KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 (Bernama) — CIMB Foundation on 16 June 2023 announced its contribution of a top-of-the-line eye imaging machine, Heidelberg Spectralis HRA+OCT SHIFT technology to University Malaya Medical Centre (“UMMC”) in support of the hospital’s on-going efforts to deliver high quality and superior care to treat close to 50,000 patients with critical eye-related diseases annually. The machine, worth RM1.3 million, features cutting edge technology that facilitates diagnosis and treatment, while serving as an important aid for research capabilities in various areas of ophthalmology.
The medical industry is currently facing an acute shortage of specialised ophthalmology equipment with capabilities to provide end-to-end services of screening, diagnosing and treating patients with various eye conditions, including glaucoma and retina diseases such as diabetic eye-related diseases and age-related macular degeneration. This contribution assists in addressing the increase in eye-related healthcare cases with limited supply of facilities in the country, while supporting medical providers in offering optimal and precise eye-related care which is essential for a major hospital such as UMMC. Malaysia is gaining status as an ageing nation with people aged 65 and above to make up 14.5% of the total population by 2040. Thus, the machine will also enable UMMC to help cater to this target group in providing more holistic care for eye-related diseases.