved, transitions of postpartum recovery, perimenopause and menopause. Support for mothers includes professional care for common yet often overlooked concerns: pelvic floor health, nutritional optimisation, and guidance for fatigue and stress management. For women navigating perimenopause and menopause, the centre offers personalised guidance for hormonal balance, helping them manage metabolic changes, restore restful sleep, and navigate changes in body image and intimacy with confidence. The centre provides access to FDA-cleared, non-invasive technologies such as EXION, Embody, and EMSELLA for services related to skin laxity, vaginal health, and body contouring. This philosophy of integrated, purposeful care is the driving force behind Prologue. 'At SL Aesthetic Group, we've always believed in adapting to the needs of our patients,' says Dr. Kelvin Chua, Founder and Senior Medical Director of Prologue. 'Prologue reflects our commitment to delivering integrated medical and wellness care. We aim to support individuals in their holistic health journeys and provide women with access to personalised, evidence-based care across different stages. This represents a shift in how we approach long-term health—offering proactive care that starts well before symptoms appear.' Prologue is located at 391 Orchard Road, #05-25A/25B Ngee Ann City Podium Block, Singapore 238872. For more information about Prologue and its services, visit
New Straits Times
18 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Medical insurance made fairer: Standard premiums for M40 under MHIT
KUALA LUMPUR: Premiums for the basic medical and health insurance/takaful product (MHIT) are set to be standardised, with a focus on affordability for the M40 income group. This is in line with government efforts to broaden access to private hospital care, according to Bank Negara Malaysia. The product, being developed jointly by Bank Negara and the Health Ministry, is expected to be launched in the second half of 2026. It will be offered as a standard plan providing essential coverage at a sustainable cost. The information was shared during the RESET media strategy workshop organised by Bank Negara and the ministry at Sasana Kijang here today. Bank Negara said the initiative is expected to act as a catalyst for restructuring the private health insurance market, while reducing public reliance on government hospitals, which are currently facing congestion and long waiting times. Currently, only around 22 per cent of Malaysians have health insurance, leaving the majority exposed to the risk of high medical expenses. Through the basic product, more individuals will be able to access minimum financial protection at an affordable rate. The MHIT basic plan aims to protect individuals from high healthcare costs while minimising out-of-pocket expenses. It also seeks to simplify the insurance and takaful market by offering a clearer, more straightforward coverage package. Premium pricing and benefit coverage will be determined based on verified treatment cost data. This includes the most common procedures and hospital cost comparisons, to ensure long-term sustainability. To maintain affordability, the MHIT basic plan's network will focus on mid-tier hospitals. Treatments at premium hospitals will be available through optional top-up plans open to competition among insurance and takaful providers. The MHIT basic plan will change the claims process by shifting payments from a fee-for-service system to a diagnosis-related group (DRG) system, which is payment based on diagnosis. The rollout will be conducted in phases to avoid disruption in the market. The DRG approach is expected to help control treatment cost inflation, as private hospitals will be incentivised to operate more efficiently to manage claim volumes by disease category. The new mechanism also supports the 'value-based healthcare' agenda, which is the direction of the national healthcare system. Emphasis is also placed on the role of general practitioners (GPs) as the primary entry point for treatment before patients are referred to private hospitals. This is to strengthen primary care and reduce the tendency of patients to directly seek specialist treatment. Authorities are also considering including coverage for preventive treatments that have been proven to reduce the risk of serious illness. They are also considering allowing coverage for pre-existing conditions under certain conditions such as waiting periods and symptom control. There is also a need to educate the public that the benefits of the basic product must be balanced with their ability to pay premiums. Hence, focus group sessions will be conducted to identify the most relevant coverage priorities. To protect policyholders' interests, insurance and takaful companies will be required to provide a Product Disclosure Sheet (PDS) outlining key benefits, projected long-term premium increases, and alternative options for consumers. In addition, a dedicated complaints mechanism will be established to resolve disputes between private hospitals and insurance operators. Policyholders who struggle with premium increases can seek advice and assistance through the Credit Counselling and Management Agency.
