Newsletters Archive - Integrated Oncology Centres

We warmly welcome the following doctors for recently joining our organisation.

Dr Prayudi Tetanto
Pulmonologist
Adi Husada Cancer Center

Adi Husada Cancer Center proudly welcomed Dr Prayudi Tetanto to their team of doctors. He became a Pulmonologist after completing his specialisation at the Faculty of Medicine, Airlangga University after 6 years as a GP. With an interest in photography, Dr Prayudi is fueled by his passion to change the lives of patients for the better. 

Dr Dang Tien Khoa
Pulmonologist
Hung Viet Cancer Hospital

With more than 30 years of experience treating respiratory diseases like pneumonia, bronchitis and tuberculosis to even rare diseases like sarcoidosis, alveolar proteinosis, Dr Dang Tien Khoa is the newest Pulmonologist to join Hung Viet Cancer Hospital. Having previously worked at K National Cancer Hospital, Vietnam for over 2 decades, he is known for his thoughtfulness and commitment towards his patients. 

Dr Nguyen Bach Hoi
Gastroenterologist
Hung Viet Cancer Hospital

Hung Viet Cancer Hospital became the new home for Dr Nguyen Bach Hoi, a Gastroenterologist whose area of interest lies in the treatment of complex haemorrhoids. On top of his dedication towards treating patients in the hospital, he is also passionate about educating the public as he runs his own Tik Tok account with over 60,000 followers. His videos cover topics such as health and diseases, some of which have over a million views. Dr Hoi is well-loved by his patients for his eagerness in answering their questions. 

Being tasked to ensure that the best practices are shared between radiotherapy teams in various countries is no easy feat, but for Fadilah, that is the vital role she plays in our organisation.

As a Radiation Therapist Trainer at IOC, I am tasked with reviewing and assessing the competency levels of Radiation Therapists (RTTs) across different locations and providing off-site on-the-job coaching and remote support to RTTs.

Even with over 15 years of experience in the field of radiation therapy, when I was first approached by Ms Zoe Lau, Clinical Support and Commissioning Lead, IOC to train radiotherapy teams in different countries, I felt a mix of nervousness and excitement. I was thrilled at the opportunity to share my experience with professionals from various backgrounds and cultures. Despite my 2 years of experience as a lecturer, I had never taught internationally, so this was a new and challenging frontier for me.

Training radiotherapy teams across Southeast Asia, including Hung Viet Cancer Hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam, Adi Husada Cancer Center in Surabaya, Indonesia and CLIOC in Pampanga, Philippines requires adapting to the unique practices and knowledge levels of each country. Each location has its own set of procedures and standards, which means that a one-size-fits-all approach isn’t feasible.

To bridge these differences and standardise practices across all IOC centres, I prepare extensively by reviewing information from journals, publications, and my own experiences to identify best practices in radiotherapy. This comprehensive preparation allows me to deliver tailored training that addresses the unique challenges and leverages the strengths of each team. By doing so, I ensure that all teams can achieve a high standard of quality and accuracy in patient care, regardless of their starting point.

One of the most satisfying experiences during my role as a trainer was working with the radiation therapists at Hung Viet Cancer Hospital. Despite the language barrier, which required a translator or even Google Translate, we managed to achieve mutual understanding. We communicated through sign language, facial expressions, and physically demonstrating techniques on patients. The training process was challenging and progress was slow, requiring me to conduct onsite training about 4 to 5 times a year. However, seeing the remarkable progress the team made was incredibly rewarding.

With only 3 radiation therapists, they now treat over 50 patients a day and handle up to 5 CT simulations daily. I am immensely proud of the team. Their dedication and hard work have paid off, and I continue to witness their consistent accuracy in treatment delivery through daily image verification reviews. This accomplishment stands out as a testament to the power of perseverance and effective communication, even under challenging circumstances.

“Training is the best way to learn.” This perfectly encapsulates my experience as a trainer. In preparing to train others, I push myself to learn more, ensuring I have the latest knowledge and techniques to share. This continuous learning process has significantly enhanced my own skills and knowledge as a Radiation Therapist.

Norfadilah Mat Nor,
Manager of Radiotherapy

From construction to commencement, discover the journey PJ Integrated Centre for Advanced Surgery and Oncology (Hospital Picaso) in Malaysia underwent to finally open its doors.  

IOC wishes the Picaso team all the best moving forward! 

During the GlobalHealth 2024 Asia-Pacific Summit, Can-Care Malaysia and Singapore received the award for “Excellence in Post Breast Cancer Care Solutions of the Year in Asia-Pacific”. Let’s hear from Tan King Mee, General Manager of Can-Care Malaysia, and Sr Eleanor Wong, Operations Lead of Can-Care Singapore, as they share about Can-Care’s journey leading up to this momentous occasion.

What went in your mind when you found out that Can-Care achieved Excellence in Post Breast Cancer Care Solutions of the Year in Asia-Pacific?

King Mee: I felt incredibly proud and excited. It’s great to see our hard work and dedication being recognised. It motivates us to keep improving our services.

Eleanor Wong: Happy to have achieved this award as it had demonstrated that Can-Care had kept the mission and vision of the commitment to enhance the lives of breast cancer patients and survivors as conceptualised in 1995 by one of its co-founders till date.

What do you think is the contributing factor that led to Can-Care being recognised this year?

KM: Our focus on patient-centered care and continuous innovation played a big role. Our team’s hard work, holistic care approaches, continuous education and strong partnerships were key factors.

EW: The contributing factor could well have been that Can-Care prioritises patients’ needs by offering a wide range of services including emotional support, survivorship programmes and building strong partnerships with healthcare providers, advocacy groups and community organisations.

Comparing the time when you first joined Can-Care, to this moment, how have things changed?

KM: Things have changed a lot since I joined. We’ve expanded our services, improved our education and training, enabling us to offer a higher standard of care. Our team has grown stronger and more skilled.

EW: We have had challenging moments establishing partnerships with new and current vendors, securing products that are not only fashionable and contemporary but also budget-friendly. We have also been more active in supporting appropriate events, with both Restructured and Private hospitals and NGOs conducting continuous medical education (CME) and extending awareness talks regarding post-surgery products for breast cancer.

Share with us the direction Can-Care is taking to further improve and expand the post-breast care solutions available.

KM: We are focusing on using more advanced technology and greater product variety, offering telehealth services and expanding our education programmes. We aim to establish more partnerships and continually update our care practices. Through ongoing innovation and service expansion, we strive to set new standards in post-breast cancer care.

EW: The direction is to shift from not only having a Cancer Product Retail-Oriented Identity but also to being a Cancer Support Healthcare Service Provider in Navi-Care, in that it involves personalised care and comprehensive support and navigation throughout the breast cancer patients’ and survivors’ journey.

What are your hopes for the future of Can-Care?

KM: My hopes for the future of Can-Care is for us to continue to lead in post-breast cancer care, expanding globally and keep innovating to reach and support more breast cancer survivors and patients worldwide. My vision is to foster a more inclusive and supportive community where survivors feel empowered and inspired. I hope Can-Care will continue to be recognised for providing excellent and compassionate care, supporting more survivors along the way.

EW: My hopes are that Can-Care not only provides support in post-care to breast cancer survivors but also continues to spearhead the ‘Navicare Programme’, working with the centres to train patient navigators. These trained patient navigators can optimise patients’ and caregivers’ experiences, enhancing their overall well-being by delivering high-quality, centered care such as helping them navigate the complexities of the healthcare system, providing emotional support and connecting them with the appropriate resources and services.

Dato’ Dr Mohamed Ibrahim Abdul Wahid, Consultant Clinical Oncologist and Medical Director of Beacon Hospital shares about the growth journey undergone by his hospital.