Socso doctors must probe further
Are hundreds of occupational diseases going undetected because of a lack of investigation by Socso’s 4,666 panel doctors?
Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr Fong Chan Onn thinks so as the number of cases reported nationwide seem too low for the worker population. There were only 178 cases in 1998, 192 in 1999, 278 in 2000, 204 in 2001, 216 in 2002, 180 in 2003, and 188 last year.
"I feel there has been under-reporting as the number should be higher," Fong told the New Straits Times. "I feel Socso doctors have failed to adequately probe and investigate cases.
"They should check if the diseases were related to the nature of job of workers, the machines they were working with, chemicals they handled and if their places of work had noise or dust pollution."
Fong said Socso panel doctors needed to fully investigate if workers’ illnesses were related to their jobs and workplace environments.
Most occupational disease cases referred to Socso doctors involved noise pollution.
Fong said most occupational diseases such as contact dermatitis, asthma, pneumoconioses (for example asbestosis), hypersensitivity pneumonitis, inhalation fever and heavy metal poisoning were preventable.
Diseases that affected the blood, liver and nervous system were usually the result of industrial spills or confined-space accidents.
There are some 48 occupational diseases rostered.
Socso manager of the medical and rehabilitation unit Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed said there were thousands of workers who sought treatment for asthma alone.
For every 10 asthma cases, he said, three could be job-related. He said there could also be more workers suffering from musculo-skeletal disorders and skin diseases linked to occupational hazards.
In view of this, Fong wants Socso panel doctors to be trained in occupational health by the end of the year. Until today, only 650 have attended an introductory course and occupational health training at the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health and in varsities offering the programme. "I intend to discuss this issue with the Malaysian Medical Association. I need MMA’s co-operation in this matter."
Malaysian Medical News: keeping you up to date with news sourced from various online sites, put in one place for your convenience, with a searchable archive
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Methodone Drug Sale And Usage To Be Monitored, Controlled
PUTRAJAYA, May 18 (Bernama) -- The use and sale of the methodone alternative drug proposed to be prescribed to drug addicts to kick their drug addiction habit will be monitored and controlled to check abuse.
Deputy Minister of Internal Security Datuk Noh Omar said the Health Ministry's drug addicts' treatment and rehabilitation committee headed by Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek would determine how the drug would be dispensed effectively.
He said the government had in 1998 introduced the Subutex alternative drug to reduce the number of addicts but because there was no systematic sale and prescription method, the effort proved futile as some addicts abused the drug.
"The problem is when we allowed Subutex, there was no proper control on how to sell and use it. That's why we have to ask the Health Ministry to draw up guidelines on how methodone will be sold to drug addicts," he told reporters, here Wednesday.
Among the proposals he forwarded to the Health Ministry to ensure methodone was not abused was to ask the ministry to shortlist the doctors, hospitals and private clinics allowed to prescribe the drug, he said.
Noh said he was informed that the pilot project to use methodone as an alternative drug therapy would be started before the year-end.
He said methodone, which costs about RM13 a capsule, was being widely used in the United States as the "main ingredient" to treat drug addicts.
It proved successful in reducing the number of heroin and morphine dependant hardcore addicts, he said.
In the United States, he said, the amount of methodone consumption was controlled as only 20 per cent of the 810,000 addicts were allowed to take the drug in 2000.
Deputy Prime Minister and National Anti-Drug Action Committee Chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced on April 17 that the government was in the final stages of introducing methodone to treat drug addiction among addicts to reduce the number of drug dependants in the country.
PUTRAJAYA, May 18 (Bernama) -- The use and sale of the methodone alternative drug proposed to be prescribed to drug addicts to kick their drug addiction habit will be monitored and controlled to check abuse.
Deputy Minister of Internal Security Datuk Noh Omar said the Health Ministry's drug addicts' treatment and rehabilitation committee headed by Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek would determine how the drug would be dispensed effectively.
He said the government had in 1998 introduced the Subutex alternative drug to reduce the number of addicts but because there was no systematic sale and prescription method, the effort proved futile as some addicts abused the drug.
"The problem is when we allowed Subutex, there was no proper control on how to sell and use it. That's why we have to ask the Health Ministry to draw up guidelines on how methodone will be sold to drug addicts," he told reporters, here Wednesday.
Among the proposals he forwarded to the Health Ministry to ensure methodone was not abused was to ask the ministry to shortlist the doctors, hospitals and private clinics allowed to prescribe the drug, he said.
Noh said he was informed that the pilot project to use methodone as an alternative drug therapy would be started before the year-end.
He said methodone, which costs about RM13 a capsule, was being widely used in the United States as the "main ingredient" to treat drug addicts.
It proved successful in reducing the number of heroin and morphine dependant hardcore addicts, he said.
In the United States, he said, the amount of methodone consumption was controlled as only 20 per cent of the 810,000 addicts were allowed to take the drug in 2000.
Deputy Prime Minister and National Anti-Drug Action Committee Chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced on April 17 that the government was in the final stages of introducing methodone to treat drug addiction among addicts to reduce the number of drug dependants in the country.
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Malaysia's Success In Health Sector Recognised In World Health Report
KUALA LUMPUR, May 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's success in the health sector, especially in maternal and child health, has been given recognition in this year's World Health Report.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said Tuesday Malaysia's success in reducing maternal mortality was depicted in the report.
"I hope this is an inspiration to other developing countries to invest in maternal and child health," he told the World Health Assembly 2005 in Geneva. The text of his speech was made available here.
The minister did not provide details of the maternal mortality rate but, according to statistics compiled by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, the rate in Malaysia was 0.3 persons for every 1,000 population last year, down from the 0.6 persons per 1,000 population in 1980.
Dr Chua said the major driving force behind the success was the political commitment of the government that was translated into policies, services and resources.
Malaysia, he said, had always given priority to vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in the population. Thus, women of reproductive age and children have always been given the best care possible both at primary health care level and at hospitals and institutions, he added.
"In case it is assumed that Malaysia succeeded because of its comparative `wealth', I must make it known here that the financial allocations towards this have not been exorbitant but it is the prudent use of resources and knowing where to prioritize that have helped us," he said.
Dr Chua said the overall socio-economic development, including food supply, housing, education and income in the country, had also contributed to the success.
Poverty alleviation by the government had had a positive impact on health and maternal and child health, he said.
Other factors such as general health and health services in the country, including the development of facilities and manpower, also played important roles for the success.
In Malaysia, 89 per cent of the population now live within five km of a health facility and 98 per cent of deliveries are "safe deliveries".
Dr Chua said the efforts included specific initiatives such as emergency obstetric services, maternal as well as infant and child nutrition, a strong primary health care with a good reliable referral system to hospital, continuous quality improvement, neo-natal retrieval system, the high risk approach for pregnant mothers and a detailed auditing of every maternal death.
However, he said, Malaysia has to remain vigilant of the challenges ahead.
To further reduce the already low rates of maternal and child mortality was going to be difficult, he said.
"We have to be very specific and we are entering the difficult stage of preventing causes of death such as extreme prematurity and genetic disorders," he said.
Malaysia, he said, needed to do more to embrace the broader concept of sexual and reproductive health by going beyond mere biology and to encompass social determinants such as the influence of gender equality, the role of men in reproductive health and the issue of human rights.
Other challenges included achieving one of the Millennium Development Goals on the halting and reversing of HIV/Aids figures.
He said maternal and child health should not be compromised should Malaysia decide to have a major reform on health by introducing a new financing scheme or restructured health system.
KUALA LUMPUR, May 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's success in the health sector, especially in maternal and child health, has been given recognition in this year's World Health Report.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said Tuesday Malaysia's success in reducing maternal mortality was depicted in the report.
"I hope this is an inspiration to other developing countries to invest in maternal and child health," he told the World Health Assembly 2005 in Geneva. The text of his speech was made available here.
The minister did not provide details of the maternal mortality rate but, according to statistics compiled by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, the rate in Malaysia was 0.3 persons for every 1,000 population last year, down from the 0.6 persons per 1,000 population in 1980.
Dr Chua said the major driving force behind the success was the political commitment of the government that was translated into policies, services and resources.
Malaysia, he said, had always given priority to vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in the population. Thus, women of reproductive age and children have always been given the best care possible both at primary health care level and at hospitals and institutions, he added.
"In case it is assumed that Malaysia succeeded because of its comparative `wealth', I must make it known here that the financial allocations towards this have not been exorbitant but it is the prudent use of resources and knowing where to prioritize that have helped us," he said.
Dr Chua said the overall socio-economic development, including food supply, housing, education and income in the country, had also contributed to the success.
Poverty alleviation by the government had had a positive impact on health and maternal and child health, he said.
Other factors such as general health and health services in the country, including the development of facilities and manpower, also played important roles for the success.
In Malaysia, 89 per cent of the population now live within five km of a health facility and 98 per cent of deliveries are "safe deliveries".
Dr Chua said the efforts included specific initiatives such as emergency obstetric services, maternal as well as infant and child nutrition, a strong primary health care with a good reliable referral system to hospital, continuous quality improvement, neo-natal retrieval system, the high risk approach for pregnant mothers and a detailed auditing of every maternal death.
However, he said, Malaysia has to remain vigilant of the challenges ahead.
To further reduce the already low rates of maternal and child mortality was going to be difficult, he said.
"We have to be very specific and we are entering the difficult stage of preventing causes of death such as extreme prematurity and genetic disorders," he said.
Malaysia, he said, needed to do more to embrace the broader concept of sexual and reproductive health by going beyond mere biology and to encompass social determinants such as the influence of gender equality, the role of men in reproductive health and the issue of human rights.
Other challenges included achieving one of the Millennium Development Goals on the halting and reversing of HIV/Aids figures.
He said maternal and child health should not be compromised should Malaysia decide to have a major reform on health by introducing a new financing scheme or restructured health system.
Forensic Ward An Example Of Govt's Social Responsility, Says Sultan
IPOH, May 16 (Bernama) -- Sultan Azlan Shah of Perak, Monday said the building of a new forensic ward at the Hospital Bahagia in Ulu Kinta near here was another example of the government's social responsibility.
He said the government's concern for those who suffered mental illnesses resulted in the ward being built for their care and rehabilitation.
"Coupled with caring doctors and support staff I am sure patients will get the best service available," he said when opening the ward, Monday.
Also present were the Raja Permaisuri Perak, Tuanku Bainun, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohd Tajol Rosli Ghazali and Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abd Latiff Ahmad.
Building of the forensic ward, which cost RM10.7, nillion began in 2002 and was completed in April last year. Forensic wards are meant for people suspected by the courts to be suffering from mental illnesses and are sent there under Section 342 of the Penal Code to be observed and the findings reported back.
People are also sent there for crimes committed because of insanity. Prisoners and drug rehabilitation centre inmates found to be suffering from mental illness are als0 transferred to forensic wards. There are currently 234 male and 19 female patients at the ward.
IPOH, May 16 (Bernama) -- Sultan Azlan Shah of Perak, Monday said the building of a new forensic ward at the Hospital Bahagia in Ulu Kinta near here was another example of the government's social responsibility.
He said the government's concern for those who suffered mental illnesses resulted in the ward being built for their care and rehabilitation.
"Coupled with caring doctors and support staff I am sure patients will get the best service available," he said when opening the ward, Monday.
Also present were the Raja Permaisuri Perak, Tuanku Bainun, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohd Tajol Rosli Ghazali and Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abd Latiff Ahmad.
Building of the forensic ward, which cost RM10.7, nillion began in 2002 and was completed in April last year. Forensic wards are meant for people suspected by the courts to be suffering from mental illnesses and are sent there under Section 342 of the Penal Code to be observed and the findings reported back.
People are also sent there for crimes committed because of insanity. Prisoners and drug rehabilitation centre inmates found to be suffering from mental illness are als0 transferred to forensic wards. There are currently 234 male and 19 female patients at the ward.
Monday, May 16, 2005
Billboard ads not effective
THE Health Ministry will no longer use billboards for their Tak Nak anti-smoking campaign.
Its minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said research by the Government had shown that the use of billboards was the least effective method in bringing across the anti-smoking message and the most costly.
“Out of the 1,000 respondents we surveyed, only 3.5% were aware of the campaign via billboards. And from the RM20mil allocated for the campaign, we spent RM11mil on putting up these billboards.
“Billboards attract attention but the message doesn’t stick in people’s minds compared to channelling our message via the media, on which we only spent RM2.5mil.
“This means that we spent almost 55% on billboards but it did not bring about an desired result,” he told Mingguan Malaysia.
Consequently, the campaign failed to engage the participation of community leaders, said Dr Chua.
“If we were to relaunch the campaign, we won’t have the means to do it because all the money has gone to billboard companies,” he said, adding that the ministry, together with non-governmental organisations, would review the campaign in terms of implementation, objectives and emphasis over the next four years.
Dr Chua also dismissed speculation that the prices of cigarettes would be reduced once the Asean Free Trade Area (Afta) was implemented.
“We have a responsibility towards the health of the people. For their sake, we will keep our right to impose excise duties and others on cigarettes. With or without Afta, the price will continue to rise,” he said.
THE Health Ministry will no longer use billboards for their Tak Nak anti-smoking campaign.
Its minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said research by the Government had shown that the use of billboards was the least effective method in bringing across the anti-smoking message and the most costly.
“Out of the 1,000 respondents we surveyed, only 3.5% were aware of the campaign via billboards. And from the RM20mil allocated for the campaign, we spent RM11mil on putting up these billboards.
“Billboards attract attention but the message doesn’t stick in people’s minds compared to channelling our message via the media, on which we only spent RM2.5mil.
“This means that we spent almost 55% on billboards but it did not bring about an desired result,” he told Mingguan Malaysia.
Consequently, the campaign failed to engage the participation of community leaders, said Dr Chua.
“If we were to relaunch the campaign, we won’t have the means to do it because all the money has gone to billboard companies,” he said, adding that the ministry, together with non-governmental organisations, would review the campaign in terms of implementation, objectives and emphasis over the next four years.
Dr Chua also dismissed speculation that the prices of cigarettes would be reduced once the Asean Free Trade Area (Afta) was implemented.
“We have a responsibility towards the health of the people. For their sake, we will keep our right to impose excise duties and others on cigarettes. With or without Afta, the price will continue to rise,” he said.
Typhoid cases in Kelantan still above normal
DESPITE experiencing a sharp decline over the past two weeks, the number of typhoid cases admitted to hospitals per week is still above normal.
1991 The Kelantan Health Department said today there were 11 new cases recorded within the last 24 hours.
Four were in the Kota Baru Hospital, one in Tumpat and the other six at the Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital in Kubang Kerian here.
There were no new cases in Jeli, Kuala Krai, Tanah Merah, Machang, Pasir Putih and Pasir Mas.
DESPITE experiencing a sharp decline over the past two weeks, the number of typhoid cases admitted to hospitals per week is still above normal.
1991 The Kelantan Health Department said today there were 11 new cases recorded within the last 24 hours.
Four were in the Kota Baru Hospital, one in Tumpat and the other six at the Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital in Kubang Kerian here.
There were no new cases in Jeli, Kuala Krai, Tanah Merah, Machang, Pasir Putih and Pasir Mas.
Sunday, May 15, 2005
Cardiology Unit To Be Fully Equipped Under 9MP
PENANG, May 15 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry will fully equip its cardiology units throughout the country by increasing the number of specialists and equipment for the units under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP).
Its Deputy Minister, Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad said the move aimed to improve the quality of cardiac treatment at three hospitals that had the cardiology unit namely in Penang, Johor and Sarawak.
Speaking to reporters after visiting the Hospital Pulau Pinang (HPP) Cardiac Centre here, he said the ministry would expand its cardiology service to Hospital Serdang at the end of the year and Hospital Alor Star next year.
He said that as the cardiology reference centre for the northern region, HPP treated about 14,000 patients annually, including children.
PENANG, May 15 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry will fully equip its cardiology units throughout the country by increasing the number of specialists and equipment for the units under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP).
Its Deputy Minister, Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad said the move aimed to improve the quality of cardiac treatment at three hospitals that had the cardiology unit namely in Penang, Johor and Sarawak.
Speaking to reporters after visiting the Hospital Pulau Pinang (HPP) Cardiac Centre here, he said the ministry would expand its cardiology service to Hospital Serdang at the end of the year and Hospital Alor Star next year.
He said that as the cardiology reference centre for the northern region, HPP treated about 14,000 patients annually, including children.
Over 1,500 experts to attend five-day dental congress
More than 1,500 dental industry professionals will attend the 27th Asia-Pacific Dental Congress at the Putra World Trade Centre from May 25 to 29.
Among the professionals would be aesthetic surgeons, implantologists, orthodontists, dental technicians and nurses.
Conventions, symposiums, clinical workshops, business meetings and a state-of-the-art trade exhibition would be held to address specific issues and latest developments pertaining to the various disciplines of dentistry.
More than 50 professionals in various fields of oral health are being flown in by Malaysia Airlines to present papers on such diverse topics as forensics dentistry, aesthetics ("dazzling" smiles), regenerative gene therapy, implantology and even gender issues pertaining to women in the profession.
"The theme of this meeting for the dental fraternity in the region is Rediscover the Art of Comprehensive Oral Health Care," said Dr S. Nagarajan (picture), president-elect of the Asia- Pacific Dental Federation.
"This embodies the relevance and social awareness of the profession in relation to the evolving needs of the public with regard to oral health care," he said.
Dr Nagarajan is also the congress' organising committee chairman.
Among the speakers are Dr Peter Sahelangi from Indonesia who will speak on the role of dentists in Indonesian Mass Disaster Victim Identification; Prof Misako Nakashima from Japan on gene therapy; Dr A.H. Valentin from Germany on aesthetic implantology; and Dr Paul Stone from Britain on three-dimensional implant placement.
Others speakers are Prof Richard Ibbetson from Britain on crown and bridgework; Dr Gerard Kugel from the US on adhesive restorative dentistry; Dr Anthony Dickinson from Australia on adjacent teeth replacement; and Prof Paul Salins from Qatar on facial attractiveness and orthomorphic surgery.
Apart from the scientific symposiums, seminars specific to dental nurses, technicians and dental materials handlers would also be held.
The Malaysian speakers include Health Ministry Oral Health Services director Datuk Dr Wan Mohamad Nasir Wan Othman on improving oral health of pre-school children, and Prof Toh Chooi Gait on traditional versus current expectations of women.
For further information, please contact Dr T. S. Jeyalan (03-22845228 or 012-3717012) or Sangeeta Kaur (03-20951532)
More than 1,500 dental industry professionals will attend the 27th Asia-Pacific Dental Congress at the Putra World Trade Centre from May 25 to 29.
Among the professionals would be aesthetic surgeons, implantologists, orthodontists, dental technicians and nurses.
Conventions, symposiums, clinical workshops, business meetings and a state-of-the-art trade exhibition would be held to address specific issues and latest developments pertaining to the various disciplines of dentistry.
More than 50 professionals in various fields of oral health are being flown in by Malaysia Airlines to present papers on such diverse topics as forensics dentistry, aesthetics ("dazzling" smiles), regenerative gene therapy, implantology and even gender issues pertaining to women in the profession.
"The theme of this meeting for the dental fraternity in the region is Rediscover the Art of Comprehensive Oral Health Care," said Dr S. Nagarajan (picture), president-elect of the Asia- Pacific Dental Federation.
"This embodies the relevance and social awareness of the profession in relation to the evolving needs of the public with regard to oral health care," he said.
Dr Nagarajan is also the congress' organising committee chairman.
Among the speakers are Dr Peter Sahelangi from Indonesia who will speak on the role of dentists in Indonesian Mass Disaster Victim Identification; Prof Misako Nakashima from Japan on gene therapy; Dr A.H. Valentin from Germany on aesthetic implantology; and Dr Paul Stone from Britain on three-dimensional implant placement.
Others speakers are Prof Richard Ibbetson from Britain on crown and bridgework; Dr Gerard Kugel from the US on adhesive restorative dentistry; Dr Anthony Dickinson from Australia on adjacent teeth replacement; and Prof Paul Salins from Qatar on facial attractiveness and orthomorphic surgery.
Apart from the scientific symposiums, seminars specific to dental nurses, technicians and dental materials handlers would also be held.
The Malaysian speakers include Health Ministry Oral Health Services director Datuk Dr Wan Mohamad Nasir Wan Othman on improving oral health of pre-school children, and Prof Toh Chooi Gait on traditional versus current expectations of women.
For further information, please contact Dr T. S. Jeyalan (03-22845228 or 012-3717012) or Sangeeta Kaur (03-20951532)
Making cosmetic surgery safer for you
Anyone wanting a nip-and-tuck, a well-proportioned nose or breast enhancement can confidently undergo cosmetic surgery soon.
A Health Ministry task force is finalising the register of specialists which will be made public. It is also working to regulate and promote safe cosmetic procedures.
The numerous incidents of botch-ups by unqualified or quack doctors may become history as people can check against the register to ascertain if the cosmetologist they plan to see is qualified.
The director of the Medical Practice Division of the Health Ministry, Dr Mohd Khairi Yakub (picture), said today the register, listing accredited specialists, would be released when the review of the Medical Act 1971 was completed.
"The draft is already there, we just need to tidy it up," said Dr Khairi when opening a seminar on cosmetic surgery and announcing details of the Cosmetic Surgery and Beauty Exhibition and Conference 2006.
The conference will be held from March 17 to 19 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
Anyone wanting a nip-and-tuck, a well-proportioned nose or breast enhancement can confidently undergo cosmetic surgery soon.
A Health Ministry task force is finalising the register of specialists which will be made public. It is also working to regulate and promote safe cosmetic procedures.
The numerous incidents of botch-ups by unqualified or quack doctors may become history as people can check against the register to ascertain if the cosmetologist they plan to see is qualified.
The director of the Medical Practice Division of the Health Ministry, Dr Mohd Khairi Yakub (picture), said today the register, listing accredited specialists, would be released when the review of the Medical Act 1971 was completed.
"The draft is already there, we just need to tidy it up," said Dr Khairi when opening a seminar on cosmetic surgery and announcing details of the Cosmetic Surgery and Beauty Exhibition and Conference 2006.
The conference will be held from March 17 to 19 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
Concern over mental health
PUTRAJAYA: Mental health problems, especially stress-related ones, have become a major part of the lifestyle of Malaysians, particularly among those living in the urban areas.
“This issue needs to be addressed so that people are more aware of the tell-tale signs of mental problems,” said Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad.
“As it is now, many people do not even realise they are suffering from stress.
“Problems related to stress can manifest in many forms, including sudden anger and even road rage,” he told reporters after launching the Let’s Cycle carnival at the Alamanda complex here yesterday.
The programme was part of the ministry’s Healthy Lifestyle campaign aimed at encouraging Malaysians to maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating properly, exercising, abstaining from smoking and avoiding stress.
Dr Abdul Latiff said that after 14 years since the Government launched the campaign in 1991 it had yet to meet its objectives.
The ministry was now looking at encouraging the involvement of more leaders at the state and district levels in the campaign.
Dr Abdul Latiff said the campaign had succeeded “to a certain extent”, especially on physical health, but an intensive approach was needed to bring across the message on the importance of mental health.
PUTRAJAYA: Mental health problems, especially stress-related ones, have become a major part of the lifestyle of Malaysians, particularly among those living in the urban areas.
“This issue needs to be addressed so that people are more aware of the tell-tale signs of mental problems,” said Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad.
“As it is now, many people do not even realise they are suffering from stress.
“Problems related to stress can manifest in many forms, including sudden anger and even road rage,” he told reporters after launching the Let’s Cycle carnival at the Alamanda complex here yesterday.
The programme was part of the ministry’s Healthy Lifestyle campaign aimed at encouraging Malaysians to maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating properly, exercising, abstaining from smoking and avoiding stress.
Dr Abdul Latiff said that after 14 years since the Government launched the campaign in 1991 it had yet to meet its objectives.
The ministry was now looking at encouraging the involvement of more leaders at the state and district levels in the campaign.
Dr Abdul Latiff said the campaign had succeeded “to a certain extent”, especially on physical health, but an intensive approach was needed to bring across the message on the importance of mental health.
Muslims keen on donating organs
More Muslims are interested in donating their organs.
Both young and old, have been calling up the National Transplant Resource Centre during the past week wanting to know if it was all right for them to donate their organs.
The interest was generated after the New Straits Times highlighted the plight of Siti Salmah Jasni, 16, a Form 4 pupil of Sekolah Tengku Abdul Rahman Putra, in Kulai, Johor, who needed an urgent double lung transplant.
She is one of the eight patients waiting for either lung or lung-heart transplant operations.
The centre’s coordinator Dr Lela Yasmin Mansor said ever since the NST front-paged the "Save Siti" story, calls have been flooding into the centre wanting to know more about organ donations.
"We were surprised as many of the callers were Muslims. They wanted to know more from the religious aspect and if it was okay to donate," she said.
She also received SMS on her handphone wanting more details on organ donations and how to go about it while some wanted to help organise campaigns on organ donation.
"Many of those who made enquiries have requested that pledge cards be sent to them," she said.
Dr Lela said all hospitals nationwide have also been put on alert for brain-dead persons so doctors could seek co-operation of family members to get their consent to harvest the organs.
"Awareness has increased and we are hoping that someone will give consent to harvest organs of a brain-dead family member."
She said several private hospitals have also sought more information on how to alert the centre of possible donors .
"The response is good," she said, adding that the centre was also planning to hold organ donation campaigns to create awareness among people on the importance of donating organs to save lives.
Siti Salmah, who was discharged from the Institute of Respiratory Medicine on Tuesday, was happy to take home a RM6,000 Oxygen Concentrator and another RM6,000 worth of oxygen tanks.
If her health permits, she plans to resume her studies.
She stopped going to school early this year.
Siti Salmah was found to be suffering from primary pulmonary hypertension in her lungs caused by a genetic disorder.
Meanwhile, lawyer P.S. Ranjan said under the Human Tissues Act 1974 there was no necessity to seek the consent of a family member once the donor has authorised that the organs could be harvested for transplant.
More Muslims are interested in donating their organs.
Both young and old, have been calling up the National Transplant Resource Centre during the past week wanting to know if it was all right for them to donate their organs.
The interest was generated after the New Straits Times highlighted the plight of Siti Salmah Jasni, 16, a Form 4 pupil of Sekolah Tengku Abdul Rahman Putra, in Kulai, Johor, who needed an urgent double lung transplant.
She is one of the eight patients waiting for either lung or lung-heart transplant operations.
The centre’s coordinator Dr Lela Yasmin Mansor said ever since the NST front-paged the "Save Siti" story, calls have been flooding into the centre wanting to know more about organ donations.
"We were surprised as many of the callers were Muslims. They wanted to know more from the religious aspect and if it was okay to donate," she said.
She also received SMS on her handphone wanting more details on organ donations and how to go about it while some wanted to help organise campaigns on organ donation.
"Many of those who made enquiries have requested that pledge cards be sent to them," she said.
Dr Lela said all hospitals nationwide have also been put on alert for brain-dead persons so doctors could seek co-operation of family members to get their consent to harvest the organs.
"Awareness has increased and we are hoping that someone will give consent to harvest organs of a brain-dead family member."
She said several private hospitals have also sought more information on how to alert the centre of possible donors .
"The response is good," she said, adding that the centre was also planning to hold organ donation campaigns to create awareness among people on the importance of donating organs to save lives.
Siti Salmah, who was discharged from the Institute of Respiratory Medicine on Tuesday, was happy to take home a RM6,000 Oxygen Concentrator and another RM6,000 worth of oxygen tanks.
If her health permits, she plans to resume her studies.
She stopped going to school early this year.
Siti Salmah was found to be suffering from primary pulmonary hypertension in her lungs caused by a genetic disorder.
Meanwhile, lawyer P.S. Ranjan said under the Human Tissues Act 1974 there was no necessity to seek the consent of a family member once the donor has authorised that the organs could be harvested for transplant.
Saturday, May 14, 2005
Ratio Of One Radiologist For Every 50,000 People Expected By 2010
PENANG, May 14 (Bernama) -- There should be one radiologist for every 30,000 to 50,000 people by 2010, Health Ministry Medical Services Development Director Datuk Dr Noorimi Morad said.
She said now the ratio was 1:100,000 which was way off the desired target of 1:15,000.
Noorimi was confident that the 2010 target could be achieved based on the increase in the number of new students pursuing studies in radiology in both the public and private sectors and training programmes for staff already in the field.
"If we can achieve the target, it is something we can be proud of, as the radiology field is constantly developing with changes in technology," she told reporters after opening the Sixth Scientific Imaging Medical Services Conference here today.
The biennial conference held since 2002 was attended by 50 participants that included medical practitioners, academicians, physicists and radiographers.
PENANG, May 14 (Bernama) -- There should be one radiologist for every 30,000 to 50,000 people by 2010, Health Ministry Medical Services Development Director Datuk Dr Noorimi Morad said.
She said now the ratio was 1:100,000 which was way off the desired target of 1:15,000.
Noorimi was confident that the 2010 target could be achieved based on the increase in the number of new students pursuing studies in radiology in both the public and private sectors and training programmes for staff already in the field.
"If we can achieve the target, it is something we can be proud of, as the radiology field is constantly developing with changes in technology," she told reporters after opening the Sixth Scientific Imaging Medical Services Conference here today.
The biennial conference held since 2002 was attended by 50 participants that included medical practitioners, academicians, physicists and radiographers.
Veteran nurses have no regrets choosing career
KUALA LUMPUR: “Being a nurse means you will cry a lot and laugh a lot; you will know what it is to be human and to be humane” is a line from a poem.
And it certainly reflects the sentiments of veteran nurses at Kuala Lumpur Hospital, who say they have no regrets joining the profession despite the difficulties they face every day.
For head nurse Chuah Geik Khon, 45, who has 20 years of experience, every minute counts once she goes on duty.
“Most people avoid dealing with death, but not me. I’ve no time to worry about that. There are always patients waiting for me to attend to them, I remind myself.
“I treat all my patient as if they might be someone from my family, thus I’ve always tried to act fast, and never give up till the end,” she said when met after the Nurses Day celebrations at the hospital yesterday.
With 29 years of experience behind her, head nurse Nadrah Othman said nurses should ideally tend to every patient with love and care from the heart.
“It inspires me and raises my spirits seeing patients recover,” said the 54-year-old, who works in the operating theatre.
Head nurse M. Vijayakumry, 49, said she had gained much knowledge from the profession.
“My brother influenced me to take up the job. I was reluctant at first, but after being able to help people, I grew to like it and have never regretted becoming a nurse,” she said.
For Kueh Nguan Cheng, 47, being a nurse is all about caring for everyone, irrespective of who they are.
“Everyone has the same right to be treated equally. As a nurse, I am here to perform my mission to the fullest,” said the dedicated Sarawakian, now a senior staffing nurse after 23 years on the job.
Head nurse Lim Phaik See, 57, described a nurse’s responsibilities as challenging.
“My life means much more since I became a nurse because I get to deal with people from all walks of life and of different races,” she said.
KUALA LUMPUR: “Being a nurse means you will cry a lot and laugh a lot; you will know what it is to be human and to be humane” is a line from a poem.
And it certainly reflects the sentiments of veteran nurses at Kuala Lumpur Hospital, who say they have no regrets joining the profession despite the difficulties they face every day.
For head nurse Chuah Geik Khon, 45, who has 20 years of experience, every minute counts once she goes on duty.
“Most people avoid dealing with death, but not me. I’ve no time to worry about that. There are always patients waiting for me to attend to them, I remind myself.
“I treat all my patient as if they might be someone from my family, thus I’ve always tried to act fast, and never give up till the end,” she said when met after the Nurses Day celebrations at the hospital yesterday.
With 29 years of experience behind her, head nurse Nadrah Othman said nurses should ideally tend to every patient with love and care from the heart.
“It inspires me and raises my spirits seeing patients recover,” said the 54-year-old, who works in the operating theatre.
Head nurse M. Vijayakumry, 49, said she had gained much knowledge from the profession.
“My brother influenced me to take up the job. I was reluctant at first, but after being able to help people, I grew to like it and have never regretted becoming a nurse,” she said.
For Kueh Nguan Cheng, 47, being a nurse is all about caring for everyone, irrespective of who they are.
“Everyone has the same right to be treated equally. As a nurse, I am here to perform my mission to the fullest,” said the dedicated Sarawakian, now a senior staffing nurse after 23 years on the job.
Head nurse Lim Phaik See, 57, described a nurse’s responsibilities as challenging.
“My life means much more since I became a nurse because I get to deal with people from all walks of life and of different races,” she said.
Cheaper medicine could just be fakes
KUALA LUMPUR: If the medicine you are taking is not working as it should, take a closer look – because what you have may just be a counterfeit.
Counterfeit medicine is becoming more common in the market, as making them is less risky than producing hard drugs, which attracts the death penalty.
The Health Ministry's pharmaceutical services enforcement division has also found that syndicates would rather manufacture counterfeit medicine because the profits are comparable or even higher than what could be made from hard drugs.
“Most of the time, counterfeit medicine involves antibiotics, cough and cold remedies, steroids, antihistamines and hormonal medication, which can be marketed easily,” said the division's principal assistant director Ahmad Nozrin Taharin at the Nurses Day celebrations at Kuala Lumpur Hospital yesterday.
The lack of deterrent laws, he added, had also contributed to the rise in counterfeit medicine locally.
Currently, offences related to counterfeit medicine are only addressed under the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984, which deals with unregistered products.
Under this legislation, first offenders are liable to a maximum fine of RM25,000 or three years’ jail or both.
The maximum penalty for a subsequent offence is a fine of RM50,000 or five years’ jail or both.
Errant companies are liable to be fined a maximum of RM50,000. Ahmad Nozrin said new legislation was being considered to increase the penalties and to specifically address counterfeit medicine.
He added that as opposed to hard drugs, counterfeit medicine was not known to have adverse effects on the consumer.
They often did not have active ingredients, he said, adding that this was the case in 43% of the fake medications seized worldwide.
Others were of poor quality (24%) or had a low content of active ingredients (21%) or the wrong ingredients (7%) or the wrong packaging (5%).
According to the World Health Organisation, circulation of counterfeit medicine comprised between 6% and 10% of the world market.
Ahmad Nozrin said consumers should look out for such medicine by examining the packaging and also checking the price.
“Most of the time, these medications are much cheaper than genuine ones.
“People should also check to see if the distribution is by those authorised to do so.
“Ideally, send the product for laboratory tests if it does not seem to work as it should,” he said.
KUALA LUMPUR: If the medicine you are taking is not working as it should, take a closer look – because what you have may just be a counterfeit.
Counterfeit medicine is becoming more common in the market, as making them is less risky than producing hard drugs, which attracts the death penalty.
The Health Ministry's pharmaceutical services enforcement division has also found that syndicates would rather manufacture counterfeit medicine because the profits are comparable or even higher than what could be made from hard drugs.
“Most of the time, counterfeit medicine involves antibiotics, cough and cold remedies, steroids, antihistamines and hormonal medication, which can be marketed easily,” said the division's principal assistant director Ahmad Nozrin Taharin at the Nurses Day celebrations at Kuala Lumpur Hospital yesterday.
The lack of deterrent laws, he added, had also contributed to the rise in counterfeit medicine locally.
Currently, offences related to counterfeit medicine are only addressed under the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984, which deals with unregistered products.
Under this legislation, first offenders are liable to a maximum fine of RM25,000 or three years’ jail or both.
The maximum penalty for a subsequent offence is a fine of RM50,000 or five years’ jail or both.
Errant companies are liable to be fined a maximum of RM50,000. Ahmad Nozrin said new legislation was being considered to increase the penalties and to specifically address counterfeit medicine.
He added that as opposed to hard drugs, counterfeit medicine was not known to have adverse effects on the consumer.
They often did not have active ingredients, he said, adding that this was the case in 43% of the fake medications seized worldwide.
Others were of poor quality (24%) or had a low content of active ingredients (21%) or the wrong ingredients (7%) or the wrong packaging (5%).
According to the World Health Organisation, circulation of counterfeit medicine comprised between 6% and 10% of the world market.
Ahmad Nozrin said consumers should look out for such medicine by examining the packaging and also checking the price.
“Most of the time, these medications are much cheaper than genuine ones.
“People should also check to see if the distribution is by those authorised to do so.
“Ideally, send the product for laboratory tests if it does not seem to work as it should,” he said.
UM fails to have suit thrown out
Universiti Malaya (UM) has failed to strike out a suit filed against it by 30 doctors who claimed they were denied the right to practise medicine in the country.
High Court deputy registrar M. Edwin Paramjothy dismissed the university’s application in his chambers with costs.
Two other universities – Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Universiti Sains Malaysia – as well as the Malaysian Medical Council and the Health Minister – had also applied to strike out the suit. Their applications have yet to be heard.
Filed last September, the group of doctors who graduated more than 10 years ago from non-accredited universities in India, Indonesia, Syria and Pakistan, sought a declaration that they have the right to be allowed to practise as doctors in accordance with Article 8 of the Federal Constitution.
They also sought an order that the decision to fail them in their final examinations by UM and the two other universities was unfair and discriminating.
In their statement of claim, the doctors said that their medical degrees were legal and recognised by the World Health Organisation and also by the countries where their degrees were issued.
The doctors, aged 30 to 42, are claiming damages, costs and other relief.
Apart from that, they alleged that the failure to recognise their degrees was because the defendants did not evaluate the facilities and curriculum available at the universities they (the doctors) had graduated from.
It was not because these universities were below the required standard, they claimed.
UM had applied to strike out the suit on the grounds that the plaintiffs do not have locus standi to act against it.
The university claimed the court was not the proper forum to determine the merits of the plaintiffs, adding that the declaration sought was misconceived in law, frivolous and vexatious and was also an abuse of power.
The university said the plaintiffs' application ought to have been commenced by way of a judicial review.
Universiti Malaya (UM) has failed to strike out a suit filed against it by 30 doctors who claimed they were denied the right to practise medicine in the country.
High Court deputy registrar M. Edwin Paramjothy dismissed the university’s application in his chambers with costs.
Two other universities – Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Universiti Sains Malaysia – as well as the Malaysian Medical Council and the Health Minister – had also applied to strike out the suit. Their applications have yet to be heard.
Filed last September, the group of doctors who graduated more than 10 years ago from non-accredited universities in India, Indonesia, Syria and Pakistan, sought a declaration that they have the right to be allowed to practise as doctors in accordance with Article 8 of the Federal Constitution.
They also sought an order that the decision to fail them in their final examinations by UM and the two other universities was unfair and discriminating.
In their statement of claim, the doctors said that their medical degrees were legal and recognised by the World Health Organisation and also by the countries where their degrees were issued.
The doctors, aged 30 to 42, are claiming damages, costs and other relief.
Apart from that, they alleged that the failure to recognise their degrees was because the defendants did not evaluate the facilities and curriculum available at the universities they (the doctors) had graduated from.
It was not because these universities were below the required standard, they claimed.
UM had applied to strike out the suit on the grounds that the plaintiffs do not have locus standi to act against it.
The university claimed the court was not the proper forum to determine the merits of the plaintiffs, adding that the declaration sought was misconceived in law, frivolous and vexatious and was also an abuse of power.
The university said the plaintiffs' application ought to have been commenced by way of a judicial review.
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Four more foreign varsities accept UEC
HOLDERS of Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) can apply to study medicine and dentistry at three Indonesian universities and one in India which now recognise the qualification, reported Nanyang Siang Pau.
United Chinese School Committees Association (Dong Zong) chairman Quek Suan Hiang said this development was a significant recognition of Chinese independent schools.
The three Indonesian institutions are Trisakti University, Kristen Krida Wacana University and Prof Dr Moestopo University, all in Jakarta, while the one in India is the Vinayaka Mission’s Sankarachariyar Dental College.
Quek said medicine and dentistry graduates of all four universities were recognised by the Public Services Department, Malaysian Medical Council and Malaysian Dental Council.
Quek said students from Chinese independent schools often opted to do medicine and dentistry in Taiwan, but had to sit for a qualifying test when they came back on completing their studies before they could practise here.
“Now, those who want to further their studies in medicine and dentistry can apply to study in one of the four universities and they do not need to sit for the test,” he said.
HOLDERS of Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) can apply to study medicine and dentistry at three Indonesian universities and one in India which now recognise the qualification, reported Nanyang Siang Pau.
United Chinese School Committees Association (Dong Zong) chairman Quek Suan Hiang said this development was a significant recognition of Chinese independent schools.
The three Indonesian institutions are Trisakti University, Kristen Krida Wacana University and Prof Dr Moestopo University, all in Jakarta, while the one in India is the Vinayaka Mission’s Sankarachariyar Dental College.
Quek said medicine and dentistry graduates of all four universities were recognised by the Public Services Department, Malaysian Medical Council and Malaysian Dental Council.
Quek said students from Chinese independent schools often opted to do medicine and dentistry in Taiwan, but had to sit for a qualifying test when they came back on completing their studies before they could practise here.
“Now, those who want to further their studies in medicine and dentistry can apply to study in one of the four universities and they do not need to sit for the test,” he said.
Free screenings for all mums
PUTRAJAYA: Mothers nationwide – from first time mum to ‘senior’ parent – can receive a free screening package that includes breast examinations until the end of the week.
The health package also comes with free pap smear and blood tests, wellness screening and family planning services.
The programme, to mark Mother’s Day, started yesterday and would end on Sunday.
In a statement here, the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry said the free health-screening package is in recognition of women’s role in society.
It is available at any of the 50 National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) clinics and Nur Sejahtera clinics nationwide.
The screening is being offered to mothers in three categories:
·FOR young mothers (aged 20 to 29), the package covers family planning services, detection of breast abnormality and pap smear service for cervical cancer diagnostics check.
·FOR middle-aged mothers (aged 40 to 49) the package offers blood pressure test, body mass index, family planning services, breast examination, pap smear and blood tests for glucose and cholesterol.
·MOTHERS in the senior category (aged above 49), will get a package that offers blood pressure test, body mass index, breast examination, pap smear, blood tests for glucose and cholesterol, bone scan and menopause counselling.
The ministry said it acknowledged that women were the pulse of the family.
“The woman brings the family together. If she is not healthy – physically, mentally or emotionally – it will be difficult for her to fulfil her responsibilities and contribute as mother, wife and community member,” it said.
Through the free health-screening programme, the ministry hopes to instil the importance of health among women.
PUTRAJAYA: Mothers nationwide – from first time mum to ‘senior’ parent – can receive a free screening package that includes breast examinations until the end of the week.
The health package also comes with free pap smear and blood tests, wellness screening and family planning services.
The programme, to mark Mother’s Day, started yesterday and would end on Sunday.
In a statement here, the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry said the free health-screening package is in recognition of women’s role in society.
It is available at any of the 50 National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) clinics and Nur Sejahtera clinics nationwide.
The screening is being offered to mothers in three categories:
·FOR young mothers (aged 20 to 29), the package covers family planning services, detection of breast abnormality and pap smear service for cervical cancer diagnostics check.
·FOR middle-aged mothers (aged 40 to 49) the package offers blood pressure test, body mass index, family planning services, breast examination, pap smear and blood tests for glucose and cholesterol.
·MOTHERS in the senior category (aged above 49), will get a package that offers blood pressure test, body mass index, breast examination, pap smear, blood tests for glucose and cholesterol, bone scan and menopause counselling.
The ministry said it acknowledged that women were the pulse of the family.
“The woman brings the family together. If she is not healthy – physically, mentally or emotionally – it will be difficult for her to fulfil her responsibilities and contribute as mother, wife and community member,” it said.
Through the free health-screening programme, the ministry hopes to instil the importance of health among women.
Doctors can apply for practising cert early
Doctors can now apply for their Annual Practising Certificate (APC) starting July 1 instead of Dec 1 as was the practice earlier.
Malaysian Medical Council president Datuk Dr Ismail Merican said the change was to avoid late applications.
He said some doctors were in the habit of submitting applications at the eleventh hour and were often imposed a RM50 late fee. This caused backlogs and delays in the issuance of certificates.
Dr Ismail, who is the Director-General of Health, also cautioned doctors about practising within the areas specified in the APCs and locum work.
On the areas, he said: "There is no limit to the number of places of practice under the APC. But doctors must practise in these speficied places and nowhere else."
He added that the MMC had received numerous reports of doctors working in clinics they were not permitted to, including performing plastic surgery in beauty salons.
On locum work, he said government doctors were only allowed to do so in government hospitals and not in private clinics as most of them were now doing.
Doctors can now apply for their Annual Practising Certificate (APC) starting July 1 instead of Dec 1 as was the practice earlier.
Malaysian Medical Council president Datuk Dr Ismail Merican said the change was to avoid late applications.
He said some doctors were in the habit of submitting applications at the eleventh hour and were often imposed a RM50 late fee. This caused backlogs and delays in the issuance of certificates.
Dr Ismail, who is the Director-General of Health, also cautioned doctors about practising within the areas specified in the APCs and locum work.
On the areas, he said: "There is no limit to the number of places of practice under the APC. But doctors must practise in these speficied places and nowhere else."
He added that the MMC had received numerous reports of doctors working in clinics they were not permitted to, including performing plastic surgery in beauty salons.
On locum work, he said government doctors were only allowed to do so in government hospitals and not in private clinics as most of them were now doing.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
183 Medical Students Overseas Apply To Defer Return
KUALA LUMPUR, May 10 (Bernama) -- A total of 183 medical students sponsored by the government have applied to delay their return to Malaysia after completing their studies overseas.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said another 99 students did not apply to do so and their cases have been referred to the Attorney-General's Office for further action.
In a written reply to Senator Samsiah Samsuddin in the Dewan Negara Tuesday, he said the deadline for the students to submit their applications was April 30.
Samsiah wanted to know whether were many government-sponsored students who did not return after completing their studies and were working overseas, and the action to be taken against them.
Abdullah said government scholars studying overseas were required to apply to the Public Service Department if they wanted to delay their return and were required to return as soon as possible to serve in the country after the expiry of the extended duration.
KUALA LUMPUR, May 10 (Bernama) -- A total of 183 medical students sponsored by the government have applied to delay their return to Malaysia after completing their studies overseas.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said another 99 students did not apply to do so and their cases have been referred to the Attorney-General's Office for further action.
In a written reply to Senator Samsiah Samsuddin in the Dewan Negara Tuesday, he said the deadline for the students to submit their applications was April 30.
Samsiah wanted to know whether were many government-sponsored students who did not return after completing their studies and were working overseas, and the action to be taken against them.
Abdullah said government scholars studying overseas were required to apply to the Public Service Department if they wanted to delay their return and were required to return as soon as possible to serve in the country after the expiry of the extended duration.
IJN Participates In Study Against Heart Failure
KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 (Bernama) -- The National Heart Institute (IJN) Wednesday received a RM76,000 grant from the Medtronic International Ltd, a leader in medical technology, to conduct a study on the "Pacing to Avoid Cardiac Enlargement" (PACE).
IJN's consultant cardiologist Dr Razali Omar said the study, which included the development of a new device in the treatment of heart rhythm abnormalities, is the first to be conducted in the world and will take three years to complete.
"The study is about the implantation of the new device of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) pacemaker for patients with heart failure," Dr Razali told a news conference after the cheque presentation ceremony here.
At the ceremony, IJN Medical Director Datuk Seri Dr Robaayah Zambahari, who is also the head of the Department of Cardiology, said IJN would conduct the study with several renowned centres in the region.
IJN has conducted 26 clinical trials since 1996 and 16 trials have been completed and published, while 10, including the one on PACE, was ongoing.
CRT pacemaker, also known as biventricular pacing, is planted in the right atrium and ventricle and left atrium in the heart to prevent heart failure and disfunction of the heart.
The cheque was presented by Vice President Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Asia Pacific of Medtronic International Ltd, Jim Yearick to Dr Robaayah.
Also present were Chief Executive Officer of IJN Mohd Radzif Mohd Yunus and Medtronic International Ltd-Malaysia Sales Manager for CRM Tan Tee Joo.
Medtronic has a long-term partnership with IJN and Medtronic has trained doctors from Pakistan and Indonesia at IJN.
KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 (Bernama) -- The National Heart Institute (IJN) Wednesday received a RM76,000 grant from the Medtronic International Ltd, a leader in medical technology, to conduct a study on the "Pacing to Avoid Cardiac Enlargement" (PACE).
IJN's consultant cardiologist Dr Razali Omar said the study, which included the development of a new device in the treatment of heart rhythm abnormalities, is the first to be conducted in the world and will take three years to complete.
"The study is about the implantation of the new device of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) pacemaker for patients with heart failure," Dr Razali told a news conference after the cheque presentation ceremony here.
At the ceremony, IJN Medical Director Datuk Seri Dr Robaayah Zambahari, who is also the head of the Department of Cardiology, said IJN would conduct the study with several renowned centres in the region.
IJN has conducted 26 clinical trials since 1996 and 16 trials have been completed and published, while 10, including the one on PACE, was ongoing.
CRT pacemaker, also known as biventricular pacing, is planted in the right atrium and ventricle and left atrium in the heart to prevent heart failure and disfunction of the heart.
The cheque was presented by Vice President Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Asia Pacific of Medtronic International Ltd, Jim Yearick to Dr Robaayah.
Also present were Chief Executive Officer of IJN Mohd Radzif Mohd Yunus and Medtronic International Ltd-Malaysia Sales Manager for CRM Tan Tee Joo.
Medtronic has a long-term partnership with IJN and Medtronic has trained doctors from Pakistan and Indonesia at IJN.
Check with MMC first, parents told
KUALA LUMPUR: Parents are reminded to check with the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) on the authenticity of medical institutions prior to enrolling their children to avoid falling victim to unscrupulous “secret agents.”
Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Merican said they had received reports that these “secret agents” were irresponsible parties who went around convincing parents that there were new medical institutions in the process of being recognised by the MMC.
He said currently there were no new institutions recognised by the MMC.
“We want to remind the public that a college or institution should not be considered recognised until it has been approved by the Health Minister and gazetted,” he said yesterday.
Dr Ismail said there were about 300 students studying in unregistered foreign institutions.
He also said that to date MMC recognises 344 local and foreign medical institutions offering undergraduate medical degrees, which have been listed on the Second Schedule of the Medical Act 1971.
Dr Ismail said based on the Act, only graduates with degrees from recognised institutions were allowed to register and practice medicine in Malaysia.
“Graduates from unrecognised colleges will have to sit for and pass the Medical Qualifying Examination in three local universities or examining bodies before they can practice,” he said.
KUALA LUMPUR: Parents are reminded to check with the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) on the authenticity of medical institutions prior to enrolling their children to avoid falling victim to unscrupulous “secret agents.”
Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Merican said they had received reports that these “secret agents” were irresponsible parties who went around convincing parents that there were new medical institutions in the process of being recognised by the MMC.
He said currently there were no new institutions recognised by the MMC.
“We want to remind the public that a college or institution should not be considered recognised until it has been approved by the Health Minister and gazetted,” he said yesterday.
Dr Ismail said there were about 300 students studying in unregistered foreign institutions.
He also said that to date MMC recognises 344 local and foreign medical institutions offering undergraduate medical degrees, which have been listed on the Second Schedule of the Medical Act 1971.
Dr Ismail said based on the Act, only graduates with degrees from recognised institutions were allowed to register and practice medicine in Malaysia.
“Graduates from unrecognised colleges will have to sit for and pass the Medical Qualifying Examination in three local universities or examining bodies before they can practice,” he said.
Healthcare due for major revamp
The existing national healthcare system is due for a major revamp, with the way being paved by the enforcement of the National Health Financing Scheme (NHFS) next year.
The practicalities of the scheme, however, are causing ripples already among parties likely to be affected or left out. While one million civil servants, 200,000 disabled persons, 435,000 pensioners and around a quarter million hardcore poor are exempted from payment, senior citizens not covered by pension schemes could be left out in the cold.
“Do companies that already have private insurance plans need to contribute to the health plan? What is the criteria for the poor who are exempted?” said S. Radhakrishnan, past president of Medico Legal Society, and adviser to the conference (May 19) Medical Law – Current Development and Future Implications.
The meeting, on May 19, provides an opportunity for people who have concerns over the proposed health plan, and the far-reaching implications on provision of healthcare, to present their views to the government.
It is organised by the Malayan Law Journal/LexisNexis.
“Further details are not available at the moment and there is a growing concern among those affected – doctors, workers and their dependents, senior citizens and employers over this issue,” said Radhakrishnan.
“Until we know the details of the scheme, the legal framework cannot be addressed,” he said.
Radhakrishnan said he hopes that it will be addressed after the Ministry of Health presents the details of the NHFS during the conference.
The ministry will be looking into details such as the quantum of payment criteria and ceiling of contributions, the collection mechanism, the basic health packages and the provider payment mechanism.
The panel members will include speakers from MOH, the Malaysian Medical Association, the Malaysian Employers’ Federation, the Malaysian Trades Union Congress, Consumers Association of Penang, the National Council of Senior Citizens Organisations and the Medico Legal Society.
Participants will include doctors, nurses, hospital administrators, lawyers and insurance company executives.
Other topics that will be presented in the medical law conference are Patient’s Autonomy in Malaysia, Organ Donation Transplants, Medical Discipline Inquiry.
# For inquiries, call 03-77186863/64/65/46.
The existing national healthcare system is due for a major revamp, with the way being paved by the enforcement of the National Health Financing Scheme (NHFS) next year.
The practicalities of the scheme, however, are causing ripples already among parties likely to be affected or left out. While one million civil servants, 200,000 disabled persons, 435,000 pensioners and around a quarter million hardcore poor are exempted from payment, senior citizens not covered by pension schemes could be left out in the cold.
“Do companies that already have private insurance plans need to contribute to the health plan? What is the criteria for the poor who are exempted?” said S. Radhakrishnan, past president of Medico Legal Society, and adviser to the conference (May 19) Medical Law – Current Development and Future Implications.
The meeting, on May 19, provides an opportunity for people who have concerns over the proposed health plan, and the far-reaching implications on provision of healthcare, to present their views to the government.
It is organised by the Malayan Law Journal/LexisNexis.
“Further details are not available at the moment and there is a growing concern among those affected – doctors, workers and their dependents, senior citizens and employers over this issue,” said Radhakrishnan.
“Until we know the details of the scheme, the legal framework cannot be addressed,” he said.
Radhakrishnan said he hopes that it will be addressed after the Ministry of Health presents the details of the NHFS during the conference.
The ministry will be looking into details such as the quantum of payment criteria and ceiling of contributions, the collection mechanism, the basic health packages and the provider payment mechanism.
The panel members will include speakers from MOH, the Malaysian Medical Association, the Malaysian Employers’ Federation, the Malaysian Trades Union Congress, Consumers Association of Penang, the National Council of Senior Citizens Organisations and the Medico Legal Society.
Participants will include doctors, nurses, hospital administrators, lawyers and insurance company executives.
Other topics that will be presented in the medical law conference are Patient’s Autonomy in Malaysia, Organ Donation Transplants, Medical Discipline Inquiry.
# For inquiries, call 03-77186863/64/65/46.
Beware of ‘Swiss-made’ health supplements
The Health Ministry today warned consumers against purchasing popular health supplements which are purportedly manufactured in Switzerland.
In a statement today, it said the products were manufactured locally and not imported from abroad.
"These products, which include Vitamin C, Vitamin C+Collagen, Sheep Placenta and other well-known brands, were produced here by irresponsible people.
"The ministry will not hesitate to take action against those found involved in importing, selling or supplying products which have not been approved by the Drug Control Unit."
It said the ministry had also received many complaints from consumers on the rampant use of unregistered cosmetics at beauty parlours and hair-dressing salons.
"These unregistered products have had dire effects on the skin.
"We advise consumers to be careful of such unethical practices by the operators of beauty centres and clinics."
The statement advised consumers to ensure that the products had valid hologram stickers issued by the Drug Control Unit.
"It is an offence for anyone to possess unregistered products under the Cosmetics and Drug Control Act 1984."
First offenders face a maximum fine of RM25,000 or a three-year jail term or both.
For subsequent offences, they face a maximum fine of RM50,000 and imprisonment of not more than five years or both.
Companies can be fined a maximum of RM50,000 for the first offence and RM100,000 subsequently.
The Health Ministry today warned consumers against purchasing popular health supplements which are purportedly manufactured in Switzerland.
In a statement today, it said the products were manufactured locally and not imported from abroad.
"These products, which include Vitamin C, Vitamin C+Collagen, Sheep Placenta and other well-known brands, were produced here by irresponsible people.
"The ministry will not hesitate to take action against those found involved in importing, selling or supplying products which have not been approved by the Drug Control Unit."
It said the ministry had also received many complaints from consumers on the rampant use of unregistered cosmetics at beauty parlours and hair-dressing salons.
"These unregistered products have had dire effects on the skin.
"We advise consumers to be careful of such unethical practices by the operators of beauty centres and clinics."
The statement advised consumers to ensure that the products had valid hologram stickers issued by the Drug Control Unit.
"It is an offence for anyone to possess unregistered products under the Cosmetics and Drug Control Act 1984."
First offenders face a maximum fine of RM25,000 or a three-year jail term or both.
For subsequent offences, they face a maximum fine of RM50,000 and imprisonment of not more than five years or both.
Companies can be fined a maximum of RM50,000 for the first offence and RM100,000 subsequently.
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Hospitals, Highways, Bridge And Varsity Among 215 Problematic Projects
KUALA LUMPUR, May 9 (Bernama) -- Four hospitals, four highway stretches, a bridge and a university are the bigger of 215 projects nationwide that are regarded as problematic, Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said Monday.
He told the Dewan Negara that generally the government had taken appropriate measures, including appointing new contractors and rescheduling the construction period, to complete these projects.
The hospitals were those in Sungai Buluh, Sungai Petani, Alor Star and Ampang
The minister said the Sungai Buluh Hospital should have been completed by Oct 31 last year but the project was stalled by technical problems, and several installations were inadequate and medical equipment had yet to be supplied.
The ceiling-mounted microscope in the main opthalmological operating theatre would be installed by May 31 while the supply of medical equipment was expected to be completed next month, he added.
Samy Vellu said the delay in the construction of the Alor Star and Sungai Petani hospitals was due to a shortage of workers following the recent repatriation of illegal foreign workers, as well as additional scope of work in certain sections.
The period of construction of the Alor Star Hospital, work on which started on Aug 16, 2000 and was scheduled to be completed on Dec 15, 2003, had been extended to June 14 this year, he said, adding that work on the Sungai Petani Hospital had been extended to May 5. It was scheduled to have been completed on Feb 8 last year.
He also said that the Ampang Hospital, scheduled for completion on Oct 15 last year, had its construction period extended to April 30 this year following additional technical requirements to meet the functional needs of the hospital.
KUALA LUMPUR, May 9 (Bernama) -- Four hospitals, four highway stretches, a bridge and a university are the bigger of 215 projects nationwide that are regarded as problematic, Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said Monday.
He told the Dewan Negara that generally the government had taken appropriate measures, including appointing new contractors and rescheduling the construction period, to complete these projects.
The hospitals were those in Sungai Buluh, Sungai Petani, Alor Star and Ampang
The minister said the Sungai Buluh Hospital should have been completed by Oct 31 last year but the project was stalled by technical problems, and several installations were inadequate and medical equipment had yet to be supplied.
The ceiling-mounted microscope in the main opthalmological operating theatre would be installed by May 31 while the supply of medical equipment was expected to be completed next month, he added.
Samy Vellu said the delay in the construction of the Alor Star and Sungai Petani hospitals was due to a shortage of workers following the recent repatriation of illegal foreign workers, as well as additional scope of work in certain sections.
The period of construction of the Alor Star Hospital, work on which started on Aug 16, 2000 and was scheduled to be completed on Dec 15, 2003, had been extended to June 14 this year, he said, adding that work on the Sungai Petani Hospital had been extended to May 5. It was scheduled to have been completed on Feb 8 last year.
He also said that the Ampang Hospital, scheduled for completion on Oct 15 last year, had its construction period extended to April 30 this year following additional technical requirements to meet the functional needs of the hospital.
Sunday, May 08, 2005
Exposing aspiring doctors to the gore
TANJUNG MALIM: Applicants for medical courses in local universities will be first taken around hospitals to allow them to look at the “gore” doctors have to see daily before their applications are approved.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Dr Shafie Mohd Salleh said the move was to ensure that applicants would know what they were in for and not drop out halfway.
He said not all brilliant students were “doctor material.”
“Some straight-A students may be better off being engineers and not doctors,” he said yesterday after Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah launched Politeknik Tanjong Malim, which was subsequently renamed Politeknik Sultan Azlan Shah.
He said there were applicants who were forced to take up medicine by their parents despite it not being their preference.
In such cases, he said, the candidate would drop out due to a lack of interest. If they did not, they would not be good doctors, he added.
He said applicants would be taken to, among others, emergency rooms, clinics and wards.
“If the applicants are found to be unsuitable for medicine, they will be allowed to change their course preference after visiting the hospitals,” he said.
He noted that doctors were required to have good interpersonal and communication skills, which were vital in helping the patients.
He added that Health Ministry officials would interview the applicants to find out why they wanted to be doctors.
Dr Shafie said there were plans to get medical course applicants to undergo a special aptitude test before their applications were finalised.
He said the Government had allocated 200 more medical seats in local universities this year to ensure that none of the top students were left out, like what had happened to 128 students last year.
Last year, only 779 of the 907 applicants were successful.
TANJUNG MALIM: Applicants for medical courses in local universities will be first taken around hospitals to allow them to look at the “gore” doctors have to see daily before their applications are approved.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Dr Shafie Mohd Salleh said the move was to ensure that applicants would know what they were in for and not drop out halfway.
He said not all brilliant students were “doctor material.”
“Some straight-A students may be better off being engineers and not doctors,” he said yesterday after Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah launched Politeknik Tanjong Malim, which was subsequently renamed Politeknik Sultan Azlan Shah.
He said there were applicants who were forced to take up medicine by their parents despite it not being their preference.
In such cases, he said, the candidate would drop out due to a lack of interest. If they did not, they would not be good doctors, he added.
He said applicants would be taken to, among others, emergency rooms, clinics and wards.
“If the applicants are found to be unsuitable for medicine, they will be allowed to change their course preference after visiting the hospitals,” he said.
He noted that doctors were required to have good interpersonal and communication skills, which were vital in helping the patients.
He added that Health Ministry officials would interview the applicants to find out why they wanted to be doctors.
Dr Shafie said there were plans to get medical course applicants to undergo a special aptitude test before their applications were finalised.
He said the Government had allocated 200 more medical seats in local universities this year to ensure that none of the top students were left out, like what had happened to 128 students last year.
Last year, only 779 of the 907 applicants were successful.
Plan to speed up treatment
KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry wants treatment to be provided to patients within 90 minutes of registration at general hospitals, and has engaged a consultant to propose how this can be done.
Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the consultant had two months to submit a report to enable the ministry to meet the stipulation in its Clients Charter of the maximum 90-minute waiting period for treatment at such hospitals.
However, he said delays in providing treatment were not only due to weaknesses in the filing system of medical records in hospitals, but also due to the attitude of patients.
“There are patients with appointments who fail to show up and others only come when it is suitable.
“Some patients also attend specialist clinics without any reference, while others are reluctant to return to their previous doctors, causing further delays,” he said after launching a blood donation campaign organised by the Balakong MCA in Cheras yesterday.
Dr Chua said many of those who sought treatment at the casualty unit also did not qualify for emergency treatment.
“There are some who come for treatment for itchy hands, diarrhoea and even normal cough,” he added.
On blood donations, he said all such donations were screened for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, and syphilis before being approved for transfusion.
Dr Chua also said that the ministry wanted to increase the number of volunteer blood donors from the present 2% of the population to 5% by the next 10 to 15 years.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry wants treatment to be provided to patients within 90 minutes of registration at general hospitals, and has engaged a consultant to propose how this can be done.
Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the consultant had two months to submit a report to enable the ministry to meet the stipulation in its Clients Charter of the maximum 90-minute waiting period for treatment at such hospitals.
However, he said delays in providing treatment were not only due to weaknesses in the filing system of medical records in hospitals, but also due to the attitude of patients.
“There are patients with appointments who fail to show up and others only come when it is suitable.
“Some patients also attend specialist clinics without any reference, while others are reluctant to return to their previous doctors, causing further delays,” he said after launching a blood donation campaign organised by the Balakong MCA in Cheras yesterday.
Dr Chua said many of those who sought treatment at the casualty unit also did not qualify for emergency treatment.
“There are some who come for treatment for itchy hands, diarrhoea and even normal cough,” he added.
On blood donations, he said all such donations were screened for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, and syphilis before being approved for transfusion.
Dr Chua also said that the ministry wanted to increase the number of volunteer blood donors from the present 2% of the population to 5% by the next 10 to 15 years.
Penang hospitals join diseases database team
PENANG: With people living longer these days, more are facing the risk of getting diseases related to aging.
For this reason, a group of scientists in Canada, led by a Malaysian, is gathering blood sample data from around the world to develop a database of molecular signatures of a wide range of medical conditions and diseases.
Prof Liew Choong-Chin, the chief scientist and director of Chondrogene Ltd of Toronto, said with the increase in life expectancy, more people would live long enough to risk getting cancer, cardiovascular and neurological diseases.
“We have to look at developing an early diagnostic system for the prediction of diseases,” he said, adding that they have roped in two private hospitals in Penang for the worldwide project.
His company signed an agreement with the Island Hospital yesterday to develop the Medical Biotechnology and Personalised Medicine programme. It entered into a similiar agreement with the Lam Wah Ee hospital on Thursday.
Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, witnessed yesterday’s signing ceremony between Prof Liew and Island Hospital chief executive officer Dr Chan Kok Ewe.
According to a statement, during a general screening test, all that is needed is a blood sample of the patient for the doctor to identity any disease and medical condition present by using the database.
Kampar-born Prof Liew, an ex-student of the Chung Ling High School here, said: “We chose to come here because I was born in Malaysia and educated in Penang.
“Penang also has a lot of talented people and is pioneering medical technology in the country.”
Dr Koh commended Prof Liew for returning here and said it was in line with the national policy to give impetus to the Malaysian biotechnology sector.
“Penang can contribute to the advancement of medical care not only in promoting medical tourism but also in offering the best diagnostic system and treatment to locals,” he said.
Dr Chan said private hospitals here had made the island proud by making it the foremost state in the country to contribute towards medical tourism.
PENANG: With people living longer these days, more are facing the risk of getting diseases related to aging.
For this reason, a group of scientists in Canada, led by a Malaysian, is gathering blood sample data from around the world to develop a database of molecular signatures of a wide range of medical conditions and diseases.
Prof Liew Choong-Chin, the chief scientist and director of Chondrogene Ltd of Toronto, said with the increase in life expectancy, more people would live long enough to risk getting cancer, cardiovascular and neurological diseases.
“We have to look at developing an early diagnostic system for the prediction of diseases,” he said, adding that they have roped in two private hospitals in Penang for the worldwide project.
His company signed an agreement with the Island Hospital yesterday to develop the Medical Biotechnology and Personalised Medicine programme. It entered into a similiar agreement with the Lam Wah Ee hospital on Thursday.
Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, witnessed yesterday’s signing ceremony between Prof Liew and Island Hospital chief executive officer Dr Chan Kok Ewe.
According to a statement, during a general screening test, all that is needed is a blood sample of the patient for the doctor to identity any disease and medical condition present by using the database.
Kampar-born Prof Liew, an ex-student of the Chung Ling High School here, said: “We chose to come here because I was born in Malaysia and educated in Penang.
“Penang also has a lot of talented people and is pioneering medical technology in the country.”
Dr Koh commended Prof Liew for returning here and said it was in line with the national policy to give impetus to the Malaysian biotechnology sector.
“Penang can contribute to the advancement of medical care not only in promoting medical tourism but also in offering the best diagnostic system and treatment to locals,” he said.
Dr Chan said private hospitals here had made the island proud by making it the foremost state in the country to contribute towards medical tourism.
Saturday, May 07, 2005
200 Additional Places For Medical Courses In Local Varsities
SLIM RIVER, May 7 (Bernama) -- Higher Education Minister Datuk Dr Shafie Mohd Salleh said his ministry will increase the number of places for medical courses in local universities by another 200 for this year's intake.
He said additional allocation had been provided to the deans of medical faculties to increase learning facilities and student intake capacity.
The Health Ministry had also been asked to allow doctors who were on loan as lecturers to continue their services at the universities concerned, he said.
"The move was taken to overcome the problem which cropped up last year when 128 outstanding students failed to gain places in medical studies," he said after the opening of Politeknik Tanjong Malim by the Sultan of Perak, Azlan Shah, here Saturday.
Also present were Raja Permaisuri Tuanku Bainun and Raja Nazrin Shah.
At the ceremony, Sultan Azlan declared the change of name for the polytechnic which was opened two years ago to Politeknik Sultan Azlan Shah.
Last year, 907 students who passed the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) and matriculation with a Cumulative Grade Points Average (CPGA) of 4.0 chose medicine as their first choice but only 779 candidates were selected although the number of places for the programme at six public institutions of higher learning (IPTA) had been increased by five per cent.
Dr Shafie said the ministry might also require applicants for medical studies to sit for the Medical School Admission Test (MSAT) beginning next year as an additional requirement.
He said the ministry might take the MSAT designed by the University of Monash, Australia as a guide.
However, applicants for medical studies this year would be asked to attend an interview session and visits to hospital wards or clinics as one of the ways of screening students to ensure that they were truly qualified and capable of pursuing the highly competitive course.
Last year, Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad was quoted as saying that about 300 doctors who had completed their practical training resigned from government service each year as they found that they were not suited for the job.
SLIM RIVER, May 7 (Bernama) -- Higher Education Minister Datuk Dr Shafie Mohd Salleh said his ministry will increase the number of places for medical courses in local universities by another 200 for this year's intake.
He said additional allocation had been provided to the deans of medical faculties to increase learning facilities and student intake capacity.
The Health Ministry had also been asked to allow doctors who were on loan as lecturers to continue their services at the universities concerned, he said.
"The move was taken to overcome the problem which cropped up last year when 128 outstanding students failed to gain places in medical studies," he said after the opening of Politeknik Tanjong Malim by the Sultan of Perak, Azlan Shah, here Saturday.
Also present were Raja Permaisuri Tuanku Bainun and Raja Nazrin Shah.
At the ceremony, Sultan Azlan declared the change of name for the polytechnic which was opened two years ago to Politeknik Sultan Azlan Shah.
Last year, 907 students who passed the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) and matriculation with a Cumulative Grade Points Average (CPGA) of 4.0 chose medicine as their first choice but only 779 candidates were selected although the number of places for the programme at six public institutions of higher learning (IPTA) had been increased by five per cent.
Dr Shafie said the ministry might also require applicants for medical studies to sit for the Medical School Admission Test (MSAT) beginning next year as an additional requirement.
He said the ministry might take the MSAT designed by the University of Monash, Australia as a guide.
However, applicants for medical studies this year would be asked to attend an interview session and visits to hospital wards or clinics as one of the ways of screening students to ensure that they were truly qualified and capable of pursuing the highly competitive course.
Last year, Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad was quoted as saying that about 300 doctors who had completed their practical training resigned from government service each year as they found that they were not suited for the job.
Preventing spread of AIDS to innocent
BALING: The Health Ministry will consider introducing a provision under the law to act against HIV-infected patients who intentionally spread the disease through sexual contact.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the provision was necessary as there were cases of HIV patients having sex with their spouses or partners despite knowing they were spreading the deadly disease.
He said there might also be a need for the medical profession to review its Code of Conduct where HIV cases were concerned as doctors were now bound by the code not to disclose confidential information obtained from patients.
Dr Chua said some countries had implemented laws to prevent the spread of AIDS to innocent people.
In Malaysia, such a provision under the law was relevant to check the spread of the disease, he told reporters after a working visit to Baling Hospital here yesterday.
“The ministry hopes this provision will help reduce the number of HIV patients in future.
“Currently, the law does not provide for action to be taken against those who purposely spread the disease to their spouses or partners through sexual contact.
“With the provision, HIV-infected patients who intentionally infect others through sexual contact will be deemed as having committed an offence under the law.”
On Thursday, Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Noh Omar urged the Health Ministry to fulfil its social obligation by allowing the confidentiality of married men infected with HIV to be lifted.
He had said there had been cases of doctors upholding their code of conduct and keeping mum about their HIV-positive patients.
On another matter, Dr Chua said the ministry would step up checks on Indonesians entering the country to stem the spread of polio.
He said the decision was made following the polio outbreak in Indonesia.
BALING: The Health Ministry will consider introducing a provision under the law to act against HIV-infected patients who intentionally spread the disease through sexual contact.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the provision was necessary as there were cases of HIV patients having sex with their spouses or partners despite knowing they were spreading the deadly disease.
He said there might also be a need for the medical profession to review its Code of Conduct where HIV cases were concerned as doctors were now bound by the code not to disclose confidential information obtained from patients.
Dr Chua said some countries had implemented laws to prevent the spread of AIDS to innocent people.
In Malaysia, such a provision under the law was relevant to check the spread of the disease, he told reporters after a working visit to Baling Hospital here yesterday.
“The ministry hopes this provision will help reduce the number of HIV patients in future.
“Currently, the law does not provide for action to be taken against those who purposely spread the disease to their spouses or partners through sexual contact.
“With the provision, HIV-infected patients who intentionally infect others through sexual contact will be deemed as having committed an offence under the law.”
On Thursday, Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Noh Omar urged the Health Ministry to fulfil its social obligation by allowing the confidentiality of married men infected with HIV to be lifted.
He had said there had been cases of doctors upholding their code of conduct and keeping mum about their HIV-positive patients.
On another matter, Dr Chua said the ministry would step up checks on Indonesians entering the country to stem the spread of polio.
He said the decision was made following the polio outbreak in Indonesia.
Kindergarten closed over HFM cases
SEREMBAN: A private kindergarten here was ordered closed by the Health Department after five of its pupils were suspected to have hand, foot and mouth (HFM) disease.
The children were treated at a private clinic yesterday.
State Health, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee chairman Datuk Yu Chok Tow said the kindergarten would remain closed for 10 days to enable it to be cleaned and disinfected.
Besides distributing leaflets on the disease, the Health Department had also asked all kindergartens to improve their cleanliness, he told reporters.
“The situation is under control and there is no cause for worry,” he added.
HFM disease spreads easily via excrement, saliva and physical contact.
Last February, two private kindergartens in Tampin and Seremban were closed after six of their pupils came down with the disease.
One more private kindergarten here with two suspected cases of HFM disease was closed last month.
All three reopened after a thorough clean-up. – Bernama
SEREMBAN: A private kindergarten here was ordered closed by the Health Department after five of its pupils were suspected to have hand, foot and mouth (HFM) disease.
The children were treated at a private clinic yesterday.
State Health, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee chairman Datuk Yu Chok Tow said the kindergarten would remain closed for 10 days to enable it to be cleaned and disinfected.
Besides distributing leaflets on the disease, the Health Department had also asked all kindergartens to improve their cleanliness, he told reporters.
“The situation is under control and there is no cause for worry,” he added.
HFM disease spreads easily via excrement, saliva and physical contact.
Last February, two private kindergartens in Tampin and Seremban were closed after six of their pupils came down with the disease.
One more private kindergarten here with two suspected cases of HFM disease was closed last month.
All three reopened after a thorough clean-up. – Bernama
Govt Hospitals To Have Fast Lane For Old People, Pensioners
PENANG, May 6 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry Friday directed all government hospitals in the country to immediately establish a fast lane for outpatient treatment of old people, pensioners and those who require immediate medical attention.
Director General of Health Datuk Dr Ismail Merican said it was discourteous to make these people, especially the old, to wait too long for treatment.
Hospitals would station a staff at every lane to inspect the appointment card of patients to ensure that those who were gravely ill were given priority for treatment, he told reporters after making a courtesy call on Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon here.
Dr Ismail said the directive was to help enhance the health delivery system at the 124 hospitals and six health institutes in the country, and added that several hospitals were already practising the system.
He also said that hospitals should give priority to emergency cases, including at the dental clinics, and should not postpone treatment.
"If there is a genuine emergency case, treatment must administered immediately and the individual should not be asked to return on another date.
"But there are cases of people with a cough going to the emergency section; such cases cannot be considered as emergency cases," he said.
Dr Ismail said all directors of hospitals had been instructed to make surprise visits to the outpatient department, pharmacy, emergency unit and wards to monitor developments.
He said government hospitals had good infrastructure and trained medical specialists but, sometimes, a lack of communication caused various problems related to the health service.
"Right now we face the challenge of not only diseases but also our capability to provide service to clients, and the clients' demand for an efficient and effective health system," he said.
In this connection, he advised staff of the ministry to emphasise three important aspects -- professionalism, teamwork and caring attitude -- as a means of enhancing the standard of service to clients.
Dr Ismail also said that doctors should wear a white shirt and name tag when on ward rounds to avert any confusion among patients.
"As a means of promoting the ministry's branding, they should equip themselves with knowledge, provide valid ideas and feedback at meetings, have integrity and display a pleasant disposition," he said.
Dr Ismail said his visit to Penang was the first of several visits to all parts of the country to deliver this message to all staff of the ministry.
He said the health service in Penang was a draw in terms of health tourism and that about 45 per cent of the tourists to the state came for medical treatment.
PENANG, May 6 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry Friday directed all government hospitals in the country to immediately establish a fast lane for outpatient treatment of old people, pensioners and those who require immediate medical attention.
Director General of Health Datuk Dr Ismail Merican said it was discourteous to make these people, especially the old, to wait too long for treatment.
Hospitals would station a staff at every lane to inspect the appointment card of patients to ensure that those who were gravely ill were given priority for treatment, he told reporters after making a courtesy call on Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon here.
Dr Ismail said the directive was to help enhance the health delivery system at the 124 hospitals and six health institutes in the country, and added that several hospitals were already practising the system.
He also said that hospitals should give priority to emergency cases, including at the dental clinics, and should not postpone treatment.
"If there is a genuine emergency case, treatment must administered immediately and the individual should not be asked to return on another date.
"But there are cases of people with a cough going to the emergency section; such cases cannot be considered as emergency cases," he said.
Dr Ismail said all directors of hospitals had been instructed to make surprise visits to the outpatient department, pharmacy, emergency unit and wards to monitor developments.
He said government hospitals had good infrastructure and trained medical specialists but, sometimes, a lack of communication caused various problems related to the health service.
"Right now we face the challenge of not only diseases but also our capability to provide service to clients, and the clients' demand for an efficient and effective health system," he said.
In this connection, he advised staff of the ministry to emphasise three important aspects -- professionalism, teamwork and caring attitude -- as a means of enhancing the standard of service to clients.
Dr Ismail also said that doctors should wear a white shirt and name tag when on ward rounds to avert any confusion among patients.
"As a means of promoting the ministry's branding, they should equip themselves with knowledge, provide valid ideas and feedback at meetings, have integrity and display a pleasant disposition," he said.
Dr Ismail said his visit to Penang was the first of several visits to all parts of the country to deliver this message to all staff of the ministry.
He said the health service in Penang was a draw in terms of health tourism and that about 45 per cent of the tourists to the state came for medical treatment.
Friday, May 06, 2005
Faber to bid for five hospitals
HOSPITAL services provider Faber Group Bhd is looking towards a tender of support services for five hospitals that are being built in its concession areas.
The group holds a concession to provide support services for 73 Government hospitals in the northern peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak.
After the concession was awarded, it is understood that for new hospitals, the Health Ministry will now make the awards based on open tender. Faber has a good chance of securing contracts for new hospitals in its concession areas where it has the advantage of logistics and economies of scale.
“We are trying to be as efficient and cost-effective as possible so that we will be competitive,” chairman Datuk Anwar Aji told newsmen after an AGM in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
The hospital services provided by the company are cleansing, laundry, clinical waste management, facility engineering management and bio-medical engineering maintenance.
This is the core business of the restructured Faber, which provided the group with an operating profit of RM60mil last year.
HOSPITAL services provider Faber Group Bhd is looking towards a tender of support services for five hospitals that are being built in its concession areas.
The group holds a concession to provide support services for 73 Government hospitals in the northern peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak.
After the concession was awarded, it is understood that for new hospitals, the Health Ministry will now make the awards based on open tender. Faber has a good chance of securing contracts for new hospitals in its concession areas where it has the advantage of logistics and economies of scale.
“We are trying to be as efficient and cost-effective as possible so that we will be competitive,” chairman Datuk Anwar Aji told newsmen after an AGM in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
The hospital services provided by the company are cleansing, laundry, clinical waste management, facility engineering management and bio-medical engineering maintenance.
This is the core business of the restructured Faber, which provided the group with an operating profit of RM60mil last year.
Trauma centre service abused
KANGAR: Some 70% of the people seeking treatment at emergency trauma centres at government hospitals and clinics in the country have abused the service, a survey shows.
A recent study on 50 hospitals and 20 clinics showed that although their injuries were not serious, these people insisted on seeking treatment at the trauma centres, said Health Minister Datuk Chua Soi Lek.
“Although their injuries were not serious, they insisted on seeking treatment at the trauma centres. This amounts to an abuse of the services,” he said here yesterday.
KANGAR: Some 70% of the people seeking treatment at emergency trauma centres at government hospitals and clinics in the country have abused the service, a survey shows.
A recent study on 50 hospitals and 20 clinics showed that although their injuries were not serious, these people insisted on seeking treatment at the trauma centres, said Health Minister Datuk Chua Soi Lek.
“Although their injuries were not serious, they insisted on seeking treatment at the trauma centres. This amounts to an abuse of the services,” he said here yesterday.
Reduce long waiting hours at hospitals
Tardy doctors and delays in opening registration counters are two reasons for long waits at hospitals.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said today that patients who turned up late for appointments or on the wrong dates also contributed to the problem.
This was compounded by the unsystematic filing of patients' medical records and delays in preparing laboratory test results.
"These are among the reasons why hospitals, particularly those in major towns, are unable to achieve the hospital's client charter of 90 minutes' waiting time." Registration counters in the morning should open half-an-hour before the doctors start treating patients, he added.
He was speaking after the launch of a new wing at the Kangar Hospital by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail.
The King named the hospital "Hospital Tuanku Fauziah", after the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tuanku Fauziah Tengku Abdul Rashid.
Also present were the Regent of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra, the Raja Puan Muda Perlis, Tuanku Lailatul Shahreen Akashah, and the Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim.
The RM54 million new wing comprises a six-storey ward and a three-storey diagnostic and treatment block.
To reduce long waiting hours at hospitals, Dr Chua said a new format would be introduced to separate patients with chronic and non-chronic illnesses.
"This is especially for patients suffering from diabetes and hypertension. We will be empowering specially trained nurses to treat these patients. Reports have shown that nurses provide better care to patients than outpatient doctors." Earlier, the King urged the hospital staff to continue to "go out of your way to provide good treatment".
Tardy doctors and delays in opening registration counters are two reasons for long waits at hospitals.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said today that patients who turned up late for appointments or on the wrong dates also contributed to the problem.
This was compounded by the unsystematic filing of patients' medical records and delays in preparing laboratory test results.
"These are among the reasons why hospitals, particularly those in major towns, are unable to achieve the hospital's client charter of 90 minutes' waiting time." Registration counters in the morning should open half-an-hour before the doctors start treating patients, he added.
He was speaking after the launch of a new wing at the Kangar Hospital by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail.
The King named the hospital "Hospital Tuanku Fauziah", after the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tuanku Fauziah Tengku Abdul Rashid.
Also present were the Regent of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra, the Raja Puan Muda Perlis, Tuanku Lailatul Shahreen Akashah, and the Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim.
The RM54 million new wing comprises a six-storey ward and a three-storey diagnostic and treatment block.
To reduce long waiting hours at hospitals, Dr Chua said a new format would be introduced to separate patients with chronic and non-chronic illnesses.
"This is especially for patients suffering from diabetes and hypertension. We will be empowering specially trained nurses to treat these patients. Reports have shown that nurses provide better care to patients than outpatient doctors." Earlier, the King urged the hospital staff to continue to "go out of your way to provide good treatment".
Noh Suggests Allowing Doctors To Disclose HIV Patients' Illness To Spouse
BALING, May 5 (Bernama) -- Internal Security Deputy Minister Datuk Noh Omar, Thursday suggested that the Health Ministry looked into the medical ethics relating to HIV/AIDS to allow doctors to disclose a patient's illness to his or her spouse.
He said doctors, for example, should be allowed to tell the wife of a HIV patient about his infection so that she could take preventive measures to avoid contracting the disease herself.
At the moment, he said, doctors were bound by their ethics not to disclose their patients' illness without their consent, but he feared that HIV patients would keep their condition secret from their spouses.
"If a HIV patient keeps his illness secret, he would be endangering his spouse as the disease could be spread through sexual contact," he told a media conference after launching a campaign against drugs and illegal racing organised by the 4B Youth movement here.
"I am making this suggestion to prevent the innocent from becoming victims," he said.
Noh, however, said 75 per cent of the HIV/AIDS patients contracted the disease through drug abuse by sharing needles.
In an immediate response to the suggestion, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said he personally felt that people suffering from HIV/AIDS who knew they had the disease but still donated blood or had sex which could infect someone else should be considered to have committed an offence.
He said the ministry had discussed the matter in view of the expected rise in HIV patients to 300,000 in 2015 from the present 160,000.
BALING, May 5 (Bernama) -- Internal Security Deputy Minister Datuk Noh Omar, Thursday suggested that the Health Ministry looked into the medical ethics relating to HIV/AIDS to allow doctors to disclose a patient's illness to his or her spouse.
He said doctors, for example, should be allowed to tell the wife of a HIV patient about his infection so that she could take preventive measures to avoid contracting the disease herself.
At the moment, he said, doctors were bound by their ethics not to disclose their patients' illness without their consent, but he feared that HIV patients would keep their condition secret from their spouses.
"If a HIV patient keeps his illness secret, he would be endangering his spouse as the disease could be spread through sexual contact," he told a media conference after launching a campaign against drugs and illegal racing organised by the 4B Youth movement here.
"I am making this suggestion to prevent the innocent from becoming victims," he said.
Noh, however, said 75 per cent of the HIV/AIDS patients contracted the disease through drug abuse by sharing needles.
In an immediate response to the suggestion, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said he personally felt that people suffering from HIV/AIDS who knew they had the disease but still donated blood or had sex which could infect someone else should be considered to have committed an offence.
He said the ministry had discussed the matter in view of the expected rise in HIV patients to 300,000 in 2015 from the present 160,000.
Nurses To Be Trained To Handle Follow-Up Treatment For Chronic Patients
YAN, May 5 (Bernama) -- Nurses will soon be given specialised training to handle the follow-up treatment of patients suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the nurses would be trained in batches and they were expected to begin taking care of such patients in six months time.
He said follow-up treatment had so far been provided by doctors but their heavy workload did not allow them to give the patients the proper attention and care that they needed.
"Diabetes and hypertension patients require specialised attention from the aspects of examination, adherence to a proper diet, taking of medicines prescribed for their illnesses, and following a healthy lifestyle," he told reporters during a visit to Yan Hospital, Thursday.
Dr Chua said developed countries were using nurses to perform this duty and the practice had definitely reduced the workload of doctors.
He pointed out that 30 per cent of the patients in the outpatient sections of government hospitals comprised diabetes and hypertension patients seeking follow-up treatment.
Dr Chua said patients placed under the care of the specially trained nurses would only go back to their doctors should their illness develop any complication.
"The ministry hopes that this measure will reduce overcrowding in the outpatient sections and the workload of doctors while ensuring more better care for the patients," he said.
YAN, May 5 (Bernama) -- Nurses will soon be given specialised training to handle the follow-up treatment of patients suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the nurses would be trained in batches and they were expected to begin taking care of such patients in six months time.
He said follow-up treatment had so far been provided by doctors but their heavy workload did not allow them to give the patients the proper attention and care that they needed.
"Diabetes and hypertension patients require specialised attention from the aspects of examination, adherence to a proper diet, taking of medicines prescribed for their illnesses, and following a healthy lifestyle," he told reporters during a visit to Yan Hospital, Thursday.
Dr Chua said developed countries were using nurses to perform this duty and the practice had definitely reduced the workload of doctors.
He pointed out that 30 per cent of the patients in the outpatient sections of government hospitals comprised diabetes and hypertension patients seeking follow-up treatment.
Dr Chua said patients placed under the care of the specially trained nurses would only go back to their doctors should their illness develop any complication.
"The ministry hopes that this measure will reduce overcrowding in the outpatient sections and the workload of doctors while ensuring more better care for the patients," he said.
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Hospital ordered to reinstate ex-administrator
The Industrial Court today ordered the reinstatement of a former senior administrator of a private hospital to a suitable position at his last drawn salary and without any loss of seniority.
Court chairman Susila Sithamparam ordered Subang Jaya Medical Centre Sdn Bhd to reinstate Jacob George on or before June 1.
She also awarded George RM192,000 in back wages at RM8,000 per month for a period of 24 months.
Susila, who made the award on April 26, said there was no redundancy in George's duties at the time of his retrenchment.
"The retrenchment of the claimant was in bad faith," she said.
She said both parties should appraise their previous working relationship and resolve conflicts through proper grievance procedures within the company.
Susila said employers should adhere to the spirit of the Code of Conduct for Industrial Harmony
"The code is in consonance with the current ethos of corporate social responsibility," she said, adding that in the event of retrenchment, the guidelines in the code should be followed.
Subang Jaya Medical Centre retrenched George, then the senior administrator in the Communications and Community Relations Department in 1999.
The Industrial Court today ordered the reinstatement of a former senior administrator of a private hospital to a suitable position at his last drawn salary and without any loss of seniority.
Court chairman Susila Sithamparam ordered Subang Jaya Medical Centre Sdn Bhd to reinstate Jacob George on or before June 1.
She also awarded George RM192,000 in back wages at RM8,000 per month for a period of 24 months.
Susila, who made the award on April 26, said there was no redundancy in George's duties at the time of his retrenchment.
"The retrenchment of the claimant was in bad faith," she said.
She said both parties should appraise their previous working relationship and resolve conflicts through proper grievance procedures within the company.
Susila said employers should adhere to the spirit of the Code of Conduct for Industrial Harmony
"The code is in consonance with the current ethos of corporate social responsibility," she said, adding that in the event of retrenchment, the guidelines in the code should be followed.
Subang Jaya Medical Centre retrenched George, then the senior administrator in the Communications and Community Relations Department in 1999.
Foreign medical grads get chance
Medical graduates from unrecognised colleges will be able to undergo a one-off six-month training programme for a chance to become recognised doctors.
However, they will have to pass an examination at the end of their training.
The scheme will help graduates from foreign colleges become doctors if they have the necessary knowledge. They will receive a monthly allowance of RM500 during the training.
The programme is also open to some 200 undergraduates from unrecognised colleges who sat and failed the Medical Qualifying Examination conducted by Malaysian Medical Council.
The Health Ministry said the programme would include postings at major public hospitals.
Candidates are required to register with the MMC and pay a RM200 fee before May 14. The examination fee is to be paid later.
"The special training programme and examination is open to all graduates from unrecognised universities, even if they have exhausted all their opportunities to sit for the qualifying examination at their allocated universities.
"However, the 30 graduates from unrecognised medical colleges who opted to sue the Government are barred from pursuing the course," the statement said.
Candidates who do not wish to attend the course may sit for the medical qualifying exam conducted by Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Universiti Malaya in October 2005.
They too are required to register with the MMC by May 14.
Completed forms should be sent either to the MMC’s main office at Level 2, Block E-1, Parcel E, Federal Government Administrative Office, 62590 Putrajaya, or the branch office at 3rd Floor, Block D, Ministry of Heath, Jalan Cenderasari, 52590 Kuala Lumpur.
Further information is available at 03-26947920 or 03-88831040.
Medical graduates from unrecognised colleges will be able to undergo a one-off six-month training programme for a chance to become recognised doctors.
However, they will have to pass an examination at the end of their training.
The scheme will help graduates from foreign colleges become doctors if they have the necessary knowledge. They will receive a monthly allowance of RM500 during the training.
The programme is also open to some 200 undergraduates from unrecognised colleges who sat and failed the Medical Qualifying Examination conducted by Malaysian Medical Council.
The Health Ministry said the programme would include postings at major public hospitals.
Candidates are required to register with the MMC and pay a RM200 fee before May 14. The examination fee is to be paid later.
"The special training programme and examination is open to all graduates from unrecognised universities, even if they have exhausted all their opportunities to sit for the qualifying examination at their allocated universities.
"However, the 30 graduates from unrecognised medical colleges who opted to sue the Government are barred from pursuing the course," the statement said.
Candidates who do not wish to attend the course may sit for the medical qualifying exam conducted by Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Universiti Malaya in October 2005.
They too are required to register with the MMC by May 14.
Completed forms should be sent either to the MMC’s main office at Level 2, Block E-1, Parcel E, Federal Government Administrative Office, 62590 Putrajaya, or the branch office at 3rd Floor, Block D, Ministry of Heath, Jalan Cenderasari, 52590 Kuala Lumpur.
Further information is available at 03-26947920 or 03-88831040.
Malaysia polio-free since 2000
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has nothing to fear from the discovery of two polio cases in the west Java province of Indonesia, National Health Services Department’s Disease Control Division director Dr Ramlee Rahmat said.
“Malaysia has been polio-free since the year 2000 and we actively monitor the situation on the ground,” he said.
Dr Ramlee said the department looked for symptoms of polio, such as acute flaccid paralysis, and immediately addressed it.
“We also have very good immunisation coverage (about 95%) and follow World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.”
Dr Ramlee said Indonesia was in the South-East Asian region, which was still not completely polio-free, whereas Malaysia was part of the Western Pacific region that had been polio-free for some time now.
“However, we have to remain alert and continuously monitor the situation.”
Indonesian authorities said a migrant worker might have contracted the disease in the Middle East before returning home.
Yesterday, Indonesia confirmed a second case involving a 20-month-old girl.
The case occurred in the same village as the first case involving an 18-month-old toddler last month.
These are the first polio cases in the country in a decade but health authorities said they were confident of preventing a major outbreak.
Polio is a waterborne disease that usually infects young children, attacking the nervous system and causing paralysis, muscular atrophy, deformity and sometimes death.
The WHO called on the Indonesian government on Tuesday to be on guard against the resurgence of the disease.
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has nothing to fear from the discovery of two polio cases in the west Java province of Indonesia, National Health Services Department’s Disease Control Division director Dr Ramlee Rahmat said.
“Malaysia has been polio-free since the year 2000 and we actively monitor the situation on the ground,” he said.
Dr Ramlee said the department looked for symptoms of polio, such as acute flaccid paralysis, and immediately addressed it.
“We also have very good immunisation coverage (about 95%) and follow World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.”
Dr Ramlee said Indonesia was in the South-East Asian region, which was still not completely polio-free, whereas Malaysia was part of the Western Pacific region that had been polio-free for some time now.
“However, we have to remain alert and continuously monitor the situation.”
Indonesian authorities said a migrant worker might have contracted the disease in the Middle East before returning home.
Yesterday, Indonesia confirmed a second case involving a 20-month-old girl.
The case occurred in the same village as the first case involving an 18-month-old toddler last month.
These are the first polio cases in the country in a decade but health authorities said they were confident of preventing a major outbreak.
Polio is a waterborne disease that usually infects young children, attacking the nervous system and causing paralysis, muscular atrophy, deformity and sometimes death.
The WHO called on the Indonesian government on Tuesday to be on guard against the resurgence of the disease.
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
Storm brews over move to make drug labels
Source: Business Times, Singapore, April 28 2004
CONTROVERSY is brewing over a Malaysian government decision to award a little-known private company a concession to security-label medical products and prescription drugs, an arrangement that will undoubtedly push up medical product prices.
Early this year, Malaysia's Health Ministry revealed that Mediharta would supply security labels that involve hologram technology to all pharmaceutical companies to be affixed on all drug packs.
That includes traditional medicines and dietary supplements as well as imported and locally manufactured drugs, a market that some analysts estimate at RM3-4 billion (S$1.3-1.7 billion) a year.
Mohd Zin Che Awang, the ministry's director of pharmacy, said the ruling 'was to eliminate counterfeits from the market'.
Mr Mohd Zin said that RM27 million worth of fake medical products were confiscated last year.
It is estimated that 7 per cent of all medical products sold in Malaysia are counterfeit.
The concession - agreed upon in the waning years of former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad's government - is expected to be a goldmine for Mediharta and will lead to an increase in drug prices throughout Malaysia.
But it is also likely to be unpopular and, going forward, could even lead to international complications.
Drug companies will pay Mediharta 5.6 sen for each label and will be responsible for affixing the labels themselves.
Given that it could involve repacking of, especially, imported drugs, the final price hike at the retail level could be anything from 5 per cent to 30 per cent, say executives from several drug companies.
Even so, it is not clear what the final hikes will be. Indeed, some government officials worry that pharmaceutical companies will use the issue as an excuse to increase their margins.
Drug prices, on average, have increased 10 to 13 per cent every year in Malaysia without any help from companies like Mediharta.
In his September 2002 budget speech, Dr Mahathir announced that security labels would be affixed on all tobacco, alcohol and medical products in future to combat counterfeit and contraband material.
According to executives familiar with Mediharta, the award to the company was agreed to in late 2003 and signed 10 months later.
The plan was to have been implemented last June, but was deferred to May 1, 2005.
But medical practitioners contacted by BT mostly professed ignorance about the matter, the result of relatively muted press coverage.
Even The Sun, which gave the issue some space, confined its relatively indignant comments to three columns.
A check with Malaysia's Companies Commission showed that Mediharta is capitalised at RM1 million and has five shareholders, mostly unknown except for two.
They are Saleha Mohd Ali, the sister-in-law of Dr Mahathir with 9 per cent, and entrepreneur Sandra Wong with 25 per cent.
Ms Wong used to be a corporate adviser to Halim Saad in the early 1990s when the tycoon ran the Renong conglomerate but left to pursue her own business interests in 1996.
Both women hold no executive positions in Mediharta, however, which is run by Dr Andreas Teoh who holds another 25 per cent.
The controversy over the issue stems from a number of factors not least being the potential price hikes.
There is also anger over what is perceived to be an opaque bidding process.
But executives familiar with the exercise say that 'many other companies also submitted proposals' after Dr Mahathir's speech in Parliament.
Mediharta isnt the only company that has benefited from Dr Mahathir's speech.
In September, 2003, Kuala Lumpur awarded another little known company, Kod Efisien, an exclusive mandate to supply security labels for locally produced cigarette and beer products, an arrangement that could generate up to RM140 million in potential revenue for the concession holder.
It is not at all clear if smuggling in cigarette and beer products, fairly rampant in Malaysia because of high duties, has been curbed in any way.
Finally, there could be an international rumpus over the issue.
According to senior executives in Malaysia's pharmaceutical industry, a preliminary opinion sought from the Switzerland-based International Dietary Supplements Association has indicated that Malaysia's hologram requirement could be considered a restrictive measure hindering international trade and, thus, could be construed as non-WTO compliant.
An e-mail on the matter obtained by BT said: 'Any country member of the World Trade Organisation could challenge Malaysia on this before a WTO dispute panel.' Even so, the message conceded that 'it wasn't aware of any previous similar case resolved by the WTO.'
Source: Business Times, Singapore, April 28 2004
CONTROVERSY is brewing over a Malaysian government decision to award a little-known private company a concession to security-label medical products and prescription drugs, an arrangement that will undoubtedly push up medical product prices.
Early this year, Malaysia's Health Ministry revealed that Mediharta would supply security labels that involve hologram technology to all pharmaceutical companies to be affixed on all drug packs.
That includes traditional medicines and dietary supplements as well as imported and locally manufactured drugs, a market that some analysts estimate at RM3-4 billion (S$1.3-1.7 billion) a year.
Mohd Zin Che Awang, the ministry's director of pharmacy, said the ruling 'was to eliminate counterfeits from the market'.
Mr Mohd Zin said that RM27 million worth of fake medical products were confiscated last year.
It is estimated that 7 per cent of all medical products sold in Malaysia are counterfeit.
The concession - agreed upon in the waning years of former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad's government - is expected to be a goldmine for Mediharta and will lead to an increase in drug prices throughout Malaysia.
But it is also likely to be unpopular and, going forward, could even lead to international complications.
Drug companies will pay Mediharta 5.6 sen for each label and will be responsible for affixing the labels themselves.
Given that it could involve repacking of, especially, imported drugs, the final price hike at the retail level could be anything from 5 per cent to 30 per cent, say executives from several drug companies.
Even so, it is not clear what the final hikes will be. Indeed, some government officials worry that pharmaceutical companies will use the issue as an excuse to increase their margins.
Drug prices, on average, have increased 10 to 13 per cent every year in Malaysia without any help from companies like Mediharta.
In his September 2002 budget speech, Dr Mahathir announced that security labels would be affixed on all tobacco, alcohol and medical products in future to combat counterfeit and contraband material.
According to executives familiar with Mediharta, the award to the company was agreed to in late 2003 and signed 10 months later.
The plan was to have been implemented last June, but was deferred to May 1, 2005.
But medical practitioners contacted by BT mostly professed ignorance about the matter, the result of relatively muted press coverage.
Even The Sun, which gave the issue some space, confined its relatively indignant comments to three columns.
A check with Malaysia's Companies Commission showed that Mediharta is capitalised at RM1 million and has five shareholders, mostly unknown except for two.
They are Saleha Mohd Ali, the sister-in-law of Dr Mahathir with 9 per cent, and entrepreneur Sandra Wong with 25 per cent.
Ms Wong used to be a corporate adviser to Halim Saad in the early 1990s when the tycoon ran the Renong conglomerate but left to pursue her own business interests in 1996.
Both women hold no executive positions in Mediharta, however, which is run by Dr Andreas Teoh who holds another 25 per cent.
The controversy over the issue stems from a number of factors not least being the potential price hikes.
There is also anger over what is perceived to be an opaque bidding process.
But executives familiar with the exercise say that 'many other companies also submitted proposals' after Dr Mahathir's speech in Parliament.
Mediharta isnt the only company that has benefited from Dr Mahathir's speech.
In September, 2003, Kuala Lumpur awarded another little known company, Kod Efisien, an exclusive mandate to supply security labels for locally produced cigarette and beer products, an arrangement that could generate up to RM140 million in potential revenue for the concession holder.
It is not at all clear if smuggling in cigarette and beer products, fairly rampant in Malaysia because of high duties, has been curbed in any way.
Finally, there could be an international rumpus over the issue.
According to senior executives in Malaysia's pharmaceutical industry, a preliminary opinion sought from the Switzerland-based International Dietary Supplements Association has indicated that Malaysia's hologram requirement could be considered a restrictive measure hindering international trade and, thus, could be construed as non-WTO compliant.
An e-mail on the matter obtained by BT said: 'Any country member of the World Trade Organisation could challenge Malaysia on this before a WTO dispute panel.' Even so, the message conceded that 'it wasn't aware of any previous similar case resolved by the WTO.'
Probe into outbreak of diarrhoea
KOTA KINABALU: Health officials hope to narrow down the possible causes of 150 children in Sabah’s Kota Belud district being struck with diarrhoea and fever over the past week.
Sabah Health Department deputy director Dr Mohd Yusof Ibrahim said although health officials initially ruled out cholera and typhoid, they would carry out tests on all samples for the diseases “to cover all bases.”
The affected children were from 20 villages in the district.
On Saturday, 40 were warded at the Kota Belud Hospital for diarrhoea while the others received outpatient treatment.
As of yesterday, 18 were still warded.
On Monday, six other people were given outpatient treatment.
Health officers have collected more samples of piped water from the affected areas.
“We are looking at the quality of the water supply. We hope to know more about the situation in a few days,” Dr Mohd Yusof said yesterday.
Herbert Timbun Lagadan, the state assemblyman for Kedamaian, where most of the cases were reported, said a possible factor was low chlorine content in the water.
He said he had contacted the district’s water department officials who assured him that water quality had not been compromised.
“There were some children treated for diarrhoea who were from villages that were getting their water supply from the gravity feed system,” Lagadan said, adding that there was usually an increase in the number of diarrhoea cases during a prolonged dry spell.
He hoped Health Department officials could pinpoint the cause of the ailments “so that we can tackle this problem once and for all.”
KOTA KINABALU: Health officials hope to narrow down the possible causes of 150 children in Sabah’s Kota Belud district being struck with diarrhoea and fever over the past week.
Sabah Health Department deputy director Dr Mohd Yusof Ibrahim said although health officials initially ruled out cholera and typhoid, they would carry out tests on all samples for the diseases “to cover all bases.”
The affected children were from 20 villages in the district.
On Saturday, 40 were warded at the Kota Belud Hospital for diarrhoea while the others received outpatient treatment.
As of yesterday, 18 were still warded.
On Monday, six other people were given outpatient treatment.
Health officers have collected more samples of piped water from the affected areas.
“We are looking at the quality of the water supply. We hope to know more about the situation in a few days,” Dr Mohd Yusof said yesterday.
Herbert Timbun Lagadan, the state assemblyman for Kedamaian, where most of the cases were reported, said a possible factor was low chlorine content in the water.
He said he had contacted the district’s water department officials who assured him that water quality had not been compromised.
“There were some children treated for diarrhoea who were from villages that were getting their water supply from the gravity feed system,” Lagadan said, adding that there was usually an increase in the number of diarrhoea cases during a prolonged dry spell.
He hoped Health Department officials could pinpoint the cause of the ailments “so that we can tackle this problem once and for all.”
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Emergency cases won’t be put on waiting list, says Chua
PETALING JAYA: Emergency cases which require neurosurgery will be given priority and will not be put on the waiting list, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said.
“Perhaps the patients may not get the place of their choice but they will be given priority in treatment,” he said.
He said another other way of dealing with critically-ill patients or emergency cases was to send the patients to private hospitals, through an arrangement between the Government and the private sector.
He added that private hospitals would charge a nominal fee for the arrangement.
Dr Chua was responding to a news report which said that a shortage of neurosurgeons in public hospitals had resulted in delays in operations on patients suffering from head injuries.
The report said that some patients had died while others suffered permanent head injuries due to the long wait for treatment.
“Of course there are shortages, but it is across all disciplines. There are even shortages of medical officers,” he told The Star.
Dr Chua said the way forward was not to set up more neurosurgery referral centres, but to train more medical personnel in the field, adding that there were 10 neurosurgeons in public hospitals while 18 were undergoing training.
He said another way was to improve the present health delivery system.
“This is why we are pushing forward with the National Healthcare Financing Scheme to have better integration of the public and private sectors,” he said.
Asked when the scheme could be implemented, Dr Chua said, the ministry was waiting for feedback from the consultant appointed to study the scheme's feasibility.
He could not confirm if the scheme could take off by the end of next year.
PETALING JAYA: Emergency cases which require neurosurgery will be given priority and will not be put on the waiting list, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said.
“Perhaps the patients may not get the place of their choice but they will be given priority in treatment,” he said.
He said another other way of dealing with critically-ill patients or emergency cases was to send the patients to private hospitals, through an arrangement between the Government and the private sector.
He added that private hospitals would charge a nominal fee for the arrangement.
Dr Chua was responding to a news report which said that a shortage of neurosurgeons in public hospitals had resulted in delays in operations on patients suffering from head injuries.
The report said that some patients had died while others suffered permanent head injuries due to the long wait for treatment.
“Of course there are shortages, but it is across all disciplines. There are even shortages of medical officers,” he told The Star.
Dr Chua said the way forward was not to set up more neurosurgery referral centres, but to train more medical personnel in the field, adding that there were 10 neurosurgeons in public hospitals while 18 were undergoing training.
He said another way was to improve the present health delivery system.
“This is why we are pushing forward with the National Healthcare Financing Scheme to have better integration of the public and private sectors,” he said.
Asked when the scheme could be implemented, Dr Chua said, the ministry was waiting for feedback from the consultant appointed to study the scheme's feasibility.
He could not confirm if the scheme could take off by the end of next year.
Grace period for drug makers to get hologram stickers
PETALING JAYA: Authorities will give manufacturers a “grace period” to get their hologram stickers ready. Enforcement officers will not go on their rounds immediately, Health Ministry pharmaceutical services division director Datuk Mohd Zin Che Awang said.
He, however, added that this did not mean there was a postponement of the ruling, which took effect on Sunday.
“This period is a flexibility given to the manufacturers to get their act together,” he said yesterday.
As part of the Health Ministry’s efforts to curb counterfeit products, all packages of medicine and prescription drugs are required to have special hologram stickers.
The hologram stickers are similar to the ones used on CDs and VCDs. Errant manufacturers can be fined up to RM25,000 or be jailed a maximum three years for the first offence and RM50,000 or five years' jail for subsequent offences.
Mohd Zin said that once enforcement operations began, action would be taken against manufacturers not complying with the hologram ruling.
He added that only products manufactured or imported on or after May 1 would be subjected to the ruling.
“We are open to feedback from industry players if they have concerns about the ruling.
“But we have to give the ruling a try to see if there are any hiccups in implementation,” he added.
Asked if the prices of medicine and drugs would go up following the ruling, Mohd Zin said prices would “definitely go up” but would be kept in check due to healthy competition.
“There are so many brands in the market and consumers are able to switch brands if they find one product to be too expensive.
“This will prevent manufacturers from severely marking up their prices,” he added.
PETALING JAYA: Authorities will give manufacturers a “grace period” to get their hologram stickers ready. Enforcement officers will not go on their rounds immediately, Health Ministry pharmaceutical services division director Datuk Mohd Zin Che Awang said.
He, however, added that this did not mean there was a postponement of the ruling, which took effect on Sunday.
“This period is a flexibility given to the manufacturers to get their act together,” he said yesterday.
As part of the Health Ministry’s efforts to curb counterfeit products, all packages of medicine and prescription drugs are required to have special hologram stickers.
The hologram stickers are similar to the ones used on CDs and VCDs. Errant manufacturers can be fined up to RM25,000 or be jailed a maximum three years for the first offence and RM50,000 or five years' jail for subsequent offences.
Mohd Zin said that once enforcement operations began, action would be taken against manufacturers not complying with the hologram ruling.
He added that only products manufactured or imported on or after May 1 would be subjected to the ruling.
“We are open to feedback from industry players if they have concerns about the ruling.
“But we have to give the ruling a try to see if there are any hiccups in implementation,” he added.
Asked if the prices of medicine and drugs would go up following the ruling, Mohd Zin said prices would “definitely go up” but would be kept in check due to healthy competition.
“There are so many brands in the market and consumers are able to switch brands if they find one product to be too expensive.
“This will prevent manufacturers from severely marking up their prices,” he added.
Sunday, May 01, 2005
MMA Seeks To Discuss Health Scheme Issues With Government
KUALA LUMPUR, May 1 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) will discuss with the government the issues and concerns of the public and medical practitioners regarding the proposed National Health Financing Scheme.
Its president Datuk Dr N. Arumugam said patients and doctors felt they were being "kept in the dark" about the scheme.
He said many people were worried because free healthcare would be withdrawn.
"It is going to change a culture of 50 years -- from total free care to partial payment. The people need a lot of information (about the new scheme)," he told reporters after a meeting of the MMA Private Practitioners Section Sunday.
The new scheme, expected to be introduced next year, would remove free healthcare benefits for most people, except the poor, government servants, handicapped citizens and the underprivileged who would continue to be subsidised by the government.
The scheme will be based on a "community-rated" financing mechanism under which the cost and risk-sharing will be spread across the population, with the rich subsidising the poor, the young the elderly, the healthy the sick and the employed the unemployed.
According to Health Ministry reports last month, the scheme was in the final stages of preparation and consultants were working out a mechanism on the quanta hospitals should charge patients.
Dr Arumugam said people needed time to understand how the scheme worked and would accept it if it benefited them.
KUALA LUMPUR, May 1 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) will discuss with the government the issues and concerns of the public and medical practitioners regarding the proposed National Health Financing Scheme.
Its president Datuk Dr N. Arumugam said patients and doctors felt they were being "kept in the dark" about the scheme.
He said many people were worried because free healthcare would be withdrawn.
"It is going to change a culture of 50 years -- from total free care to partial payment. The people need a lot of information (about the new scheme)," he told reporters after a meeting of the MMA Private Practitioners Section Sunday.
The new scheme, expected to be introduced next year, would remove free healthcare benefits for most people, except the poor, government servants, handicapped citizens and the underprivileged who would continue to be subsidised by the government.
The scheme will be based on a "community-rated" financing mechanism under which the cost and risk-sharing will be spread across the population, with the rich subsidising the poor, the young the elderly, the healthy the sick and the employed the unemployed.
According to Health Ministry reports last month, the scheme was in the final stages of preparation and consultants were working out a mechanism on the quanta hospitals should charge patients.
Dr Arumugam said people needed time to understand how the scheme worked and would accept it if it benefited them.
Typhoid Cases On The Drop In Kelantan
KOTA BAHARU, May 1 (Bernama) -- The number of typhoid cases reported at hospitals in Kelantan has seen a drop from between 60 to 80 cases daily two weeks ago to below 60 a day now.
Kelantan Health director, Datuk Dr Ahmad Razin Ahmad Mahir said that although the figure was still considered to be high, it was a positive development compared to the steep rise in cases after the disease surfaced in the state last April 3.
"Of those reported, not all had typhoid fever. However, we appreciate the awareness among people in coming to seek treatment when they think they have symptoms of typhoid. This has helped us contain the disease," he told reporters here Sunday.
He said that as of 4 pm yesterday, a total of 730 cases had been reported throughout Kelantan of which 344 had been confirmed to have contracted the disease.
Ahmad Razin also said that 438 food premises had been ordered closed for not meeting hygiene standards and that 368 food stall operators had been given vaccinations.
The state health department had also given 1,399 talks on the subject to the people and had distributed 26,336 flyers on it, he said.
Earlier, he had been present to monitor a vaccination exercise of 500 residents in Ketereh near here. Also present was the State Assemblyman for Kok Lanas, Datuk Annuar Musa.
KOTA BAHARU, May 1 (Bernama) -- The number of typhoid cases reported at hospitals in Kelantan has seen a drop from between 60 to 80 cases daily two weeks ago to below 60 a day now.
Kelantan Health director, Datuk Dr Ahmad Razin Ahmad Mahir said that although the figure was still considered to be high, it was a positive development compared to the steep rise in cases after the disease surfaced in the state last April 3.
"Of those reported, not all had typhoid fever. However, we appreciate the awareness among people in coming to seek treatment when they think they have symptoms of typhoid. This has helped us contain the disease," he told reporters here Sunday.
He said that as of 4 pm yesterday, a total of 730 cases had been reported throughout Kelantan of which 344 had been confirmed to have contracted the disease.
Ahmad Razin also said that 438 food premises had been ordered closed for not meeting hygiene standards and that 368 food stall operators had been given vaccinations.
The state health department had also given 1,399 talks on the subject to the people and had distributed 26,336 flyers on it, he said.
Earlier, he had been present to monitor a vaccination exercise of 500 residents in Ketereh near here. Also present was the State Assemblyman for Kok Lanas, Datuk Annuar Musa.
Call to regulate beauty salons
Beauty salons providing anti-ageing treatment must be regulated and aestheticians should undergo a degree programme to ensure that they are qualified to carry out these procedures, said the President of the Society of Anti-Aging Medicine Malaysia (SAAMM), Datuk Dr S. Harnam (right) said today.
The mushrooming of beauty salons in the country promoting anti-ageing is a strong indication of how anxious Malaysians are about looking young and the amount of money they are willing to spend for the desired results.
“It is a big industry worth billions in Japan and Korea and Malaysia is also catching up fast,” said Dr Harnam, when asked for his comment on the obsession of looking young.
He was at the three-day 2nd Malaysian Conference and Exhibition on Anti-Aging Medicine which began in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
He said affluence and knowledge that anti-aging facilities are available, plus the fact that more people can afford them are factors contributing to this trend.
Although he was unable to provide figures, he stressed that there should be greater control of beauty house and salons by the authorities.
In the last decade, Dr Harnam said beauty and aesthetic salons have sprung in several parts of the country especially in the Klang Valley and because they deal with people’s looks and lives, they should be regulated said the ear, nose and throat surgeon.
“The whole cosmetic industry must be regulated by laws because ultimately, what we want to achieve is that no harm is done to a person’s face and body,” he said.
He said SAAMM has suggested that those who want to undertake anti-aging procedures, should complete a degree programme and he expects this proposal would be implemented soon.
The three-day conference and exhibition aims to address medical guidance for older adults or the aged to stay healthy and active well into their prime of their lives.
The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine chairman Dr Robert Goldman advocates exercise to keep one’s self young. “Exercise and eating a healthy diet controls the diseases of aging,” he said.
“The aim of anti-aging medicine is not only to slow down the aging process but also to keep the body functioning at at its optimum level,” said Dr Goldman to the 100-odd participants in his keynote address.
Another culprit of aging is the sun’s rays, he said, adding that one should avoid too much sun. He also advised people to apply sun-tan lotions and moisturisers for protection.
Another speaker, the Ministry of Health’s Family Health Development Programme director Datuk Dr Narimah Awin, said that as life has become better with the improvement of social and economic infrastructures, people live longer.
“That is why, on the average, women here live to about 75 years, and men to 71,” she said.
However, said Dr Narimah, there is room for improvement to make public places, transport and housing age-friendly.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that by year 2025 the planet will have eight billion residents.
By that time the number of people above 65 will reach 800 million. According to the United Nations, by the year 2300 life expectancy in Western Europe will reach 106 years, followed by 98 for Latin America and the Caribbean and 96 years for Asia and 92 years for Africa.
Beauty salons providing anti-ageing treatment must be regulated and aestheticians should undergo a degree programme to ensure that they are qualified to carry out these procedures, said the President of the Society of Anti-Aging Medicine Malaysia (SAAMM), Datuk Dr S. Harnam (right) said today.
The mushrooming of beauty salons in the country promoting anti-ageing is a strong indication of how anxious Malaysians are about looking young and the amount of money they are willing to spend for the desired results.
“It is a big industry worth billions in Japan and Korea and Malaysia is also catching up fast,” said Dr Harnam, when asked for his comment on the obsession of looking young.
He was at the three-day 2nd Malaysian Conference and Exhibition on Anti-Aging Medicine which began in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
He said affluence and knowledge that anti-aging facilities are available, plus the fact that more people can afford them are factors contributing to this trend.
Although he was unable to provide figures, he stressed that there should be greater control of beauty house and salons by the authorities.
In the last decade, Dr Harnam said beauty and aesthetic salons have sprung in several parts of the country especially in the Klang Valley and because they deal with people’s looks and lives, they should be regulated said the ear, nose and throat surgeon.
“The whole cosmetic industry must be regulated by laws because ultimately, what we want to achieve is that no harm is done to a person’s face and body,” he said.
He said SAAMM has suggested that those who want to undertake anti-aging procedures, should complete a degree programme and he expects this proposal would be implemented soon.
The three-day conference and exhibition aims to address medical guidance for older adults or the aged to stay healthy and active well into their prime of their lives.
The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine chairman Dr Robert Goldman advocates exercise to keep one’s self young. “Exercise and eating a healthy diet controls the diseases of aging,” he said.
“The aim of anti-aging medicine is not only to slow down the aging process but also to keep the body functioning at at its optimum level,” said Dr Goldman to the 100-odd participants in his keynote address.
Another culprit of aging is the sun’s rays, he said, adding that one should avoid too much sun. He also advised people to apply sun-tan lotions and moisturisers for protection.
Another speaker, the Ministry of Health’s Family Health Development Programme director Datuk Dr Narimah Awin, said that as life has become better with the improvement of social and economic infrastructures, people live longer.
“That is why, on the average, women here live to about 75 years, and men to 71,” she said.
However, said Dr Narimah, there is room for improvement to make public places, transport and housing age-friendly.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that by year 2025 the planet will have eight billion residents.
By that time the number of people above 65 will reach 800 million. According to the United Nations, by the year 2300 life expectancy in Western Europe will reach 106 years, followed by 98 for Latin America and the Caribbean and 96 years for Asia and 92 years for Africa.
SHORTAGE OF NEUROSURGEONS Patients face deadly wait
Every minute counts with head or spinal injuries, but a shortage of neurosurgeons in government hospitals means some patients face a deadly wait.
Some patients had died and others suffered permanent injury while waiting for treatment, said medical sources.
Surgeons in government hospitals were on call almost every day of the year, and overwork and stress were taking a heavy toll on them, the sources said.
This situation may worsen, they say. Two of the 10 neurosurgeons in public service are on the verge of quitting to enter private practice.
With neurosurgery available in only six government hospitals, some urgent cases such as accident victims with head and spinal trauma now travel for hours for treatment.
Operations for other patients, such as those with tumours and neurological disease, are sometimes scheduled weeks, if not months, away.
These delays have resulted in deaths, particularly in the Kuala Lumpur Hospital neurosurgical unit.
These deaths, and cases of permanent injury such as blindness, were concentrated in HKL largely because it was the country’s main referral centre, he said.
Head of HKL’s neurosurgery department, Dr Mohd Saffari Mohd Haspani, denied that patients faced long waits.
However, deaths were unavoidable because there were simply too few neurosurgeons in public hospitals, which took "the majority of patient load", he said.
"In KLH, we do more than 2,000 neurosurgeries a year and I think that is more than any other neurosurgery centre in the world," he said.
Some patients’ conditions inevitably deteriorated when they travelled long distances.
"For head injuries, time is of the essence.
"For a patient from Malacca or Seremban referred here, the journey will take hours."
Ideally, travel for treatment should not take more than two hours.
KLH has three neurosurgeons, while Ipoh has one, Penang two, Johor Baru one, Kuching two and Kota Kinabalu one.
"Obviously when a patient is critically ill, we will push them up the waiting list and operate on them," he said in an interview.
"So it is not patients dying while waiting for surgery in that sense, it is the wait of transferring them from one place to another place to get to the neurosurgeons.
"We have shortened our waiting (time) to a minimum, to one or two weeks only.
"Sometimes we need imaging (which is one) of the factors that delay our operation time, but this is less than a month."
Meanwhile, Health director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Merican said the Government would ensure neuro- surgical treatment was available to all who needed it.
"We will ensure the services are available to them, we know who the surgeons are and will call them to make arrangements," he said.
"Nobody will be deprived of any service."
He said the Government was aware of the problem the shortage was causing, and would look into networking between public hospitals, private hospitals and universities.
He said the ministry planned to concentrate on improving human capital development in the Ninth Malaysia Plan and this would include neurosurgery.
Every minute counts with head or spinal injuries, but a shortage of neurosurgeons in government hospitals means some patients face a deadly wait.
Some patients had died and others suffered permanent injury while waiting for treatment, said medical sources.
Surgeons in government hospitals were on call almost every day of the year, and overwork and stress were taking a heavy toll on them, the sources said.
This situation may worsen, they say. Two of the 10 neurosurgeons in public service are on the verge of quitting to enter private practice.
With neurosurgery available in only six government hospitals, some urgent cases such as accident victims with head and spinal trauma now travel for hours for treatment.
Operations for other patients, such as those with tumours and neurological disease, are sometimes scheduled weeks, if not months, away.
These delays have resulted in deaths, particularly in the Kuala Lumpur Hospital neurosurgical unit.
These deaths, and cases of permanent injury such as blindness, were concentrated in HKL largely because it was the country’s main referral centre, he said.
Head of HKL’s neurosurgery department, Dr Mohd Saffari Mohd Haspani, denied that patients faced long waits.
However, deaths were unavoidable because there were simply too few neurosurgeons in public hospitals, which took "the majority of patient load", he said.
"In KLH, we do more than 2,000 neurosurgeries a year and I think that is more than any other neurosurgery centre in the world," he said.
Some patients’ conditions inevitably deteriorated when they travelled long distances.
"For head injuries, time is of the essence.
"For a patient from Malacca or Seremban referred here, the journey will take hours."
Ideally, travel for treatment should not take more than two hours.
KLH has three neurosurgeons, while Ipoh has one, Penang two, Johor Baru one, Kuching two and Kota Kinabalu one.
"Obviously when a patient is critically ill, we will push them up the waiting list and operate on them," he said in an interview.
"So it is not patients dying while waiting for surgery in that sense, it is the wait of transferring them from one place to another place to get to the neurosurgeons.
"We have shortened our waiting (time) to a minimum, to one or two weeks only.
"Sometimes we need imaging (which is one) of the factors that delay our operation time, but this is less than a month."
Meanwhile, Health director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Merican said the Government would ensure neuro- surgical treatment was available to all who needed it.
"We will ensure the services are available to them, we know who the surgeons are and will call them to make arrangements," he said.
"Nobody will be deprived of any service."
He said the Government was aware of the problem the shortage was causing, and would look into networking between public hospitals, private hospitals and universities.
He said the ministry planned to concentrate on improving human capital development in the Ninth Malaysia Plan and this would include neurosurgery.
Medicinal products must have Health Ministry approval
KANGAR: From next year, all products and equipment touted to improve health or treat ailments will require the Health Ministry's approval before such claims can be made.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the Ministry was presently drafting legislation to regulate medical and health promoting equipment and products flooding the market.
The law which would come into effect next year covers treatment and prevention products and requires approval from the Health Ministry before they can be sold commercially, he said.
“This is to prevent their abuse and the promotion of unqualified claims about their health bolstering properties.
“We have received many complaints about the products,” Dr Chua said after visiting Kangar Hospital.
The minister said such products should be clinically tested by experts before the manufacturers could make any claim about their curative or preventive benefits.
Among the questionable merchandise were those said to be able to clear toxins from the body, slimming devices, beauty enhancement products and diet food.
Current legislation on such products was inadequate “and there is a definite need for new enactments to ensure tighter enforcement to regulate their use,” said Dr Chua.
He also announced that Kangar Hospital had been selected as a teaching hospital for a private institution of higher learning next year.
“It is an honour for the hospital but the administrators must ensure that quality standards set by the Malaysian Medical Council are adhered to,” he said.
Kangar Hospital, with over 400 beds, is one of the public hospitals to be redeveloped under the Ninth Malaysia Plan.
On another matter, Dr Chua said future directors of the country's public hospitals might be non-doctors and could even include nurses.
He said in developed nations, hospital directors were mostly chief executive officers who had the skills to manage a hospital.
He added that it was a waste of human resources if doctors were appointed as administrative directors instead of doing clinical work.
KANGAR: From next year, all products and equipment touted to improve health or treat ailments will require the Health Ministry's approval before such claims can be made.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the Ministry was presently drafting legislation to regulate medical and health promoting equipment and products flooding the market.
The law which would come into effect next year covers treatment and prevention products and requires approval from the Health Ministry before they can be sold commercially, he said.
“This is to prevent their abuse and the promotion of unqualified claims about their health bolstering properties.
“We have received many complaints about the products,” Dr Chua said after visiting Kangar Hospital.
The minister said such products should be clinically tested by experts before the manufacturers could make any claim about their curative or preventive benefits.
Among the questionable merchandise were those said to be able to clear toxins from the body, slimming devices, beauty enhancement products and diet food.
Current legislation on such products was inadequate “and there is a definite need for new enactments to ensure tighter enforcement to regulate their use,” said Dr Chua.
He also announced that Kangar Hospital had been selected as a teaching hospital for a private institution of higher learning next year.
“It is an honour for the hospital but the administrators must ensure that quality standards set by the Malaysian Medical Council are adhered to,” he said.
Kangar Hospital, with over 400 beds, is one of the public hospitals to be redeveloped under the Ninth Malaysia Plan.
On another matter, Dr Chua said future directors of the country's public hospitals might be non-doctors and could even include nurses.
He said in developed nations, hospital directors were mostly chief executive officers who had the skills to manage a hospital.
He added that it was a waste of human resources if doctors were appointed as administrative directors instead of doing clinical work.
Hospital closure upsets folk around Kinrara
PUCHONG: Residents in Kinrara and the vicinity are upset that the Armed Forces hospital has ceased operations.
Nurhaliza Abdullah, 28, said she was disappointed when she saw the closure notice on the hospital’s front gate on Wednesday.
“I am also at a loss because it was the nearest hospital in the area,” said the mother of three, adding that she had always taken her children there for treatment.
Nurhaliza, a hawker whose house is opposite the hospital, said it would be hard for her as she would have to go to other hospitals.
Pharmacist Jaime Lim, 34, said she was surprised when she was told that the hospital had been closed.
She said the hospital had served residents in Kinrara and the surrounding areas and also patients from as far as Shah Alam.
“Why did they have to close it?” she asked.
Another resident, Asri Hussain, 44, said the authorities should provide a replacement for the residents.
“The nearest public hospitals now are in Selayang and Serdang,” said the Government servant.
He said those suffering from kidney problems in the area would no longer get free treatment nearby.
“They would have to seek treatment elsewhere and probably have to pay more,” he said, adding that old folk in the area also would suffer because of the closure.
Hamidatul Azhar, 42, said following the hospital’s closure, she has been referred to the clinic at the Royal Malaysian Air Force base in Subang.
Hamidatul, who suffers from diabetes, had been getting her medications and treatment at the Kinrara hospital for several years.
“Now I have to travel for my medicine and check-up,” she said.
The hospital, built by the British Army in 1948, ceased operations on Wednesday.
It was reported that the closure is to facilitate the sale of the prime land in Puchong to a private developer for about RM200 million.
The hospital was initially supposed to stop operations last Aug 1
PUCHONG: Residents in Kinrara and the vicinity are upset that the Armed Forces hospital has ceased operations.
Nurhaliza Abdullah, 28, said she was disappointed when she saw the closure notice on the hospital’s front gate on Wednesday.
“I am also at a loss because it was the nearest hospital in the area,” said the mother of three, adding that she had always taken her children there for treatment.
Nurhaliza, a hawker whose house is opposite the hospital, said it would be hard for her as she would have to go to other hospitals.
Pharmacist Jaime Lim, 34, said she was surprised when she was told that the hospital had been closed.
She said the hospital had served residents in Kinrara and the surrounding areas and also patients from as far as Shah Alam.
“Why did they have to close it?” she asked.
Another resident, Asri Hussain, 44, said the authorities should provide a replacement for the residents.
“The nearest public hospitals now are in Selayang and Serdang,” said the Government servant.
He said those suffering from kidney problems in the area would no longer get free treatment nearby.
“They would have to seek treatment elsewhere and probably have to pay more,” he said, adding that old folk in the area also would suffer because of the closure.
Hamidatul Azhar, 42, said following the hospital’s closure, she has been referred to the clinic at the Royal Malaysian Air Force base in Subang.
Hamidatul, who suffers from diabetes, had been getting her medications and treatment at the Kinrara hospital for several years.
“Now I have to travel for my medicine and check-up,” she said.
The hospital, built by the British Army in 1948, ceased operations on Wednesday.
It was reported that the closure is to facilitate the sale of the prime land in Puchong to a private developer for about RM200 million.
The hospital was initially supposed to stop operations last Aug 1
Still down with dengue fever
The deadly disease still poses a major health problem although measures have been taken to combat it, writes ANNIE FREEDA CRUEZ.
DENGUE fever and dengue haemorrhagic fever are still a major public health problem in Malaysia.
It is also a global problem affecting more than 100 countries.
It is estimated that about 50 million dengue cases are reported every year in the world and of the number, some 500,000 cases were dengue haemorrhagic fever or better known as DHF.
This deadly disease kills about 12,000 people annually, with the majority being children.
As for the dengue situation in Malaysia last year, Health Ministry’s Communicable Disease Control division deputy director Dr Marzukhi Md Isa said the incidence was 132.5 for every 100,000 population which was an increase compared to the previous years.
Fatality rate for dengue fever and DHF was 0.3 while for DHF alone was 6.4
Dengue fever and DHF are caused by one of four closely related but antigenically distinct virus serotypes — DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4 — of the genus Flavivirus.
Infection with one of these serotypes does not provide cross-protective immunity; so people living in a dengue-endemic area can have four dengue infections during their lifetime.
Dengue fever is endemic in Malaysia.
Dr Marzukhi said the total notified clinical cases was 33,895 last year and of the number, only 39.4 per cent or 13,340 were confirmed dengue cases. The disease claimed 102 lives.
Selangor was the leading state with 2,806 confirmed cases and 37 deaths.
Among other states with a high number of cases and deaths were Johor (1,942 cases and five deaths), Perak (1,886 cases and nine deaths) and Kuala Lumpur (1,542 cases and 21 deaths).
It is learnt that 197 samples were tested by the Institute for Medical Research and University of Malaya Medical Centre for virus serotyping and the outcome was DEN-1 (110), DEN-2 (11), DEN-3 (22), DEN-4 (seven) and others (47).
Dengue is primarily a disease of the tropics, and the viruses that cause it live in a cycle that involves humans and Aedes aegypti, a domestic, day-biting mosquito that prefers to feed on humans.
Infection with dengue viruses produces a spectrum of illnesses ranging from a non-specific viral syndrome to severe and fatal haemorrhagic disease.
Important risk factors for DHF include the strain and serotype of the infecting virus, as well as the age, immune status, and genetic predisposition of the patient.
According to the ministry’s surveillance report, for this year the percentage of Aedes breeding was still high at construction sites, vacant lands and lots, factories, schools, offices complexes, recreational areas and road dividers.
Other breeding sites are dumping grounds, cemeteries, and abandoned houses and projects.
As for the dengue situation this year, Dr Marzukhi said, the cases were declining.
He attributed this to the action plan focusing on the following areas:
• Relevant ministries to increase their capabilities in terms of technical capacity and human resources in the implementation of prevention control activities in their operational areas;
• Ministries, departments and agencies must emphasise knowledge and skills in prevention activities in their operational areas;
• Proper staff training to be conducted so that they would be able to help the community search and destroy Aedes breeding places and maintain a clean and healthy environment;
• Health Ministry will provide technical advice and training to the relevant agencies;
• Promoting dengue control and prevention activities in collaboration with other ministries and agencies such as community fogging, and,
• Stepping up enforcement using the Disease Bearing Insects Act (DDBIA) 1975, (Amendment 2000) and Communicable Disease Prevention Control Act (CDPCA) 1988, by personnel in the relevant ministries and agencies.
Under the DDBIA 1975, the first offence carries is a fine of up to RM10,000 or two years’ jail or both.
The second offence carries a fine of up to RM50,000 or five years’ jail or both, and a fine not exceeding RM500 for every day that the offence is continued.
To help keep dengue in check, doctors in the private sector will have to inform the authorities if they come across any cases.
Under the CDPCA 1988, every medical practitioner who treats or comes to know of the existence of any infectious diseases at any premises must immediately notify the nearest health officer through a notification form.
Failure to do so can mean being penalised under Section 24 where there is a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both for the first offence.
For a second offence, it can mean a fine or imprisonment not exceeding five years or both.
For a continuous offence, the penalty for the doctor is a fine not exceeding RM200 for every day that offence is continued.
Dr Marzukhi said that under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988, section 25 (compoundable offence) the director-general or any civil officer empowered by him can issue a compound fine for any offences under the Act for an amount not exceeding RM1,000.
The deadly disease still poses a major health problem although measures have been taken to combat it, writes ANNIE FREEDA CRUEZ.
DENGUE fever and dengue haemorrhagic fever are still a major public health problem in Malaysia.
It is also a global problem affecting more than 100 countries.
It is estimated that about 50 million dengue cases are reported every year in the world and of the number, some 500,000 cases were dengue haemorrhagic fever or better known as DHF.
This deadly disease kills about 12,000 people annually, with the majority being children.
As for the dengue situation in Malaysia last year, Health Ministry’s Communicable Disease Control division deputy director Dr Marzukhi Md Isa said the incidence was 132.5 for every 100,000 population which was an increase compared to the previous years.
Fatality rate for dengue fever and DHF was 0.3 while for DHF alone was 6.4
Dengue fever and DHF are caused by one of four closely related but antigenically distinct virus serotypes — DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4 — of the genus Flavivirus.
Infection with one of these serotypes does not provide cross-protective immunity; so people living in a dengue-endemic area can have four dengue infections during their lifetime.
Dengue fever is endemic in Malaysia.
Dr Marzukhi said the total notified clinical cases was 33,895 last year and of the number, only 39.4 per cent or 13,340 were confirmed dengue cases. The disease claimed 102 lives.
Selangor was the leading state with 2,806 confirmed cases and 37 deaths.
Among other states with a high number of cases and deaths were Johor (1,942 cases and five deaths), Perak (1,886 cases and nine deaths) and Kuala Lumpur (1,542 cases and 21 deaths).
It is learnt that 197 samples were tested by the Institute for Medical Research and University of Malaya Medical Centre for virus serotyping and the outcome was DEN-1 (110), DEN-2 (11), DEN-3 (22), DEN-4 (seven) and others (47).
Dengue is primarily a disease of the tropics, and the viruses that cause it live in a cycle that involves humans and Aedes aegypti, a domestic, day-biting mosquito that prefers to feed on humans.
Infection with dengue viruses produces a spectrum of illnesses ranging from a non-specific viral syndrome to severe and fatal haemorrhagic disease.
Important risk factors for DHF include the strain and serotype of the infecting virus, as well as the age, immune status, and genetic predisposition of the patient.
According to the ministry’s surveillance report, for this year the percentage of Aedes breeding was still high at construction sites, vacant lands and lots, factories, schools, offices complexes, recreational areas and road dividers.
Other breeding sites are dumping grounds, cemeteries, and abandoned houses and projects.
As for the dengue situation this year, Dr Marzukhi said, the cases were declining.
He attributed this to the action plan focusing on the following areas:
• Relevant ministries to increase their capabilities in terms of technical capacity and human resources in the implementation of prevention control activities in their operational areas;
• Ministries, departments and agencies must emphasise knowledge and skills in prevention activities in their operational areas;
• Proper staff training to be conducted so that they would be able to help the community search and destroy Aedes breeding places and maintain a clean and healthy environment;
• Health Ministry will provide technical advice and training to the relevant agencies;
• Promoting dengue control and prevention activities in collaboration with other ministries and agencies such as community fogging, and,
• Stepping up enforcement using the Disease Bearing Insects Act (DDBIA) 1975, (Amendment 2000) and Communicable Disease Prevention Control Act (CDPCA) 1988, by personnel in the relevant ministries and agencies.
Under the DDBIA 1975, the first offence carries is a fine of up to RM10,000 or two years’ jail or both.
The second offence carries a fine of up to RM50,000 or five years’ jail or both, and a fine not exceeding RM500 for every day that the offence is continued.
To help keep dengue in check, doctors in the private sector will have to inform the authorities if they come across any cases.
Under the CDPCA 1988, every medical practitioner who treats or comes to know of the existence of any infectious diseases at any premises must immediately notify the nearest health officer through a notification form.
Failure to do so can mean being penalised under Section 24 where there is a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both for the first offence.
For a second offence, it can mean a fine or imprisonment not exceeding five years or both.
For a continuous offence, the penalty for the doctor is a fine not exceeding RM200 for every day that offence is continued.
Dr Marzukhi said that under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988, section 25 (compoundable offence) the director-general or any civil officer empowered by him can issue a compound fine for any offences under the Act for an amount not exceeding RM1,000.
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