KUCHING: Eighteen out of 40 local patients who had experienced neurological problems managed to recover after undergoing the rehabilitation services with Robotic Therapy.
Since the Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) was first introduced to the patients in September last year, most patients have shown positive results after the therapy.
Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) Rehabilitation Centre Executive Director Datuk Dr Hafez Hussain revealed that following the success of the rehabilitation service, there are many who are able to get back to work after they recover well in functional skills.
“Looking at the statistics in Sarawak, half of patients here are linked to paralysis due to accidents or injuries, while the other half is due to chronic diseases.
“That is why we are proud to see the success achieved through this service,” he said.
He said this after witnessing the launching of the first robotic therapy services in East Malaysia at Normah Medical Specialist Centre (NMSC) here today.
In line with this, touching on who is qualified to get such services under SOCSO, he stated that the service is offered to two groups.
“Those who have already contributed can receive the treatment if the employee is involved in an accident while going to or returning from work under the Occupational Disaster Scheme and those who have chronic diseases which fall under the Disability Scheme.
“However, for these two schemes, it only covers the rehabilitation services whereas other treatments including surgery and so on are not included in it.
“Nevertheless, all in all, this is a very good scheme as it can benefit eligible patients to receive the necessary treatment for them to continue to contribute to society,” he said.
Meanwhile, following the NMSC being the first to obtain HAL, Hafez expressed his hope that the centre would continue to be the first to use the latest technology product offered by SOCSO.
“As of now, we already have a new product that could be used to help paediatric patients here.
“As it already has been in Kuala Lumpur since November last year, we are doing studies on it in collaboration with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Universiti Malaya (UM).
“As we can see, there are so many child patients who need this technology. Therefore, we hope that the evidence of the studies can be released before Hari Raya so that it can be taken to NMSC,” he said.
