The Star PETALING JAYA: Hundreds of medically unfit lorry, bus and taxi drivers could be on the roads, endangering not only themselves but also other road users.
It is learnt that the drivers could have obtained or renewed their goods driving licences (GDL) and public service vehicle (PSV) licences using forged medical reports sold by a syndicate.
“Scores of forged medical reports and receipts are being sold daily outside a JPJ (Road Transport Department) compound in the Klang Valley for as low as RM5,” a source said.
There are currently about 70,000 GDL and PSV holders in the country. A GDL is required to drive a lorry while taxi and bus drivers need a PSV.
Drivers who had obtained their licences with fake medical certificates could pose a serious threat to the public and road users, especially if they were drug users or had medical conditions like epilepsy.
Commercial vehicle drivers require a doctor’s certification that they are fit to drive or serve as a conductor for the annual renewal of the GDL and PSV licence.
A doctor claimed that fake medical receipts bearing names of bogus doctors and clinics were being sold outside the JPJ branch office.
The doctor, who runs six clinics within the Klang Valley, lodged a police report on the fake certificates in late December.
“I have seen a tout and a group of runners operating discreetly inside cars and from food outlets close to the JPJ office.
“Hundreds, if not thousands, of fake medical certificates have been sold by the syndicate within the Klang Valley as each runner was seen holding stacks of documents,” he said.
“Also, based on my clinic records, the usual number of drivers who come in for medical check-ups has dropped by 40% since November last year.
“Daily, an average of 25 drivers would come in for medical check-ups but since November, we have been getting about 10 drivers.”
Shah Alam district police CID chief Deputy Supt Halimah Ton Ahmad said police were conducting investigations on the fake medical certificates.
“Investigations are under way but we cannot reveal any details on the matter yet,” said DSP Halimah.
Many doctors refused to comment on the issue although some admitted they have heard of such a syndicate.
“Some of these drivers demand that clinic counter staff fill up the JPJ form certifying that they were fit and have done the medical check-ups although they have not,” said a clinic staff.
JPJ director-general Datuk Emran Kadir said that fake medical receipts and doctor’s certificates had cropped up from time to time.
“In the past, the Selangor JPJ hauled up 60 commercial vehicle drivers for submitting fake documents when renewing their goods driving licences or public service vehicle licences.
“We welcome police investigations into the matter,” he said, adding that the JPJ would co-operate with the police.
Emran also said that the JPJ would also be introducing an online system linking clinics and the department to put an end to the problem.
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, February 13, 2006
Free condom, needle plan to start soon
Star: PETALING JAYA: The harm-reduction pilot programme that was due to kick off last month – involving free condoms and needle exchange for drug users to reduce HIV/AIDS – will begin within a few weeks, said Malaysian AIDS Council president Prof Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman.
The delay was due to the recent long break to mark the Chinese New Year festivities, she said.
Furthermore, she added, there was some paperwork with the police that needed to be completed, as well as the need to train those involved in the programme.
“We are ready to go. It is not easy because we are starting from ground zero. But we have had great cooperation from the police, which is the key thing because they need to understand what we are doing,” she said.
The MAC is helping the Health Ministry to set up the pilot project, which will cover Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor.
Initially, Kelantan and Pahang were also included in the project.
However, said Dr Adeeba, it was important to “keep things small.”
“There are not a lot of people to get this project off the ground and it involves a lot of training. And we want to do it well,” she said.
Dr Adeeba, who also heads the Malaysian Harm-Reduction Working Group (HRWG) – which advocates evidence-based public health policies in relation to HIV prevention, treatment and care for drug users – said the pilot project would be carrying out the programme at drop-in centres and through outreach workers.
“There will be about 15 people doing this at each site. They are made up of (Malaysian AIDS Council) affiliates.
“We are hoping to get about 400 drug users per site for the 12-month project. They are free to come by at the drop-in centres or the outreach workers will go to them,” she added.
Statistics released by the ministry show that 64,439 Malaysians were infected from 1986 until December last year and the number of new cases in 2004 was 6,427.
Of the total number of people living with AIDS reported so far, 75% are intravenous drug users. It has been estimated that if left unchecked, 300,000 Malaysians would be infected with HIV in 10 years.
A study by the Cabinet sub-committee on Drug Addicts Treatment and Rehabilitation some years ago revealed that 65% of drug addicts were intravenous drug users, injecting drugs more than thrice a day and sharing needles with more than five people.
The study also showed that 77.6% of the intravenous drug users were sexually-active, with only 18.7% using condoms during sex. The same study revealed that the risk of contracting HIV among intravenous drug users was six times higher than with others.
The delay was due to the recent long break to mark the Chinese New Year festivities, she said.
Furthermore, she added, there was some paperwork with the police that needed to be completed, as well as the need to train those involved in the programme.
“We are ready to go. It is not easy because we are starting from ground zero. But we have had great cooperation from the police, which is the key thing because they need to understand what we are doing,” she said.
The MAC is helping the Health Ministry to set up the pilot project, which will cover Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor.
Initially, Kelantan and Pahang were also included in the project.
However, said Dr Adeeba, it was important to “keep things small.”
“There are not a lot of people to get this project off the ground and it involves a lot of training. And we want to do it well,” she said.
Dr Adeeba, who also heads the Malaysian Harm-Reduction Working Group (HRWG) – which advocates evidence-based public health policies in relation to HIV prevention, treatment and care for drug users – said the pilot project would be carrying out the programme at drop-in centres and through outreach workers.
“There will be about 15 people doing this at each site. They are made up of (Malaysian AIDS Council) affiliates.
“We are hoping to get about 400 drug users per site for the 12-month project. They are free to come by at the drop-in centres or the outreach workers will go to them,” she added.
Statistics released by the ministry show that 64,439 Malaysians were infected from 1986 until December last year and the number of new cases in 2004 was 6,427.
Of the total number of people living with AIDS reported so far, 75% are intravenous drug users. It has been estimated that if left unchecked, 300,000 Malaysians would be infected with HIV in 10 years.
A study by the Cabinet sub-committee on Drug Addicts Treatment and Rehabilitation some years ago revealed that 65% of drug addicts were intravenous drug users, injecting drugs more than thrice a day and sharing needles with more than five people.
The study also showed that 77.6% of the intravenous drug users were sexually-active, with only 18.7% using condoms during sex. The same study revealed that the risk of contracting HIV among intravenous drug users was six times higher than with others.
S'gor Govt-funded University To Offer Medical Degree Courses From 2008
BANGI, Feb 12 (Bernama) -- Kolej Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Selangor (Kuis), one of two institutions of higher learning set up by the Selangor government, will offer medical degree courses from 2008 as part of its expansion.
Its rector, Datuk Haji Mohamed Adanan Isman said the state government, Kuis and the Health Ministry were in the midst of identifying the most appropriate site for a teaching hospital, which is a must for a university to offer a medical degree course.
In an interview, he said the state government had pledged to provide a piece of land measuring about 12 hectares either in Sungai Besar near Tanjung Malim or in Sepang for the teaching hospital project.
Sungai Besar, he said, was located near the automotive hubs of Tanjung Malim and Serendah while Sepang was close to the KL International Airport and Putrajaya.
The decision on the location would also depend on the Health Ministry's future expansion with regard to the setting up of new hospitals.
"It is crucial to have a teaching hospital in place to enable our medical students to have plenty of clinical experience," said Adanan, who has been the rector for the past three years following his secondment from the Selangor government.
The provision of medical degree courses is under the third phase of the development of Kuis, whose establishment was conceptualised in 1996. It started operations from its present campus in Bandar Seri Putra, near the KLIA and Nilai town, in 2000.
To date, the state government has spent about RM107 million for the infrastructural development of Kuis -- RMRM83 million in phase one and RM24 million in phase two.
Adanan said the move was part of the state's contributions towards developing human capital for the country's requirements.
Kuis, whose campus covers about 40ha, presently has 3,200 students studying in five faculties offering four degree courses and 17 diploma courses.
The degree courses offered are in syariah law, business management with e-commerce, information technology and multimedia and network technology. The diploma courses include Islamic studies like theology and syariah law, Islamic banking, business management, human resource management and language and communications.
Adanan said that besides the medical degree course, Kuis would also be offering degree courses in dentistry and pharmacy from 2008.
For a start, a diploma course in pharmacy would be offered from next year.
"One of our most popular diploma courses is nursing and our students have their practical training at Universiti Sains Malaysia's hospital at Kubang Kerian in Kelantan," he said.
Its rector, Datuk Haji Mohamed Adanan Isman said the state government, Kuis and the Health Ministry were in the midst of identifying the most appropriate site for a teaching hospital, which is a must for a university to offer a medical degree course.
In an interview, he said the state government had pledged to provide a piece of land measuring about 12 hectares either in Sungai Besar near Tanjung Malim or in Sepang for the teaching hospital project.
Sungai Besar, he said, was located near the automotive hubs of Tanjung Malim and Serendah while Sepang was close to the KL International Airport and Putrajaya.
The decision on the location would also depend on the Health Ministry's future expansion with regard to the setting up of new hospitals.
"It is crucial to have a teaching hospital in place to enable our medical students to have plenty of clinical experience," said Adanan, who has been the rector for the past three years following his secondment from the Selangor government.
The provision of medical degree courses is under the third phase of the development of Kuis, whose establishment was conceptualised in 1996. It started operations from its present campus in Bandar Seri Putra, near the KLIA and Nilai town, in 2000.
To date, the state government has spent about RM107 million for the infrastructural development of Kuis -- RMRM83 million in phase one and RM24 million in phase two.
Adanan said the move was part of the state's contributions towards developing human capital for the country's requirements.
Kuis, whose campus covers about 40ha, presently has 3,200 students studying in five faculties offering four degree courses and 17 diploma courses.
The degree courses offered are in syariah law, business management with e-commerce, information technology and multimedia and network technology. The diploma courses include Islamic studies like theology and syariah law, Islamic banking, business management, human resource management and language and communications.
Adanan said that besides the medical degree course, Kuis would also be offering degree courses in dentistry and pharmacy from 2008.
For a start, a diploma course in pharmacy would be offered from next year.
"One of our most popular diploma courses is nursing and our students have their practical training at Universiti Sains Malaysia's hospital at Kubang Kerian in Kelantan," he said.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Azalina: Drug addicts getting younger
NST: The country’s drug addicts are getting younger. Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said said that nearly seven out of the 10 drug addicts in the country were those in the 13 to 39 age bracket.
"I know that you think it is ‘cool’, ‘happening’ to take drugs. Don’t think that I don’t know of your habits of taking drugs in discotheques. I know," she told a group of Universiti Teknologi Mara students, prompting a robust response from those attending the launch of Belia Benci Dadah (Youth Hate Drugs) billboard campaign.
The programme is sponsored by Gerbang Perdana Sdn Bhd. Some 2,000 billboards will be put up in public universities and private colleges to remind the young on the dangers of taking drugs.
Azalina also said that 79 per cent of the drug addicts were school dropouts.
"What is really sad is that almost 80 per cent of them are Malays."
She said one of the main reasons why the number of drug addicts among youths increased was because of peer pressure and encouragement to take drugs from their friends.
"They (youths) start off with self-rolled cigarettes, then they move on and try Ecstasy pills and before you know it, they are doing drugs for good."
"I know that you think it is ‘cool’, ‘happening’ to take drugs. Don’t think that I don’t know of your habits of taking drugs in discotheques. I know," she told a group of Universiti Teknologi Mara students, prompting a robust response from those attending the launch of Belia Benci Dadah (Youth Hate Drugs) billboard campaign.
The programme is sponsored by Gerbang Perdana Sdn Bhd. Some 2,000 billboards will be put up in public universities and private colleges to remind the young on the dangers of taking drugs.
Azalina also said that 79 per cent of the drug addicts were school dropouts.
"What is really sad is that almost 80 per cent of them are Malays."
She said one of the main reasons why the number of drug addicts among youths increased was because of peer pressure and encouragement to take drugs from their friends.
"They (youths) start off with self-rolled cigarettes, then they move on and try Ecstasy pills and before you know it, they are doing drugs for good."
‘Sick’ hospital ready to serve
NST : After a long wait and a RM11.5 million bill for decontamination work, the Sultan Ismail Specialist Hospital in Pandan, Johor, is ready to re-open.
The 740-bed hospital, built at a cost of RM557.8 million, began operations in July 2004 with the opening of the outpatient department and the haemodialysis centre.
Two months later, it was closed because of fungal infection.
Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the hospital was now safe.
"The hospital’s indoor environment microbial activities are under control," he told the New Sunday Times.
Only three floors of the hospital would initially be opened.
Members of the Public Audit Committee visited the hospital in December last year and were satisfied with the decontamination work done by Germguard Technologies (M) Sdn Bhd.
Samy Vellu said the treated surfaces would not have microbial growth, mould and mildew odours provided they were maintained in a reasonably clean condition.
The work by Germguard Technologies, carried out between April 15 and July 30 last year, comes with a two-year warranty.
Samy Vellu said the company handed the hospital to the Public Works Department on Aug 14 last year.
The Health Ministry took possession of the hospital on Jan 15.
Although there are indications that the hospital would re-open soon, the date has yet to be announced.
Samy Vellu said a maintenance programme, which started on Aug 15 last year, would continue until Aug 14 next year.
He said the relative humidity and temperature in air-conditioned spaces in the hospital would be monitored 24 hours a day and monthly reports would be submitted to the PWD.
The Sultan Ismail Specialist Hospital is the second largest hospital in Johor after the Sultanah Aminah Hospital.
The 740-bed hospital, built at a cost of RM557.8 million, began operations in July 2004 with the opening of the outpatient department and the haemodialysis centre.
Two months later, it was closed because of fungal infection.
Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the hospital was now safe.
"The hospital’s indoor environment microbial activities are under control," he told the New Sunday Times.
Only three floors of the hospital would initially be opened.
Members of the Public Audit Committee visited the hospital in December last year and were satisfied with the decontamination work done by Germguard Technologies (M) Sdn Bhd.
Samy Vellu said the treated surfaces would not have microbial growth, mould and mildew odours provided they were maintained in a reasonably clean condition.
The work by Germguard Technologies, carried out between April 15 and July 30 last year, comes with a two-year warranty.
Samy Vellu said the company handed the hospital to the Public Works Department on Aug 14 last year.
The Health Ministry took possession of the hospital on Jan 15.
Although there are indications that the hospital would re-open soon, the date has yet to be announced.
Samy Vellu said a maintenance programme, which started on Aug 15 last year, would continue until Aug 14 next year.
He said the relative humidity and temperature in air-conditioned spaces in the hospital would be monitored 24 hours a day and monthly reports would be submitted to the PWD.
The Sultan Ismail Specialist Hospital is the second largest hospital in Johor after the Sultanah Aminah Hospital.
Busting the microbes
NST: Ten million square feet — that was the surface area decontaminated at the Sultan Ismail Specialist Hospital.
That included floors, walls, ceilings, ducts, vents and numerous other unseen surfaces in the building.
The decontamination work was executed over four months, starting in April.
It began with killing the fungi that had infested the building followed by treatments to prevent new infestation.
The fungi originated from gardens and earthworks in the vicinity of the hospital and its spread were aided by the hot, humid conditions inside the building.
"This was followed by further assessments and measurements of microbial presence," said Kailash Sheth, executive director of Germguard Technologies Sdn Bhd, the company assigned to decontaminate the hospital last year.
"We continue to monitor and measure the air quality and microbial presence with various tests."
Germguard Technologies specialises in the relatively new field known as building diagnostics and remediation. It addresses the biological contamination of indoor spaces and other issues that contribute to "sick building syndrome".
For the Sultan Ismail Hospital, the company used the Aegis Microbe Shield which is a clear polymer layer applied to building surfaces such as walls that contained biocide.
The shield holds up the biocide for long periods and allows no leaching. The shield attracts microbes and ruptures cell membranes.
This causes a physical death of the microbes, giving it no chance to evolve or resist.
The treatment carries a two-year warranty. Ten staffers will remain on site at the hospital until the end of the warranty period to continue monitoring, making observations and assisting the building technicians.
The sole intention of improving indoor air quality was to reduce infections or even deaths, said Satish Bakhda, principal consultant of Aegis Asia Pte Ltd, the indoor environmental specialist firm based in Singapore.
"Lower productivity and increased mild illnesses such as flus and colds are now well-studied phenomenon in sick buildings," said Satish.
"In some countries, workers are reporting serious ailments, especially asthma.
"Building owners who have addressed the microbial infestation are reporting improvement in their workers’ health."
Indoor air quality has spurned a billion-dollar business in air filters, ozone machines, UV light busters and various mechanical filters that claim to clean the air.
"Not all work, some are actually harmful," Satish said.
Buildings can be vectors of disease, according to Curtis White, a co-inventor of the Aegis Microbe Shield.
"We don’t usually think of structures that way. These are not just casual patterns of infections.
"In a building’s life, its use and occupation needs to be reviewed every five years or so."
That included floors, walls, ceilings, ducts, vents and numerous other unseen surfaces in the building.
The decontamination work was executed over four months, starting in April.
It began with killing the fungi that had infested the building followed by treatments to prevent new infestation.
The fungi originated from gardens and earthworks in the vicinity of the hospital and its spread were aided by the hot, humid conditions inside the building.
"This was followed by further assessments and measurements of microbial presence," said Kailash Sheth, executive director of Germguard Technologies Sdn Bhd, the company assigned to decontaminate the hospital last year.
"We continue to monitor and measure the air quality and microbial presence with various tests."
Germguard Technologies specialises in the relatively new field known as building diagnostics and remediation. It addresses the biological contamination of indoor spaces and other issues that contribute to "sick building syndrome".
For the Sultan Ismail Hospital, the company used the Aegis Microbe Shield which is a clear polymer layer applied to building surfaces such as walls that contained biocide.
The shield holds up the biocide for long periods and allows no leaching. The shield attracts microbes and ruptures cell membranes.
This causes a physical death of the microbes, giving it no chance to evolve or resist.
The treatment carries a two-year warranty. Ten staffers will remain on site at the hospital until the end of the warranty period to continue monitoring, making observations and assisting the building technicians.
The sole intention of improving indoor air quality was to reduce infections or even deaths, said Satish Bakhda, principal consultant of Aegis Asia Pte Ltd, the indoor environmental specialist firm based in Singapore.
"Lower productivity and increased mild illnesses such as flus and colds are now well-studied phenomenon in sick buildings," said Satish.
"In some countries, workers are reporting serious ailments, especially asthma.
"Building owners who have addressed the microbial infestation are reporting improvement in their workers’ health."
Indoor air quality has spurned a billion-dollar business in air filters, ozone machines, UV light busters and various mechanical filters that claim to clean the air.
"Not all work, some are actually harmful," Satish said.
Buildings can be vectors of disease, according to Curtis White, a co-inventor of the Aegis Microbe Shield.
"We don’t usually think of structures that way. These are not just casual patterns of infections.
"In a building’s life, its use and occupation needs to be reviewed every five years or so."
Maggot therapy just the cure for wounds
NST :Maggots, those revolting little creatures, have found their way into modern medicine in Malaysia.
The Institute for Medical Research has been studying maggot debridement therapy (MDT) for the past three years, and is encouraged by what it has found.
Maggots eat dead tissue in a wound and encourage healing.
"A surgeon will try and remove the dead tissue but sometimes the tissue is so tiny that we need a maggot ‘surgeon’," said Dr Lee Han Lim, head of the IMR’s medical entomology unit.
"The maggots are able to find minute dead tissue and feed on it, cleaning the wound. Depending on the patient, new tissue can grow within a week," he added.
The institute uses the larvae of the local tropical fly species known as Lucilia cuprina (also called langau) in its treatment.
Four-day-old maggots are inserted into a patient’s wound every four days, replacing the previous batch which would have grown too big.
"There’s no pain. Patients say the sensation of maggots crawling around in their wounds is ticklish," said Dr Lee.
According to him, the first patient to undergo MDT was a 63-year-old diabetic at the Lumut Navy Hospital who suffered an intractable ulcer in his foot.
"The ulcer was so bad that he was scheduled for an amputation, but he tried MDT as a last resort and his leg was saved."
MDT is also very cost-effective. The diabetic patient underwent five treatments (five maggot replacements) and the total cost was RM120.
Maggots were first used to treat the wounds of soldiers in the 1500s and later during World War I.
According to the European Tissue Repair Society, the number of doctors or centres worldwide which use MDT has increased from less than a dozen in 1995, to close to 1,000 today.
On the local front, 15 patients have successfully undergone MDT. The therapy failed on two patients whose wounds were far too serious.
Another patient who has benefited from MDT is Dr Lim Ju Boo, a retired senior research officer at IMR. "One day, while mopping, I felt a pain in my leg and saw an ulcer," he said.
For three months, Dr Lim consulted doctors in the orthopaedic department at Kuala Lumpur Hospital, even spending a month at the skin ward. The antibiotics prescribed had no effect.
"Nothing worked. Then I recalled hearing Dr Lee talk on maggot therapy and I asked him for help," said Dr Lim. The first two days after the maggots were inserted into the ulcer, he felt no sensation as there was a large amount of slough.
But the two millimetre-long maggots were working away, eating through the dead tissue and slough. They were replaced every day and on the fourth day, after three applications, there was new tissue growth.
"Those chaps in the hospital were not able to do for me in three months what the maggots did in four days," said Dr Lim.
The Institute for Medical Research has been studying maggot debridement therapy (MDT) for the past three years, and is encouraged by what it has found.
Maggots eat dead tissue in a wound and encourage healing.
"A surgeon will try and remove the dead tissue but sometimes the tissue is so tiny that we need a maggot ‘surgeon’," said Dr Lee Han Lim, head of the IMR’s medical entomology unit.
"The maggots are able to find minute dead tissue and feed on it, cleaning the wound. Depending on the patient, new tissue can grow within a week," he added.
The institute uses the larvae of the local tropical fly species known as Lucilia cuprina (also called langau) in its treatment.
Four-day-old maggots are inserted into a patient’s wound every four days, replacing the previous batch which would have grown too big.
"There’s no pain. Patients say the sensation of maggots crawling around in their wounds is ticklish," said Dr Lee.
According to him, the first patient to undergo MDT was a 63-year-old diabetic at the Lumut Navy Hospital who suffered an intractable ulcer in his foot.
"The ulcer was so bad that he was scheduled for an amputation, but he tried MDT as a last resort and his leg was saved."
MDT is also very cost-effective. The diabetic patient underwent five treatments (five maggot replacements) and the total cost was RM120.
Maggots were first used to treat the wounds of soldiers in the 1500s and later during World War I.
According to the European Tissue Repair Society, the number of doctors or centres worldwide which use MDT has increased from less than a dozen in 1995, to close to 1,000 today.
On the local front, 15 patients have successfully undergone MDT. The therapy failed on two patients whose wounds were far too serious.
Another patient who has benefited from MDT is Dr Lim Ju Boo, a retired senior research officer at IMR. "One day, while mopping, I felt a pain in my leg and saw an ulcer," he said.
For three months, Dr Lim consulted doctors in the orthopaedic department at Kuala Lumpur Hospital, even spending a month at the skin ward. The antibiotics prescribed had no effect.
"Nothing worked. Then I recalled hearing Dr Lee talk on maggot therapy and I asked him for help," said Dr Lim. The first two days after the maggots were inserted into the ulcer, he felt no sensation as there was a large amount of slough.
But the two millimetre-long maggots were working away, eating through the dead tissue and slough. They were replaced every day and on the fourth day, after three applications, there was new tissue growth.
"Those chaps in the hospital were not able to do for me in three months what the maggots did in four days," said Dr Lim.
Friday, February 10, 2006
Haven for heart patients
NST: The Kuala Lumpur Hospital is probably the best place to seek treatment in the event of a heart attack.
Not only will doctors start treatment in the first 15 minutes of arrival, one can be assured of aggressive treatment soon after in the coronary care unit.
The speedy treatment won the department the National Quality Award 2005 in December.
The Director-General of Health’s trophy and the RM5,000 award may not seem much, but the real prize is the improvement in death rates since 2003.
HKL Consultant Pulmonary and Critical Care Physician Datuk Dr Jeyaindran Sinnadurai said the treatment regime had led to the death rate falling from 15.9 per cent to less than five per cent.
"We want to reduce the death rate even further," he told the New Straits Times.
Dr Jeyaindran said the survival chances of heart attack victims improved dramatically with faster treatment.
"We were the first hospital in the country to start treating patients with heart attacks in the A&E department itself."
He said HKL had managed to achieve world standards in diagnosing and treating patients with heart attacks.
"It is a must now that a person diagnosed with heart attack be started on appropriate immediate treatment and aggressive treatment in the CCU after that," he said.
Dr Jeyaindran said procedures were computerised for medical assistants and doctors to expedite the diagnosis of patients with heart attacks.
"Good clinical practice for all patients with chest pain due to acute coronary syndrome is to have an ECG and be given 300mg of crushed aspirin within 10 minutes of arrival at an A&E," he said.
Dr Jeyaindran said a patient walking in and complaining of chest pain would have medical assistants asking whether he was a heart disease patient, a smoker, a diabetic, suffered from hypertension or had high cholesterol.
"Once confirmed, an electrocardiogram is done and if it shows ongoing chest pain suggestive of heart disease, the patient is taken to a special area where the doctor immediately administers appropriate treatment," he said.
Sixty-one per cent of the country’s 24 million people have at least one risk factor for heart disease.
He said coronary artery disease could begin early in life and was aggravated by various known conventional risk factors including smoking, diabetes and hypertension.
"Many studies have shown that reducing or optimising control of these risk factors can reduce cardiac mortality," he said.
Not only will doctors start treatment in the first 15 minutes of arrival, one can be assured of aggressive treatment soon after in the coronary care unit.
The speedy treatment won the department the National Quality Award 2005 in December.
The Director-General of Health’s trophy and the RM5,000 award may not seem much, but the real prize is the improvement in death rates since 2003.
HKL Consultant Pulmonary and Critical Care Physician Datuk Dr Jeyaindran Sinnadurai said the treatment regime had led to the death rate falling from 15.9 per cent to less than five per cent.
"We want to reduce the death rate even further," he told the New Straits Times.
Dr Jeyaindran said the survival chances of heart attack victims improved dramatically with faster treatment.
"We were the first hospital in the country to start treating patients with heart attacks in the A&E department itself."
He said HKL had managed to achieve world standards in diagnosing and treating patients with heart attacks.
"It is a must now that a person diagnosed with heart attack be started on appropriate immediate treatment and aggressive treatment in the CCU after that," he said.
Dr Jeyaindran said procedures were computerised for medical assistants and doctors to expedite the diagnosis of patients with heart attacks.
"Good clinical practice for all patients with chest pain due to acute coronary syndrome is to have an ECG and be given 300mg of crushed aspirin within 10 minutes of arrival at an A&E," he said.
Dr Jeyaindran said a patient walking in and complaining of chest pain would have medical assistants asking whether he was a heart disease patient, a smoker, a diabetic, suffered from hypertension or had high cholesterol.
"Once confirmed, an electrocardiogram is done and if it shows ongoing chest pain suggestive of heart disease, the patient is taken to a special area where the doctor immediately administers appropriate treatment," he said.
Sixty-one per cent of the country’s 24 million people have at least one risk factor for heart disease.
He said coronary artery disease could begin early in life and was aggravated by various known conventional risk factors including smoking, diabetes and hypertension.
"Many studies have shown that reducing or optimising control of these risk factors can reduce cardiac mortality," he said.
Lifelong methadone treatment for addicts
Star: TEMERLOH: Drug addicts who have undergone replacement therapy treatment with methadone can continue doing so for the rest of their lives.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad said it was not a compulsory move but said the treatment would help former addicts get back into society.
He said there were 1,200 drug addicts who had undergone the treatment nationwide which had cost RM2.3mil since October last year.
Currently, Dr Abdul Latiff said there were 18 such centres in the country offering the treatment at government hospitals, health clinics and selected private clinics.
“We expect the treatment cost to increase from RM4.3mil this year to RM140mil.
“This amount will cater for some 15,000 drug addicts by 2010,” Dr Abdul Latiff told reporters visiting Temerloh Hospital here yesterday.
Earlier in his speech, Dr Abdul Latiff said National Anti-Drugs Agency statistics showed that there were some 130,000 registered drug addicts in the country.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad said it was not a compulsory move but said the treatment would help former addicts get back into society.
He said there were 1,200 drug addicts who had undergone the treatment nationwide which had cost RM2.3mil since October last year.
Currently, Dr Abdul Latiff said there were 18 such centres in the country offering the treatment at government hospitals, health clinics and selected private clinics.
“We expect the treatment cost to increase from RM4.3mil this year to RM140mil.
“This amount will cater for some 15,000 drug addicts by 2010,” Dr Abdul Latiff told reporters visiting Temerloh Hospital here yesterday.
Earlier in his speech, Dr Abdul Latiff said National Anti-Drugs Agency statistics showed that there were some 130,000 registered drug addicts in the country.
NASOM To Expand Services To Kedah, Kelantan, East Msia
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 9 (Bernama) -- The National Autism Society Malaysia (NASOM) plans to expand its services to Kedah, Kelantan and East Malaysia, based on needs and demand in the areas, its chairman, Teh Beng Hoon, said Thursday.
"There is a need in Alor Setar, Kelantan and East Malaysia to set up centres there," he told Bernama.
NASOM would conduct training for teachers to manage the new centres as well as help the autistic children, he said.
Currently, NASOM has 14 centres nationwide to train autistic children to communicate and be independent.
The society started a programme last year to prepare these children to enter the mainstream schools, Teh said.
Eight of the children entered the mainstream schools last year and six more would join them this year.
"Basically, it is proven that autistic children can be integrated into the mainstream school," he added.
The centres charged RM200 to RM250 per month for each child but parents could appeal for reduction of fees.
NASOM spent about RM1.8 million annually for its operations and as a non-governmental organisation depended on contributions from the public and corporate bodies, he said.
The society expected to increase the number of children at its centres to 450 by early next year, from the current 350, he added.
"There is a need in Alor Setar, Kelantan and East Malaysia to set up centres there," he told Bernama.
NASOM would conduct training for teachers to manage the new centres as well as help the autistic children, he said.
Currently, NASOM has 14 centres nationwide to train autistic children to communicate and be independent.
The society started a programme last year to prepare these children to enter the mainstream schools, Teh said.
Eight of the children entered the mainstream schools last year and six more would join them this year.
"Basically, it is proven that autistic children can be integrated into the mainstream school," he added.
The centres charged RM200 to RM250 per month for each child but parents could appeal for reduction of fees.
NASOM spent about RM1.8 million annually for its operations and as a non-governmental organisation depended on contributions from the public and corporate bodies, he said.
The society expected to increase the number of children at its centres to 450 by early next year, from the current 350, he added.
Director Says Baby Girl Suffered Deformity Syndrome
TANAH MERAH, Feb 9 (Bernama) -- Baby Natasya Nadirah Yunus, whose parents accused a hospital of negligence that caused her to lose her right foot during delivery on Jan 22, was born with several deformities, Kelantan Health Director Datuk Dr Ahmad Razin Ahmad Maher said Thursday.
He said the baby suffered from a deformity syndrome that also left her with a cleft palate and webbed fingers.
"We hope the baby's parents can accept the fact that Natasya was born deformed in the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital (in Kota Baharu) and her condition is present in one out of 50,000 births," he said.
Dr Ahmad Razin said this to reporters after visiting the baby's parents Yunus Che Husin, 62, and his wife Hasanah Abdullah, 36, in Kampung Alor Pasir here Thursday to explain the truth about the baby.
He was accompanied by the hospital's obstetrician Dr Wan Zahanim Wan Yusoff and paediatrician Dr Hasmawati Hassan.
Dr Ahmad Razin said the hospital was prepared to operate on the baby to improve her condition but the decision was up to the parents.
Asked about the parents' intention to sue the hospital for alleged negligence, he said it was their decision.
Meanwhile, Natasya's parents said they would stick to their intention to take legal action against the hospital.
Last Monday, they alleged the hospital had caused their baby's foot to be severed and had tried to cover up the negligence by claiming that the baby's foot was slightly injured. They have made a police report.
He said the baby suffered from a deformity syndrome that also left her with a cleft palate and webbed fingers.
"We hope the baby's parents can accept the fact that Natasya was born deformed in the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital (in Kota Baharu) and her condition is present in one out of 50,000 births," he said.
Dr Ahmad Razin said this to reporters after visiting the baby's parents Yunus Che Husin, 62, and his wife Hasanah Abdullah, 36, in Kampung Alor Pasir here Thursday to explain the truth about the baby.
He was accompanied by the hospital's obstetrician Dr Wan Zahanim Wan Yusoff and paediatrician Dr Hasmawati Hassan.
Dr Ahmad Razin said the hospital was prepared to operate on the baby to improve her condition but the decision was up to the parents.
Asked about the parents' intention to sue the hospital for alleged negligence, he said it was their decision.
Meanwhile, Natasya's parents said they would stick to their intention to take legal action against the hospital.
Last Monday, they alleged the hospital had caused their baby's foot to be severed and had tried to cover up the negligence by claiming that the baby's foot was slightly injured. They have made a police report.
12,000 Unregistered Medicinal Products Seized
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 9 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry seized 12,169 unregistered products valued at more than RM9.5 million last year including 4,575 traditional products worth RM4.9 million, said Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek.
He said the seizures were made during regular checks by enforcement officers at premises that sold these medicinal products to ensure they were registered with the ministry's Drug Control Authority.
The ministry also carried out market surveillance on registered products and took random samples for testing to prevent any deviation from the specified standards after registration.
Products that failed to meet the specified standards would be recalled from the market and their registration might be cancelled.
"Last year, out of 725 samples taken for analysis, 81 products failed the laboratory analysis. Of these, 56 products were recalled from the market for exceeding the limits for heavy metals or microbial content," he said at the launch of the Power Root Ambassador and Secondary Broadcast Sponsors of this year's World Cup football championship at Seri Kembangan near here Thursday.
He reminded all manufacturers to be responsible for their products.
The manufacturers should focus on the use of safe and permissible ingredients, compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and use of appropriate packaging and monitoring of adverse reactions.
"Quality control ingredients and products, from raw materials to finished goods, should be carried out in accredited laboratories using approved methods and procedures," he added.
Dr Chua said as of December 2005, there were 148 GMP-certified traditional product manufacturers in the country.
He said the seizures were made during regular checks by enforcement officers at premises that sold these medicinal products to ensure they were registered with the ministry's Drug Control Authority.
The ministry also carried out market surveillance on registered products and took random samples for testing to prevent any deviation from the specified standards after registration.
Products that failed to meet the specified standards would be recalled from the market and their registration might be cancelled.
"Last year, out of 725 samples taken for analysis, 81 products failed the laboratory analysis. Of these, 56 products were recalled from the market for exceeding the limits for heavy metals or microbial content," he said at the launch of the Power Root Ambassador and Secondary Broadcast Sponsors of this year's World Cup football championship at Seri Kembangan near here Thursday.
He reminded all manufacturers to be responsible for their products.
The manufacturers should focus on the use of safe and permissible ingredients, compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and use of appropriate packaging and monitoring of adverse reactions.
"Quality control ingredients and products, from raw materials to finished goods, should be carried out in accredited laboratories using approved methods and procedures," he added.
Dr Chua said as of December 2005, there were 148 GMP-certified traditional product manufacturers in the country.
Ministry Calls Meeting To Discuss Medical Aid Fund
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 10 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry has called a meeting with representatives of non-governmental organisations, political and social organisations and other interested parties on Tuesday to discuss the Medical Aid Fund (MAF) which was criticised recently for not being patient-friendly.
Minister Datuk Chua Soi Lek said the meeting would review conditions to make it easier for patients to benefit from the fund.
He said the meeting would also be attended by the ministry's Secretary-General Datuk Dr Mohd Nasir Mohd Ashraf and Health Director-General Datuk Dr Ismail Merican.
Dr Chua was speaking to reporters after the launch of the Power Root Ambassador and Secondary Broadcast Sponsors of this year's World Cup football championship at Seri Kembangan near here Thursday.
He said the fund was set up to help patients who could not afford treatment, medicines or health devices.
To qualify, applicants must be Malaysian citizens, poor or disabled registered with the Welfare Department.
The ministry had received 630 applications for assistance under the fund, of which 422 were approved, since MAF was set up last year.
The applications approved involved RM6.7 million and comprised 183 Malay patients, Chinese (112), Indians (92) and Bumiputera from Sabah and Sarawak (35).
Minister Datuk Chua Soi Lek said the meeting would review conditions to make it easier for patients to benefit from the fund.
He said the meeting would also be attended by the ministry's Secretary-General Datuk Dr Mohd Nasir Mohd Ashraf and Health Director-General Datuk Dr Ismail Merican.
Dr Chua was speaking to reporters after the launch of the Power Root Ambassador and Secondary Broadcast Sponsors of this year's World Cup football championship at Seri Kembangan near here Thursday.
He said the fund was set up to help patients who could not afford treatment, medicines or health devices.
To qualify, applicants must be Malaysian citizens, poor or disabled registered with the Welfare Department.
The ministry had received 630 applications for assistance under the fund, of which 422 were approved, since MAF was set up last year.
The applications approved involved RM6.7 million and comprised 183 Malay patients, Chinese (112), Indians (92) and Bumiputera from Sabah and Sarawak (35).
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Kelantan No. 1 in diabetes
Star: Kelantan has the highest number of diabetics in the country with an estimated 78,000 people. And most of them are above 30 years old, Utusan Malaysia reported.
The paper said a study by Universiti Sains Malaysia showed the figure had doubled compared with 10 years ago.
It said if the calculation of the World Health Organisation was applied, it meant that almost one-third of the state's population suffered from diabetes.
Quoting the Malaysian Diabetes Association Kelantan branch secretary Associate Professor Ab. Aziz al-Safi Ismail, it said 95.3% of the loss of limbs were due to the disease.
It added that 70% of the diabetics could not control their sugar levels.
“The answer to why Kelantan has a high rate of diabetics is very easy: because they love sweet foods, and this has been going on for generations,” the paper quoted Dr Ab. Aziz as saying.
It said the study, which was done in collaboration with several other local universities and the Health Ministry, found that Selangor and Penang came in second and third at 11% and 10.5%, respectively.
The paper also said that Sarawak, Sabah and Perlis have the lowest number of diabetics.
“Kelantanese love sweet foods while people in Selangor and Penang are exposed to modern lifestyles of fast food; and they do little exercise,” Dr Ab. Aziz added.
The daily said it was disappointing that Kelantanese were consuming very high amounts of sugar in their diet.
“One example is only Kelananese would eat roti canai with curry and sugar,” he said.
The paper said a study by Universiti Sains Malaysia showed the figure had doubled compared with 10 years ago.
It said if the calculation of the World Health Organisation was applied, it meant that almost one-third of the state's population suffered from diabetes.
Quoting the Malaysian Diabetes Association Kelantan branch secretary Associate Professor Ab. Aziz al-Safi Ismail, it said 95.3% of the loss of limbs were due to the disease.
It added that 70% of the diabetics could not control their sugar levels.
“The answer to why Kelantan has a high rate of diabetics is very easy: because they love sweet foods, and this has been going on for generations,” the paper quoted Dr Ab. Aziz as saying.
It said the study, which was done in collaboration with several other local universities and the Health Ministry, found that Selangor and Penang came in second and third at 11% and 10.5%, respectively.
The paper also said that Sarawak, Sabah and Perlis have the lowest number of diabetics.
“Kelantanese love sweet foods while people in Selangor and Penang are exposed to modern lifestyles of fast food; and they do little exercise,” Dr Ab. Aziz added.
The daily said it was disappointing that Kelantanese were consuming very high amounts of sugar in their diet.
“One example is only Kelananese would eat roti canai with curry and sugar,” he said.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Varsities begin to fatten their coffers
Sun2Surf: PETALING JAYA: Public universities are taking steps to raise their revenue to offset deficits, following the plan to cut government subsidies from 90% of university expenditure to 70%.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) is doing so through a private company it established, UKM Holdings Sdn Bhd, to manage consultancy, private health services (private wing in HUKM, UKM polyclinic, pharmacy, and optometry), executive programmes, and the commercialisation of research products.
"We have been aware that the government is taking steps to make the public universities more independent for quite some time," said UKM vice chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Salleh Mohd Yasim.
"That is why the gover nment corporatised the universities."
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) is doing so through a private company it established, UKM Holdings Sdn Bhd, to manage consultancy, private health services (private wing in HUKM, UKM polyclinic, pharmacy, and optometry), executive programmes, and the commercialisation of research products.
"We have been aware that the government is taking steps to make the public universities more independent for quite some time," said UKM vice chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Salleh Mohd Yasim.
"That is why the gover nment corporatised the universities."
Study Finds Low Folate Levels Among Malaysian Women
Scoop: A joint study by leading Malaysian and New Zealand nutrition researchers has found that Malaysian women of childbearing age are at risk of birth defects due to low folate intake in their diet.
Folate plays a crucial role in reducing the risk of neural tube defects (NTD) during pregnancies. Serious folate deficiency can lead to birth defects such as Spina Bifida, a form of NTD.
The joint study of 399 Malaysian women found that only 15.2 per cent of them had red cell folate concentrations at levels that would ensure a low risk of neural tube defects in babies.
Folate plays a crucial role in reducing the risk of neural tube defects (NTD) during pregnancies. Serious folate deficiency can lead to birth defects such as Spina Bifida, a form of NTD.
The joint study of 399 Malaysian women found that only 15.2 per cent of them had red cell folate concentrations at levels that would ensure a low risk of neural tube defects in babies.
Hospital: Baby is deformed at birth
NST: Natasha Nadirah’s foot was not amputated but is deformed.
A spokesman for Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab 2 said the baby’s right leg was a stump at birth and was partially fused to her mother Hasnah Abdullah’s uterus lining and had to be cut free.
He refuted Hasnah’s claim that the child’s foot had been amputated during the Caesarean birth.
"The operation (to detach the stump from the womb) was done by an orthopaedic surgeon," the spokesman said. "It is impossible to amputate the foot as the tools used were different. A saw was not used."
Yesterday, Hasnah, 36, alleged that hospital staff had accidentally amputated her baby’s right foot in the operating theatre on Jan 22. The Thai national, from Alor Pasir, Tanah Merah, claimed she heard a commotion during the operation indicating that something had gone wrong.
Hasnah lodged a report at the district police headquarters after being discharged on Jan 25.
On Hasnah’s claim that the doctors placed a gas mask on her face during the operation, the spokesman said this was because the surgery took an hour longer than usual.
"Patients are usually partly anaesthetised during a Caesarean section. If the surgery takes longer than expected, patients would be fully anaesthetised. It is a normal procedure."
A spokesman for Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab 2 said the baby’s right leg was a stump at birth and was partially fused to her mother Hasnah Abdullah’s uterus lining and had to be cut free.
He refuted Hasnah’s claim that the child’s foot had been amputated during the Caesarean birth.
"The operation (to detach the stump from the womb) was done by an orthopaedic surgeon," the spokesman said. "It is impossible to amputate the foot as the tools used were different. A saw was not used."
Yesterday, Hasnah, 36, alleged that hospital staff had accidentally amputated her baby’s right foot in the operating theatre on Jan 22. The Thai national, from Alor Pasir, Tanah Merah, claimed she heard a commotion during the operation indicating that something had gone wrong.
Hasnah lodged a report at the district police headquarters after being discharged on Jan 25.
On Hasnah’s claim that the doctors placed a gas mask on her face during the operation, the spokesman said this was because the surgery took an hour longer than usual.
"Patients are usually partly anaesthetised during a Caesarean section. If the surgery takes longer than expected, patients would be fully anaesthetised. It is a normal procedure."
PM: Medical aid rules can be relaxed, but follow procedures
The Star: PUTRAJAYA: Rules regulating the disbursement of government financial aid for patients can be relaxed but the people must comply with the required procedures, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
He said the ministry could improve on and relax the conditions to get financial assistance under the Medical Aid Fund “if the move can facilitate more patients to enjoy the facility.”
The Prime Minister was asked about problems faced by patients and their families in getting financial assistance from the fund.
“If it’s really difficult, then we need to take action to ease the difficulties.
“But if the people do no want to follow procedures, then it will be difficult for them,” he said at the Internal Security Ministry monthly gathering here yesterday.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek had disclosed recently that RM18mil of the RM25mil from three medical funds for last year had not been utilised.
A month ago, Dr Chua announced plans to establish a Medical Assistance Fund which will have less red tape.
In Kuala Lumpur, PAS suggested that a special committee comprising Health Ministry officials, the Backbenchers Club, opposition parties, workers' unions and consumer groups look into procedures in disbursing money under the fund.
“If a person is earning RM2,000 a month and he has a chronically ill child whose medical care would cost RM200,000, there’s no way he can afford this,” PAS committee member Mahfuz Omar told a press conference.
“So we need to re-define the status of poverty and eligibility.”
He said the ministry could improve on and relax the conditions to get financial assistance under the Medical Aid Fund “if the move can facilitate more patients to enjoy the facility.”
The Prime Minister was asked about problems faced by patients and their families in getting financial assistance from the fund.
“If it’s really difficult, then we need to take action to ease the difficulties.
“But if the people do no want to follow procedures, then it will be difficult for them,” he said at the Internal Security Ministry monthly gathering here yesterday.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek had disclosed recently that RM18mil of the RM25mil from three medical funds for last year had not been utilised.
A month ago, Dr Chua announced plans to establish a Medical Assistance Fund which will have less red tape.
In Kuala Lumpur, PAS suggested that a special committee comprising Health Ministry officials, the Backbenchers Club, opposition parties, workers' unions and consumer groups look into procedures in disbursing money under the fund.
“If a person is earning RM2,000 a month and he has a chronically ill child whose medical care would cost RM200,000, there’s no way he can afford this,” PAS committee member Mahfuz Omar told a press conference.
“So we need to re-define the status of poverty and eligibility.”
Dr Jemilah Elected Int'l Voluntary Agencies Vice-Head
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 7 (Bernama) -- The people have been advised to reduce outdoor activities, particularly for children, during the current dry spell experienced in the Klang Valley and northern Peninsular Malaysia.
A medical officer of Kuala Lumpur Hospital said people, more so children, could suffer from dehydration due to prolonged exposure under the hot weather.
The doctor advised the people to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
Meanwhile, a spokesman of the Meteorological Services Department said the dry spell was a normal occurrence during the inter-monsoon period -- between the end of the Northeast Monsoon and the beginning of the Southwest Monsoon at the end of May.
"It is a normal occurrence and the people have no need to worry," he said when asked to comment on a newspaper report that the dry spell in the Klang Valley and northern Peninsular Malaysia was expected to last until the middle of next month.
Another occurrence was the equinox, when the sun crosses the equator, on March 20 or 21 and Sept 22 or 23, he said, adding that the temperature was expected to rise then, particularly at night.
A medical officer of Kuala Lumpur Hospital said people, more so children, could suffer from dehydration due to prolonged exposure under the hot weather.
The doctor advised the people to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
Meanwhile, a spokesman of the Meteorological Services Department said the dry spell was a normal occurrence during the inter-monsoon period -- between the end of the Northeast Monsoon and the beginning of the Southwest Monsoon at the end of May.
"It is a normal occurrence and the people have no need to worry," he said when asked to comment on a newspaper report that the dry spell in the Klang Valley and northern Peninsular Malaysia was expected to last until the middle of next month.
Another occurrence was the equinox, when the sun crosses the equator, on March 20 or 21 and Sept 22 or 23, he said, adding that the temperature was expected to rise then, particularly at night.
PM raps MMA for claiming ignorance on illegal abortions
Sun2surfPUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi says the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) cannot continue to claim ignorance whenever doctors are accused of conducting illegal abortions.
"MMA must monitor the conduct of doctors in the country so that they do not act outside the law. They must adhere to ethics outlined for them and if they breach them, appropiate action should be taken.
"I want the MMA to look into allegations against doctors seriously," said Abdullah in a media briefing after his Internal Security Ministry's monthly assembly on Feb 7, 2006.
He was asked to comment on reports that several doctors in the country allegedly conducted illegal abortions but when informed, the MMA would claim they were unaware.
On Malaysians still having problems obtaining financial aid from the government's critical illness fund, the Prime Minister said he still did not understand why Malaysians kept on saying it is difficult to obtain aid.
"If the rakyat don't want to follow procedures when wanting financial aid, then it will be difficult to obtain assistance when making applications. There is no law that can satisfy everyone," he added.
"MMA must monitor the conduct of doctors in the country so that they do not act outside the law. They must adhere to ethics outlined for them and if they breach them, appropiate action should be taken.
"I want the MMA to look into allegations against doctors seriously," said Abdullah in a media briefing after his Internal Security Ministry's monthly assembly on Feb 7, 2006.
He was asked to comment on reports that several doctors in the country allegedly conducted illegal abortions but when informed, the MMA would claim they were unaware.
On Malaysians still having problems obtaining financial aid from the government's critical illness fund, the Prime Minister said he still did not understand why Malaysians kept on saying it is difficult to obtain aid.
"If the rakyat don't want to follow procedures when wanting financial aid, then it will be difficult to obtain assistance when making applications. There is no law that can satisfy everyone," he added.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Send your grouses to me, says Health D-G
NST: Don’t go to the Press. Come to me.
That is the message from Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Merican to those with complaints against government health and medical staff.
"I have received many complaints and have resolved most of them faster and more efficiently.
"By relating it directly to me, no one can overplay any issue," he said after paying a courtesy call on Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid at his office in Wisma Darul Aman here.
Dr Ismail said he was always receptive to complaints and had been devoting his weekends to reading every letter sent to him.
"Most complaints are due to misunderstandings between our hospital staff and the public. As such, I want our staff to spend more time explaining to the public their illnesses, the types of medication prescribed and their side-effects, if any," he said.
Asked about a rubber tapper’s claim that his wife died due to a power failure while undergoing haemodialysis at the Baling Hospital last December, he said it was not so.
"We have a back-up generator at the hospital. The woman was also not undergoing any treatment when the power failure occurred," he said.
Normah Yub, 53, died 22 days after the power outage. Husband Mohd Zainol Ismail, also 53, insisted that the power failure had led to her death.
On the delay in the opening of the new hospital here and another in Sungai Petani, he said they would be completed this year.
"Don’t blame us for the delay. It’s the contractors’ fault."
That is the message from Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Merican to those with complaints against government health and medical staff.
"I have received many complaints and have resolved most of them faster and more efficiently.
"By relating it directly to me, no one can overplay any issue," he said after paying a courtesy call on Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid at his office in Wisma Darul Aman here.
Dr Ismail said he was always receptive to complaints and had been devoting his weekends to reading every letter sent to him.
"Most complaints are due to misunderstandings between our hospital staff and the public. As such, I want our staff to spend more time explaining to the public their illnesses, the types of medication prescribed and their side-effects, if any," he said.
Asked about a rubber tapper’s claim that his wife died due to a power failure while undergoing haemodialysis at the Baling Hospital last December, he said it was not so.
"We have a back-up generator at the hospital. The woman was also not undergoing any treatment when the power failure occurred," he said.
Normah Yub, 53, died 22 days after the power outage. Husband Mohd Zainol Ismail, also 53, insisted that the power failure had led to her death.
On the delay in the opening of the new hospital here and another in Sungai Petani, he said they would be completed this year.
"Don’t blame us for the delay. It’s the contractors’ fault."
Anguish over baby’s foot
NST: Was 15-day-old Natasha Nadirah Yunus’s left foot accidentally amputated during a Caesarean section or was it naturally deformed?
Her anguished mother, Hasnah Abdullah, 36, claims she heard a commotion during the operation on Jan 22 which indicated that something had gone wrong during surgery.
"I heard a nurse suddenly say the baby’s leg had been accidentally cut and a commotion followed," she said.
Hasnah, who was partly anaesthetised in the 7.30pm operation, said this was all she remembered as someone immediately placed a gas mask on her and she slipped into unconsciousness.
When she awoke about 10pm, she saw Natasha, who suffers from a cleft lip, being brought into her room. Hasnah then noticed the infant had a bloodied stump on the left foot.
"I asked the nurse why the doctor amputated my baby’s foot but she told me that Natasha’s leg had been deformed at birth," she alleged.
"I refuse to believe her because I clearly heard what happened in the operation theatre. Something went wrong during the operation," Hasnah said, claiming that both her thumbs were inked for fingerprints when she was asleep.
The Thai national lodged a report at the district police headquarters after being discharged on Jan 25.
She wants Raja Perempuan Zainab 2 Hospital authorities to explain the situation.
Hospital director Dr Aeshah @ Zaharah Awang said she would investigate the matter.
Her anguished mother, Hasnah Abdullah, 36, claims she heard a commotion during the operation on Jan 22 which indicated that something had gone wrong during surgery.
"I heard a nurse suddenly say the baby’s leg had been accidentally cut and a commotion followed," she said.
Hasnah, who was partly anaesthetised in the 7.30pm operation, said this was all she remembered as someone immediately placed a gas mask on her and she slipped into unconsciousness.
When she awoke about 10pm, she saw Natasha, who suffers from a cleft lip, being brought into her room. Hasnah then noticed the infant had a bloodied stump on the left foot.
"I asked the nurse why the doctor amputated my baby’s foot but she told me that Natasha’s leg had been deformed at birth," she alleged.
"I refuse to believe her because I clearly heard what happened in the operation theatre. Something went wrong during the operation," Hasnah said, claiming that both her thumbs were inked for fingerprints when she was asleep.
The Thai national lodged a report at the district police headquarters after being discharged on Jan 25.
She wants Raja Perempuan Zainab 2 Hospital authorities to explain the situation.
Hospital director Dr Aeshah @ Zaharah Awang said she would investigate the matter.
Most organ donors are accident victims
Star: HALF of all organ donors are accident victims and only 10% of those who pledged their organs got to fulfil their wish of donating their organs, Sin Chew Daily reported.
This is based on records from the National Organ Transplant Registry.
The daily quoted Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek as saying that organ donors were aged between 37 days and 79 years old.
Some 60% of those who pledged to donate their organs were between 21 and 40 years old, the daily reported.
Dr Chua told the daily that 1,200 kidneys, 700 corneas, 450 hearts and 200 livers were needed a year to give patients a new lease of life.
He was quoted as saying that renal failure patients had only two choices – to have a kidney transplant or be hooked to dialysis machines for life.
Due to the shortage of kidney donors, 95% of renal failure patients in the country relied on dialysis machines, the daily reported.
This is based on records from the National Organ Transplant Registry.
The daily quoted Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek as saying that organ donors were aged between 37 days and 79 years old.
Some 60% of those who pledged to donate their organs were between 21 and 40 years old, the daily reported.
Dr Chua told the daily that 1,200 kidneys, 700 corneas, 450 hearts and 200 livers were needed a year to give patients a new lease of life.
He was quoted as saying that renal failure patients had only two choices – to have a kidney transplant or be hooked to dialysis machines for life.
Due to the shortage of kidney donors, 95% of renal failure patients in the country relied on dialysis machines, the daily reported.
MMA believes probe on top official not done right
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Medical Association believes that certain procedures were not applied by its committee of inquiry in a probe on a senior official for alleged mismanagement of funds.
An MMA official said the association would seek legal advice before acting on the committee's report, which called for the senior official to be suspended immediately and relieved of duties and access to the association’s premises and staff.
The committee's report was submitted to the MMA executive council last September. Two weeks ago, in a special general meeting, the findings and recommendations were presented to more than 100 MMA members.
The council refused to accept the recommendations, which also called for two other office bearers to be reprimanded. A group of doctors then started a signature campaign calling for a vote of no confidence on the MMA president and the council.
The MMA official, who declined to be named, said the signature campaign to censure the officials was an internal matter, and should not be discussed in public.
“We don’t understand why some doctors have brought our issues to the media,” said the official yesterday on behalf of MMA president Datuk Dr Teoh Siang Chin, who was not available for comment.
The official said the MMA had yet to receive the signature drive calling on the president and council to step down.
Yesterday, a specialist doctor who attended the special general meeting said the committee of inquiry was elected with the approval of the president and council.
The committee investigated allegations of misappropriation of funds by the senior official following the internal auditor’s report that there were claims of thousands of ringgit without receipts as well as false claims made for printing.
It also verified the internal audit report that the official had used the association’s credit card for personal expenses and misled the council that an overseas trip was sanctioned.
An MMA official said the association would seek legal advice before acting on the committee's report, which called for the senior official to be suspended immediately and relieved of duties and access to the association’s premises and staff.
The committee's report was submitted to the MMA executive council last September. Two weeks ago, in a special general meeting, the findings and recommendations were presented to more than 100 MMA members.
The council refused to accept the recommendations, which also called for two other office bearers to be reprimanded. A group of doctors then started a signature campaign calling for a vote of no confidence on the MMA president and the council.
The MMA official, who declined to be named, said the signature campaign to censure the officials was an internal matter, and should not be discussed in public.
“We don’t understand why some doctors have brought our issues to the media,” said the official yesterday on behalf of MMA president Datuk Dr Teoh Siang Chin, who was not available for comment.
The official said the MMA had yet to receive the signature drive calling on the president and council to step down.
Yesterday, a specialist doctor who attended the special general meeting said the committee of inquiry was elected with the approval of the president and council.
The committee investigated allegations of misappropriation of funds by the senior official following the internal auditor’s report that there were claims of thousands of ringgit without receipts as well as false claims made for printing.
It also verified the internal audit report that the official had used the association’s credit card for personal expenses and misled the council that an overseas trip was sanctioned.
Umno Youth Urges Ministry To Reveal Names Of Medical Aid Recipients
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 6 (Bernama) -- Umno Youth will ask the Health Ministry to announce the names of people who receive assistance under the Medical Aid Fund.
Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the movement's Exco which met on Monday called for the list of recipients to be made public to answer allegations that the fund did not benefit people who needed it most.
He said he would discuss the matter with Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek.
"We give the new minister a chance. The previous Health Minister was different. Nobody knew who received contributions. Only the minister was allowed to give an explanation," he told reporters after the Youth Exco meeting.
Hishammuddin said Umno Youth viewed the matter seriously since the fund was created on the initiative of the Youth's community protection and welfare bureau chairman Datuk Subahan Kamal and MCA public complaints bureau chairman Datuk Michael Chong.
The fund to provide assistance to poor people suffering from chronic diseases was launched last year but only RM6.1 million had been released to patients out of the RM100 million allocation.
The fund replaced the National Health Welfare Fund.
Dr Chua said recently very few applications for assistance had been made to the fund.
The statement prompted several newspapers to carry reports about individuals who claimed they found it hard to get aid from the fund and some patients with chronic diseases had died without receiving any aid.
Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the movement's Exco which met on Monday called for the list of recipients to be made public to answer allegations that the fund did not benefit people who needed it most.
He said he would discuss the matter with Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek.
"We give the new minister a chance. The previous Health Minister was different. Nobody knew who received contributions. Only the minister was allowed to give an explanation," he told reporters after the Youth Exco meeting.
Hishammuddin said Umno Youth viewed the matter seriously since the fund was created on the initiative of the Youth's community protection and welfare bureau chairman Datuk Subahan Kamal and MCA public complaints bureau chairman Datuk Michael Chong.
The fund to provide assistance to poor people suffering from chronic diseases was launched last year but only RM6.1 million had been released to patients out of the RM100 million allocation.
The fund replaced the National Health Welfare Fund.
Dr Chua said recently very few applications for assistance had been made to the fund.
The statement prompted several newspapers to carry reports about individuals who claimed they found it hard to get aid from the fund and some patients with chronic diseases had died without receiving any aid.
Farid Evades Queries On RM1 Billion Donation Pledge
PENANG, Feb 6 (Bernama) -- The question of whether the National Cancer Council (Makna) has received a donation of RM1 billion from self-proclaimed Lebanese "billionaire" Elie Yousef Najem remains unanswered.
Makna chairman Datuk Farid Ariffin would not confirm if the money pledged by Elie had been deposited in the council's account.
"Don't ask me anything, I don't know about it. Cancer patients will continue to pray that Elie will fulfil his pledge," he told reporters after attending a ceremony to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Makna, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Jobstreet.com, Pos Malaysia Berhad and Yayasan Sekolah Penang Free here Monday.
"I have not been in contact with anyone for the last several days as I had switched off my handphone. With Elie too, I have not been in touch the past four days," he said.
Elie told the press recently he would credit part of the pledged amount into Makna's account this week.
Meanwhile, Under the MOU, USM will provide its expertise in micro-credit funding to help Makna raise funds for the benefit of needy cancer patients.
Farid said that there were about 90,000 cancer patients in the country and each of them needed between RM30,000 and RM70,000 for treatment.
Makna had collected about RM90 million and disbursed RM40 million, he added.
Makna chairman Datuk Farid Ariffin would not confirm if the money pledged by Elie had been deposited in the council's account.
"Don't ask me anything, I don't know about it. Cancer patients will continue to pray that Elie will fulfil his pledge," he told reporters after attending a ceremony to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Makna, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Jobstreet.com, Pos Malaysia Berhad and Yayasan Sekolah Penang Free here Monday.
"I have not been in contact with anyone for the last several days as I had switched off my handphone. With Elie too, I have not been in touch the past four days," he said.
Elie told the press recently he would credit part of the pledged amount into Makna's account this week.
Meanwhile, Under the MOU, USM will provide its expertise in micro-credit funding to help Makna raise funds for the benefit of needy cancer patients.
Farid said that there were about 90,000 cancer patients in the country and each of them needed between RM30,000 and RM70,000 for treatment.
Makna had collected about RM90 million and disbursed RM40 million, he added.
Monday, February 06, 2006
Kitchen remedy for diabetes gets potent nod from UM scientist
Sun2Surf: PETALING JAYA: The humble bittergourd, a popular vegetable, served in every Asian household - and touted as a kitchen-cure for diabetes by many a grandma has evoked the curiosity of a local scientist.
The gourd (Mormodica charantia), known locally as peria has over 100 compounds in it - and one or some of these chemicals possess a hypoglycaemic (blood-glucose lowering) effect.
Assoc Prof Dr Mustafa Ali Mohd of University Malaya's Faculty of Medicine (Pharmacology) spent about 18 months analysing the gourd with his team of four researchers.
He told the Sun recently that bittergourd can effect an insulin-like bioactivity in the mammalian pancreas.
"The extracts of the gourd have shown to reduce blood-glucose in overnight fasted laboratory mice loaded with glucose the previous day," said Mustafa.
He said the glucose-lowering effect of the crude plant extract was validated with glibenclamide - a common diabetic medication and the extracts were proven to have the same effect as the medication in both fasted and normal laboratory mice.
However, Mustafa was quick to caution that the plant extract is no cure for the metabolic disorder affecting an estimated 1.6 million Malaysians.
"It works the same way as standard diabetic medication, which only helps to control blood-glucose levels without eliciting a permanent cure," he said.
He said the significant glucose-lowering effect of the extract indicates that it may be used as a potential hypoglycaemic agent.
He also said the study revealed that the effect of the extract was dose-dependent.
"It was observed that the maximum effect was seen at the dose below 500 mg/kg and there was no parallel increase in the efficacy upon increasing the dosage."
"The potential benefits of the plant whether consumed as a juice or as cooked vegetable serves as a supplement to oral or insulin treatment of the condition," he said, adding that no matter what supplements they take, diabetics must monitor their blood-glucose levels regularly, take their medication, and live a healthy lifestyle.
Among its other medicinal values, the gourd, which belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family is also known to be a natural antibiotic.
It has also been documented to be an anti-inflammatory agent, anti-tumour and a powerful antioxidant by scientists elsewhere.
Mustafa, who also heads the Shimadzu-UMMC Centre for Xenobiotic Studies, said human trials on the plant extract will begin soon.
The gourd (Mormodica charantia), known locally as peria has over 100 compounds in it - and one or some of these chemicals possess a hypoglycaemic (blood-glucose lowering) effect.
Assoc Prof Dr Mustafa Ali Mohd of University Malaya's Faculty of Medicine (Pharmacology) spent about 18 months analysing the gourd with his team of four researchers.
He told the Sun recently that bittergourd can effect an insulin-like bioactivity in the mammalian pancreas.
"The extracts of the gourd have shown to reduce blood-glucose in overnight fasted laboratory mice loaded with glucose the previous day," said Mustafa.
He said the glucose-lowering effect of the crude plant extract was validated with glibenclamide - a common diabetic medication and the extracts were proven to have the same effect as the medication in both fasted and normal laboratory mice.
However, Mustafa was quick to caution that the plant extract is no cure for the metabolic disorder affecting an estimated 1.6 million Malaysians.
"It works the same way as standard diabetic medication, which only helps to control blood-glucose levels without eliciting a permanent cure," he said.
He said the significant glucose-lowering effect of the extract indicates that it may be used as a potential hypoglycaemic agent.
He also said the study revealed that the effect of the extract was dose-dependent.
"It was observed that the maximum effect was seen at the dose below 500 mg/kg and there was no parallel increase in the efficacy upon increasing the dosage."
"The potential benefits of the plant whether consumed as a juice or as cooked vegetable serves as a supplement to oral or insulin treatment of the condition," he said, adding that no matter what supplements they take, diabetics must monitor their blood-glucose levels regularly, take their medication, and live a healthy lifestyle.
Among its other medicinal values, the gourd, which belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family is also known to be a natural antibiotic.
It has also been documented to be an anti-inflammatory agent, anti-tumour and a powerful antioxidant by scientists elsewhere.
Mustafa, who also heads the Shimadzu-UMMC Centre for Xenobiotic Studies, said human trials on the plant extract will begin soon.
UK medical programmes not being de-recognised
Sun2Surf: Neither the Malaysian Medical Council nor the Health Ministry intends to de-recognise postgraduate programmes offered by institutions overseas.
"The Royal Colleges in the United Kingdom are such centres and we are happy to be associated with their programmes," said Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Merican, adding that he was a product of these institutions himself.
Referrring to a letter in the Sun weekend (Feb 4-5) by a doctor from Banting who alleged that post-graduate degrees from the Royal College of Surgeons and the Royal College of Physicians were de-recognised by the Malaysian Medical Council, Ismail in a written response said, "This is news to me."
"Most of the programmes although undoubtedly good, are not structured (i.e. they are not exit examinations) and therefore those who pass the examinations conducted by these colleges will have to undergo 18 months of supervision and monitoring as opposed to the six months for local graduates, before being gazetted as specialists," said Ismail.
When contacted yesterday, Ismail explained that doctors who attend a structured programme have to attend the whole course - lectures and exams as required by the curriculum.
"They are trained all-round. Otherwise a doctor can self-study, fly down, sit for the exam and if he or she is good, pass the difficult theory and clinical tests," said Ismail.
"They however have to be properly prepared to practise, which is why we have athe 18 months of supervision and monitoring, although the exam itself is very tough," he said.
"I hope doctors get their facts right and not resort to writing letters to the press, based on rumours and perception," said Ismail.
"The Royal Colleges in the United Kingdom are such centres and we are happy to be associated with their programmes," said Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Merican, adding that he was a product of these institutions himself.
Referrring to a letter in the Sun weekend (Feb 4-5) by a doctor from Banting who alleged that post-graduate degrees from the Royal College of Surgeons and the Royal College of Physicians were de-recognised by the Malaysian Medical Council, Ismail in a written response said, "This is news to me."
"Most of the programmes although undoubtedly good, are not structured (i.e. they are not exit examinations) and therefore those who pass the examinations conducted by these colleges will have to undergo 18 months of supervision and monitoring as opposed to the six months for local graduates, before being gazetted as specialists," said Ismail.
When contacted yesterday, Ismail explained that doctors who attend a structured programme have to attend the whole course - lectures and exams as required by the curriculum.
"They are trained all-round. Otherwise a doctor can self-study, fly down, sit for the exam and if he or she is good, pass the difficult theory and clinical tests," said Ismail.
"They however have to be properly prepared to practise, which is why we have athe 18 months of supervision and monitoring, although the exam itself is very tough," he said.
"I hope doctors get their facts right and not resort to writing letters to the press, based on rumours and perception," said Ismail.
Sunday, Most Stressful Day For Health Director-General
ALOR STAR, Feb 6 (Bernama) -- Sunday is not a rest day for Health Director-General Datuk Dr Mohamad Ismail Merican but the most stressful day instead because he will spend every weekend reading hundreds of complaint letters received from "hospital clients".
And from reading the letters, he has concluded that most of them were due to communication problems between doctors and nurses and the patients and their families.
"Each Sunday, I read complain letters no matter where, at home and sometimes in the office... Each Sunday, a strong coffee helps," he told reporters after making a courtesy call on Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid at his office, here Monday.
Mohamad Ismail said he welcomed letters of complaints because they could help the Health Ministry overcome problems in efforts to provide the best service and treatment to everyone.
Immediate action would be taken on each complaint, he said.
"Doctors and nurses must take an effort to explain to the patients their illness. Problems arise when the patients did not get satisfactory explanations and that was why they wrote letters. If they were informed in detail, the patients would not complain.
"To the patients, what's important is how you (doctors and nurses) treat me... That is why since I was made Director-General I emphasise on public relations.
"Even if the doctors are the best in the world but did not take an effort to give the necessary information to the patient, it serves no purpose," he said.
On new hospitals in Alor Star and Sungai Petani, Mohamad Ismail said they were expected to be operational this year even though the construction pace was slow due to problems faced by the contractors.
On a claim by rubber tapper Mohd Zainol Ismail that his wife, Normah Yub, died last Dec 13 because of power outage while she was undergoing hemodialysis treatment at the Baling Hospital on Nov 21, Mohamad Ismail said a probe by the Kedah Health Department found that the claim was untrue.
He said the Baling Hospital was equipped with a support generator and an uninterrupted power system.
So, if power supply was cut off, the hemodialysis machine used by Normah would still be functional, he said.
"We firmly hold to the principle that everything that needs to be done had been done on the patient. The Baling Hospital has also explained it to Mohd Zainol," he said.
If Mohd Zainol still wants to sue, the Health Ministry could not do anything, he said.
And from reading the letters, he has concluded that most of them were due to communication problems between doctors and nurses and the patients and their families.
"Each Sunday, I read complain letters no matter where, at home and sometimes in the office... Each Sunday, a strong coffee helps," he told reporters after making a courtesy call on Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid at his office, here Monday.
Mohamad Ismail said he welcomed letters of complaints because they could help the Health Ministry overcome problems in efforts to provide the best service and treatment to everyone.
Immediate action would be taken on each complaint, he said.
"Doctors and nurses must take an effort to explain to the patients their illness. Problems arise when the patients did not get satisfactory explanations and that was why they wrote letters. If they were informed in detail, the patients would not complain.
"To the patients, what's important is how you (doctors and nurses) treat me... That is why since I was made Director-General I emphasise on public relations.
"Even if the doctors are the best in the world but did not take an effort to give the necessary information to the patient, it serves no purpose," he said.
On new hospitals in Alor Star and Sungai Petani, Mohamad Ismail said they were expected to be operational this year even though the construction pace was slow due to problems faced by the contractors.
On a claim by rubber tapper Mohd Zainol Ismail that his wife, Normah Yub, died last Dec 13 because of power outage while she was undergoing hemodialysis treatment at the Baling Hospital on Nov 21, Mohamad Ismail said a probe by the Kedah Health Department found that the claim was untrue.
He said the Baling Hospital was equipped with a support generator and an uninterrupted power system.
So, if power supply was cut off, the hemodialysis machine used by Normah would still be functional, he said.
"We firmly hold to the principle that everything that needs to be done had been done on the patient. The Baling Hospital has also explained it to Mohd Zainol," he said.
If Mohd Zainol still wants to sue, the Health Ministry could not do anything, he said.
Sunday, February 05, 2006
10,000 M'sians Suffer Upper Limb Injury From Computer Use
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 (Bernama) -- About 10,000 Malaysians who use computers in their workplace suffer upper limb injuries a year and to this the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) proposes the need to promote usage of ergonomics in workplaces.
Niosh chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said industries that implemented ergonomics programmes reported a significant drop in accidents, injuries, illnesses and healthcare cost and increased productivity, work efficiency, product quality and higher workers' morale.
Ergonomics -- integrating knowledge derived from human sciences to match jobs, systems, products and environment to the physical and mental abilities and limitations - is relatively a new field in Malaysia in comparison to advanced countries like Japan, the United States and Canada, he said in a statement.
"Nevertheless, the philosophy, essence, principle and concepts of ergonomics are clearly important to human at work and to disregard them would be a handicap in efforts to promote occupation, safety and health at workplace." he said.
Lee said the Social Security Organisation (Socso) statistics showed the number of cases involving injuries in the upper limb, especially fingers and hands, reached about 10,000 every year and the number of back injury cases about 2,000.
While a study by Niosh indicated 61.4 per cent of workers who used computers in their workplace suffered from lower back pain, shoulder and neck pain, while 70.6 per cent of them complain of eyestrain.
"In 2004, Socso spent more than RM722.4 million in compensation. I believe the amount could have been reduced if we had taken pro-active measures to improve safety at workplace," he said.
Lee said it was well documented that computers and their associated furniture were linked with various musculoskeletal problems of the hands, arms, neck, back and legs.
Musculoskeletal problems are related to the design, layout and use of various office furniture components.
"Niosh, as the premier training institute in occupational safety and health, is committed to the promotion of ergonomics to the Malaysian workforce. Courses, exhibitions, talks, seminars and conferences are held periodically on the field," he added.
Niosh chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said industries that implemented ergonomics programmes reported a significant drop in accidents, injuries, illnesses and healthcare cost and increased productivity, work efficiency, product quality and higher workers' morale.
Ergonomics -- integrating knowledge derived from human sciences to match jobs, systems, products and environment to the physical and mental abilities and limitations - is relatively a new field in Malaysia in comparison to advanced countries like Japan, the United States and Canada, he said in a statement.
"Nevertheless, the philosophy, essence, principle and concepts of ergonomics are clearly important to human at work and to disregard them would be a handicap in efforts to promote occupation, safety and health at workplace." he said.
Lee said the Social Security Organisation (Socso) statistics showed the number of cases involving injuries in the upper limb, especially fingers and hands, reached about 10,000 every year and the number of back injury cases about 2,000.
While a study by Niosh indicated 61.4 per cent of workers who used computers in their workplace suffered from lower back pain, shoulder and neck pain, while 70.6 per cent of them complain of eyestrain.
"In 2004, Socso spent more than RM722.4 million in compensation. I believe the amount could have been reduced if we had taken pro-active measures to improve safety at workplace," he said.
Lee said it was well documented that computers and their associated furniture were linked with various musculoskeletal problems of the hands, arms, neck, back and legs.
Musculoskeletal problems are related to the design, layout and use of various office furniture components.
"Niosh, as the premier training institute in occupational safety and health, is committed to the promotion of ergonomics to the Malaysian workforce. Courses, exhibitions, talks, seminars and conferences are held periodically on the field," he added.
Influx of Indon patients a monetary worry for Jakarta
Star: PENANG: Major private hospitals here are enjoying a continued influx of Indonesians seeking medical treatment.
However, officials in the neighbouring country are concerned over the outflow of currency from their country.
A doctor from one of the seven leading private hospitals here involved in health tourism said Indonesian officials had recently called him to seek his permission to interview some of his patients from Medan.
Another doctor said the number of people from Medan seeking medical treatment here had shown drastic increase over the last few years as the health facilities in Indonesia were unable to cope with the demand.
He said his hospital, which handled about 200 foreigners seeking medical treatment registered about 15,000 foreigners monthly last year, mainly Indonesian patients.
“The drastic influx may have irked the neighbouring country. But Penang private hospitals will still continue to offer good medical treatment to all,” he said.
The Star had recently reported that private hospitals in Penang had captured about 70% of the more than RM150mil from health tourism nationwide in 2004.
Last year, about 10,000 foreign patients checked into the hospitals in the state monthly and spent an estimated RM100mil.
With the increasing number, Penang Tourism Council initiated the Penang Health Group early last year, comprising seven major private hospitals providing medical treatment to foreigners, to jointly promote health tourism.
Indonesian vice-consul (information and socio-cultural affairs) here Oktavia Maludin said: “Although, we do not object to Indonesians seeking medical treatment here, we are actually a little bit worried over the massive entry. It is quite natural, isn’t it?”
However, she said the Indonesian government had not issued any official directive to check the outflow.
She made weekly visits to the major private hospitals here to check on problems faced by Indonesian patients, she said in an interview yesterday.
With a massive population, the Indonesian government could not afford to provide adequate medical treatment to all, she added.
However, officials in the neighbouring country are concerned over the outflow of currency from their country.
A doctor from one of the seven leading private hospitals here involved in health tourism said Indonesian officials had recently called him to seek his permission to interview some of his patients from Medan.
Another doctor said the number of people from Medan seeking medical treatment here had shown drastic increase over the last few years as the health facilities in Indonesia were unable to cope with the demand.
He said his hospital, which handled about 200 foreigners seeking medical treatment registered about 15,000 foreigners monthly last year, mainly Indonesian patients.
“The drastic influx may have irked the neighbouring country. But Penang private hospitals will still continue to offer good medical treatment to all,” he said.
The Star had recently reported that private hospitals in Penang had captured about 70% of the more than RM150mil from health tourism nationwide in 2004.
Last year, about 10,000 foreign patients checked into the hospitals in the state monthly and spent an estimated RM100mil.
With the increasing number, Penang Tourism Council initiated the Penang Health Group early last year, comprising seven major private hospitals providing medical treatment to foreigners, to jointly promote health tourism.
Indonesian vice-consul (information and socio-cultural affairs) here Oktavia Maludin said: “Although, we do not object to Indonesians seeking medical treatment here, we are actually a little bit worried over the massive entry. It is quite natural, isn’t it?”
However, she said the Indonesian government had not issued any official directive to check the outflow.
She made weekly visits to the major private hospitals here to check on problems faced by Indonesian patients, she said in an interview yesterday.
With a massive population, the Indonesian government could not afford to provide adequate medical treatment to all, she added.
Branching out in the health sector
Star: UNIVERSITI Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) is going all out to increase awareness on its allied health sciences programmes, and the courses that fall within this broad category play a vital role in the development of society.
UKM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Salleh Mohd Yasin says the decision to popularise the allied health sciences was taken during the recently held Star Education Fair 2006.
“When I suggested the allied health sciences courses as viable alternatives, quite a number were not aware of what they involved.
Prof Salleh says allied health sciences play an important part in ensuring a healthy society.
“The health field is not exclusive only to medicine, and we feel that there is a need to explain to our prospective students what the allied health sciences are,” he says.
When UKM’s Allied Health Sciences Faculty was established in 1992, it was the first university in the country to have a faculty devoted to the field. Biomedical science is the core programme in this faculty and still attracts the highest number of students.
The faculty started off with five programmes and has now expanded to 12. The latest programme to be introduced is the Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Forensic Science.
According to Prof Salleh, the programmes offered under the allied health sciences can be divided into preventive, rehabilitative and diagnostic.
“With these three areas covered, society will become more productive as diseases are prevented or kept in check. Time and money spent on treating ill health is extremely high,” he says.
Prof Salleh cites the dietetics programme as an example of a preventive measure.
“Dieticians can give information to people on the right proportion of nutrients needed and thereby prevent food-related disorders.”
Programmes like physiotherapy, on the other hand, fall into the rehabilitative category.
“Many people don’t realise the importance of allied health sciences personnel,” says Prof Salleh. “In the case of a stroke patient, for example, his recovery will involve a collaboration between doctors and allied health practitioners such as a physiotherapist.”
Courses that come under the diagnostic category include diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy.
Prof Salleh is of the opinion that allied health sciences personnel have a key part to play in ensuring that we take full advantage of the human potential.
He uses the example of a child who is hyperactive in class. What may simply be perceived as naughtiness may be an undetected hearing or visual impairment.
“Low academic achievement among children is associated with eyesight and hearing problems. People with these problems are also an important part of the country’s workforce who often end up being sidelined,” says Prof Salleh.
“This is where an audiologist or optometrist comes in. Every baby born in Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (HUKM) will be screened for vision and hearing impairment, which allows intervention to be done earlier.”
Thus, working in the field of allied health sciences presents a good alternative to medicine, and allows one to work in tandem with other practitioners. The career prospects for graduates of these programmes are bright, with myriad opportunities both with medical establishments and private businesses.
“There is much potential for employment. Most of our graduates get jobs in diverse fields,” says Prof Salleh.
UKM is looking into further expanding its Allied Health Sciences Faculty and courses that may soon be available include occupational health and safety, health promotion and podiatry.
“The more allied health science programmes available, the better. Society benefits more, and we can eventually even export our expertise abroad,” says Prof Salleh.
Programmes now offered by UKM’s Allied Health Sciences Faculty are biomedicine, optometry, pharmacy, food science, dietetics, audiology, speech therapy, diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy, environmental science, physiotherapy, occupational health and forensic science.
UKM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Salleh Mohd Yasin says the decision to popularise the allied health sciences was taken during the recently held Star Education Fair 2006.
“When I suggested the allied health sciences courses as viable alternatives, quite a number were not aware of what they involved.
Prof Salleh says allied health sciences play an important part in ensuring a healthy society.
“The health field is not exclusive only to medicine, and we feel that there is a need to explain to our prospective students what the allied health sciences are,” he says.
When UKM’s Allied Health Sciences Faculty was established in 1992, it was the first university in the country to have a faculty devoted to the field. Biomedical science is the core programme in this faculty and still attracts the highest number of students.
The faculty started off with five programmes and has now expanded to 12. The latest programme to be introduced is the Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Forensic Science.
According to Prof Salleh, the programmes offered under the allied health sciences can be divided into preventive, rehabilitative and diagnostic.
“With these three areas covered, society will become more productive as diseases are prevented or kept in check. Time and money spent on treating ill health is extremely high,” he says.
Prof Salleh cites the dietetics programme as an example of a preventive measure.
“Dieticians can give information to people on the right proportion of nutrients needed and thereby prevent food-related disorders.”
Programmes like physiotherapy, on the other hand, fall into the rehabilitative category.
“Many people don’t realise the importance of allied health sciences personnel,” says Prof Salleh. “In the case of a stroke patient, for example, his recovery will involve a collaboration between doctors and allied health practitioners such as a physiotherapist.”
Courses that come under the diagnostic category include diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy.
Prof Salleh is of the opinion that allied health sciences personnel have a key part to play in ensuring that we take full advantage of the human potential.
He uses the example of a child who is hyperactive in class. What may simply be perceived as naughtiness may be an undetected hearing or visual impairment.
“Low academic achievement among children is associated with eyesight and hearing problems. People with these problems are also an important part of the country’s workforce who often end up being sidelined,” says Prof Salleh.
“This is where an audiologist or optometrist comes in. Every baby born in Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (HUKM) will be screened for vision and hearing impairment, which allows intervention to be done earlier.”
Thus, working in the field of allied health sciences presents a good alternative to medicine, and allows one to work in tandem with other practitioners. The career prospects for graduates of these programmes are bright, with myriad opportunities both with medical establishments and private businesses.
“There is much potential for employment. Most of our graduates get jobs in diverse fields,” says Prof Salleh.
UKM is looking into further expanding its Allied Health Sciences Faculty and courses that may soon be available include occupational health and safety, health promotion and podiatry.
“The more allied health science programmes available, the better. Society benefits more, and we can eventually even export our expertise abroad,” says Prof Salleh.
Programmes now offered by UKM’s Allied Health Sciences Faculty are biomedicine, optometry, pharmacy, food science, dietetics, audiology, speech therapy, diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy, environmental science, physiotherapy, occupational health and forensic science.
Tanah Merah folk unclear about hygiene
Star: KOTA BARU: Lack of awareness of personal hygiene and household cleanliness are the main causes of the dengue outbreak in Kelantan, especially in the Tanah Merah area, said state Health Department director Datuk Dr Ahmad Razin Ahmad Mahir.
He was responding to a statement by Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Merican that 87 cases of suspected dengue were reported in the state recently.
Dr Ahmad Razin said public cooperation was vital in fighting mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue.
Among steps advocated is to prevent any stagnant water from accumulating and to ensure households are kept clean at all times.
Local authorities must also be vigilant in clearing up rubbish promptly and to monitor conditions at playgrounds, property development projects and abandoned homes.
Those in the rural areas should ensure there is a steady flow of water in streams and be on the look out for natural water containers like coconut shells which can act as a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
He was responding to a statement by Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Merican that 87 cases of suspected dengue were reported in the state recently.
Dr Ahmad Razin said public cooperation was vital in fighting mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue.
Among steps advocated is to prevent any stagnant water from accumulating and to ensure households are kept clean at all times.
Local authorities must also be vigilant in clearing up rubbish promptly and to monitor conditions at playgrounds, property development projects and abandoned homes.
Those in the rural areas should ensure there is a steady flow of water in streams and be on the look out for natural water containers like coconut shells which can act as a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Agency to address issue of grads with no clinical skills
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: The introduction of the Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA) is expected to solve the problem of medical graduates who lack clinical skills.
The MQA is a merger of the National Accreditation Board and the Quality Assurance Division of the ministry, and the Bill to legislate this merger is to be tabled in Parliament this June.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shafie Salleh said the main reason for graduates' lack of skills was that medical students needed to have hospitals where they could undergo practical training.
“The problem does not arise with local university graduates because they go to hospitals from their first year onwards.
“This is where the Malaysian Qualification Framework (MQF) administered by the MQA comes in – to ensure all medical colleges and universities in the country adhere to the same standards,” he said, after launching the Integrated Outreach Programme Seminar 2006 at KL Sentral yesterday.
The MQA will serve as an agency to establish guidelines for every qualification and curriculum development and accreditation.
Following the low pass rate in the Medical Qualification Examination for graduates from unscheduled universities, the ministry is also looking into giving more funds to local universities to increase their capacity.
“We hope this will allow universities to support more medical students so that they acquire the necessary practical skills,” said Dr Shafie.
He said the ministry would look into claims that there were medical colleges in the country that operated out of shoplots.
Health director-general and Malaysian Medical Council president Datuk Dr Ismail Merican said last week that there were doctors who did not have clinical skills, and government hospitals were unable to accommodate practical training for the increasing number of medical students.
The MQA is a merger of the National Accreditation Board and the Quality Assurance Division of the ministry, and the Bill to legislate this merger is to be tabled in Parliament this June.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shafie Salleh said the main reason for graduates' lack of skills was that medical students needed to have hospitals where they could undergo practical training.
“The problem does not arise with local university graduates because they go to hospitals from their first year onwards.
“This is where the Malaysian Qualification Framework (MQF) administered by the MQA comes in – to ensure all medical colleges and universities in the country adhere to the same standards,” he said, after launching the Integrated Outreach Programme Seminar 2006 at KL Sentral yesterday.
The MQA will serve as an agency to establish guidelines for every qualification and curriculum development and accreditation.
Following the low pass rate in the Medical Qualification Examination for graduates from unscheduled universities, the ministry is also looking into giving more funds to local universities to increase their capacity.
“We hope this will allow universities to support more medical students so that they acquire the necessary practical skills,” said Dr Shafie.
He said the ministry would look into claims that there were medical colleges in the country that operated out of shoplots.
Health director-general and Malaysian Medical Council president Datuk Dr Ismail Merican said last week that there were doctors who did not have clinical skills, and government hospitals were unable to accommodate practical training for the increasing number of medical students.
Focus on early detection of cancer in kids
Star: PETALING JAYA: Early detection of childhood cancer and equal access to treatment grabbed the focus of World Cancer Day which was celebrated yesterday.
The International Union Against Cancer marked the day with the slogan “My Child Matters.”
Paediatric oncologist Dr Ho Tuck Sang said the focus on early detection was appropriate as many cases of childhood cancer in Malaysia were diagnosed late.
The reasons for this included ignorance or belief in alternative cures.
Dr Ho lamented that in many cases, parents chose to seek traditional treatments first.
“Emphasis should be on the good results of treatment for childhood cancer. At most early stages, there is an 80% cure rate,” he said.
The International Union Against Cancer marked the day with the slogan “My Child Matters.”
Paediatric oncologist Dr Ho Tuck Sang said the focus on early detection was appropriate as many cases of childhood cancer in Malaysia were diagnosed late.
The reasons for this included ignorance or belief in alternative cures.
Dr Ho lamented that in many cases, parents chose to seek traditional treatments first.
“Emphasis should be on the good results of treatment for childhood cancer. At most early stages, there is an 80% cure rate,” he said.
London bus turned into clinic for disabled
Star: PORT DICKSON: The famous double-decker bus of London will soon be a common sight in Malaysia when volunteers George and Lisa Henry use the vehicle to travel from town to town offering free prosthetic services for the handicapped.
Brought into the country by the Port Dickson-based British charity organisation Hapee, an acronym for Humanitarian Aid For Eastern Europe, the bus is awaiting the necessary approvals to go on the road.
Hapee spokesman George said the double-decker, now phased out in London, was donated by First Bus Group of London and refurbished as a mobile clinic with funds from several British companies.
George, who is wheelchair-bound, said here yesterday that he would drive the specially modified bus throughout Malaysia to make and deliver prosthetics for those without limbs – literally at their doorsteps.
Meanwhile, the double-decker has become a tourist attraction since the vehicle made its way here from Port Klang on a trailer last week.
Hordes of visitors have been taking pictures of the bus.
George can be reached at 017-3190763.
Brought into the country by the Port Dickson-based British charity organisation Hapee, an acronym for Humanitarian Aid For Eastern Europe, the bus is awaiting the necessary approvals to go on the road.
Hapee spokesman George said the double-decker, now phased out in London, was donated by First Bus Group of London and refurbished as a mobile clinic with funds from several British companies.
George, who is wheelchair-bound, said here yesterday that he would drive the specially modified bus throughout Malaysia to make and deliver prosthetics for those without limbs – literally at their doorsteps.
Meanwhile, the double-decker has become a tourist attraction since the vehicle made its way here from Port Klang on a trailer last week.
Hordes of visitors have been taking pictures of the bus.
George can be reached at 017-3190763.
Saturday, February 04, 2006
Handphones ok in wards
NST: Handphones can be brought into wards but their use should be restricted to corridors.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said this was to ensure that patients and staff were not inconvenienced.
"Patients need quiet and peace of mind to rest and recuperate speedily. Mobile phones are an irritant," he said after attending the Chinese New Year celebration organised by MCA Ledang division in Tangkak last night.
Dr Chua said it was not easy to ban the use of mobile phones in wards as this would mean deploying more security staff to check visitors.
"Visitors and patients must bear in mind that the use of mobile phones in wards can disturb patients, especially those in serious condition. They must be considerate when using it," he said.
He said some visitors and patients spoke loudly, disturbing patients.
He was commenting on director-general of Health, Datuk Dr Ismail Merican's, statement that hospital directors have been directed to disallow the use of mobile phones in hospital wards.
This was in the wake of instances of visitors using mobile phones to snap pictures of patients undressing or using bedpans.
Dr Ismail, in a statement today, clarified that he had not called for a ban on handphones but for them to be used outside wards.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said this was to ensure that patients and staff were not inconvenienced.
"Patients need quiet and peace of mind to rest and recuperate speedily. Mobile phones are an irritant," he said after attending the Chinese New Year celebration organised by MCA Ledang division in Tangkak last night.
Dr Chua said it was not easy to ban the use of mobile phones in wards as this would mean deploying more security staff to check visitors.
"Visitors and patients must bear in mind that the use of mobile phones in wards can disturb patients, especially those in serious condition. They must be considerate when using it," he said.
He said some visitors and patients spoke loudly, disturbing patients.
He was commenting on director-general of Health, Datuk Dr Ismail Merican's, statement that hospital directors have been directed to disallow the use of mobile phones in hospital wards.
This was in the wake of instances of visitors using mobile phones to snap pictures of patients undressing or using bedpans.
Dr Ismail, in a statement today, clarified that he had not called for a ban on handphones but for them to be used outside wards.
Health officials rapped for inaccurate
NST: Kelantan health officials were criticised today for wrongly blaming two deaths on Japanese Encephalitis (JE).
Health director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Merican said they had been hasty when the deaths were actually due to dengue complications and bacterial meningitis.
He said the officials should have known better than to give incomplete information to the media as blood tests for pathogens had to be carried out over a period of time before an accurate diagnosis could be obtained.
"A single test is insufficient. The tests at the Institute of Medical Research (IMR) take time.
"There are nine tests, including for JE, the Nipah virus and dengue.
"The point in time at which you draw blood to do a test also affects the result.
"Hence, testing must be done repeatedly," Dr Ismail told a Press conference here today.
He said the media attributed the two deaths to JE based on what officials had told them.
"If information is inconclusive, don't give it out. If the wrong information sees print and we try to correct it, we are accused of a cover-up."
He urged the officials to learn from the episode.
On the deaths, he said Siti Mardiana Mohamad Ramli, 13, who died on Jan 30, had tested negative for JE.
"The cause of death was viral encephalitis.
"It is also likely that she had dengue as her father subsequently contracted it but is recovering," he said.
Hasnirah Akmar Hussein, 31, diagnosed as a dengue victim, died on Jan 31. She also had acute bacterial meningitis (inflammation of the brain).
Health director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Merican said they had been hasty when the deaths were actually due to dengue complications and bacterial meningitis.
He said the officials should have known better than to give incomplete information to the media as blood tests for pathogens had to be carried out over a period of time before an accurate diagnosis could be obtained.
"A single test is insufficient. The tests at the Institute of Medical Research (IMR) take time.
"There are nine tests, including for JE, the Nipah virus and dengue.
"The point in time at which you draw blood to do a test also affects the result.
"Hence, testing must be done repeatedly," Dr Ismail told a Press conference here today.
He said the media attributed the two deaths to JE based on what officials had told them.
"If information is inconclusive, don't give it out. If the wrong information sees print and we try to correct it, we are accused of a cover-up."
He urged the officials to learn from the episode.
On the deaths, he said Siti Mardiana Mohamad Ramli, 13, who died on Jan 30, had tested negative for JE.
"The cause of death was viral encephalitis.
"It is also likely that she had dengue as her father subsequently contracted it but is recovering," he said.
Hasnirah Akmar Hussein, 31, diagnosed as a dengue victim, died on Jan 31. She also had acute bacterial meningitis (inflammation of the brain).
Woman has both dengue and JE
Star: PUTRAJAYA: There are widespread cases of dengue in Kelantan although one patient, a 28-year-old woman from Tanah Merah, has tested positive for both dengue and the Japanese Encephalitis (JE) virus.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Merican said the JE virus found in Noorhayati Awang, however, was on a declining trend.
The dengue fever, on the other hand, was on the upward trend.
He said Noorhayati must have been infected with JE at least two months ago.
Her family had told health authorities then that she was not feeling well and had been bedridden for two months before she was taken to the Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II in Tanah Merah, he told reporters here yesterday.
“At the hospital she tested positive for both JE and dengue. But the JE is on the downward trend, which means that she had it much earlier,” he said.
Noorhayati, who is mentally retarded, was recovering now, Dr Ismail said.
Dr Ismail confirmed that two 13-year-old schoolgirls – Siti Mardiana Mohd Ramli and Hasnira Akma Hussain – who were earlier suspected of being infected with the JE virus – had died from dengue and bacterial meningitis.
He said both girls tested negative for JE.
Dr Ismail said Siti Mardiana was diagnosed with viral encephalitis due to dengue.
“She died before doctors could do serial testing for dengue on her,” he said, adding that her family did not consent to a post-mortem.
Dr Ismail said Hasnira, who died on Jan 31, tested positive for acute bacterial meningitis and dengue fever.
He said 87 cases of suspected dengue had been reported in Kelantan. However, only 24 have been confirmed.
Eleven cases were reported in Tanah Merah while 36 cases were reported in Kota Baru.
Dr Ismail stressed that the dengue fever was more deadly than the JE virus, which is endemic.
Last year there were six deaths due to JE, compared with 108 deaths from dengue fever.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Merican said the JE virus found in Noorhayati Awang, however, was on a declining trend.
The dengue fever, on the other hand, was on the upward trend.
He said Noorhayati must have been infected with JE at least two months ago.
Her family had told health authorities then that she was not feeling well and had been bedridden for two months before she was taken to the Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II in Tanah Merah, he told reporters here yesterday.
“At the hospital she tested positive for both JE and dengue. But the JE is on the downward trend, which means that she had it much earlier,” he said.
Noorhayati, who is mentally retarded, was recovering now, Dr Ismail said.
Dr Ismail confirmed that two 13-year-old schoolgirls – Siti Mardiana Mohd Ramli and Hasnira Akma Hussain – who were earlier suspected of being infected with the JE virus – had died from dengue and bacterial meningitis.
He said both girls tested negative for JE.
Dr Ismail said Siti Mardiana was diagnosed with viral encephalitis due to dengue.
“She died before doctors could do serial testing for dengue on her,” he said, adding that her family did not consent to a post-mortem.
Dr Ismail said Hasnira, who died on Jan 31, tested positive for acute bacterial meningitis and dengue fever.
He said 87 cases of suspected dengue had been reported in Kelantan. However, only 24 have been confirmed.
Eleven cases were reported in Tanah Merah while 36 cases were reported in Kota Baru.
Dr Ismail stressed that the dengue fever was more deadly than the JE virus, which is endemic.
Last year there were six deaths due to JE, compared with 108 deaths from dengue fever.
Malaysia scrambles to contain dengue outbreak
Kuala Lampur (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Malaysian authorities are rushing to control an outbreak of dengue in a northeastern district following the deaths of two schoolgirls from the mosquito-borne disease, an official said on Friday.
The two 13-year-old girls who died last month in Tanah Merah district of Kelantan state were earlier thought to have succumbed to Japanese encephalitis, but tests later showed they were dengue victims, Health Ministry director general Ismail Merican told reporters.
One of the victims also suffered from bacterial meningitis in addition to dengue, he said.
"It is an outbreak of dengue. We have beefed up our control measures. Whether it is dengue or JE, the root cause is mosquitoes, so we have taken measures to ensure cleanliness," he said. "The ministry has beefed up its dengue campaign."
Mr Ismail said Japanese encephalitis is not the real problem, and our "focus is on dengue," which he described as more dangerous than Japanese encephalitis. Last year, 108 people died from dengue fever compared to six from Japanese encephalitis.
In Tanah Merah alone, where the two girls died, there were 11 dengue cases in January, Mr Ismail said, adding that measures including fogging of mosquito breeding grounds are being taken to ensure the outbreak doesn't spread to other parts of Kelantan.
A third victim, a 27-year-old epileptic woman, is currently in hospital being treated for dengue, Mr Ismail said.
She initially tested positive for Japanese encephalitis and dengue, but latest tests showed that she had only dengue, Mr Ismail said.
Dengue causes high fever, severe joint pain and sometimes nausea, vomiting and a rash. Some strains cause internal bleeding, leading to death.
The Japanese encephalitis virus, also spread by mosquitoes, generally causes fever and headaches or no apparent symptoms. But about 1 in 200 infections cause severe complications to the central nervous system, resulting in disorientation, comas, seizures, paralysis and death.
The two 13-year-old girls who died last month in Tanah Merah district of Kelantan state were earlier thought to have succumbed to Japanese encephalitis, but tests later showed they were dengue victims, Health Ministry director general Ismail Merican told reporters.
One of the victims also suffered from bacterial meningitis in addition to dengue, he said.
"It is an outbreak of dengue. We have beefed up our control measures. Whether it is dengue or JE, the root cause is mosquitoes, so we have taken measures to ensure cleanliness," he said. "The ministry has beefed up its dengue campaign."
Mr Ismail said Japanese encephalitis is not the real problem, and our "focus is on dengue," which he described as more dangerous than Japanese encephalitis. Last year, 108 people died from dengue fever compared to six from Japanese encephalitis.
In Tanah Merah alone, where the two girls died, there were 11 dengue cases in January, Mr Ismail said, adding that measures including fogging of mosquito breeding grounds are being taken to ensure the outbreak doesn't spread to other parts of Kelantan.
A third victim, a 27-year-old epileptic woman, is currently in hospital being treated for dengue, Mr Ismail said.
She initially tested positive for Japanese encephalitis and dengue, but latest tests showed that she had only dengue, Mr Ismail said.
Dengue causes high fever, severe joint pain and sometimes nausea, vomiting and a rash. Some strains cause internal bleeding, leading to death.
The Japanese encephalitis virus, also spread by mosquitoes, generally causes fever and headaches or no apparent symptoms. But about 1 in 200 infections cause severe complications to the central nervous system, resulting in disorientation, comas, seizures, paralysis and death.
Friday, February 03, 2006
Improvement in work safety
NST: The number of accidents at construction sites is declining.
Department of Occupational Health and Safety director- general Abu Bakar Che Man said today: "The number of construction accidents and fatalities has actually been falling since 2003. This shows developers and contractors are becoming more responsible."
Statistics made available to the New Straits Times by the Social Security Organisation for its 2005 annual report show there were 3,150 construction accidents last year, compared with 4,445 in 2004 and 4,654 in 2003.
"The improving figures are consistent with the Government’s efforts to increase occupational safety and health awareness," Abu Bakar said.
The death of management consultant Dr Liew Boon Horng in December led to measures which many Malaysians felt were overdue.
One of them is the ruling that developers who receive three consecutive stop-work orders will be prosecuted.
Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) chief executive officer Datuk Hamzah Hassan agreed with Abu Bakar: "Developers are improving their occupational safety and health measures.
"However, since accidents continue to happen, CIDB will go on with the plan to make our safety induction course mandatory from July.
"Apart from learning basic safety by completing the course, workers will also be insured against accidents."
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said accidents would continue unless developers had their own safety measures.
"Developers must choose competent and safety-conscious contractors.
"Few developers check on the safety record of their contractors."
He said contractors bidding for contracts should provide a safety-policy statement, a hazard-identification and risk-control plan, and information on safety training given to employees.
"Safety cannot be taken for granted.
"If you let this happen, you’re creating the right condition for accidents to occur."
Unfortunately, he said, Malaysians lacked a safety culture. "Workers don’t see the value of using a proper helmet. Some of them are content with a cap or straw hat.
"And how many developers employ a safety supervisor to brief workers daily and remind them to use safety equipment?
"We cannot rely on the Government to make everything mandatory.
"Developers, contractors and workers should realise that self-regulation will benefit them," Lee said.
"The more stop-work orders they’re subject to, the longer they’ll take to complete the job and they may not meet the deadline for completion."
Department of Occupational Health and Safety director- general Abu Bakar Che Man said today: "The number of construction accidents and fatalities has actually been falling since 2003. This shows developers and contractors are becoming more responsible."
Statistics made available to the New Straits Times by the Social Security Organisation for its 2005 annual report show there were 3,150 construction accidents last year, compared with 4,445 in 2004 and 4,654 in 2003.
"The improving figures are consistent with the Government’s efforts to increase occupational safety and health awareness," Abu Bakar said.
The death of management consultant Dr Liew Boon Horng in December led to measures which many Malaysians felt were overdue.
One of them is the ruling that developers who receive three consecutive stop-work orders will be prosecuted.
Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) chief executive officer Datuk Hamzah Hassan agreed with Abu Bakar: "Developers are improving their occupational safety and health measures.
"However, since accidents continue to happen, CIDB will go on with the plan to make our safety induction course mandatory from July.
"Apart from learning basic safety by completing the course, workers will also be insured against accidents."
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said accidents would continue unless developers had their own safety measures.
"Developers must choose competent and safety-conscious contractors.
"Few developers check on the safety record of their contractors."
He said contractors bidding for contracts should provide a safety-policy statement, a hazard-identification and risk-control plan, and information on safety training given to employees.
"Safety cannot be taken for granted.
"If you let this happen, you’re creating the right condition for accidents to occur."
Unfortunately, he said, Malaysians lacked a safety culture. "Workers don’t see the value of using a proper helmet. Some of them are content with a cap or straw hat.
"And how many developers employ a safety supervisor to brief workers daily and remind them to use safety equipment?
"We cannot rely on the Government to make everything mandatory.
"Developers, contractors and workers should realise that self-regulation will benefit them," Lee said.
"The more stop-work orders they’re subject to, the longer they’ll take to complete the job and they may not meet the deadline for completion."
Girls’ deaths not due to JE
Star: TANGKAK: The two girls in Tanah Merah in Kelantan who allegedly died from the Japanese Encephalitis (JE) virus actually succumbed to dengue and bacterial meningitis, said Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek.
Test results released yesterday showed their deaths had nothing to do with the JE virus, he said here.
“I am puzzled as to how the Kelantan Health Department director could issue a statement that the state could have a JE outbreak when the test results on the two deaths were only concluded today (Thurs-day).
“We want the people in Tanah Merah to know that the ministry has taken measures to monitor a possible JE outbreak in their area,” he said before attending a Ledang MCA division Chinese New Year dinner here.
Two 13-year-old schoolgirls – Siti Mardiana Mohd Romli and Nasnira Akmar Hussin – were until recently believed to have succumbed to the JE virus.
Siti Mardiana's father, Mohd Romli Mohd Zaid, 34, and five-year-old brother Mohd Alwi, are suspected JE cases and have been warded at the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital in Tanah Merah.
Another patient, 27-year-old Noorhayati Awang, had reportedly been confirmed as being infected by the JE virus.
Two virologists – one from the Institute of Medical Research and another from the National Public Health Institute – have arrived in Kota Baru to help the state health authorities determine if the JE virus had re-emerged in the state. JE was last reported in Kelantan in 1995.
Health Ministry deputy director-general Datuk Dr Shafie Ooyub, who accompanied them, said their main task was to provide technical expertise and to analyse the data collected.
He added that they would determine if the five recent cases here were JE-related.
In another development, forest rangers have been deployed in Tanah Merah to track down wild boars suspected of being JE carriers.
State Veterinary Services department director Dr Idris Kadir said blood samples had been taken from animals around the area.
Test results released yesterday showed their deaths had nothing to do with the JE virus, he said here.
“I am puzzled as to how the Kelantan Health Department director could issue a statement that the state could have a JE outbreak when the test results on the two deaths were only concluded today (Thurs-day).
“We want the people in Tanah Merah to know that the ministry has taken measures to monitor a possible JE outbreak in their area,” he said before attending a Ledang MCA division Chinese New Year dinner here.
Two 13-year-old schoolgirls – Siti Mardiana Mohd Romli and Nasnira Akmar Hussin – were until recently believed to have succumbed to the JE virus.
Siti Mardiana's father, Mohd Romli Mohd Zaid, 34, and five-year-old brother Mohd Alwi, are suspected JE cases and have been warded at the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital in Tanah Merah.
Another patient, 27-year-old Noorhayati Awang, had reportedly been confirmed as being infected by the JE virus.
Two virologists – one from the Institute of Medical Research and another from the National Public Health Institute – have arrived in Kota Baru to help the state health authorities determine if the JE virus had re-emerged in the state. JE was last reported in Kelantan in 1995.
Health Ministry deputy director-general Datuk Dr Shafie Ooyub, who accompanied them, said their main task was to provide technical expertise and to analyse the data collected.
He added that they would determine if the five recent cases here were JE-related.
In another development, forest rangers have been deployed in Tanah Merah to track down wild boars suspected of being JE carriers.
State Veterinary Services department director Dr Idris Kadir said blood samples had been taken from animals around the area.
MMA leaders face censure
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: The leadership of the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) is facing censure from some of its members after it failed to act against a senior official of the professional body over alleged mismanagement and abuse of power.
The doctors have started a signature campaign seeking a vote of no-confidence against the president and executive council of the medical professional body after it failed to act on the recommendation by a special commission that the official be suspended.
In a stormy special general meeting recently, angry doctors walked out after calling for president Datuk Dr Teoh Siang Chin and his exco to step down.
The suspension of the official was one of the recommendations of the internal Committee of Inquiry (CI) elected at the Annual General Meeting held in Malacca last year. At that meeting Dr Teoh promised to abide by the findings of the CI.
The AGM had elected MMA past-president Datuk Dr P. Krishnan to head the committee, which had two other members, Datuk Dr R.L. Annadan and Datuk Dr Mohan Singh.
When contacted, Dr Krishnan declined to disclose the findings of the CI, while agreeing that the CI was set up to investigate the allegations.
The CI had completed and presented its report to the exco and members on Jan 21.
When he showed up with legal advisers before the CI, he declined to answer without the aid of his lawyers. The CI then continued its investigations.
Last week, in a special general meeting, the findings and recommendations were presented to more than 100 MMA members.
The council refused to accept the recommendations, causing pandemonium among the doctors who then started a signature list calling for an emergency general meeting to pass a vote of no-confidence on the whole exco.
Attempts by The Star to reach Dr Teoh were unsuccessful.
The doctors have started a signature campaign seeking a vote of no-confidence against the president and executive council of the medical professional body after it failed to act on the recommendation by a special commission that the official be suspended.
In a stormy special general meeting recently, angry doctors walked out after calling for president Datuk Dr Teoh Siang Chin and his exco to step down.
The suspension of the official was one of the recommendations of the internal Committee of Inquiry (CI) elected at the Annual General Meeting held in Malacca last year. At that meeting Dr Teoh promised to abide by the findings of the CI.
The AGM had elected MMA past-president Datuk Dr P. Krishnan to head the committee, which had two other members, Datuk Dr R.L. Annadan and Datuk Dr Mohan Singh.
When contacted, Dr Krishnan declined to disclose the findings of the CI, while agreeing that the CI was set up to investigate the allegations.
The CI had completed and presented its report to the exco and members on Jan 21.
When he showed up with legal advisers before the CI, he declined to answer without the aid of his lawyers. The CI then continued its investigations.
Last week, in a special general meeting, the findings and recommendations were presented to more than 100 MMA members.
The council refused to accept the recommendations, causing pandemonium among the doctors who then started a signature list calling for an emergency general meeting to pass a vote of no-confidence on the whole exco.
Attempts by The Star to reach Dr Teoh were unsuccessful.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Two Virologists Sent To Identify JE Virus
KOTA BAHARU, Feb 2 (Bernama) -- The Health Department has sent two virologists from the Institute for Medical Research (IMR) and National Public Health Laboratory to Kelantan to identify the virus that has killed two students in Tanah Merah.
Their study would help the department draw up strategies to contain the virus, its Deputy Director-General Datuk Dr Shafie Ouyub told reporters before being briefed on the Japanese Encephalitis (JE) endemic at the Vector Study Laboratory here Thursday.
The briefing was given by Kelantan Health Director Datuk Dr Ahmad Razin Ahmad Maher. Also present was Disease Control Deputy Director Dr Marzuki Md Isa.
Norhayati Awang, 27, of Tanah Merah has been confirmed to have been infected with JE virus. She is being warded at the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital, here.
Last Thursday and yesterday, two 13-year-old students, also from Tanah Merah, Siti Mardiana Mohd Romli and Hasnira Akmal Hussin, died after showing JE symptoms.
Tests showed Siti Mardiana did not die of JE while the cause of Hasnira's death had not been disclosed.
Dr Shafie said a full statement on the matter would be issued by Health Services Director-General Datuk Dr Ismail Merican in Kuala Lumpur, Friday.
Siti Mardiana's father, Mohd Romli Mohd Zaid, 34, and brother Mohd Awi, 5, are also being warded.
Dr Shafie said the health situation in Tanah Merah was under control while efforts to identify the source of the JE disease was underway.
Their study would help the department draw up strategies to contain the virus, its Deputy Director-General Datuk Dr Shafie Ouyub told reporters before being briefed on the Japanese Encephalitis (JE) endemic at the Vector Study Laboratory here Thursday.
The briefing was given by Kelantan Health Director Datuk Dr Ahmad Razin Ahmad Maher. Also present was Disease Control Deputy Director Dr Marzuki Md Isa.
Norhayati Awang, 27, of Tanah Merah has been confirmed to have been infected with JE virus. She is being warded at the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital, here.
Last Thursday and yesterday, two 13-year-old students, also from Tanah Merah, Siti Mardiana Mohd Romli and Hasnira Akmal Hussin, died after showing JE symptoms.
Tests showed Siti Mardiana did not die of JE while the cause of Hasnira's death had not been disclosed.
Dr Shafie said a full statement on the matter would be issued by Health Services Director-General Datuk Dr Ismail Merican in Kuala Lumpur, Friday.
Siti Mardiana's father, Mohd Romli Mohd Zaid, 34, and brother Mohd Awi, 5, are also being warded.
Dr Shafie said the health situation in Tanah Merah was under control while efforts to identify the source of the JE disease was underway.
JE Check For Pahang Residents On Holiday In Kelantan
KUANTAN, Feb 2 (Bernama) -- Pahang residents who went to Kelantan for the Chinese New Year holidays are advised to go for medical check at nearby hospitals immediately upon their return.
Pahang Health Director Dr Hassan Abdul Rahman said such a measure was necessary, especially for those having symptoms of infectious diseases like Japanese Encephalitis (JE) reported to occur in Kelantan.
It was important to have early check ups because the disease required immediate treatment, he told Bernama here Thursday.
However, he said, the department had not received any report of JE in Pahang and it was monitoring the situation.
Two people, with symptoms of JE had died in Kelantan. However, it has yet to be ascertained whether Siti Mardiana Mohd Romli and Hasnira Akmal Hussin, both 13, died due to the JE virus.
Siti Mardiana died on Jan 26 while Hasnira died two days ago.
Pahang Health Director Dr Hassan Abdul Rahman said such a measure was necessary, especially for those having symptoms of infectious diseases like Japanese Encephalitis (JE) reported to occur in Kelantan.
It was important to have early check ups because the disease required immediate treatment, he told Bernama here Thursday.
However, he said, the department had not received any report of JE in Pahang and it was monitoring the situation.
Two people, with symptoms of JE had died in Kelantan. However, it has yet to be ascertained whether Siti Mardiana Mohd Romli and Hasnira Akmal Hussin, both 13, died due to the JE virus.
Siti Mardiana died on Jan 26 while Hasnira died two days ago.
JE Carriers Will Be Quarantined, Culled, Says Muhyiddin
PASIR MAS, Feb 2 (Bernama) -- Domestic animals found to be carrying Japanese Encephalitis (JE) virus will be quarantined and culled, said Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
He said so far the Veterinary Services Department had taken blood samples from six horses, 24 heads of cattle and 10 goats in Tanah Merah to determine whether they carry the virus.
The samples have been sent to the Veterinary Research Institute in Ipoh, he told reporters after handing over ducks to padi farmers in Kampung Tal Tujuh here Thursday.
Muhyiddin said the operation to hunt down wild boars said to be roaming in Kampung Air Karilla and Kampung Batang Bergedik in Tanah Merah to get their blood specimens was continuing.
"We'll inform the Health Department after identifying the actual cause of the JE infection after analysing the samples although some believe wild boars are the probable cause," he said.
He said so far the Veterinary Services Department had taken blood samples from six horses, 24 heads of cattle and 10 goats in Tanah Merah to determine whether they carry the virus.
The samples have been sent to the Veterinary Research Institute in Ipoh, he told reporters after handing over ducks to padi farmers in Kampung Tal Tujuh here Thursday.
Muhyiddin said the operation to hunt down wild boars said to be roaming in Kampung Air Karilla and Kampung Batang Bergedik in Tanah Merah to get their blood specimens was continuing.
"We'll inform the Health Department after identifying the actual cause of the JE infection after analysing the samples although some believe wild boars are the probable cause," he said.
Vets, Wildlife Dept Hunting Down Wild Boars
KOTA BAHARU, Feb 2 (Bernama) -- The operation to hunt down wild boars in Tanah Merah to get their blood samples for testing to determine whether they carry Japanese Encephalitis (JE) virus has not been successful yet.
Kelantan Veterinary Services Director Dr Idris Kadir said the operation is being focused on high-risk areas like Kampung Batang Bergedik and Kampung Air Karilla where a Form Three student died last week believed to be due to suspected JE.
The operation launched yesterday with the cooperation of the Wildlife and National Parks Department continues today, he told Bernama Wednesday.
So far, blood samples from six horses, 24 heads of cattle and 10 goats have been taken for testing and another 40 samples would be retrieved from the animals on Saturday.
The tests are to determine whether the animals were the source of the JE infection.
Unlike Nipah virus which spreads through direct contact with infected animals, JE is transmitted through mosquitoes.
Kelantan Veterinary Services Director Dr Idris Kadir said the operation is being focused on high-risk areas like Kampung Batang Bergedik and Kampung Air Karilla where a Form Three student died last week believed to be due to suspected JE.
The operation launched yesterday with the cooperation of the Wildlife and National Parks Department continues today, he told Bernama Wednesday.
So far, blood samples from six horses, 24 heads of cattle and 10 goats have been taken for testing and another 40 samples would be retrieved from the animals on Saturday.
The tests are to determine whether the animals were the source of the JE infection.
Unlike Nipah virus which spreads through direct contact with infected animals, JE is transmitted through mosquitoes.
Health department seizes aphrodisiacs
Star: KOTA BARU: The Kelantan Health Department seized various types of aphrodisiacs worth RM16,000 and detained a man in his 40s at Kampung Paloh here.
Its director Datuk Dr Ahmad Razin Ahmad Mahir said the aphrodisiacs, believed for distribution to medicine peddlers at five-foot pathways and night markets, were seized from two premises in the village last Thursday.
During the raid, health officers also questioned another man, also in his 40s, he added.
Dr Ahmad Razin said the aphrodisiacs, some of which were genuine, were distributed without a permit from the Health Ministry.
He said more such raids would be carried out to curb the peddling of drugs illegally.
Last year, more than RM1mil worth of medicines were seized.
Its director Datuk Dr Ahmad Razin Ahmad Mahir said the aphrodisiacs, believed for distribution to medicine peddlers at five-foot pathways and night markets, were seized from two premises in the village last Thursday.
During the raid, health officers also questioned another man, also in his 40s, he added.
Dr Ahmad Razin said the aphrodisiacs, some of which were genuine, were distributed without a permit from the Health Ministry.
He said more such raids would be carried out to curb the peddling of drugs illegally.
Last year, more than RM1mil worth of medicines were seized.
Kelantan may face DIL epidemic
Star: TANAH MERAH: The acute neurological syndrome (DIL), which has struck four people here and killed two, has the potential to become an epidemic. Another person has been infected with the Japanese Encephalitis virus.
State Public Health Committee chairman Takiyuddin Hassan said health experts conveyed this point to the state government during a recent briefing to state executive councillors.
There is also concern for the re-emergence of the deadly JE virus, carried by the culex tritaeniorhynchus mosquito, since there are similarities between JE and DIL.
Two 13-year-old girls, Siti Mardiana Mohd Romli and Nasnira Akmar Hussin, died recently from DIL.
However, Takiyuddin said, there was no need for panic as precautionary steps were being taken, such as fogging and screening.
He said the people's cooperation was needed to maintain hygiene in premises and households while the two schools attended by the dead victims, SMK Gual Ipoh and SM Arab Trenang, would be checked.
Siti Mardiana's father Mohd Romli Mohd Zaid, 34, and her five-year old brother Mohd Awi have been warded at the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital here.
The other patient is 27-year-old Noorhayati Awang, who has been infected with the JE virus.
Health experts called in to probe the possible re-emergence of JE in Tanah Merah were puzzled by the distance between the five suspected cases, said Takiyuddin.
The two schoolgirls who died, and the others lived more than 13km away from Noorhayati.
The maximum flying range for mosquitoes carrying JE , said Takiyuddin, was 2km.
“Yet, the five who contracted it lived far apart and did not have any contact with each other,” he said.
“This can only mean that there might be more than one breeding ground for the culex mosquito in Tanah Merah, giving rise to a possible epidemic,” he said.
JE occurs when the culex mosquito bites an animal, usually pigs, before biting humans, causing the virus to enter the bloodstream of the final host (humans).
The last known JE case in Kelantan was in 1995, he said.
A total of 1,416 households have been fogged since Monday and four areas were found to breed the culex mosquito.
State Public Health Committee chairman Takiyuddin Hassan said health experts conveyed this point to the state government during a recent briefing to state executive councillors.
There is also concern for the re-emergence of the deadly JE virus, carried by the culex tritaeniorhynchus mosquito, since there are similarities between JE and DIL.
Two 13-year-old girls, Siti Mardiana Mohd Romli and Nasnira Akmar Hussin, died recently from DIL.
However, Takiyuddin said, there was no need for panic as precautionary steps were being taken, such as fogging and screening.
He said the people's cooperation was needed to maintain hygiene in premises and households while the two schools attended by the dead victims, SMK Gual Ipoh and SM Arab Trenang, would be checked.
Siti Mardiana's father Mohd Romli Mohd Zaid, 34, and her five-year old brother Mohd Awi have been warded at the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital here.
The other patient is 27-year-old Noorhayati Awang, who has been infected with the JE virus.
Health experts called in to probe the possible re-emergence of JE in Tanah Merah were puzzled by the distance between the five suspected cases, said Takiyuddin.
The two schoolgirls who died, and the others lived more than 13km away from Noorhayati.
The maximum flying range for mosquitoes carrying JE , said Takiyuddin, was 2km.
“Yet, the five who contracted it lived far apart and did not have any contact with each other,” he said.
“This can only mean that there might be more than one breeding ground for the culex mosquito in Tanah Merah, giving rise to a possible epidemic,” he said.
JE occurs when the culex mosquito bites an animal, usually pigs, before biting humans, causing the virus to enter the bloodstream of the final host (humans).
The last known JE case in Kelantan was in 1995, he said.
A total of 1,416 households have been fogged since Monday and four areas were found to breed the culex mosquito.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Sub-standard doctors
NST: Doctors incapable of diagnosing disease? Shocking as it may seem, some doctors who handle patients have no clinical skills. Bluntly put, the patient is something of a guinea pig in their hands.
These doctors may have sufficient theoretical knowledge, but they lack practical experience.
Another shocker: Some of these doctors are products of medical colleges operating out of shoplots, with no proper facilities such as laboratories and insufficient lecturers.
The main problem is the mushrooming of private medical colleges. Of the 17 medical colleges in the country, only eight are public medical universities.
There are simply not enough places at designated government hospitals for medical students to undergo practical training. The problem is expected to worsen as more colleges are approved by the Ministry of Higher Education.
Director-general of Health Datuk Dr Ismail Merican acknowledged that government hospitals were unable to accommodate the increasing number of students needing clinical training.
"There are simply too many of them," he said. "Whom do we blame when we get doctors who do not have the necessary clinical skills?"
Expressing concern, Dr Ismail said he had come across doctors in hospitals who did not have clinical skills such as patient care, familiarity with the signs and symptoms of diseases, diagnosing illnesses, and doctor-patient communication.
"Theory is okay, but what about clinical skills? We have the same problem with allied healthcare staff such as pharmacists, radiologists and nurses," he told the New Straits Times.
Students are required to start their clinical skills training from day one, but this does not always happen due to the shortage of places.
"Although we need lots of doctors and allied healthcare staff, we need them to be of quality," Dr Ismail said, adding that he was also aware of private medical colleges not having enough lecturers.
"My advice is, consult the Health Ministry before setting up medical colleges. This is because invariably they would want to use the ministry’s hospitals. When we say there are no more places, they get upset."
He said to meet the pressure for places, the ministry had opened up some of its district hospitals to medical students.
University Malaya Medical Centre director Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Amin Jalaludin said the programmes run by private medical colleges had to be closely monitored so that standards defined by the National Accreditation Board were met.
"If the standards are not met, we will not have quality doctors. We want safe and quality doctors for Malaysians," he said, adding Universiti Malaya set high standards and offered excellent infrastructure, curriculum, teaching staff and facilities.
While more medical colleges would grant Malaysians better opportunities to pursue medicine locally and reduce cash flow out of the country, Dr Mohd Amin said, it should not mean "mass production and compromising on standards and quality".
He feels having more medical colleges would only dilute the academic staff. He said he was aware of private medical colleges employing expatriates to teach, with some having difficulty getting lecturers for certain programmes.
UKM vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Mohd Salleh Mohd Yassin agreed that there were not enough teaching hospitals in the country. He said some colleges might not be able to cope with the high turnover of lecturers.
Saying those wanting to start medical colleges had to be responsible, he added: "There is no shortcut. I have been in the medical faculty for 22 years and I know the biggest problem is getting the proper teacher-student ratio. Can private schools afford this requirement? Do they have the required infrastructure?"
Dr Mohd Salleh called for the consolidation of medical colleges.
Medical lecturer Dr Kuljit Singh said: "Private medical colleges should not be built just because of demand or because the business is lucrative."
Saying it was difficult to get experienced teaching staff, he added: "The majority of doctors in government hospitals are juniors and lack teaching experience. We seriously lack a good teaching force and thus end up getting foreign lecturers."
Dr Kuljit said private hospitals should allow medical students to do clinical training at their centres as part of their social responsibility.
These doctors may have sufficient theoretical knowledge, but they lack practical experience.
Another shocker: Some of these doctors are products of medical colleges operating out of shoplots, with no proper facilities such as laboratories and insufficient lecturers.
The main problem is the mushrooming of private medical colleges. Of the 17 medical colleges in the country, only eight are public medical universities.
There are simply not enough places at designated government hospitals for medical students to undergo practical training. The problem is expected to worsen as more colleges are approved by the Ministry of Higher Education.
Director-general of Health Datuk Dr Ismail Merican acknowledged that government hospitals were unable to accommodate the increasing number of students needing clinical training.
"There are simply too many of them," he said. "Whom do we blame when we get doctors who do not have the necessary clinical skills?"
Expressing concern, Dr Ismail said he had come across doctors in hospitals who did not have clinical skills such as patient care, familiarity with the signs and symptoms of diseases, diagnosing illnesses, and doctor-patient communication.
"Theory is okay, but what about clinical skills? We have the same problem with allied healthcare staff such as pharmacists, radiologists and nurses," he told the New Straits Times.
Students are required to start their clinical skills training from day one, but this does not always happen due to the shortage of places.
"Although we need lots of doctors and allied healthcare staff, we need them to be of quality," Dr Ismail said, adding that he was also aware of private medical colleges not having enough lecturers.
"My advice is, consult the Health Ministry before setting up medical colleges. This is because invariably they would want to use the ministry’s hospitals. When we say there are no more places, they get upset."
He said to meet the pressure for places, the ministry had opened up some of its district hospitals to medical students.
University Malaya Medical Centre director Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Amin Jalaludin said the programmes run by private medical colleges had to be closely monitored so that standards defined by the National Accreditation Board were met.
"If the standards are not met, we will not have quality doctors. We want safe and quality doctors for Malaysians," he said, adding Universiti Malaya set high standards and offered excellent infrastructure, curriculum, teaching staff and facilities.
While more medical colleges would grant Malaysians better opportunities to pursue medicine locally and reduce cash flow out of the country, Dr Mohd Amin said, it should not mean "mass production and compromising on standards and quality".
He feels having more medical colleges would only dilute the academic staff. He said he was aware of private medical colleges employing expatriates to teach, with some having difficulty getting lecturers for certain programmes.
UKM vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Mohd Salleh Mohd Yassin agreed that there were not enough teaching hospitals in the country. He said some colleges might not be able to cope with the high turnover of lecturers.
Saying those wanting to start medical colleges had to be responsible, he added: "There is no shortcut. I have been in the medical faculty for 22 years and I know the biggest problem is getting the proper teacher-student ratio. Can private schools afford this requirement? Do they have the required infrastructure?"
Dr Mohd Salleh called for the consolidation of medical colleges.
Medical lecturer Dr Kuljit Singh said: "Private medical colleges should not be built just because of demand or because the business is lucrative."
Saying it was difficult to get experienced teaching staff, he added: "The majority of doctors in government hospitals are juniors and lack teaching experience. We seriously lack a good teaching force and thus end up getting foreign lecturers."
Dr Kuljit said private hospitals should allow medical students to do clinical training at their centres as part of their social responsibility.
Boy with JE admitted
NST: An eight-year-old boy from here was admitted to Kota Baru Hospital today with symptoms of Japanese encephalitis (JE).
He is the latest patient after the father and youngest brother of a suspected JE victim, Siti Mardiana Mohd Ramli, 13, who died on Thursday, were admitted to the same hospital two days ago. Two others, Norhayati Awang, 27, and Hasnira Hussain, 13, were warded earlier.
Kelantan Health director Datuk Dr Ahmad Razin Ahmad Mahir, said only Norhayati had been confirmed to have contracted JE. He declined further comment, saying that details would be given tomorrow by the Director-General of Health.
Dr Razin said the department was now concentrating on a campaign to seek and destroy the breeding ground of Culex mosquitoes, the JE virus carrier.
"So far, our officers have checked 22 places in Tanah Merah and the mosquitoes have been found at four of them," he said.
Meanwhile, Padzil Abdul Fatah from the State Wildlife Department said several officers had been sent to Kampung Air Kerala and Kampung Bukit Pauh here to check on the presence of wild boars.
"Although they have not been confirmed as the source of the JE virus, we are taking proactive action and will destroy them if they are in the area," he said.
Yesterday, family members had called on the department to act fast to get rid of the animals roaming near their homes as they were afraid more people would contract the disease.
He is the latest patient after the father and youngest brother of a suspected JE victim, Siti Mardiana Mohd Ramli, 13, who died on Thursday, were admitted to the same hospital two days ago. Two others, Norhayati Awang, 27, and Hasnira Hussain, 13, were warded earlier.
Kelantan Health director Datuk Dr Ahmad Razin Ahmad Mahir, said only Norhayati had been confirmed to have contracted JE. He declined further comment, saying that details would be given tomorrow by the Director-General of Health.
Dr Razin said the department was now concentrating on a campaign to seek and destroy the breeding ground of Culex mosquitoes, the JE virus carrier.
"So far, our officers have checked 22 places in Tanah Merah and the mosquitoes have been found at four of them," he said.
Meanwhile, Padzil Abdul Fatah from the State Wildlife Department said several officers had been sent to Kampung Air Kerala and Kampung Bukit Pauh here to check on the presence of wild boars.
"Although they have not been confirmed as the source of the JE virus, we are taking proactive action and will destroy them if they are in the area," he said.
Yesterday, family members had called on the department to act fast to get rid of the animals roaming near their homes as they were afraid more people would contract the disease.
Fogging and screening to prevent JE outbreak
Star: TANAH MERAH: Health authorities are screening villagers in areas identified as at high risk of catching the Japanese Encephalitis (JE) virus.
They are also fogging the areas every night to kill the culex tritaeniorhynchus carrier mosquitoes.
The health task force, which includes members from the Veterinary Services Department and wildlife rangers, are doing this to prevent an outbreak.
To date, four villagers in the district have been hospitalised for suspected JE while Siti Mardiana Mohd Romli, 13, died on Thursday because of suspected JE complications.
Noorhayati Awang, 27, was confirmed to be infected with the deadly virus while tests have yet to be completed for the other three, state health department director Datuk Dr Ahmad Razin Ahmad Maher told reporters during an inspection here yesterday.
“There is no need for panic,” he said, adding that the public must ensure cleanliness of their houses and premises so that the mosquitoes did not get a chance to breed.
Siti Mardiana from Kampung Air Kerala, Batang Begedik in Gual Ipoh passed away last Thursday while her father Mohd Romli Mohd Zaid, 34, and younger brother Mohd Awi, five, were hospitalised on Monday after complaining of fever and body aches.
Nasnira Akmar Hussin, 13, from Kampung Bukit Pauh was the other person warded for suspected JE.
Dr Ahmad Razin also said that from today, all press statements concerning JE in Kelantan would be issued by the Health Ministry based in Kuala Lumpur.
State Veterinary Services Department director Dr Idris Kadir said officers had taken blood samples from various animals in the vicinity and were awaiting results.
There are no pig farms here so authorities need to widen their search to find the host.
State Wildlife and National Parks Department director Pazil Abdul Patah said the operation to hunt down wild boars, which were suspected of being host carriers of JE, was discussed.
They are also fogging the areas every night to kill the culex tritaeniorhynchus carrier mosquitoes.
The health task force, which includes members from the Veterinary Services Department and wildlife rangers, are doing this to prevent an outbreak.
To date, four villagers in the district have been hospitalised for suspected JE while Siti Mardiana Mohd Romli, 13, died on Thursday because of suspected JE complications.
Noorhayati Awang, 27, was confirmed to be infected with the deadly virus while tests have yet to be completed for the other three, state health department director Datuk Dr Ahmad Razin Ahmad Maher told reporters during an inspection here yesterday.
“There is no need for panic,” he said, adding that the public must ensure cleanliness of their houses and premises so that the mosquitoes did not get a chance to breed.
Siti Mardiana from Kampung Air Kerala, Batang Begedik in Gual Ipoh passed away last Thursday while her father Mohd Romli Mohd Zaid, 34, and younger brother Mohd Awi, five, were hospitalised on Monday after complaining of fever and body aches.
Nasnira Akmar Hussin, 13, from Kampung Bukit Pauh was the other person warded for suspected JE.
Dr Ahmad Razin also said that from today, all press statements concerning JE in Kelantan would be issued by the Health Ministry based in Kuala Lumpur.
State Veterinary Services Department director Dr Idris Kadir said officers had taken blood samples from various animals in the vicinity and were awaiting results.
There are no pig farms here so authorities need to widen their search to find the host.
State Wildlife and National Parks Department director Pazil Abdul Patah said the operation to hunt down wild boars, which were suspected of being host carriers of JE, was discussed.
Officials baffled by deaths in Tanah Merah
The Star KOTA BARU: Health authorities were scrambling to determine the cause of the acute neurological syndrome (DIL) which has killed two people in the Tanah Merah district.
They have screened 3,925 residents in the district so far, said state Health Department director Datuk Dr Ahmad Razin Ahmad Maher.
He said DIL could be linked to the Japanese Encephalitis (JE) virus. Initial signs of DIL were fever and vomiting which could later develop into breathing difficulties.
Hasnira Akmar Hussin, 13, who had been warded for DIL, died at 9.15pm yesterday – the second to die from the syndrome.
She had been in a semi-coma (a mild comatose state) since being admitted to the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital here for severe vomiting on Thursday.
Her father Hussin Mustafa, 49, who is self-employed, confirmed her death.
“Her body is to be sent for a post-mortem and we are making funeral arrangements for tomorrow afternoon,” he said at the hospital last night.
Hasnira was among four people suspected of contracting JE brought on by the deadly culex tritaeniorhynchus mosquito.
Blood samples of the four have been sent to the Institute of Medical Research for tests.
Mohd Romli Mohd Zaid, 49, and his daughter, who was not identified, were hospitalised on Monday after complaining of fever and headache. Just four days earlier, Romli’s 13-year-old daughter Siti Mardiana died from DIL complications.
Health authorities have yet to confirm what caused the teenager to die.
Tanah Merah MP Shaari Hassan, who visited the patients at the hospital, said there was still no confirmation if all the four had contracted JE.
Shaari urged families in his parliamentary constituency to cooperate with the authorities.
They have screened 3,925 residents in the district so far, said state Health Department director Datuk Dr Ahmad Razin Ahmad Maher.
He said DIL could be linked to the Japanese Encephalitis (JE) virus. Initial signs of DIL were fever and vomiting which could later develop into breathing difficulties.
Hasnira Akmar Hussin, 13, who had been warded for DIL, died at 9.15pm yesterday – the second to die from the syndrome.
She had been in a semi-coma (a mild comatose state) since being admitted to the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital here for severe vomiting on Thursday.
Her father Hussin Mustafa, 49, who is self-employed, confirmed her death.
“Her body is to be sent for a post-mortem and we are making funeral arrangements for tomorrow afternoon,” he said at the hospital last night.
Hasnira was among four people suspected of contracting JE brought on by the deadly culex tritaeniorhynchus mosquito.
Blood samples of the four have been sent to the Institute of Medical Research for tests.
Mohd Romli Mohd Zaid, 49, and his daughter, who was not identified, were hospitalised on Monday after complaining of fever and headache. Just four days earlier, Romli’s 13-year-old daughter Siti Mardiana died from DIL complications.
Health authorities have yet to confirm what caused the teenager to die.
Tanah Merah MP Shaari Hassan, who visited the patients at the hospital, said there was still no confirmation if all the four had contracted JE.
Shaari urged families in his parliamentary constituency to cooperate with the authorities.
2,500 New Renal Failure Cases Detected Every Year
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 31 (Bernama) -- One hundred out of every one million Malaysians suffer from terminal kidney failure every year, the National Kidney Foundation said Tuesday.
Its Vice-Chairman Datuk Dr Zaki Morad said this meant every year, an additional 2,500 Malaysians would require haemodialysis treatment or face death unless they underwent kidney transplant.
There are 13,000 dialysis patients in the country currently.
He said screening would provide early detection.
"I hope this will provide the real picture of the number of people in Malaysia suffering from kidney failures," he said here.
Dr Zaki said the National Kidney Foundation was providing cheaper health screening at its 19 dialysis centres in the country.
He said the main objective of the screening was to promote greater health awareness and early detection of kidney ailments among the people.
"The cheaper screening starting Feb 19 and on every first and third Sundays of the month will only cost RM2 compared to RM8 previously," he said.
Blood pressure, urine, protein content, sugar level and blood tests would be conducted during the screening, he added.
Its Vice-Chairman Datuk Dr Zaki Morad said this meant every year, an additional 2,500 Malaysians would require haemodialysis treatment or face death unless they underwent kidney transplant.
There are 13,000 dialysis patients in the country currently.
He said screening would provide early detection.
"I hope this will provide the real picture of the number of people in Malaysia suffering from kidney failures," he said here.
Dr Zaki said the National Kidney Foundation was providing cheaper health screening at its 19 dialysis centres in the country.
He said the main objective of the screening was to promote greater health awareness and early detection of kidney ailments among the people.
"The cheaper screening starting Feb 19 and on every first and third Sundays of the month will only cost RM2 compared to RM8 previously," he said.
Blood pressure, urine, protein content, sugar level and blood tests would be conducted during the screening, he added.
Malaysia: Private Profit Taints Water and Health
PENANG, Jan. 30, 2006 (IPS/GIN) -- Civil society groups worry that private sector interests will soon dominate the country's water and health care sectors and burden the public -- despite government assurances that these areas will be spared privatisation.
Last June, following an intense civil society campaign, the minister responsible for water, Lim Keng Yaik, said the government had made an about face and decided that total privatization was not suitable for Malaysia. His remedy? "We have cut out the word privatization".
Similarly, senior health ministry officials have assured activists that there would be no privatization in the proposed national health care financing mechanism. This scheme would allow the government to collect health insurance premiums from the public - - apart from exempted groups -- to finance the running of both public and private hospitals.
But while the government may be avoiding the word "privatization," civil society activists fear the result will be the same.
"We all know they are going to bring water under federal control (away from state control) and then privatize it," says Letchimi Devi, coordinator of the Oppressed Peoples Network (JERIT), which brings together 120 grassroots groups.
"And when they say there will be a tariff review every three years, we all know tariffs will probably be increased."
Two draft bills -- the Water Services Industry Act bill and the National Water Services Commission (SPAN in Malay) bill -- are expected to come into effect later this year.
Commenting on the former, the "Edge" business weekly said: "The Bill's aim is to create a homogenous and holistic structure in water privatization in all states." The key difference is that private operators will no longer be supervised by the respective state authorities. Instead, SPAN will monitor the operators after renegotiating their concession agreements. source
Last June, following an intense civil society campaign, the minister responsible for water, Lim Keng Yaik, said the government had made an about face and decided that total privatization was not suitable for Malaysia. His remedy? "We have cut out the word privatization".
Similarly, senior health ministry officials have assured activists that there would be no privatization in the proposed national health care financing mechanism. This scheme would allow the government to collect health insurance premiums from the public - - apart from exempted groups -- to finance the running of both public and private hospitals.
But while the government may be avoiding the word "privatization," civil society activists fear the result will be the same.
"We all know they are going to bring water under federal control (away from state control) and then privatize it," says Letchimi Devi, coordinator of the Oppressed Peoples Network (JERIT), which brings together 120 grassroots groups.
"And when they say there will be a tariff review every three years, we all know tariffs will probably be increased."
Two draft bills -- the Water Services Industry Act bill and the National Water Services Commission (SPAN in Malay) bill -- are expected to come into effect later this year.
Commenting on the former, the "Edge" business weekly said: "The Bill's aim is to create a homogenous and holistic structure in water privatization in all states." The key difference is that private operators will no longer be supervised by the respective state authorities. Instead, SPAN will monitor the operators after renegotiating their concession agreements. source
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