BEST PROVIDERS OF SPECIALIST CARE
DIABETES SERVICE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC
MAHKOTA MEDICAL CENTRE
Mahkota Medical Centre ’ s almost tenyear-old Diabetes Centre in Melaka , Malaysia is the hospital ’ s crown jewel that led it to snatch the Diabetes Service Provider of the Year Award .
“ Mahkota Medical Centre earned this honour through the dedication and excellent work of its doctors and staff who take great pride in devoting their time and effort to serve the community in which they live ,” Stanley Lam , the hospital ’ s CEO , told Global Health Asia-Pacific .
With diabetes now associated with a wide range of complications , the centre is staffed with an expert team of endocrinologists , cardiologists , gastroenterologists , nephrologists , ophthalmologists , and orthopaedic surgeons . These specialists are supported by general physicians , diabetes educators , dietitians , and trained nurses who provide the best personalised care for every patient ’ s needs .
Since foot problems are among the most common complications of diabetes , the centre is equipped with a neurothesiometer that exams foot pressure and a podiatry drill machine for nail trimming . Both can help diabetes patients maintain proper care of their feet .
With such a comprehensive pool of experts , the Diabetes Centre acts as an “ avenue for multidisciplinary consultants to refer patients for diabetic counselling and health education ,” stressed Lam . “ This award recognises our team ’ s hard work at every stage of patient care , proving that we ’ ve made a difference in this
Stanley Lam
industry .” As a testament to Mahkota ’ s contributions , the medical centre can point to the high number of positive outcomes produced by its treatments , a key reason many local and international patients check in at the hospital year after year .
One vivid example is that the hospital ’ s nurses provide wound care at home for local patients with diabetes , a service that has led to a positive recovery in 100 percent of the roughly 2,300 cases handled by Mahkota ’ s dedicated team , said Lam , while reducing the average time for wound care from 6.4 to 4.1 days . Wound care is a crucial component of the treatment process because it can prevent limb amputation and severe infection , two serious complications that can be caused by diabetes when the condition isn ’ t managed promptly .
Besides quality of care , patient safety is also a top priority for the team at Mahkota . The hospital has consistently followed the high quality and safety standards set by the Joint Commission International and the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health . “ We will continue to attain and maintain the highest safety and quality patient care by empowering and encouraging our team to work together in the patient ’ s best interest ,” said Lam .
Lam believes that hospitals are an integral part of every society and their mission is to contribute to the health of the community instead of simply treating patients , something Mahkota has put into practice since its inception .
“ Our role is to improve people ’ s overall well-being by educating and empowering the community to lead a healthier lifestyle ,” he said . “ With the launch of our Diabetes Centre of Excellence in 2012 , we ’ ve striven to provide excellent diabetes care and to organise a series of annual health awareness events , educational forums , and roadshows to help the community prevent and manage diabetes .”
The Diabetes Centre is now planning to expand its services to provide treatment for diabetic nephropathy , a kidney-related complication of diabetes , including kidney transplant . “ As part of the improvement plan , we ’ re committed to strengthening our integrated and holistic approach to diabetes as well as investing in new medical technologies to achieve better outcomes for our patients ,” Lam said .
44 DECEMBER 2020 GlobalHealthAsiaPacific . com