More surgeons are showing interest in vascular field, says KKM vascular rep

11 October 2025

KOTA KINABALU: There are more interest shown by general surgeons in the field of vascular.

Health Ministry Vascular Surgery Subspecialty head Datuk Dr Benjamin Leong said from the national front, he is very encouraged to see the improved interest of general surgeons to become a vascular surgeon.

“Before this, there was usually between one and two trainees annual intake in vascular surgical training.

“Now, we are seeing between five and seven new (annual) intakes for the past 2 years.

“I hope with the collaboration of the Health Ministry, Education Ministry and Finance Ministry, Vascular Centres, along with private centres, we will be able to provide more accessible and quality vascular care for the nation,” he said during the opening of the 3rd Borneo Vascular Conference here yesterday.

The event organising chairman also hoped the Government of Malaysia and Sabah would support and provide with modern facilities along with sufficient funding for vascular consumables to treat vascular patients safely and effectively.

“Without such support, we will not be able to do this job.”

Dr Leong said the state permanent vascular surgical services here started in July 2014.

After a decade, the service has developed to cater the increasing need of vascular care for the people here in Sabah.

“I am extremely grateful to Dr Feona Sibangun Joseph who has reinforced the unit in 2017.

“Our service is based in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital 2 and we also visit Duchess of Kent hospital in Sandakan and Tawau Hospital each month.

“It is to provide vascular care so patients do not need to make the long journey for treatment in Kota Kinabalu.

“We are also blessed with a group of committed medical officers, medical assistants, nurses and radio-graphers to run the service here in Sabah.”