KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 — In observance of World Alzheimer’s Month, Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur (PHKL) recently hosted World Alzheimer’s Month 2026: A Brain Health and Mahjong Day on September 26, 2026.
The milestone event marked PHKL as the first hospital to integrate competitive social mahjong into a clinical brain health programme, offering participants a unique combination of expert medical dialogue, digital cognitive assessments, and interactive social gameplay designed to foster brain stimulation.
The event brought together leading medical specialists, health technology pioneers, and community partners to address cognitive decline, early detection, and holistic dementia care.
Expert Insights: Diagnosis, Care, And Early Detection
During the expert panel discussions, medical specialists and tech leaders emphasized that dementia care extends far beyond memory loss, requiring early detection and holistic support.
Consultant geriatrician Dr Lee Yoong Wah distinguished normal age-related slowing from concerning cognitive decline, emphasising structured home adaptations that preserve patient autonomy, while consultant rehabilitation physician Dr Lee Hwee Ming highlighted how targeted rehabilitation addresses impaired mobility and spatial awareness to maintain quality of life.
Expanding on diagnostic pathways, consultant geriatrician Dr Mohd Seenikatty Abdul Hakim clarified that screening creates a baseline for early lifestyle and therapeutic interventions rather than giving a terminal diagnosis, and Adnan Azam Mohammed, co-founder and CEO of Gray Matter Solutions demonstrated how modern digital tools make cognitive testing more accessible and less intimidating for the public.
First Hospital To Combine Cognitive Science And Mahjong Social Play
Breaking away from traditional medical forums, PHKL partnered with Gray Matter Solutions and Jom Mahjong to transform the event space into an interactive gaming arena.
Following a brief tutorial led by Zed Lee YiJiang, founder and president of Jom Mahjong Social Club, participants engaged in a lively Mahjong Social Play and Brain Health Challenge across 25 tables.
Mahjong is increasingly recognised by cognitive health professionals as an ideal mental exercise for older adults and the general public alike.
The tile-based game demands strategy, pattern recognition, and working memory, while simultaneously encouraging social interaction, key factors in building cognitive reserve and maintaining mental agility.
Launch Of Cutting-Edge Digital Memory Screening
As part of its ongoing commitment to early intervention, PHKL highlighted its partnership with Gray Matter Solutions through the introduction of digital cognitive testing tools.
Designed to provide a more holistic assessment of cognitive health, the package combines laboratory tests, a specialist consultation, and digital cognitive screening.
The digital assessment evaluates key cognitive functions including memory performance, reaction speed, and executive brain function, while the laboratory tests and specialist consultation provide further clinical insights to support a more comprehensive evaluation.
Members of the public seeking to proactively track their cognitive wellness can access PHKL’s comprehensive Memory Screening Package, which incorporates advanced digital cognitive assessments to evaluate memory performance, reaction speed, and executive brain function.
For more information or to enquire about the details of the Memory Screening Package, please contact PHKL’s Marketing Department at 011-5122 4125 or visit the PHKL website.
This press release was provided by PHKL.
