Government Provides More Physicians For Better Healthcare Of Malaysians

BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) -- Since Malaysia achieved its independence in 1957, the government has initiated various measures in an effort to produce more Malaysian-born physicians to serve the 'rakyat'.

Apart from the massive funds allocated to the healthcare sector every year, one of the tasks undertaken by the government is to reshape the medical and healthcare services of the remnant of the British colonialists.

Concerned over the wellbeing of the people, the government has established numerous public and private medical colleges in the country.

However, the country continues to face a shortage of doctors in various fields, with the ratio falling short of the World Health Organisation's (WHO) recommendation of one doctor for every 600 people in the population.

DOCTOR-PATIENT RATIO

Based on the statistics provided by the Health Ministry, the doctor-to-patient ratio in Malaysia has improved from 1:1,490 some 13 years ago to 1:940 in 2011.

Among the Health Ministry's measures to reduce the shortage of Malaysian-born physicians is to provide various incentives to raise the number of medical graduates in the country, where the ministry hopes to achieve the WHO standard of 1:600 doctor-to-population ratio by the year 2015.

In comparison, Sabah has the doctor-to-population ratio of 1:2,248, while in Sarawak, the ratio is 1:1,709.

Aware of these figures, health authorities have deployed more doctors from the Peninsula to work in government hospitals and clinics in both the states.

The latest statistics indicate that there are 1,339 government doctors serving in Sabah and another 1,254 in Sarawak.

The Health Ministry has set a target of achieving 1:400 doctor-to-population ratio by the year 2020 and aims to produce 4,500 housemen from 2013.

MORE MEDICAL COLLEGES, MORE DOCTORS

As of Nov 17, 2011, there were 35 medical colleges in Malaysia, including 12 in public institutions of higher learning (IPTA), which produce some 4,000 graduates a year.

Among the public medical colleges are Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM), Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).

Among the prominent private universities (IPTS) that offer medical courses in Malaysia are the Malaysian branch of Newcastle University in Nusajaya, Johor, Monash University, International Medical University (IMU), SEGI University College in Kota Damansara, Selangor, and the Allianze College of Medical Sciences (ACMS).

According to the Health Ministry's statistics, as of 2011, there were 32,979 doctors serving in the country, including 22,429 in the public sector.

Out of this number, 19,429 were serving in the Health Ministry such as in government hospitals and medical centres, while the remaining were working with other government agencies such as public universities and the Defence Ministry.

AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF DOCTORS

Based on the Health Ministry's statistics, the number of doctors serving in the country has seen an increase every year from 1999 to 2006.

The figures were 15,503 doctors in 1999, followed by 15,619 physicians in the year 2000, 16,146 in 2001, 17,442 (2002), 18,191 (2003), 18,246 (2004), 20,105 (2005), and 21,937 in 2006.

As for the doctor-to-population ratio, there was one doctor serving 1,465 Malaysians in 1999, 1,490 (2000), 1,487 (2001), 1,406 (2002), 1,377 (2003), 1,402 (2004), 1,300 (2005), and 1,214 in 2006.

-- BERNAMA

Miri Heart Week to offer health checks

BorneoPost Online

MIRI: Miri Heart Week at Bintang Megamall (old Wing) on May 3-4 will offer the public health checks at minimal fees.

Services include body mass index (BMI), screening for blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as health counselling by medical personnel.

Sarawak Heart Foundation trustee Eric Lim reminded the public to fast at night for at least six hours prior to having their blood tested.

“This is the common and compulsory procedure and it’s both efficient and effective,” he told a press conference at Miri Hospital yesterday.

Lim said the foundation has previously organised similar events in different areas of the state to create greater awareness about heart diseases.

“It is also aimed at teaching teenagers and the public at large on the aspects of heart illnesses, and the importance to prevent it rather than cure,” he said.

There will also be a talk on childhood heart disease in English by a Miri Hospital specialist on May 3.

Other events include demonstrations of exercises such as aerobics, wushu, karate and body-building, healthy cooking for the heart, blood donation drive, children’s colouring contest, and exhibition on heart diseases.

The two-day event is organised by the Sarawak Heart Foundation in collaboration with the Heart Foundation of Malaysia.

It is supported by Bintang Megamall, Miri City

Council, Health Department, Divisional Health Office, Miri Hospital, Nestle Products Sdn Bhd and Fitness and Dancing Studios.

For details call the Sarawak Heart Foundation on 082-258212.

Najib calls upon Malaysians to lead healthy lifestyles

 theSundaily

KUALA LUMPUR (April 7, 2013): In conjunction with World Health Day today, Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak called upon the public to lead healthy lifestyles. The Prime Minister highlighted that one third of Malaysian adults has high blood pressure, thus the public need to start practising healthy alternatives.

"One in three Malaysian adults have high blood pressure. Let us reflect on our lifestyles this World Health Day and start practising healthy alternatives," he said in his latest tweet.

Statistic showed that the average salt consumption by Malaysian last year was 1.7 times higher than the World Health Organisation's (WHO) recommendation.

The study concluded that about 32.7 per cent -- or one in three Malaysians -- aged 18 years and above are believed to have high blood pressure.

World Health Day is celebrated on April 7, marking the 65th anniversary of the founding of WHO. This year's theme is high blood pressure. – Bernama

Government to build $8 million clinic

AsiaOne

SERDANG - In about two years, the residents of Bandar Tun Hussein Onn will receive a new clinic after the Government gave the approval for its construction.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, who made the announcement, said that the clinic, expected to cost RM20mil, would serve the 200,000 residents in the area and its surrounding neighbourhoods.

"The then Serdang MP told me back in 2006 that the area needed a health clinic. Now the Government has committed and promised to build one," he said at the ground-breaking ceremony for the clinic here yesterday.

Liow said the time taken to have the project approved was long because of the bureaucracy involved, including submitting the plans to the state government and getting the land to be alienated to the ministry. Once completed, the clinic would serve about 500 patients daily.

Liow said the clinic would provide, among others, x-ray scans, blood tests, physiology, maternity and nutrition counselling services.

Malaysia now listed on world medical tourism site

The Star Online

NEW DELHI: Malaysia has been listed as a medical tourism destination on MyMEDholiday.com, a portal that provides tips and features for foreign patients seeking comprehensive healthcare services.

The portal and ratings site, which has offices in San Francisco and Bangkok, has detailed profiles of over 400 healthcare providers in Asian countries known for their advanced medical care centres.

“Asian countries such as Singapore, India and Thailand have established themselves as heavyweights in the multi-billion-dollar health and medical tourism market by offering patients from abroad the chance to receive convenient, high-quality, and affordable healthcare that they can't get at home.

“At this point in time, it makes sense to include Malaysia as it starts to emerge as a serious player as well,” said one high-ranking member of the company's Asian operations team.

The drop-down “Destinations” tab on the site leads users to a page on Malaysia, including a summary touting the country's prominence as a medical tourism haven and its new and internationally-recognised hospitals and clinics.

It also contains information on the highly qualified doctors and specialists in Malaysia and looks at some of the country's better-known fields of expertise such as cardiology, oncology, orthopaedics, infertility treatment and reconstructive surgery.

Besides healthcare facilities in Malaysia, it cites the country's reputation as a premier vacation destination due to its balmy tropical climate and warm hospitality.

Like the other Asian leaders in healthcare tourism, Malaysia boasts both a thriving tourism industry as well as successful medical infrastructure.

There is also a brief summary of the country's medical tourism capabilities, a synopsis on the overall healthcare system and listings of the most popular cities for medical tourism.

Each facility listed in the medical travel “Destinations” pages is qualified and up-to-date with the latest in healthcare technology and trends, and has met myMEDholiday.com's strict membership criteria before having its profile listed free of charge, said the member. - Bernama