Sunway Medical Centre Velocity (SMCV) expands access to life-saving support and training to help the public respond with greater confidence during medical emergency moments.
Sudden cardiac arrest continues to be one of the leading causes of death in Malaysia, often occurring without warning and requiring immediate intervention. In Malaysia, survival rates remain low between 0.5% to 8.5%, largely due to the lack of access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and delayed initiation of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Without immediate CPR intervention, the chances of survival drop significantly with each passing minute, especially after 8 to 10 minutes.
Recognising the need to enhance emergency preparedness, Sunway Medical Centre Velocity (SMCV) continues its efforts to strengthen public awareness on medical emergencies through its latest CSR initiative, which builds on the hospital’s earlier “Save A Number, Save A Life” campaign. This initiative aims to improve both the availability of AEDs and public confidence in using them, while building on SMCV’s commitment in addressing the importance of immediate action during cardiac emergencies and positioning its A&E as a multi-specialty emergency tertiary care provider.
“Sudden cardiac arrest can happen anytime and anywhere,” said SMCV Medical Director and Consultant Emergency Physician, Dr Wee Tong Ming.” “Oftentimes, when an emergency occurs, lives are not lost due to lack of help, but because of delays in response and the lack of access to life-saving tools which can have severe consequences between life and death, making every second of response count.”
Strengthening Emergency Response Readiness
Cardiac arrests frequently occur outside of hospital settings, with approximately 10% taking place in public areas or commercial buildings. Yet many bystanders remain hesitant, not because they are unwilling to help, but because they do not know how. While early use of an AED is critical to improving survival outcomes, accessibility alone is not enough. There is a need for greater public awareness, knowledge and confidence to ensure effective emergency response.
As part of this initiative, SMCV has installed multiple AED units at key high-traffic locations to improve accessibility and ensure prompt response during emergencies. These locations include MRT stations such as Tun Razak Exchange (TRX), Bukit Bintang, Ampang Park and Muzium Negara, as well as Aquaria KLCC, Menara Public Bank and Menara Public Bank 2. These strategic placements within busy commercial and transportation hubs aim to provide timely access to AEDs in areas where cardiac emergencies are more likely to occur.
The AED installation will also be extended to National Heritage Building of Stadium Merdeka within the Merdeka 118 Precint, Public Bank-ITTC (IT & Training Centre), and Bangunan Public Bank, Jalan Sultan Sulaiman.
On top of that, each AED unit will be supported by a clear standee designed for ease of visibility and use, allowing bystanders to respond effectively in critical emergency moments. QR code stickers linking to the SMCV’s previous “Save A Number, Save A Life” campaign webpage will also be placed on the AED standees as well as General Practitioner (GP) clinics, providing quick access to essential medical emergencies guidance.
“We believe that in a medical emergency, no one should feel helpless, whether it’s because they don’t know what to do or don’t have access to the right equipment,” said SMCV Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ms Susan Cheow. “At SMCV, we are committed to driving initiatives that bridge gaps in medical emergency response, especially through making life-saving support more accessible and easier to use. By strengthening both infrastructure and public awareness across various areas in Kuala Lumpur, we aim to empower the public to respond quickly and confidently, improving the chances of survival during medical emergency situations.”
Equipping the Public to Respond Confidently During Medical Emergencies
Beyond the physical installation of AEDs, SMCV has also organised on-site AED training sessions and Accident & Emergency (A&E) awareness talks at selected locations. These sessions aim to give the public hands-on knowledge in handling cardiac emergencies properly, including recognising symptoms, basic life support techniques such as performing CPR, and how to use the AEDs correctly and safely.
“Installing AEDs is only one part of improving emergency response. What is equally important is ensuring that people know how to use them correctly when every second matters. Through these training sessions and awareness talks, we hope to equip the public and staff with the right technique, knowledge and confidence to respond effectively as timely and proper action can help save more lives,” Dr Wee noted further.
“Medical emergencies not only test healthcare systems, they also test how prepared our shared spaces are to support people in moments of crisis,” adds Ms Susan. “By providing these AEDs across public and corporate locations, we hope to encourage a stronger safety mindset where emergency response is treated as part of everyday planning, not an afterthought.”
Through this initiative, SMCV continues to advocate for proactive healthcare and public empowerment, emphasising its commitment to making life-saving interventions more accessible, timely and impactful for all Malaysians.