Every year, the healthcare sector becomes a priority for the government through allocations in the annual budget. In the 2017 Budget, a total of RM25 billion was allocated to improve the health status of the people and the quality of healthcare. This funding not only includes the construction and upgrading of hospitals and clinics but also involves providing suitable equipment in healthcare centers, both urban and rural. With significant subsidies provided, government healthcare centers always remain the choice for people in need of quality treatment at affordable prices.

Despite the advantages offered, the equipment provided is still insufficient to meet the needs of patients. At the Advanced Medical and Dental Institute (IPPT), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), this issue is also faced by the Rehabilitation Unit, which provides treatment to many patients. In rehabilitation treatment, suitable equipment is crucial as it helps improve patients’ ability to recover and improve. Gathering the same interest and spirit, Ms. Syuhadah Sufian and her colleagues at the IPPT Rehabilitation Unit combined their efforts and ideas to create an innovation in an attempt to reduce the problems that often occur in their unit.

Their efforts paid off when they successfully produced an exercise tool known as the Medi-Bike Exerciser (MBE). The idea to create this exercise tool initially arose to address several problems faced by the Rehabilitation Unit, such as the lack of effective and efficient exercise equipment for treating upper and lower limb movements. This problem was compounded by the long treatment time for patients, which contributed to the overflow of patients who were not discharged.

In the Rehabilitation Unit, they receive many patients who suffer from muscle weakness (paresis), paralysis or stroke, imbalance, and coordination problems of upper (above the waist) and lower (below the waist) body movements. Using limited equipment, these patients need to perform lengthy and strenuous upper and lower body exercise activities. Consequently, the time for patient turnover increases. Moreover, the number of patients undergoing rehabilitation treatment is increasing due to the inability to have their equipment for self-treatment at home. Facing these problems, MBE was created as a combined exercise tool for upper and lower limbs so that exercise activities can be performed simultaneously. Previously, treatment could only be carried out separately due to different equipment for upper and lower body limbs. By using MBE, treatment time can be significantly shortened by 50%, thus reducing waiting time for patients.

From a structural and design aspect, MBE is very compact. It resembles a bicycle with four pedals – two for hands and two for feet. Its purpose is to allow simultaneous movement of the upper and lower body parts. Additionally, MBE can be adjusted according to the patient’s position and height. This feature not only provides comfort to the patient but also maintains an ergonomic body posture. With such a feature, all groups of patients can use MBE for a long time without feeling sore or uncomfortable. This is important because existing patients already face difficulty in moving their body limbs. Due to its flexible design, users, especially patients, can easily pedal it from various locations such as on a bed, wheelchair, chair, and other suitable places.

Made of sturdy and rust-resistant iron, MBE weighs only 6.7 kg and comes with wheels for easy transportation. Moreover, MBE has an adjustable load resistance that can be tailored to the strength and health level of the patient. It also features rubber on the soles to reduce slipping. Another advantage is that MBE can be folded for easy storage for long-distance travel such as in cars.

One of the main objectives of MBE is to be a cheaper alternative that can be owned by everyone. Interestingly, MBE was successfully produced using much lower costs compared to other branded equipment. The selling price for one unit of MBE is only RM700 per unit compared to prices reaching thousands for existing products on the market. Moreover, MBE does not require electricity supply for use. With this price, patients can afford to own and undergo rehabilitation at their own homes without having to commute to the hospital repeatedly.

Recognizing the advantages and importance of MBE, the Malaysian Innovation Foundation has ordered 20 units to be donated to patients who cannot afford it. A total of RM12,000 was allocated to the innovator to produce MBE on a larger scale. With this order, not only patients but also the innovator benefits from the sales. As one of the government agencies that popularize innovation, the Malaysian Innovation Foundation sees MBE as a product that needs to be shared, especially among those in need. MBE meets the criteria for inclusive innovation with high quality at an affordable price. The gap in access to healthcare equipment is narrowing with the existence of products like MBE.

The success of the USM Rehabilitation Unit in producing such innovative products demonstrates the potential and value of innovation in every layer of society. Not only does it generate income, but the innovative products produced can be enjoyed by more people. The Malaysian Innovation Foundation has been and continues to be committed to elevating grassroots innovation to a higher level.