KUBANG KERIAN, 31 July 2016 – Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (Hospital USM) continues to be at the forefront in medical technology with the acquisition of two Direct Digital Radiography (DDR) x-ray machines valued at RM3 million.

This is in line with the status of Hospital USM being a University Teaching Hospital (HPU) and also as the main referral Hospital in the East Coast region in providing world-class medical services to those seeking treatment.

With the acquisition of two units of the SAMSUNG model GC85A equipment, including one unit of Transbay DDR variant, being the first in the world to be produced by the electronics manufacturer, it has turned Hospital USM into a pioneer in Radiography technology in the treatment of patients.

Director of USM Health Campus, Professor Dato' Dr. Mafauzy Mohamed said that, the Transbay DDR equipment would be placed at the Resuscitation Area while the normal DDR unit would be located at the x-ray room, both at the Hospital USM Trauma Centre.

Mafauzy also said that, the fully-digital equipment could provide the service to critical patients without the need to undergo x-ray procedures at the Radiology Department.

He added that, with the availability of the advanced Transbay DDR technology, it is now possible for two patients to be treated simultaneously, improving the efficiency of the specialists in saving the lives of the patients, as the Hospital USM Trauma Centre receives around 200 patients daily, including three to five trauma patients in critical condition and requiring immediate attention.

"Apart from that, the x-ray technicians have also been specifically trained by SAMSUNG in the handling of the equipment. At the same time, SAMSUNG has also given their commitment to provide expert assistance from Korea whenever there is any malfunctioning of the equipment that requires immediate repairs," he said.

"The utilisation of the equipment befits the motto of USM which is 'We Lead', in showing that Hospital USM is committed in becoming the pioneer for other hospitals and medical institutions in the use of advanced technology to treat various illnesses and to offer the best services in saving the lives of patients," explained Mafauzy.

"We estimate that with the availability of this equipment, between 15 to 30 minutes could be reduced in treating the patients as in the process of providing treatment, time is of the essence in order to save lives," he said at the Officiating Ceremony of the DDR Equipment at the Hospital USM Auditorium.

Also present were the Head of USM Centre for Trauma and Emergency, Associate Professor Madya Dr. Kamarul Aryffin Baharuddin; Head of USM Radiology Department, Associate Professor Dr. Shafie Abdullah and Managing Director, SAMSUNG Health Care, Alan Tan.

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin

Text/Photo: Mohamad Iqmal Mathlan