Largest PERKESO Complex in Southeast Asia taking shape in Ipoh

The first phase of the RM654 million PERKESO (Social Security Organisation) National Neuro-Robotics & Cybernics Rehabilitation Centre, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2024, is earmarked to be a prominent landmark in Perak and the northern zone of Peninsular Malaysia.

World-class rehabilitation and recovery centre

The high-tech PERKESO health complex is currently taking shape in Bandar Meru Raya, Ipoh, on an area measuring 38.5 acres. It is a collaboration between the Ministry of Human Resources through PERKESO and Cyberdyne, Japan.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the cybernics rehabilitation centre was officiated by Datuk Seri M. Saravanan, Minister of Human Resources, and Dato' Seri Saarani Mohamad, Menteri Besar of Perak, which marks a new milestone in rehabilitation services, using world-class, modern neuro-robotic technology.

Following the success of the first of such rehabilitation centre established in Melaka earlier, PERKESO National Neuro-Robotics & Cybernics Rehabilitation Centre in Ipoh, with twice the size, is able to provide high-quality treatment services for the wellbeing of employees and the public, especially people from the northern region.

Leading neuro-robotics hub in Southeast Asia

"Not only the project will provide world-class rehabilitation services to those in need, but also serve as a leading hub for neuro-robotics services in the Southeast Asian region," said Saravanan.

According to him, the rehabilitation complex holds an important role in the local socio-economic development by being capable of accommodating up to 700 patients at a time while creating some 400 permanent job opportunities in high-tech healthcare industry.

Fostering health tourism industry

"The rehabilitation centre, which is enhanced with the neuro-robotic technology, will help nurture the potential of Perak as a preferred destination for health tourism industry upon its commencement," he continued.

Reiterating this was Perak’s Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Saarani Mohamad who believes that the project augurs well for the forthcoming Visit Perak Year 2025, and in line with the Perak State Structural Plan 2040.

Meanwhile, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan also made known his ministry's intention to set up another such rehabilitation centre in Terengganu for the East Coast.

Largest cybernics treatment centre in Southeast Asia

On a proud note, Malaysia is the fourth country in the world and the first in Southeast Asia to offer the latest neuro-robotic treatment services powered by the Cyberdyne technology. The cybernics treatment centre being built in Ipoh is the largest of its kind outside Japan.

The highly intelligent neuro-robotic technology brings about improved precision in neuro-related treatment, which is able to optimize efficiency in a patient’s recovery process, by combining human and robotic capabilities, together with critical data interpretation. Cybernics technology is specifically created to improve the mobility and functionality of the limbs, especially the legs.

The revolutionary technology will benefit patients who suffer from paralysis or weak limbs due to spinal cord or brain injuries such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, neuro-degenerative diseases and so on.

Whole life-cycle rehabilitation concept

The PERKESO National Neuro-Robotics & Cybernics Rehabilitation Centre in Ipoh champions the holistic concept of ‘whole life-cycle rehabilitation’, in addition to being a state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence for the Rehabilitation and ‘Return To Work’ programmes – for Malaysians as well as foreigners.

PERKESO’s statistics show that the Return To Work (RTW) Programme has so far successfully rehabilitated 45,614 disabled workers.

The establishment of such a revolutionary cybernics treatment centre in Perak was also lauded endorsed by His Majesty the Sultan of Perak Darul Ridzuan, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, who put forward the idea of an iconic design with a Perak cultural concept.

Also present at the groundbreaking ceremony were Dato' Zulazlan Abu Hassan, Perak State Financial Officer; Datuk Muhd Khair Razman Mohamed Annuar, Deputy Secretary-General (Operations) of the Ministry of Human Resources; Professor Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Hj. Mohamed Haniffa Hj. Abdullah, Chairman of the PERKESO Board; and Dato’ Sri Dr. Mohammed Azman Dato' Aziz Mohammed, Chief Executive Officer of PERKESO.