BERTAM: Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) has further strengthened their strategic cooperation with the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between USM’s Advanced Medical and Dental Institute (IPPT) and PERKESO, as well as the opening of the Neuro-Robotics and Cybernics IPPT Clinic.

       This MOA was signed by USM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Faisal Rafiq Mahamd Adikan and PERKESO chief communications and corporate affairs officer Muhammad Amyzaddin Raya, witnessed by USM IPPT director Prof Dr Tunku Kamarul Zaman Tunku Zainol Abidin and PERKESO Rehabilitation Centre disabilty management and vocational department head Nazatul Akma Zawawi.

       “USM is the first organisation other than PERKESO to provide cybernics technology treatment in Malaysia.

       “I am confident and hopeful the extension of the strategic cooperation between USM and PERKESO will serve as a catalyst to expand the delivery of advanced rehabilitation services and neuro-robotic treatment to not only PERKESO-insured individuals, but also everyone else who needs this treatment.

       “I hope the collaboration efforts between USM and PERKESO will continue by exploring opportunities in other areas as well,” said Muhammad Amyzaddin.

       He was speaking on behalf of PERKESO chief executive officer Datuk Seri Dr Muhamad Azman Aziz Mohammed.

       The MOA is a continuation of the collaboration initiative between the two organisations since Sept 17, 2020, with the launch of the Robotics Rehabilitation Services at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan.

       “Through this collaboration, I believe that the robotics rehabilitation services at the Neuro-Robotics and Cybernics IPPT Clinic is capable of developing IPPT, as a medical centre, to greater heights as well as enhancing USM’s quality towards excellence,” said Prof Dr Tunku Kamarul Zaman.

       To date, more than 80 PERKESO-insured individuals who suffer from spinal cord injury, stroke or other neurological problems, have undergone treatment at HUSM.

       A total of six units of Cyberdyne Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL), including three HAL Lower Limb units, two HAL Single Joint units and one Lumbar unit are placed in HUSM for treating PERKESO-insured individuals.

       The positive impact of existing collaborations has also prompted the opening of USM IPPT Robotics Rehabilitation Services in Bertam, Penang, since March this year, with a total of six Cyberdyne HAL units available at IPPT USM.

       To date, 36 PERKESO-insured individuals have received treatment at the Neuro-Robotics and Cybernics IPPT Clinic.

       “Although 36 patients do not seem like a huge number, if you can imagine that it takes about a year or two for someone to walk again with a stick from a wheelchair. With this technology, it cuts down about six months and those six months of intense work will lead to better quality time not just for the patient but also for the family.

       “It is amazingly inspiring and motivating to see that IPPT is growing from strength to strength and I am sure that IPPT will be one of the best oncologist centre on this side of the world and certainly will be the sought-after physiotherapy centre in Malaysia,” said Prof Dr Faisal Rafiq.

       The MOA will also see seven twin wards provided at USM IPPT and the existing wards in HUSM to increase to 15 single wards starting Sept 1 this year.