Materia Medica Malaysiana

New Straits Times Online :: National: "PUTRAJAYA, Sept 5: The Government may soon establish adolescent wards at government hospitals
for those aged between 13 and 19.



Malaysian Paediatric Association president Dr Nazeli Hamzah said the Health Ministry had agreed in principle to look into establishing such wards. 'In Malaysia, those aged 13 and above are admitted to adult wards, where they are not able to receive specific care. They are adolescents and do not belong there and neither are they children,' she said, adding that teenagers were emotionally and mentally different from children and adults.

She said this at a Press conference after the opening of MPA's 25th Annual Congress and launch of a parental guide to child health and nutrition, called The Total Child.

Datuk Seri Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali opened both events.

'We are very pleased that the Health Ministry has agreed in principle, but the execution is still in its infancy and we hope the process will be speedier,' Dr Nazeli said.

The idea for separate wards for adolescent boys and girls was mooted by the association at a dialogue with the Health Minister in July.

Australia and the United States are among the countries that have adolescent wards.

Dr Nazeli said it was difficult for sick teenagers to move to adult wards and be counselled by different doctors after growing up with their paediatricians.

'We are suggesting that the same paediatrician look after the adolescent. When the patient is an adult, he or she can move on to the adult ward,' she said.

She said paediatricians would need to be trained to sub-specialise in adolescent health, which is a threeyear course.

At present, there is only one Malaysian who is studying adolescent h"