Latest news with #RaymondAlfred
Borneo Post
02-06-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
Tuaran, Beluran Hospitals to pioneer digital healthcare transformation in Sabah
Dr Raymond Alfred KOTA KINABALU (June 2): Despite over three decades of dedicated service since its establishment in 1993, Tuaran Hospital has experienced limited progress in digital healthcare transformation. Recognizing the urgent need to modernize and optimize healthcare delivery, Allyssa Certification Sdn Bhd, under the platform of the BIMP-EAGA Business Council (Sabah), has taken a proactive step to address these systemic challenges. In June 2024, Allyssa Certification Sdn Bhd — an operating arm of the BIMP-EAGA Business Council (Sabah) — together with its technology partners, MQuest Malaysia Sdn Bhd and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), engaged in a strategic dialogue with the Chief Minister of Sabah to present proposed digital healthcare solutions. Following the meeting, the Chief Minister's Department recommended direct engagement with the Permanent Secretary (Datuk Maria Chong) of the Ministry of Community Development and People's Wellbeing to advance the initiative. As a result, a Proof of Concept (PoC) was successfully implemented at Tuaran Hospital and partially at Beluran Hospital, with endorsement and support from the ministry. This initiative aligns with the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area) Vision 2025, which prioritizes digitalization as a catalyst for economic integration, innovation and regional resilience. Dr Raymond Alfred, chairman of BIMP-EAGA (Sabah) and CEO of Allyssa Certification Sdn Bhd, believes the digital healthcare initiative will position Tuaran and Beluran Hospitals for enhanced operational efficiency, improved patient outcomes, and readiness for advanced technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI). The technical report and outcomes of the PoC were formally submitted to Datuk James Ratib, Sabah's Minister of Community Development and People's Wellbeing, by the project team comprising Dr Raymond Alfred (Allyssa Certification), Prof Ts Dr Rayner Alfred (MIMOS), Dr Rayner Pailus (UMS), Lim Boon Seng (MQ Singapore), and Rayyan Radzwill Abdullah (MQuest Malaysia). James acknowledged the success of the initiative and affirmed the value it brings to Sabah, including (i) Improved access to healthcare for remote and underserved communities, (ii) Accelerated data-driven state-level health policy decisions, (iii) Enhanced efficiency and transparency in the allocation of healthcare resources and (iv) future-proof, autonomous digital healthcare ecosystem tailored to Sabah's unique needs He further recognized the tangible achievements of the PoC, including (i) Full integration of digital platforms across key hospital departments, (ii) Transition of critical workflows (e.g., triage, clinical encounters) from paper-based to digital, (iii) Real-time clinical and operational dashboards for informed decision-making, (iv) Integration of laboratory, radiology, and pharmacy modules with the Hospital Information System (HIS), (v) Deployment of AI-enabled tools to support clinical decision-making, (vi) Standards-based interoperability with the national health database 'This initiative represents a pivotal turning point for Tuaran and Beluran Hospitals,' said James. 'It is a low-risk, high-impact transformation that has the potential to set a new benchmark for smarter, more efficient healthcare delivery in the region. My ministry is fully committed to providing the necessary support to ensure the successful and timely implementation of this initiative.' Raymond extends his sincere appreciation to Permanent Secretary (Datuk Maria Chong) of the Ministry of Community Development and People's Wellbeing, Dr Primus John, Director of Tuaran Hospital, and Dr Aldasir B. Rudy, Director of Beluran Hospital, for their valuable suggestions, contributions, and close cooperation during the implementation of the Proof of Concept. Allyssa Certification Sdn Bhd, together with its technology partners, remains fully committed to supporting both hospitals in their journey to become the first fully digital hospitals in Sabah. This pioneering initiative is set to transform patient care and hospital operations, ushering in a new era of digital healthcare excellence within the BIMP-EAGA region.
Borneo Post
08-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sabah launches initiative to elevate palm oil quality
Dr Raymond (right) with MIMOS Malaysia's technical person verifying the prototype of the CPO quality monitoring system. KOTA KINABALU (May 8): The BIMP-EAGA Business Council (BEBC), Sabah Chapter on Thursday announced a landmark initiative programme to enhance the quality monitoring of crude palm oil (CPO) through strategic collaborations with Allyssa Certification, MIMOS Malaysia and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS). This initiative will be implemented under the strategic programme of Allyssa Certification Sdn Bhd, the BEBC's technical and certification arm, to ensure that Sabah-produced CPO meets the highest standards demanded by global markets. 'CPO quality is the gateway to global competitiveness. With increasing scrutiny from international buyers, we must ensure our palm oil meets strict criteria for Free Fatty Acid (FFA) levels, DOBI index, and food safety,' said Dr Raymond Alfred, chairman of BEBC Sabah. 'Our partnership with MIMOS and UMS will leverage advanced R&D, digital traceability and real-time quality monitoring systems to raise our standards across the board.' In parallel, BEBC and UMS will be launching an academic-industry collaboration program focusing on CPO quality monitoring, capacity building, and local expertise development. Led by Prof. Ts. Dr Rayner Alfred, the initiative aims to embed AI-driven analytics and scientific oversight into palm oil quality assurance across the state. 'CPO quality is not just determined at the mill — it is influenced at every step of the supply chain,' said Dr Raymond. 'From harvesting and field maintenance to transportation, processing and storage, each stage can impact Free Fatty Acid (FFA) levels, DOBI index and contaminant levels. We must raise standards across the board to secure global market access especialy to address the impact of the US tariff upon Malaysia. 'We are excited to work with MIMOS Malaysia, relevant ministries, government department, world-class researchers and innovators to future-proof our industry and empower smallholders and mill operators with cutting-edge tools,' he added. As part of the initiative, BEBC is also in the process of engaging major players in the palm oil industry in Sabah as a pilot project The industries include Sawit Kinabalu, and national leaders such as IOI Group, Genting Plantations, FGV Holdings, Wilmar and others, to participate in a joint platform for quality assurance and futher enhance the market access strategy. 'This is more than just a quality control initiative — it is a bold step towards Sabah becoming a global leader in sustainable, premium-grade palm oil,' Dr Raymond concluded.
Borneo Post
04-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Blue Carbon mulled to lift villagers out of poverty
Dr Raymond Alfred with the local community during the groundwork in one of the villages in northern Sabah. KOTA KINABALU (May 4): The BIMP-EAGA Business Council (Sabah), under the leadership of chairman Dr Raymond Alfred, has called for a strategic and inclusive approach to eradicating poverty in the northern districts of Kota Marudu and Pitas. He urged immediate collaboration between large-scale oil palm and forest plantation companies and local communities to support a comprehensive Blue Carbon initiative that integrates environmental restoration with sustainable economic development. The proposed programme, centered on mangrove conservation, community-based protein harvesting and solar energy deployment, is a climate-smart model designed to simultaneously address environmental degradation and persistent poverty. Findings from a socio-economic study led by Dr Raymond revealed that most households in the area earn only RM500 to RM700 per month, relying mainly on subsistence agriculture and micro-enterprises. 'This is no longer a welfare issue, it's a structural economic crisis. The plantations surrounding these areas must see themselves not just as businesses, but as part of a broader community ecosystem,' Dr Raymond stated. He emphasized the need to involve these communities as beneficial stakeholders, enabling them to benefit from shared resources and sustainable income opportunities. Dr Raymond also challenged the effectiveness of the current cash handout schemes implemented by the government, arguing they fail to address the root causes of poverty. 'These periodic handouts offer no measurable long-term impact. Worse, they risk dividing already vulnerable communities due to a lack of transparent monitoring or equitable distribution. We need empowerment, not dependency,' he pointed out. Further, he criticized Parti Warisan's Wira chief, Terence Au, for making general policy suggestions without grounding them in local realities. 'As a Wira chief, he should understand the complexities on the ground. I urge him to engage more deeply before making broad, non-professional recommendations. I hope to initiate and implement this programme with Dato Verdon Bahanda, the Member of Parliament for Kudat soon,' he said. Dr Raymond stressed that issues such as land tenure insecurity, lack of basic infrastructure (including electricity, water and communications), and lack of sustainable employment must be addressed systematically. He proposed joint venture (JV) programmes with plantation companies and emphasized that solar energy is a critical enabler for improving food security and livelihood resilience — especially for communities without cold storage. As a major step forward, Dr Raymond formally invited the top 10 oil palm companies operating in North Borneo (Sabah) including IOI Corporation, Genting Plantations, Sawit Kinabalu, Wilmar International, FGV Holdings, and others to step forward and collaborate with the local communities. 'These companies have the resources, reach and responsibility to make a tangible impact. The BIMP-EAGA Business Council is prepared to initiate and coordinate a dedicated multi-stakeholder platform to make this happen, ensuring the initiative is community-driven, sustainable, and results-focused,' Dr Raymond said. He also called on government-linked institutions including the Sabah Forestry Department, Yayasan Sabah, SEDCO and Taman-Taman Sabah, to invest in youth training and entrepreneurship in Blue Carbon and sustainable resource management, positioning young people at the heart of Sabah's green economy transition. 'This isn't just about planting trees or installing solar panels. It is about restoring dignity, creating opportunity, and building a future where people and nature thrive together,' Dr Raymond concluded.
