Kuala lumpur: Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad has entered into a strategic partnership with the Sabah Treasury Department, Health Ministry (MOH), and Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) to advance the Global Surgery Initiative (GSI). This corporate social responsibility effort aims to deliver safe and affordable surgical care in underserved regions of Malaysia.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the initiative has been spearheaded by MOH since 2019, establishing a framework for collaboration between district hospitals and specialist centers. In 2023, the Malaysian Society of Anaesthesiologists, with backing from MOH and SJMC, united private healthcare professionals to work alongside the public health system.
The collaboration initially focused on critical medical procedures at Hospital Sri Aman II in Sarawak, marking the first public-private partnership CSR initiative of its kind. By 2025, the mission expanded to Keningau, Sabah, with the support of Alliance Bank, where the SJMC team completed 13 surgical procedures on July 7-8 at Hospital Keningau.
The SJMC team, comprising three surgeons, one anaesthesiologist, and three nurses, collaborated with Hospital Keningau staff to deliver essential care. "We are honored to play a role in advancing the Global Surgery Initiative, a cause that aligns with our belief in inclusive growth and equitable access to essential services. As the Bank For Life, we recognize the significant positive impact GSI has on local communities," stated Alliance Bank Group Chief Officer Kellee Kam.
Sabah Treasurer Datuk Mary Angela Sipaun praised Alliance Bank's involvement, emphasizing the importance of corporate participation in community investments for national wellbeing and sustainable development. "This will also encourage more organizations to back the Global Surgery Initiative, as this public-private collaboration ensures equitable distribution of progress benefits across all societal segments," she added.
The medical team from SJMC included Dr. Gunalan Palari Arumugam (Consultant Anaesthesiologist), Dr. Haritharan Thamutaram (Consultant General and Hepatobiliary Surgeon), Dr. Liew Ngoh Chin (Consultant General and Vascular Surgeon), and Dr. Pok Eng Hong (Consultant General and Upper GI Surgeon). The nursing team was led by Angie Ng Pei Shee (Operating Theatre Service Administrator), along with staff nurses Chin Li Thung and Muhammad Nazrul.
Dr. Gunalan, a participant in GSI since its inception in Sarawak, highlighted the rewarding nature of the initiative and stressed the importance of expanding the program to additional communities for broader healthcare access.
According to SJMC CEO Bryan Lin, the medical centre is proud to partake in the initiative, which provides vital surgical access to communities in need. "We expressed deep gratitude to our partners for their dedication and to the Hospital Keningau team for their coordination efforts," he said. As SJMC celebrates its 40th anniversary of Transforming Care, this initiative underscores their commitment to serving communities beyond their immediate service area.
Among the beneficiaries was Rizwan, a 30-year-old former lorry driver from Keningau undergoing treatment for end-stage renal failure. He received catheter insertion surgery, allowing him to receive treatment at home. Lina, a 43-year-old from Nabawan, underwent surgery for gallstones after months of pain. She expressed gratitude for the successful operation and hoped for more programs to aid those in need.
This mission exemplifies the power of collaboration between the public sector, private healthcare providers, and the business community. Through initiatives like GSI, Alliance Bank is dedicated to creating long-term impact in the communities it serves, aligning with its sustainability goals.