NST: It only took a moment for third-year student Ng Si Min to sign up when her university sought volunteers to test a new technique for correcting poor eyesight.
That was last year, and the optometry student at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia has not used her spectacles since. Short-sighted since she was nine years old, Ng said it took four days before her vision became clear.
"I can go swimming and do all that I want without having to worry. I don’t know where my spectacles are now," said the 22-year-old.
UKM is testing orthokeratology in a trial with 35 subjects using special rigid contact lenses to forcibly flatten the cornea, like orthodontic braces that straighten teeth.
The effects last for about a day, as the cornea is an elastic tissue which springs back to its original shape.
Flattening the cornea corrects short-sightedness, or myopia, by compensating for eyeballs that have grown too long. Having such egg-shaped eyeballs means images and light fall in front of the retina, instead of directly on it.
The trial was conducted by the Department of Optometry in UKM and Faculty of Allied Health Sciences at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital, said UKM consultant optometrist Dr Bariah Mohd Ali.
She and two colleagues, Dr Zainora Mohammed and Dr Haliza Abdul Mutalib, are monitoring the subjects, who include five children between the ages of seven and 15, all from Kuantan.
Dr Bariah said these contact lenses were not suitable for everyone, as their use depended on the extent of the myopia, cornea curvature and thickness, among others.
They also requires a high degree of care, making them unsuitable for most young children. Wearers risk complications such as corneal ulcers, conjunctivitis and dry eyes if they fail to take care.
"It’s crucial those who use the lenses strictly comply to the instructions given," said Prof Dr Muhaya Mohamad, chairman of the Ophthalmological Society of the Malaysian Medical Association.
"Optometrists must make sure that they only provide these lenses to people who have good compliance."
Orthokeratology is also available from a number of private optometrists in Penang, Malacca and Kuala Lumpur. A set of lenses cost about RM3,000.
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
Monday, October 10, 2005
Parents ignorant of child myopia
NST: Poor eyesight afflicts more than half the country’s 5.7 million schoolchildren, and the problem is going unnoticed by many parents.
Having more than 2.8 million short-sighted schoolchildren puts Malaysia among the world’s top five countries with the worst child myopia, according to a study.
Singapore heads the list with four in five 18-year-old males short-sighted, followed by Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong and Malaysia.
"This is a big problem that needs to be tackled," said Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia consultant optometrist Dr Bariah Mohd Ali.
When short-sightedness is caught early, its progression can be slowed. However, if uncorrected or wrongly treated, a mild case could develop into severe myopia.
Parents should ensure their children’s eyes were screened, especially once they began schooling, said Dr Bariah, who also lectures at UKM.
They should also take notice when their children complained of headaches and blurry vision, she said.
A child may also squint or frown, and may hold books or other objects very close to his face.
He may also sit very close to the television screen and seem uninterested in sports or other activities that require good distance vision.
For the study, the first of its kind in the country, 15 UKM researchers including Dr Bariah spent five years assessing eye problems among schoolchildren in primary and secondary schools.
Chinese schoolchildren topped the list, with 40 per cent of them short-sighted. This was followed by Malay and Indian schoolchildren.
There has been a rapid rise in the incidence of myopia, in Asia and around the world, which indicates that environmental factors play a big role.
Children are spending more time reading books or using the computer screen, which influence the progress of the disease.
Having more than 2.8 million short-sighted schoolchildren puts Malaysia among the world’s top five countries with the worst child myopia, according to a study.
Singapore heads the list with four in five 18-year-old males short-sighted, followed by Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong and Malaysia.
"This is a big problem that needs to be tackled," said Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia consultant optometrist Dr Bariah Mohd Ali.
When short-sightedness is caught early, its progression can be slowed. However, if uncorrected or wrongly treated, a mild case could develop into severe myopia.
Parents should ensure their children’s eyes were screened, especially once they began schooling, said Dr Bariah, who also lectures at UKM.
They should also take notice when their children complained of headaches and blurry vision, she said.
A child may also squint or frown, and may hold books or other objects very close to his face.
He may also sit very close to the television screen and seem uninterested in sports or other activities that require good distance vision.
For the study, the first of its kind in the country, 15 UKM researchers including Dr Bariah spent five years assessing eye problems among schoolchildren in primary and secondary schools.
Chinese schoolchildren topped the list, with 40 per cent of them short-sighted. This was followed by Malay and Indian schoolchildren.
There has been a rapid rise in the incidence of myopia, in Asia and around the world, which indicates that environmental factors play a big role.
Children are spending more time reading books or using the computer screen, which influence the progress of the disease.
Dengue Updates: Firm blamed over Aedes breeding
NST: Aedes mosquitoes were breeding in the grounds of Seremban Hospital because the company awarded the cleaning contract did not do its job.
State Health, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee chairman Datuk Yu Chok Yow said Pantai Medicare Sdn Bhd was negligent in maintaining cleanliness there.
The hospital was fined when officials from the Health Department found mosquito-breeding grounds in several old tyres at the hospital guardhouse on June 2. The company paid the RM500 fine.
Yu said the hospital had set up its own team to look into the cleanliness of the institution and its grounds to ensure such incidents did not recur.
Besides the Seremban Hospital, five other hospitals and five schools were fined this year for breeding Aedes mosquitoes.
Yu said 1,018 dengue cases had been registered in the State up to this week, with 10 to 15 cases referred to the Seremban Hospital daily.
Health Ministry: Shame on errant hospitals
That’s the verdict by Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad on the six hospitals slapped with compound notices by the ministry for allowing Aedes mosquitoes to breed in their compounds.
"They should be ashamed of themselves. A hospital should be a place of comfort, a place to cure, not a breeding ground for disease," he said.
"I have been told the hospitals have appointed certain companies to ensure their premises are clean. It is obvious they have not done their job well."
Dr Latiff said the action against the hospitals should serve as a reminder to others on the importance of maintaining cleanliness, especially at government facilities.
The most effective weapons in combating dengue were education and awareness, he said after the Unity College graduation ceremony at a hotel here this evening.
On another matter, Dr Latiff said he had yet to receive a report on claims by the wife of a driving instructor that a delay by a private hospital in Shah Alam in administering treatment cost the life of her husband who died of a heart attack.
"The usual practice in emergency cases is to get the patient treated. Whether the hospital admits the patient is another matter."
The deputy minister said the ministry did not have the power to penalise the hospital over the case.
State Health, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee chairman Datuk Yu Chok Yow said Pantai Medicare Sdn Bhd was negligent in maintaining cleanliness there.
The hospital was fined when officials from the Health Department found mosquito-breeding grounds in several old tyres at the hospital guardhouse on June 2. The company paid the RM500 fine.
Yu said the hospital had set up its own team to look into the cleanliness of the institution and its grounds to ensure such incidents did not recur.
Besides the Seremban Hospital, five other hospitals and five schools were fined this year for breeding Aedes mosquitoes.
Yu said 1,018 dengue cases had been registered in the State up to this week, with 10 to 15 cases referred to the Seremban Hospital daily.
Health Ministry: Shame on errant hospitals
That’s the verdict by Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad on the six hospitals slapped with compound notices by the ministry for allowing Aedes mosquitoes to breed in their compounds.
"They should be ashamed of themselves. A hospital should be a place of comfort, a place to cure, not a breeding ground for disease," he said.
"I have been told the hospitals have appointed certain companies to ensure their premises are clean. It is obvious they have not done their job well."
Dr Latiff said the action against the hospitals should serve as a reminder to others on the importance of maintaining cleanliness, especially at government facilities.
The most effective weapons in combating dengue were education and awareness, he said after the Unity College graduation ceremony at a hotel here this evening.
On another matter, Dr Latiff said he had yet to receive a report on claims by the wife of a driving instructor that a delay by a private hospital in Shah Alam in administering treatment cost the life of her husband who died of a heart attack.
"The usual practice in emergency cases is to get the patient treated. Whether the hospital admits the patient is another matter."
The deputy minister said the ministry did not have the power to penalise the hospital over the case.
Zero dengue goal not impossible
Star: It is not impossible to achieve zero dengue cases.
Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon said if everyone played their role in ensuring their surroundings were free from aedes mosquito breeding grounds, the disease could be eradicated.
“We appreciate the efforts of the corporate bodies and non-government organisations in organising anti-dengue campaigns and other awareness programmes.
“We hope they will continue to cooperate with the health authorities in combating the dengue menace,” he said after opening an anti-dengue campaign at Jelutong market here yesterday.
Lions Club George Town and Penang Municipal Council organised the event with sponsorship from Fumakilla (M) Bhd. Also present was State Health, Welfare and Caring Society Committee chairman P.K. Subbaiyah.
Although the number of cases had dropped in the past week, Lee said gotong royong activities and clean-up efforts must continue.
“Controlling dengue is an ongoing effort. We must take action all year round to keep the outbreak in check,” he said.
Lee said the 186 dengue cases recorded in the country last week was “still high”.
He lauded the Lions Club for planning similar campaigns at other markets including the ones at Batu Lanchang, Gelugor and Bayan Baru.
“It is crucial to keep the environment clean to contain the outbreak and other communicable diseases,” he said.
Lee said the three patients down with dengue were still warded at the Penang Hospital’s intensive care unit. Penang has recorded six dengue-related deaths so far.
Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon said if everyone played their role in ensuring their surroundings were free from aedes mosquito breeding grounds, the disease could be eradicated.
“We appreciate the efforts of the corporate bodies and non-government organisations in organising anti-dengue campaigns and other awareness programmes.
“We hope they will continue to cooperate with the health authorities in combating the dengue menace,” he said after opening an anti-dengue campaign at Jelutong market here yesterday.
Lions Club George Town and Penang Municipal Council organised the event with sponsorship from Fumakilla (M) Bhd. Also present was State Health, Welfare and Caring Society Committee chairman P.K. Subbaiyah.
Although the number of cases had dropped in the past week, Lee said gotong royong activities and clean-up efforts must continue.
“Controlling dengue is an ongoing effort. We must take action all year round to keep the outbreak in check,” he said.
Lee said the 186 dengue cases recorded in the country last week was “still high”.
He lauded the Lions Club for planning similar campaigns at other markets including the ones at Batu Lanchang, Gelugor and Bayan Baru.
“It is crucial to keep the environment clean to contain the outbreak and other communicable diseases,” he said.
Lee said the three patients down with dengue were still warded at the Penang Hospital’s intensive care unit. Penang has recorded six dengue-related deaths so far.
Fast promotion scheme for government specialist doctors
Star: Government specialist doctors, who sometimes wait years for promotion, can now look forward to a shorter waiting period under a fast-track scheme introduced by the Health Ministry.
Its director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Merican said they would not have to wait to sit for the Penilaian Tahap Kecekapan or Efficiency Level Assessment (PTK) to get promoted but would be put under the U44 grade upon passing their Master's or post-graduate examinations and, subsequently, the U48 grade after being gazetted as a specialist.
“Promotions from the time they get their specialist qualification can be cut down from many years to just a few months. Currently, they do not get an automatic promotion. And there are many specialists who are still at U41.
“There has always been the frustration amongst specialists that they have to pass their PTK before being considered for promotion,” he told The Star yesterday.
He said that, in addition to this, PTK courses were only conducted at specific times of the year and if a doctor missed one he would have to wait for the next course.
“Often there is a queue for these courses. There are so many doctors involved. We have started it already,” he said.
The ministry was working closely with the Public Services Department on this matter, he said, adding however that there could be a delay because of the large number of eligible specialists involved.
The gazetting period for specialists depends on where the doctors pursued their specialist course.
A Master's course pursued locally takes six months while post-graduate qualifications overseas takes 18 months.
The ministry, he added, had also decided that public health sector doctors would only have to sit for the administrative, leadership and managerial components of the PTK and earn “points” by taking part in a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programme.
He said that besides having their technical competence reflected in the CPD activities, it would also shorten the period the doctors were away from work. The move was to have healthcare providers keeping abreast of the latest developments besides protecting the public and profession.
Dr Ismail said the number of “points” awarded would be according to the kind of CPD activity the doctors engaged in, including writing in journals and giving lectures, and would be determined by the relevant healthcare provider group.
A pilot project involving doctors, pharmacists and dental officers will be launched next year and will eventually be extended to all healthcare providers.
Its director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Merican said they would not have to wait to sit for the Penilaian Tahap Kecekapan or Efficiency Level Assessment (PTK) to get promoted but would be put under the U44 grade upon passing their Master's or post-graduate examinations and, subsequently, the U48 grade after being gazetted as a specialist.
“Promotions from the time they get their specialist qualification can be cut down from many years to just a few months. Currently, they do not get an automatic promotion. And there are many specialists who are still at U41.
“There has always been the frustration amongst specialists that they have to pass their PTK before being considered for promotion,” he told The Star yesterday.
He said that, in addition to this, PTK courses were only conducted at specific times of the year and if a doctor missed one he would have to wait for the next course.
“Often there is a queue for these courses. There are so many doctors involved. We have started it already,” he said.
The ministry was working closely with the Public Services Department on this matter, he said, adding however that there could be a delay because of the large number of eligible specialists involved.
The gazetting period for specialists depends on where the doctors pursued their specialist course.
A Master's course pursued locally takes six months while post-graduate qualifications overseas takes 18 months.
The ministry, he added, had also decided that public health sector doctors would only have to sit for the administrative, leadership and managerial components of the PTK and earn “points” by taking part in a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programme.
He said that besides having their technical competence reflected in the CPD activities, it would also shorten the period the doctors were away from work. The move was to have healthcare providers keeping abreast of the latest developments besides protecting the public and profession.
Dr Ismail said the number of “points” awarded would be according to the kind of CPD activity the doctors engaged in, including writing in journals and giving lectures, and would be determined by the relevant healthcare provider group.
A pilot project involving doctors, pharmacists and dental officers will be launched next year and will eventually be extended to all healthcare providers.
Sunday, October 09, 2005
Strategy to deal with avian flu
Star: Malaysia has outlined a four-point strategy that Asean countries and its partners, including Japan, China and South Korea, have been working on to strengthen national and regional capacities to deal with emerging and re-emerging infections like the avian influenza that is threatening the region.
The four components are:
·Institutional strengthening focusing on improving capacity of Asean and coordinating and managing effective implementation of an Emerging Infectious Disease programme;
·Regional networking that will focus on improving the Asean Disease Surveillance.net (ADS.net) and meeting needs of member countries in emerging infectious disease surveillance, preparedness and response;
·Laboratory diagnosis, surveillance, and response will focus on improving capacity of national and regional laboratories in routine diagnostics, laboratory-based surveillance, preparedness and rapid response; and
·Epidemiological surveillance and response focusing on improving national and regional capacity, early warning of outbreaks and timely response to emerging infections.
Malaysia said that so far there had been an impressive number of relatively sustainable benefits within a short period of time that was made possible by the strong commitment of member countries.
“A strong foundation has been established for a sustainable regional network with the support and cooperation of the World Health Organisation (WHO),” Malaysia said in a statement at the International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenza senior officials meeting in Washington on Friday.
Malaysia was one of about 80 countries that were in Washington to discuss the recent outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in poultry and birds in several Asean countries that had triggered a global alert.
The statement said the Regional Networking coordinated by Indonesia achieved impressive progress that included the development of the Asean Disease Surveillance.net.
This reduces sensitivities in providing information to the site, provides ability to identify levels of participation and information gaps, and commitment to establish Asean desks in the ministries of health.
Malaysia, which coordinated Laboratories Diagnosis, Surveillance and Response, was able to establish strong foundations for networking, assessing and building laboratory capacities and coordinating with WHO.
The four components are:
·Institutional strengthening focusing on improving capacity of Asean and coordinating and managing effective implementation of an Emerging Infectious Disease programme;
·Regional networking that will focus on improving the Asean Disease Surveillance.net (ADS.net) and meeting needs of member countries in emerging infectious disease surveillance, preparedness and response;
·Laboratory diagnosis, surveillance, and response will focus on improving capacity of national and regional laboratories in routine diagnostics, laboratory-based surveillance, preparedness and rapid response; and
·Epidemiological surveillance and response focusing on improving national and regional capacity, early warning of outbreaks and timely response to emerging infections.
Malaysia said that so far there had been an impressive number of relatively sustainable benefits within a short period of time that was made possible by the strong commitment of member countries.
“A strong foundation has been established for a sustainable regional network with the support and cooperation of the World Health Organisation (WHO),” Malaysia said in a statement at the International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenza senior officials meeting in Washington on Friday.
Malaysia was one of about 80 countries that were in Washington to discuss the recent outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in poultry and birds in several Asean countries that had triggered a global alert.
The statement said the Regional Networking coordinated by Indonesia achieved impressive progress that included the development of the Asean Disease Surveillance.net.
This reduces sensitivities in providing information to the site, provides ability to identify levels of participation and information gaps, and commitment to establish Asean desks in the ministries of health.
Malaysia, which coordinated Laboratories Diagnosis, Surveillance and Response, was able to establish strong foundations for networking, assessing and building laboratory capacities and coordinating with WHO.
Asia-Pacific Bird Flu Summit In Australia
MELBOURNE, Oct 8 (Bernama) -- Australia will host a regional summit on bird flu later this month to examine whether Asia-Pacific countries can cope with an outbreak of the deadly virus.
Disaster management coordinators from 21 countries will meet in Brisbane for two days from Oct 31 to discuss preparations for a potential avian influenza pandemic in the region.
It will be the first time experts from every Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economy will be brought together.
Observers from the Pacific Island Forum, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos have also been invited.
"The meeting of pandemic and disaster experts from the Asia-Pacific region will discuss efforts to improve regional coordination of preparedness and response," Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said in a statement.
"It highlights Australia's leadership role in providing a strategic and coordinated response approach to the threat posed by avian influenza," he said.
The meeting comes a fortnight before the annual meeting of APEC leaders in South Korea in mid-November where the bird flu threat is expected to dominate talks.
Downer said the regional summit's aim was to ensure a swift and coordinated regional response to contain any outbreak of avian influenza.
The summit, among others, is aimed at improving communication between key personnel, sharing information on individual countries' action plans and identifying gaps in preparedness.
Australia has provided almost A$160 million to combat bird flu and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Australia and the region since 2003.
Health and quarantine experts from the region will also attend the Brisbane summit as will officials of the World Health Organisation and the Food and Agriculture Organisation.
Disaster management coordinators from 21 countries will meet in Brisbane for two days from Oct 31 to discuss preparations for a potential avian influenza pandemic in the region.
It will be the first time experts from every Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economy will be brought together.
Observers from the Pacific Island Forum, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos have also been invited.
"The meeting of pandemic and disaster experts from the Asia-Pacific region will discuss efforts to improve regional coordination of preparedness and response," Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said in a statement.
"It highlights Australia's leadership role in providing a strategic and coordinated response approach to the threat posed by avian influenza," he said.
The meeting comes a fortnight before the annual meeting of APEC leaders in South Korea in mid-November where the bird flu threat is expected to dominate talks.
Downer said the regional summit's aim was to ensure a swift and coordinated regional response to contain any outbreak of avian influenza.
The summit, among others, is aimed at improving communication between key personnel, sharing information on individual countries' action plans and identifying gaps in preparedness.
Australia has provided almost A$160 million to combat bird flu and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Australia and the region since 2003.
Health and quarantine experts from the region will also attend the Brisbane summit as will officials of the World Health Organisation and the Food and Agriculture Organisation.
Hospital defends treatment
NST: Two contradictory explanations have emerged for the alleged delay that may have contributed to the death of driving instructor K. Murale at the Selangor Medical Centre on Wednesday.
The hospital today claimed Murale’s wife, K. Nalini, 35, offered the intensive care unit an ATM card to pay the RM3,500 deposit, which it declined.
Nalini, an inventory controller, had said she gave her credit card, which was rejected because of insufficient credit.
"I know the difference between an ATM card and a credit card," she said, adding that the available amount on her credit card was RM1,800.
The issue over which card was offered will be resolved when her bank replies to her request to confirm that the credit card was swiped at the hospital after she arrived at 3.10am.
Murale, 39, died while being wheeled into the ICU about an hour after arriving at the hospital following a heart attack.
Nalini lodged a police report at the Shah Alam district police headquarters hours after her husband’s death claiming the delay had led to his death.
Hospital general manager Mohd Johar Ismail said Nalini presented her ATM card and that "we cannot use that for the deposit". He said there was a delay over the deposit but staff gave adequate treatment.
He said the medical officer attending to Murale had also contacted a cardiologist on the telephone for advice.
"The doctor was doing his job in stabilising him while the other staff were handling the deposit issue. Everyone was doing their part."
Johar, however, declined to specify the treatment given to Murale, citing doctor-patient confidentiality.
"All I can say is that he was stabilised in the emergency room but I can’t say what we did. It’s confidential and we will only release the details if the family writes in for it."
Asked if the hospital would be contacting the family to discuss their dissatisfaction, he said it would only be done if the management deemed it necessary.
Johar said Murale was conscious and talking to the doctor who attended to him.
"We did not move him to the intensive care unit immediately as we had equipment to treat him at the emergency unit."
On why Murale’s situation worsened after being stabilised, he said he would have to check the records before answering the question.
He said the hospital had conducted a preliminary investigation and a thorough investigation was under way. A mortality review committee would also be looking into the case.
Asked about the difference in time of death as recorded on the body label and the death certificate, he said he could not comment on the matter.
The time of death is stated as 4.50am on the label and 5am on the certificate.
Nalini said Murale’s medical insurance card was rejected for some reason. She said her pleas for her husband to be sent to the ICU fell on deaf ears.
Murale, a father of two children aged 11 and 12, was only admitted after a brother-in-law paid the deposit about 4.30am.
The hospital today claimed Murale’s wife, K. Nalini, 35, offered the intensive care unit an ATM card to pay the RM3,500 deposit, which it declined.
Nalini, an inventory controller, had said she gave her credit card, which was rejected because of insufficient credit.
"I know the difference between an ATM card and a credit card," she said, adding that the available amount on her credit card was RM1,800.
The issue over which card was offered will be resolved when her bank replies to her request to confirm that the credit card was swiped at the hospital after she arrived at 3.10am.
Murale, 39, died while being wheeled into the ICU about an hour after arriving at the hospital following a heart attack.
Nalini lodged a police report at the Shah Alam district police headquarters hours after her husband’s death claiming the delay had led to his death.
Hospital general manager Mohd Johar Ismail said Nalini presented her ATM card and that "we cannot use that for the deposit". He said there was a delay over the deposit but staff gave adequate treatment.
He said the medical officer attending to Murale had also contacted a cardiologist on the telephone for advice.
"The doctor was doing his job in stabilising him while the other staff were handling the deposit issue. Everyone was doing their part."
Johar, however, declined to specify the treatment given to Murale, citing doctor-patient confidentiality.
"All I can say is that he was stabilised in the emergency room but I can’t say what we did. It’s confidential and we will only release the details if the family writes in for it."
Asked if the hospital would be contacting the family to discuss their dissatisfaction, he said it would only be done if the management deemed it necessary.
Johar said Murale was conscious and talking to the doctor who attended to him.
"We did not move him to the intensive care unit immediately as we had equipment to treat him at the emergency unit."
On why Murale’s situation worsened after being stabilised, he said he would have to check the records before answering the question.
He said the hospital had conducted a preliminary investigation and a thorough investigation was under way. A mortality review committee would also be looking into the case.
Asked about the difference in time of death as recorded on the body label and the death certificate, he said he could not comment on the matter.
The time of death is stated as 4.50am on the label and 5am on the certificate.
Nalini said Murale’s medical insurance card was rejected for some reason. She said her pleas for her husband to be sent to the ICU fell on deaf ears.
Murale, a father of two children aged 11 and 12, was only admitted after a brother-in-law paid the deposit about 4.30am.
Be more flexible, hospitals urged
NST: Private hospitals have been urged to exercise flexibility on deposits in cases of people needing emergency treatment.
State executive councillor for health, Datuk Dr Lim Thuang Seng, said this was especially so if people needed to be admitted to the intensive care unit.
"Private hospitals should do so on humanitarian grounds to save lives as any delay would worsen or result in their death.
He said on a complaint by K. Nalini, wife of driving instructor K. Murale who died of a heart attack at the Selangor Medical Centre on Wednesday, that delay in admittance to the ICU may have proved fatal.
"This should not happen again."
"I also understand the predicament of hospitals whose expenses have gone up and who are giving importance to collecting dues."
Meanwhile, the Umno Youth Public Complaints bureau urged the authorities to investigate the allegations.
Bureau chief Datuk Subahan Kamal said patients in emergency cases should be treated first before the issue of deposits was raised.
The MIC Youth Welfare and Social bureau chairman T. Mohan urged the authorities to ascertain if the hospital was guilty of "corporate manslaughter".
He said such charges were levelled in the West where negligence on the part of corporations had resulted in death.
Mohan said it was too much to expect anyone to have RM3,500 with them at 3am.
"Asking the wife to come up with that amount at that hour was ridiculous."
State executive councillor for health, Datuk Dr Lim Thuang Seng, said this was especially so if people needed to be admitted to the intensive care unit.
"Private hospitals should do so on humanitarian grounds to save lives as any delay would worsen or result in their death.
He said on a complaint by K. Nalini, wife of driving instructor K. Murale who died of a heart attack at the Selangor Medical Centre on Wednesday, that delay in admittance to the ICU may have proved fatal.
"This should not happen again."
"I also understand the predicament of hospitals whose expenses have gone up and who are giving importance to collecting dues."
Meanwhile, the Umno Youth Public Complaints bureau urged the authorities to investigate the allegations.
Bureau chief Datuk Subahan Kamal said patients in emergency cases should be treated first before the issue of deposits was raised.
The MIC Youth Welfare and Social bureau chairman T. Mohan urged the authorities to ascertain if the hospital was guilty of "corporate manslaughter".
He said such charges were levelled in the West where negligence on the part of corporations had resulted in death.
Mohan said it was too much to expect anyone to have RM3,500 with them at 3am.
"Asking the wife to come up with that amount at that hour was ridiculous."
Fewer cases in Penang but threat is not over
NST: The decline in reported dengue cases this week compared with the last is not a sign that the disease is on the wane in Penang.
Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon said there were 300 dengue cases reported for the whole of last week compared with 190 cases this week.
He said greater effort was needed to eliminate breeding grounds of the Aedes mosquito.
The increase and decline of reported cases, he added, would not give an accurate picture since such data required a length of time to study.
"However, the statistics will give us a point of reference to identify the areas where we have to concentrate our efforts on.
"It would also help us identify the factors for the spread of the disease," he said at the Bayan Baru Polyclinic in Bayan Baru here.
Present were Pantai Jerejak assemblyman Wong Mun Hoe, Batu Uban assemblyman Goh Kheng Sneah and State health department director Dr Ong Chee Leng.
Lee also appealed to sundry shops and convenience stores to stock up on Abate, a product that kills mosquito larvae in water.
"This would allow the public to use the product to eliminate the breeding grounds of mosquitoes," he said.
He also headed the operation to inspect Lorong Mahsuri and Jalan Sungai Dua here for mosquito-breeding grounds. Joining him was State health committee chairman P.K. Subbaiyah.
Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon said there were 300 dengue cases reported for the whole of last week compared with 190 cases this week.
He said greater effort was needed to eliminate breeding grounds of the Aedes mosquito.
The increase and decline of reported cases, he added, would not give an accurate picture since such data required a length of time to study.
"However, the statistics will give us a point of reference to identify the areas where we have to concentrate our efforts on.
"It would also help us identify the factors for the spread of the disease," he said at the Bayan Baru Polyclinic in Bayan Baru here.
Present were Pantai Jerejak assemblyman Wong Mun Hoe, Batu Uban assemblyman Goh Kheng Sneah and State health department director Dr Ong Chee Leng.
Lee also appealed to sundry shops and convenience stores to stock up on Abate, a product that kills mosquito larvae in water.
"This would allow the public to use the product to eliminate the breeding grounds of mosquitoes," he said.
He also headed the operation to inspect Lorong Mahsuri and Jalan Sungai Dua here for mosquito-breeding grounds. Joining him was State health committee chairman P.K. Subbaiyah.
Dengue Updates: In the dark about fine on hospital
NST: Four months ago, Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta in Tanjung Rambutan was served with a compound notice for allowing Aedes larvae to breed on its 250ha premises.
The compound notice carries a maximum fine of RM500 under the Destruction of Disease Bearing Insects Act 1975.
It was so hush-hush, even State Health, Science and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Tan Chin Meng did not know until he read about it in the newspapers.
"I was shocked to read the news this morning. No one from the State Health Department informed me," said Tan.
Sounding upset when the New Straits Times contacted him, he requested time to call State Health Department officials for more details.
"I can’t say anything. I have no idea what happened but this is a serious matter and I am surprised no one has informed me about it."
He said the usual practice was for the Health Department to inform him of the compound notices it issued, but the report never carried the name of institution which committed the offence.
When contacted later in the afternoon, Tan said the compound notice was issued to the hospital when a team of health officers went to verify complaints that Aedes larvae were found in the network of drains within the hospital area.
Tan said that according to State Health Department officers, the cleanliness and sanitary work at the hospital was contracted to a private company.
"If there were larvae found, then it shows that the company did not carry out its job properly.
"Fortunately, larvae did not cause an outbreak," he added.
Hospital Bahagia, which began operations in November 1911 as the country’s first mental asylum, is one of six hospitals fined by the Health Ministry for allowing Aedes larvae to breed.
The NST learnt that the compound notice was issued by a team of health officers from the Kinta Health Office based in Batu Gajah.
The others were Hospital Kangar, Hospital Seremban, Hospital Tanah Merah, Hospital Jerantut and Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan.
Tan said this was the first time that the mental institution had been served with a compound notice for such an offence.
Hospital Bahagia houses more than 2,000 inmates and has about 1,700 staff. It is the country's oldest mental institution.
The NST was unable to reach either Perak Health Department director Datuk Dr Prathapa Senan or Hospital Bahagia director Dr Suarn Singh. Both are believed to be in India.
The compound notice carries a maximum fine of RM500 under the Destruction of Disease Bearing Insects Act 1975.
It was so hush-hush, even State Health, Science and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Tan Chin Meng did not know until he read about it in the newspapers.
"I was shocked to read the news this morning. No one from the State Health Department informed me," said Tan.
Sounding upset when the New Straits Times contacted him, he requested time to call State Health Department officials for more details.
"I can’t say anything. I have no idea what happened but this is a serious matter and I am surprised no one has informed me about it."
He said the usual practice was for the Health Department to inform him of the compound notices it issued, but the report never carried the name of institution which committed the offence.
When contacted later in the afternoon, Tan said the compound notice was issued to the hospital when a team of health officers went to verify complaints that Aedes larvae were found in the network of drains within the hospital area.
Tan said that according to State Health Department officers, the cleanliness and sanitary work at the hospital was contracted to a private company.
"If there were larvae found, then it shows that the company did not carry out its job properly.
"Fortunately, larvae did not cause an outbreak," he added.
Hospital Bahagia, which began operations in November 1911 as the country’s first mental asylum, is one of six hospitals fined by the Health Ministry for allowing Aedes larvae to breed.
The NST learnt that the compound notice was issued by a team of health officers from the Kinta Health Office based in Batu Gajah.
The others were Hospital Kangar, Hospital Seremban, Hospital Tanah Merah, Hospital Jerantut and Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan.
Tan said this was the first time that the mental institution had been served with a compound notice for such an offence.
Hospital Bahagia houses more than 2,000 inmates and has about 1,700 staff. It is the country's oldest mental institution.
The NST was unable to reach either Perak Health Department director Datuk Dr Prathapa Senan or Hospital Bahagia director Dr Suarn Singh. Both are believed to be in India.
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Penang Govt Requests For Blood As Dengue Rises
PENANG, Oct 8 (Bernama) -- The state government has sent out an urgent request for more blood donations to fill hospital blood banks in view of the deteriorating dengue situation.
Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the number of confirmed dengue cases had risen and there was an urgent need for more blood.
As at 9 am today, 80 people had been admitted into government hospitals and 12 more into private hospitals. Seventeen of them were confirmed dengue cases.
Two persons, a man and a woman were still being treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) while another had been transferred from the ICU to an ordinary ward of the Penang Hospital today, he said.
The number of deaths due to dengue remained at six.
Asked whether the blood banks were in a critical state due to lack of blood, he said: "Don't say critical, say we must be prepared in view of the fasting month because the number of blood donors is less during the fasting month.
Most Malays do not donate blood during the fasting month.
Speaking at a Press conference after visiting dengue patients at the Penang Hospital here, today, he said the hospital required much blood as many dengue cases were referred to it.
"What is important is, from today, the public are urged to donate blood and what is even more important, they should step up efforts to destroy the breeding places of aedes mosquitoes in their respective areas.
"Please make a real effort if you value your life and family...Everybody must view the fight against dengue from this angle," he said.
Koh said the volume at the blood banks of various hospitals would be announced later and all hospitals must co-operate in this move.
The dengue situation in the state was still "a cause for concern" in view of the many cases being referred for treatment at both public and private hospitals, he said, adding that all agencies and organisations involved in maintaining cleanliness must redouble their efforts to eliminate the disease.
"We are still in a state of war, and efforts must be stepped up to eliminate the disease, including in areas which are still not considered "hot", he said.
Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the number of confirmed dengue cases had risen and there was an urgent need for more blood.
As at 9 am today, 80 people had been admitted into government hospitals and 12 more into private hospitals. Seventeen of them were confirmed dengue cases.
Two persons, a man and a woman were still being treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) while another had been transferred from the ICU to an ordinary ward of the Penang Hospital today, he said.
The number of deaths due to dengue remained at six.
Asked whether the blood banks were in a critical state due to lack of blood, he said: "Don't say critical, say we must be prepared in view of the fasting month because the number of blood donors is less during the fasting month.
Most Malays do not donate blood during the fasting month.
Speaking at a Press conference after visiting dengue patients at the Penang Hospital here, today, he said the hospital required much blood as many dengue cases were referred to it.
"What is important is, from today, the public are urged to donate blood and what is even more important, they should step up efforts to destroy the breeding places of aedes mosquitoes in their respective areas.
"Please make a real effort if you value your life and family...Everybody must view the fight against dengue from this angle," he said.
Koh said the volume at the blood banks of various hospitals would be announced later and all hospitals must co-operate in this move.
The dengue situation in the state was still "a cause for concern" in view of the many cases being referred for treatment at both public and private hospitals, he said, adding that all agencies and organisations involved in maintaining cleanliness must redouble their efforts to eliminate the disease.
"We are still in a state of war, and efforts must be stepped up to eliminate the disease, including in areas which are still not considered "hot", he said.
Sign MoUs With Health Ministry, Dialysis Centres Told
JOHOR BAHARU, Oct 8 (Bernama) -- Dialysis centres run by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have been asked to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Health Ministry to upgrade their service quality to kidney patients.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the MoU was important as some dialysis centres have been found to have weaknesses in handling haemodialysis machines.
There have been cases of haemodialysis machines been detected to be the cause of infections to sufferers of kidney ailments, he said.
"The awareness among NGOs about dialysis service quality is still low. Many of them take for granted the handling of the machines without thinking of the infection risk to patients.
"Some patients have been diagnosed to have Hepatitis after undergoing dialysis," he told reporters after attending a fund-raising drive for the Johor Quarry Association dialysis centre here Friday night.
Besides infections, other shortcomings are untrained staff operating haemodialysis machines, no preventive measures to curb infections and insufficient equipment to handle emergencies.
"Some staff handling dialysis machines have no proper training to provide emergency treatment to patients.
"Most of the dialysis centres are found to have not updated their service records," he said.
To date, only 23 NGO-run dialysis centres have inked MoUs with his ministry while the remaining 60 have not done so.
"I urge them to do so immediately.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the MoU was important as some dialysis centres have been found to have weaknesses in handling haemodialysis machines.
There have been cases of haemodialysis machines been detected to be the cause of infections to sufferers of kidney ailments, he said.
"The awareness among NGOs about dialysis service quality is still low. Many of them take for granted the handling of the machines without thinking of the infection risk to patients.
"Some patients have been diagnosed to have Hepatitis after undergoing dialysis," he told reporters after attending a fund-raising drive for the Johor Quarry Association dialysis centre here Friday night.
Besides infections, other shortcomings are untrained staff operating haemodialysis machines, no preventive measures to curb infections and insufficient equipment to handle emergencies.
"Some staff handling dialysis machines have no proper training to provide emergency treatment to patients.
"Most of the dialysis centres are found to have not updated their service records," he said.
To date, only 23 NGO-run dialysis centres have inked MoUs with his ministry while the remaining 60 have not done so.
"I urge them to do so immediately.
V-VISI to help the blind with computers
NST: The blind community will be able to interact with computers by voice command, once a home-grown voice recognition software system is ready commercially.
The system known as V-VISI (Voice Recognition System for visual impaired learners) enables the blind to instruct computers to fetch and send their email, scroll web pages, print documents in braille from text format and surf for worldwide news and information.
It also enables the computer to talk back to users to confirm instructions and repeat type-written words.
V-VISI earned Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia one of the 12 gold medals at the recent public higher learning institutions (IPTA) exhibition.
It was created by UKM’s Faculty of Information Science and Technology comprising its deputy dean of development affairs Professor Datin Dr Halimah Badioze Zaman and students David Kennedy, Aidanismah Yahya and Choo Wou Onn.
Halimah said the blind community can use computers without any assistance with V-VISI.
"It will give the blind a sense of independence and an appreciation of technology, which is hard for them to grasp because specially-made software for the blind is expensive and not easily available," she said today, after a media briefing to highlight UKM’s achievement at IPTA.
She said V-VISI was tested on some members of the Malaysian Association of the Blind prior to the IPTA’s exhibition.
Until now, MAB has been using foreign-based computer software systems specially developed for the blind.
As a non-profit organisation, MAB is unable to allocate much funds for computers, software and maintenance, at its training centre in Brickfields, hence its struggle to keep up with the latest technology trends.
UKM will set up a council to discuss plans to patent, market and commercial V-VISI soon.
The system known as V-VISI (Voice Recognition System for visual impaired learners) enables the blind to instruct computers to fetch and send their email, scroll web pages, print documents in braille from text format and surf for worldwide news and information.
It also enables the computer to talk back to users to confirm instructions and repeat type-written words.
V-VISI earned Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia one of the 12 gold medals at the recent public higher learning institutions (IPTA) exhibition.
It was created by UKM’s Faculty of Information Science and Technology comprising its deputy dean of development affairs Professor Datin Dr Halimah Badioze Zaman and students David Kennedy, Aidanismah Yahya and Choo Wou Onn.
Halimah said the blind community can use computers without any assistance with V-VISI.
"It will give the blind a sense of independence and an appreciation of technology, which is hard for them to grasp because specially-made software for the blind is expensive and not easily available," she said today, after a media briefing to highlight UKM’s achievement at IPTA.
She said V-VISI was tested on some members of the Malaysian Association of the Blind prior to the IPTA’s exhibition.
Until now, MAB has been using foreign-based computer software systems specially developed for the blind.
As a non-profit organisation, MAB is unable to allocate much funds for computers, software and maintenance, at its training centre in Brickfields, hence its struggle to keep up with the latest technology trends.
UKM will set up a council to discuss plans to patent, market and commercial V-VISI soon.
Dengue Updates: Hospitals fined for breeding Aedes
NST: One would expect hospitals to be clean and not breed the dreaded Aedes mosquito.
Not so, it seems. The Health Ministry has slapped six hospitals in the country with compound notices for allowing the Aedes larvae to breed.
Also, over the last five days, there were 576 suspected dengue cases, 19 suffering dengue haemorrhagic fever. There were three deaths during this period.
The Health Ministry’s Communicable Disease Control division director Dr Ramlee Rahmat said today the hospitals and five schools were among the 13,332 issued with compound notices between Jan 1 and Oct 6.
The hospitals are Hospital Kangar, Hospital Bahagia, Hospital Seremban, Hospital Tanah Merah, Hospital Jerantut and Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan.
The schools are: Sekolah Menengah Seri Sepang in Selangor; SM Teknik, Jasin; SM Tun Perak and SM Sri Bemban in Malacca; and SK Mejar Jeneral in Kuching, Sarawak.
The compound notices carry a maximum fine of RM500 each under the Destruction of Disease Bearing Insects Act 1975 (DDBIA). Those who violate the directive to clean up the premises are liable to a fine of RM500 daily under Section 23(c) of the same Act.
"Construction sites still continue to be the highest breeders of the Aedes mosquito," said Dr Ramlee.
On dengue deaths, Dr Ramlee said three people died within the last 15 days, bringing the death toll to 75.
The victims were a 44-year-old poultry trader from Bayan Baru in Penang who died on Oct 3, a factory worker, 40, from Temerloh, Pahang who died on Sept 26 and a 36-year technician from Malacca who died on Sept 22.
Selangor topped the list of dengue cases with 144 cases and 10 people hospitalised with DHF, Penang (121 and one death), Kuala Lumpur (80 with one DHF), Kedah (43 with one DHF), Johor (37), Pahang (30 with four DHF and one death), Negri Sembilan (33), Perak (22), Kelantan (15 with two DHF), Malacca (13 with one DHF and one death), Sarawak (11), Sabah (10), Perlis (eight), Terengganu (five), Putrajaya (three) and Labuan (one).
This brings to 29,196 the number of suspected dengue cases between Jan 1 and Oct 6, with 1,500 of them being DHF.
Dr Ramlee said there were 15 hotspots, namely, Barat Daya district, Penang, (62 cases within the last five days) Kajang Municipality, (58), Timur Laut district, Penang, (36), Johor Baru (31), Subang Jaya Municipality (26), Setapak (21), Cheras (20), Penang Municipality (19), Kepong (16), Seremban ( 14), Ampang Jaya Municipality (13), Shah Alam City area (12), and Bandar Baru, Gombak and Kuantan (11 each).
Not so, it seems. The Health Ministry has slapped six hospitals in the country with compound notices for allowing the Aedes larvae to breed.
Also, over the last five days, there were 576 suspected dengue cases, 19 suffering dengue haemorrhagic fever. There were three deaths during this period.
The Health Ministry’s Communicable Disease Control division director Dr Ramlee Rahmat said today the hospitals and five schools were among the 13,332 issued with compound notices between Jan 1 and Oct 6.
The hospitals are Hospital Kangar, Hospital Bahagia, Hospital Seremban, Hospital Tanah Merah, Hospital Jerantut and Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan.
The schools are: Sekolah Menengah Seri Sepang in Selangor; SM Teknik, Jasin; SM Tun Perak and SM Sri Bemban in Malacca; and SK Mejar Jeneral in Kuching, Sarawak.
The compound notices carry a maximum fine of RM500 each under the Destruction of Disease Bearing Insects Act 1975 (DDBIA). Those who violate the directive to clean up the premises are liable to a fine of RM500 daily under Section 23(c) of the same Act.
"Construction sites still continue to be the highest breeders of the Aedes mosquito," said Dr Ramlee.
On dengue deaths, Dr Ramlee said three people died within the last 15 days, bringing the death toll to 75.
The victims were a 44-year-old poultry trader from Bayan Baru in Penang who died on Oct 3, a factory worker, 40, from Temerloh, Pahang who died on Sept 26 and a 36-year technician from Malacca who died on Sept 22.
Selangor topped the list of dengue cases with 144 cases and 10 people hospitalised with DHF, Penang (121 and one death), Kuala Lumpur (80 with one DHF), Kedah (43 with one DHF), Johor (37), Pahang (30 with four DHF and one death), Negri Sembilan (33), Perak (22), Kelantan (15 with two DHF), Malacca (13 with one DHF and one death), Sarawak (11), Sabah (10), Perlis (eight), Terengganu (five), Putrajaya (three) and Labuan (one).
This brings to 29,196 the number of suspected dengue cases between Jan 1 and Oct 6, with 1,500 of them being DHF.
Dr Ramlee said there were 15 hotspots, namely, Barat Daya district, Penang, (62 cases within the last five days) Kajang Municipality, (58), Timur Laut district, Penang, (36), Johor Baru (31), Subang Jaya Municipality (26), Setapak (21), Cheras (20), Penang Municipality (19), Kepong (16), Seremban ( 14), Ampang Jaya Municipality (13), Shah Alam City area (12), and Bandar Baru, Gombak and Kuantan (11 each).
Friday, October 07, 2005
All out to prevent bird flu outbreak
Star: The Government is leaving no stone unturned to prevent an outbreak of the avian flu.
In this context, it wants to tackle the problem at source and has asked farmers to report to the authorities any deaths of poultry.
It has also stockpiled medication and flu vaccine in case there is a need to vaccinate and treat the people.
Agriculture and Agro-Based Industries Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said farmers who reported any poultry deaths would be compensated.
The compensation is part of measures to prevent an outbreak of the avian flu following a World Health Organisation alert of emerging cases in some Asean countries, including Indonesia and Thailand.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek on the setting-up of a joint panel to tackle avian flu, Muhyiddin said such early reporting would enable the Government to arrest any situation immediately.
“Many breeders, including those in the villages, are afraid that if they report the deaths of the birds, their poultry will be taken away and their remaining flock culled.
“This may lead to them keeping quiet,” Dr Chua said.
“We want to assure them that if they come forward and report the deaths, and if the cases are found to be avian flu, the Government will compensate them.
“This is part of our contingency plans to prepare for any eventualities,” he said, adding that there would be no limit to the compensation.
When the avian flu was detected in Kelantan last year, the Government paid out some RM250,000 in compensation to 933 small-time breeders and villagers.
The cost to contain the outbreak came up to RM5mil.
The anti-bird flu strategies include planning and mobilising human and financial resources, and obtaining medical equipment and protective gear.
The Government has designated 21 hospitals to care for patients, as well as centres such as the Institute for Medical Research to carry out tests.
Muhyiddin said police, Customs and Immigration officers would continue to step up checks on the import of poultry and birds.
“We also discussed the possibility of levying heavier penalties on smuggling,” he said, adding that the plan was awaiting Cabinet approval.
“The plan will also include education and awareness campaigns to inform villagers and breeders of the dangers of avian flu,” he said.
Dr Chua said his ministry had set up its own committee to deal with any outbreak and staff had been asked to be on the lookout for those suspected to have the virus.
In this context, it wants to tackle the problem at source and has asked farmers to report to the authorities any deaths of poultry.
It has also stockpiled medication and flu vaccine in case there is a need to vaccinate and treat the people.
Agriculture and Agro-Based Industries Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said farmers who reported any poultry deaths would be compensated.
The compensation is part of measures to prevent an outbreak of the avian flu following a World Health Organisation alert of emerging cases in some Asean countries, including Indonesia and Thailand.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek on the setting-up of a joint panel to tackle avian flu, Muhyiddin said such early reporting would enable the Government to arrest any situation immediately.
“Many breeders, including those in the villages, are afraid that if they report the deaths of the birds, their poultry will be taken away and their remaining flock culled.
“This may lead to them keeping quiet,” Dr Chua said.
“We want to assure them that if they come forward and report the deaths, and if the cases are found to be avian flu, the Government will compensate them.
“This is part of our contingency plans to prepare for any eventualities,” he said, adding that there would be no limit to the compensation.
When the avian flu was detected in Kelantan last year, the Government paid out some RM250,000 in compensation to 933 small-time breeders and villagers.
The cost to contain the outbreak came up to RM5mil.
The anti-bird flu strategies include planning and mobilising human and financial resources, and obtaining medical equipment and protective gear.
The Government has designated 21 hospitals to care for patients, as well as centres such as the Institute for Medical Research to carry out tests.
Muhyiddin said police, Customs and Immigration officers would continue to step up checks on the import of poultry and birds.
“We also discussed the possibility of levying heavier penalties on smuggling,” he said, adding that the plan was awaiting Cabinet approval.
“The plan will also include education and awareness campaigns to inform villagers and breeders of the dangers of avian flu,” he said.
Dr Chua said his ministry had set up its own committee to deal with any outbreak and staff had been asked to be on the lookout for those suspected to have the virus.
Wake up to danger, Bayan Baru folk told
NST: Bayan Baru residents have been taken to task for not participating in anti-dengue campaigns in their area.
State Health, Welfare and Caring Society Committee chairman P.K. Subbaiyah said although the area was one of the worst affected, the residents were not coming out in full force to help the authorities fight the outbreak.
"I want to emphasise that everyone has an equal role to play in our fight against dengue. Come out and help us. Don’t expect the authorities to do everything.
"We want to see encouraging response from the people as shown by those in Pantai Jerejak and Bayan Lepas," he said.
Subbaiyah said the people could participate in the on-going Combi (Communication for Behavioural Impact) Anti-Dengue Programme.
Under the programme, representatives would be given a dengue kit and teams would go out to identify Aedes breeding grounds.
So far, 250 Combi kits have been distributed to representatives of the 20 hotspots in the State.
"We will continue to organise more cleanliness activities as well as hold anti-dengue programmes," he said, adding that the latest awareness programme will be held at the Jelutong market this weekend. This will be launched by Health Ministry Parliamentary Secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon.
Subbaiyah confirmed another dengue victim, a 45-year-old factory manager from Bayan Lepas, was admitted to the intensive care unit of a private hospital here.
"The condition of the latest victim is not so good. We will continue to monitor his condition."
State Health, Welfare and Caring Society Committee chairman P.K. Subbaiyah said although the area was one of the worst affected, the residents were not coming out in full force to help the authorities fight the outbreak.
"I want to emphasise that everyone has an equal role to play in our fight against dengue. Come out and help us. Don’t expect the authorities to do everything.
"We want to see encouraging response from the people as shown by those in Pantai Jerejak and Bayan Lepas," he said.
Subbaiyah said the people could participate in the on-going Combi (Communication for Behavioural Impact) Anti-Dengue Programme.
Under the programme, representatives would be given a dengue kit and teams would go out to identify Aedes breeding grounds.
So far, 250 Combi kits have been distributed to representatives of the 20 hotspots in the State.
"We will continue to organise more cleanliness activities as well as hold anti-dengue programmes," he said, adding that the latest awareness programme will be held at the Jelutong market this weekend. This will be launched by Health Ministry Parliamentary Secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon.
Subbaiyah confirmed another dengue victim, a 45-year-old factory manager from Bayan Lepas, was admitted to the intensive care unit of a private hospital here.
"The condition of the latest victim is not so good. We will continue to monitor his condition."
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Herbal Company Seeks RM100 Mln Grant To Develop Medicine For AIDS
JOHOR BAHARU, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- Nasuha Enterprise Sdn Bhd, a local herbal company which has identified several types of herbal plants that can treat AIDS patients, is seeking a RM100 million government grant to continue research and development on the plants.
Its managing director, Nasuha Kasian said more detailed R&D to study the medicinal contents of the tropical forest plants could not be continued because of the high cost which could touch RM100 million.
"We have identified several other types of tropical forest plants that could cure AIDS, but we don't have the means to continue scientific research on them because of the exhorbitant cost," he told Bernama.
Nasuha hoped the government could approve the RM100 million grant and the company was prepared to continue the R&D with the collaboration of local and foreign universities.
Nasuha Enterprise has a 1,280-hectare estate cultivated with herbal plants and spices in Pagoh, Muar comprising more than 133 species of plants.
Nasuha Enterprise started research on the medicinal contents of herbal plants for the past 27 years.
Nasuha said scientific studies on the plants, which he declined to name for certain reasons, were carried out with the assistance of several experts from a neighbouring country.
He said that besides studying plants that could cure AIDS, the company had also conducted research on the "Citroblanters" plants together with the Food Division of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).
The outcome of the research showed that extracts from the tree had the capacity to stop the spread of cancer cells, he said.
However, he said R&D on the medicinal contents of the tree could not be continued because it would incur an additional cost of RM4 million.
"What we need is a grant from the government because R&D requires a lot of expenses," he said.
He said several international companies from China and the United Kingdom had shown interest in offering financial assistance to develop the products based on the outcome of the research on a joint-venture basis.
"I fear that if I accept such offers hastily, other countries would benefit from the 20 years of hard work put in by my company," Nasuha said.
Its managing director, Nasuha Kasian said more detailed R&D to study the medicinal contents of the tropical forest plants could not be continued because of the high cost which could touch RM100 million.
"We have identified several other types of tropical forest plants that could cure AIDS, but we don't have the means to continue scientific research on them because of the exhorbitant cost," he told Bernama.
Nasuha hoped the government could approve the RM100 million grant and the company was prepared to continue the R&D with the collaboration of local and foreign universities.
Nasuha Enterprise has a 1,280-hectare estate cultivated with herbal plants and spices in Pagoh, Muar comprising more than 133 species of plants.
Nasuha Enterprise started research on the medicinal contents of herbal plants for the past 27 years.
Nasuha said scientific studies on the plants, which he declined to name for certain reasons, were carried out with the assistance of several experts from a neighbouring country.
He said that besides studying plants that could cure AIDS, the company had also conducted research on the "Citroblanters" plants together with the Food Division of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).
The outcome of the research showed that extracts from the tree had the capacity to stop the spread of cancer cells, he said.
However, he said R&D on the medicinal contents of the tree could not be continued because it would incur an additional cost of RM4 million.
"What we need is a grant from the government because R&D requires a lot of expenses," he said.
He said several international companies from China and the United Kingdom had shown interest in offering financial assistance to develop the products based on the outcome of the research on a joint-venture basis.
"I fear that if I accept such offers hastily, other countries would benefit from the 20 years of hard work put in by my company," Nasuha said.
Cosmetics Bill To Regulate Beauty Outlets To Be Tabled
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- The Cosmetics Bill, to be tabled in the Cabinet in two more weeks, will empower the government to check the misuse of cosmetic products and beauty tools by beauty practitioners, said Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad, Thursday.
He said if the Cabinet accepted the proposed bill, his ministry would call those involved in the beauty profession to provide feedback.
"The tabling of the proposed bill in the Cabinet is needed to explain the rationale of the bill," he told reporters after presenting prizes to the winners of the "Ellgy Plus 1 Carat Diamond Contest", here Thursday.
He said there was no law or regulation currently to check the activities of beauty professionals and the tools used in their activities, which posed difficulties to the authorities in taking action against erring practitioners.
"For medical practitioners who practise beauty procedures, they are under the provision of the Medical Act 1971. But for those who are not in this group, they are not subjected to the act...so we will have a new act to monitor and control their practices," he said.
"Actually, we want to uplift the (image of the) profession. Not to stop them from being involved in the beauty practices because we are aware that the field is developing rapidly and has become an important economic sector.
"However, at the same time, we don't want others to be cheated, helpless and could not do anything. We want to regulate the premises, the profession, the practice and the tools to determine whether they are safe or not," he said.
He added that many tools, especially those used for slimming sessions, were still used despite being proven not to be effective.
On some health or beauty practitioners who simply took their customers' blood sample for tests, Dr Abdul Latiff said the problem could be solved when the Pathology Bill which had been presented to the Attorney-General, was passed in the Parliament.
He said under the existing legal provisions, only a doctor could take blood samples for tests and even though the existing laws could be applied for the offence, it was not airtight enough to enable legal actions to be taken against beauty and health practitioners.
He said if the Cabinet accepted the proposed bill, his ministry would call those involved in the beauty profession to provide feedback.
"The tabling of the proposed bill in the Cabinet is needed to explain the rationale of the bill," he told reporters after presenting prizes to the winners of the "Ellgy Plus 1 Carat Diamond Contest", here Thursday.
He said there was no law or regulation currently to check the activities of beauty professionals and the tools used in their activities, which posed difficulties to the authorities in taking action against erring practitioners.
"For medical practitioners who practise beauty procedures, they are under the provision of the Medical Act 1971. But for those who are not in this group, they are not subjected to the act...so we will have a new act to monitor and control their practices," he said.
"Actually, we want to uplift the (image of the) profession. Not to stop them from being involved in the beauty practices because we are aware that the field is developing rapidly and has become an important economic sector.
"However, at the same time, we don't want others to be cheated, helpless and could not do anything. We want to regulate the premises, the profession, the practice and the tools to determine whether they are safe or not," he said.
He added that many tools, especially those used for slimming sessions, were still used despite being proven not to be effective.
On some health or beauty practitioners who simply took their customers' blood sample for tests, Dr Abdul Latiff said the problem could be solved when the Pathology Bill which had been presented to the Attorney-General, was passed in the Parliament.
He said under the existing legal provisions, only a doctor could take blood samples for tests and even though the existing laws could be applied for the offence, it was not airtight enough to enable legal actions to be taken against beauty and health practitioners.
Government Doctors Claim Meetings Keep Them From Patients
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- Last year, 374 doctors left the government service--an average of about one per day, according to statistics from the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA).
Many joined the private sector because they wanted better pay and better hours.
But some could be quitting because they are frustrated that administrative duties, meetings, examinations and seminars are keeping them from their "core business" of treating patients.
The MMA's deputy secretary Dr Kuljit Singh estimates that at least 20 to 40 percent of a government doctor's time is spent in departmental, hospital, state and Ministry of Health meetings as well as courses and seminars.
"I get taken away from clinical work and have to leave the afternoon clinic with juniors," the government doctor told Bernama.
If there is a delay in tackling this problem, he predicted, "Government doctors will move to greener pastures where they can get at least four times the salary and see patients from 8 to 5."
In the private sector they have no administrative work or courses and not as many meetings, he said.
Heads of departments have to attend more meetings, said MMA's Section Concerning House Officers, Medical Officers and Specialists (SCHOMOS) vice-chairman Dr Mastura Ismail.
"As a boss, you have to go to technical, management and scientific meetings," she explained.
As a family medicine specialist, she attends perinatal meetings once a month and whenever there is a maternal death, she has to attend a meeting held within one month of the death.
In addition, she attends district level management and finance meetings once or twice a month.
"But sometimes you can delegate some meetings to your subordinates and ask them to come back and report to you," she said.
Some doctors have also complained about the Penilaian Tahap Kecekapan (PTK) or the Efficiency Level Assessment under the new remuneration scheme (Sistem Saraan Malaysia) introduced in 2002--which includes in-house evaluation, courses and examinations.
For example, noted Dr Kuljit, doctors need to go for courses on government regulations and circulars--such as how to apply for leave. Instead of doctors spending time on such courses, he suggested, the Human Resources Department in their organisation could advise them.
If doctors don't take the course, they cannot be promoted, he said, questioning whether the assessment measured their efficiency as doctors.
"Looking at the number of patients seen, the number of teaching sessions and the number of presentations would be more logical," said Dr Kuljit.
But he welcomed the Ministry of Health's plans to integrate continuous professional development with PTK and suggested that points could be awarded for doctors taking related medical courses--perhaps once a year.
"We encourage doctors to go for continuous professional development," MMA's immediate past president Datuk Dr N. Arumugam said, quoting studies which indicated that within a five year period, 30 to 50 percent of medication and techniques would have changed.
Between 10 days to two weeks per year spent on relevant courses would be time well spent, he said.
To attend such courses, doctors need permission from their head of department, stressed Dr Mastura.
She said doctors have to select courses which are pertinent, important to their discipline and to which they also can contribute.
"The Ministry of Health encourages this as long as we know how to manage our time and be fair to our colleagues and take turns," she said.
"At the end of the day, patients come first," said Dr Mastura.
Many joined the private sector because they wanted better pay and better hours.
But some could be quitting because they are frustrated that administrative duties, meetings, examinations and seminars are keeping them from their "core business" of treating patients.
The MMA's deputy secretary Dr Kuljit Singh estimates that at least 20 to 40 percent of a government doctor's time is spent in departmental, hospital, state and Ministry of Health meetings as well as courses and seminars.
"I get taken away from clinical work and have to leave the afternoon clinic with juniors," the government doctor told Bernama.
If there is a delay in tackling this problem, he predicted, "Government doctors will move to greener pastures where they can get at least four times the salary and see patients from 8 to 5."
In the private sector they have no administrative work or courses and not as many meetings, he said.
Heads of departments have to attend more meetings, said MMA's Section Concerning House Officers, Medical Officers and Specialists (SCHOMOS) vice-chairman Dr Mastura Ismail.
"As a boss, you have to go to technical, management and scientific meetings," she explained.
As a family medicine specialist, she attends perinatal meetings once a month and whenever there is a maternal death, she has to attend a meeting held within one month of the death.
In addition, she attends district level management and finance meetings once or twice a month.
"But sometimes you can delegate some meetings to your subordinates and ask them to come back and report to you," she said.
Some doctors have also complained about the Penilaian Tahap Kecekapan (PTK) or the Efficiency Level Assessment under the new remuneration scheme (Sistem Saraan Malaysia) introduced in 2002--which includes in-house evaluation, courses and examinations.
For example, noted Dr Kuljit, doctors need to go for courses on government regulations and circulars--such as how to apply for leave. Instead of doctors spending time on such courses, he suggested, the Human Resources Department in their organisation could advise them.
If doctors don't take the course, they cannot be promoted, he said, questioning whether the assessment measured their efficiency as doctors.
"Looking at the number of patients seen, the number of teaching sessions and the number of presentations would be more logical," said Dr Kuljit.
But he welcomed the Ministry of Health's plans to integrate continuous professional development with PTK and suggested that points could be awarded for doctors taking related medical courses--perhaps once a year.
"We encourage doctors to go for continuous professional development," MMA's immediate past president Datuk Dr N. Arumugam said, quoting studies which indicated that within a five year period, 30 to 50 percent of medication and techniques would have changed.
Between 10 days to two weeks per year spent on relevant courses would be time well spent, he said.
To attend such courses, doctors need permission from their head of department, stressed Dr Mastura.
She said doctors have to select courses which are pertinent, important to their discipline and to which they also can contribute.
"The Ministry of Health encourages this as long as we know how to manage our time and be fair to our colleagues and take turns," she said.
"At the end of the day, patients come first," said Dr Mastura.
Sarawak Goes All Out To Contain Dengue Outbreak
KUCHING, Oct 5 (Bernama) -- The Sarawak Medical Department is collaborating with local councils to embark on a massive campaign to contain a dengue outbreak following the latest death of a man of dengue haemorrhagic fever in Marudi.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan, Wednesday night said 900 dengue cases, with seven deaths, mostly in northern Sarawak had been reported so far this year, a drastic increase of 115 percent from the same period last year.
No deaths from the disease, transmitted by the Aedes mosquito as the vector, were reported last year.
"As part of proactive measures to increase public vigilance, these concerted efforts include searching and destroying potential breeding grounds of the Aedes mosquito, especially in urban areas," he told a press conference at the Kuching International Airport here before departing for Miri.
Apart from carrying out fogging in high-risk areas, he said it was also important that members of the public were aware of the dangers of Aedes mosquitoes lurking in their gardens or construction sites.
So far the medical fraternity has yet to find a vaccine for dengue haemorrhagic fever. The federal Health Ministry has been put on full alert with all state directors being asked to monitor the situation.
On the avian flu, he said the state government had also been put on high alert, especially in the monitoring of imported poultry from countries where outbreaks have surfaced, including Indonesia, China and the Philippines.
He said locals were advised not to bring in birds such as fighting cocks and kampung chicken from Kalimantan across the border in Indonesia, which had reported six deaths from the influenza recently.
So far 5,000 random samples taken for analysis by the Sarawak Veterinary Authority from imported and local poultry as well as from the border areas had tested negative for the virus, he said.
Chan added that the police and army were also stepping up surveillance along the long and porous Sarawak-Kalimantan border as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the disease into the state.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan, Wednesday night said 900 dengue cases, with seven deaths, mostly in northern Sarawak had been reported so far this year, a drastic increase of 115 percent from the same period last year.
No deaths from the disease, transmitted by the Aedes mosquito as the vector, were reported last year.
"As part of proactive measures to increase public vigilance, these concerted efforts include searching and destroying potential breeding grounds of the Aedes mosquito, especially in urban areas," he told a press conference at the Kuching International Airport here before departing for Miri.
Apart from carrying out fogging in high-risk areas, he said it was also important that members of the public were aware of the dangers of Aedes mosquitoes lurking in their gardens or construction sites.
So far the medical fraternity has yet to find a vaccine for dengue haemorrhagic fever. The federal Health Ministry has been put on full alert with all state directors being asked to monitor the situation.
On the avian flu, he said the state government had also been put on high alert, especially in the monitoring of imported poultry from countries where outbreaks have surfaced, including Indonesia, China and the Philippines.
He said locals were advised not to bring in birds such as fighting cocks and kampung chicken from Kalimantan across the border in Indonesia, which had reported six deaths from the influenza recently.
So far 5,000 random samples taken for analysis by the Sarawak Veterinary Authority from imported and local poultry as well as from the border areas had tested negative for the virus, he said.
Chan added that the police and army were also stepping up surveillance along the long and porous Sarawak-Kalimantan border as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the disease into the state.
M'sia Needs Dengue Early Warning System, Says Expert
PENANG, Oct 5 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry must come up with an early warning system for dengue and stop the current practice of declaring dengue an epidemic in certain areas only when deaths result from the disease, an entomologist suggested Wednesday.
Prof Dr Abu Hassan Ahmad of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) said hitherto Malaysia had no early warning system as efforts to monitor dengue were never continuous.
"Early warning system means the Ministry of Health must monitor continuously the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes and come up with a warning when the mosquito starts to breed in large numbers," he told reporters here.
Dr Abu Hassan, who is the Deputy Dean of the School of Biological Sciences and had researched insects for the last 25 years, said continuous monitoring was necessary as the Aedes mosquito was canny and able to hide in the least suspected places.
Also, through continuous monitoring, the local authorities would be able to gauge the situation before coming out with a warning or taking action immediately to destroy the breeding grounds when the Aedes mosquito is detected in housing areas, he said.
The ministry must also provide detailed explanation to the people about the characteristics of the mosquito as there were many fallacies in the public perception regarding Aedes.
These include believing that the appearance of Aedes is seasonal and that the mosquito only bites at dawn and dusk. Many were also unaware that the mosquitoes can find their way to their homes although they breed outside the house.
"Aedes likes to hide in the gaps of window curtains, under cushions, among decorative plants and in between water tanks where there is a little bit of clean water," he said.
Abu Hassan, who suffered from dengue haemorrhagic fever in 1997, said it was disappointing that the medical fraternity had yet to find a vaccine for dengue haemorrhagic fever despite many attempts to do so.
He said the government, too, must help the scientific community by providing a special grant for research work on a specific vaccine to help save dengue haemorrhagic fever victims.
The entomologist gave some pointers that could help prevent dengue. He said infants and children should be made to sleep under mosquito netting, mosquito repellents must be switched on from 6 pm onwards, mosquito sprays must be used often in dark areas of the house day and night and also under the bed and sofa, and in between curtains and decorative plants.
Prof Dr Abu Hassan Ahmad of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) said hitherto Malaysia had no early warning system as efforts to monitor dengue were never continuous.
"Early warning system means the Ministry of Health must monitor continuously the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes and come up with a warning when the mosquito starts to breed in large numbers," he told reporters here.
Dr Abu Hassan, who is the Deputy Dean of the School of Biological Sciences and had researched insects for the last 25 years, said continuous monitoring was necessary as the Aedes mosquito was canny and able to hide in the least suspected places.
Also, through continuous monitoring, the local authorities would be able to gauge the situation before coming out with a warning or taking action immediately to destroy the breeding grounds when the Aedes mosquito is detected in housing areas, he said.
The ministry must also provide detailed explanation to the people about the characteristics of the mosquito as there were many fallacies in the public perception regarding Aedes.
These include believing that the appearance of Aedes is seasonal and that the mosquito only bites at dawn and dusk. Many were also unaware that the mosquitoes can find their way to their homes although they breed outside the house.
"Aedes likes to hide in the gaps of window curtains, under cushions, among decorative plants and in between water tanks where there is a little bit of clean water," he said.
Abu Hassan, who suffered from dengue haemorrhagic fever in 1997, said it was disappointing that the medical fraternity had yet to find a vaccine for dengue haemorrhagic fever despite many attempts to do so.
He said the government, too, must help the scientific community by providing a special grant for research work on a specific vaccine to help save dengue haemorrhagic fever victims.
The entomologist gave some pointers that could help prevent dengue. He said infants and children should be made to sleep under mosquito netting, mosquito repellents must be switched on from 6 pm onwards, mosquito sprays must be used often in dark areas of the house day and night and also under the bed and sofa, and in between curtains and decorative plants.
Health product recalled
news.gov.hk:The Department of Health warns consumers to avoid health product Shen Loon Capsule which contains Western drug ingredients that can cause harmful side effects. Anyone using the product should stop and seek medical advice.
The appeal comes after a 74-year-old man suffered liver problems. He said he had been using the product, purchased in Malaysia, for joint pain for seven years.
The product contains piroxicam, a pain killer that can cause gastrointestinal discomfort and liver damage, and frusemide that is used to remove excess water from the body and can cause gastrointestinal discomfort and dizziness.
Products containing these drugs are 3rd Schedule poisons under the Pharmacy & Poisons Ordinance and can only be sold on a doctor's prescription and under a pharmacist's supervision.
The department will inform health authorities in Malaysia, the Mainland and Macau about the case.
People with joint pain should consult medical professionals for appropriate advice and medication.
The appeal comes after a 74-year-old man suffered liver problems. He said he had been using the product, purchased in Malaysia, for joint pain for seven years.
The product contains piroxicam, a pain killer that can cause gastrointestinal discomfort and liver damage, and frusemide that is used to remove excess water from the body and can cause gastrointestinal discomfort and dizziness.
Products containing these drugs are 3rd Schedule poisons under the Pharmacy & Poisons Ordinance and can only be sold on a doctor's prescription and under a pharmacist's supervision.
The department will inform health authorities in Malaysia, the Mainland and Macau about the case.
People with joint pain should consult medical professionals for appropriate advice and medication.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Go For The Easiest Way To Eradicate Dengue
MELAKA, Oct 5 (Bernama) -- "Get rid of stagnant water to eradicate aedes...that is all to it" this is the message from Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Ali Rustam to the citizens in the state in efforts to curb the dengue menace.
"Don't depend on fogging, because aedes is now immune and fogging also doesn't kill the mosquito larvae in stagnant water," Mohd Ali said this in his address when officiating the Taqarrub Ramadan programme at Masjid Bukit Katil here, last night.
Taqarrub Ramadan, a programme to bring Muslims closer during the holy month of Ramadan, is organised by the Special Affairs Department (Jasa), the Melaka Islamic Religious Department and the Unit Rumahku Syurgaku, all under the Chief Minister's Department. The event was officiated by the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Melaka Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob.
Mohamad Ali said the number of dengue cases at present stood at 647 with six deaths, four in Alor Gajah district and two in Melaka Tengah.
Mohd Ali reminded the public not to take lightly the present dengue menace and urged them to join hands with the relevant government departments to eradicate aedes breeding grounds.
He also said that the state government would play its role in raising public awareness on dengue and at the same time would rope in all masjids and suraus to disseminate information on the dangers of dengue and the ways to eradicate aedes.
Meanwhile Mohamed Ali said all elected representatives in the state and members of Village Development and Security Committee would go to the ground to explain to the people regarding the benefits from the 2006 Budget tabled by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Friday.
"Don't depend on fogging, because aedes is now immune and fogging also doesn't kill the mosquito larvae in stagnant water," Mohd Ali said this in his address when officiating the Taqarrub Ramadan programme at Masjid Bukit Katil here, last night.
Taqarrub Ramadan, a programme to bring Muslims closer during the holy month of Ramadan, is organised by the Special Affairs Department (Jasa), the Melaka Islamic Religious Department and the Unit Rumahku Syurgaku, all under the Chief Minister's Department. The event was officiated by the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Melaka Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob.
Mohamad Ali said the number of dengue cases at present stood at 647 with six deaths, four in Alor Gajah district and two in Melaka Tengah.
Mohd Ali reminded the public not to take lightly the present dengue menace and urged them to join hands with the relevant government departments to eradicate aedes breeding grounds.
He also said that the state government would play its role in raising public awareness on dengue and at the same time would rope in all masjids and suraus to disseminate information on the dangers of dengue and the ways to eradicate aedes.
Meanwhile Mohamed Ali said all elected representatives in the state and members of Village Development and Security Committee would go to the ground to explain to the people regarding the benefits from the 2006 Budget tabled by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Friday.
Making prostheses from can tabs
NST: The next time you flip open a can for a drink, think of those who need artificial legs to move about.
What have the tabs got to do with prosthetic legs? Plenty. A kilogramme of canned drink tabs can be used to make joints for three artificial legs.
The Prosthesis Foundation of Thailand is proof that this can not only be done but that the artificial legs are sturdy too. It has been using tabs and other recyclable stuff to make artificial legs for the last 13 years.
The foundation has so far produced 16,000 legs for the disabled in Thailand and close to 400 legs for those in need in Malaysia.
The man behind the idea is Associate Prof Dr Therdchai Jivacate, who realised there were poor amputees in his hometown of Chiang Mai who could not afford prosthesis equipment sold at hospitals or private companies.
The orthopaedic surgeon attached to Chiang Mai University experimented with material that could be re-used when he made his first artificial leg 38 years ago.
"I used to come across so many people who needed to have their limbs removed due to accidents. After losing their limbs, they made limbs out of bamboo and plastic bottles so that they could move about.
"These simple artificial legs did not fit properly so I decided to make some for them. I gave them out for free and eventually the Prosthesis Foundation was set up under the patronage of the late Princess Mother," he said.
The foundation depends on donations in the form of canned drink tabs, other reusable items and funding in order to continue providing artificial legs for free.
In Malaysia, the foundation is working closely with the Girl Guides Association to obtain its supply of tabs through the "Lids for Legs" programme.
The Sabah branch has collected more than 260kg of lids through booths it has set up in strategic locations, while several States have also done their bit for the foundation.
Dr Therdchai said in Malaysia, 205 artificial legs were fitted on amputees in Alor Star and another 170 were given to the disabled in Kluang in the last two years.
He said each leg was custom-made to fit its user and that if proper care was taken, it could last a lifetime.
It costs about RM150 to produce a limb for below the knee compared to RM600 at a government hospital in Thailand. A whole leg only costs about RM250 at the foundation.
Datuk Chua Soon Booi of the Sabah Girl Guides said the association would continue to collect lids.
What have the tabs got to do with prosthetic legs? Plenty. A kilogramme of canned drink tabs can be used to make joints for three artificial legs.
The Prosthesis Foundation of Thailand is proof that this can not only be done but that the artificial legs are sturdy too. It has been using tabs and other recyclable stuff to make artificial legs for the last 13 years.
The foundation has so far produced 16,000 legs for the disabled in Thailand and close to 400 legs for those in need in Malaysia.
The man behind the idea is Associate Prof Dr Therdchai Jivacate, who realised there were poor amputees in his hometown of Chiang Mai who could not afford prosthesis equipment sold at hospitals or private companies.
The orthopaedic surgeon attached to Chiang Mai University experimented with material that could be re-used when he made his first artificial leg 38 years ago.
"I used to come across so many people who needed to have their limbs removed due to accidents. After losing their limbs, they made limbs out of bamboo and plastic bottles so that they could move about.
"These simple artificial legs did not fit properly so I decided to make some for them. I gave them out for free and eventually the Prosthesis Foundation was set up under the patronage of the late Princess Mother," he said.
The foundation depends on donations in the form of canned drink tabs, other reusable items and funding in order to continue providing artificial legs for free.
In Malaysia, the foundation is working closely with the Girl Guides Association to obtain its supply of tabs through the "Lids for Legs" programme.
The Sabah branch has collected more than 260kg of lids through booths it has set up in strategic locations, while several States have also done their bit for the foundation.
Dr Therdchai said in Malaysia, 205 artificial legs were fitted on amputees in Alor Star and another 170 were given to the disabled in Kluang in the last two years.
He said each leg was custom-made to fit its user and that if proper care was taken, it could last a lifetime.
It costs about RM150 to produce a limb for below the knee compared to RM600 at a government hospital in Thailand. A whole leg only costs about RM250 at the foundation.
Datuk Chua Soon Booi of the Sabah Girl Guides said the association would continue to collect lids.
Cross-infections from dialysis centres
NST: They walked in with chronic kidney trouble and left with the added burden of liver problems for life.
This was the fate of a group of kidney patients who went to a privately-run dialysis centre for treatment and were infected with the hepatitis C virus.
The cross-infection is believed to have occurred because of poor adherence to guidelines on dialysis.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the cross-infection may not have occurred had the centre followed the ministry’s "Guidelines on Standards for Haemodialysis Treatment".
"It’s important trained and qualified staff are engaged in dialysis centres to ensure kidney patients get quality and safe treatment and do not fall victim to cross-infections," he said.
It is understood that all dialysis centres run by non-governmental organisations and individuals would be audited to ensure they met ministry standards.
Hepatitis C is a liver disease, passed on intravenously, which can lead to cirrhosis and cancer of the liver.
Dialysis, both haemodialysis and peritoneal, involves treatment to remove wastes and excess water from the bodies of people in the later stages of chronic kidney disease.
National Kidney Foundation vice-chairman Datuk Dr Zaki Morad Zaher said cross-infections could be averted if the managements of dialysis centres adhered strictly to ministry guidelines and standards.
"We are concerned about this problem as we find that many privately-run centres are not adhering to the guidelines and standards," the consultant nephrologist told the New Straits Times.
The National Renal Registry report, he said, indicated a wide variation in practice among centres run by the Government, NGOs, individuals, the armed forces and universities.
"Dialysis is a fairly standard treatment and there should not be too much variation. When there are variations, we worry about the outcome. Centres with poorer standards may have higher morbidity and mortality. This is what we are trying to address now," he said.
Dr Zaki said private dialysis centres, which were mushrooming, may not have the resources to administer quality treatment.
He said many were of the opinion dialysis was very easy and all that was needed was capital and machines.
"This is what is really worrying, because they do not realise they are doing major treatment and need properly trained staff and doctors," Dr Zaki said, adding there had been cases of nurses and medical assistants opening such centres.
There are some 12,000 kidney patients on dialysis, with the Government spending almost RM300 million annually on them. The number of haemodialysis patients may increase to 20,000 by 2008.
As of Dec 31, last year, there were 117 privately-run dialysis centres, 92 run by NGOs, 97 by the Health Ministry, seven by the armed forces and five by universities.
An average of 4.5 private haemodialysis centres have opened every month this year.
Dr Zaki said 54 per cent of the elderly on dialysis were diabetics, with this trend growing over the years.
This was the fate of a group of kidney patients who went to a privately-run dialysis centre for treatment and were infected with the hepatitis C virus.
The cross-infection is believed to have occurred because of poor adherence to guidelines on dialysis.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the cross-infection may not have occurred had the centre followed the ministry’s "Guidelines on Standards for Haemodialysis Treatment".
"It’s important trained and qualified staff are engaged in dialysis centres to ensure kidney patients get quality and safe treatment and do not fall victim to cross-infections," he said.
It is understood that all dialysis centres run by non-governmental organisations and individuals would be audited to ensure they met ministry standards.
Hepatitis C is a liver disease, passed on intravenously, which can lead to cirrhosis and cancer of the liver.
Dialysis, both haemodialysis and peritoneal, involves treatment to remove wastes and excess water from the bodies of people in the later stages of chronic kidney disease.
National Kidney Foundation vice-chairman Datuk Dr Zaki Morad Zaher said cross-infections could be averted if the managements of dialysis centres adhered strictly to ministry guidelines and standards.
"We are concerned about this problem as we find that many privately-run centres are not adhering to the guidelines and standards," the consultant nephrologist told the New Straits Times.
The National Renal Registry report, he said, indicated a wide variation in practice among centres run by the Government, NGOs, individuals, the armed forces and universities.
"Dialysis is a fairly standard treatment and there should not be too much variation. When there are variations, we worry about the outcome. Centres with poorer standards may have higher morbidity and mortality. This is what we are trying to address now," he said.
Dr Zaki said private dialysis centres, which were mushrooming, may not have the resources to administer quality treatment.
He said many were of the opinion dialysis was very easy and all that was needed was capital and machines.
"This is what is really worrying, because they do not realise they are doing major treatment and need properly trained staff and doctors," Dr Zaki said, adding there had been cases of nurses and medical assistants opening such centres.
There are some 12,000 kidney patients on dialysis, with the Government spending almost RM300 million annually on them. The number of haemodialysis patients may increase to 20,000 by 2008.
As of Dec 31, last year, there were 117 privately-run dialysis centres, 92 run by NGOs, 97 by the Health Ministry, seven by the armed forces and five by universities.
An average of 4.5 private haemodialysis centres have opened every month this year.
Dr Zaki said 54 per cent of the elderly on dialysis were diabetics, with this trend growing over the years.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Dengue Has Claimed 74 Lives So Far This Year
PUTRAJAYA, Oct 4 (Bernama) -- Until Tuesday this year, 74 deaths due to dengue have been reported, with the latest victim being a petty trader from Penang who died Monday, according to the Health Ministry.
Its Director of Disease Control, Dr Ramlee Rahmat said the number of suspected dengue cases increased further last week by 271 cases to total 1,023 cases, compared to 752 the week before.
"The increase was expected as more people who were down with fever, aware of the danger of the disease, were flocking to hospitals to ascertain they were not infected by the illness," he told a weekly press conference to update the public on the latest outbreak of dengue fever in the country.
Dr Ramlee said a total of 28,592 suspected dengue cases had been reported so far this year, including 1,480 cases of dengue haemorrhagic fever, the form of the disease which can be fatal.
For the same period last year, only 22,429 cases were reported, which meant there was a 27.5 per cent increase this year, he said.
Dr Ramlee said as of last week, dengue cases were recorded to have increased in 11 states, with Penang showing the highest rise, an almost 100 per cent increase to 303 cases compared to 158 cases the previous week.
Cases in Kedah increased from 21 to 37 and Kuala Lumpur from 75 to 130 for the same period, he said.
However, he said the states of Kelantan and Terengganu had showed a decline in the number of cases while Labuan had become practically free of the disease.
Meanwhile, Dr Ramlee said dengue hotspots in the country last week remained the same, namely northwest and northeast Penang, Johor Baharu, Setapak in Kuala Lumpur and Subang Jaya in Selangor.
He said almost 47,700 premises were inspected nationwide last week compared to 53,000 the earlier week, and of the total 469 premises where found to be breeding grounds of the Aedes mosquito, the vector.
The ministry would also redouble efforts to wipe out the menace by having more gotong-royongs to clean up suspect breeding grounds, increase fogging and enforcement, he added.
Its Director of Disease Control, Dr Ramlee Rahmat said the number of suspected dengue cases increased further last week by 271 cases to total 1,023 cases, compared to 752 the week before.
"The increase was expected as more people who were down with fever, aware of the danger of the disease, were flocking to hospitals to ascertain they were not infected by the illness," he told a weekly press conference to update the public on the latest outbreak of dengue fever in the country.
Dr Ramlee said a total of 28,592 suspected dengue cases had been reported so far this year, including 1,480 cases of dengue haemorrhagic fever, the form of the disease which can be fatal.
For the same period last year, only 22,429 cases were reported, which meant there was a 27.5 per cent increase this year, he said.
Dr Ramlee said as of last week, dengue cases were recorded to have increased in 11 states, with Penang showing the highest rise, an almost 100 per cent increase to 303 cases compared to 158 cases the previous week.
Cases in Kedah increased from 21 to 37 and Kuala Lumpur from 75 to 130 for the same period, he said.
However, he said the states of Kelantan and Terengganu had showed a decline in the number of cases while Labuan had become practically free of the disease.
Meanwhile, Dr Ramlee said dengue hotspots in the country last week remained the same, namely northwest and northeast Penang, Johor Baharu, Setapak in Kuala Lumpur and Subang Jaya in Selangor.
He said almost 47,700 premises were inspected nationwide last week compared to 53,000 the earlier week, and of the total 469 premises where found to be breeding grounds of the Aedes mosquito, the vector.
The ministry would also redouble efforts to wipe out the menace by having more gotong-royongs to clean up suspect breeding grounds, increase fogging and enforcement, he added.
Pilot Projects For Thalassaemia Screening Next Year
PUTRAJAYA, Oct 4 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry plans to do pilot projects in Melaka, Penang and Sabah sometime next year to screen Form Four students for Thalassaemia.
Its Family Health Development Director Datuk Dr Narimah Awin said for this to happen, the Education Ministry would be consulted.
She said Form Four students were at the best age to be screened under the pilot project as the ministry would not want to disturb those in Form Three or Form Five since they would be busy with their studies and examinations.
This would be preceded by efforts to educate the public on what the disease was all about through various means, including print and electronic media as well as public forums, posters and billboards.
She told reporters this after attending a meeting of the steering committee on Thalassaemia prevention and control programme chaired by Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek, here Tuesday.
"We will go to schools and do it in schools sometime in 2006. I really can't give you the date right now because I want to be ready with the public knowing about this disease in full.
"I don't want to screen the children if their parents don't know what it is all about," she said.
Thalassaemia is a hereditary disorder where there is insufficient haemoglobin in the red blood cells. Patients need to undergo continuous blood transfusion on a monthly basis.
Thalassaemia carriers don't show any sign of abnormalities or health problems and there is every possibility that a carrier will hand down his or her genetic traits of Thalassaemia to their children.
It is for this reason that marriages among Thalassaemia carriers should be avoided, hence the need for couples intending to get married to go for screening.
She said other people, including university students and couples, would also be screened for Thalassaemia if they so wished. The screening would be done for free, she added.
"Currently, there is no national screening programme, but if people go to hospital, I am sure the hospital can do screening for them on request.
"But very few people do so because they are not aware of the disease," she said.
Earlier, Dr Chua said the Cabinet had approved RM29.5 million to fight the disease.
Between three and five per cent of Malaysians are carriers of Thalassaemia and every year up to 2,600 Malaysians will be on blood transfusion due to the disease.
Its Family Health Development Director Datuk Dr Narimah Awin said for this to happen, the Education Ministry would be consulted.
She said Form Four students were at the best age to be screened under the pilot project as the ministry would not want to disturb those in Form Three or Form Five since they would be busy with their studies and examinations.
This would be preceded by efforts to educate the public on what the disease was all about through various means, including print and electronic media as well as public forums, posters and billboards.
She told reporters this after attending a meeting of the steering committee on Thalassaemia prevention and control programme chaired by Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek, here Tuesday.
"We will go to schools and do it in schools sometime in 2006. I really can't give you the date right now because I want to be ready with the public knowing about this disease in full.
"I don't want to screen the children if their parents don't know what it is all about," she said.
Thalassaemia is a hereditary disorder where there is insufficient haemoglobin in the red blood cells. Patients need to undergo continuous blood transfusion on a monthly basis.
Thalassaemia carriers don't show any sign of abnormalities or health problems and there is every possibility that a carrier will hand down his or her genetic traits of Thalassaemia to their children.
It is for this reason that marriages among Thalassaemia carriers should be avoided, hence the need for couples intending to get married to go for screening.
She said other people, including university students and couples, would also be screened for Thalassaemia if they so wished. The screening would be done for free, she added.
"Currently, there is no national screening programme, but if people go to hospital, I am sure the hospital can do screening for them on request.
"But very few people do so because they are not aware of the disease," she said.
Earlier, Dr Chua said the Cabinet had approved RM29.5 million to fight the disease.
Between three and five per cent of Malaysians are carriers of Thalassaemia and every year up to 2,600 Malaysians will be on blood transfusion due to the disease.
Community Lives In Fear After 15 Residents Down With Dengue
PENANG, Oct 3 (Bernama) -- A small community in Bukit Gedung in Barat Daya district here is living in fear after 15 residents came down with dengue fever and were admitted to hospital, with one death, in recent weeks.
The residents were from five terrace houses.
The fatality is poultry seller Mohamad Sarif Seramal Baris, 44, who died at 12.10am, Monday -- the sixth victim of the dengue outbreak in the state this year.
He was buried in the Permatang Pasir Muslim cemetery at about 3pm.
Mohamad Sarif's neighbour, Rosman Daud, said three of the dengue patients were still being treated in hospital.
He said children in the community were no longer allowed to play outdoors, and the windows and doors of the houses were shut tight as early as 5pm.
All the families also kept mosquito coils lighted all the time, he added.
The plight of the community was dramatically illustrated by the death of Mohamad Sarif and the admission into hospital of all his five children for dengue fever.
His nephew, Muhammad Aswadde Abdul Stek, said the children, aged from 3 to 13, were warded in a private hospital in Bayan Baru starting on Sept 10 but all have since returned to their home, with the last discharged on Sept 26.
He said Mohamad Sarif was also admitted to the same private hospital on Sept 21 and was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit of Penang Hospital on Oct 1 after his condition became critical.
Mohamad Sarif leaves a wife Hafizah Amir, 35, who is a housewife, three sons Mohd Zulhusni, 13, Mohd Asyrani, 7, and Ahmad Myzami, 3, and two daughters Nor Amirah, 11, and Nor Safra Balqis, 9.
Amirah said one of the last things her father told her was his promise to take the whole family to the Sedim recreational centre in Kulim for a swim after everyone had recovered.
"Father also reminded me to take my medicine so I could get well fast and sit for the Headmasters Council exam last Monday," she said. The Barat Daya district is the worst hit in Penang with four deaths, including that of Mohamad Sarif.
The residents were from five terrace houses.
The fatality is poultry seller Mohamad Sarif Seramal Baris, 44, who died at 12.10am, Monday -- the sixth victim of the dengue outbreak in the state this year.
He was buried in the Permatang Pasir Muslim cemetery at about 3pm.
Mohamad Sarif's neighbour, Rosman Daud, said three of the dengue patients were still being treated in hospital.
He said children in the community were no longer allowed to play outdoors, and the windows and doors of the houses were shut tight as early as 5pm.
All the families also kept mosquito coils lighted all the time, he added.
The plight of the community was dramatically illustrated by the death of Mohamad Sarif and the admission into hospital of all his five children for dengue fever.
His nephew, Muhammad Aswadde Abdul Stek, said the children, aged from 3 to 13, were warded in a private hospital in Bayan Baru starting on Sept 10 but all have since returned to their home, with the last discharged on Sept 26.
He said Mohamad Sarif was also admitted to the same private hospital on Sept 21 and was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit of Penang Hospital on Oct 1 after his condition became critical.
Mohamad Sarif leaves a wife Hafizah Amir, 35, who is a housewife, three sons Mohd Zulhusni, 13, Mohd Asyrani, 7, and Ahmad Myzami, 3, and two daughters Nor Amirah, 11, and Nor Safra Balqis, 9.
Amirah said one of the last things her father told her was his promise to take the whole family to the Sedim recreational centre in Kulim for a swim after everyone had recovered.
"Father also reminded me to take my medicine so I could get well fast and sit for the Headmasters Council exam last Monday," she said. The Barat Daya district is the worst hit in Penang with four deaths, including that of Mohamad Sarif.
Monday, October 03, 2005
Dengue Claims Sixth Victim In Penang
PENANG, Oct 3 (Bernama)-- A petty trader from Persiaran Mayang Pasir, Bukit Gedung in the south west district became the sixth victim of the dengue outbreak in the state.
State Committee on Health, Welfare and Caring Society P. Subbaiyah said the victim, Mohd Sarip Ceramal Basir, 44, died at about 12.10am at the Penang Hospital's intensive care unit.
Speaking to reporters after launching the aerosol spraying campaign for public transportation here Monday, Subbaiyah said the victim was admitted in the hospital on Saturday by his family members after he was suspected of high fever.
His body was brought back by his family in Balik Pulau Monday morning and he is expected to be buried at the Muslim cemetery in Jalan Permatang Pasir about 3 pm Monday.
To date, the district still has the highest number of dengue cases with three deaths (excluding today's case) in August and September.
Meanwhile, Subbaiyah said the aerosol spraying campaign was one of the proactive measures undertaken by the state government together with the state Health Department to fight dengue.
He said from January to September, 78 students were confirmed cases, out of 872 suspected with dengue in the state.
"Besides, the state government is also intensifying spraying work in areas identified with dengue including distributing leaflets on ways to prevent dengue through the Communication For Behavioural Impact (COMBI) programme which can raise the cleanliness level as well as increase the public awareness," he said.
Last Thursday, a police constable from Teluk Kumbar died of dengue while a week earlier a young pregnant mother, also from the fishing village died of the fever.
Three weeks ago, two deaths due to dengue were reported in the state, that is a 46-year old woman from Bukit Gelugor and a 21-year old man from Pantai Jerejak, with one death reported early this year.
State Committee on Health, Welfare and Caring Society P. Subbaiyah said the victim, Mohd Sarip Ceramal Basir, 44, died at about 12.10am at the Penang Hospital's intensive care unit.
Speaking to reporters after launching the aerosol spraying campaign for public transportation here Monday, Subbaiyah said the victim was admitted in the hospital on Saturday by his family members after he was suspected of high fever.
His body was brought back by his family in Balik Pulau Monday morning and he is expected to be buried at the Muslim cemetery in Jalan Permatang Pasir about 3 pm Monday.
To date, the district still has the highest number of dengue cases with three deaths (excluding today's case) in August and September.
Meanwhile, Subbaiyah said the aerosol spraying campaign was one of the proactive measures undertaken by the state government together with the state Health Department to fight dengue.
He said from January to September, 78 students were confirmed cases, out of 872 suspected with dengue in the state.
"Besides, the state government is also intensifying spraying work in areas identified with dengue including distributing leaflets on ways to prevent dengue through the Communication For Behavioural Impact (COMBI) programme which can raise the cleanliness level as well as increase the public awareness," he said.
Last Thursday, a police constable from Teluk Kumbar died of dengue while a week earlier a young pregnant mother, also from the fishing village died of the fever.
Three weeks ago, two deaths due to dengue were reported in the state, that is a 46-year old woman from Bukit Gelugor and a 21-year old man from Pantai Jerejak, with one death reported early this year.
RM8m a year on outsourcing radiotherapy
NST: The Government spends up to RM8 million a year outsourcing radiotherapy treatments because of the shortage of cancer specialists in the country.
For the past three years, government hospitals have been relying on the private sector for radiotherapy for their cancer patients.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said there were only 38 clinical oncologists in the country.
"We need another 66 oncologists for the ideal oncologist-to-patient ratio of 1:250,000.
"Unfortunately, only two clinical specialists are trained every year," said Dr Chua.
Oncology, he said, was not a glamorous or popular area of practice for doctors.
"Because of this, we have to spend RM5 million to RM8 million every year, for essential treatment for our patients."
Earlier, Dr Chua launched the "Wear It Pink, Walk for Life" Breast Cancer Awareness Walk 2005, organised by Pantai Medical Centre and Asia Assistance.
Event organising chairman Dr M. Devanand said 1,000 people took part in the 8km walk.
Among the participants were about 100 men who had come to support their wives or mothers who had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
For the past three years, government hospitals have been relying on the private sector for radiotherapy for their cancer patients.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said there were only 38 clinical oncologists in the country.
"We need another 66 oncologists for the ideal oncologist-to-patient ratio of 1:250,000.
"Unfortunately, only two clinical specialists are trained every year," said Dr Chua.
Oncology, he said, was not a glamorous or popular area of practice for doctors.
"Because of this, we have to spend RM5 million to RM8 million every year, for essential treatment for our patients."
Earlier, Dr Chua launched the "Wear It Pink, Walk for Life" Breast Cancer Awareness Walk 2005, organised by Pantai Medical Centre and Asia Assistance.
Event organising chairman Dr M. Devanand said 1,000 people took part in the 8km walk.
Among the participants were about 100 men who had come to support their wives or mothers who had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Shot in arm for hospitals
NST: Indonesian businesswoman Jas came here to be by her husband Anton’s bedside as doctors treat him for injuries from a fall.
In between visits to Southern Hospital, the 55-year- old woman has squeezed in shopping and sightseeing, with her daughter Febby and brother-in-law Azril Idrus.
"We’ve been here a week, and luckily we know Malacca well so we can do some shopping and sightseeing," she said.
Indonesians like Anton are the mainstay of Malacca’s health tourism sector, believing doctors here offer them better services.
For Southern Hospital and Pantai Medical Centre Malacca, two of the State’s private hospitals, foreigners comprised about a third of their patients last year.
Of these 7,000 foreign patients, a majority were affluent Indonesians.
That may change in the future.
On Friday, the Government announced that it would set up a unit to boost Malaysia as a destination for medical tourism.
Malacca and Penang are the country’s two main centres. Their biggest rival is Singapore, which two years ago launched Singapore Medicine, which aims to attract one million foreign patients a year by 2012.
A one-stop agency to make healthcare facilities more accessible to foreigners was exactly what Malaysia’s health tourism sector needed, said Dr G. Jayakumar, chairman of the Malaysian Medical Association’s Mal- acca chapter. "We are competing with neighbouring countries where medical tourism is also being aggressively marketed," he said.
The move is "an important means for generating income especially for Malacca and Penang because of our proximity to Sumatra", said Radhuana Salleh, chief executive officer of the Southern Hospital.
"There is a lot of potential that we have not tapped into.
"There’s a lack of co-ordination among agencies when it comes to promoting health tourism," said Cliff Gan, marketing and public relations manager of Pantai Medical Centre Malacca.
Jas said the unit would help families like hers with listing hospitals for patients from abroad.
"Maybe we can find a list of specialists available in various hospitals, compare prices, and even request for travel information via this unit."
It could also provide information on accommodation and even places of interest which patients or family members could visit as part of a treatment-cum-holiday package, she said.
Medical tourists from Europe and the US are likely to be drawn by the shorter waiting times for treatment and surgery, said Pantai’s Gan.
And, of course, healthcare here cost half of what it would cost them at home, he added.
Malaysian-style healthcare has advantages that go beyond just cost which are worth promoting, according to Canadian couple Normand Laurin, 57, and Ursula Oberli, 53.
The couple, from Quebec, had only meant to holiday here, en route from Indonesia to Thailand.
When Laurin had chest pains on their first day here, doctors at the Mahkota Medical Centre told him three arteries were blocked, and he needed surgery.
"I received good treatment," he said. Oberli, a former nurse herself, stayed by her husband’s side every night after his triple heart bypass.
In between visits to Southern Hospital, the 55-year- old woman has squeezed in shopping and sightseeing, with her daughter Febby and brother-in-law Azril Idrus.
"We’ve been here a week, and luckily we know Malacca well so we can do some shopping and sightseeing," she said.
Indonesians like Anton are the mainstay of Malacca’s health tourism sector, believing doctors here offer them better services.
For Southern Hospital and Pantai Medical Centre Malacca, two of the State’s private hospitals, foreigners comprised about a third of their patients last year.
Of these 7,000 foreign patients, a majority were affluent Indonesians.
That may change in the future.
On Friday, the Government announced that it would set up a unit to boost Malaysia as a destination for medical tourism.
Malacca and Penang are the country’s two main centres. Their biggest rival is Singapore, which two years ago launched Singapore Medicine, which aims to attract one million foreign patients a year by 2012.
A one-stop agency to make healthcare facilities more accessible to foreigners was exactly what Malaysia’s health tourism sector needed, said Dr G. Jayakumar, chairman of the Malaysian Medical Association’s Mal- acca chapter. "We are competing with neighbouring countries where medical tourism is also being aggressively marketed," he said.
The move is "an important means for generating income especially for Malacca and Penang because of our proximity to Sumatra", said Radhuana Salleh, chief executive officer of the Southern Hospital.
"There is a lot of potential that we have not tapped into.
"There’s a lack of co-ordination among agencies when it comes to promoting health tourism," said Cliff Gan, marketing and public relations manager of Pantai Medical Centre Malacca.
Jas said the unit would help families like hers with listing hospitals for patients from abroad.
"Maybe we can find a list of specialists available in various hospitals, compare prices, and even request for travel information via this unit."
It could also provide information on accommodation and even places of interest which patients or family members could visit as part of a treatment-cum-holiday package, she said.
Medical tourists from Europe and the US are likely to be drawn by the shorter waiting times for treatment and surgery, said Pantai’s Gan.
And, of course, healthcare here cost half of what it would cost them at home, he added.
Malaysian-style healthcare has advantages that go beyond just cost which are worth promoting, according to Canadian couple Normand Laurin, 57, and Ursula Oberli, 53.
The couple, from Quebec, had only meant to holiday here, en route from Indonesia to Thailand.
When Laurin had chest pains on their first day here, doctors at the Mahkota Medical Centre told him three arteries were blocked, and he needed surgery.
"I received good treatment," he said. Oberli, a former nurse herself, stayed by her husband’s side every night after his triple heart bypass.
Dengue Outbreak To Persist Till Year-End - Dr Chua
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 2 (Bernama) -- The dengue outbreak in several states is expected to persist for another two to three months before the situation stabilises, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said Sunday.
He said the number of dengue cases are expected to increase especially in critical states like Penang, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.
"This is because the people panic and when they have fever, they straight away suspect it is dengue. Besides, doctors also over diagnose, but normally doctors are more careful," he told reporters after launching the "Wear It Pink Walk For Life" event in conjunction with the International Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Dr Chua said six medical teams comprising five to six doctors have been sent to Penang to help contain the critical dengue outbreak in the state.
He said the move was part of the ministry's strategy to send doctors from dengue-free states to the affected states in stages which would involve 225 doctors.
Dr Chua said despite a surge of 750 cases last week, it did not mean the preventive measures taken by the government were ineffective.
He said the number of dengue cases is expected to rise next week.
He said reports of rising deaths due to dengue were inaccurate as they were based on clinical diagnosis.
"After the blood test results are out, it is found the deaths are not due to dengue," he said.
He, however, advised the public to seek immediate treatment if they had prolonged fever for more than two days as a delay in seeking treatment could be fatal.
On bird flu epidemic in Indonesia, Dr Chua said his ministry had not receive any request for assistance.
He said the number of dengue cases are expected to increase especially in critical states like Penang, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.
"This is because the people panic and when they have fever, they straight away suspect it is dengue. Besides, doctors also over diagnose, but normally doctors are more careful," he told reporters after launching the "Wear It Pink Walk For Life" event in conjunction with the International Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Dr Chua said six medical teams comprising five to six doctors have been sent to Penang to help contain the critical dengue outbreak in the state.
He said the move was part of the ministry's strategy to send doctors from dengue-free states to the affected states in stages which would involve 225 doctors.
Dr Chua said despite a surge of 750 cases last week, it did not mean the preventive measures taken by the government were ineffective.
He said the number of dengue cases is expected to rise next week.
He said reports of rising deaths due to dengue were inaccurate as they were based on clinical diagnosis.
"After the blood test results are out, it is found the deaths are not due to dengue," he said.
He, however, advised the public to seek immediate treatment if they had prolonged fever for more than two days as a delay in seeking treatment could be fatal.
On bird flu epidemic in Indonesia, Dr Chua said his ministry had not receive any request for assistance.
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Early help can prevent suicides
Star: When a person ends up on a ledge of a building, it could be too late.
Those suffering from stress must seek help early, said Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon.
He said Malaysia has an alarming rate of seven suicides a day, based on statistics last year.
For this reason, the ministry wants those with stress-related problems to seek professional help early.
“Stress sufferers should not wait until they end up on the ledge of a building, which is too late.
“Mental health problem is curable if we seek help early,” he told reporters after opening the state-level Mental Health Day celebrations at Dewan Milenium here yesterday.
“We have 85 psychiatrists at 27 hospitals nationwide to help those with mental illnesses,” he said.
He conceded, however, that the number of psychiatrists in the country was small, adding that those who need help could also get it from professional counsellors in non-governmental organisations, such as the Befrienders.
Lee said 2,004 patients committed suicide last year, adding: “This is an alarming figure.”
“We must overcome this disease as, for every suicide case, there are at least 20 family members and friends who would be affected by it,” he said, adding that suicides and attempted suicides were mainly due to changes in lifestyles, including the effects of migrating from the rural to urban areas.
“Many are unable to put up with city-life stress, while some find it hard to make ends meet.
“Some are too caught up with their daily work that they hardly find time to relax and unwind,” he said.
Those suffering from stress must seek help early, said Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon.
He said Malaysia has an alarming rate of seven suicides a day, based on statistics last year.
For this reason, the ministry wants those with stress-related problems to seek professional help early.
“Stress sufferers should not wait until they end up on the ledge of a building, which is too late.
“Mental health problem is curable if we seek help early,” he told reporters after opening the state-level Mental Health Day celebrations at Dewan Milenium here yesterday.
“We have 85 psychiatrists at 27 hospitals nationwide to help those with mental illnesses,” he said.
He conceded, however, that the number of psychiatrists in the country was small, adding that those who need help could also get it from professional counsellors in non-governmental organisations, such as the Befrienders.
Lee said 2,004 patients committed suicide last year, adding: “This is an alarming figure.”
“We must overcome this disease as, for every suicide case, there are at least 20 family members and friends who would be affected by it,” he said, adding that suicides and attempted suicides were mainly due to changes in lifestyles, including the effects of migrating from the rural to urban areas.
“Many are unable to put up with city-life stress, while some find it hard to make ends meet.
“Some are too caught up with their daily work that they hardly find time to relax and unwind,” he said.
Dengue situation in Penang alarming
Star: “Still alarming” best describes the dengue situation in Penang, with the number of cases reported this week having more than doubled.
Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon said the cases this week had increased to 257, compared with last week's 121 cases.
“The dengue situation is getting very alarming, especially in the south-west district.
“We have moved health personnel from hospitals with lesser cases to those with higher cases in Penang, Selangor, Johor and Perak,” he told reporters after opening the national-level World Mental Health Day celebrations at Dewan Millennium here yesterday.
Dengue fatalities in Penang remain at five. A patient is in critical condition at Penang Hospital.
Lee said many of the deaths could have been prevented if the victims had sought early treatment at the hospital.
On the Penang government's alleged lack of transparency on the dengue situation, Lee said the ministry had no intention of “concealing necessary information.”
“Information and figures are available to all. We hope the media and others will cooperate by using the information in a positive way. If you use it in a negative manner, it might create panic,” he added.
Asked why Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon had not provided updates on the dengue situation when state health executive council members in other states had done so, Lee said there could have been a misunderstanding.
“Our main aim was to centralise the figures so that it would not be conflicting,” he said.
Later, in a dialogue with state assemblymen of the south-west district held at the Bayan Baru health clinic, Lee said Penang should set a two-week deadline to reduce dengue cases.
He said 10 dengue hotspots – Kampung Nelayan, Kampung Masjid, surroundings of Pantai Jerejak, Tingkat Nibong, Teluk Kumbar beach area, squatters area in Sungai Nibong Besar, Halaman Murni apartment area, Kampung Paya, Persiaran Mayang Pasir and Kampung Binjai – were identified in the district.
Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon said the cases this week had increased to 257, compared with last week's 121 cases.
“The dengue situation is getting very alarming, especially in the south-west district.
“We have moved health personnel from hospitals with lesser cases to those with higher cases in Penang, Selangor, Johor and Perak,” he told reporters after opening the national-level World Mental Health Day celebrations at Dewan Millennium here yesterday.
Dengue fatalities in Penang remain at five. A patient is in critical condition at Penang Hospital.
Lee said many of the deaths could have been prevented if the victims had sought early treatment at the hospital.
On the Penang government's alleged lack of transparency on the dengue situation, Lee said the ministry had no intention of “concealing necessary information.”
“Information and figures are available to all. We hope the media and others will cooperate by using the information in a positive way. If you use it in a negative manner, it might create panic,” he added.
Asked why Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon had not provided updates on the dengue situation when state health executive council members in other states had done so, Lee said there could have been a misunderstanding.
“Our main aim was to centralise the figures so that it would not be conflicting,” he said.
Later, in a dialogue with state assemblymen of the south-west district held at the Bayan Baru health clinic, Lee said Penang should set a two-week deadline to reduce dengue cases.
He said 10 dengue hotspots – Kampung Nelayan, Kampung Masjid, surroundings of Pantai Jerejak, Tingkat Nibong, Teluk Kumbar beach area, squatters area in Sungai Nibong Besar, Halaman Murni apartment area, Kampung Paya, Persiaran Mayang Pasir and Kampung Binjai – were identified in the district.
Experts Call For New Ways To Tackle Dengue In Singapore
SINGAPORE, Oct 1 (Bernama) -- Singapore's previous success in controlling dengue may have contributed to the ongoing outbreak of the disease in the republic, according to a finding by a panel of expert formed to advise the government on ways to tackle the problem.
"The success of the Singapore programme has reduced the Aedes aegypti (the mosquito which transmits the disease) population to such a low level that conventional methods of assessing populations such as the house index are no longer sufficient.
"Moreover, an increase in the Aedes population is not always a pre-requisite for increased dengue transmission," Clinical Professor and Assistant Chief Executive Officer of National Healthcare Group Dr Chee Yam Cheng told a press conference.
Dr Chee chairs the panel comprising seven members from local and international institutions whose job is to advise the government on ways to tackle the outbreak that has left the authorities baffled on why Singapore, a highly health conscious nation, has to deal with the disease that is more associated with filthy surroundings.
Twelve people had died of the disease from about 11,000 cases reported this year -- a record high.
The panel agreed that Singapore's dengue control programme is one of the best in the world, which has resulted "in sustained suppression of the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes for three decades".
But Dr Chee said: "Aedes is highly adaptable and exploits hard-to-find habitats in the urban environment. The increase in the dengue cases in Singapore may include importation of new strains of dengue virus with greater epidemic potential into a densely populated Singapore population".
He also said that Singapore's prior success in dengue control programme "has resulted in a highly susceptible human population".
The panel acknowledged that the problem was not unique to Singapore.
"Dengue is a resurgent problem globally; and being endemic to the region, Singapore can expect dengue to recur on a regular basis. The current dengue outbreak in Singapore coincides with the increase in the number of dengue cases in the region," Dr Chee said, adding that public education on dengue prevention and community participation in control activities remained the key to stop dengue transmission.
The panel recommended a host of short-and-long-term measures to deal with the problem including the need for an "active laboratory-based disease surveillance programme to provide early warning for epidemic transmission".
"Laboratory methods should include the latest technology in both serologic and virologic diagnosis. Quality control for this programme should be provided by a national reference laboratory for infectious diseases," Dr Chee said.
A continuing medical education programme should be implemented to increase the knowledge of physicians on clinical diagnosis, management, prevention and control.
"It is a common perception that most dengue transmission occurs at home. However, recent epidemiologic evidence indicates that significant transmission also occurs at sites away from the home. Current emphasis on active clusters does not provide an adequate understanding of transmission dynamics.
"This limits the effectiveness of vector control measures, because in the present situation, it appears that 60 to 70 per cent of all notifications occur outside of known clusters and in some instances transmission is not reported," Dr Chee said.
Emphasis should now be placed on new and innovative methods of entomologic surveillance to assess the impact of control activities on Aedes populations, he said.
Mosquito control activities, including those by private pest control operators, must continue to be subjected to stringent and improved quality control measures using new techniques, he said.
Long-term measures include: to maintain Aedes populations at a low level that will prevent epidemic dengue transmission, to use vaccines and antiviral drugs when they become available and to use new validated technologies as they become available.
The quarantine of dengue patients is not recommended, he said.
"Infected people can infect mosquitoes with dengue viruses 24 to 48 hours before showing any symptoms. Infected people, who do not show any symptoms may also infect mosquitoes. With Singaporeans being highly mobile and the local dispersal of mosquitoes, the virus may be widespread in the community before it is reported," he said.
"The success of the Singapore programme has reduced the Aedes aegypti (the mosquito which transmits the disease) population to such a low level that conventional methods of assessing populations such as the house index are no longer sufficient.
"Moreover, an increase in the Aedes population is not always a pre-requisite for increased dengue transmission," Clinical Professor and Assistant Chief Executive Officer of National Healthcare Group Dr Chee Yam Cheng told a press conference.
Dr Chee chairs the panel comprising seven members from local and international institutions whose job is to advise the government on ways to tackle the outbreak that has left the authorities baffled on why Singapore, a highly health conscious nation, has to deal with the disease that is more associated with filthy surroundings.
Twelve people had died of the disease from about 11,000 cases reported this year -- a record high.
The panel agreed that Singapore's dengue control programme is one of the best in the world, which has resulted "in sustained suppression of the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes for three decades".
But Dr Chee said: "Aedes is highly adaptable and exploits hard-to-find habitats in the urban environment. The increase in the dengue cases in Singapore may include importation of new strains of dengue virus with greater epidemic potential into a densely populated Singapore population".
He also said that Singapore's prior success in dengue control programme "has resulted in a highly susceptible human population".
The panel acknowledged that the problem was not unique to Singapore.
"Dengue is a resurgent problem globally; and being endemic to the region, Singapore can expect dengue to recur on a regular basis. The current dengue outbreak in Singapore coincides with the increase in the number of dengue cases in the region," Dr Chee said, adding that public education on dengue prevention and community participation in control activities remained the key to stop dengue transmission.
The panel recommended a host of short-and-long-term measures to deal with the problem including the need for an "active laboratory-based disease surveillance programme to provide early warning for epidemic transmission".
"Laboratory methods should include the latest technology in both serologic and virologic diagnosis. Quality control for this programme should be provided by a national reference laboratory for infectious diseases," Dr Chee said.
A continuing medical education programme should be implemented to increase the knowledge of physicians on clinical diagnosis, management, prevention and control.
"It is a common perception that most dengue transmission occurs at home. However, recent epidemiologic evidence indicates that significant transmission also occurs at sites away from the home. Current emphasis on active clusters does not provide an adequate understanding of transmission dynamics.
"This limits the effectiveness of vector control measures, because in the present situation, it appears that 60 to 70 per cent of all notifications occur outside of known clusters and in some instances transmission is not reported," Dr Chee said.
Emphasis should now be placed on new and innovative methods of entomologic surveillance to assess the impact of control activities on Aedes populations, he said.
Mosquito control activities, including those by private pest control operators, must continue to be subjected to stringent and improved quality control measures using new techniques, he said.
Long-term measures include: to maintain Aedes populations at a low level that will prevent epidemic dengue transmission, to use vaccines and antiviral drugs when they become available and to use new validated technologies as they become available.
The quarantine of dengue patients is not recommended, he said.
"Infected people can infect mosquitoes with dengue viruses 24 to 48 hours before showing any symptoms. Infected people, who do not show any symptoms may also infect mosquitoes. With Singaporeans being highly mobile and the local dispersal of mosquitoes, the virus may be widespread in the community before it is reported," he said.
Ministry Starts Service To Provide Voluntary Home Care For The Aged
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 (Bernama) -- The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry has introduced a Home Help Service to provide home care for the aged through trained volunteers.
Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, Saturday said the programme would provide support services to enable the aged to live with family members or continue to live in the community.
The volunteers would help with the daily needs of those who lived alone or were alone because their family members were at work, she said when launching the programme in conjunction with National Senior Citizens Day 2005 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here.
Shahrizat said the programme could be fully implemented if more individuals volunteered their services to care for the aged who needed their service.
She said volunteers would be trained and guided by the Social Welfare Department and voluntary organisations such as the Peninsular Malaysia Council for Welfare Centres, Malaysian Gerontology Association and Malaysian Usiamas Association.
Shahrizat also said the government would complete the review of the National Senior Citizens Action Plan by year-end to evaluate and analyse the effectiveness of its programmes and activities.
The review would suggest new strategies that were more integrated and effective to meet the current situation, she added.
The 14th National Senior Citizens Day 2005, themed "Active Senior Citizens, Productive Life", is organised by the ministry.
It was attended by about 2,000 people including the aged from several welfare bodies and representatives of government agencies.
Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, Saturday said the programme would provide support services to enable the aged to live with family members or continue to live in the community.
The volunteers would help with the daily needs of those who lived alone or were alone because their family members were at work, she said when launching the programme in conjunction with National Senior Citizens Day 2005 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here.
Shahrizat said the programme could be fully implemented if more individuals volunteered their services to care for the aged who needed their service.
She said volunteers would be trained and guided by the Social Welfare Department and voluntary organisations such as the Peninsular Malaysia Council for Welfare Centres, Malaysian Gerontology Association and Malaysian Usiamas Association.
Shahrizat also said the government would complete the review of the National Senior Citizens Action Plan by year-end to evaluate and analyse the effectiveness of its programmes and activities.
The review would suggest new strategies that were more integrated and effective to meet the current situation, she added.
The 14th National Senior Citizens Day 2005, themed "Active Senior Citizens, Productive Life", is organised by the ministry.
It was attended by about 2,000 people including the aged from several welfare bodies and representatives of government agencies.
People Urged To Wage Seek & Destroy War Against Aedes Mosquito
KEPALA BATAS, Oct 1 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry, Saturday urged people nationwide to wage war against Aedes mosquitoes by seeking and destroying their breeding grounds if they want to live without dengue.
The ministry's Parliamentary Secretary, Lee Kah Choon in making the call, said efforts to destroy Aedes breeding grounds was not that of the government alone but the people too should play their part.
"We do not want anybody to point fingers or pass the buck by saying only these or that persons were responsible for allowing Aedes mosquitoes to breed.
"People who find mosquito breeding grounds anywhere should take the initiative to destroy them," he told reporters after attending the launching World Mental Health Day activities on behalf of Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek, here Saturday.
He said the latest dengue outbreak had reached quite a serious level with the number of patients steadily rising, especially this month, and Penang was among the states that were badly hit.
Lee said 131 cases were reported over the past week in Penang, making the number of people confirmed to have been infected with the disease in the state to 257.
A victim in Penang Hospital's intensive care unit was reported to be in critical condition, he said. Since August, four people had died of dengue fever in Penang.
The major dengue hot spots in Penang presently are Sungai Nibong, Bayan Baru, Pantai Jerejak and Teluk Kumbar.
On mental health, Lee said the level of awareness of the problem among Malaysians was worrying with statistics showing that on average, seven people with mental stress committed suicide daily.
Last year alone, over 2,000 people took their own lives and most of them resorted to that extreme option due to lifestyle changes, he said.
He said studies had also shown that every suicide caused mental anguish to 20 other family members.
"We want Malaysians to be aware of the importance of taking care of their mental health because physical health will be meaningless if the person is mentally unwell," he said. Malaysians, he said, should take care of their mental health and consult psychiatrists or counsellors if problems they faced caused pressures to their lives.
Lee said depression should be considered a dangerous illness and those experiencing it should quickly seek specialist treatment to prevent them from committing undesirable actions.
He said 27 hospitals with 85 psychiatrists and 56 counsellors nationwide presently provided psychiatric service to people with such problems.
"Besides, 754 Health Clinics also render services to safeguard mental health and until to 2004, 40 family health specialists and 135 medical assistants have also been trained to help treat people with depression," he said.
The ministry's Parliamentary Secretary, Lee Kah Choon in making the call, said efforts to destroy Aedes breeding grounds was not that of the government alone but the people too should play their part.
"We do not want anybody to point fingers or pass the buck by saying only these or that persons were responsible for allowing Aedes mosquitoes to breed.
"People who find mosquito breeding grounds anywhere should take the initiative to destroy them," he told reporters after attending the launching World Mental Health Day activities on behalf of Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek, here Saturday.
He said the latest dengue outbreak had reached quite a serious level with the number of patients steadily rising, especially this month, and Penang was among the states that were badly hit.
Lee said 131 cases were reported over the past week in Penang, making the number of people confirmed to have been infected with the disease in the state to 257.
A victim in Penang Hospital's intensive care unit was reported to be in critical condition, he said. Since August, four people had died of dengue fever in Penang.
The major dengue hot spots in Penang presently are Sungai Nibong, Bayan Baru, Pantai Jerejak and Teluk Kumbar.
On mental health, Lee said the level of awareness of the problem among Malaysians was worrying with statistics showing that on average, seven people with mental stress committed suicide daily.
Last year alone, over 2,000 people took their own lives and most of them resorted to that extreme option due to lifestyle changes, he said.
He said studies had also shown that every suicide caused mental anguish to 20 other family members.
"We want Malaysians to be aware of the importance of taking care of their mental health because physical health will be meaningless if the person is mentally unwell," he said. Malaysians, he said, should take care of their mental health and consult psychiatrists or counsellors if problems they faced caused pressures to their lives.
Lee said depression should be considered a dangerous illness and those experiencing it should quickly seek specialist treatment to prevent them from committing undesirable actions.
He said 27 hospitals with 85 psychiatrists and 56 counsellors nationwide presently provided psychiatric service to people with such problems.
"Besides, 754 Health Clinics also render services to safeguard mental health and until to 2004, 40 family health specialists and 135 medical assistants have also been trained to help treat people with depression," he said.
Saturday, October 01, 2005
Most Food, Drinks Sold In Kota Baharu Contain Harmful Bacteria
KOTA BAHARU, Oct 1 (Bernama) -- Sixty-nine per cent of food and drinks samples taken from food stalls and coffee shops in this town contain bacteria harmful to health, Kelantan health director Datuk Dr Ahmad Razin Ahmad Mahir said.
He said health officials took the samples of food and drinks sold by traders from time to time for analysis.
"From experience, the situation becomes more critical during Ramadan because more people will set up stalls to sell all sorts of delicacies for the breaking of fast," he told reporters Saturday after opening an Asia Pacific conference on the management of risk management in preventive medicine.
Ahmad Razin said the department's enforcement officers would step up checks during the fasting month to ensure food operators followed health standards.
He said food prepared in unhygienic ways could cause food-poisoning and even result in an outbreak of diseases like typhoid.
The three-day conference is attended by 185 academicians, professionals, para-medics and scientists from several countries that include Switzerland, Japan, South Africa, United Kingdom, Sweden and Malaysia.
The conference will discuss the risks in managing epidemics like the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and bird flu as well as threats from typhoons, tsunami, accidents and terrorist attacks.
He said health officials took the samples of food and drinks sold by traders from time to time for analysis.
"From experience, the situation becomes more critical during Ramadan because more people will set up stalls to sell all sorts of delicacies for the breaking of fast," he told reporters Saturday after opening an Asia Pacific conference on the management of risk management in preventive medicine.
Ahmad Razin said the department's enforcement officers would step up checks during the fasting month to ensure food operators followed health standards.
He said food prepared in unhygienic ways could cause food-poisoning and even result in an outbreak of diseases like typhoid.
The three-day conference is attended by 185 academicians, professionals, para-medics and scientists from several countries that include Switzerland, Japan, South Africa, United Kingdom, Sweden and Malaysia.
The conference will discuss the risks in managing epidemics like the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and bird flu as well as threats from typhoons, tsunami, accidents and terrorist attacks.
Gov't Hopes To Attain 600-1 Population-To-Doctor Ratio By 2018
KOTA KINABALU, Oct 1 (Bernama) -- The government hopes to attain the World Health Organisation's population-to-doctor ratio of 600 to one by 2018, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Saturday.
In this respect, he said, private hospitals would play a pivotal role in generating more opportunities for Malaysians to pursue qualifications in medicine and health.
"I'm also very happy to learn that Universiti Malaysia Sabah has since last year started its faculty of medicine.
"Although it started off as a small faculty with about 40 students, I'm optimistic that it will be enlarged in the future and will contribute to Malaysia's target of producing 2,500 doctors per year by the year 2010," he said when opening the Sabah Medical Centre (SMC) in Luyang here.
Najib said that as at the end of last year, there were 21,135 doctors in Malaysia of which between 3-4 per cent are, for some reason, not practising.
He said about 49 per cent of the doctors are attached to the government sector, while 51 per cent are in private practice.
"While the government expects the migration of doctors from the public sector to the private sector to continue as more private hospitals like this one -- Sabah Medical Centre -- go into operation, it is heartening to note that much cooperation is going on between them," he said.
Citing the collaboration between SMC and the Health Ministry, Najib said that it enabled heart and cancer patients referred to SMC by government hospitals to enjoy affordable treatment at the centre.
"Through this collaboration, heart specialists from Institute Jantung Negara come to Sabah on a regular basis to carry out heart procedures alongside SMC specialists.
"I think this is an excellent arrangement and should be continued, even expanded," he said.
On health tourism, Najib said Malaysia would go all out to attract tourists, and in many ways, Malaysia was becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination with arrivals growing to reach 1.5 billion by 2020.
In Sabah, tourist arrivals had also grown significantly over the years and "I understand that the visitors figures has broken the million mark since 2004", he said.
He said the increasing tourist arrivals in the state augured well for further development of health tourism.
Speaking to reporters later, Najib hoped that the private medical universities and colleges would produce more doctors to address the shortage.
He said the government would also work together with military hospitals to train more doctors in the country.
On a short-term solution, Najib said the policy of hiring foreign doctors would continue for the benefit of the people.
In this respect, he said, private hospitals would play a pivotal role in generating more opportunities for Malaysians to pursue qualifications in medicine and health.
"I'm also very happy to learn that Universiti Malaysia Sabah has since last year started its faculty of medicine.
"Although it started off as a small faculty with about 40 students, I'm optimistic that it will be enlarged in the future and will contribute to Malaysia's target of producing 2,500 doctors per year by the year 2010," he said when opening the Sabah Medical Centre (SMC) in Luyang here.
Najib said that as at the end of last year, there were 21,135 doctors in Malaysia of which between 3-4 per cent are, for some reason, not practising.
He said about 49 per cent of the doctors are attached to the government sector, while 51 per cent are in private practice.
"While the government expects the migration of doctors from the public sector to the private sector to continue as more private hospitals like this one -- Sabah Medical Centre -- go into operation, it is heartening to note that much cooperation is going on between them," he said.
Citing the collaboration between SMC and the Health Ministry, Najib said that it enabled heart and cancer patients referred to SMC by government hospitals to enjoy affordable treatment at the centre.
"Through this collaboration, heart specialists from Institute Jantung Negara come to Sabah on a regular basis to carry out heart procedures alongside SMC specialists.
"I think this is an excellent arrangement and should be continued, even expanded," he said.
On health tourism, Najib said Malaysia would go all out to attract tourists, and in many ways, Malaysia was becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination with arrivals growing to reach 1.5 billion by 2020.
In Sabah, tourist arrivals had also grown significantly over the years and "I understand that the visitors figures has broken the million mark since 2004", he said.
He said the increasing tourist arrivals in the state augured well for further development of health tourism.
Speaking to reporters later, Najib hoped that the private medical universities and colleges would produce more doctors to address the shortage.
He said the government would also work together with military hospitals to train more doctors in the country.
On a short-term solution, Najib said the policy of hiring foreign doctors would continue for the benefit of the people.
Act quickly before situation worsens
Star: The country’s dengue situation may take a turn for the worse if the authorities and the public do not adopt the appropriate attitude and measures to contain the disease, said a leading epidemiologist.
Dr Lekhraj Rampal, associate professor at the Department of Community Health in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, said the number of dengue cases last year were double that of 2000.
“We face the risk of the disease turning into an epidemic.
“The Government, local authorities, community leaders and the public need to work together to control the disease,” he said.
Dr Lekhraj said most mosquito breeding grounds were found in homes in urban areas, so these sources must be destroyed.
The health departments and local authorities should ensure fogging was carried out at the right hour (dusk and dawn) and that the exercise followed a seven-day cycle, he said.
He also called for tougher penalties against people whose premises were found to have conditions conducive for mosquitoes to breed in.
Meanwhile, schools and hospitals need to take extra precautions to prevent the spread of the disease, said Dr Lekhraj.
The disease progresses from dengue fever to dengue haemorrhagic fever and finally dengue shock syndrome, which is fatal.
Dr Lekhraj Rampal, associate professor at the Department of Community Health in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, said the number of dengue cases last year were double that of 2000.
“We face the risk of the disease turning into an epidemic.
“The Government, local authorities, community leaders and the public need to work together to control the disease,” he said.
Dr Lekhraj said most mosquito breeding grounds were found in homes in urban areas, so these sources must be destroyed.
The health departments and local authorities should ensure fogging was carried out at the right hour (dusk and dawn) and that the exercise followed a seven-day cycle, he said.
He also called for tougher penalties against people whose premises were found to have conditions conducive for mosquitoes to breed in.
Meanwhile, schools and hospitals need to take extra precautions to prevent the spread of the disease, said Dr Lekhraj.
The disease progresses from dengue fever to dengue haemorrhagic fever and finally dengue shock syndrome, which is fatal.
Chua: Take dengue threat seriously
Star: While state governments and non-governmental organisations are cooperating in anti-dengue initiatives, it is public apathy that is worrying the authorities.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the biggest task was to get the people to take the dengue scourge seriously.
“Please don’t point your finger at anyone if your own house is dirty.
“The Government cannot possibly check every house to ensure that there is no aedes mosquito,” he said.
Dr Chua said he was disappointed with reports that he criticised Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon over the dengue outbreak in the state.
“We sympathise with the people of Penang because the state is badly hit.
“I hope the media will work with us instead of pitting leaders in a fight and creating unnecessary conflicts,” he said, adding that he had not criticised Dr Koh.
In Penang, Dr Koh said he did not blame anyone for the current dengue situation in the state.
“Leaders in the state government and I have not criticised or blamed the Health Ministry.
“The state Health Department had also reacted early to address the dengue threat,” he said.
Dr Koh urged the media not to create misunderstandings that could affect cooperation among agencies in combating the menace.
“The issue is about dengue and the focus should be that,” he said.
The Seberang Prai Municipal Council has sent out an alert on dengue.
“Preventive measures are already in place,” its secretary Zainol Abidin Md Noh said.
The council can be contacted at its hotline at 04-3324 444 for any enquiries.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the biggest task was to get the people to take the dengue scourge seriously.
“Please don’t point your finger at anyone if your own house is dirty.
“The Government cannot possibly check every house to ensure that there is no aedes mosquito,” he said.
Dr Chua said he was disappointed with reports that he criticised Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon over the dengue outbreak in the state.
“We sympathise with the people of Penang because the state is badly hit.
“I hope the media will work with us instead of pitting leaders in a fight and creating unnecessary conflicts,” he said, adding that he had not criticised Dr Koh.
In Penang, Dr Koh said he did not blame anyone for the current dengue situation in the state.
“Leaders in the state government and I have not criticised or blamed the Health Ministry.
“The state Health Department had also reacted early to address the dengue threat,” he said.
Dr Koh urged the media not to create misunderstandings that could affect cooperation among agencies in combating the menace.
“The issue is about dengue and the focus should be that,” he said.
The Seberang Prai Municipal Council has sent out an alert on dengue.
“Preventive measures are already in place,” its secretary Zainol Abidin Md Noh said.
The council can be contacted at its hotline at 04-3324 444 for any enquiries.
MBSA Launches Ops Gigit II To Curb Dengue
SHAH ALAM, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- The Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) will launch "Ops Gigit II" in areas within its jurisdiction as a preventive measure against dengue fever beginning tomorrow, said Shah Alam Datuk Bandar Ramli Mahmud.
He said a dengue operations room based at Wisma MBSA here would be opened from 8 am until 8.30 pm daily to monitor the dengue situation and the public could call the operations room at telephone number 03-55222793 for enquiries or complaints.
Ramli said among the activities to be carried out during Ops Gigit II were house-to-house inspections, fogging, investigation on dengue cases, enforcement and health education on dengue.
He said of the 1,491 suspected dengue cases recorded up to August this year, 417 were confirmed as dengue fever cases. However, there were no fatality in the Shah Alam municipality.
Ramli also said that MBSA recorded the second highest number of dengue cases in Selangor after the Subang Jaya Municipal Council.
He said a dengue operations room based at Wisma MBSA here would be opened from 8 am until 8.30 pm daily to monitor the dengue situation and the public could call the operations room at telephone number 03-55222793 for enquiries or complaints.
Ramli said among the activities to be carried out during Ops Gigit II were house-to-house inspections, fogging, investigation on dengue cases, enforcement and health education on dengue.
He said of the 1,491 suspected dengue cases recorded up to August this year, 417 were confirmed as dengue fever cases. However, there were no fatality in the Shah Alam municipality.
Ramli also said that MBSA recorded the second highest number of dengue cases in Selangor after the Subang Jaya Municipal Council.
MMA Welcomes Higher Duty On Cigarettes
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) Friday welcomed the increase in duty on cigarettes proposed in the 2006 Budget, and said it would result in more people giving up smoking.
Its president, Datuk Teo Siang Chin, said the higher prices of cigarettes could make people, especially from the low-income group, to smoke less.
"However, the government still has to hold more anti-smoking campaigns to educate the public. An increase in the cigarette price alone will not be successful in reducing the smoking habit," said.
Teo said revenue earned from the increase in the duty on liquor and cigarettes could be used to provide better health facilities for the people.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, when tabling the 2006 Budget in the Dewan Rakyat, announced an increase of duty of nine per cent on liquor and 13 per cent on cigarettes.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation Vice President Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the Government should focus more on efforts to eradicate drug abuse.
"The National Anti-Drug Agency should have been given a bigger allocation, especially for upgrading of facilities at the 29 rehabilitation centres nationwide," he added.
In the 2006 Budget, greater attention is given to social problems like drug addiction, Aids and crime, with Pemadam entrusted with the task of reviewing rehabilitation methods as well as streamlining rehabilitation programmes.
Some RM207 million has been allocated for the National Anti-Drug Agency to carry out programmes on prevention, treatment and rehabilitation as well as to manage the 29 drug rehabilitation centres in the country.
Its president, Datuk Teo Siang Chin, said the higher prices of cigarettes could make people, especially from the low-income group, to smoke less.
"However, the government still has to hold more anti-smoking campaigns to educate the public. An increase in the cigarette price alone will not be successful in reducing the smoking habit," said.
Teo said revenue earned from the increase in the duty on liquor and cigarettes could be used to provide better health facilities for the people.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, when tabling the 2006 Budget in the Dewan Rakyat, announced an increase of duty of nine per cent on liquor and 13 per cent on cigarettes.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation Vice President Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the Government should focus more on efforts to eradicate drug abuse.
"The National Anti-Drug Agency should have been given a bigger allocation, especially for upgrading of facilities at the 29 rehabilitation centres nationwide," he added.
In the 2006 Budget, greater attention is given to social problems like drug addiction, Aids and crime, with Pemadam entrusted with the task of reviewing rehabilitation methods as well as streamlining rehabilitation programmes.
Some RM207 million has been allocated for the National Anti-Drug Agency to carry out programmes on prevention, treatment and rehabilitation as well as to manage the 29 drug rehabilitation centres in the country.
Makna eyes unused coins
NST:A campaign was launched today to collect at least five per cent of the RM1.5 billion worth of coins circulating in the country, to finance treatment for cancer patients.
Themed "Sens Saves Lives", the campaign, by the National Cancer Council (Makna), will be on for five years and held in stages nationwide. It will begin here, with donation boxes placed in public places.
Other activities are also in the pipeline to encourage people to donate one sen, five sen, 10 sen, 20 sen and 50 sen coins.
Makna president Datuk Mohd Farid Ariffin said the concept was chosen due to the increasing number of "unused coins".
"We find loose change in cupboards and wallets and sometimes it remains unused. This way we help Bank Negara get the coins back into circulation and help the needy," said Farid, who gave a talk on the causes of cancer and ways to prevent it.
Present at the launch, which was held at the Federal Territories Ministry, were Puspanita president Puan Sri Suslita Abdul Majid, chairman Datin Wan Norasiah Che Jaafar, 21-year-old campaign ambassador local jazz artiste Mia Palencia and Amy Mastura.
In her speech, Suslita said Puspanita, an organisation for women in government service, would contribute RM10,000 to the campaign.
She added a study by the Health Ministry showed about 94 per cent of cancer patients treated in hospitals were at critical stages.
"I hope this campaign raises awareness among men and women and encourage them to undergo periodic tests for cancer," she said.
Since its inception 12 years ago, Makna has aided nearly 72,000 cancer patients in 27 hospitals nationwide.
Themed "Sens Saves Lives", the campaign, by the National Cancer Council (Makna), will be on for five years and held in stages nationwide. It will begin here, with donation boxes placed in public places.
Other activities are also in the pipeline to encourage people to donate one sen, five sen, 10 sen, 20 sen and 50 sen coins.
Makna president Datuk Mohd Farid Ariffin said the concept was chosen due to the increasing number of "unused coins".
"We find loose change in cupboards and wallets and sometimes it remains unused. This way we help Bank Negara get the coins back into circulation and help the needy," said Farid, who gave a talk on the causes of cancer and ways to prevent it.
Present at the launch, which was held at the Federal Territories Ministry, were Puspanita president Puan Sri Suslita Abdul Majid, chairman Datin Wan Norasiah Che Jaafar, 21-year-old campaign ambassador local jazz artiste Mia Palencia and Amy Mastura.
In her speech, Suslita said Puspanita, an organisation for women in government service, would contribute RM10,000 to the campaign.
She added a study by the Health Ministry showed about 94 per cent of cancer patients treated in hospitals were at critical stages.
"I hope this campaign raises awareness among men and women and encourage them to undergo periodic tests for cancer," she said.
Since its inception 12 years ago, Makna has aided nearly 72,000 cancer patients in 27 hospitals nationwide.
More coverage under Socso
NST: Socso will cover workers who meet with accidents while on their way to work, and also while driving their spouses to the office or children to school.
The worker will be paid compensation if he or she is injured or dies in an accident while attending a course or workshop at any institute, university or organisation related to his employment, outside his workplace.
These were some of the measures announced by Socso following allegations by the Malaysian Trades Union Congress that Socso’s previous rule only covered employees who travelled a dedicated route from their residence to workplace, and vice-versa.
It also now considered claims from employees who were involved in accidents while travelling between their workplace, and where they took their meals during authorised intervals.
Every year, Socso received about 20,000 such cases, and the compensation paid out totalled RM120 million.
Under the revised guidelines, Socso would now cover an employee if he or she meets with an accident:
• while withdrawing money from the bank located nearest his or her workplace or residence within three days from pay day;
• related to employment pursuant to the employer’s request or order;
• on any route taken in the locality, for example in big cities during peak hours or under specific situations;
• which occurred on a longer route if the insured person used the public transport between his residence and workplace;
• which happened along a route taken by the insured person to avoid any road closure by the authorities or by natural disaster such as flood, riot, chaos, haze, heavy rain, etc, which made the road inaccessible;
• which involved any sports injury that occurred during workers’ day celebration, annual dinner, annual sports day, company excursion, treasure hunt, national parade or state parade, national event, rescue or security activities and charity events;
• any journey made during mealtime for any other purpose other than having a "meal" will depend on the time of the accident; and,
• any interruption for the purpose of refuelling, call of nature, punctured tyre, vehicle breakdown or assisting in any emergency situation or other similar situation.
A Socso official said despite the flexibilities introduced, the body would maintain the rates of contribution which had been in force since 1971.
"The lowest rate of contribution for an insured person is 10 sen, and the highest rate for an insured person earning RM2,900 (with the recent amendment to the coverage ceiling) is RM14.75.
"This is still the lowest compared to premium rates offered by any insurance company," he said.
He added that Socso had always considered the interests of the insured person.
"The insured should understand that Socso must abide by the provisions of the Socso Act which were formulated after consultations with interested parties including workers and employers," he said.
The worker will be paid compensation if he or she is injured or dies in an accident while attending a course or workshop at any institute, university or organisation related to his employment, outside his workplace.
These were some of the measures announced by Socso following allegations by the Malaysian Trades Union Congress that Socso’s previous rule only covered employees who travelled a dedicated route from their residence to workplace, and vice-versa.
It also now considered claims from employees who were involved in accidents while travelling between their workplace, and where they took their meals during authorised intervals.
Every year, Socso received about 20,000 such cases, and the compensation paid out totalled RM120 million.
Under the revised guidelines, Socso would now cover an employee if he or she meets with an accident:
• while withdrawing money from the bank located nearest his or her workplace or residence within three days from pay day;
• related to employment pursuant to the employer’s request or order;
• on any route taken in the locality, for example in big cities during peak hours or under specific situations;
• which occurred on a longer route if the insured person used the public transport between his residence and workplace;
• which happened along a route taken by the insured person to avoid any road closure by the authorities or by natural disaster such as flood, riot, chaos, haze, heavy rain, etc, which made the road inaccessible;
• which involved any sports injury that occurred during workers’ day celebration, annual dinner, annual sports day, company excursion, treasure hunt, national parade or state parade, national event, rescue or security activities and charity events;
• any journey made during mealtime for any other purpose other than having a "meal" will depend on the time of the accident; and,
• any interruption for the purpose of refuelling, call of nature, punctured tyre, vehicle breakdown or assisting in any emergency situation or other similar situation.
A Socso official said despite the flexibilities introduced, the body would maintain the rates of contribution which had been in force since 1971.
"The lowest rate of contribution for an insured person is 10 sen, and the highest rate for an insured person earning RM2,900 (with the recent amendment to the coverage ceiling) is RM14.75.
"This is still the lowest compared to premium rates offered by any insurance company," he said.
He added that Socso had always considered the interests of the insured person.
"The insured should understand that Socso must abide by the provisions of the Socso Act which were formulated after consultations with interested parties including workers and employers," he said.
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