BEST HOSPITALS

GLENEAGLES HOSPITAL KUALA LUMPUR

Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur ’ s renowned Endocrinology Unit was established in the year 2000 and is equipped with specialists who are highly sought after in treating diseases such as diabetes , hyper and hypothyroidism , metabolic disorders , menopause , osteoporosis , hypertension and cholesterol disorders amongst others . “ Our Endocrinology Unit has been fortunate to be able to encompass nearly all the related specialties needed to run a comprehensive endocrine service within our Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur site ,” said Dr Saiful B Kassim , Consultant Endocrinologist .

The Endocrinology Unit consists of seven dedicated pituitary neurosurgeons who carry out pituitary surgeries while the consultant interventional radiologist performs all aspects of endocrine radiology including adrenal vein sampling for primary aldosteronism and Cushing ’ s syndrome as well as petrosal sinus sampling for Cushing ’ s disease . Additionally , there are four dedicated endocrine surgeons who undertake thyroid surgery , parathyroid surgery and nine urologists who perform adrenal surgery with the endocrinologists as gatekeepers . Housed within the same site is also a Paediatric Department which works closely with the Endocrinology Unit on growth hormone disorders , diabetes and thyroid disease .

“ We believe that this concentration of clinical facilities has been of major benefit in the care of complex endocrine cases . Equally , the informal network of us in Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur coupled with our excellent colleagues in General Practice , hospitals in other states as well as overseas links have streamlined central

Gleneagles Team

referral of more complex endocrine conditions , while enabling peripheral management of many others ,” explained Dr Saiful B Kassim .

Indeed , Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur ’ s Endocrinology Unit has gone from strength to strength , working seamlessly as a multi-disciplinary team . This team includes two dedicated and highly capable diabetes specialist nurse educators who educate both local and international patients on diabetes-specific cutting-edge technology such as insulin pumps , ICR ( insulin to carbohydrate ratios ) and ISF ( insulin sensitivity factors ). There are also five specialist dieticians working closely with not only diabetes patients but also obesity patients to assist them in their weight loss regimen and peri-bariatric surgery therapy . A specialist podiatrist , two psychologists and three psychiatrists are also available for support and consultation ; as diabetes distress is a known complication of diabetes . Additionally , supporting this team includes over 15 orthopaedic surgeons ( for diabetes

foot ulcers and infections ), five ophthalmologists for diabetic eye disease , two nephrologists for diabetic kidney disease as well as 10 cardiologists for cardiac-related issues .

During the pandemic and ensuing Movement Control Order period , Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur provided more free consultations by email , telephone as well as virtual consultations via e-health ; which allowed patients to maintain communication with their healthcare provider even during a global health crisis .

“ I think we are well and truly blessed to have such comprehensive infrastructure and technology in place as well as impeccable personnel to ameliorate any possible challenges ahead ,” summed up Dr Saiful B Kassim .

46 NOVEMBER 2021 GlobalHealthAsiaPacific . com