SMCV, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital Forge Partnership To Enhance Cross-border Healthcare

KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 (Bernama) --  Sunway Medical Centre Velocity (SMCV) and Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, a Taiwanese non-profit institution under the Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise a cross-border partnership in recognition of their shared commitment to advancing healthcare excellence.

The MoU was formalised at a ceremony at SMCV, which was attended by managing director of Hospital and Healthcare Operations at Sunway Healthcare Group (SHG) Dr Khoo Chow Huat; chief executive officer of SMCV Susan Cheow; chief operating officer of SMCV Tee Siew Ching; medical director and consultant emergency physician of SMCV Dr Wee Tong Ming; and head of corporate responsibility and sustainability at the Group Healthcare Management Office, SHG Tracia Lee Chooi Hsia. 

Also present were representatives from key medical specialities, including consultant neurosurgeon Dr Mah Jon Kooi; consultant orthopaedic, trauma and spine surgeon Dr Chang Kok Chun; consultant gastroenterologist, hepatologist and internal medicine physician Dr Tee Teong Jin; along with other SMCV consultants and members of the management team.

Representing Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital were neurosurgeon and vice superintendent Dr Chen Jin-Cherng; orthopaedic surgeon and director of spine surgery Dr Yang Chang-Chen; colorectal surgeon and director of colon and rectal surgery Dr Hsu Ta-Wen; director of strategy and planning at the International Medical Centre Dr Harriet Shen Szu-Ching; manager of the International Medical Centre Chen Tzu-Ying; and representatives from Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia.

SMCV, in a statement, said that through the agreement, both institutions will jointly implement clinical exchange initiatives designed to strengthen clinical competency, standardise best medical practices and support continuous education for healthcare professionals across both institutions.

“Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital’s medical expertise spans several advanced specialities, including digestive health, orthopaedic and minimally invasive surgeries for spinal and colorectal conditions.

“These knowledge-sharing opportunities will allow SMCV and Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital to enhance patient care services, treatment outcomes and introduce innovative techniques that will benefit many patients across the region,” the statement read.

At the same time, SMCV said the partnership would also facilitate its collaborative research efforts with Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, enabling joint multicentre clinical trials and co-publishing of international research.

It said both institutions aimed to advance diagnostic accuracy and improve treatment protocols through expertise and knowledge exchange, clinical insights and medical findings, where these efforts would not only contribute to global medical knowledge but also lay the groundwork for future medical advancements.

Meanwhile, SMCV medical director and consultant emergency physician Dr Wee Tong Ming shared that in line with its patient-centred approach, the MoU also introduces a bilateral patient referral agreement for complex cases, continuity of care and preventive medicine services.

This agreement enables both institutions to tap into each other’s strengths and provide timely, coordinated care for patients with specialised needs.

“With streamlined emergency transfer protocols and cross-institutional expertise, we can ensure patients benefit from seamless care delivery and improved health outcomes,” he added.

Besides that, the MoU also established a framework for mutual benchmarking on green hospital practices and the development of ESG-focused key performance indicators. 

Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital has been a pioneer in sustainability, aligning with the Global Green and Healthy Hospitals’ 10 goals and implementing impactful interventions in energy, waste, food and transport as part of its Race to Zero by 2050 commitment. 

Furthermore, SMCV is the first hospital in Malaysia to commit to the Race to Zero initiative and is continuously working to enhance its environmental impact and advance green hospital management practices.

SHG’s Dr Khoo said such collaborations also support its group-wide sustainability goals and contribute to building a more resilient and responsible healthcare ecosystem.

“It has always been part of SHG’s approach to drive progress not just among our hospitals, but through partnerships that help us enhance the quality of care and service delivery,” he added.

Echoing this sentiment, SMCV’s Susan Cheow also emphasised the broader value of cross-border collaborations, saying that the partnership strengthens the cross-border ties and advances SMCV’s pursuit of global best practices, enabling the delivery of patient care that meets international standards while focusing on long-term growth.

Through this partnership, SMCV reaffirms its commitment to delivering exceptional, patient-centred care while continuously expanding its capabilities to meet the evolving needs of the communities it serves.

-- BERNAMA