By V. Sivaji
The Penang Neurosurgery Society’s “Brain Awareness” month 2023 was held at the Youth Park here this morning.
The gathering saw several speakers shedding light and awareness on neurological disorders and their treatment.
Present was Member of Parliament for Bagan YB Lim Guan Eng to launch the gathering.
Also present was Dr Azman Raffiq, advisor for Penang Neurosurgery Society and consultant neurosurgeon at PantaiHospital Kuala Lumpur, Dr Senthil Kumar, Head Neurological Department at Hospital Pulau Pinang, Dr Lee Chun Li, neurosurgeon and organising chairman, Dato Khoo Boo Leong Commissioner Tzu Chi Society, Dr Mary Ann Harris executive director Penang Centre for Medical Tourism, Datuk Chua Sui Hau, founder of One Hope Charity Foundation, Stephanie Lee, chief executive officer Sunway Medical Centre Penang, Siti Sarah from PCEB among others.
“The brain contains 86 billion brain cells and weighs only 1.3kg. 70 percent is water and 30 percent fat while its storage capacity is infinite,” shared Dr Azman during his presentation.
He also added that women have more memory power compared to men. This explains why women remember incidents and conversations from years back.
From left – Dr Lee, Dr Azman and Dato Khoo
“The brain can produce 48 random thoughts per minute and this is why we see people like to take down notes so that these thoughts or ideas are not forgotten.
Since the inception of the neurological development in Penang, they have also started cluster services where doctors go to the patients at locations like Seberang Jaya, Bukit Mertajam and Kulim from February this year.
The move has helped decrease load pressure on Hospital Pulau Pinang and ensure faster treatment for patients.
Meanwhile, it should be noted that the Penang Hospital is among the first to do “awake surgery” or surgery where the patient is still conscious without any help of anaesthetic.
Lim later toured the various booths to meet the organisations that supported the event.
Other programmes at the event included a 3km walk, kids drawing activities, aerobics, school band performance, trivia games and lucky draw.
