Local healthcare facility partners with Chinese university to conduct HIFU training

Chongqing Medical University collaborated with Mahkota Medical Centre (MMC) to train 25 international clinicians on the use of ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (USgHIFU) technology during the Third International Training Workshop on Focused Ultrasound Therapy for Tumours. This new, specialized high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is touted to be non-invasive and preserves the fertility of women, particularly for the treatment of uterine fibroids and adenomyosis. [Gynecol Minim Invasive Ther 2021; 10(2): 71–74]

Course participants were exposed to lectures and practical training of the USgHIFU device and its software. Participants came from countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines, Egypt, Ethiopia, Mexico, Germany, Singapore, Thailand, Nepal, and Tanzania. Certificates of course completion were issued to those who successfully completed the training workshop by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China, the workshop sponsor. This training session may bridge the treatment gap for women in the 11 countries whose representatives attended the course.

Dr S. Selva, obstetrician and gynaecologist, and reproductive medicine specialist, said: “We are happy to be able to provide this option to women in Malaysia and globally. Since its availability in July 2021, we have treated over 300 women not only from Malaysia but also international patients from Indonesia, the Philippines and Pakistan. I hope this workshop will propagate this technology globally, enabling more women to preserve their fertility and achieve their dreams of becoming mothers.”

Dato’ Dr Balanathan Kathirgamanathan, president of the Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society of Malaysia, said Malaysia is well-known for its high healthcare standards and ranekd among the better medical services in the world. [Available at https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/best-healthcare-in-the-world Accessed on 29 November 2022] This accomplishment is evident in the nation’s thriving medical tourism industry. Thus, it falls to the healthcare practitioners to remain current on technological developments. “As the President of the Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society of Malaysia, many of my peers have shared that their patients have their fair share of concerns regarding traditional treatment for adenomyosis and uterine fibroids. Even if the surgical treatment is minimally invasive, the outcome may still disrupt their fertility or day-to-day activities, such as productivity at work or family commitments. Now, with HIFU, we can address most of these concerns, mitigating patients’ apprehension towards getting treated.”

According to Liu Hua, from the Division of Integration and Planning, Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China, the innovative USgHIFU medical device and advanced treatment technology will allow people all over the world to enjoy non-invasive procedures. Such cutting-edge technology is useless without the appropriate skill set and proper knowledge transfer. He said: “With the aid of this international training course, specialists can increase their knowledge of medical innovations that will improve outcomes for women with adenomyosis and uterine fibroids.”

MMC hopes that more women with gynaecological issues will become aware and opt for HIFU treatment. Stanley Lam, chief executive officer of MMC, said the hospital was grateful for the opportunity to work with key partners and to organize the training workshops. He added: “Addressing the health concerns among local and international communities has always been our top priority … We look forward to conducting similar training sessions, where local hospitals in Melaka, such as MMC, contribute to the global health landscape, elevating Malaysia’s healthcare service.”