KUALA LUMPUR, April 22 – Putrajaya Hospital today launched its Endocrine Institute to upgrade endocrinology services in the tertiary referral centre for adult and child patients across the country.
The public hospital’s endocrine unit, which began operations in 2002, was upgraded as the Endocrine Institute in a handover ceremony today of the new block at Putrajaya Hospital.
“The high need and demand for treatment services at Putrajaya Hospital’s Endocrine Unit and also nationwide had contributed to the idea of setting up the Putrajaya Hospital Endocrine Institute,” Khairy said in a speech at the handover ceremony at the Endocrine Institute today.
“The government’s decision to build this Endocrine Institute is in line with the government’s resolve to fix and upgrade health services, particularly endocrinology medical services in Malaysia.
“Hence, the opening of this new health facility is hoped to provide comfort not just to the people to get wider access to public health services, but also for the health workforce on duty.”
Besides Putrajaya Hospital, MOH previously established endocrinology referral centres in state hospitals in Penang (2003), Sarawak (2004), and Sabah (2006). Visiting endocrinology services are available in other states.
Endocrinology is the study of hormones. Hormones influence or control a wide range of physiological activities, such as growth, development, puberty, level of alertness, sugar regulation and appetite, bone growth etc, according to the UK’s Society for Endocrinology.
Problems with hormones contribute to diseases like diabetes, thyroid conditions, pituitary conditions (disorders involving the pituitary gland), some sexual problems, some neurological problems, appetite and obesity, bone problems, and cancer, among others.