Patient-Centric care and healing is the forte of AVISENA Specialist Hospital. The boutique hospital, formerly known as DEMC Specialist Hospital, had come far from its humble beginnings.
Established in 1997 at a row of shophouses in Section 9, Shah Alam, AVISENA Specialist Hospital has grown into a well-equipped healthcare institution that emphasises professional and personalised service. The 118-bed hospital has 600 staff, including 65 specialist doctors and 10 medical officers.
Founder Datuk Dr Omar Abd Hamid, who is also the hospital’s president and chief executive officer, said DEMC’s new name was chosen after Avicenna (Ibn Sina), a Persian polymath who was one of the most significant physicians, astronomers, thinkers and writers of the Islamic Golden Age.
“Our hospital is changing its corporate colours, as well as improving our core culture that is long instilled in all our staff.
“We are acquiring new technologies and recruiting additional specialists to boost our standing.
“This rebranding exercise is one part of how we improve our services. We will be offering more sub-speciality treatments in cardiology, hepatology, gastroenterology and neurology, among others. As such, the hospital will be seeking more experienced specialists to join its team.
“We also want to establish ourselves nationwide. The expansion is expected to take between five and 10 years.”
Dr Omar said the hospital would be investing in equipment and new technologies, such as the latest CT scan and magnetic resonance imaging machines, and microscopes for laparoscopic surgery.
A key feature of AVISENA is its Sutera Lounge.
A reception service that is relatively unique among private hospitals, it provides card members with swift and hassle-free check-in, along with perks like room upgrades, ala carte food, express medication prescription, complimentary parking and personalised consultation.
Visitors and patients will feel at ease in the hospital’s surroundings. There is a therapeutic garden to give recuperating patients a natural, peaceful environment.
The hospital’s homey ambience, set with a cheerful and tasteful interior, will make people feel like they are not in a hospital at all.
With the rising cost of healthcare, Dr Omar gives his assurance that AVISENA will strive to offer competitive pricing through cost-effective innovations and productivity.
For example, the hospital’s home care team will visit patients so they do not have to bear the extra cost of returning for follow-up treatment.
Part of the expansion under the AVISENA name includes the opening of a new women and children’s specialist hospital in December.
The new 19-storey hospital building, located 400m from the existing one, will have 600 staff, 140 beds and three operating theatres overseen by 35 specialist doctors, as well as a full-fledged intensive care, neonatal intensive care and high-dependency units.
Dr Omar said for women, AVISENA’s services would be extended to aesthetic, slimming and spa treatments. Plastic surgery and fertility treatment would also be offered.
“For children, our focus will be on paediatric neurology, cardiology and neonatal medicine. The hospital will also tend to special needs children at its child development centre.”
Shah Alam Mayor Datuk Ahmad Zaharin Mohd Saad officiated at the hospital’s rebranding ceremony on Wednesday.