Several women at a laundry room at Bukit Mertajam Hospital ran helter-skelter today when four men arrived on superbikes and ran amok before holding several staff hostage.
Those trapped in the building were hysterical when the men started setting the place on fire. Tension heightened when a woman died after being stabbed in her stomach.
Policemen arrived and managed to rescue the hostages and arrest the suspects while firemen doused the fire.
Seventeen hospital staff were injured. Ironically, not a single drop of blood was spilled. Neither was there any property damage.
The drama was actually staged as part of a disaster management exercise.
Among the 170 people who took part in the exercise were hospital staff, policemen, firemen, staff of Faber Medi-Serve Sdn Bhd (FMS), Civil Defence personnel, Malaysian Red Crescent Society members and Seberang Prai Municipal Council staff.
Source
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, September 15, 2005
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Sungai Petani Hospital apologises to baby’s parents
The Sungai Petani Hospital has apologised to the parents of a baby born last Wednesday over an error in not ascertaining the infant's sex.
Hospital director Dr Haris Fadzilah Che Hashim, who personally apologised to Ahmad Hassan, 58, and Fazrina Md Daud, 31, said the hospital paediatric consultant had confirmed that the baby was a girl.
“The hospital had merely wanted to confirm the matter to be completely certain that the baby is a girl.
“We deeply regret such a miscommunication and hope such an incident will not recur in the future,” he said in an interview yesterday.
Ahmad, a businessman, said he met up with Dr Haris Fadzilah, who had listened to his views on the matter and had finally agreed to put the matter to rest by amending the baby's gender, which was stated as “ambiguous” on the birth registration form.
Ahmad said his wife, who went through a traumatic time over the incident for the past six days, was happy with the hospital's clarification.
Fazrina had given birth to a 2.75kg baby at 9.25am via a caesarean section at the hospital last Wednesday.
“I was alert throughout the surgery as I was given an epidural and not general anaesthesia. She (the baby) was shown to me and I could tell that she is a girl,” she said in a telephone interview yesterday.
Ahmad and Fazrina said they were thankful to Allah as the confusion had been cleared and that they could now have a proper birth certificate issued at the National Registration Department here for their baby, whom the will name Nur Nabilah, which means “ray of enlightenment.”
The incident was the third involving newborns to have occurred in three months at Sungai Petani Hospital.
In the first incident, a newborn was slipped out of a ward by a nurse. The second incident involved a newborn who was allegedly “swapped” when a nurse had wrongly filled up a form with the word “boy” instead of girl.
In Alor Star, the Kedah Health Department and Sungai Petani Hospital have been told to work hard to regain public trust after their image was tarnished by the recent cases involving babies.
Acting Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Mahdzir Khalid said they could conduct programmes, including seminars and talks for the public.
“The most important thing is they (the hospital) must get the people’s confidence to send expectant mothers to deliver babies at the hospital,” he said.
Source
Hospital director Dr Haris Fadzilah Che Hashim, who personally apologised to Ahmad Hassan, 58, and Fazrina Md Daud, 31, said the hospital paediatric consultant had confirmed that the baby was a girl.
“The hospital had merely wanted to confirm the matter to be completely certain that the baby is a girl.
“We deeply regret such a miscommunication and hope such an incident will not recur in the future,” he said in an interview yesterday.
Ahmad, a businessman, said he met up with Dr Haris Fadzilah, who had listened to his views on the matter and had finally agreed to put the matter to rest by amending the baby's gender, which was stated as “ambiguous” on the birth registration form.
Ahmad said his wife, who went through a traumatic time over the incident for the past six days, was happy with the hospital's clarification.
Fazrina had given birth to a 2.75kg baby at 9.25am via a caesarean section at the hospital last Wednesday.
“I was alert throughout the surgery as I was given an epidural and not general anaesthesia. She (the baby) was shown to me and I could tell that she is a girl,” she said in a telephone interview yesterday.
Ahmad and Fazrina said they were thankful to Allah as the confusion had been cleared and that they could now have a proper birth certificate issued at the National Registration Department here for their baby, whom the will name Nur Nabilah, which means “ray of enlightenment.”
The incident was the third involving newborns to have occurred in three months at Sungai Petani Hospital.
In the first incident, a newborn was slipped out of a ward by a nurse. The second incident involved a newborn who was allegedly “swapped” when a nurse had wrongly filled up a form with the word “boy” instead of girl.
In Alor Star, the Kedah Health Department and Sungai Petani Hospital have been told to work hard to regain public trust after their image was tarnished by the recent cases involving babies.
Acting Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Mahdzir Khalid said they could conduct programmes, including seminars and talks for the public.
“The most important thing is they (the hospital) must get the people’s confidence to send expectant mothers to deliver babies at the hospital,” he said.
Source
Socso revamp to counter fraud
The Human Resources Ministry has ordered the Social Security Organisation (Socso) to review its medical board, establish a rehabilitation system and a special department comprising specialists to counter fraud.
The experts will begin work immediately under the Risk Assessment Department to trace those who have been abusing disability pension schemes offered by Socso.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr Fong Chan Onn said it would also re-examine the claims procedures for Socso, aiming to reduce the incidence of fraud.
"They will also ensure the validity of collection procedures and find ways to reduce and control fraudulent activity for disability claims," he said.
This reinforces the ministry’s order to Socso, reported in the New Straits Times today, to thoroughly investigate all reported abuse cases, evaluate the system of medical boards and make sure claimants undergo a three- to six-month rehabilitation programme to determine the extent of permanent disability.
"I have full confidence in the medical board, but decision-making needs to be more transparent so that we have greater public accountability," Fong said.
He was commenting on a recent exposé by the NST that hundreds of healthy workers were abusing millions of ringgit from Socso in disability benefits with the co-operation of doctors and independent medical boards endorsed by Socso.
Meanwhile in Johor Baru, Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said industrial accidents were still high, with an average of 6.8 accidents recorded per 1,000 workers last year.
In developed countries, the ratio is three accidents per 1,000 workers.
"There is still a long way to go to achieve a low industrial accident rate like in developed nations.
"There is a urgent need for a concerted effort among the Government, employers and employees to bring down the industrial accident rate," Ghani added.
Source
The experts will begin work immediately under the Risk Assessment Department to trace those who have been abusing disability pension schemes offered by Socso.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr Fong Chan Onn said it would also re-examine the claims procedures for Socso, aiming to reduce the incidence of fraud.
"They will also ensure the validity of collection procedures and find ways to reduce and control fraudulent activity for disability claims," he said.
This reinforces the ministry’s order to Socso, reported in the New Straits Times today, to thoroughly investigate all reported abuse cases, evaluate the system of medical boards and make sure claimants undergo a three- to six-month rehabilitation programme to determine the extent of permanent disability.
"I have full confidence in the medical board, but decision-making needs to be more transparent so that we have greater public accountability," Fong said.
He was commenting on a recent exposé by the NST that hundreds of healthy workers were abusing millions of ringgit from Socso in disability benefits with the co-operation of doctors and independent medical boards endorsed by Socso.
Meanwhile in Johor Baru, Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said industrial accidents were still high, with an average of 6.8 accidents recorded per 1,000 workers last year.
In developed countries, the ratio is three accidents per 1,000 workers.
"There is still a long way to go to achieve a low industrial accident rate like in developed nations.
"There is a urgent need for a concerted effort among the Government, employers and employees to bring down the industrial accident rate," Ghani added.
Source
Parkway buys major stake in Pantai
Business Times: SOUTH-EAST ASIA’S largest healthcare provider, Singapore’s Parkway Holdings Ltd, bought almost a third of Pantai Holdings Bhd, a deal that may kick-start a consolidation of private hospitals in Malaysia.
The deal, worth some RM312 million, follows a string of cross-border investments between Malaysia and Singapore that has underscored the regional ambitions of companies from the two countries.
An analyst from Nomura Advisory Services said the entry of Parkway, an established healthcare provider with a proven track record, would substantially boost Pantai’s performance.
Although the purchase would not trigger a mandatory bid by Parkway to buy the rest of Pantai’s shares, analysts were convinced that the Singapore firm could extract a return on its investment.
“Most important (about the purchase) is that Parkway is very experienced in the healthcare industry and the whole consolidation exercise will help the industry,” said JP Morgan’s research head Melvyn Boey.
The entry of Parkway, the owner of the the Gleneagles group of hospitals, could alert other private hospitals that there is a ready buyer in town.
“There are not many players within Malaysia. Given Parkway’s entry, it should facilitate those who want to sell,” the Nomura analyst said.
Parkway bought 89.7 million shares from Pantai’s chief executive officer Datuk Lim Tong Yong for RM2.45 each, a 50 per cent premium to Pantai’s closing price on Monday, it said in a statement.
Another 35 million shares were bought in the open market for RM1.70 apiece.
Parkway also purchased 24.3 million warrants from Datuk Lim for RM1.33 each, which bring the total to RM311.6 million.
Last month, Pantai posted a record annual net profit of RM43.6 million for the year to June 30 2005 and investors pushed its share price to its highest in more than a year.
It is unclear if Parkway needs the Government’s approval for the purchase.
Pantai yesterday named two new directors, Parkway’s managing director Dr Lim Cheok Peng and Ashish Jaiprakash Shastry, who is from US private equity fund Newbridge Capital.
Newbridge Capital holds 26 per cent of Parkway.
Most of Pantai’s income is from its two government concessions, namely FOMEMA Sdn Bhd for health screening of foreign workers, and Pantai Medivest Sdn Bhd, for support services like laundry and disposal services to government hospitals in southern Peninsular Malaysia.
The deal, worth some RM312 million, follows a string of cross-border investments between Malaysia and Singapore that has underscored the regional ambitions of companies from the two countries.
An analyst from Nomura Advisory Services said the entry of Parkway, an established healthcare provider with a proven track record, would substantially boost Pantai’s performance.
Although the purchase would not trigger a mandatory bid by Parkway to buy the rest of Pantai’s shares, analysts were convinced that the Singapore firm could extract a return on its investment.
“Most important (about the purchase) is that Parkway is very experienced in the healthcare industry and the whole consolidation exercise will help the industry,” said JP Morgan’s research head Melvyn Boey.
The entry of Parkway, the owner of the the Gleneagles group of hospitals, could alert other private hospitals that there is a ready buyer in town.
“There are not many players within Malaysia. Given Parkway’s entry, it should facilitate those who want to sell,” the Nomura analyst said.
Parkway bought 89.7 million shares from Pantai’s chief executive officer Datuk Lim Tong Yong for RM2.45 each, a 50 per cent premium to Pantai’s closing price on Monday, it said in a statement.
Another 35 million shares were bought in the open market for RM1.70 apiece.
Parkway also purchased 24.3 million warrants from Datuk Lim for RM1.33 each, which bring the total to RM311.6 million.
Last month, Pantai posted a record annual net profit of RM43.6 million for the year to June 30 2005 and investors pushed its share price to its highest in more than a year.
It is unclear if Parkway needs the Government’s approval for the purchase.
Pantai yesterday named two new directors, Parkway’s managing director Dr Lim Cheok Peng and Ashish Jaiprakash Shastry, who is from US private equity fund Newbridge Capital.
Newbridge Capital holds 26 per cent of Parkway.
Most of Pantai’s income is from its two government concessions, namely FOMEMA Sdn Bhd for health screening of foreign workers, and Pantai Medivest Sdn Bhd, for support services like laundry and disposal services to government hospitals in southern Peninsular Malaysia.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Fong orders probe into abuse of Socso claims
The order has gone out: track down the Socso frauds and all those who colluded with them.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr Fong Chan today ordered an investigation into the abuse of the Social Security Organisation’s (Socso) disability pensions, which was exposed by the New Sunday Times.
"There has been abuse, and it must be stopped. We will ensure that compensation goes to only those entitled to it," Dr Fong told the New Straits Times today.
Yesterday, the New Sunday Times reported that hundreds of healthy workers were swindling Socso of millions of ringgit in disability benefits with the help of doctors and some independent medical boards which Socso endorsed.
As many as one in 10 workers medically boarded out could be a fraud. The pensions and benefits they draw cost Socso at least RM43 million a year.
In response to the article, Socso today set up a hotline for the public to report cases of fraud by phone at 03-4257-5755 or by email to perkeso@perkeso.gov.my
"Public information is very important in our probe," said Socso Corporate Communication and Planning Division general manager Mohamad Rashidan Ahmad.
He also said Socso had been investigating these cases, but had not discovered the extent of the abuse.
From today, workers certified as unfit to work must go through Socso’s rehabilitation programmes before they can draw their pensions.
"The rehabilitation centre will be able to assess and file a thorough report on their disabilities. With this report, we will decide on the invalidity pension payment," Dr Fong said.
The rehabilitation programmes were originally meant for workers with temporary disabilities, providing them with physiotherapy and other treatment.
Dr Fong also instructed Socso to review its entire medical evaluation process, to find the loopholes which these frauds, doctors and medical boards exploit.
He will also discuss the matter with Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek as some of those who sit on medical boards are doctors from government hospitals.
"There is a need for transparency on the findings of the medical boards," Dr Fong said.
He said he would seek the help of the Malaysian Employers Federation and Malaysian Trades Union Congress to resolve the problem and eliminate any abuse.
In the first seven months of this year, Socso suspended 102 invalids’ pensions. Last year, RM173.5 million in invalids’ pensions were paid to 26,994 people.
Source
Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr Fong Chan today ordered an investigation into the abuse of the Social Security Organisation’s (Socso) disability pensions, which was exposed by the New Sunday Times.
"There has been abuse, and it must be stopped. We will ensure that compensation goes to only those entitled to it," Dr Fong told the New Straits Times today.
Yesterday, the New Sunday Times reported that hundreds of healthy workers were swindling Socso of millions of ringgit in disability benefits with the help of doctors and some independent medical boards which Socso endorsed.
As many as one in 10 workers medically boarded out could be a fraud. The pensions and benefits they draw cost Socso at least RM43 million a year.
In response to the article, Socso today set up a hotline for the public to report cases of fraud by phone at 03-4257-5755 or by email to perkeso@perkeso.gov.my
"Public information is very important in our probe," said Socso Corporate Communication and Planning Division general manager Mohamad Rashidan Ahmad.
He also said Socso had been investigating these cases, but had not discovered the extent of the abuse.
From today, workers certified as unfit to work must go through Socso’s rehabilitation programmes before they can draw their pensions.
"The rehabilitation centre will be able to assess and file a thorough report on their disabilities. With this report, we will decide on the invalidity pension payment," Dr Fong said.
The rehabilitation programmes were originally meant for workers with temporary disabilities, providing them with physiotherapy and other treatment.
Dr Fong also instructed Socso to review its entire medical evaluation process, to find the loopholes which these frauds, doctors and medical boards exploit.
He will also discuss the matter with Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek as some of those who sit on medical boards are doctors from government hospitals.
"There is a need for transparency on the findings of the medical boards," Dr Fong said.
He said he would seek the help of the Malaysian Employers Federation and Malaysian Trades Union Congress to resolve the problem and eliminate any abuse.
In the first seven months of this year, Socso suspended 102 invalids’ pensions. Last year, RM173.5 million in invalids’ pensions were paid to 26,994 people.
Source
Orang asli hospital in need of water
GOMBAK: The Orang Asli Affairs Department Hospital here has urged Syabas to urgently supply extra water tanks to the hospital which has been without water supply for the last four days.
“The patients do not have water for bathing and washing. Cooking has become more difficult and our staff cannot even wash their hands properly,” said a hospital spokesman.
The staff and their families have taken to bathing in the nearby rivers.
Medical assistant, Uda Kassim, 50, said they travelled twice a day to higher ground 1.5km away to collect clean water.
He added that even a simple thing like going to the toilet has become a problem for them because there were no trucks bringing any water to their area.
Source
“The patients do not have water for bathing and washing. Cooking has become more difficult and our staff cannot even wash their hands properly,” said a hospital spokesman.
The staff and their families have taken to bathing in the nearby rivers.
Medical assistant, Uda Kassim, 50, said they travelled twice a day to higher ground 1.5km away to collect clean water.
He added that even a simple thing like going to the toilet has become a problem for them because there were no trucks bringing any water to their area.
Source
Putrajaya Hospital declared baby-friendly centre
The Putrajaya Hospital is getting crowded following a population boom in areas around the federal administrative centre.
Hospital authorities say that more maternity wards and special care nurseries are needed.
According to Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department head Dr Wan Ahmad Hazim Wan Ghazali, 5,414 mothers were admitted to the hospital for delivery last year.
“This is five times the number of mothers admitted to our hospital in 2001. We expect the number to increase further.
“We are located in a residential area where the people are still within the reproductive age. The number of residents here has yet to reach a plateau,” he said at a ceremony to declare the hospital a baby-friendly medical institution yesterday.
The hospital is popular with expectant mothers who favour its spanking new maternity facilities, said to be among the best in the country.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad said many parents also chose to have their babies at the hospital because they want to have “Putrajaya” on their children’s birth certificate as the place of birth.
“We have mothers coming here from as far as Seremban, Nilai and Banting. We cannot turn away patients, despite them not working or living around here,” he said.
He also expressed disappointment that many private hospitals still did not promote breastfeeding among new mothers.
Earlier, Dr Wan Ahmad said that women who breastfed had less risk of developing breast cancer.
“When breastfeeding, the prolactin hormone will rise while oestrogen is reduced, which can then retard the growth of cancer cells,” he said, adding that the risk declined by 4.3% for every year that a mother breastfed and 7% for every new birth.
Source
Hospital authorities say that more maternity wards and special care nurseries are needed.
According to Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department head Dr Wan Ahmad Hazim Wan Ghazali, 5,414 mothers were admitted to the hospital for delivery last year.
“This is five times the number of mothers admitted to our hospital in 2001. We expect the number to increase further.
“We are located in a residential area where the people are still within the reproductive age. The number of residents here has yet to reach a plateau,” he said at a ceremony to declare the hospital a baby-friendly medical institution yesterday.
The hospital is popular with expectant mothers who favour its spanking new maternity facilities, said to be among the best in the country.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad said many parents also chose to have their babies at the hospital because they want to have “Putrajaya” on their children’s birth certificate as the place of birth.
“We have mothers coming here from as far as Seremban, Nilai and Banting. We cannot turn away patients, despite them not working or living around here,” he said.
He also expressed disappointment that many private hospitals still did not promote breastfeeding among new mothers.
Earlier, Dr Wan Ahmad said that women who breastfed had less risk of developing breast cancer.
“When breastfeeding, the prolactin hormone will rise while oestrogen is reduced, which can then retard the growth of cancer cells,” he said, adding that the risk declined by 4.3% for every year that a mother breastfed and 7% for every new birth.
Source
Guidelines For Media Reporting On Suicide
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12 (Bernama) -- The media are being advised not to sensationalise coverage of suicide, such as publishing suicide reports as front page headlines, as well as, detailed descriptions of the methods being used.
These were contained in the Health Ministry's guidelines for media reporting on suicide which were distributed to the media, Monday.
The "Guidelines for Media Reporting on Suicide" included the five do's and five don’ts on the reporting on suicide cases, which were jointly drafted by representatives from the media organisations and the Health Ministry.
Among the do's are that the media need to insert positive messages that suicides are preventable, there is a need to work closely with authorities in presenting the facts of news, including printing help-line at the bottom of the newspaper, besides creating a code of ethics on reporting news on suicide.
On the don’ts, it said the media should not publish photographs or suicide notes, victim's names, and not "put cultural stereotypes in movies and dramas."
The guidelines, which include feedback from non-governmental organisations such as the International Association for Suicide Prevention, The Befrienders and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, took nearly a year to be drafted.
The guidelines which are also based on the "Preventing Suicide - Resource For Media Professionals" by World Health Organisation 2000 required the media to exercise several considerations when reporting on suicides.
These included the need to interpret statistics carefully and correctly, and to ensure authenticity and reliability of the sources.
The media are also advised not to generalise on figures, and avoiding the usage of words such as "suicide epidemic" or "the place with the highest suicide rate in the world."
"Suicides should not be depicted as a method of coping with personal problems such as bankruptcy, examination failure or sexual abuse, it said.
The media should to take into account the impact of suicide on families in terms of stigma and psychological suffering, emphasise on mourning the person's death and not to glorify suicide victims as objects of public adulation.
However, the media can describe the physical consequences of non-fatal suicidal attempts -- brain damage, paralysis as this can act as a deterrent.
These were contained in the Health Ministry's guidelines for media reporting on suicide which were distributed to the media, Monday.
The "Guidelines for Media Reporting on Suicide" included the five do's and five don’ts on the reporting on suicide cases, which were jointly drafted by representatives from the media organisations and the Health Ministry.
Among the do's are that the media need to insert positive messages that suicides are preventable, there is a need to work closely with authorities in presenting the facts of news, including printing help-line at the bottom of the newspaper, besides creating a code of ethics on reporting news on suicide.
On the don’ts, it said the media should not publish photographs or suicide notes, victim's names, and not "put cultural stereotypes in movies and dramas."
The guidelines, which include feedback from non-governmental organisations such as the International Association for Suicide Prevention, The Befrienders and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, took nearly a year to be drafted.
The guidelines which are also based on the "Preventing Suicide - Resource For Media Professionals" by World Health Organisation 2000 required the media to exercise several considerations when reporting on suicides.
These included the need to interpret statistics carefully and correctly, and to ensure authenticity and reliability of the sources.
The media are also advised not to generalise on figures, and avoiding the usage of words such as "suicide epidemic" or "the place with the highest suicide rate in the world."
"Suicides should not be depicted as a method of coping with personal problems such as bankruptcy, examination failure or sexual abuse, it said.
The media should to take into account the impact of suicide on families in terms of stigma and psychological suffering, emphasise on mourning the person's death and not to glorify suicide victims as objects of public adulation.
However, the media can describe the physical consequences of non-fatal suicidal attempts -- brain damage, paralysis as this can act as a deterrent.
More Than 2,000 Commit Suicide Yearly
PETALING JAYA, 12 Sept (Bernama ) -- An average of seven Malaysians commit suicide daily and the total number of such deaths exceed 2,000 a year, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said.
He attributed suicides to many causes, among them poverty, loss of loved ones, breakdown in relationship like divorce, drug abuse, academic failure and family history.
A survey by the Kuala Lumpur Hospital found that suicide was more prevalent among the Indian community with a ratio of 21.1 for every 100,000 population, followed by Chinese (8.6:100,000) and Malays (2.6:100,000), he said in a speech at the launch of the World Suicide Prevention Day 2005 in Subang Jaya, here Monday.
The text of speech was read by Deputy Health Director-General (Public Health) Datuk Dr Shafie Ooyub.
Dr Chua said suicide involving the Malays had increased by two-fold since the 1990s and he attributed this trend to the rural-urban migration among the Malays and their inability to cope with the pressure of living in a metropolitan city.
He said the most common forms of suicide in the country were poisoning with pesticide, hanging, jumping from buildings and carbon monoxide poisoning from exhaust fumes of vehicles.
Dr Chua sought the cooperation of the media not to report extensively on the method used by suicide victims.
"The way the suicide cases are reported can influence the readers," he said.
He said there were guidelines for media reporting on suicide, adding that they were prepared with the cooperation of the local media, Health Ministry, International Association for Suicide Prevention, The Befrienders and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
Dr Chua said efforts taken by the ministry to prevent suicide included providing 27 hospitals nationwide with psychiatric service to deal with suicidal patients and those facing depression.
There are 85 psychiatrists, two clinical psychologists and 56 counsellors in these hospitals.
Besides the hospitals, there are 754 health clinics in the country where people experiencing mental problems or depression could go to seek treatment.
Dr Chua said 40 doctors and 135 medical assistants were sent for training on how to deal with depression last year and another 200 would be trained this year.
He said those sent for training this year included counsellors from the Education Ministry, National Population and Family Development Board and Public Services Department.
The training was to raise their awareness, knowledge and skill in counselling and to give emotional support to those suffering from depression and other emotional problems.
He attributed suicides to many causes, among them poverty, loss of loved ones, breakdown in relationship like divorce, drug abuse, academic failure and family history.
A survey by the Kuala Lumpur Hospital found that suicide was more prevalent among the Indian community with a ratio of 21.1 for every 100,000 population, followed by Chinese (8.6:100,000) and Malays (2.6:100,000), he said in a speech at the launch of the World Suicide Prevention Day 2005 in Subang Jaya, here Monday.
The text of speech was read by Deputy Health Director-General (Public Health) Datuk Dr Shafie Ooyub.
Dr Chua said suicide involving the Malays had increased by two-fold since the 1990s and he attributed this trend to the rural-urban migration among the Malays and their inability to cope with the pressure of living in a metropolitan city.
He said the most common forms of suicide in the country were poisoning with pesticide, hanging, jumping from buildings and carbon monoxide poisoning from exhaust fumes of vehicles.
Dr Chua sought the cooperation of the media not to report extensively on the method used by suicide victims.
"The way the suicide cases are reported can influence the readers," he said.
He said there were guidelines for media reporting on suicide, adding that they were prepared with the cooperation of the local media, Health Ministry, International Association for Suicide Prevention, The Befrienders and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
Dr Chua said efforts taken by the ministry to prevent suicide included providing 27 hospitals nationwide with psychiatric service to deal with suicidal patients and those facing depression.
There are 85 psychiatrists, two clinical psychologists and 56 counsellors in these hospitals.
Besides the hospitals, there are 754 health clinics in the country where people experiencing mental problems or depression could go to seek treatment.
Dr Chua said 40 doctors and 135 medical assistants were sent for training on how to deal with depression last year and another 200 would be trained this year.
He said those sent for training this year included counsellors from the Education Ministry, National Population and Family Development Board and Public Services Department.
The training was to raise their awareness, knowledge and skill in counselling and to give emotional support to those suffering from depression and other emotional problems.
Fomema suspends 28 in Sabah
Fomema, the agency for monitoring health of foreign workers, has suspended the services of 20 clinics and eight X-ray centres registered with it in Sabah for failing to comply with its Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Yahya Hussin said the clinics and X-ray centres were among 87 clinics and 37 X-ray centres nationwide registered with Fomema that were suspended, up to June this year, for flouting the SOP.
"Based on inspections and surprise checks carried out by Fomema, the clinics and X-ray centres had failed to comply with critical aspects of the SOP," he said when launching a Blood Donation Campaign and Hepatitis B Test, organised by Fomema, at KK Plaza, here, Sunday.
The SOP was introduced by Fomema in May last year to enhance the integrity of its monitoring system and supervision of medical check-ups on foreign workers.
Fomema is a private agency given the sole concession by the Government in 1997 to conduct medical check-ups on foreign workers.
According to Yahya, who is also Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister, the SOP system is capable of detecting any discrepancies on the independent reports submitted by Fomema's panel clinics and X-ray centres.
He said the Government welcomed the introduction of the SOP by Fomema as it helped to strengthen its surveillance and monitoring of medical check-ups on foreign workers.
"With the increase in inspections and visits to the clinics, laboratories and X-ray centres that are registered with Fomema, it would be able to ascertain if they fulfil the SOP," he said.
Previously, medical check-ups on foreign workers were conducted by clinics selected by the employers.
However, the practice was abolished after many clinics providing such services were found to be dishonest.
On other developments, Yahya said Fomema had taken the initiative to form an X-ray quality centre entrusted with the responsibility to audit each X-ray film carried out on foreign workers.
He said the Malaysia Health Ministry had approved the move, which requires X-ray centres to get a quality certification from Fomema in order to have their licences renewed.
Source
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Yahya Hussin said the clinics and X-ray centres were among 87 clinics and 37 X-ray centres nationwide registered with Fomema that were suspended, up to June this year, for flouting the SOP.
"Based on inspections and surprise checks carried out by Fomema, the clinics and X-ray centres had failed to comply with critical aspects of the SOP," he said when launching a Blood Donation Campaign and Hepatitis B Test, organised by Fomema, at KK Plaza, here, Sunday.
The SOP was introduced by Fomema in May last year to enhance the integrity of its monitoring system and supervision of medical check-ups on foreign workers.
Fomema is a private agency given the sole concession by the Government in 1997 to conduct medical check-ups on foreign workers.
According to Yahya, who is also Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister, the SOP system is capable of detecting any discrepancies on the independent reports submitted by Fomema's panel clinics and X-ray centres.
He said the Government welcomed the introduction of the SOP by Fomema as it helped to strengthen its surveillance and monitoring of medical check-ups on foreign workers.
"With the increase in inspections and visits to the clinics, laboratories and X-ray centres that are registered with Fomema, it would be able to ascertain if they fulfil the SOP," he said.
Previously, medical check-ups on foreign workers were conducted by clinics selected by the employers.
However, the practice was abolished after many clinics providing such services were found to be dishonest.
On other developments, Yahya said Fomema had taken the initiative to form an X-ray quality centre entrusted with the responsibility to audit each X-ray film carried out on foreign workers.
He said the Malaysia Health Ministry had approved the move, which requires X-ray centres to get a quality certification from Fomema in order to have their licences renewed.
Source
Health Ministry Officals To Visit Australia On HRP
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12 (Bernama) -- A group of senior officers from the Health Ministry and Malaysia Aids Council (MAC) will visit Australia next week to study the Harm Reduction Programme (HRP) for drug addicts.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek will lead the delegation, which comprises four ministry officials and six MAC members, who will be directly involved in implementing the programme in Malaysia.
He told Bernama Monday that it would be looking into the implementation of the Needle and Syringe Exchange Programme and Methadone Substitution Programme at Australian sites coordinated by the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) in Melbourne and Sydney.
Dr Chua said the group would look into the implementation aspect of the HRP programme -- legal, social, technical, administrative, financial and manpower implications related to the programme.
"We are going to study the successes, strengths and weaknesses of the their programme in order to give us some feedback before we implement similar programmes later," he said when contacted Monday.
Malaysia will embark on a pilot project under the methadone substitution programme involving 1,200 drug addicts next month, followed by another pilot project on needle and syringe exchange for another 1,200 drug addicts beginning next January.
Dr Chua said the Sept 24-27 visit, arranged by the Australian health authorities and Unicef, would include a visit to the Centre for the HRP in Sydney and to the Victoria Police Department headquarters.
The delegation recently attended a workshop here on the HRP conducted by two Australian experts brought in by Unicef.
The experts are State Crime, Drug and Alcohol Coordinator of the New South Wales Police Headquarters Robert Hansen and Director for the World Health Organisation Collaboration Centre for Research for Treatment of Drug and Alcohol in Sydney, Prof Robert Ali.
Meanwhile, in PETALING JAYA, Health Ministry principal assistant director of AIDS/STD Division Dr Wan Mohamed Zahiruddin Wan Mohammed said the Needle and Syringe Exchange Programme in January would include free distribution of condoms to drug users.
It is aimed at preventing sexual transmission of HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) to their partners. Speaking to reporters after launching the STD Awareness Campaign at Taylor's College, Dr Wan Mohamed Zahiruddin said the government had allocated about RM5 million for the HIV/AIDS prevention awareness campaign this year.
Earlier in his speech, he said more than 64,000 HIV/AIDS cases had been reported in Malaysia since 1986 and more than 10,000 have died up to end of 2004.
"Out of the total cases in the country, more than 80 per cent and 65 per cent of HIV infections and AIDS respectively are among the productive age group between 20 and 49 years," he said.
Dr Wan Mohamed Zahiruddin said Syphilis and Gonorrhoea infections appeared to be the most prevalent STDs in Malaysia.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek will lead the delegation, which comprises four ministry officials and six MAC members, who will be directly involved in implementing the programme in Malaysia.
He told Bernama Monday that it would be looking into the implementation of the Needle and Syringe Exchange Programme and Methadone Substitution Programme at Australian sites coordinated by the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) in Melbourne and Sydney.
Dr Chua said the group would look into the implementation aspect of the HRP programme -- legal, social, technical, administrative, financial and manpower implications related to the programme.
"We are going to study the successes, strengths and weaknesses of the their programme in order to give us some feedback before we implement similar programmes later," he said when contacted Monday.
Malaysia will embark on a pilot project under the methadone substitution programme involving 1,200 drug addicts next month, followed by another pilot project on needle and syringe exchange for another 1,200 drug addicts beginning next January.
Dr Chua said the Sept 24-27 visit, arranged by the Australian health authorities and Unicef, would include a visit to the Centre for the HRP in Sydney and to the Victoria Police Department headquarters.
The delegation recently attended a workshop here on the HRP conducted by two Australian experts brought in by Unicef.
The experts are State Crime, Drug and Alcohol Coordinator of the New South Wales Police Headquarters Robert Hansen and Director for the World Health Organisation Collaboration Centre for Research for Treatment of Drug and Alcohol in Sydney, Prof Robert Ali.
Meanwhile, in PETALING JAYA, Health Ministry principal assistant director of AIDS/STD Division Dr Wan Mohamed Zahiruddin Wan Mohammed said the Needle and Syringe Exchange Programme in January would include free distribution of condoms to drug users.
It is aimed at preventing sexual transmission of HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) to their partners. Speaking to reporters after launching the STD Awareness Campaign at Taylor's College, Dr Wan Mohamed Zahiruddin said the government had allocated about RM5 million for the HIV/AIDS prevention awareness campaign this year.
Earlier in his speech, he said more than 64,000 HIV/AIDS cases had been reported in Malaysia since 1986 and more than 10,000 have died up to end of 2004.
"Out of the total cases in the country, more than 80 per cent and 65 per cent of HIV infections and AIDS respectively are among the productive age group between 20 and 49 years," he said.
Dr Wan Mohamed Zahiruddin said Syphilis and Gonorrhoea infections appeared to be the most prevalent STDs in Malaysia.
Monday, September 12, 2005
It’s a yellow week!
AS part of the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM)’s Yellow Week-”CelebrateLife!” campaign this year to raise awareness on breast cancer screening and early detection, the organisation has developed a pilot project to provide the public, especially women, the opportunity of having screening facilities through the establishment of a mobile cancer screening bus.
The mobile bus will provide facilities for mammogram, colorectal screening and an education programme for the urban and rural poor.
“It is a project that has been discussed for the past five years to provide better awareness and educate more people about the disease,” says Dr Saunthari Somasundram, the executive director of NCSM.
“Currently the charity organisation is in the process of raising funds for the project, which they want to activate as soon as possible ,’’ she says.
The total estimated cost for the urban poor mobile bus set-up will be around RM600,000, while the rural poor mobile bus is RM5mil. A huge investment, concedes Dr Saunthari, but she believes that this will help prevent the spread of cancer in the long run.
Statistics show that over 6,000 Malaysian women between the ages of 35 and 50 are diagnosed with cancer every year. The most vulnerable of these women are the urban and rural poor who do not have the opportunity to do breast cancer screening. With screening and early diagnosis, over 90% of women with breast cancer can be cured and lead a normal life.
“Early detection has saved many lives. Therefore we need to reach out to more people to create awareness and educate them. This project has been implemented in other countries successfully and we want to do the same here,’’ she says.
As a kick-start to the mobile cancer screening bus project, starting October, NCSM will ferry women from the urban poor by bus to the NCSM’s wellness and resource centre to undergo mammogram screening and educate them on the disease.
“At present, funds collected amounted to RM50,000 from the St Patrick Society of Kuala Lumpur. Once more funding trickles in, we will be able to facilitate the mobile bus, which will enable us to reach more people from the target groups,” she says, adding that while it is primarily targeted for women, the general public can also seek out information on the disease.
Dr Saunthari says that the mobile bus units will have a full-time staff on board to run the screening programme and provide correct information on early detection of the disease. As for fees charged, Dr Saunthari says the NCSM hopes to provide free treatments for the public, but this will depend on the amount of funding allocated for the project by the sponsors.
“We need to get funding from corporations on a long-term basis, if possible. Otherwise the patients will be charged a subsidised amount to cover the running costs of the mobile bus,’’ she says.
The mobile cancer screening bus for the urban poor will be using a similar system that has been successfully implemented in Singapore and other countries. The public will be able to go for a screening for early detection and simultaneously get educated about the disease.
Once screened, they will get the test results within a week. The NCSM mobile bus will be working together with clinics and community centres in the respective urban areas to provide patients easy access to go for their screening.
“Meanwhile, a bigger allocation (RM5mil) is needed for the rural poor because a digital mammogram machine will be used for screening. This will give the patients immediate test results without any delay,’’ says Dr Saunthari adding that a digital machine costs RM2mil.
“The use of this digital machine in rural areas, says Dr Saunthari, will help the public seek medical attention quickly without delay. There will also be more medical personnel at hand to provide services for the rural poor.
“We are taking this approach so that they don’t wait to go for treatment, which is usually the case for those in rural areas,’’ she points out.
The NCSM’s Yellow Week campaign is from September 12 until 18, with a series of “CelebrateLife!” events and activities that include a dinner concert, wear yellow day, cancer expo and golf tournament to create cancer awareness among the public and raise funds for the organisation.
For more information, contact the NCSM at 03-2698 7300 or fax 03-2698 4300.
Source
The mobile bus will provide facilities for mammogram, colorectal screening and an education programme for the urban and rural poor.
“It is a project that has been discussed for the past five years to provide better awareness and educate more people about the disease,” says Dr Saunthari Somasundram, the executive director of NCSM.
“Currently the charity organisation is in the process of raising funds for the project, which they want to activate as soon as possible ,’’ she says.
The total estimated cost for the urban poor mobile bus set-up will be around RM600,000, while the rural poor mobile bus is RM5mil. A huge investment, concedes Dr Saunthari, but she believes that this will help prevent the spread of cancer in the long run.
Statistics show that over 6,000 Malaysian women between the ages of 35 and 50 are diagnosed with cancer every year. The most vulnerable of these women are the urban and rural poor who do not have the opportunity to do breast cancer screening. With screening and early diagnosis, over 90% of women with breast cancer can be cured and lead a normal life.
“Early detection has saved many lives. Therefore we need to reach out to more people to create awareness and educate them. This project has been implemented in other countries successfully and we want to do the same here,’’ she says.
As a kick-start to the mobile cancer screening bus project, starting October, NCSM will ferry women from the urban poor by bus to the NCSM’s wellness and resource centre to undergo mammogram screening and educate them on the disease.
“At present, funds collected amounted to RM50,000 from the St Patrick Society of Kuala Lumpur. Once more funding trickles in, we will be able to facilitate the mobile bus, which will enable us to reach more people from the target groups,” she says, adding that while it is primarily targeted for women, the general public can also seek out information on the disease.
Dr Saunthari says that the mobile bus units will have a full-time staff on board to run the screening programme and provide correct information on early detection of the disease. As for fees charged, Dr Saunthari says the NCSM hopes to provide free treatments for the public, but this will depend on the amount of funding allocated for the project by the sponsors.
“We need to get funding from corporations on a long-term basis, if possible. Otherwise the patients will be charged a subsidised amount to cover the running costs of the mobile bus,’’ she says.
The mobile cancer screening bus for the urban poor will be using a similar system that has been successfully implemented in Singapore and other countries. The public will be able to go for a screening for early detection and simultaneously get educated about the disease.
Once screened, they will get the test results within a week. The NCSM mobile bus will be working together with clinics and community centres in the respective urban areas to provide patients easy access to go for their screening.
“Meanwhile, a bigger allocation (RM5mil) is needed for the rural poor because a digital mammogram machine will be used for screening. This will give the patients immediate test results without any delay,’’ says Dr Saunthari adding that a digital machine costs RM2mil.
“The use of this digital machine in rural areas, says Dr Saunthari, will help the public seek medical attention quickly without delay. There will also be more medical personnel at hand to provide services for the rural poor.
“We are taking this approach so that they don’t wait to go for treatment, which is usually the case for those in rural areas,’’ she points out.
The NCSM’s Yellow Week campaign is from September 12 until 18, with a series of “CelebrateLife!” events and activities that include a dinner concert, wear yellow day, cancer expo and golf tournament to create cancer awareness among the public and raise funds for the organisation.
For more information, contact the NCSM at 03-2698 7300 or fax 03-2698 4300.
Source
Urbanisation link to post-natal blues
A CONSULTANT obstetrician and gynaecologist feels that greater urbanisation could lead to more cases of post-natal depression.
Dr Ivan Lee Kick Kit, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Seremban Specialist Hospital, said new mothers may not have relatives available to look after their babies.
The days of mothers wanting to leave hospital the same day as the delivery may soon be over, he warns.
"In Asia, there is always someone to care for new mothers and their babies. But an increase in urbanisation may mean this being lost over time," he said.
Dr Lee says new mothers in the West want to stay longer in hospital as they do not have the family support like women in Asia do. He says cases of post-natal depression may also be low in Asia due to the social stigma attached or under-diagnosis.
"The causes of post-natal depression are also difficult to determine as it could be multi-farious."
Dr Lee said the incidence of post-natal depression was not adequately documented in the region.
A study conducted at Seremban Hospital in 1997 which he published found 3.9 per cent of new mothers suffered from post-natal depression.
Kuala Lumpur General Hospital (KLGH) psychiatrist Dr Nor Hayati Ali says many first-time mothers are not aware of the condition.
"There is a possibility that one out of 10 mothers go through this kind of depression. But it is only referred to us at the end stage or when they start hurting the baby."
The KLGH receives a new case every month.
Source
Dr Ivan Lee Kick Kit, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Seremban Specialist Hospital, said new mothers may not have relatives available to look after their babies.
The days of mothers wanting to leave hospital the same day as the delivery may soon be over, he warns.
"In Asia, there is always someone to care for new mothers and their babies. But an increase in urbanisation may mean this being lost over time," he said.
Dr Lee says new mothers in the West want to stay longer in hospital as they do not have the family support like women in Asia do. He says cases of post-natal depression may also be low in Asia due to the social stigma attached or under-diagnosis.
"The causes of post-natal depression are also difficult to determine as it could be multi-farious."
Dr Lee said the incidence of post-natal depression was not adequately documented in the region.
A study conducted at Seremban Hospital in 1997 which he published found 3.9 per cent of new mothers suffered from post-natal depression.
Kuala Lumpur General Hospital (KLGH) psychiatrist Dr Nor Hayati Ali says many first-time mothers are not aware of the condition.
"There is a possibility that one out of 10 mothers go through this kind of depression. But it is only referred to us at the end stage or when they start hurting the baby."
The KLGH receives a new case every month.
Source
7 Malaysians kill themselves every day
Suicides are taking a terrible toll on Malaysians with nearly 1,700 lives lost between January and Aug 31 this year.
The Health Ministry estimates an average of seven suicides a day nationwide, a figure that does not indicate the true impact on the nation.
The reality is this: Every suicide directly or indirectly affects 12 family members and friends leading to nearly 30,000 Malaysians traumatised by suicides annually.
The ministry’s health education division senior assistant director Wan Rokman Wan Yaacob said the most common forms of suicide in Malaysia were poisoning with pesticides and herbicides, hanging, jumping from buildings and drowning.
"Recently, carbon monoxide poisoning from exhaust fumes of vehicles has been increasing," he told the New Straits Times in an interview in conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Day 2005, which Malaysia is observing tomorrow.
He attributed suicides to many complex and inter-related causes including poverty, unemployment, loss of loved ones, breakdown in relationships and a family history of suicide.
Other reasons included alcohol and drug abuse, history of physical and sexual abuse, social isolation and mental illness such as depression as well as serious physical ailments.
According to him, suicides occurred when emotional pain brought on by stress factors exceeded the ability to cope.
Wan Rokman said early identification and treatment of mental disorders was an important strategy in preventing suicides.
He added that educating primary healthcare workers in identifying and treating those with mood disorders may help reduce the suicide rate.
This could also be achieved by increasing availability of family and peer support, improving access to psychiatric help, counselling, helpline services and school-based intervention.
He said early detection of school children with emotional, behavioural and academic problems could help them cope with such problems.
On the effect of media coverage of occurrences of suicides, he said that there was a link that had been identified some time ago.
He said there was evidence that sensational reporting with details of methods used in suicide could lead to imitation suicides.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that at least one person commits suicide a day in Singapore with an average of 13 a day in Thailand.
Source
The Health Ministry estimates an average of seven suicides a day nationwide, a figure that does not indicate the true impact on the nation.
The reality is this: Every suicide directly or indirectly affects 12 family members and friends leading to nearly 30,000 Malaysians traumatised by suicides annually.
The ministry’s health education division senior assistant director Wan Rokman Wan Yaacob said the most common forms of suicide in Malaysia were poisoning with pesticides and herbicides, hanging, jumping from buildings and drowning.
"Recently, carbon monoxide poisoning from exhaust fumes of vehicles has been increasing," he told the New Straits Times in an interview in conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Day 2005, which Malaysia is observing tomorrow.
He attributed suicides to many complex and inter-related causes including poverty, unemployment, loss of loved ones, breakdown in relationships and a family history of suicide.
Other reasons included alcohol and drug abuse, history of physical and sexual abuse, social isolation and mental illness such as depression as well as serious physical ailments.
According to him, suicides occurred when emotional pain brought on by stress factors exceeded the ability to cope.
Wan Rokman said early identification and treatment of mental disorders was an important strategy in preventing suicides.
He added that educating primary healthcare workers in identifying and treating those with mood disorders may help reduce the suicide rate.
This could also be achieved by increasing availability of family and peer support, improving access to psychiatric help, counselling, helpline services and school-based intervention.
He said early detection of school children with emotional, behavioural and academic problems could help them cope with such problems.
On the effect of media coverage of occurrences of suicides, he said that there was a link that had been identified some time ago.
He said there was evidence that sensational reporting with details of methods used in suicide could lead to imitation suicides.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that at least one person commits suicide a day in Singapore with an average of 13 a day in Thailand.
Source
Cancer sufferer blood test shows him to be healthy despite a tumour
He paid RM198 – supposedly a subsidised rate – for a blood test after attending a cancer awareness talk that was purportedly endorsed by the Health Ministry.
Remisier Jim Kow Chee Meng, 46, was happy when a “doctor” told him the result of the blood test on April 22. He was “perfectly healthy.”
However, he had a nagging feeling when the “doctor” refused to talk about a lump on the left side of his neck.
Kow decided to get a second opinion although the lump was not causing him any pain.
On April 29, he underwent a Computed Tomography (commonly called a CAT scan) and a biopsy at a medical centre.
On May 5, he heard the dreaded news.
He has nasal cancer and it has spread to his throat.
The tumour was about the size of a golf ball and it was at the third stage, nearing the advanced stage.
“I am disappointed there are people making money by cheating others about their health,” he told The Star.
Relating his predicament after reading a front-page report in the paper about a bogus non-governmental organisation conducting blood tests at a subsidised rate to detect cancer, Kow said:
“Although the speaker informed us (the audience) that the blood test could detect cancer, the lab test did not indicate any unusual reading.
“Secondly, after the so-called doctor told me I did not have any medical problem, I showed her the lump on my neck. But she refused to talk about it.”
Kow said he doubted the blood test results although the company claimed that two laboratories were responsible for the quality testing.
“The Health Ministry should put an end to this rip-off because the group has been operating for more than a year.
“Until and unless the authorities take action, many more people may be cheated,” he added.
Source
Remisier Jim Kow Chee Meng, 46, was happy when a “doctor” told him the result of the blood test on April 22. He was “perfectly healthy.”
However, he had a nagging feeling when the “doctor” refused to talk about a lump on the left side of his neck.
Kow decided to get a second opinion although the lump was not causing him any pain.
On April 29, he underwent a Computed Tomography (commonly called a CAT scan) and a biopsy at a medical centre.
On May 5, he heard the dreaded news.
He has nasal cancer and it has spread to his throat.
The tumour was about the size of a golf ball and it was at the third stage, nearing the advanced stage.
“I am disappointed there are people making money by cheating others about their health,” he told The Star.
Relating his predicament after reading a front-page report in the paper about a bogus non-governmental organisation conducting blood tests at a subsidised rate to detect cancer, Kow said:
“Although the speaker informed us (the audience) that the blood test could detect cancer, the lab test did not indicate any unusual reading.
“Secondly, after the so-called doctor told me I did not have any medical problem, I showed her the lump on my neck. But she refused to talk about it.”
Kow said he doubted the blood test results although the company claimed that two laboratories were responsible for the quality testing.
“The Health Ministry should put an end to this rip-off because the group has been operating for more than a year.
“Until and unless the authorities take action, many more people may be cheated,” he added.
Source
Move to regulate 250 private medical laboratories
The 250 private medical laboratories in the country are being run without any proper regulation or certification by the Health Ministry.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Merican said all one needed to do to set up a medical laboratory was to register as a business entity.
“Anybody can set up a laboratory because there is no law governing private laboratories. Even if the person sets up a laboratory without the proper qualifications, the ministry cannot take action,” he added.
Dr Ismail said that at present the laboratories were only registered with the Registrar of Companies or Registrar of Business.
One man, who fell victim to a 'defective test' by a laboratory was Jim Kow Chee Meng. The 46-year-old remisier had his blood tested for cancer when he found a lump on the right side of his neck.
The laboratory gave him a clean bill of health. However, just seven days later, he was diagnosed with nasal cancer by a private hospital.
“The lab's so-called cancer marker test did not detect anything,” claimed Kow, who is now recuperating from first-stage chemotherapy.
The Health Ministry, however, has no power to act against such a laboratory but a bill will be tabled in Parliament soon to address this.
“The ministry will table the Pathology Bill to regulate the private medical laboratories in the country,” said Dr Ismail.
Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president Datuk Dr Teoh Siang Chin lauded the move to table the long-awaited bill.
“MMA has been fighting for 15 years for the bill to be implemented and five years ago, we conducted forums to regulate about 250 private laboratories in the country.
He called for the bill to be tabled urgently. He said all medical laboratories should:
# MEET the required standards and norms of medical practice and be subjected to continuous medical audit;
# PARTICIPATE in quality assurance programmes;
# BE run by well-qualified personnel in each sub-specialty, who are appropriately trained to run tests and give proper interpretation of the result tests carried out in the laboratories; and
# COMPLY with safety regulations and be subjected to regular inspections for compliance.
Dr Teoh said the ministry lacked legislative control, adding that if the bill were to be implemented, it would ensure that private pathology laboratories nationwide were licensed and placed under the ministry's supervision.
The bill, he added, should have stipulations addressing issues on the standards and norms of medical practice, medical audit, quality assurance, qualifications and adequacy of personnel, and other social and ethical matters.
It would also ensure that anyone intending to establish or operate a private laboratory is subjected to stringent provisions in the proposed Act.
This would also pave the way for those who contravened any of the clauses and be imposed harsh penalties.
Dr Teoh also called for a fee schedule to be drawn up so that the laboratories charged their customers a fair and equitable amount.
Source
Health director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Merican said all one needed to do to set up a medical laboratory was to register as a business entity.
“Anybody can set up a laboratory because there is no law governing private laboratories. Even if the person sets up a laboratory without the proper qualifications, the ministry cannot take action,” he added.
Dr Ismail said that at present the laboratories were only registered with the Registrar of Companies or Registrar of Business.
One man, who fell victim to a 'defective test' by a laboratory was Jim Kow Chee Meng. The 46-year-old remisier had his blood tested for cancer when he found a lump on the right side of his neck.
The laboratory gave him a clean bill of health. However, just seven days later, he was diagnosed with nasal cancer by a private hospital.
“The lab's so-called cancer marker test did not detect anything,” claimed Kow, who is now recuperating from first-stage chemotherapy.
The Health Ministry, however, has no power to act against such a laboratory but a bill will be tabled in Parliament soon to address this.
“The ministry will table the Pathology Bill to regulate the private medical laboratories in the country,” said Dr Ismail.
Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president Datuk Dr Teoh Siang Chin lauded the move to table the long-awaited bill.
“MMA has been fighting for 15 years for the bill to be implemented and five years ago, we conducted forums to regulate about 250 private laboratories in the country.
He called for the bill to be tabled urgently. He said all medical laboratories should:
# MEET the required standards and norms of medical practice and be subjected to continuous medical audit;
# PARTICIPATE in quality assurance programmes;
# BE run by well-qualified personnel in each sub-specialty, who are appropriately trained to run tests and give proper interpretation of the result tests carried out in the laboratories; and
# COMPLY with safety regulations and be subjected to regular inspections for compliance.
Dr Teoh said the ministry lacked legislative control, adding that if the bill were to be implemented, it would ensure that private pathology laboratories nationwide were licensed and placed under the ministry's supervision.
The bill, he added, should have stipulations addressing issues on the standards and norms of medical practice, medical audit, quality assurance, qualifications and adequacy of personnel, and other social and ethical matters.
It would also ensure that anyone intending to establish or operate a private laboratory is subjected to stringent provisions in the proposed Act.
This would also pave the way for those who contravened any of the clauses and be imposed harsh penalties.
Dr Teoh also called for a fee schedule to be drawn up so that the laboratories charged their customers a fair and equitable amount.
Source
Haze may be making a comeback
The haze may have returned, judging from the unhealthy air quality in Kuala Selangor.
The Air Pollutant Index (API) released by the Department of Environment (DOE) for the town rose from 104 at 11am to 108 at 5pm yesterday.
The API was 79 at 5pm the previous day.
Kuala Selangor and Port Klang were in a state of emergency last month when their API breached the 500 mark.
Gombak also registered unhealthy air quality with an API of 101 at 5pm yesterday.
But the dominant pollutant in Gombak was ozone, which, according to notes accompanying the API data, could be produced from a reaction between industrial or vehicle emissions and sunlight.
Meteorologists said the two areas suffered the most from the haze because they were directly in the path of smoke blown over from Sumatran hotspots.
The API for Port Klang was 75 at 11am yesterday.
It increased to 80 at 5pm.
Other air quality monitoring stations registered good or moderate levels.
In Kuala Lumpur, it rose from 56 at 11am to 64 at 5pm, in Petaling Jaya it went from 61 to 65 and in Shah Alam it rose from 64 to 67.
The DOE said in a statement that the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre’s satellite reported 78 hotspots in North Sumatra on Saturday.
Source
The Air Pollutant Index (API) released by the Department of Environment (DOE) for the town rose from 104 at 11am to 108 at 5pm yesterday.
The API was 79 at 5pm the previous day.
Kuala Selangor and Port Klang were in a state of emergency last month when their API breached the 500 mark.
Gombak also registered unhealthy air quality with an API of 101 at 5pm yesterday.
But the dominant pollutant in Gombak was ozone, which, according to notes accompanying the API data, could be produced from a reaction between industrial or vehicle emissions and sunlight.
Meteorologists said the two areas suffered the most from the haze because they were directly in the path of smoke blown over from Sumatran hotspots.
The API for Port Klang was 75 at 11am yesterday.
It increased to 80 at 5pm.
Other air quality monitoring stations registered good or moderate levels.
In Kuala Lumpur, it rose from 56 at 11am to 64 at 5pm, in Petaling Jaya it went from 61 to 65 and in Shah Alam it rose from 64 to 67.
The DOE said in a statement that the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre’s satellite reported 78 hotspots in North Sumatra on Saturday.
Source
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Sex aids for happier marriages in Kelantan
Kelantan may be orthodox in many ways — but not in sex, official studies have shown.
Sex-aids and stimulants are more widely used in this State than any other in the country.
These are popular even with women who have reached menopause.
Human Reproduction Specialist Centre head for the National Population and Family Development Board Dr Mohd Ismail Mohd Tambi said studies showed most couples here opted for sex aids such as beads, rings and studs.
Dr Ismail said this was because many wanted to experience more pleasure in their sex lives to maintain a happier marriage.
However, he reminded couples who resort to such aids, usually those who were 40 to 50 years of age, not to over-use them, to avoid negative long-term effects.
He was speaking to reporters after attending the Third National Mental Health Symposium organised by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Kubang Kerian here today.
The two-day event, which was themed "Happy Marriages Leads to Happy Lives" was launched by (USM) campus director Professor Datuk Dr Mafauzy Mohamed.
Dr Ismail said that it was also unusual to find so many women, especially those who had reached menopause, using such aids.
Studies also showed 40 per cent of males aged 40 years and above had some form of erectile dysfunction problems and 15 to 20 per cent were impotent.
"The number will increase along with a person’s age, especially if he is already a diabetic and suffering from coronary ailments," he said.
Earlier, Dr Mafauzy in his speech, said divorce rates for Malay couples were between 10 and 15 per cent nationwide. Among the factors were the clash of cultures, financial problems and unhappy sex lives.
Source
Sex-aids and stimulants are more widely used in this State than any other in the country.
These are popular even with women who have reached menopause.
Human Reproduction Specialist Centre head for the National Population and Family Development Board Dr Mohd Ismail Mohd Tambi said studies showed most couples here opted for sex aids such as beads, rings and studs.
Dr Ismail said this was because many wanted to experience more pleasure in their sex lives to maintain a happier marriage.
However, he reminded couples who resort to such aids, usually those who were 40 to 50 years of age, not to over-use them, to avoid negative long-term effects.
He was speaking to reporters after attending the Third National Mental Health Symposium organised by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Kubang Kerian here today.
The two-day event, which was themed "Happy Marriages Leads to Happy Lives" was launched by (USM) campus director Professor Datuk Dr Mafauzy Mohamed.
Dr Ismail said that it was also unusual to find so many women, especially those who had reached menopause, using such aids.
Studies also showed 40 per cent of males aged 40 years and above had some form of erectile dysfunction problems and 15 to 20 per cent were impotent.
"The number will increase along with a person’s age, especially if he is already a diabetic and suffering from coronary ailments," he said.
Earlier, Dr Mafauzy in his speech, said divorce rates for Malay couples were between 10 and 15 per cent nationwide. Among the factors were the clash of cultures, financial problems and unhappy sex lives.
Source
The great Socso scam
Hundreds of healthy workers are drawing disability pensions from the Social Security Organisation in a scam involving doctors and Socso’s own medical boards.
It was estimated that one in 10 of those medically boarded out is a fraud, said a Socso source.
Now, Socso is seeking to unearth these frauds, who may be drawing as much as RM43 million a year in benefits, with Socso paying out about RM430 million in benefits every year.
The most recent scam was uncovered in Perak, where some workers paid an agent a fee of RM5,000 each.
In return, they obtained fraudulent medical reports that showed they were unfit to work, and were certified as invalids by the Socso Medical Board there.
The source said Perak had among the highest number of workers in the country drawing various forms of disability benefits.
Undercover Socso officers recently investigated one such case, of a 54- year-old technician who had been certified medically unfit to work in 1999.
They found him doing heavy labour on his betel-leaf farm.
The man, who claimed he was suffering from heart disease and neck injuries and needed long-term treatment, was filmed climbing ladders and hoeing.
"If he was really unfit to work, he would not be able to undertake such heavy work," said the source.
Those who qualify for disability pension had been barred from working, until May when Socso eased the condition. Now, certified invalids can work but what they earn cannot exceed two-thirds of their last drawn pay.
The technician, who earned RM1,900 a month, was medically boarded out in 1999, just seven months before he was due to retire in February 2000.
Today he draws a disability pension of RM1,235 a month, roughly two-thirds of his last drawn pay, and also receives a pension of RM950 from the utility company he retired from.
On top of all this, he makes about RM3,000 monthly from his farm.
Medical documents issued by a doctor at a hospital in Perak were submitted to the Socso Medical Board, which certified him an invalid.
This case appears to be part of a worrying trend — growing numbers of workers nearing retirement age are applying for, and getting, disability pension, said the source.
Many of these cases involve workers more than 52 years old.
Of the 6,500 applications for invalid pension Socso receives every year, roughly a third, or about 2,200, are approved. The bulk of these cases involve workers nearing retirement.
"This is just the tip of the iceberg. We believe there are thousands who are drawing pensions they are not entitled to."
Last year, Socso paid out RM173.5 million in invalid pension to 29,385 people.
It paid another RM255.1 million in survivor pension to 114,346 beneficiaries.
Source
It was estimated that one in 10 of those medically boarded out is a fraud, said a Socso source.
Now, Socso is seeking to unearth these frauds, who may be drawing as much as RM43 million a year in benefits, with Socso paying out about RM430 million in benefits every year.
The most recent scam was uncovered in Perak, where some workers paid an agent a fee of RM5,000 each.
In return, they obtained fraudulent medical reports that showed they were unfit to work, and were certified as invalids by the Socso Medical Board there.
The source said Perak had among the highest number of workers in the country drawing various forms of disability benefits.
Undercover Socso officers recently investigated one such case, of a 54- year-old technician who had been certified medically unfit to work in 1999.
They found him doing heavy labour on his betel-leaf farm.
The man, who claimed he was suffering from heart disease and neck injuries and needed long-term treatment, was filmed climbing ladders and hoeing.
"If he was really unfit to work, he would not be able to undertake such heavy work," said the source.
Those who qualify for disability pension had been barred from working, until May when Socso eased the condition. Now, certified invalids can work but what they earn cannot exceed two-thirds of their last drawn pay.
The technician, who earned RM1,900 a month, was medically boarded out in 1999, just seven months before he was due to retire in February 2000.
Today he draws a disability pension of RM1,235 a month, roughly two-thirds of his last drawn pay, and also receives a pension of RM950 from the utility company he retired from.
On top of all this, he makes about RM3,000 monthly from his farm.
Medical documents issued by a doctor at a hospital in Perak were submitted to the Socso Medical Board, which certified him an invalid.
This case appears to be part of a worrying trend — growing numbers of workers nearing retirement age are applying for, and getting, disability pension, said the source.
Many of these cases involve workers more than 52 years old.
Of the 6,500 applications for invalid pension Socso receives every year, roughly a third, or about 2,200, are approved. The bulk of these cases involve workers nearing retirement.
"This is just the tip of the iceberg. We believe there are thousands who are drawing pensions they are not entitled to."
Last year, Socso paid out RM173.5 million in invalid pension to 29,385 people.
It paid another RM255.1 million in survivor pension to 114,346 beneficiaries.
Source
First aid in the home vital
In five to 10 years, the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) aims to have at least one “first aider” in every family, said MRCS National Publicity chairman Datuk Ahmad A. Talib.
“A first aider is a person who has the knowledge and skills to give first aid in an emergency situation, when every second is crucial for the survival of the injured person.
“Even if you call an ambulance, it will take a while to arrive. If you know how to give the person simple first aid, it could make all the difference between life and death,” he said during the MRCS first aid demonstration in the Selangor Cheshire Home, held in conjunction with the World First Aid Day celebration yesterday.
With this year's theme First Aid With Vulnerable (Marginalised) People, the disabled and their family members were given a demonstration on the various first aid techniques such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), Heimlich manoeuvre and water rescue.
First aid can be applied for emergency situations like drowning, choking, burns, electric shock, fractures and heart attacks.
Ahmad added that there was currently an ongoing programme to reach out to companies' employees and teach them first aid procedures.
The employees who have learnt first aid, can then be the “first aider” in their respective families, and those who have gone through MRCS' 11-hour First Aid course will be given certificates of attendance.
“I believe this is very important, as companies should be responsible in ensuring that their staff are equipped with the knowledge of saving lives.
“More so if the company deals with the public on a daily basis, such as bus or taxi companies. Would the drivers know what to do if an accident occurred?” Ahmad asked.
The programme to have A First Aider in Every Home will be launched on Sept 26 by the Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.
For more information on first aid courses, call MRCS at 03-4257 8122 or St John Ambulance Malaysia at 03-9285 1576.
Source
“A first aider is a person who has the knowledge and skills to give first aid in an emergency situation, when every second is crucial for the survival of the injured person.
“Even if you call an ambulance, it will take a while to arrive. If you know how to give the person simple first aid, it could make all the difference between life and death,” he said during the MRCS first aid demonstration in the Selangor Cheshire Home, held in conjunction with the World First Aid Day celebration yesterday.
With this year's theme First Aid With Vulnerable (Marginalised) People, the disabled and their family members were given a demonstration on the various first aid techniques such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), Heimlich manoeuvre and water rescue.
First aid can be applied for emergency situations like drowning, choking, burns, electric shock, fractures and heart attacks.
Ahmad added that there was currently an ongoing programme to reach out to companies' employees and teach them first aid procedures.
The employees who have learnt first aid, can then be the “first aider” in their respective families, and those who have gone through MRCS' 11-hour First Aid course will be given certificates of attendance.
“I believe this is very important, as companies should be responsible in ensuring that their staff are equipped with the knowledge of saving lives.
“More so if the company deals with the public on a daily basis, such as bus or taxi companies. Would the drivers know what to do if an accident occurred?” Ahmad asked.
The programme to have A First Aider in Every Home will be launched on Sept 26 by the Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.
For more information on first aid courses, call MRCS at 03-4257 8122 or St John Ambulance Malaysia at 03-9285 1576.
Source
Seven Factors Identifed As The Main Causes Of Divorce
KOTA BAHARU, Sept 10 (Bernama) -- Seven factors have been identified as the main causes of divorce among couples in the country, among them failure by husbands and wives in discharging their responsibilities.
Universiti Sains Malaysia Kubang Kerian's Faculty of Health director, Prof Datuk Dr Mafauzy Mohamed said besides this the others were a low grounding in religion, interference by third parties, differences in culture, sexual problems, money and careers.
The overall divorce rate among Malay Muslims in the country was in the region of 10 to 15 per cent, he said.
"The latest studies conducted by Jakim (Malaysian Islamic Development Department) found 21 per cent of divorces was because of the irresponsible attitude of husbands or wives," he told a mental health symposium here Saturday.
According to him, 19.23 per cent was because of incompatibility and the remainder due to problems of drugs and others.
Mafauzy added that various measures had been and would be taken, among them having more courses, workshops and seminars and counselling to curb the problem.
Universiti Sains Malaysia Kubang Kerian's Faculty of Health director, Prof Datuk Dr Mafauzy Mohamed said besides this the others were a low grounding in religion, interference by third parties, differences in culture, sexual problems, money and careers.
The overall divorce rate among Malay Muslims in the country was in the region of 10 to 15 per cent, he said.
"The latest studies conducted by Jakim (Malaysian Islamic Development Department) found 21 per cent of divorces was because of the irresponsible attitude of husbands or wives," he told a mental health symposium here Saturday.
According to him, 19.23 per cent was because of incompatibility and the remainder due to problems of drugs and others.
Mafauzy added that various measures had been and would be taken, among them having more courses, workshops and seminars and counselling to curb the problem.
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Sandakan on alert for dengue outbreak
Health officials in this Sabah east coast district are on the alert for a possible dengue haemorrhagic fever outbreak following the death of a 40-year-old woman from the disease.
The woman, Sabariah Kairuddin of the Sungai Manila settlement scheme about 30km from here, died at the Duchess of Kent hospital early yesterday after suffering from chronic fever over the past six days.
Sandakan Health Officer Dr G. Navindran said health officials had identified two villages, Kampung Tinosa and Kampung BDC, as areas where an outbreak of the disease could occur.
“We have taken preventive measures including spraying the affected areas,” he said.
He advised hose having symptoms of dengue fever including persistent fever, pain in the joints and bleeding in the mouth to seek immediate medical treatment.
Source
The woman, Sabariah Kairuddin of the Sungai Manila settlement scheme about 30km from here, died at the Duchess of Kent hospital early yesterday after suffering from chronic fever over the past six days.
Sandakan Health Officer Dr G. Navindran said health officials had identified two villages, Kampung Tinosa and Kampung BDC, as areas where an outbreak of the disease could occur.
“We have taken preventive measures including spraying the affected areas,” he said.
He advised hose having symptoms of dengue fever including persistent fever, pain in the joints and bleeding in the mouth to seek immediate medical treatment.
Source
Friday, September 09, 2005
MAS boost for medical tourists
From today, tourists the world over will be able to buy holiday packages to Malaysia which will offer medical check-ups.
The Malaysia Airlines (MAS) medical travel package includes regular accommodation with daily breakfast, return airfare and airport transfers.
The Golden Holidays-HSC Medical Package have been introduced in support of Government efforts to promote Malaysia as a health and medical facilities destination.
MAS’ assistant general manager of marketing support, Raja Nordiana Zainal Shah said: "The packages will facilitate the medical needs of our customers whilst boosting Malaysia’s positioning as a medical destination."
She said the airline expected 1,000 of the packages to be sold, bringing in revenue of RM3 million.
Raja Nordiana earlier signed a memorandum of understanding with the executive director of HSC Medical Centre, Dr Lim Yin Chow.
HSC Medical Centre is the first fully computerised one-stop medical, heart and diagnostic centre in this region.
"We have been operating since 2003, and more than 60 per cent of our customers are foreign tourists," said Dr Lim.
Source
The Malaysia Airlines (MAS) medical travel package includes regular accommodation with daily breakfast, return airfare and airport transfers.
The Golden Holidays-HSC Medical Package have been introduced in support of Government efforts to promote Malaysia as a health and medical facilities destination.
MAS’ assistant general manager of marketing support, Raja Nordiana Zainal Shah said: "The packages will facilitate the medical needs of our customers whilst boosting Malaysia’s positioning as a medical destination."
She said the airline expected 1,000 of the packages to be sold, bringing in revenue of RM3 million.
Raja Nordiana earlier signed a memorandum of understanding with the executive director of HSC Medical Centre, Dr Lim Yin Chow.
HSC Medical Centre is the first fully computerised one-stop medical, heart and diagnostic centre in this region.
"We have been operating since 2003, and more than 60 per cent of our customers are foreign tourists," said Dr Lim.
Source
HIV/AIDS on the verge of becoming an epidemic, says UNDP
Malaysia needs to double its efforts to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, a United Nations Development Progress (UNDP) report said.
With some 64,000 Malaysians detected HIV positive since 1986, the report said, the disease was now on the verge of becoming an epidemic.
UN Resident Coordinator Dr Richard Leete said Malaysia should not take the warning lightly as there was evidence that HIV/AIDS had seriously undermined development efforts in several countries.
“It is evidenced in large parts of southern Africa,” he said in his summary of the UNDP Human Development Report 2005.
The report was launched by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz here yesterday.
Nazri noted that the report sounded a warning about a pandemic because it could pose a big threat to a country’s human development and “for Malaysia, its hard-earned development gained should not be compromised.”
“While there is no cure for HIV/AIDS, there are proven strategies including harm reduction measures that can contain its spread,” he said.
The report was delivered to world leaders yesterday in preparation for the 2005 World Summit from Sept 14-16 in New York.
Nazri said Malaysia’s success in meeting the Millennium Development Goals as stated in the report was due to the consistent policies of the Government and its political will.
“We are proud the report has acknowledged that our poverty level has tumbled, with just 5% of Malaysians living below the national poverty line.
“It also revealed that infant mortality in the country is at seven per 1,000 live births, which is at the same level as the United States,” he said.
According to the report, Malaysia now ranks 61st out of 177 countries in the Human Development Index (HDI).
The country’s HDI of 0.796 is just a fraction short of the UNDP threshold for high human development index of 0.8.
Source
With some 64,000 Malaysians detected HIV positive since 1986, the report said, the disease was now on the verge of becoming an epidemic.
UN Resident Coordinator Dr Richard Leete said Malaysia should not take the warning lightly as there was evidence that HIV/AIDS had seriously undermined development efforts in several countries.
“It is evidenced in large parts of southern Africa,” he said in his summary of the UNDP Human Development Report 2005.
The report was launched by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz here yesterday.
Nazri noted that the report sounded a warning about a pandemic because it could pose a big threat to a country’s human development and “for Malaysia, its hard-earned development gained should not be compromised.”
“While there is no cure for HIV/AIDS, there are proven strategies including harm reduction measures that can contain its spread,” he said.
The report was delivered to world leaders yesterday in preparation for the 2005 World Summit from Sept 14-16 in New York.
Nazri said Malaysia’s success in meeting the Millennium Development Goals as stated in the report was due to the consistent policies of the Government and its political will.
“We are proud the report has acknowledged that our poverty level has tumbled, with just 5% of Malaysians living below the national poverty line.
“It also revealed that infant mortality in the country is at seven per 1,000 live births, which is at the same level as the United States,” he said.
According to the report, Malaysia now ranks 61st out of 177 countries in the Human Development Index (HDI).
The country’s HDI of 0.796 is just a fraction short of the UNDP threshold for high human development index of 0.8.
Source
UiTM Medical Students To Use Selayang, Sungai Buloh Hospitals
SHAH ALAM, Sept 8 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry has given the nod to Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) to use the Selayang and Sungai Buloh hospitals to teach its medical students.
In revealing this Thursday, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail said the approval to use the two hospitals as teaching hospitals for UiTM students would help the university's medical faculty to produce more bumiputera doctors.
He hoped the students would fully use the facilities provided for them at the two hospitals.
Speaking at the opening of the 62nd UiTM Convocation here today, the King also called on UiTM to find ways to raise the intake of medical students, enhance the quality of its teaching programme and speed up the development of a "medical city".
"The medical city concept will boost research efforts and the endeavour to make Malaysia a centre for medical excellence," he said.
He also said UiTM should ensure the quality of its students following the government's call for UiTM to increase the intake of students to 200,000 by 2015.
It should not take in more students without proper planning as this would adversely affect the quality of teaching and learning, he said.
A total of 14,463 UiTM graduates will receive their scrolls during the convocation that will end on Sept 18.
In revealing this Thursday, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail said the approval to use the two hospitals as teaching hospitals for UiTM students would help the university's medical faculty to produce more bumiputera doctors.
He hoped the students would fully use the facilities provided for them at the two hospitals.
Speaking at the opening of the 62nd UiTM Convocation here today, the King also called on UiTM to find ways to raise the intake of medical students, enhance the quality of its teaching programme and speed up the development of a "medical city".
"The medical city concept will boost research efforts and the endeavour to make Malaysia a centre for medical excellence," he said.
He also said UiTM should ensure the quality of its students following the government's call for UiTM to increase the intake of students to 200,000 by 2015.
It should not take in more students without proper planning as this would adversely affect the quality of teaching and learning, he said.
A total of 14,463 UiTM graduates will receive their scrolls during the convocation that will end on Sept 18.
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Case-mix system for hospitals, move to manage healthcare resources
From next year, government hospitals will introduce a "case-mix system", which classifies patients in accordance with type of diseases, costs and outcome of treatment.
Director-General of Health Datuk Dr Ismail Merican said the system, to be implemented in phases, will initially begin with 25 hospitals. An important element will be coding and disease classification.
"Case-mix is a crucial tool that will help us manage our healthcare resources effectively and thus be affordable," he said.
He said it was a fairer means of allocating resources as it takes into account the wide spectrum of disease conditions, their varying degrees of severity and significant patient variables such as age and gender.
Dr Ismail said changing needs and disease patterns were well thought-out under the system.
At present hospitals are given their annual grants based on "historical allocation" and it is difficult to ascertain whether each hospital has received an appropriate amount.
Under the new system, patients will be sent for tests that are only absolutely necessary as the practice of some doctors of sending patients for a host of tests, some of which are unnecessary, has ballooned hospital costs.
Studies by Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia indicate that if the system is implemented correctly, the Government can save between RM800 million and RM1 billion a year in health costs.
HUKM, which implemented the system, managed to save RM15 million since 2002. Hospital operational costs have increased from RM64 million in 1998 to RM253 million in 2003.
HUKM Professor of Health Economics and Head of the Community Health Department, Professor Syed Mohamed Aljunid, said: "This system can be used to gauge the usage of resources needed to provide healthcare service in a hospital according to patients’ conditions."
He said it was appropriate, especially in justifying the usage of optimum resources in tertiary care hospitals which admit more severe cases.
At present, the allocation of resources is based on the number of beds and previous resource utilisation without considering efficiency and thus, Prof Syed Mohamed said, it did not contribute to the improvement of hospital efficiency.
He said allocating hospital resources using the case-mix system according to workload would ensure funds are used efficiently and produce better quality care.
HUKM was the first hospital to implement the system in Malaysia, with the objective of improving efficiency and quality of patient care.
Prof Syed Mohamed said the demand for healthcare and medical costs had recently escalated tremendously while the ability of the Government to bear this increment was limited.
Dr Ismail stressed that the implementation of case-mix was not a way to cut the health budget and neither was it a way of discharging patients from hospitals prematurely.
Source
Director-General of Health Datuk Dr Ismail Merican said the system, to be implemented in phases, will initially begin with 25 hospitals. An important element will be coding and disease classification.
"Case-mix is a crucial tool that will help us manage our healthcare resources effectively and thus be affordable," he said.
He said it was a fairer means of allocating resources as it takes into account the wide spectrum of disease conditions, their varying degrees of severity and significant patient variables such as age and gender.
Dr Ismail said changing needs and disease patterns were well thought-out under the system.
At present hospitals are given their annual grants based on "historical allocation" and it is difficult to ascertain whether each hospital has received an appropriate amount.
Under the new system, patients will be sent for tests that are only absolutely necessary as the practice of some doctors of sending patients for a host of tests, some of which are unnecessary, has ballooned hospital costs.
Studies by Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia indicate that if the system is implemented correctly, the Government can save between RM800 million and RM1 billion a year in health costs.
HUKM, which implemented the system, managed to save RM15 million since 2002. Hospital operational costs have increased from RM64 million in 1998 to RM253 million in 2003.
HUKM Professor of Health Economics and Head of the Community Health Department, Professor Syed Mohamed Aljunid, said: "This system can be used to gauge the usage of resources needed to provide healthcare service in a hospital according to patients’ conditions."
He said it was appropriate, especially in justifying the usage of optimum resources in tertiary care hospitals which admit more severe cases.
At present, the allocation of resources is based on the number of beds and previous resource utilisation without considering efficiency and thus, Prof Syed Mohamed said, it did not contribute to the improvement of hospital efficiency.
He said allocating hospital resources using the case-mix system according to workload would ensure funds are used efficiently and produce better quality care.
HUKM was the first hospital to implement the system in Malaysia, with the objective of improving efficiency and quality of patient care.
Prof Syed Mohamed said the demand for healthcare and medical costs had recently escalated tremendously while the ability of the Government to bear this increment was limited.
Dr Ismail stressed that the implementation of case-mix was not a way to cut the health budget and neither was it a way of discharging patients from hospitals prematurely.
Source
Health Ministry On Polio Alert
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 7 (Bernama) -- All State Health Departments have been instructed to intensify the polio immunisation exercise, especially for children who do not get complete vaccination doses during early childhood.
To get complete immunisation, children are required to receive three doses of polio vaccine, Health Ministry's Director-General Datuk Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said.
He added the directive to the state departments was issued after a report by the World Health Organisation on the potential of polio spreading to the western pacific region with the reported increase in polio cases in Indonesia.
A total of 225 polio cases have been reported in Indonesia.
"The State Health Department should intensify efforts to identify the high risked children, that is, those who have not been given the immunisation like in the squatter areas, the interior areas and children of foreign workers," he said in a statement Wednesday.
He said more than 95 per cent of children in the country received complete vaccine doses against polio.
As part of the measures, Dr Ismail said the ministry had directed the state departments to identify and report cases of acute flaccid paralysis.
The western pacific region, including Malaysia, was declared free from polio in 2000. Only five indigenous) cases were reported in 1986 and three cases in 1992.
"Despite that, Malaysia and other countries in the region will have to take precautionary measures until the whole world is confirmed free from polio," he added.
Dr Ismail said a meeting involving the Health Department, Orang Asli Department, Defence Ministry and the relevant agencies would be held on Sept 13 to discuss measures to be taken to prevent the polio spread.
He added that a national contingency plan for the detection and response to importation of wild poliovirus infection had also been distributed to the relevant quarters.
To get complete immunisation, children are required to receive three doses of polio vaccine, Health Ministry's Director-General Datuk Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said.
He added the directive to the state departments was issued after a report by the World Health Organisation on the potential of polio spreading to the western pacific region with the reported increase in polio cases in Indonesia.
A total of 225 polio cases have been reported in Indonesia.
"The State Health Department should intensify efforts to identify the high risked children, that is, those who have not been given the immunisation like in the squatter areas, the interior areas and children of foreign workers," he said in a statement Wednesday.
He said more than 95 per cent of children in the country received complete vaccine doses against polio.
As part of the measures, Dr Ismail said the ministry had directed the state departments to identify and report cases of acute flaccid paralysis.
The western pacific region, including Malaysia, was declared free from polio in 2000. Only five indigenous) cases were reported in 1986 and three cases in 1992.
"Despite that, Malaysia and other countries in the region will have to take precautionary measures until the whole world is confirmed free from polio," he added.
Dr Ismail said a meeting involving the Health Department, Orang Asli Department, Defence Ministry and the relevant agencies would be held on Sept 13 to discuss measures to be taken to prevent the polio spread.
He added that a national contingency plan for the detection and response to importation of wild poliovirus infection had also been distributed to the relevant quarters.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Consider careers other than medicine
Top-scoring students should consider careers other than medicine, the number one choice.
To counter the glut of top-scoring school-leavers applying for medical courses in universities, the Higher Education Ministry and the Public Service Department want to "open their minds" to other choices.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Shafie Salleh said the ministry and PSD would come up with selection methods and incentives to persuade top-scorers to become scientists. He said most students had a narrow view of career choices.
"Just because students have a CGPA (cumulative grade point average) of 4.0 it does not mean they must be doctors. Our country also needs scientists, so we will discuss with the PSD how to get more students to take up science," he said.
Although Malaysia needed more doctors in the public sector, he said, it also needed more scientists to achieve its development goals, which include being a leader in biotechnology and information and communications technology.
The number of students who apply for PSD scholarships for medicine often exceeds the number of places available.
This year, 1,265 students were offered PSD scholarships and 1,189 picked medicine. Only 322 secured scholarships.
Shafie said it took a "special kind of person" with perseverance and dedication to become a scientist.
"We plan to persuade top students to choose science and we’ll have selection methods to determine if they have the right personality."
Shafie said this after witnessing the signing of agreements among three universities — the International Islamic University (UIA), University College of Science and Technology Malaysia (Kustem) and the Bung Hatta University in western Sumatra, Indonesia — with a local company on the conservation and commercialisation of ikan kelah, or the Malaysian mahseer.
Source
To counter the glut of top-scoring school-leavers applying for medical courses in universities, the Higher Education Ministry and the Public Service Department want to "open their minds" to other choices.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Shafie Salleh said the ministry and PSD would come up with selection methods and incentives to persuade top-scorers to become scientists. He said most students had a narrow view of career choices.
"Just because students have a CGPA (cumulative grade point average) of 4.0 it does not mean they must be doctors. Our country also needs scientists, so we will discuss with the PSD how to get more students to take up science," he said.
Although Malaysia needed more doctors in the public sector, he said, it also needed more scientists to achieve its development goals, which include being a leader in biotechnology and information and communications technology.
The number of students who apply for PSD scholarships for medicine often exceeds the number of places available.
This year, 1,265 students were offered PSD scholarships and 1,189 picked medicine. Only 322 secured scholarships.
Shafie said it took a "special kind of person" with perseverance and dedication to become a scientist.
"We plan to persuade top students to choose science and we’ll have selection methods to determine if they have the right personality."
Shafie said this after witnessing the signing of agreements among three universities — the International Islamic University (UIA), University College of Science and Technology Malaysia (Kustem) and the Bung Hatta University in western Sumatra, Indonesia — with a local company on the conservation and commercialisation of ikan kelah, or the Malaysian mahseer.
Source
Future beckons well for health tourism
The country is set to see higher income generated through health tourism with the approval of a new unit under the Health Ministry – the Healthcare Industry Development Unit.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the establishment of the unit – proposed by the ministry as a means to better develop the industry – was approved by the Cabinet recently.
“Health tourism has great potential. There is room for improvement,” he said after visiting Southern Hospital here yesterday.
Dr Chua said some 150,000 patients from foreign countries sought treatment in Malaysia last year, generating RM120mil in revenue for the country.
“Judging from the revenue, many foreign patients did not get value-added services, otherwise the revenue generated could be even more,” he added.
Source
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the establishment of the unit – proposed by the ministry as a means to better develop the industry – was approved by the Cabinet recently.
“Health tourism has great potential. There is room for improvement,” he said after visiting Southern Hospital here yesterday.
Dr Chua said some 150,000 patients from foreign countries sought treatment in Malaysia last year, generating RM120mil in revenue for the country.
“Judging from the revenue, many foreign patients did not get value-added services, otherwise the revenue generated could be even more,” he added.
Source
India’s dentistry college plan in Kepala Batas gets the nod
New Straits Times: "Malaysia has approved in principle India's plan to build a dentistry college in Kepala Batas, Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said today.
The plot of land for the college has been identified, he said, and India is keen for the project to get under way as soon as possible.
However, there are problems needing to be sorted out.
'I will have to check this out with the Education and Health ministries,' he said after receiving India’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, E. Ahmed, at his office."
The plot of land for the college has been identified, he said, and India is keen for the project to get under way as soon as possible.
However, there are problems needing to be sorted out.
'I will have to check this out with the Education and Health ministries,' he said after receiving India’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, E. Ahmed, at his office."
Some Private Hospitals Ask For Air Tickets To Hold Promotions Overseas
BERNAMA: "MELAKA, Sept 6 (Bernama) -- Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said some private hospitals which were making profits still ask the government to pay for their expenses to promote their services overseas.
'They would ask for air tickets and to cover their accommodation expenses. I think this sort of application is not right,' he said.
He said private hospitals should emulate the example of those in Melaka which actively promoted their services overseas on their own, including setting up an office in Indonesia, to attract foreign patients.
Their efforts had proven effective with the five private hospitals in Melaka attracting nearly 30 per cent of foreigners who came to Malaysia to seek medical treatment, he told reporters Tuesday during a visit to Southern Hospital, which is owned by the Melaka state government.
About 150,000 foreigners sought medical treatment in private hospitals in the country last year and they spent RM120 million.
Dr Chua said health tourism was encouraged by the government because of its huge revenue potential.
He said there were more than 30 private hospitals with the medical expertise and facilities that could be promoted overseas to attract more foreign patients.
Reasonable costs of treatment, political stability, good transport and other physical infrastructures, and a conducive social environment were among the factors that made Malaysia a favoured destination for foreign patients, he added"
'They would ask for air tickets and to cover their accommodation expenses. I think this sort of application is not right,' he said.
He said private hospitals should emulate the example of those in Melaka which actively promoted their services overseas on their own, including setting up an office in Indonesia, to attract foreign patients.
Their efforts had proven effective with the five private hospitals in Melaka attracting nearly 30 per cent of foreigners who came to Malaysia to seek medical treatment, he told reporters Tuesday during a visit to Southern Hospital, which is owned by the Melaka state government.
About 150,000 foreigners sought medical treatment in private hospitals in the country last year and they spent RM120 million.
Dr Chua said health tourism was encouraged by the government because of its huge revenue potential.
He said there were more than 30 private hospitals with the medical expertise and facilities that could be promoted overseas to attract more foreign patients.
Reasonable costs of treatment, political stability, good transport and other physical infrastructures, and a conducive social environment were among the factors that made Malaysia a favoured destination for foreign patients, he added"
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Hologram Ruling Brings Down Imitation Health Products
SUBANG JAYA, Sept 6 (Bernama) -- Enforcement of the Hologram sticker ruling effective May 1 to ensure only genuine pharmaceuticals are sold in the market has significantly reduced sale of imitation health products in the market, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said Tuesday.
He said this was evident from lesser seizures of imitation healthcare products since the ruling came into force.
Close monitoring by the ministry's pharmacy services division also contributed, he said.
Last year, the value of imitation health products seized and pharmaceuticals not approved by the ministry totalled RM27 million compared to only RM6.5 million in 2003.
So far this year, the amount has dropped considerably," he told reporters after opening the National Regulatory Conference 2005.
Hologram stickers are compulsory for pharmaceuticals sold in the market to ensure they are genuine products approved by the Health Ministry.
Hologram stickers imported from a French company were supplied by Mediharta Sdn Bhd to importers and pharmaceutical manufacturers in the country at 5.6 sen each.
The stickers have three security features including serial numbers which enable the authorities to detect the manufacturers if the labels are abused for imitation products.
Dr Chua said the stickers would be evaluated every year to enable the ministry to make an assessment on its effectiveness.
Since the ruling was enforced on May 1, none of the importers questioned the stickers' effectiveness, he said.
Earlier, in his speech, Dr Chua said till July this year the Drug Control Authority registered 101,423 products -- 10,206 medicines, 7,604 over-the-counter medicines, 13,803 traditional medicines and 69,810 cosmetics.
Of the total, 30,124 medicines or 29.7 per cent are locally manufactured while another 71,299 or 70.3 per cent are imported, he added.
He said this was evident from lesser seizures of imitation healthcare products since the ruling came into force.
Close monitoring by the ministry's pharmacy services division also contributed, he said.
Last year, the value of imitation health products seized and pharmaceuticals not approved by the ministry totalled RM27 million compared to only RM6.5 million in 2003.
So far this year, the amount has dropped considerably," he told reporters after opening the National Regulatory Conference 2005.
Hologram stickers are compulsory for pharmaceuticals sold in the market to ensure they are genuine products approved by the Health Ministry.
Hologram stickers imported from a French company were supplied by Mediharta Sdn Bhd to importers and pharmaceutical manufacturers in the country at 5.6 sen each.
The stickers have three security features including serial numbers which enable the authorities to detect the manufacturers if the labels are abused for imitation products.
Dr Chua said the stickers would be evaluated every year to enable the ministry to make an assessment on its effectiveness.
Since the ruling was enforced on May 1, none of the importers questioned the stickers' effectiveness, he said.
Earlier, in his speech, Dr Chua said till July this year the Drug Control Authority registered 101,423 products -- 10,206 medicines, 7,604 over-the-counter medicines, 13,803 traditional medicines and 69,810 cosmetics.
Of the total, 30,124 medicines or 29.7 per cent are locally manufactured while another 71,299 or 70.3 per cent are imported, he added.
Doctor: Exempt no one from vaccination
All visitors from endemic disease areas, including diplomats and politicians, should be subject to the pre-entry condition on vaccination, said renowned virologist Datuk Prof Dr Lam Sai Kit.
Dr Lam, who is president of the Asia Pacific Society for Medical Virology, said if there were people who were allowed to enter a country without evidence of vaccination, it could lead to the spread of diseases in the region.
“Public health measures are there, but the problem is politics.
“If people can come into the country without evidence of proper vaccination, what is there to stop an endemic disease from coming into our country?” he said during a question-and-answer session at a public lecture on Emerging Mosquito-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases: A Personal Perspective at Universiti Putra Malaysia yesterday.
The lecture was given by Professor John S. Mackenzie, who is here to receive the Akademi Sains Malaysia Award for Scientific Excellence in Honour of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Saturday.
Prof Mackenzie is the Premier’s Fellow and Professor of Tropical and Emerging Infectious Diseases in the division of health sciences, Curtin University of Technology, Australia.
He concurred with Dr Lam's views, saying that everyone should abide by the same rules, and that the rules should not be bent for some people because viruses “do not see titles, or distinguish between people.”
On the level of development of science in Malaysia, Dr Lam said many young science graduates today did not find traditional virology interesting and were more interested in molecular biology.
“I understand that molecular biology is the trend now, but traditional virology is still very important and should not be overlooked as viruses need to be isolated first before they can be studied by molecular biologists.
“And that is the importance of virology,” he said.
Dr Lam said there was a need to have a Bio-containment Level Four (BL4) laboratory in an Asian country as so many of the emerging diseases were from this region, like Japanese Encephalitis and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, as well as the Nipah virus.
“We have the expertise to study these diseases but due to the lack of infrastructure, we often have to call upon developed countries to help and therefore we can’t conduct the studies ourselves.
“We should be fighting our diseases and controlling them where they happen. If that can be done then perhaps many diseases can be controlled from the start,” he said.
He suggested that Asian countries work together to set up the laboratory since it could cost some US$300mil (RM1.1bil).
A BL4 laboratory has the highest level of security.
It uses negative pressure and workers are required to wear “spacesuits.”
Source
Dr Lam, who is president of the Asia Pacific Society for Medical Virology, said if there were people who were allowed to enter a country without evidence of vaccination, it could lead to the spread of diseases in the region.
“Public health measures are there, but the problem is politics.
“If people can come into the country without evidence of proper vaccination, what is there to stop an endemic disease from coming into our country?” he said during a question-and-answer session at a public lecture on Emerging Mosquito-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases: A Personal Perspective at Universiti Putra Malaysia yesterday.
The lecture was given by Professor John S. Mackenzie, who is here to receive the Akademi Sains Malaysia Award for Scientific Excellence in Honour of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Saturday.
Prof Mackenzie is the Premier’s Fellow and Professor of Tropical and Emerging Infectious Diseases in the division of health sciences, Curtin University of Technology, Australia.
He concurred with Dr Lam's views, saying that everyone should abide by the same rules, and that the rules should not be bent for some people because viruses “do not see titles, or distinguish between people.”
On the level of development of science in Malaysia, Dr Lam said many young science graduates today did not find traditional virology interesting and were more interested in molecular biology.
“I understand that molecular biology is the trend now, but traditional virology is still very important and should not be overlooked as viruses need to be isolated first before they can be studied by molecular biologists.
“And that is the importance of virology,” he said.
Dr Lam said there was a need to have a Bio-containment Level Four (BL4) laboratory in an Asian country as so many of the emerging diseases were from this region, like Japanese Encephalitis and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, as well as the Nipah virus.
“We have the expertise to study these diseases but due to the lack of infrastructure, we often have to call upon developed countries to help and therefore we can’t conduct the studies ourselves.
“We should be fighting our diseases and controlling them where they happen. If that can be done then perhaps many diseases can be controlled from the start,” he said.
He suggested that Asian countries work together to set up the laboratory since it could cost some US$300mil (RM1.1bil).
A BL4 laboratory has the highest level of security.
It uses negative pressure and workers are required to wear “spacesuits.”
Source
Duopharma gets nod
The Edgedaily: Duopharma Biotech Bhd’s proposal to manufacture anti-retroviral drugs to treat HIV/AIDS patients has received the government’s approval, industry sources say.
It is learnt that the Health Ministry has recently given the approval for the manufacture of SLN 30 and SLN 40 tablets, which are three-in-one fixed dose combination (FDC) products.
The sources say it is very likely the government will issue a letter of award to Duopharma for the production and marketing of the drugs.
In the initial stages, the contract will not be significant but it will boost Duopharma’s bottom line, they say.
According to Duopharma’s annual report 2004, the government aims to treat all HIV/AIDS patients, estimated to be 60,000 — with almost 20 new cases reported daily.
The anti-retroviral drugs are made using three types of active ingredients, which are stavudine, lamivudine and nevirapine.
The new FDC life-prolonging drugs, which are recommended by the World Health Organisation, will be the first to be introduced in Malaysia.
Duopharma had stated that the patent holder had allowed the company to use lamivudine to produce the SLN 30 and SLN 40 tablets for use in government hospitals to treat HIV/AIDS patients.
Under the FDC dosage, a patient is required to take two tablets a day as compared to the existing prescription of six tablets a day.
Fully subsidised, FDC would cost the government between RM15 million and RM26 million annually, which is only 20% of existing treatment costs, says the company’s annual report.
Industry sources say they do not expect any positive news to have any impact on Duopharma’s share price at this point as Chemical Company of Malaysia Bhd (CCM) is making a mandatory general offer at RM2.80.
As of last Friday, CCM owned 36.2% or 48.77 million Duopharma shares. Duopharma’s share price closed unchanged at RM2.75 yesterday with 116,900 shares done.
It is learnt that the Health Ministry has recently given the approval for the manufacture of SLN 30 and SLN 40 tablets, which are three-in-one fixed dose combination (FDC) products.
The sources say it is very likely the government will issue a letter of award to Duopharma for the production and marketing of the drugs.
In the initial stages, the contract will not be significant but it will boost Duopharma’s bottom line, they say.
According to Duopharma’s annual report 2004, the government aims to treat all HIV/AIDS patients, estimated to be 60,000 — with almost 20 new cases reported daily.
The anti-retroviral drugs are made using three types of active ingredients, which are stavudine, lamivudine and nevirapine.
The new FDC life-prolonging drugs, which are recommended by the World Health Organisation, will be the first to be introduced in Malaysia.
Duopharma had stated that the patent holder had allowed the company to use lamivudine to produce the SLN 30 and SLN 40 tablets for use in government hospitals to treat HIV/AIDS patients.
Under the FDC dosage, a patient is required to take two tablets a day as compared to the existing prescription of six tablets a day.
Fully subsidised, FDC would cost the government between RM15 million and RM26 million annually, which is only 20% of existing treatment costs, says the company’s annual report.
Industry sources say they do not expect any positive news to have any impact on Duopharma’s share price at this point as Chemical Company of Malaysia Bhd (CCM) is making a mandatory general offer at RM2.80.
As of last Friday, CCM owned 36.2% or 48.77 million Duopharma shares. Duopharma’s share price closed unchanged at RM2.75 yesterday with 116,900 shares done.
Do Not Misinterpret Handout Of Free Syringes, Condoms Call
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 5 (Bernama) -- The proposed needle exchange and condom handout programme for drug addicts to contain the spread of HIV/Aids has been misinterpreted by certain quarters that it has caused apprehension among the people over the government's intention in the exercise, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Abdullah Md Zin.
He said the people should have confidence in the government's decision because the implementation of the programme would be controlled and in accordance with strict guidelines.
"We have been misunderstood because the needles, condoms and methadone are not given indiscriminately to families but to husbands and wives who are drug addicts," he told reporters after opening a seminar on management in Islam organised by the Malaysian Islamic Economic Development Foundation (YPEIM), here Monday.
Abdullah was asked to comment on a report that the Health Ministry would be implementing a pilot project of the programme early next year, and the supply of methadone, a synthetic drug, to treat hardcore addicts starting next month.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek had said Sunday that the programme, which was originally scheduled for implementation in October, had to be postponed to draw up more systematic and effective guidelines and to train staff.
Abdullah said the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) had held special meetings with 1,400 religious officers, administrators, mufti and ulama as well as religious officials from various related agencies to explain the programme.
"Prevention is better than cure. Treatment is definitely costly and, if (the scourge is) allowed to spread, it can raise the cost of treatment that the government has to bear," he said.
He said the people should have confidence in the government's decision because the implementation of the programme would be controlled and in accordance with strict guidelines.
"We have been misunderstood because the needles, condoms and methadone are not given indiscriminately to families but to husbands and wives who are drug addicts," he told reporters after opening a seminar on management in Islam organised by the Malaysian Islamic Economic Development Foundation (YPEIM), here Monday.
Abdullah was asked to comment on a report that the Health Ministry would be implementing a pilot project of the programme early next year, and the supply of methadone, a synthetic drug, to treat hardcore addicts starting next month.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek had said Sunday that the programme, which was originally scheduled for implementation in October, had to be postponed to draw up more systematic and effective guidelines and to train staff.
Abdullah said the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) had held special meetings with 1,400 religious officers, administrators, mufti and ulama as well as religious officials from various related agencies to explain the programme.
"Prevention is better than cure. Treatment is definitely costly and, if (the scourge is) allowed to spread, it can raise the cost of treatment that the government has to bear," he said.
Monday, September 05, 2005
Kelantan Asks For RM895 Mln Under 9MP
KOTA BAHARU, Sept 5 (Bernama) --Kelantan has asked for an allocation of RM895 million for several health projects under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) in the state.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said, among them were the construction of new hospitals, provision of training facilities and repair of existing hospitals and public health facilities.
He said the proposed 9MP expenditure was higher compared to that received under the Eighth Malaysia Plan (8MP) when the Kelantan Health Department was allocated only RM186 million.
Under the 8MP, 19 projects had been completed, six were being implemented and another four would be carried out under the 9MP, he told reporters after the Sultan of Kelantan, Tuanku Ismail Petra officially renamed the Kota Baharu Hospital as Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital after his mother, here Monday.
Dr Chua also said that Bachok would have a new hospital while the Gua Musang Hospital would be upgraded.
He said the Cabinet had approved a special expenditure totalling RM6.3 million for a Water Supply and Environmental Cleanliness programme under his ministry.
The ministry had also set aside RM40,000 to provide courses for food handlers and carry out vaccination to overcome the problem of water-borne diseases especially typhoid which often plagued the state, he said.
"We have identified over 1,400 typhoid cases last April and May in Kelantan especially in the districts of Kota Baharu, Tumpat and Bachok," he said.
He said water and food-borne disease cases like typhoid, cholera and diarrhoea were also detected in several other states but their number in Kelantan was higher.
Hopefully with the special allocation, the quality of clean water supplied to the people would be enhanced, he said.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said, among them were the construction of new hospitals, provision of training facilities and repair of existing hospitals and public health facilities.
He said the proposed 9MP expenditure was higher compared to that received under the Eighth Malaysia Plan (8MP) when the Kelantan Health Department was allocated only RM186 million.
Under the 8MP, 19 projects had been completed, six were being implemented and another four would be carried out under the 9MP, he told reporters after the Sultan of Kelantan, Tuanku Ismail Petra officially renamed the Kota Baharu Hospital as Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital after his mother, here Monday.
Dr Chua also said that Bachok would have a new hospital while the Gua Musang Hospital would be upgraded.
He said the Cabinet had approved a special expenditure totalling RM6.3 million for a Water Supply and Environmental Cleanliness programme under his ministry.
The ministry had also set aside RM40,000 to provide courses for food handlers and carry out vaccination to overcome the problem of water-borne diseases especially typhoid which often plagued the state, he said.
"We have identified over 1,400 typhoid cases last April and May in Kelantan especially in the districts of Kota Baharu, Tumpat and Bachok," he said.
He said water and food-borne disease cases like typhoid, cholera and diarrhoea were also detected in several other states but their number in Kelantan was higher.
Hopefully with the special allocation, the quality of clean water supplied to the people would be enhanced, he said.
Man responsible for new diseases, says virus expert
He has dealt with some of the most dangerous viruses, faced SARS in China and Ebola in Africa but for Prof John S. Mackenzie, being scared of a viral disease is just fearing the unknown.
“If you know how a disease is spread, you can take precautions. Then there is no danger and it's not scary. It's a matter of knowing and taking the correct precaution.
“A sensible precaution to decrease the chances of being infected is to wash your hands as often as possible when you are exposed to the virus,” said the Australian researcher who received the Akademi Sains Malaysia Award for Scientific Excellence in Honour of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Saturday.
To him, rabies was more “scary” as it was always fatal.
Prof Mackenzie, who led the first WHO mission to China for SARS in 2003, said that mankind tended to overreact and destroy animal populations that carry transmittable diseases.
It was actually humans who were the culprits and animals the victims, he said, adding that modernisation had caused animals' habitat to be closer to man.
“We set the condition and scenery that caused this to happen. Emerging diseases are due to human activities, intervention and movement,” he said.
“We must have the maturity and foresight to understand what will happen to the ecology and how it can cause diseases when we conduct development,” said Prof Mackenzie, who is the Premier's Fellow and Professor of Tropical and Emerging Infectious Diseases in the division of health sciences, Curtin University of Technology, Australia.
His contribution includes his work on the ecology, epidemiology, pathogenesis and aspects of molecular biology of many Australasian mosquito-borne viruses.
His research team was the first to link the Australian Hendra virus, which is closely related to the Nipah virus, to fruit bats as its reservoir.
Source
“If you know how a disease is spread, you can take precautions. Then there is no danger and it's not scary. It's a matter of knowing and taking the correct precaution.
“A sensible precaution to decrease the chances of being infected is to wash your hands as often as possible when you are exposed to the virus,” said the Australian researcher who received the Akademi Sains Malaysia Award for Scientific Excellence in Honour of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Saturday.
To him, rabies was more “scary” as it was always fatal.
Prof Mackenzie, who led the first WHO mission to China for SARS in 2003, said that mankind tended to overreact and destroy animal populations that carry transmittable diseases.
It was actually humans who were the culprits and animals the victims, he said, adding that modernisation had caused animals' habitat to be closer to man.
“We set the condition and scenery that caused this to happen. Emerging diseases are due to human activities, intervention and movement,” he said.
“We must have the maturity and foresight to understand what will happen to the ecology and how it can cause diseases when we conduct development,” said Prof Mackenzie, who is the Premier's Fellow and Professor of Tropical and Emerging Infectious Diseases in the division of health sciences, Curtin University of Technology, Australia.
His contribution includes his work on the ecology, epidemiology, pathogenesis and aspects of molecular biology of many Australasian mosquito-borne viruses.
His research team was the first to link the Australian Hendra virus, which is closely related to the Nipah virus, to fruit bats as its reservoir.
Source
Needle-condom plan in January
The needle exchange and condom handout programme for drug addicts will be implemented in January in an attempt to contain the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the ministry would begin implementing the programme’s pilot project next year.
“The ministry needs time to get everything ready. The staff has to be trained and educated properly before this programme can be introduced.
“We are not going to give the needles and condoms to just about everyone,” he said after flagging off 53 Malaysian and Singaporean cyclists in the Riding For Life 2005 campaign.
The event, a unique cycling adventure organised by the Malaysian AIDS Foundation, the Malaysian AIDS Council and Action for AIDS Singapore, will run until Sept 11, covering six towns across the peninsula before ending in Singapore.
Dr Chua said initially the ministry would embark on a six-month pilot project to supply free needles and condoms to 1,200 intravenous drug users at selected “hot spots” in Kuala Lumpur, Johor Baru, Penang and Kuantan, Pahang.
He said the syringe exchange and condom handout to drug users fell under the Harm Reduction Programme which also include the supply of methadone, a synthetic drug, to treat hardcore addicts, starting next month.
The government has allocated RM2.39mill for a six-month supply of methadone and appointed 10 clinics, each capable of handling 120 addicts.
Dr Chua said the ministry had also set up a task force to monitor and draw up strategies in implementing the needle exchange and free condom distribution.
The task force would include representatives from the ministry, government agencies, National Drug Agency and the police.
“This task force will also draw up strategies to implement the programme.
“The needle exchange and free condom programme is needed because 70% of drug addicts are intravenous drug users. We need to tell them that they should not share needles,” he said.
A Cabinet sub-Committee on Drug Addicts Treatment and Rehabilitation study on 6,326 addicts in 26 rehabilitation centres in 1998 revealed that 65% of them were intravenous drug users.
The addicts injected drugs more than thrice a day and shared needles with more than five people.
The study also showed that 77.6% of the intravenous drug users were sexually active, with only 18.7% using condoms during sex.
It revealed that the risk of contracting HIV among them was six times higher compared with non-intravenous drug users.
Source
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the ministry would begin implementing the programme’s pilot project next year.
“The ministry needs time to get everything ready. The staff has to be trained and educated properly before this programme can be introduced.
“We are not going to give the needles and condoms to just about everyone,” he said after flagging off 53 Malaysian and Singaporean cyclists in the Riding For Life 2005 campaign.
The event, a unique cycling adventure organised by the Malaysian AIDS Foundation, the Malaysian AIDS Council and Action for AIDS Singapore, will run until Sept 11, covering six towns across the peninsula before ending in Singapore.
Dr Chua said initially the ministry would embark on a six-month pilot project to supply free needles and condoms to 1,200 intravenous drug users at selected “hot spots” in Kuala Lumpur, Johor Baru, Penang and Kuantan, Pahang.
He said the syringe exchange and condom handout to drug users fell under the Harm Reduction Programme which also include the supply of methadone, a synthetic drug, to treat hardcore addicts, starting next month.
The government has allocated RM2.39mill for a six-month supply of methadone and appointed 10 clinics, each capable of handling 120 addicts.
Dr Chua said the ministry had also set up a task force to monitor and draw up strategies in implementing the needle exchange and free condom distribution.
The task force would include representatives from the ministry, government agencies, National Drug Agency and the police.
“This task force will also draw up strategies to implement the programme.
“The needle exchange and free condom programme is needed because 70% of drug addicts are intravenous drug users. We need to tell them that they should not share needles,” he said.
A Cabinet sub-Committee on Drug Addicts Treatment and Rehabilitation study on 6,326 addicts in 26 rehabilitation centres in 1998 revealed that 65% of them were intravenous drug users.
The addicts injected drugs more than thrice a day and shared needles with more than five people.
The study also showed that 77.6% of the intravenous drug users were sexually active, with only 18.7% using condoms during sex.
It revealed that the risk of contracting HIV among them was six times higher compared with non-intravenous drug users.
Source
MMA chips in to build stronger nation
NST: The Malaysian Medical Association has come forward to support the New Straits Times School Sponsorship Programme to help ensure a high standard of English in the country.
The association feels the language is essential in building a stronger nation, not just in terms of economic contribution but academic excellence as well.
MMA president Datuk Dr Teoh Siang Chin said if English is embraced as a national language by each Malaysian, especially school- children, the standard of the language would improve.
MMA contributed RM10,000 in sponsorship to adopt schools that are in close proximity with their operation centres nationwide.
The association feels the language is essential in building a stronger nation, not just in terms of economic contribution but academic excellence as well.
MMA president Datuk Dr Teoh Siang Chin said if English is embraced as a national language by each Malaysian, especially school- children, the standard of the language would improve.
MMA contributed RM10,000 in sponsorship to adopt schools that are in close proximity with their operation centres nationwide.
Sunday, September 04, 2005
Fragmented system
The Star: THE healthcare financing system in Malaysia is currently too fragmented, with individuals relying on separate resources, including the public and private healthcare sector, the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO), private health insurers and the pension fund.
Government hospitals and clinics have a non-profit making policy, while the private sector operates according to separate fees, within a profit margin.
“EPF covers part payment for catastrophic illnesses, which is limited to 10% of the member's savings. SOCSO covers only employment-related illnesses and accidents or traumas. Both EPF and SOCSO cease coverage when their members are retired,” explains Dr Kananatu Krishnan, adviser, Health Solutions (SE Asia) Sdn Bhd.
Many people now rely on private insurance as an alternative financing source.
“The most common schemes are group insurance schemes through co-operatives and employer-employee collective agreements, which cover scheduled illnesses for selected age groups,” says Dr Kananatu.
He adds that private health insurance is risk-rated, with premiums increasing with age or selected risk factors. (Risk-rated means certain criteria are used to determine your eligibility for a policy or the amount of premium to be paid.)
Our healthcare financing system is not without its weaknesses.
“With the current system, most retirees are left in the lurch (at a time when) quality of life has to be maintained. There is no social security scheme to support them when their needs are greater, except the government hospitals and clinics,” says Dr Kananatu.
Malaysia should also strive to have a one-tier healthcare system, where access to quality is more uniform. Currently, we have a two-tier system where “if you can afford it, you go to a private hospital for faster service and so forth, but if you can't afford it, you go to a government hospital,” says Tan Sri Datuk Dr Abu Bakar Suleiman, former director-general in the Health Ministry and currently president of International Medical University.
He stresses that government hospitals do not provide inferior care compared to private hospitals, but there are differences in terms of patient satisfaction and comfort.
Dr Kananatu also points out that the current system subsidises the poor as well as the rich. “This kind of misuse and abuse in the healthcare financing scheme exists even today, and this has to be rectified.”
Government hospitals and clinics have a non-profit making policy, while the private sector operates according to separate fees, within a profit margin.
“EPF covers part payment for catastrophic illnesses, which is limited to 10% of the member's savings. SOCSO covers only employment-related illnesses and accidents or traumas. Both EPF and SOCSO cease coverage when their members are retired,” explains Dr Kananatu Krishnan, adviser, Health Solutions (SE Asia) Sdn Bhd.
Many people now rely on private insurance as an alternative financing source.
“The most common schemes are group insurance schemes through co-operatives and employer-employee collective agreements, which cover scheduled illnesses for selected age groups,” says Dr Kananatu.
He adds that private health insurance is risk-rated, with premiums increasing with age or selected risk factors. (Risk-rated means certain criteria are used to determine your eligibility for a policy or the amount of premium to be paid.)
Our healthcare financing system is not without its weaknesses.
“With the current system, most retirees are left in the lurch (at a time when) quality of life has to be maintained. There is no social security scheme to support them when their needs are greater, except the government hospitals and clinics,” says Dr Kananatu.
Malaysia should also strive to have a one-tier healthcare system, where access to quality is more uniform. Currently, we have a two-tier system where “if you can afford it, you go to a private hospital for faster service and so forth, but if you can't afford it, you go to a government hospital,” says Tan Sri Datuk Dr Abu Bakar Suleiman, former director-general in the Health Ministry and currently president of International Medical University.
He stresses that government hospitals do not provide inferior care compared to private hospitals, but there are differences in terms of patient satisfaction and comfort.
Dr Kananatu also points out that the current system subsidises the poor as well as the rich. “This kind of misuse and abuse in the healthcare financing scheme exists even today, and this has to be rectified.”
Insuring health
The Star: A scheme for all
How will the proposed National Health Financing Scheme work?
According to a model proposed by Health Solutions (SE Asia) Sdn Bhd, the scheme will adopt a non-profit, social insurance format.
It should be financed by the Federal Treasury, which will provide a global budget to finance the expenditure, says Dr Kananatu Krishnan, adviser to Health Solutions, a healthcare consulting company that conducts feasibility healthcare studies, manages healthcare services and personnel, as well as provides training for allied health personnel.
Dr Kananatu, who was formerly with the Economic Planning Unit, Ministry of Health, was one of the speakers at the recent International Conference on Health Communication (HealthCom2005), which was organised by the Asian Institute for Development Communication to discuss issues related to health communication strategies and programmes.
The global federal budget will be topped up by community-rated premiums from all the employed and the self-employed, EPF and SOCSO contributions, as well as any third-party payers such as the insurance agencies for group insurance coverage, he adds. (Community-rated means everybody is charged the same premium for a particular plan, irrespective of age, gender and the current or likely future state of their health.)
All these will go into a centralised healthcare fund called the National Health Security Fund.
“Each contributor may establish a Medical Saving Account with the fund. The fund can then function as a dedicated scheme to support all lifelong health needs of an individual and the family,” says Dr Kananatu.
The health fund should be supported by a network of public healthcare services, with the contribution of private sector services.
“Instead of the government putting money into government facilities, they put it into a fund, which provides money to all the hospitals based on the services they provide. This way you break the barrier between private and public (healthcare),” says Tan Sri Datuk Dr Abu Bakar Suleiman, former director-general in the Health Ministry and currently president of International Medical University, speaking at the same conference.
The above-mentioned National Health Financing Authority that oversees the scheme “is proposed to be under the Ministry of Health and not to be privatised,” says Dr Kananatu.
“We want to create a health fund that is government-owned (non-profit). The government needs to be at the centre of decision-making, in terms of allocation and use of resources, to ensure achievement of national health policies,” says Abu Bakar.
How much will you pay?
There seems to be little question that Malaysians are willing to spend money on health services, says Dr Kananatu.
“According to the National Household Health Expenditure Survey, in 1996, people had spent RM2.8bil, out of pocket, on health services. The government spent RM2.2bil on operating expenses for health services.
“People are spending more than the government expenditure. It goes to show that people are prepared to pay for health services,” he remarks.
He also comments on an earlier survey, conducted from 1986 to 1988, which showed that each consumer was roughly spending about RM50 per year for his/her household health expenditure.
“When asked if they would contribute about RM10 a year to use services in the public and private sector, without any co-payments when the services were needed, 95% of consumers said yes, that amount would be adequate and they would be willing to pay it,” he says.
While we may be willing to pay for health services, how much should we pay as part of the premiums for the Fund? How will these be collected?
These are important questions that have yet to be answered. “They are still studying this,” says Dr Kananatu.
Since the idea was mooted in 1983, the National Health Financing Scheme has taken more than 20 years to see the light of day. Will next year be the year it finally moves from paper to practice?
If so, one can only hope that the details will be properly ironed out before the scheme is implemented.
How will the proposed National Health Financing Scheme work?
According to a model proposed by Health Solutions (SE Asia) Sdn Bhd, the scheme will adopt a non-profit, social insurance format.
It should be financed by the Federal Treasury, which will provide a global budget to finance the expenditure, says Dr Kananatu Krishnan, adviser to Health Solutions, a healthcare consulting company that conducts feasibility healthcare studies, manages healthcare services and personnel, as well as provides training for allied health personnel.
Dr Kananatu, who was formerly with the Economic Planning Unit, Ministry of Health, was one of the speakers at the recent International Conference on Health Communication (HealthCom2005), which was organised by the Asian Institute for Development Communication to discuss issues related to health communication strategies and programmes.
The global federal budget will be topped up by community-rated premiums from all the employed and the self-employed, EPF and SOCSO contributions, as well as any third-party payers such as the insurance agencies for group insurance coverage, he adds. (Community-rated means everybody is charged the same premium for a particular plan, irrespective of age, gender and the current or likely future state of their health.)
All these will go into a centralised healthcare fund called the National Health Security Fund.
“Each contributor may establish a Medical Saving Account with the fund. The fund can then function as a dedicated scheme to support all lifelong health needs of an individual and the family,” says Dr Kananatu.
The health fund should be supported by a network of public healthcare services, with the contribution of private sector services.
“Instead of the government putting money into government facilities, they put it into a fund, which provides money to all the hospitals based on the services they provide. This way you break the barrier between private and public (healthcare),” says Tan Sri Datuk Dr Abu Bakar Suleiman, former director-general in the Health Ministry and currently president of International Medical University, speaking at the same conference.
The above-mentioned National Health Financing Authority that oversees the scheme “is proposed to be under the Ministry of Health and not to be privatised,” says Dr Kananatu.
“We want to create a health fund that is government-owned (non-profit). The government needs to be at the centre of decision-making, in terms of allocation and use of resources, to ensure achievement of national health policies,” says Abu Bakar.
How much will you pay?
There seems to be little question that Malaysians are willing to spend money on health services, says Dr Kananatu.
“According to the National Household Health Expenditure Survey, in 1996, people had spent RM2.8bil, out of pocket, on health services. The government spent RM2.2bil on operating expenses for health services.
“People are spending more than the government expenditure. It goes to show that people are prepared to pay for health services,” he remarks.
He also comments on an earlier survey, conducted from 1986 to 1988, which showed that each consumer was roughly spending about RM50 per year for his/her household health expenditure.
“When asked if they would contribute about RM10 a year to use services in the public and private sector, without any co-payments when the services were needed, 95% of consumers said yes, that amount would be adequate and they would be willing to pay it,” he says.
While we may be willing to pay for health services, how much should we pay as part of the premiums for the Fund? How will these be collected?
These are important questions that have yet to be answered. “They are still studying this,” says Dr Kananatu.
Since the idea was mooted in 1983, the National Health Financing Scheme has taken more than 20 years to see the light of day. Will next year be the year it finally moves from paper to practice?
If so, one can only hope that the details will be properly ironed out before the scheme is implemented.
Cancer test by bogus NGO
They came in a group of four and convinced many to part with almost RM200 each for what they claimed were conclusive blood tests to detect cancer.
But there is one huge snag – their so-called non-governmental organisation does not exist.
Charging RM198 for a comprehensive blood test covering tumour markers for cancer, the bogus NGO officials have been going around proclaiming that the Health Ministry had subsidised 40% of the cost.
The scam begins with a telephone call by a “Datin” from the “Medic Cancer Community of Malaysia/Persatuan Kanser Malaysia,” to the human resource units of private companies.
She does a good job sweet-talking the officials, telling them that the ministry had made it mandatory for private companies to support a cancer awareness programme conducted by her “NGO”.
She would tell the officials that all female staff should attend a talk on cancer awareness and prevention.
At the talk, a woman in her 30s, smartly dressed in a three-piece executive suit, lectures her audience about cancer and its miseries, with photographs of sufferers to boot.
Talks were held on an almost daily basis at companies operating within the Klang Valley. After the talks, the employees were asked to sign a consent letter to be subjected to blood tests.
Blood samples are taken several days later, and the results have to be collected at a designated clinic.
The surprise is that cash is not accepted. The payment mode is only via credit card or cheque.
Checks with the ministry and the Registrar of Societies revealed that the NGO does not exist, with Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Merican denying any involvement on the part of the ministry.
“First of all, we have sufficient manpower and medical expertise to conduct such talks and we do not need anyone to represent us,” he added.
The scam was uncovered by chance last year when someone called the national enquiry line “103” to ask for the contact number of the so-called “cancer society” to find out details about the awareness talk.
Over the past year and a half, more than 50 people have contacted the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM) to say that they had been approached by the bogus NGO.
A victim, who declined to be named, revealed that when she and her colleagues learnt that they had been cheated, they asked the bogus NGO for an explanation “but we were spoken to rudely.”
Another victim, a 41-year-old secretary, said: “We were told that we could eat and drink anything before the blood test except eat nasi lemak.”
Alerting the public against the scam, NCSM executive director Dr Saunthari Somasundram said the society only gave talks at the invitation of a company or organisation.
Dang Wangi OCPD Asst Comm Kamal Pasha Jamal confirmed that a woman had lodged a police report about the scam on Aug 19.
“We have advised the complainant to refer the matter to the Health Ministry and Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry.”
Source
But there is one huge snag – their so-called non-governmental organisation does not exist.
Charging RM198 for a comprehensive blood test covering tumour markers for cancer, the bogus NGO officials have been going around proclaiming that the Health Ministry had subsidised 40% of the cost.
The scam begins with a telephone call by a “Datin” from the “Medic Cancer Community of Malaysia/Persatuan Kanser Malaysia,” to the human resource units of private companies.
She does a good job sweet-talking the officials, telling them that the ministry had made it mandatory for private companies to support a cancer awareness programme conducted by her “NGO”.
She would tell the officials that all female staff should attend a talk on cancer awareness and prevention.
At the talk, a woman in her 30s, smartly dressed in a three-piece executive suit, lectures her audience about cancer and its miseries, with photographs of sufferers to boot.
Talks were held on an almost daily basis at companies operating within the Klang Valley. After the talks, the employees were asked to sign a consent letter to be subjected to blood tests.
Blood samples are taken several days later, and the results have to be collected at a designated clinic.
The surprise is that cash is not accepted. The payment mode is only via credit card or cheque.
Checks with the ministry and the Registrar of Societies revealed that the NGO does not exist, with Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Merican denying any involvement on the part of the ministry.
“First of all, we have sufficient manpower and medical expertise to conduct such talks and we do not need anyone to represent us,” he added.
The scam was uncovered by chance last year when someone called the national enquiry line “103” to ask for the contact number of the so-called “cancer society” to find out details about the awareness talk.
Over the past year and a half, more than 50 people have contacted the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM) to say that they had been approached by the bogus NGO.
A victim, who declined to be named, revealed that when she and her colleagues learnt that they had been cheated, they asked the bogus NGO for an explanation “but we were spoken to rudely.”
Another victim, a 41-year-old secretary, said: “We were told that we could eat and drink anything before the blood test except eat nasi lemak.”
Alerting the public against the scam, NCSM executive director Dr Saunthari Somasundram said the society only gave talks at the invitation of a company or organisation.
Dang Wangi OCPD Asst Comm Kamal Pasha Jamal confirmed that a woman had lodged a police report about the scam on Aug 19.
“We have advised the complainant to refer the matter to the Health Ministry and Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry.”
Source
Dengue deaths down to 55
There were 55 reported deaths from dengue fever in the first 34 weeks of this year.
This is slightly lower than the 61 deaths reported in the corresponding period last year.
Health Ministry Communicable Diseases Control Division director Dr Ramlee Rahmat said the drop indicated that dengue was under control.
"The dengue situation is very much under control as compared to that during the dengue epidemic early this year."
He said although the dengue outbreak was contained over the past five months, all State health departments were still on alert as dengue fever was endemic in Malaysia.
"Now with Singapore reporting eight deaths this year and 493 new dengue cases in the week ending Aug 28, the Johor health department is on high alert," he said.
This is because some 200,000 Malaysians are working in Singapore with the majority of them staying in Johor.
Seven people were reported to have died of dengue fever in Singapore this year, and the number of new cases hit a high last week despite Government efforts to clear mosquito breeding grounds.
The weekly bulletin on infectious diseases by Singapore’s Health Ministry showed 493 new dengue cases reported in the week ending Aug 28, up nearly a fifth from the previous week’s record high of 414.
The Singapore Government had said that there had been 8,308 dengue fever cases since the start of the year, nearly double the number infected in the same period last year when the number of cases on the island rocketed to a 10-year high.
As for the situation in Malaysia, there were 24,857 dengue cases notified to the Health Ministry between Jan 1 and Aug 27 as compared to 23,613 cases during the same period last year.
As for confirmed dengue cases, Dr Ramlee said there were only 6,807 so far this year compared with 8,291 last year.
Dengue is carried by the aedes aegypti mosquito. The virus can cause fever, severe headache, joint and muscular pains, vomiting and rashes.
Asked if Johor recorded any increase in dengue cases, Dr Ramlee said there was a slight increase of 74 cases recorded between Aug 14 and 20 compared with 67 cases between Aug 21 and 27.
Source
This is slightly lower than the 61 deaths reported in the corresponding period last year.
Health Ministry Communicable Diseases Control Division director Dr Ramlee Rahmat said the drop indicated that dengue was under control.
"The dengue situation is very much under control as compared to that during the dengue epidemic early this year."
He said although the dengue outbreak was contained over the past five months, all State health departments were still on alert as dengue fever was endemic in Malaysia.
"Now with Singapore reporting eight deaths this year and 493 new dengue cases in the week ending Aug 28, the Johor health department is on high alert," he said.
This is because some 200,000 Malaysians are working in Singapore with the majority of them staying in Johor.
Seven people were reported to have died of dengue fever in Singapore this year, and the number of new cases hit a high last week despite Government efforts to clear mosquito breeding grounds.
The weekly bulletin on infectious diseases by Singapore’s Health Ministry showed 493 new dengue cases reported in the week ending Aug 28, up nearly a fifth from the previous week’s record high of 414.
The Singapore Government had said that there had been 8,308 dengue fever cases since the start of the year, nearly double the number infected in the same period last year when the number of cases on the island rocketed to a 10-year high.
As for the situation in Malaysia, there were 24,857 dengue cases notified to the Health Ministry between Jan 1 and Aug 27 as compared to 23,613 cases during the same period last year.
As for confirmed dengue cases, Dr Ramlee said there were only 6,807 so far this year compared with 8,291 last year.
Dengue is carried by the aedes aegypti mosquito. The virus can cause fever, severe headache, joint and muscular pains, vomiting and rashes.
Asked if Johor recorded any increase in dengue cases, Dr Ramlee said there was a slight increase of 74 cases recorded between Aug 14 and 20 compared with 67 cases between Aug 21 and 27.
Source
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Malaysia Is Free Of Polio
JERANTUT, Sept 3 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is now completely free of polio following the compulsory immunization against the disease imposed by the government, said Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek Saturday.
He said the compulsory immunization imposed on all individuals in the country had given a 99-percent guarantee against polio infection.
"So far, the immunization had prevented the outbreak of polio and more than 95 per cent of Malaysians have already received immunization (the remaining five per cent are living in remote areas)," he told reporters after visiting the Jerantut Hospital, here.
He said this when asked to comment on a report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) of a polio outbreak in South-east Asia, particularly in Indonesia.
However, he said the government would intensify checks in the border areas especially with Indonesia, such as Sarawak to ensure that the disease did not spread to this country.
He said medical examinations on Indonesian nationals entering this country was crucial to ensure that they did not bring the disease to Malaysia.
Friday, Director-General of Health Datuk Dr Ismail Merican said that there was no ruling requiring Malaysians shuttling to Indonesia to undergo medical check-ups at the moment.
However, he said Malaysians who made frequent trips to Indonesia were encouraged to undergo medical examinations to ensure that they were free of infection.
In another development, Dr Chua expressed disappointment over the attitude of the public in misusing the services provided by the Emergency Unit at government hospitals.
"If it's just fever, foot ache, skin disease, there's no need to go to the Emergency Unit. The unit is for critical cases such as serious injury sustained during road accidents, heart attacks and so on," he said.
The minister said that based on the reports by hospitals under the ministry, 70 per cent of those who sought treatment at the Emergency Units had misused the services provided by the unit.
"They should seek treatment at the outpatient department," he added.
He said the compulsory immunization imposed on all individuals in the country had given a 99-percent guarantee against polio infection.
"So far, the immunization had prevented the outbreak of polio and more than 95 per cent of Malaysians have already received immunization (the remaining five per cent are living in remote areas)," he told reporters after visiting the Jerantut Hospital, here.
He said this when asked to comment on a report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) of a polio outbreak in South-east Asia, particularly in Indonesia.
However, he said the government would intensify checks in the border areas especially with Indonesia, such as Sarawak to ensure that the disease did not spread to this country.
He said medical examinations on Indonesian nationals entering this country was crucial to ensure that they did not bring the disease to Malaysia.
Friday, Director-General of Health Datuk Dr Ismail Merican said that there was no ruling requiring Malaysians shuttling to Indonesia to undergo medical check-ups at the moment.
However, he said Malaysians who made frequent trips to Indonesia were encouraged to undergo medical examinations to ensure that they were free of infection.
In another development, Dr Chua expressed disappointment over the attitude of the public in misusing the services provided by the Emergency Unit at government hospitals.
"If it's just fever, foot ache, skin disease, there's no need to go to the Emergency Unit. The unit is for critical cases such as serious injury sustained during road accidents, heart attacks and so on," he said.
The minister said that based on the reports by hospitals under the ministry, 70 per cent of those who sought treatment at the Emergency Units had misused the services provided by the unit.
"They should seek treatment at the outpatient department," he added.
Departure from procedure to blame
The sex wrangle at the Sungai Petani Hospital last month occurred because the maternity ward’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was not adhered to, said Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Mohd Ismail Merican.
He said it had been established that the issue began when a nurse asked the mother Resliana Manalu what sex her baby was.
“The mother told the nurse that all her other children were boys and that she thought the newly-born was also a boy.
“So the nurse duly wrote ‘baby boy’ in the forms.
“And it is based on what was written in the form that the parents are claiming that their new baby is a boy,” he said after attending the opening of the Sixth Ministry of Health Academy of Medicine Malaysia Scientific Meeting.
Dr Mohd Ismail said the nurse was not supposed to fill in the forms because that was the job of two other nurses who helped deliver the baby.
“The nurse who filled in the form didn’t see the gender of the baby, relying only on what the mother said,” he added.
Kedah state health director Datuk Dr Zahari Che Dan had confirmed that a nurse from the ward had mistakenly written the words “baby boy” when she was filling in the forms.
However, Resliana and her husband Azman Hassan are reported to be still insisting that a DNA test be carried out on the baby to confirm that she was theirs before they would take her home.
The 28-year-old mother said she stood by what she “saw with my own eyes” in the delivery room on Aug 27 when the baby was shown to her.
Source
He said it had been established that the issue began when a nurse asked the mother Resliana Manalu what sex her baby was.
“The mother told the nurse that all her other children were boys and that she thought the newly-born was also a boy.
“So the nurse duly wrote ‘baby boy’ in the forms.
“And it is based on what was written in the form that the parents are claiming that their new baby is a boy,” he said after attending the opening of the Sixth Ministry of Health Academy of Medicine Malaysia Scientific Meeting.
Dr Mohd Ismail said the nurse was not supposed to fill in the forms because that was the job of two other nurses who helped deliver the baby.
“The nurse who filled in the form didn’t see the gender of the baby, relying only on what the mother said,” he added.
Kedah state health director Datuk Dr Zahari Che Dan had confirmed that a nurse from the ward had mistakenly written the words “baby boy” when she was filling in the forms.
However, Resliana and her husband Azman Hassan are reported to be still insisting that a DNA test be carried out on the baby to confirm that she was theirs before they would take her home.
The 28-year-old mother said she stood by what she “saw with my own eyes” in the delivery room on Aug 27 when the baby was shown to her.
Source
Needle and condom plan put on hold
The plan to give away needles and condoms to drug addicts has been put on hold.
However, the pilot programme to use methadone, a synthetic drug, to treat hardcore addicts will start next month.
These were among the decisions made at a National Anti-Drug Committee meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi here yesterday.
National Drug Agency director-general Datuk Hamzah Abdullah said the plan to provide free needles and condoms to addicts has been deferred to next year.
He added that the plan would be implemented as it was based on harm reduction, which was more acceptable to the ulama.
“This is not seen by the ulama as something that will encourage drug addiction,” Hamzah said at the end of the two-hour meeting at the Internal Affairs Ministry here.
On the methadone programme, he said the Government would allocate RM2.39mil for a six-month pilot project.
The Government has appointed 10 clinics for the pilot project, each capable of handling 120 addicts for the duration of the project.
“Strict protocol will be introduced to prevent abuse.
“Only hardcore addicts who are currently undergoing treatment in community centres and receive full emotional support from their families will be considered.
“The addicts will not be allowed to take away the methadone prescribed to them and will be required to take the dosage on the spot at the selected clinic,” Hamzah said.
Source
However, the pilot programme to use methadone, a synthetic drug, to treat hardcore addicts will start next month.
These were among the decisions made at a National Anti-Drug Committee meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi here yesterday.
National Drug Agency director-general Datuk Hamzah Abdullah said the plan to provide free needles and condoms to addicts has been deferred to next year.
He added that the plan would be implemented as it was based on harm reduction, which was more acceptable to the ulama.
“This is not seen by the ulama as something that will encourage drug addiction,” Hamzah said at the end of the two-hour meeting at the Internal Affairs Ministry here.
On the methadone programme, he said the Government would allocate RM2.39mil for a six-month pilot project.
The Government has appointed 10 clinics for the pilot project, each capable of handling 120 addicts for the duration of the project.
“Strict protocol will be introduced to prevent abuse.
“Only hardcore addicts who are currently undergoing treatment in community centres and receive full emotional support from their families will be considered.
“The addicts will not be allowed to take away the methadone prescribed to them and will be required to take the dosage on the spot at the selected clinic,” Hamzah said.
Source
Methadone Treatment For Drug Addicts To Start Next Month
PUTRAJAYA, Sept 2 (Bernama) -- A pioneer project using methadone, a synthetic drug, to treat hardcore drug addicts will be launched next month.
The government approved the project Friday after deferring to next year the implementation of a proposal to provide free syringes and condoms to drug addicts to curb the spread of AIDS, National Anti-Drug Agency Director-General Datuk Hamzah Abdullah said Friday.
He said the methadone treatment would be tried out for six months for 1,200 hardcore addicts who would be given free methadone at 10 clinics nationwide.
He did not disclose the location of the clinics but said an allocation of RM2.39 million had been set aside for the purpose.
"If successful, the programme will be expanded to other places," he told reporters after a meeting of the Cabinet committee on eradicating drug abuse chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi here.
Hamzah said addicts involved in the programme would be given the methadone in the presence of a doctor under tight control procedures set by the Health Ministry to ensure there would be no abuse.
He said a similar programme was being carried out in Bali, Indonesia.
Hamzah said the government opted to use methadone because it was cheaper compared with other synthetic drugs and suitable for use in the treatment of drug addicts in the country.
On the selection of addicts for the programme, he said they were those receiving treatment in the community and had the support of their families.
He said addicts interested in the programme could volunteer themselves while others would be selected from among addicts with the potential or former trainees of drug rehabilitation centres.
The government approved the project Friday after deferring to next year the implementation of a proposal to provide free syringes and condoms to drug addicts to curb the spread of AIDS, National Anti-Drug Agency Director-General Datuk Hamzah Abdullah said Friday.
He said the methadone treatment would be tried out for six months for 1,200 hardcore addicts who would be given free methadone at 10 clinics nationwide.
He did not disclose the location of the clinics but said an allocation of RM2.39 million had been set aside for the purpose.
"If successful, the programme will be expanded to other places," he told reporters after a meeting of the Cabinet committee on eradicating drug abuse chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi here.
Hamzah said addicts involved in the programme would be given the methadone in the presence of a doctor under tight control procedures set by the Health Ministry to ensure there would be no abuse.
He said a similar programme was being carried out in Bali, Indonesia.
Hamzah said the government opted to use methadone because it was cheaper compared with other synthetic drugs and suitable for use in the treatment of drug addicts in the country.
On the selection of addicts for the programme, he said they were those receiving treatment in the community and had the support of their families.
He said addicts interested in the programme could volunteer themselves while others would be selected from among addicts with the potential or former trainees of drug rehabilitation centres.
Friday, September 02, 2005
KPJ Healthcare prepares itself for REIT listing
The EdgeDaily: MAIN board-listed KPJ Healthcare Bhd has proposed to dispose of selected hospitals within the KPJ group for an aggregate value of approximately RM300mil in relation to the proposed establishment and listing of a real estate investment trust (REIT).
According to the company statement, the proposal would enable KPJ to unlock the value of its properties and raise funds for other investments as well as to reduce its borrowings and gearing. With the reduction in borrowings, KPJ would be able to reduce its interest cost.
KPJ Healthcare has appointed AmMerchant Bank Bhd, a member of AmInvestment Group Bhd, as the advisor for the proposal.
According to the company statement, the proposal would enable KPJ to unlock the value of its properties and raise funds for other investments as well as to reduce its borrowings and gearing. With the reduction in borrowings, KPJ would be able to reduce its interest cost.
KPJ Healthcare has appointed AmMerchant Bank Bhd, a member of AmInvestment Group Bhd, as the advisor for the proposal.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
New Name For Kota Baharu Hospital
KOTA BAHARU, Sept 1 (Bernama) -- Kota Baharu Hospital will be renamed as Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital on Sept 5.
The renaming ceremony will be performed by the Sultan of Kelantan Tuanku Ismail Petra Ibni Almarhum Sultan Yahya Petra in the compound of the hospital at 11am.
The Raja Perempuan of Kelantan Tengku Anis Tengku Abdul Hamid, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek and Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat will attend the ceremony.
The renaming ceremony will be performed by the Sultan of Kelantan Tuanku Ismail Petra Ibni Almarhum Sultan Yahya Petra in the compound of the hospital at 11am.
The Raja Perempuan of Kelantan Tengku Anis Tengku Abdul Hamid, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek and Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat will attend the ceremony.
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