Dr Sim (fourth left) flanked by Dr Chhoa (centre) with officials during the opening of the 9th Asia Pacific Neuropsychiatry Conference (Neuron 2025) in Kuching on Aug 26, 2025. Photo: Ukas

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By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Aug 26: Psychiatry is no longer limited to the stigma of ‘7th Mile’ but now encompasses diverse sub-specialties including neuropsychiatry, underscoring Sarawak’s growing need for more experts in this field, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.

According to a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) news report, Dr Sim, who is also the Minister for Public Health, Housing, and Local Government, emphasised that psychiatry today integrates multiple disciplines beyond mental health.

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“At Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) alone, there are already five sub-specialties within psychiatry that also involve other fields such as radiology, pharmacy, and rehabilitation.

“This neuropsychiatry conference is important because it showcases one of the fast-growing sub-specialties.

“This field is not only managed by psychiatrists, but also involves radiologists, pharmacists, and rehabilitation specialists. It is a large team that must be established together,” he told reporters when met at the 9th Asia Pacific Neuropsychiatry Conference (Neuron 2025) here today.

Meanwhile, SGH consultant neuropsychiatrist Dr Chhoa Keng Hong said the sharp rise in cases since the service was introduced in 2022 reflects the increasing demand for specialised care.

He explained that diseases such as Parkinson’s, dementia, epilepsy, and traumatic brain injury often present overlapping neurological and psychiatric symptoms, requiring close collaboration among specialists.

“The more specialists the better. For example, a neurologist treats the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, while a neuropsychiatrist manages the emotional, cognitive, and behavioural aspects.

“In the case of traumatic brain injury, neurosurgeons handle the acute phase, whereas we focus on rehabilitation and reintegration of patients back into society. That is our role,” he elaborated.

The conference also placed special focus on young-onset dementia, discussing caregiver burden, the cognitive profile of Alzheimer’s disease, and the clinical evolution and biomarkers of dementia. — DayakDaily

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