Star: KUCHING: Reported cases of hand, foot and mouth disease in Sarawak have increased sharply this year but there is no cause for panic as the health authorities have the situation under control, said Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan.
Some 850 cases have already been reported as of Feb 23 this year, compared with only 73 over the corresponding period last year. There were also three deaths associated with the disease since December 2005.
However, Dr Chan said the increase was expected as the state Health Department’s surveillance of the disease since an outbreak in 1997 showed that it peaked every three years.
“From our records, there was a big outbreak in 1997, during which 31 children died. In 2000 and 2003, there was a peak of the virus again, with three deaths in Sibu Hospital three years ago,” he told a press conference.
He added that based on the current surveillance data, the disease in the state this year was due to the enterovirus 71, which is potentially more severe than other enteroviruses.
As such, he said, the authorities were taking drastic measures to reduce the spread and severity of the disease, including closing kindergartens and childcare centres when necessary.
He confirmed that a kindergarten here was closed by the Health Department on Feb 22.
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
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Isolating chickens from birds
Star: PETALING JAYA: Poultry farmers are netting their farms to prevent the domestic fowls from coming into contact with wild birds which could spread the avian flu virus.
Selangor and Federal Territory Poultry Traders Association adviser Datuk Dr Lee Chong Meng said the measure was to prevent wild birds from entering their farms.
“Minimising contact between chickens and wild birds can prevent the animals from being infected.”
He said farmers had also been told to take extra efforts to ensure hygiene at their farms to prevent any outbreak.
Lee also suggested a temporary ban on open slaughtering of chickens at all Kuala Lumpur wet markets “as a measure to prevent the possibility of the virus spreading to humans.”
He said chickens slaughtered and processed at slaughtering houses under a controlled environment was one way of preventing the virus from spreading.
Selangor and Federal Territory Poultry Traders Association adviser Datuk Dr Lee Chong Meng said the measure was to prevent wild birds from entering their farms.
“Minimising contact between chickens and wild birds can prevent the animals from being infected.”
He said farmers had also been told to take extra efforts to ensure hygiene at their farms to prevent any outbreak.
Lee also suggested a temporary ban on open slaughtering of chickens at all Kuala Lumpur wet markets “as a measure to prevent the possibility of the virus spreading to humans.”
He said chickens slaughtered and processed at slaughtering houses under a controlled environment was one way of preventing the virus from spreading.
Two Discharged As First Checks On Bird Flu-Hit Area Completed
PUTRAJAYA, Feb 24 (Bernama) -- Two children, aged 18 months and six years, respectively, have been discharged from hospital after results of bird flu tests conducted on them came back negative.
Health authorities on Thursday completed the first round of checks on 505 houses and 2,065 residents within the 300m radius of the bird flu-hit area in Jalan Genting Klang, Kuala Lumpur.
Disclosing these developments Friday, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said only two residents admitted yesterday -- a 42-year-old man and a 10-year-old girl -- remained in hospital and were awaiting test results.
There had been some confusion in earlier reports pertaining to the gender and age of the two residents involved.
Speaking to reporters at his office here, he said the second phase of checks began Friday and this would not involve house-to-house screening.
"Health personnel involved in the operation too are being monitored, and so far they are clear of the deadly bird flu H5N1 virus," he said.
Several settlements along Jalan Genting Klang, including Kampung Pasir Wardieburn and Kampung Belakang JPJ, have been hit by the virus which killed chickens there, prompting health authorities to move swiftly to contain the outbreak.
Elaborating on the second phase of inspections, Disease Control Division director Dr Ramlee Rahmat said health officers would still be in active detection mode within the 300m radius.
"But the modality may not really be house-to-house checks. They are going back there to look for houses and residents that they may have missed in the first round," he said.
In addition, he said, what was termed as "table top" exercise would be conducted by the ministry to see whether the response to the bird flu situation was executed according to plan so that improvements could be made.
Health authorities on Thursday completed the first round of checks on 505 houses and 2,065 residents within the 300m radius of the bird flu-hit area in Jalan Genting Klang, Kuala Lumpur.
Disclosing these developments Friday, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said only two residents admitted yesterday -- a 42-year-old man and a 10-year-old girl -- remained in hospital and were awaiting test results.
There had been some confusion in earlier reports pertaining to the gender and age of the two residents involved.
Speaking to reporters at his office here, he said the second phase of checks began Friday and this would not involve house-to-house screening.
"Health personnel involved in the operation too are being monitored, and so far they are clear of the deadly bird flu H5N1 virus," he said.
Several settlements along Jalan Genting Klang, including Kampung Pasir Wardieburn and Kampung Belakang JPJ, have been hit by the virus which killed chickens there, prompting health authorities to move swiftly to contain the outbreak.
Elaborating on the second phase of inspections, Disease Control Division director Dr Ramlee Rahmat said health officers would still be in active detection mode within the 300m radius.
"But the modality may not really be house-to-house checks. They are going back there to look for houses and residents that they may have missed in the first round," he said.
In addition, he said, what was termed as "table top" exercise would be conducted by the ministry to see whether the response to the bird flu situation was executed according to plan so that improvements could be made.
2,000 Chickens Destroyed In Culling Exercise
PUTRAJAYA, Feb 24 (Bernama) -- The culling of fowls over a radius of one kilometre from where the Avian Influenza H5N1 virus was detected in Jalan Genting Klang, Kuala Lumpur, is expected to be completed on Sunday.
Veterinary Services Acting Director-General Datuk Dr Mustapa Abdul Jalil said 2,227 chickens, 122 ducks, 102 fowls and 516 eggs had been destroyed in the exercise involving the department, Kuala Lumpur City Hall and the police.
Today's exercise involved 40 teams, and included 62 students from Universiti Putra Malaysia's Medical Faculty.
Dr Mustapa said areas within two to 10 kilometres from where the problem surfaced were also being monitored, involving 122 chicken or fowl owners, 1,820 fowls, three pet shops and 331 other premises.
"So far, 447 samples had been taken and tested and all were found to be without the virus," he told a press conference here.
He said checks and monitoring of the situation were also conducted in other states, adding that so far there were no indications of the virus having spread there.
Dr Mustapa said the public should not worry because chickens, ducks and eggs in areas unaffected by the H5N1 were safe for consumption.
Veterinary Services Acting Director-General Datuk Dr Mustapa Abdul Jalil said 2,227 chickens, 122 ducks, 102 fowls and 516 eggs had been destroyed in the exercise involving the department, Kuala Lumpur City Hall and the police.
Today's exercise involved 40 teams, and included 62 students from Universiti Putra Malaysia's Medical Faculty.
Dr Mustapa said areas within two to 10 kilometres from where the problem surfaced were also being monitored, involving 122 chicken or fowl owners, 1,820 fowls, three pet shops and 331 other premises.
"So far, 447 samples had been taken and tested and all were found to be without the virus," he told a press conference here.
He said checks and monitoring of the situation were also conducted in other states, adding that so far there were no indications of the virus having spread there.
Dr Mustapa said the public should not worry because chickens, ducks and eggs in areas unaffected by the H5N1 were safe for consumption.
Friday, February 24, 2006
Killer EV71 Virus Re-Emerges In Sarawak
KUCHING, Feb 24 (Bernama) -- The deadly Enterovirus71 (EV71) that has gripped the nation in 1997 has emerged again in Sarawak this year claiming one life so far and forcing one kindergarten here to be closed for two weeks since Wednesday.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said as of now there were three-deaths associated with the Hand, Foot and Mouth (HFM) disease and samples had been collected for laboratory testing at the Institute of Health and Community Medicine (IHCM) Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) to find the exact cause of the death.
"One was positive EV71 while samples from the other two children were negative for EV71," he told a news conference here Friday.
As a necessary precaution, Dr Chan said one kindergarten was asked to close by the Sarawak Health Department to avoid a possible outbreak.
"We want to break the cycle, if one child has HFM symptom and then one week later, either one or two children are infected with the same symptom, we will close the kindergarten temporarily," he said.
Dr Chan said the Health Department would monitor the situation very closely but advised the parents not to panic and that they should practice high standard of hygiene.
Dr Chan said three major towns in Sarawak registered a sharp increase of HFM's reported case since Jan 1 to Feb 23 this year, with the highest reported cases in Sibu.
"The number of cases from Sibu reported are 436 this year compared to 80 cases in the same period last year," he said adding that for Kuching there were 118 cases this year compared to 41 last year while in Bintulu, there were 211 cases this year from 13 last year.
For other towns in Sarawak, Dr Chan said there was no sharp increase in cases recorded so far.
In 1997, a total of 31 children below five-years old were killed in a span of more than one month and clinical tests had confirmed that the death of 29 children were due to EV71 while the rest HFM-related disease.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said as of now there were three-deaths associated with the Hand, Foot and Mouth (HFM) disease and samples had been collected for laboratory testing at the Institute of Health and Community Medicine (IHCM) Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) to find the exact cause of the death.
"One was positive EV71 while samples from the other two children were negative for EV71," he told a news conference here Friday.
As a necessary precaution, Dr Chan said one kindergarten was asked to close by the Sarawak Health Department to avoid a possible outbreak.
"We want to break the cycle, if one child has HFM symptom and then one week later, either one or two children are infected with the same symptom, we will close the kindergarten temporarily," he said.
Dr Chan said the Health Department would monitor the situation very closely but advised the parents not to panic and that they should practice high standard of hygiene.
Dr Chan said three major towns in Sarawak registered a sharp increase of HFM's reported case since Jan 1 to Feb 23 this year, with the highest reported cases in Sibu.
"The number of cases from Sibu reported are 436 this year compared to 80 cases in the same period last year," he said adding that for Kuching there were 118 cases this year compared to 41 last year while in Bintulu, there were 211 cases this year from 13 last year.
For other towns in Sarawak, Dr Chan said there was no sharp increase in cases recorded so far.
In 1997, a total of 31 children below five-years old were killed in a span of more than one month and clinical tests had confirmed that the death of 29 children were due to EV71 while the rest HFM-related disease.
World's First Cervical Cancer Computerised Diagnosis System By USM
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 24 (Bernama) -- A team of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) researchers has invented the world's first computerised cervical cancer diagnosis system (CCAID) that is capable of detecting the disease quickly and effectively.
Chief researcher Dr Nor Ashidi Mat Isa said that unlike the old system which required several pathologists and a long time to analyse the cancerous cells, the CCAID only required one pathologist.
"With the CCAID, only one pathologist is enough to detect the cancer within a short period even thought there are lots of cases reported," he said at the Malaysian Technology Expo here last night.
The system was jointly developed by five researchers -- Assoc Prof Dr Mohamed Yusoff Mashor, Prof Dr Nor Hayati Othman, Nor Rizuan Mat Noor, Sariah Rajuli and Nazahah Mustafa.
Dr Nor Ashidi said the computer's smart system was divided into two main components, the light microscope and diagnosis software and a monitor.
"The computerised light microscope can magnify the enlarge cell image by up to 400 times and the image can be recorded and processed via the diagnosis software before being displayed on the monitor screen," he said.
Dr Nor Ashidi added that pathologists would only focus their tests on the affected cells, which would save time.
He explained that vital information like the stage of the cancer, either normal, dangerous or critical, and the accuracy of the test would be displayed.
However, he said, the CCAID was still at laboratory stage where more tests and further research must be performed before it could be commercialised as a mass-screening tool.
Chief researcher Dr Nor Ashidi Mat Isa said that unlike the old system which required several pathologists and a long time to analyse the cancerous cells, the CCAID only required one pathologist.
"With the CCAID, only one pathologist is enough to detect the cancer within a short period even thought there are lots of cases reported," he said at the Malaysian Technology Expo here last night.
The system was jointly developed by five researchers -- Assoc Prof Dr Mohamed Yusoff Mashor, Prof Dr Nor Hayati Othman, Nor Rizuan Mat Noor, Sariah Rajuli and Nazahah Mustafa.
Dr Nor Ashidi said the computer's smart system was divided into two main components, the light microscope and diagnosis software and a monitor.
"The computerised light microscope can magnify the enlarge cell image by up to 400 times and the image can be recorded and processed via the diagnosis software before being displayed on the monitor screen," he said.
Dr Nor Ashidi added that pathologists would only focus their tests on the affected cells, which would save time.
He explained that vital information like the stage of the cancer, either normal, dangerous or critical, and the accuracy of the test would be displayed.
However, he said, the CCAID was still at laboratory stage where more tests and further research must be performed before it could be commercialised as a mass-screening tool.
No removal of lens cleaner here
NST: Eye-care giant Bausch & Lomb has no plans to take its ReNu contact lens solution off the shelves in Malaysia, after the product was linked to a spate of eye infections in Hong Kong and Singapore.
The company yesterday suspended sales of the multi-purpose contact lens solution in Hong Kong, after the health authority began looking into a recent spike in the number of eye infections in Singapore.
Reuters news agency today reported the company would not suspend sales in other markets where there have been no cases of fungal keratitis.
On Tuesday, Singapore’s Health Ministry "strongly advised" contact lens wearers to stop using the Bausch & Lomb product as a precaution until it completed investigations.
The island has seen 39 cases since 2005 with an unusual number last month. Thirty-four of these 39 cases said that they had used a ReNu multipurpose solution by B&L, it said. Three of them had to undergo urgent cornea transplants, Reuters said.
The health authority also said it is working with the company to discover the cause of the infections.
Bausch & Lomb stood by its product, saying it was confident a thorough investigation will show that ReNu is not to blame.
There are no known cases of the eye infection in Malaysia, said Bausch & Lomb South East Asia.
The company yesterday suspended sales of the multi-purpose contact lens solution in Hong Kong, after the health authority began looking into a recent spike in the number of eye infections in Singapore.
Reuters news agency today reported the company would not suspend sales in other markets where there have been no cases of fungal keratitis.
On Tuesday, Singapore’s Health Ministry "strongly advised" contact lens wearers to stop using the Bausch & Lomb product as a precaution until it completed investigations.
The island has seen 39 cases since 2005 with an unusual number last month. Thirty-four of these 39 cases said that they had used a ReNu multipurpose solution by B&L, it said. Three of them had to undergo urgent cornea transplants, Reuters said.
The health authority also said it is working with the company to discover the cause of the infections.
Bausch & Lomb stood by its product, saying it was confident a thorough investigation will show that ReNu is not to blame.
There are no known cases of the eye infection in Malaysia, said Bausch & Lomb South East Asia.
Second phase of ops starts today
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: The second phase of the operation to trace chickens, ducks and other birds within the 10km radius of the bird-flu hit area here will start today.
Acting Veterinary Department director-general Datuk Dr Mustapa Jalil said officers from his department, the Health Ministry, police, City Hall and final-year veterinary students from Universiti Putra Malaysia would carry out medical tests on birds found in the area.
The areas include Setapak, Pudu, Hulu Klang and Kepong.
“The culling operation of chickens, ducks and birds within a 1km radius is still going on,” he told reporters at the department headquarters last night.
“This will be followed by surveillance within the 10km radius, which will start tomorrow (today) and go on until Sunday.
“The operation will involve conducting close observation of birds in the area, doing clinical tests and taking swap samples of the birds.”
Acting Veterinary Department director-general Datuk Dr Mustapa Jalil said officers from his department, the Health Ministry, police, City Hall and final-year veterinary students from Universiti Putra Malaysia would carry out medical tests on birds found in the area.
The areas include Setapak, Pudu, Hulu Klang and Kepong.
“The culling operation of chickens, ducks and birds within a 1km radius is still going on,” he told reporters at the department headquarters last night.
“This will be followed by surveillance within the 10km radius, which will start tomorrow (today) and go on until Sunday.
“The operation will involve conducting close observation of birds in the area, doing clinical tests and taking swap samples of the birds.”
Health workers to get Tamiflu
Star: KUCHING: Sarawak is spending RM200,000 to buy Tamiflu for its health workers and to prepare for any outbreak, said Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam.
The stock would only be enough for 500 workers, he said, adding that the medicine was not easily available.
Dr Chan, also state Minister for Agriculture Modernisation, said police and army personnel were educating villagers living along the Sarawak-Kalimantan border on the risks of smuggling in fighting cocks and poultry.
As fighting cocks are prized birds, there are people who would use all means to smuggle them in from Indonesia, he told reporters after attending the state Cabinet meeting here yesterday.
Dr Chan said the state had imposed a total ban on the import of poultry from the peninsula.
The stock would only be enough for 500 workers, he said, adding that the medicine was not easily available.
Dr Chan, also state Minister for Agriculture Modernisation, said police and army personnel were educating villagers living along the Sarawak-Kalimantan border on the risks of smuggling in fighting cocks and poultry.
As fighting cocks are prized birds, there are people who would use all means to smuggle them in from Indonesia, he told reporters after attending the state Cabinet meeting here yesterday.
Dr Chan said the state had imposed a total ban on the import of poultry from the peninsula.
Residents voluntarily surrender chickens
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians feel better being safe than sorry.
This was evident at the bird flu affected areas in Setapak where residents voluntarily “surrendered” their chickens for culling.
When a team from the Veterinary Services Department and the Kuala Lumpur City Hall arrived at Taman Ibu Kota, residents were seen approaching the officers to tell them that they kept chickens.
Kamaruddin Mohd Yunus said he had to part with his 11 chickens.
“My two daughters cried last night when I told them I had to give up the birds to protect the family from bird flu,” said the 49-year-old contractor, who kept his chickens in his backyard.
“My daughters, aged 11 and 14, treat the chickens as pets,” he said.
The family watched as the team went into the house compound to catch the chickens.
A rooster, however, escaped.
Kamaruddin promised to call the department when the rooster returned.
His neighbour, known only as Wan Aminnunddi, asked the team to catch a hen that called at his house.
“It often rests and lays eggs in my house compound,” said the 45-year-old businessman.
“I was very worried when I heard about the avian flu. I do not want to risk my life by allowing the hen to stay,” he said.
The hen was “not in” when the team went to his house but the eggs were taken away.
The team also received a complaint from a resident at Taman Danau Kota about Indonesians keeping chickens at a construction site there.
However, the team found out that the Indonesians had already destroyed the chickens.
At Wardieburn Camp, the team found a bird park with four peacocks, each worth RM30,000, four chickens and three pigeons.
However, the team could not take action because the owner of the park was not at home.
This was evident at the bird flu affected areas in Setapak where residents voluntarily “surrendered” their chickens for culling.
When a team from the Veterinary Services Department and the Kuala Lumpur City Hall arrived at Taman Ibu Kota, residents were seen approaching the officers to tell them that they kept chickens.
Kamaruddin Mohd Yunus said he had to part with his 11 chickens.
“My two daughters cried last night when I told them I had to give up the birds to protect the family from bird flu,” said the 49-year-old contractor, who kept his chickens in his backyard.
“My daughters, aged 11 and 14, treat the chickens as pets,” he said.
The family watched as the team went into the house compound to catch the chickens.
A rooster, however, escaped.
Kamaruddin promised to call the department when the rooster returned.
His neighbour, known only as Wan Aminnunddi, asked the team to catch a hen that called at his house.
“It often rests and lays eggs in my house compound,” said the 45-year-old businessman.
“I was very worried when I heard about the avian flu. I do not want to risk my life by allowing the hen to stay,” he said.
The hen was “not in” when the team went to his house but the eggs were taken away.
The team also received a complaint from a resident at Taman Danau Kota about Indonesians keeping chickens at a construction site there.
However, the team found out that the Indonesians had already destroyed the chickens.
At Wardieburn Camp, the team found a bird park with four peacocks, each worth RM30,000, four chickens and three pigeons.
However, the team could not take action because the owner of the park was not at home.
PM: We can fight bird flu
Star: SEREMBAN: Malaysia is ready with the necessary mechanisms to fight bird flu, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
“The Health Ministry and relevant departments are monitoring the situation carefully and we have the necessary mechanisms to put into action if there are any problems,” he told reporters after presenting cheques to Felda Sendayan settlers here.
“It involves a few ministries and we will take whatever necessary action as needed.
“This includes getting information from our neighbouring countries on what can be implemented to solve the problem. There needs to be information.”
In KUALA LUMPUR, only four people, including two latest cases, remained under observation at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital, said Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek.
He said one of them showed no signs of having contracted the flu while a two-year-old child was placed in the isolation ward.
He said the two latest cases were taken to the hospital to undergo tests.
“They will be discharged tomorrow (Friday) if they test negative for the avian flu,” he told reporters after opening the healthcare conference on diabetes management.
“There is no case of the avian flu affecting people in Malaysia. We only have confirmed avian flu cases among chickens.”
Veterinary Services Department acting director-general Datuk Dr Mustapa Jalil said strict surveillance, checking of premises and the culling exercise were continuing.
“As of today (yesterday), 1,970 chickens, 62 ducks, 72 birds and 505 eggs have been destroyed,” he said in a statement.
Dr Mustapa said surveillance of an area between a 2km and 10km radius of the affected area, which started yesterday, was to ensure that Kuala Lumpur, Ulu Klang, Gombak and its surrounding neighbourhoods were free from avian flu.
“The surveillance is carried out by teams from the department in Selangor,” he said.
“So far, our teams have taken 114 swab samples from 237 birds belonging to 24 residents and three pet shops located in Selayang and Hulu Klang.
“All have tested negative.”
“The Health Ministry and relevant departments are monitoring the situation carefully and we have the necessary mechanisms to put into action if there are any problems,” he told reporters after presenting cheques to Felda Sendayan settlers here.
“It involves a few ministries and we will take whatever necessary action as needed.
“This includes getting information from our neighbouring countries on what can be implemented to solve the problem. There needs to be information.”
In KUALA LUMPUR, only four people, including two latest cases, remained under observation at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital, said Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek.
He said one of them showed no signs of having contracted the flu while a two-year-old child was placed in the isolation ward.
He said the two latest cases were taken to the hospital to undergo tests.
“They will be discharged tomorrow (Friday) if they test negative for the avian flu,” he told reporters after opening the healthcare conference on diabetes management.
“There is no case of the avian flu affecting people in Malaysia. We only have confirmed avian flu cases among chickens.”
Veterinary Services Department acting director-general Datuk Dr Mustapa Jalil said strict surveillance, checking of premises and the culling exercise were continuing.
“As of today (yesterday), 1,970 chickens, 62 ducks, 72 birds and 505 eggs have been destroyed,” he said in a statement.
Dr Mustapa said surveillance of an area between a 2km and 10km radius of the affected area, which started yesterday, was to ensure that Kuala Lumpur, Ulu Klang, Gombak and its surrounding neighbourhoods were free from avian flu.
“The surveillance is carried out by teams from the department in Selangor,” he said.
“So far, our teams have taken 114 swab samples from 237 birds belonging to 24 residents and three pet shops located in Selayang and Hulu Klang.
“All have tested negative.”
Tapah R&R Wins Toilet Competition
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 23 (Bernama) -- The toilets at the south-bound Tapah Rest and Service Area (R&R), with its open concept and modern design and surrounded by tropical landscape, was chosen the winner in a toilet design competition.
Its management, PLUS Expressway Berhad (PLUS) will receive a RM5,000 prize from Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at a function to be held here tomorrow.
The competition, held between Oct 31 and Dec 16 last year, was organised by the Housing and Local Government Ministry with the collaboration of the Works Ministry, the Education Ministry and the Malaysian Architect Association.
A statement issued by PLUS Thursday said more than 11,000 people stopped at the R&R every day.
The rest area has toilet facilities comprising 36 cubicles for women and 32 cubicles for men as well as bathrooms and toilets for the handicapped.
The design of the toilets had brought foreign VIPs, including from India and Bosnia Herzegovina, to the R&R which is at KM331.5.
Its management, PLUS Expressway Berhad (PLUS) will receive a RM5,000 prize from Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at a function to be held here tomorrow.
The competition, held between Oct 31 and Dec 16 last year, was organised by the Housing and Local Government Ministry with the collaboration of the Works Ministry, the Education Ministry and the Malaysian Architect Association.
A statement issued by PLUS Thursday said more than 11,000 people stopped at the R&R every day.
The rest area has toilet facilities comprising 36 cubicles for women and 32 cubicles for men as well as bathrooms and toilets for the handicapped.
The design of the toilets had brought foreign VIPs, including from India and Bosnia Herzegovina, to the R&R which is at KM331.5.
Large-Scale Operation To Monitor Bird Flu In KL
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 23 (Bernama) -- The Veterinary Services Department (JPH), along with the Veterinary Faculty of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and various government agencies, will launch a large-scale operation on Friday to detect any sign of Avian Influenza over an area of 10-km radius spreading out from Jalan Genting-Kelang.
JPH acting Director-General Datuk Dr Mustapa Abd Jalil said the operation was to contain the Avian Influenza H5N1 virus that had killed 40 fowls in the Jalan Genting-Kelang area last Sunday.
Inspections and monitoring for signs of the disease, which can also be fatal for humans, were continuing in areas regarded to be at risk, he said in a statement released here Thursday.
"No signs of the virus spreading have been detected so far. All poultry meat and eggs in the market are safe for consumption. Just follow the recommendation of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to cook poultry products up to at least 70 degrees Celsius for a minimum of 30 minutes," he said.
He said that so far 1,970 chickens, 62 ducks, 72 fowls and 505 eggs had been destroyed in a culling exercise over a radius of one kilometre from where the problem surfaced.
He also said that checks conducted on owners of chicken or fowls and pet shops over a radius of three kilometres from Jalan Genting-Kelang, which included Selayang, Batu and Hulu Kelang, had been negative.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek had on Wednesday night said that tests conducted on five of seven people admitted to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital to ascertain if they have been infected by the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus proved negative.
A two-year-old boy, reported to be in good health, was still in the hospital while awaiting the test result and another suspected case, a 17-month-old child, had been admitted to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital for observation, he had said.
In PENANG, residents were advised to contact the state JPH if they came across unusual deaths among chickens or birds.
Penang JPH Director Dr Mohd Zairi Serlan said they could contact its branches throughout the state or its operations room at 04-508 4363 or 04-508 4369 during office hours.
"Do not act on your own if chickens or fowls suddenly die. Let us handle it," he said when contacted here today.
Mohd Zairi added that all entry points and tourists and foreigners coming into the state were being closely monitored for signs of bird flu and also to prevent attempts to smuggle in birds or fowls.
Meanwhile, state Health, Welfare and Caring Society Committee Chairman P. Subbaiyah said that so far no reports of infection by the virus had been received in Penang and that all hospitals there had been placed on full alert.
In KUALA TERENGGANU, the JPH there is studying whether to ban the entry of chicken from Selangor.
Terengganu JPH Director Dr Azizol Mohd Sharom said the department had collected 80 blood samples from chickens and birds over two days from Feb 6 and were waiting for the results form the Veterinary Research Institute in Ipoh. He said operations were in full swing to prevent a possible outbreak in the state.
In KUCHING, Sarawak has imposed a total ban on imports of bird products, including chicken, from Peninsular Malaysia from last Tuesday as part of its preventive measures to avert the spread of the H5N1 avian influenza virus to the state.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said the state goverment would review the decision based on the latest developments on the spread of the virus in the peninsula, and may restrict the import of bird products to those coming from areas there were unaffected by the killer disease.
"We are taking extreme caution and watching developments there," he told a news conference Thursday.
Dr Chan, who is also Agriculture Modernisation Minister, said that at the same time the police and army would also strictly monitor movements along the Sarawak-Kalimantan border to prevent the smuggling of birds into the state.
In KANGAR, Perlis residents were asked not to shoot migratory birds for food to avert risk of infection.
State Agriculture and Rural Development Committee Chairman Khairi Hassan said Perlis viewed the developments seriously and was taking all necessary precautionary measures to avert an outbreak in the state.
Speaking to reporters after the presentation of aid by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim to 3,000 padi farmers who were affected by the recent floods in Perlis at the Dewan 2020 here today, he said the ban on poultry imports from Thailand imposed three years ago was still in force.
He added that 10 chicken farms in the state operated by individuals and government agencies involving 15,000 birds had been checked so far but no signs of bird flu had been found.
JPH acting Director-General Datuk Dr Mustapa Abd Jalil said the operation was to contain the Avian Influenza H5N1 virus that had killed 40 fowls in the Jalan Genting-Kelang area last Sunday.
Inspections and monitoring for signs of the disease, which can also be fatal for humans, were continuing in areas regarded to be at risk, he said in a statement released here Thursday.
"No signs of the virus spreading have been detected so far. All poultry meat and eggs in the market are safe for consumption. Just follow the recommendation of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to cook poultry products up to at least 70 degrees Celsius for a minimum of 30 minutes," he said.
He said that so far 1,970 chickens, 62 ducks, 72 fowls and 505 eggs had been destroyed in a culling exercise over a radius of one kilometre from where the problem surfaced.
He also said that checks conducted on owners of chicken or fowls and pet shops over a radius of three kilometres from Jalan Genting-Kelang, which included Selayang, Batu and Hulu Kelang, had been negative.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek had on Wednesday night said that tests conducted on five of seven people admitted to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital to ascertain if they have been infected by the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus proved negative.
A two-year-old boy, reported to be in good health, was still in the hospital while awaiting the test result and another suspected case, a 17-month-old child, had been admitted to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital for observation, he had said.
In PENANG, residents were advised to contact the state JPH if they came across unusual deaths among chickens or birds.
Penang JPH Director Dr Mohd Zairi Serlan said they could contact its branches throughout the state or its operations room at 04-508 4363 or 04-508 4369 during office hours.
"Do not act on your own if chickens or fowls suddenly die. Let us handle it," he said when contacted here today.
Mohd Zairi added that all entry points and tourists and foreigners coming into the state were being closely monitored for signs of bird flu and also to prevent attempts to smuggle in birds or fowls.
Meanwhile, state Health, Welfare and Caring Society Committee Chairman P. Subbaiyah said that so far no reports of infection by the virus had been received in Penang and that all hospitals there had been placed on full alert.
In KUALA TERENGGANU, the JPH there is studying whether to ban the entry of chicken from Selangor.
Terengganu JPH Director Dr Azizol Mohd Sharom said the department had collected 80 blood samples from chickens and birds over two days from Feb 6 and were waiting for the results form the Veterinary Research Institute in Ipoh. He said operations were in full swing to prevent a possible outbreak in the state.
In KUCHING, Sarawak has imposed a total ban on imports of bird products, including chicken, from Peninsular Malaysia from last Tuesday as part of its preventive measures to avert the spread of the H5N1 avian influenza virus to the state.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said the state goverment would review the decision based on the latest developments on the spread of the virus in the peninsula, and may restrict the import of bird products to those coming from areas there were unaffected by the killer disease.
"We are taking extreme caution and watching developments there," he told a news conference Thursday.
Dr Chan, who is also Agriculture Modernisation Minister, said that at the same time the police and army would also strictly monitor movements along the Sarawak-Kalimantan border to prevent the smuggling of birds into the state.
In KANGAR, Perlis residents were asked not to shoot migratory birds for food to avert risk of infection.
State Agriculture and Rural Development Committee Chairman Khairi Hassan said Perlis viewed the developments seriously and was taking all necessary precautionary measures to avert an outbreak in the state.
Speaking to reporters after the presentation of aid by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim to 3,000 padi farmers who were affected by the recent floods in Perlis at the Dewan 2020 here today, he said the ban on poultry imports from Thailand imposed three years ago was still in force.
He added that 10 chicken farms in the state operated by individuals and government agencies involving 15,000 birds had been checked so far but no signs of bird flu had been found.
Two More Admitted To HKL For Avian Influenza Tests, Says Chua
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 23 (Bernama) -- Two more people from Jalan Genting Klang in Gombak where the bird flu has surfaced were admitted to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) Thursday to undergo tests to determine if they had been infected by the deadly H5N1 virus.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek, in announcing this latest development, said the two were a 49-year-old woman and a 10-year-old boy.
"They have been placed in the isolation ward for observation," he told reporters after launching Nestle's latest health product, Nutren Balance Bar, here.
Dr Chua said that of the seven cases referred to HKL earlier, one had been allowed to return home Wednesday, four were discharged Thursday while one other person had been transferred to the normal ward after tests found he did not display any H5N1 symptoms.
"Overall, only four people remain at the isolation ward in HKL, the two who were admitted Thursday, a two year-old boy (admitted on Tuesday) and a 17-month-old toddler admitted Wednesday," said Dr Chua.
He said bird flu screening continued to be carried out by the Federal Territory and City Hall health departments.
So far 226 households involving 1,149 people at the JPJ and Danau Kota longhousing complexes had been screened, he said.
"Screening activities will continue for at least another week to ensure that these places are completely safe from the H5N1 virus," he said.
Dr Chua also stressed that there had been no human cases so far and that only fowls had been involved.
Meanwhile, Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Deputy Minister Datuk Mah Siew Keong said that a total of 2,227 chickens, 122 ducks, 102 birds and 516 eggs had been destroyed since Sunday night following the outbreak.
He said that all fowls within a one kilometre radius of the affected area in Jalan Genting-Klang would be culled by Sunday.
"I call on the villagers to help us reach our target by Sunday," he told reporters during his visit to Kampung Pasir Wardieburn, one of the four areas along Jalan Genting-Klang being monitored by the ministry for birds and fowls infected by the Avian Influenza virus.
He warned that the ministry would take action against anyone who smuggled out fowls or other birds from the affected areas.
Mah was earlier briefed on the monitoring and culling of fowls in the area by officers from City Hall's Health Department and the Veterinary Services Department (JPH).
A check by Bernama in Kampung Pasir Wardieburn found yet-to-be-caught chickens and even fighting cockerels roaming about.
City Hall's Health Department and JPH personnel also carried out inspections at Kampung Sri Kelantan and the Wardieburn Army Camp here.
A visit to the army camp found that it was home to three peacocks and four "serama" chickens, all kept in a large cage.
The camp's spokesman confirmed that City Hall and JPH had inspected the area earlier Thursday but said that since the birds were always confined in the cage they were not at risk.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek, in announcing this latest development, said the two were a 49-year-old woman and a 10-year-old boy.
"They have been placed in the isolation ward for observation," he told reporters after launching Nestle's latest health product, Nutren Balance Bar, here.
Dr Chua said that of the seven cases referred to HKL earlier, one had been allowed to return home Wednesday, four were discharged Thursday while one other person had been transferred to the normal ward after tests found he did not display any H5N1 symptoms.
"Overall, only four people remain at the isolation ward in HKL, the two who were admitted Thursday, a two year-old boy (admitted on Tuesday) and a 17-month-old toddler admitted Wednesday," said Dr Chua.
He said bird flu screening continued to be carried out by the Federal Territory and City Hall health departments.
So far 226 households involving 1,149 people at the JPJ and Danau Kota longhousing complexes had been screened, he said.
"Screening activities will continue for at least another week to ensure that these places are completely safe from the H5N1 virus," he said.
Dr Chua also stressed that there had been no human cases so far and that only fowls had been involved.
Meanwhile, Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Deputy Minister Datuk Mah Siew Keong said that a total of 2,227 chickens, 122 ducks, 102 birds and 516 eggs had been destroyed since Sunday night following the outbreak.
He said that all fowls within a one kilometre radius of the affected area in Jalan Genting-Klang would be culled by Sunday.
"I call on the villagers to help us reach our target by Sunday," he told reporters during his visit to Kampung Pasir Wardieburn, one of the four areas along Jalan Genting-Klang being monitored by the ministry for birds and fowls infected by the Avian Influenza virus.
He warned that the ministry would take action against anyone who smuggled out fowls or other birds from the affected areas.
Mah was earlier briefed on the monitoring and culling of fowls in the area by officers from City Hall's Health Department and the Veterinary Services Department (JPH).
A check by Bernama in Kampung Pasir Wardieburn found yet-to-be-caught chickens and even fighting cockerels roaming about.
City Hall's Health Department and JPH personnel also carried out inspections at Kampung Sri Kelantan and the Wardieburn Army Camp here.
A visit to the army camp found that it was home to three peacocks and four "serama" chickens, all kept in a large cage.
The camp's spokesman confirmed that City Hall and JPH had inspected the area earlier Thursday but said that since the birds were always confined in the cage they were not at risk.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Tests On Five People For Bird Flu Virus Prove Negative, Says Dr Chua
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 22 (Bernama) -- Tests conducted on five of the seven people admitted to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital to ascertain if they have been infected by the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus proved negative, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said Wednesday night.
He said the test results made available tonight showed the five people did not have any symptoms of being infected with the killer disease.
"All of them did not have fever. They may be discharged tomorrow," he said when speaking at his ministry's media award night.
However, the test results on two others, a two-year-old child and a seven-month-old baby, are not known. Nevertheless, they are reported to be in good health.
Dr Chua also said another suspected case, an 18-month-old child, has been admitted to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital for observation.
He said the test results made available tonight showed the five people did not have any symptoms of being infected with the killer disease.
"All of them did not have fever. They may be discharged tomorrow," he said when speaking at his ministry's media award night.
However, the test results on two others, a two-year-old child and a seven-month-old baby, are not known. Nevertheless, they are reported to be in good health.
Dr Chua also said another suspected case, an 18-month-old child, has been admitted to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital for observation.
836 Chickens, Ducks, Birds Culled In Bird Flu-Hit Areas
PUTRAJAYA, Feb 22 (Bernama) -- A total of 724 chickens, 58 ducks, 54 birds and 455 eggs have been destroyed since Sunday night after 40 chickens around Jalan Genting Klang in Setapak died of the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus.
Veterinary Services Department Acting Director-General Datuk Dr Mustapa Abdul Jalil said the culling operation was carried out within a 1km radius of Kampung Pasir Wardieburn.
It covered Taman Danau Kota, Pekan Danau Kota and the longhouses behind the Road Transport Department complex, he said.
Personnel from his department, Kuala Lumpur City Hall and the police were involved in the operation, he told reporters Wednesday.
Dr Mustapa said seven teams from the Selangor Veterinary Services Department were deployed Tuesday for surveillance and inspections in Gombak.
Besides visiting 38 premises rearing chickens and examining 824 fowls, 139 swab samples were also taken, he said.
He said the operation would be expanded in stages tomorrow to cover a 10km radius from Kampung Pasir Wardieburn up to Setapak in the north, Pudu in the south, Hulu Kelang in the east and Kepong in the west, he said.
The one-week large-scale surveillance would involve Veterinary Services Department staff nationwide, Universiti Putra Malaysia veterinary students and employees of various government agencies, he said.
All poultry farms in the country would be monitored closely though no bird flu virus had been detected there, he added.
The public can obtain information on bird flu by contacting 03-88702041 or 03-88702042 from 8am to 9pm daily.
Veterinary Services Department Acting Director-General Datuk Dr Mustapa Abdul Jalil said the culling operation was carried out within a 1km radius of Kampung Pasir Wardieburn.
It covered Taman Danau Kota, Pekan Danau Kota and the longhouses behind the Road Transport Department complex, he said.
Personnel from his department, Kuala Lumpur City Hall and the police were involved in the operation, he told reporters Wednesday.
Dr Mustapa said seven teams from the Selangor Veterinary Services Department were deployed Tuesday for surveillance and inspections in Gombak.
Besides visiting 38 premises rearing chickens and examining 824 fowls, 139 swab samples were also taken, he said.
He said the operation would be expanded in stages tomorrow to cover a 10km radius from Kampung Pasir Wardieburn up to Setapak in the north, Pudu in the south, Hulu Kelang in the east and Kepong in the west, he said.
The one-week large-scale surveillance would involve Veterinary Services Department staff nationwide, Universiti Putra Malaysia veterinary students and employees of various government agencies, he said.
All poultry farms in the country would be monitored closely though no bird flu virus had been detected there, he added.
The public can obtain information on bird flu by contacting 03-88702041 or 03-88702042 from 8am to 9pm daily.
MEDICAL REPORT FOR COMMERCIAL DRIVERS: Online reporting delayed
NST: Negotiations over cost are delaying the Road Transport Department’s plans to use a single company’s online system to handle medical reports for commercial drivers.
The system, developed by the company Pantai Supreme Systems, was to have been launched in September, but its proposed charges have met with objections from doctors and members of the transport industry.
The proposed fee could be as much as double what most doctors charge now for a medical examination of a commercial driver, they said.
Commercial drivers are required to pass medical examinations every year for their driving licences to be renewed. Those who are unfit or who do not want to be examined may submit medical reports whose authenticity are difficult to check.
The online system will allow clinics around the country to forward medical reports directly to the RTD. The concession for implementation of the system was awarded to Pantai Supreme last year.
"We are still in the final stages of discussion with RTD and the Malaysian Medical Association on the costing and the date to implement the system," said Pantai Supreme director Datuk Nordin Yahya.
Nordin declined to say how much the company would charge, saying he would leave the decision to the Malaysian Medical Association.
Pantai Supreme is owned by private healthcare group Pantai Holdings Bhd, which bought a 51 per cent stake in the company last year.
The MMA today said Pantai Supreme was planning to charge RM85 for the use of its online system to submit a medical report to the RTD. The cost includes a fixed RM35 fee for an examination by doctors on its panel, said MMA president Datuk Dr Teoh Siang Chin.
He said the plan would mean "higher costs for clients and the community". "We appeal to the minister to urgently review the terms of the award" to the concessionaire, he said in a statement today.
He also said the association opposed the fixed RM35 fee the company would pay doctors for medical examinations.
Pantai Supreme had advertised for doctors to join its panel last year.
Teoh also said the MMA was looking into other matters, such as screening methods and the reporting structure of the on-line system.
The MMA will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Pantai Supreme Systems once all the issues had been ironed out, he said.
Checking the authenticity of medical reports was a problem for the RTD, said Dr J.S. Deo, chairman of the Malaysian Doctors’ Co-operative Society Ltd. "In many cases, forging a medical report is as easy as replicating a rubber stamp," he explained.
Still, he criticised the award of the concession to one company. "It will have a virtual monopoly in the country."
He estimated that most clinics charged an average of RM30 for a check-up.
He stressed that Pantai Supreme could net more than RM30 million in profit from fees it would receive from Malaysia’s 900,000 commercial drivers who must renew their licences every year.
Another medical association, Primary Care Doctors Organisation Malaysia, also criticised the award, saying that it had developed a cheaper alternative with money from a government grant.
Produced on a RM1 million grant from the Science and Technology Ministry, its Primary Care system would cost much less to use.
"It could cost as little as RM1 to relay medical report from a clinic to the RTD," said the organisation president Dr Molly Cheah who was part of a team of 50 doctors who helped develop the system.
Pan Malaysia Lorry Operators Association president Er Sui See said medical exams conducted by companies’ own panel doctors can cost as little as RM5 to RM10.
"Once this system is introduced, doctors will have to be on (Pantai Supreme’s) panel. A standard fee will be charged and it is unlikely that it will be cheap," he said.
Er said RTD needed to audit the renewal process and make random checks. "RTD could always ask the doctor to fax a copy to them to verify."
Pan Malaysian Bus Operators’ Association president Datuk Mohd Ashfar Ali said it would oppose any move that would cause costs to exceed RM30. "We support the effort to make medical check-ups for drivers rigorous and tamper-proof. But charging an exorbitant price like RM85 would be simply ridiculous."
RTD director-general Datuk Emran Kadir declined to comment on Pantai Supreme’s fees.
The system, developed by the company Pantai Supreme Systems, was to have been launched in September, but its proposed charges have met with objections from doctors and members of the transport industry.
The proposed fee could be as much as double what most doctors charge now for a medical examination of a commercial driver, they said.
Commercial drivers are required to pass medical examinations every year for their driving licences to be renewed. Those who are unfit or who do not want to be examined may submit medical reports whose authenticity are difficult to check.
The online system will allow clinics around the country to forward medical reports directly to the RTD. The concession for implementation of the system was awarded to Pantai Supreme last year.
"We are still in the final stages of discussion with RTD and the Malaysian Medical Association on the costing and the date to implement the system," said Pantai Supreme director Datuk Nordin Yahya.
Nordin declined to say how much the company would charge, saying he would leave the decision to the Malaysian Medical Association.
Pantai Supreme is owned by private healthcare group Pantai Holdings Bhd, which bought a 51 per cent stake in the company last year.
The MMA today said Pantai Supreme was planning to charge RM85 for the use of its online system to submit a medical report to the RTD. The cost includes a fixed RM35 fee for an examination by doctors on its panel, said MMA president Datuk Dr Teoh Siang Chin.
He said the plan would mean "higher costs for clients and the community". "We appeal to the minister to urgently review the terms of the award" to the concessionaire, he said in a statement today.
He also said the association opposed the fixed RM35 fee the company would pay doctors for medical examinations.
Pantai Supreme had advertised for doctors to join its panel last year.
Teoh also said the MMA was looking into other matters, such as screening methods and the reporting structure of the on-line system.
The MMA will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Pantai Supreme Systems once all the issues had been ironed out, he said.
Checking the authenticity of medical reports was a problem for the RTD, said Dr J.S. Deo, chairman of the Malaysian Doctors’ Co-operative Society Ltd. "In many cases, forging a medical report is as easy as replicating a rubber stamp," he explained.
Still, he criticised the award of the concession to one company. "It will have a virtual monopoly in the country."
He estimated that most clinics charged an average of RM30 for a check-up.
He stressed that Pantai Supreme could net more than RM30 million in profit from fees it would receive from Malaysia’s 900,000 commercial drivers who must renew their licences every year.
Another medical association, Primary Care Doctors Organisation Malaysia, also criticised the award, saying that it had developed a cheaper alternative with money from a government grant.
Produced on a RM1 million grant from the Science and Technology Ministry, its Primary Care system would cost much less to use.
"It could cost as little as RM1 to relay medical report from a clinic to the RTD," said the organisation president Dr Molly Cheah who was part of a team of 50 doctors who helped develop the system.
Pan Malaysia Lorry Operators Association president Er Sui See said medical exams conducted by companies’ own panel doctors can cost as little as RM5 to RM10.
"Once this system is introduced, doctors will have to be on (Pantai Supreme’s) panel. A standard fee will be charged and it is unlikely that it will be cheap," he said.
Er said RTD needed to audit the renewal process and make random checks. "RTD could always ask the doctor to fax a copy to them to verify."
Pan Malaysian Bus Operators’ Association president Datuk Mohd Ashfar Ali said it would oppose any move that would cause costs to exceed RM30. "We support the effort to make medical check-ups for drivers rigorous and tamper-proof. But charging an exorbitant price like RM85 would be simply ridiculous."
RTD director-general Datuk Emran Kadir declined to comment on Pantai Supreme’s fees.
AIDS awareness crucial
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Although social discrimination against AIDS is difficult to change, efforts by large organisations can help eliminate stigmatisation facing the HIV-positive, said Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF) chairman Prof Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman.
“After 20 years of this AIDS epidemic most people are still ignorant, and you'd be surprised how little they know,” she said at a cheque-giving ceremony at the Renaissance Hotel here yesterday.
Dr Adeeba received a RM42,656 donation from the Hope Campaign launched in four Renaissance hotels last October.
The funds were raised through sales of MAF merchandise and collections in donation boxes.
The funds will be channelled to the Circle of Hope Funds that finances the Paediatric AIDS Scheme, the People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) Drug Assistance Scheme and PLWHA Business Assistance Scheme.
Under the PLWHA Business Assistance Scheme, people living with AIDS will be given RM1,000 to start a small business as a way to support themselves.
“We have the financial support for our programme, however what is also important is the awareness that is generated through this fund-raising programme organised by Renaissance Hotels and Resorts in Malaysia,” she stressed.
To generate a keener awareness in society of the AIDS epidemic, Dr Adeeba said two things had to be addressed to ensure success.
“The first is to generate general awareness via the print media and TV.
“The second is to identify high-risk groups like those in the sex industry. We have to identify the groups to use different messages to communicate effectively with them,” she said
Also present at the ceremony were general managers Robert Frager of Renaissance Kuala Lumpur, Phillip Chee of Renaissance Kota Baru, George Varughese of Renaissance Malacca, Boyd Barker of Miri Marriott & Spa and Rajkumar Balamanickam of MAF.
“After 20 years of this AIDS epidemic most people are still ignorant, and you'd be surprised how little they know,” she said at a cheque-giving ceremony at the Renaissance Hotel here yesterday.
Dr Adeeba received a RM42,656 donation from the Hope Campaign launched in four Renaissance hotels last October.
The funds were raised through sales of MAF merchandise and collections in donation boxes.
The funds will be channelled to the Circle of Hope Funds that finances the Paediatric AIDS Scheme, the People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) Drug Assistance Scheme and PLWHA Business Assistance Scheme.
Under the PLWHA Business Assistance Scheme, people living with AIDS will be given RM1,000 to start a small business as a way to support themselves.
“We have the financial support for our programme, however what is also important is the awareness that is generated through this fund-raising programme organised by Renaissance Hotels and Resorts in Malaysia,” she stressed.
To generate a keener awareness in society of the AIDS epidemic, Dr Adeeba said two things had to be addressed to ensure success.
“The first is to generate general awareness via the print media and TV.
“The second is to identify high-risk groups like those in the sex industry. We have to identify the groups to use different messages to communicate effectively with them,” she said
Also present at the ceremony were general managers Robert Frager of Renaissance Kuala Lumpur, Phillip Chee of Renaissance Kota Baru, George Varughese of Renaissance Malacca, Boyd Barker of Miri Marriott & Spa and Rajkumar Balamanickam of MAF.
Eight warded as precaution
Star: PUTRAJAYA: Eight people, including six children, have been warded at Kuala Lumpur Hospital since Tuesday for symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection following the outbreak of the H5N1 strain of avian flu in Jalan Genting Klang.
All were from different households within the area where the outbreak occurred and all had been exposed to sick chickens. They are aged from two months to 57 years.
Three other people earlier warded for observation have been discharged.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said among those warded was a seven-month baby who showed no signs of having contracted the flu and was allowed to return home yesterday.
He said five others, who tested negative of the H5N1 virus, would be discharged today while results of the seventh patient was pending.
He also said a 17-month-old toddler was placed under observation yesterday and the results of the test would be known today.
“I want to stress that these patients are not yet confirmed cases and are warded as a precautionary measure,” he told reporters here yesterday.
“We have already sent samples to the Institute for Medical Research for tests and the results will be known tomorrow (today).
“They have been put in separate wards specially for bird flu patients. So far, our 11 teams of ministry staff have conducted door-to-door searches of 161 houses comprising 916 residents within the affected area.
“The door-to-door search for those with flu symptoms will continue for seven days.”
Dr Chua said the ministry had also decided to extend its surveillance to residents living outside the immediate 300m radius.
“We will have a 14-day public campaign to encourage those who feel sick or feverish to go for further check-ups at Kuala Lumpur Hospital or other designated hospitals,” he said, adding that so far there was still no need to quarantine residents in the affected area.
The National Operations Room for avian flu had also been activated and those feeling sick or needing more information could call the hotline at 03-8888 6212, he said.
However, he reminded the public that the country was still at “level one” alert as there had been no confirmed cases of avian flu among humans.
“We have not sought any advice from the World Health Organisation as we feel that it’s an isolated incident and we are capable of handling it,” he said.
The ministry had decided that only Dr Chua, health director-general Datuk Dr Mohamad Ismail Merican and its disease control division director Dr Ramlee Rahmat would be allowed to give the media details of any avian flu cases.
Yesterday, the Health and Veterinary Services Departments continued to cull and carry out door-to-door checks on the four villages.
All were from different households within the area where the outbreak occurred and all had been exposed to sick chickens. They are aged from two months to 57 years.
Three other people earlier warded for observation have been discharged.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said among those warded was a seven-month baby who showed no signs of having contracted the flu and was allowed to return home yesterday.
He said five others, who tested negative of the H5N1 virus, would be discharged today while results of the seventh patient was pending.
He also said a 17-month-old toddler was placed under observation yesterday and the results of the test would be known today.
“I want to stress that these patients are not yet confirmed cases and are warded as a precautionary measure,” he told reporters here yesterday.
“We have already sent samples to the Institute for Medical Research for tests and the results will be known tomorrow (today).
“They have been put in separate wards specially for bird flu patients. So far, our 11 teams of ministry staff have conducted door-to-door searches of 161 houses comprising 916 residents within the affected area.
“The door-to-door search for those with flu symptoms will continue for seven days.”
Dr Chua said the ministry had also decided to extend its surveillance to residents living outside the immediate 300m radius.
“We will have a 14-day public campaign to encourage those who feel sick or feverish to go for further check-ups at Kuala Lumpur Hospital or other designated hospitals,” he said, adding that so far there was still no need to quarantine residents in the affected area.
The National Operations Room for avian flu had also been activated and those feeling sick or needing more information could call the hotline at 03-8888 6212, he said.
However, he reminded the public that the country was still at “level one” alert as there had been no confirmed cases of avian flu among humans.
“We have not sought any advice from the World Health Organisation as we feel that it’s an isolated incident and we are capable of handling it,” he said.
The ministry had decided that only Dr Chua, health director-general Datuk Dr Mohamad Ismail Merican and its disease control division director Dr Ramlee Rahmat would be allowed to give the media details of any avian flu cases.
Yesterday, the Health and Veterinary Services Departments continued to cull and carry out door-to-door checks on the four villages.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Seven People Warded At KL Hospital For Bird-flu Tests
PUTRAJAYA, Feb 22 (Bernama) -- Seven people showing signs of upper respiratory tract infections from the bird-flu hit area in Jalan Genting Klang, Kuala Lumpur, have been warded at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital and are undergoing tests to ascertain whether they have been infected by the deadly H5N1 virus.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said that the results of the tests conducted on the two adults and five children aged between two months to 12 years would be known by tomorrow morning at the latest.
"We have sent 11 teams to the area and so far they have checked 161 houses and interviewed or screened 916 residents there," he told a news conference here Wednesday.
The minister said initially 10 people complained of having a fever, sore throat or coughs but after being referred to the hospital, three of them were later found to be fine and sent home.
Forty free range chickens from villages in the area had died of the H5N1 virus and intensive house-to-house screenings have started within a 300m radius of the area. The villages are Kampung Wirajaya, Kampung Pasir Wardieburn, Kampung Danau Kota and Kampung Belakang JPJ.
The seven admitted to the KLH comprises three Malays and four Indians, he said, adding that the two adults were aged 52 and 57-years old.
"I want to stress that they are not confirmed avian influenza cases," he said in cautioning the media not to misreport on the situation or seek to take photographs or interview them at the hospital.
He said active surveillance within the 300m radius of the affected area would last for seven days while passive surveillance was being conducted in areas beyond that boundary and this would go on for two weeks.
The latter, he said, involved educating residents to go for health checks if they experienced fever, sore throat or coughing and surrender their chickens, ducks or other birds to the Veterinary Services Department.
To a question, Dr Chua said that no quarantine order had been issued so far.
The minister said he did not yet have information on the exact number of houses within the 300m radius.
"We will cover all of them but better still, if residents have flu-like symptoms, they should report it to the authorities," he said, adding that an operation room in the affected area had been jointly set up by the ministry and the Veterinary Services Department.
Saying that the seven residents had been put in a special ward, Dr Chua noted that the KLH was ready to handle bird-flu cases, if any.
In addition, he said, the Institute of Medical Research had been directed to be on the ready to receive clinical samples for tests.
To a question, he said that Malaysia was prepared to handle the bird flu disease and that it had not asked for outside help so far.
A national operation centre has been activated and it can be reached at 03-88886212/6213.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said that the results of the tests conducted on the two adults and five children aged between two months to 12 years would be known by tomorrow morning at the latest.
"We have sent 11 teams to the area and so far they have checked 161 houses and interviewed or screened 916 residents there," he told a news conference here Wednesday.
The minister said initially 10 people complained of having a fever, sore throat or coughs but after being referred to the hospital, three of them were later found to be fine and sent home.
Forty free range chickens from villages in the area had died of the H5N1 virus and intensive house-to-house screenings have started within a 300m radius of the area. The villages are Kampung Wirajaya, Kampung Pasir Wardieburn, Kampung Danau Kota and Kampung Belakang JPJ.
The seven admitted to the KLH comprises three Malays and four Indians, he said, adding that the two adults were aged 52 and 57-years old.
"I want to stress that they are not confirmed avian influenza cases," he said in cautioning the media not to misreport on the situation or seek to take photographs or interview them at the hospital.
He said active surveillance within the 300m radius of the affected area would last for seven days while passive surveillance was being conducted in areas beyond that boundary and this would go on for two weeks.
The latter, he said, involved educating residents to go for health checks if they experienced fever, sore throat or coughing and surrender their chickens, ducks or other birds to the Veterinary Services Department.
To a question, Dr Chua said that no quarantine order had been issued so far.
The minister said he did not yet have information on the exact number of houses within the 300m radius.
"We will cover all of them but better still, if residents have flu-like symptoms, they should report it to the authorities," he said, adding that an operation room in the affected area had been jointly set up by the ministry and the Veterinary Services Department.
Saying that the seven residents had been put in a special ward, Dr Chua noted that the KLH was ready to handle bird-flu cases, if any.
In addition, he said, the Institute of Medical Research had been directed to be on the ready to receive clinical samples for tests.
To a question, he said that Malaysia was prepared to handle the bird flu disease and that it had not asked for outside help so far.
A national operation centre has been activated and it can be reached at 03-88886212/6213.
MAKNA Giving RM200,000 Grant To Study Cooking Methods
KUALA LUMPUR, 22 Feb (Bernama) -- The National Cancer Council (MAKNA) will provide a RM200,000 grant to Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)'s food technology researchers to study cooking methods that can reduce the risk of cancer.
MAKNA president Datuk Mohamed Farid Ariffin said the study would begin this year and was expected to be completed in two years.
"In western countries, there are studies that show that open grilling can cause cancer but we don't know the Malaysian method.
"Maybe there are ways of cooking that will cause cancer. We don't know yet. So, a study will be carried out," he told reporters after the presentation of Makna Cancer Research Awards worth between RM30,000 and RM40,000 each to three local researchers at the Academy of Sciences Malaysia.
The recipients are Dr Yap Toke Yeow and Masriana Hassan from UPM and Dr Mohamed Zulkefeli Mat Jusoh from Universiti Teknologi Mara. They were selected from 27 applicants.
Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Kong Cho Ha gave out the awards.
MAKNA president Datuk Mohamed Farid Ariffin said the study would begin this year and was expected to be completed in two years.
"In western countries, there are studies that show that open grilling can cause cancer but we don't know the Malaysian method.
"Maybe there are ways of cooking that will cause cancer. We don't know yet. So, a study will be carried out," he told reporters after the presentation of Makna Cancer Research Awards worth between RM30,000 and RM40,000 each to three local researchers at the Academy of Sciences Malaysia.
The recipients are Dr Yap Toke Yeow and Masriana Hassan from UPM and Dr Mohamed Zulkefeli Mat Jusoh from Universiti Teknologi Mara. They were selected from 27 applicants.
Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Kong Cho Ha gave out the awards.
Makna President Declines Comment On RM1bln Pledged Donation
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 22 (Bernama) -- Whether the National Cancer Council (Makna) has received the pledged donation of RM1 billion, or even a part of the sum, from self-proclaimed billionaire, Lebanese Elie Yousef Najim, has yet to be ascertained.
Makna President Datuk Mohd Farid Ariffin, when met by reporters, here Wednesday, declined to say whether the payment had been made.
"Deep in my heart, I always hope for people's help. I don't question their intention as long as it's halal," he said.
Despite repeated prompting by reporters, Mohd Farid declined comment when met after a Makna Cancer Research Award presentation ceremony at the National Science Academy here: "Mulut saya tutup (my lips are sealed), no comment".
"Sorry, I can't say anything. Let Makna go," he said when asked whether the money pledged by Elie had been deposited into the council's account.
Mohd Farid did say, however, that he had spoken to Elie after Elie had told the press that he would credit part of the pledged amount into Makna's account.
"We did talk to each other" is all that Mohd Farid said when asked what had transpired during their conversation.
Elie, 45, who claimed to be a billionaire and a doctor, captured newspaper headlines last month after announcing a donation of US$275 million (RM1.03 billion) to Makna to build a cancer treatment and research hospital.
The news attracted much reaction from the public, and some people came forward to complain that they had been cheated by the Lebanese.
Elie has been investigated by the police in connection with the numerous alleged cheating cases.
Makna President Datuk Mohd Farid Ariffin, when met by reporters, here Wednesday, declined to say whether the payment had been made.
"Deep in my heart, I always hope for people's help. I don't question their intention as long as it's halal," he said.
Despite repeated prompting by reporters, Mohd Farid declined comment when met after a Makna Cancer Research Award presentation ceremony at the National Science Academy here: "Mulut saya tutup (my lips are sealed), no comment".
"Sorry, I can't say anything. Let Makna go," he said when asked whether the money pledged by Elie had been deposited into the council's account.
Mohd Farid did say, however, that he had spoken to Elie after Elie had told the press that he would credit part of the pledged amount into Makna's account.
"We did talk to each other" is all that Mohd Farid said when asked what had transpired during their conversation.
Elie, 45, who claimed to be a billionaire and a doctor, captured newspaper headlines last month after announcing a donation of US$275 million (RM1.03 billion) to Makna to build a cancer treatment and research hospital.
The news attracted much reaction from the public, and some people came forward to complain that they had been cheated by the Lebanese.
Elie has been investigated by the police in connection with the numerous alleged cheating cases.
Officers check Setapak homes
Star: PUTRAJAYA: Health officers are going from house to house to check for flu symptoms among the residents within a 300m radius of the area in Jalan Genting Klang in Setapak where 40 kampung (free range) chickens died of the H5N1 strain of the avian flu.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL), one of the 21 centres designated to care for bird flu patients, had been put on standby.
“Our staff from the Federal Territory health division and officers from City Hall will be checking on residents there for any signs of fever or flu, and if necessary we will refer them to HKL,” he told reporters after launching the National Nutritional Policy here yesterday.
“We have also asked the Institute for Medical Research to be prepared to test large samples for signs of the virus.”
At press time, nine people aged between seven months and 57 have been warded at HKL for observation. They showed symptoms of flu, including cough and fever.
Dr Chua advised the public not to panic and to remain calm over the latest incidents.
“We have yet to determine the number of houses or staff involved in this operation. We are giving them a guarantee that our staff at federal and district levels are ready to deal with any eventuality,” he said.
“I want to advise the public not to listen to rumours. We will follow the Prime Minister’s directive and be transparent about bird flu cases.
“So far, no cases of infection among humans have been detected,” he stressed.
Dr Chua said the Veterinary Services Department had also been directed to cull chickens that might have been infected as soon as possible.
“This is to prevent chicken breeders from attempting to hide their livestock,” he said, adding that farmers who felt sick or feverish should also go to hospital for a check-up.
On Jan 9, the Government laun-ched the National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan to tackle the possibility of avian flu being detected in the country. Under the plan, farmers are encouraged to report to the authorities any deaths of poultry.
A simulation exercise to test the national preparedness for avian flu was to have taken place next month.
Meanwhile, demand for Tamiflu, one of the four drugs that work against the flu, rose in Setapak and Gombak pharmacies.
“There was a rush for the drug when I opened for business this morning (yesterday),” a pharmacist operating in Gombak said.
He said people were worried and “stocking up the drug as a precautionary measure.”
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL), one of the 21 centres designated to care for bird flu patients, had been put on standby.
“Our staff from the Federal Territory health division and officers from City Hall will be checking on residents there for any signs of fever or flu, and if necessary we will refer them to HKL,” he told reporters after launching the National Nutritional Policy here yesterday.
“We have also asked the Institute for Medical Research to be prepared to test large samples for signs of the virus.”
At press time, nine people aged between seven months and 57 have been warded at HKL for observation. They showed symptoms of flu, including cough and fever.
Dr Chua advised the public not to panic and to remain calm over the latest incidents.
“We have yet to determine the number of houses or staff involved in this operation. We are giving them a guarantee that our staff at federal and district levels are ready to deal with any eventuality,” he said.
“I want to advise the public not to listen to rumours. We will follow the Prime Minister’s directive and be transparent about bird flu cases.
“So far, no cases of infection among humans have been detected,” he stressed.
Dr Chua said the Veterinary Services Department had also been directed to cull chickens that might have been infected as soon as possible.
“This is to prevent chicken breeders from attempting to hide their livestock,” he said, adding that farmers who felt sick or feverish should also go to hospital for a check-up.
On Jan 9, the Government laun-ched the National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan to tackle the possibility of avian flu being detected in the country. Under the plan, farmers are encouraged to report to the authorities any deaths of poultry.
A simulation exercise to test the national preparedness for avian flu was to have taken place next month.
Meanwhile, demand for Tamiflu, one of the four drugs that work against the flu, rose in Setapak and Gombak pharmacies.
“There was a rush for the drug when I opened for business this morning (yesterday),” a pharmacist operating in Gombak said.
He said people were worried and “stocking up the drug as a precautionary measure.”
Handle chickens carefully
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Health Ministry infectious disease control department director Dr Ramlee Rahmat urged people to practise personal hygiene when dealing with chickens or any other birds.
“Handle the chickens properly, use a face mask if necessary and clean yourself after handling chicken, especially their faeces,” he added.
Dr Ramlee said they were now in the active detection mode and were going door to door near Jalan Genting Klang to check for any bird flu symptoms.
“The team has to look out for people who need further investigation; they will be sent to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital. We have to isolate and admit them for further treatment to check if their symptoms were of normal flu or of the H5N1 virus,” he said.
Dr Ramlee said, so far, they had no confirmation of anyone being infected with the virus.
On whether a human can get the virus from a bird, he said it would not be easy, but also depended on how close they were to the chickens.
“If you look at the other countries, there is a big difference between the number of chickens affected and the number of humans with the virus,” he noted.
“Passers-by should not be worried that they will catch the virus just because they see a chicken. Nevertheless, we want to take all safety measures necessary to ensure no one is infected.”
Norasiah Alang has been staying in Taman Sang Kancil in Kampung Pasir Wardieburn for the last 18 years but never before has she seen such busy activities there in such a short period of time.
“So many people visited us today, including health officials and the media. The health officials came to our house and asked about our well-being, if we were suffering from cough, flu or fever since Chinese New Year.”
All the houses visited by the officials were marked with a sticker to indicate that the household had been visited.
“Handle the chickens properly, use a face mask if necessary and clean yourself after handling chicken, especially their faeces,” he added.
Dr Ramlee said they were now in the active detection mode and were going door to door near Jalan Genting Klang to check for any bird flu symptoms.
“The team has to look out for people who need further investigation; they will be sent to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital. We have to isolate and admit them for further treatment to check if their symptoms were of normal flu or of the H5N1 virus,” he said.
Dr Ramlee said, so far, they had no confirmation of anyone being infected with the virus.
On whether a human can get the virus from a bird, he said it would not be easy, but also depended on how close they were to the chickens.
“If you look at the other countries, there is a big difference between the number of chickens affected and the number of humans with the virus,” he noted.
“Passers-by should not be worried that they will catch the virus just because they see a chicken. Nevertheless, we want to take all safety measures necessary to ensure no one is infected.”
Norasiah Alang has been staying in Taman Sang Kancil in Kampung Pasir Wardieburn for the last 18 years but never before has she seen such busy activities there in such a short period of time.
“So many people visited us today, including health officials and the media. The health officials came to our house and asked about our well-being, if we were suffering from cough, flu or fever since Chinese New Year.”
All the houses visited by the officials were marked with a sticker to indicate that the household had been visited.
Strict watch on villages
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: A safety ring has been thrown around a 10km radius of the bird flu-hit villages in Setapak here to contain the deadly H5N1 virus as culling of chickens, ducks and other birds continued till the wee hours today.
At press time, there was no report of any resident within a 300m radius of the Jalan Genting Klang area, where 40 kampung chickens were found dead with the strain, being infected by the deadly virus.
Deputy Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Mah Siew Keong said the 10km surveillance ring was to ensure that the virus did not spread beyond the affected villages.
Between 11pm on Monday and 5am yesterday, the Veterinary Services Department had culled 495 chickens and ducks within a 1km radius of the affected four villages – Kg Belakang JPJ, Kg Wira Jaya, Kg Pasir Wardieburn and Kg Danau Kota.
As a precautionary measure, the department also took fluid samples from 400 birds within and outside the area where the N5H1 virus was discovered.
“We are carrying out a 24-hour surveillance within a 1km radius of the villages where the birds were found dead with the H5N1 virus,” said deputy secretary-general of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Ministry Sukandar Abdul Latif.
“There are no new deaths of chickens, ducks or birds at the villages, and we are monitoring the birds at the National Zoo.”
The surveillance is expected to continue for the next 21 days – the time needed to determine if an area is free of the virus.
An operations centre, headed by Dr Abu Hasan Mohd Ali, had been set up, along with a hotline for the public to report bird deaths.
Villagers at the affected areas continued with their day-to-day business.
Health Ministry disease control division director Dr Ramlee Rahmat said the team conducting the house to house health checks would know by today how many people, if any, had been infected by the virus.
At press time, there was no report of any resident within a 300m radius of the Jalan Genting Klang area, where 40 kampung chickens were found dead with the strain, being infected by the deadly virus.
Deputy Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Mah Siew Keong said the 10km surveillance ring was to ensure that the virus did not spread beyond the affected villages.
Between 11pm on Monday and 5am yesterday, the Veterinary Services Department had culled 495 chickens and ducks within a 1km radius of the affected four villages – Kg Belakang JPJ, Kg Wira Jaya, Kg Pasir Wardieburn and Kg Danau Kota.
As a precautionary measure, the department also took fluid samples from 400 birds within and outside the area where the N5H1 virus was discovered.
“We are carrying out a 24-hour surveillance within a 1km radius of the villages where the birds were found dead with the H5N1 virus,” said deputy secretary-general of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Ministry Sukandar Abdul Latif.
“There are no new deaths of chickens, ducks or birds at the villages, and we are monitoring the birds at the National Zoo.”
The surveillance is expected to continue for the next 21 days – the time needed to determine if an area is free of the virus.
An operations centre, headed by Dr Abu Hasan Mohd Ali, had been set up, along with a hotline for the public to report bird deaths.
Villagers at the affected areas continued with their day-to-day business.
Health Ministry disease control division director Dr Ramlee Rahmat said the team conducting the house to house health checks would know by today how many people, if any, had been infected by the virus.
Source Of Virus To Be Known In Two Weeks
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 22 (Bernama) -- The source of the avian influenza H5N1 virus found at Batu 4 1/2 Jalan Genting Kelang, here would be known within the next two weeks, said the Deputy Director of the Selangor Veterinary Services Department, Datuk Dr Aziz Jamaluddin.
He said the result would also ascertain the type of avian influenza virus which was now being studied by the Veterinary Research Institute in Ipoh, Perak.
"We have to ascertain the form and pattern of the virus, whether it is the same as the virus which had affected Kelantan, Indonesia, Vietnam or Thailand to find out where the virus came from," he told reporters during the operation to round up poultry in Setapak, here Tuesday night.
Monday, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin described the death of 40 free-range chicken at Jalan Genting Kelang as isolated cases and there was no cause for panic.
"The virus cannot live in the host, that is poultry, that had been fried, cooked or roasted. The bottom line is that the poultry must be cooked in temperature exceeding 80 degrees celsius to ensure that the avian influenza virus is killed," he said.
On the operation to round up the poultry, he said it started at 11 pm involving 80 personnel from the Veterinary Services Department and Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) covering areas in Taman Danau Kota, Pekan Danau Kota and Kampung Pasir Wardieburn in Setapak.
He said the result would also ascertain the type of avian influenza virus which was now being studied by the Veterinary Research Institute in Ipoh, Perak.
"We have to ascertain the form and pattern of the virus, whether it is the same as the virus which had affected Kelantan, Indonesia, Vietnam or Thailand to find out where the virus came from," he told reporters during the operation to round up poultry in Setapak, here Tuesday night.
Monday, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin described the death of 40 free-range chicken at Jalan Genting Kelang as isolated cases and there was no cause for panic.
"The virus cannot live in the host, that is poultry, that had been fried, cooked or roasted. The bottom line is that the poultry must be cooked in temperature exceeding 80 degrees celsius to ensure that the avian influenza virus is killed," he said.
On the operation to round up the poultry, he said it started at 11 pm involving 80 personnel from the Veterinary Services Department and Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) covering areas in Taman Danau Kota, Pekan Danau Kota and Kampung Pasir Wardieburn in Setapak.
Ministry going all out to fight obesity
Star: PUTRAJAYA: The National Nutritional Policy aims to reduce the number of overweight children to less than 10%, and adults to less than 30%, of the population by 2016.
At the same time, it hopes to reduce obesity among Malaysians to not more than 15% of the population.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said a survey of those aged between 19 and 59 showed that the percentage of overweight and obese Malaysians was 39% in 2003, up from 20% in 1996.
“At the same time, the number of people doing thrice weekly exercises of 20 minutes increased marginally from 12% to 14%,” he said after launching the policy here yesterday.
“The average weight of Malaysians is now 63kg. We have to seriously change the way we eat.”
At the same time, it hopes to reduce obesity among Malaysians to not more than 15% of the population.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said a survey of those aged between 19 and 59 showed that the percentage of overweight and obese Malaysians was 39% in 2003, up from 20% in 1996.
“At the same time, the number of people doing thrice weekly exercises of 20 minutes increased marginally from 12% to 14%,” he said after launching the policy here yesterday.
“The average weight of Malaysians is now 63kg. We have to seriously change the way we eat.”
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Health Ministry Advises Lens Users To Discontinue Using ReNu Solution
SINGAPORE, Feb 21 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry has strongly advised contact lens users to discontinue the use of Bausch & Lomb (S) Pte Ltd (B & L) ReNu multipurpose contact lens solution following a recent case of contact lens-related fungal corneal infections.
The ministry said that the advice was a precautionary measure until the causes behind the recent increase in infections could be more clearly ascertained.
"B & L will advise consumers on what to do with existing stocks of their product," it said in a statement.
In the meanwhile, contact lens users were advised to practise proper contact lens care while those who have experienced any symptoms of infection, such as redness of eyes or pain or itchiness, should consult a doctor immediately.
The ministry said that investigations were ongoing on the matter.
"B & L has voluntarily suspended sales of its ReNu multipurpose solution, and is cooperating with the Ministry of Health and Health Science Authority in the investigations," the ministry said.
As of Monday, there were 39 cases of fungal corneal infection with a history of contact lens use.
Out of the 39 cases, 34 said that they had used ReNu, four were unsure of the brand of contact lens solution they used and one had used a different bran
The ministry said that the advice was a precautionary measure until the causes behind the recent increase in infections could be more clearly ascertained.
"B & L will advise consumers on what to do with existing stocks of their product," it said in a statement.
In the meanwhile, contact lens users were advised to practise proper contact lens care while those who have experienced any symptoms of infection, such as redness of eyes or pain or itchiness, should consult a doctor immediately.
The ministry said that investigations were ongoing on the matter.
"B & L has voluntarily suspended sales of its ReNu multipurpose solution, and is cooperating with the Ministry of Health and Health Science Authority in the investigations," the ministry said.
As of Monday, there were 39 cases of fungal corneal infection with a history of contact lens use.
Out of the 39 cases, 34 said that they had used ReNu, four were unsure of the brand of contact lens solution they used and one had used a different bran
Health Ministry Mounts Surveillance In Gombak To Check Bird Flu
PUTRAJAYA, Feb 21 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry launched passive and active surveillance in Gombak Tuesday after the bird flu virus was detected in free-range chickens at 4 1/2 Mile Jalan Genting Kelang.
Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the surveillance would cover a 300m radius from chicken pens where the infected chickens were found.
The surveillance method was similar to that exercised in Tumpat previously, he told reporters here.
He said the Veterinary Services Department had begun to cull fowls in Kampung Pasir Wardieburn, Taman Danau Kota, Pekan Danau Kota and Kampung Belakang JPJ.
The Kuala Lumpur Health Department and City Hall would carry out close surveillance and house-to-house inspections to find out if anyone had fallen sick, he said.
"If necessary, those who are sick will be referred to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital," he said.
Dr Chua said the KL Hospital had been instructed to take preparatory measures as it was among the hospitals with adequate facilities and equipment to treat patients infected with avian influenza.
Yesterday, Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said 40 free-range chickens died of the H5N1 avian influenza virus at 4 1/2 Mile Jalan Genting Kelang last week.
The public need not worry as it was an isolated case and did not involve humans, he said.
Dr Chua said the Institute for Medical Research (IMR) had also been instructed to be ready to conduct tests on possible cases as quickly as possible.
He said the ministry had not been able to determine how many houses or people would be placed under surveillance at present.
"Maybe by this afternoon, we'll know how many," he said.
Dr Chua said the ministry and the Kuala Lumpur Health Department would be on the alert for any possible bird flu case on humans.
"If there is any, we will announce it in the electronic and print media," he said.
"We will abide by the prime minister's call for transparency and openness. So, no one should speculate or make assumptions," he said.
Earlier, Dr Chua launched the National Dietary Policy and opened the 2nd National Dietary Action Plan Forum.
Meanwhile, in KUALA LUMPUR, Dr Chua told reporters before an MCA presidential council meeting that chicken that had been properly cooked was safe for consumption.
So far, there was no case of humans being infected with avian influenza after eating cooked chicken, he said.
"Most of them (those infected with the H5N1 virus overseas) are poultry farmers, who have close association with the chickens, rather than from eating chicken meat," he said.
Meanwhile, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said all the government agencies had been placed on alert to tackle the latest isolated case.
He said the local authorities had been asked to give their fullest cooperation to the leading agencies such as the Veterinary Services Department and Health Department in handling the matter.
Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the surveillance would cover a 300m radius from chicken pens where the infected chickens were found.
The surveillance method was similar to that exercised in Tumpat previously, he told reporters here.
He said the Veterinary Services Department had begun to cull fowls in Kampung Pasir Wardieburn, Taman Danau Kota, Pekan Danau Kota and Kampung Belakang JPJ.
The Kuala Lumpur Health Department and City Hall would carry out close surveillance and house-to-house inspections to find out if anyone had fallen sick, he said.
"If necessary, those who are sick will be referred to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital," he said.
Dr Chua said the KL Hospital had been instructed to take preparatory measures as it was among the hospitals with adequate facilities and equipment to treat patients infected with avian influenza.
Yesterday, Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said 40 free-range chickens died of the H5N1 avian influenza virus at 4 1/2 Mile Jalan Genting Kelang last week.
The public need not worry as it was an isolated case and did not involve humans, he said.
Dr Chua said the Institute for Medical Research (IMR) had also been instructed to be ready to conduct tests on possible cases as quickly as possible.
He said the ministry had not been able to determine how many houses or people would be placed under surveillance at present.
"Maybe by this afternoon, we'll know how many," he said.
Dr Chua said the ministry and the Kuala Lumpur Health Department would be on the alert for any possible bird flu case on humans.
"If there is any, we will announce it in the electronic and print media," he said.
"We will abide by the prime minister's call for transparency and openness. So, no one should speculate or make assumptions," he said.
Earlier, Dr Chua launched the National Dietary Policy and opened the 2nd National Dietary Action Plan Forum.
Meanwhile, in KUALA LUMPUR, Dr Chua told reporters before an MCA presidential council meeting that chicken that had been properly cooked was safe for consumption.
So far, there was no case of humans being infected with avian influenza after eating cooked chicken, he said.
"Most of them (those infected with the H5N1 virus overseas) are poultry farmers, who have close association with the chickens, rather than from eating chicken meat," he said.
Meanwhile, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said all the government agencies had been placed on alert to tackle the latest isolated case.
He said the local authorities had been asked to give their fullest cooperation to the leading agencies such as the Veterinary Services Department and Health Department in handling the matter.
Muhyiddin Says Bird Flu Case Isolated, Assures No Cause For Alarm
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 20 (Bernama) -- The death of 40 free range chickens from the H5N1 avian influenza virus at Mile 4 1/2 Jalan Genting Kelang here last week was an isolated case, said Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Monday.
He said the public did not need to worry as there was no death involving a human from the virus.
"Tests conducted at the Veterinary Laboratory in Petaling Jaya and at the Livestock Research Institute in Ipoh confirmed the death of the free range chickens was caused by H5N1 avian influenza virus," he said in a statement issued through Bernama Monday.
Muhyiddin, who is leading an agricultural investment mission to Dubai, said all 110 free range chickens in the area covering the four settlements of Kampung Pasir Wardieburn, Taman Danau Kota, Pekan Danau Kota and Kampung Belakang JPJ, had been destroyed.
The statement was made in response to a Singapore Straits Times online report that the island republic had suspended with immediate effect the importation of poultry and eggs from Selangor after H5N1 bird flu virus was found in chickens in a village in the state.
"Immediate and integrated action had been taken by the Veterinary Services Department, Kuala Lumpur City Hall and the Health Ministry to contain the disease and prevent it from spreading," said Muhyiddin.
Besides destroying the free range chickens in the area, he said, the agencies also took action to guard and keep watch on all exits in the affected area to prevent any free range chicken from being moved out of there.
"Action to disinfect all chicken coops in the affected area was also carried out while monitoring of the area and its residents was continuing," he said.
He urged the public to report any deaths in large numbers of all types of birds to the authorities nearest them.
He said the public did not need to worry as there was no death involving a human from the virus.
"Tests conducted at the Veterinary Laboratory in Petaling Jaya and at the Livestock Research Institute in Ipoh confirmed the death of the free range chickens was caused by H5N1 avian influenza virus," he said in a statement issued through Bernama Monday.
Muhyiddin, who is leading an agricultural investment mission to Dubai, said all 110 free range chickens in the area covering the four settlements of Kampung Pasir Wardieburn, Taman Danau Kota, Pekan Danau Kota and Kampung Belakang JPJ, had been destroyed.
The statement was made in response to a Singapore Straits Times online report that the island republic had suspended with immediate effect the importation of poultry and eggs from Selangor after H5N1 bird flu virus was found in chickens in a village in the state.
"Immediate and integrated action had been taken by the Veterinary Services Department, Kuala Lumpur City Hall and the Health Ministry to contain the disease and prevent it from spreading," said Muhyiddin.
Besides destroying the free range chickens in the area, he said, the agencies also took action to guard and keep watch on all exits in the affected area to prevent any free range chicken from being moved out of there.
"Action to disinfect all chicken coops in the affected area was also carried out while monitoring of the area and its residents was continuing," he said.
He urged the public to report any deaths in large numbers of all types of birds to the authorities nearest them.
Singapore Suspends Poultry And Egg Imports From Selangor
SINGAPORE, Feb 20 (Bernama) -- Singapore's food security authority, the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA), has suspended poultry and egg imports from Selangor with immediate effect after receiving what it said is "information on the detection of H5N1 in kampung chickens" at a village in the state.
AVA said in a statement late Monday that the suspension of imports was a precautionary measure, in line with the established protocol between the veterinary authorities of the two countries for poultry imports from disease-free zones in Malaysia.
"The current suspension will not affect poultry imports from the disease-free zones of Johor, Malacca, Perak and Negri Sembilan," the agency said.
AVA said it would continue to work closely with the Malaysian Veterinary Services Department to monitor the development of the disease situation to ensure that poultry imported do not compromise public and animal health.
The import suspension would not have any impact on Singapore's poultry supply, AVA said.
"Although five chicken broiler farms in Selangor had been accredited to supply poultry to Singapore, there had been no exports from these farms to Singapore since Aug 2004," it said.
There was currently only one approved layer farm in Selangor supplying eggs to Singapore.
"As imports from this farm constitute only five per cent of total egg imports from Malaysia, the impact of the suspension on our egg supply is negligible," it said, adding that poultry and poultry products in Singapore are safe for consumption.
"AVA reassures the public that we will maintain vigilance to ensure that Singapore remains free from bird flu. We will also step up surveillance and inspections at the points of entry to prevent the incursion of the disease," the agency said.
AVA said in a statement late Monday that the suspension of imports was a precautionary measure, in line with the established protocol between the veterinary authorities of the two countries for poultry imports from disease-free zones in Malaysia.
"The current suspension will not affect poultry imports from the disease-free zones of Johor, Malacca, Perak and Negri Sembilan," the agency said.
AVA said it would continue to work closely with the Malaysian Veterinary Services Department to monitor the development of the disease situation to ensure that poultry imported do not compromise public and animal health.
The import suspension would not have any impact on Singapore's poultry supply, AVA said.
"Although five chicken broiler farms in Selangor had been accredited to supply poultry to Singapore, there had been no exports from these farms to Singapore since Aug 2004," it said.
There was currently only one approved layer farm in Selangor supplying eggs to Singapore.
"As imports from this farm constitute only five per cent of total egg imports from Malaysia, the impact of the suspension on our egg supply is negligible," it said, adding that poultry and poultry products in Singapore are safe for consumption.
"AVA reassures the public that we will maintain vigilance to ensure that Singapore remains free from bird flu. We will also step up surveillance and inspections at the points of entry to prevent the incursion of the disease," the agency said.
Medical Tourism, A Booming And Lucrative Sector
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 20 (Bernama) -- Medical tourism is a booming and lucrative sector in this part of the region and Malaysia is doing quite well in it, says vice president of the Harvard Business School Alumni Club of Malaysia, Professor Dr Syed Abdullah Almodzar.
"The migration of healthcare has come to the East now because it's cheaper. It costs much less to do even cosmetic surgery here compared with in the West. Before, the doctors go to the West (brain drain) but now the patients are coming over here," he said.
This is good for Malaysia, said Dr Syed Abdullah, quoting a recent news report which stated Malaysia was getting about RM67 million in terms of income in medical tourism.
He said Thailand would be the main rival for Malaysia in medical tourism due to the liberalism of the medical sector there.
"In Malaysia, the drive will be there. What we need is good management," he told reporters when met after he presented a talk at the Harvard Business School Alumni Club of Malaysia's panel discussion on "The Da Vinci Code -- Human Resources" here Monday.
Dr Syed Abdullah, who is a board director at the Mahkota Medical Centre, said out of 100 patients treated at the private hospitals, at least 40 are Indonesians.
"We cater (mainly) for the Indonesian market. It has increased between 10 and 15 percent last year compared with a year before," he said.
Besides Indonesia, Bangladesh and West Asia are also considered a big market for medical tourism.
According to Dr Syed Abdullah, the market will see continuous growth despite countries like Dubai making a big investment in the sector.
"I think they are spending billions on three or four big hospitals, but when you build things very expensively, the service will cost more," he said.
Hence, people seeking treatment will still be coming here, he added.
"The migration of healthcare has come to the East now because it's cheaper. It costs much less to do even cosmetic surgery here compared with in the West. Before, the doctors go to the West (brain drain) but now the patients are coming over here," he said.
This is good for Malaysia, said Dr Syed Abdullah, quoting a recent news report which stated Malaysia was getting about RM67 million in terms of income in medical tourism.
He said Thailand would be the main rival for Malaysia in medical tourism due to the liberalism of the medical sector there.
"In Malaysia, the drive will be there. What we need is good management," he told reporters when met after he presented a talk at the Harvard Business School Alumni Club of Malaysia's panel discussion on "The Da Vinci Code -- Human Resources" here Monday.
Dr Syed Abdullah, who is a board director at the Mahkota Medical Centre, said out of 100 patients treated at the private hospitals, at least 40 are Indonesians.
"We cater (mainly) for the Indonesian market. It has increased between 10 and 15 percent last year compared with a year before," he said.
Besides Indonesia, Bangladesh and West Asia are also considered a big market for medical tourism.
According to Dr Syed Abdullah, the market will see continuous growth despite countries like Dubai making a big investment in the sector.
"I think they are spending billions on three or four big hospitals, but when you build things very expensively, the service will cost more," he said.
Hence, people seeking treatment will still be coming here, he added.
Monday, February 20, 2006
Asians top stress chart
NST: Businessmen in Malaysia are a stressed lot, a worldwide survey showed. However, the more stressed ones were from Taiwan, followed by China, the Philippines, Botswana, Hong Kong and Singapore. Malaysia tied with South Africa for the seventh spot.
Research carried out among more than 7,000 business owners in 30 countries showed that 57 per cent of businessmen reported higher stress levels this year compared with 39 per cent in 2004, according to a global business stress index released today by the 2006 Grant Thornton International Business Owners Survey.
Businessmen in Sweden were found to be the least stressed.
The other least stressed businessmen this year were from Europe and the United States, although stress levels there had also increased dramatically.
The research showed a direct correlation between stress and the number of holidays taken by executives around the world (excluding public holidays).
East Asia continues to be the most stressed region in the world, with the majority of businessmen showing an increase in stress levels last year, probably as a result of poor holiday allowance or not fully utilising their annual holidays.
At the bottom of the league were Thailand with just four days of holidays on average, Taiwan (eight days), and Malaysia as well as Turkey (10 days each).
European countries took by far the highest number of holidays on average (22 days) compared with just 12 days in East Asia.
Topping the worldwide holiday league table was France with an average of 27 days.
The direct link between stress and holidays was fascinating, the survey observed.
Do the results indicate that executives who took more holidays felt less stressed?? Or, do they indicate that the less stressed executives were able to take more holidays?
Either way, the differences in holiday patterns around the world were huge, with Europeans clearly getting the most out of their personal time.
"However, it is important to note that we have more public holidays than our European counterparts," said Datuk N.K. Jasani, managing partner of Shamsir Jasani Grant Thornton.
Jasani said the survey reflected the need for Malaysia’s top executives to fully utilise their annual leave.
He said the high stress level could be due to the Malaysian or Asian tendency of "worrying about work while on vacation".
Malaysians, in general, he said need to emulate the European style of separating work from leisure.
The survey also found that business travels and fears over job security also contributed to stress.
Research carried out among more than 7,000 business owners in 30 countries showed that 57 per cent of businessmen reported higher stress levels this year compared with 39 per cent in 2004, according to a global business stress index released today by the 2006 Grant Thornton International Business Owners Survey.
Businessmen in Sweden were found to be the least stressed.
The other least stressed businessmen this year were from Europe and the United States, although stress levels there had also increased dramatically.
The research showed a direct correlation between stress and the number of holidays taken by executives around the world (excluding public holidays).
East Asia continues to be the most stressed region in the world, with the majority of businessmen showing an increase in stress levels last year, probably as a result of poor holiday allowance or not fully utilising their annual holidays.
At the bottom of the league were Thailand with just four days of holidays on average, Taiwan (eight days), and Malaysia as well as Turkey (10 days each).
European countries took by far the highest number of holidays on average (22 days) compared with just 12 days in East Asia.
Topping the worldwide holiday league table was France with an average of 27 days.
The direct link between stress and holidays was fascinating, the survey observed.
Do the results indicate that executives who took more holidays felt less stressed?? Or, do they indicate that the less stressed executives were able to take more holidays?
Either way, the differences in holiday patterns around the world were huge, with Europeans clearly getting the most out of their personal time.
"However, it is important to note that we have more public holidays than our European counterparts," said Datuk N.K. Jasani, managing partner of Shamsir Jasani Grant Thornton.
Jasani said the survey reflected the need for Malaysia’s top executives to fully utilise their annual leave.
He said the high stress level could be due to the Malaysian or Asian tendency of "worrying about work while on vacation".
Malaysians, in general, he said need to emulate the European style of separating work from leisure.
The survey also found that business travels and fears over job security also contributed to stress.
Using science to pick baby’s sex
NST: Most religious leaders say it’s playing God, but an increasing number of couples are using medical technology to choose the sex of their babies.
Medical experts say young couples today are more likely to turn to gender selection.
So it was with Alice (not her real name), 33, who already had three daughters, aged between three and eight.
Her husband Lenny (not his real name), 34, had always wanted a son so that they could kick a football at the neighbourhood park.
Add that to an extremely pushy set of in-laws and the prodding from her own parents, and Alice was getting desperate.
Then she heard about the possibility of being able to choose the gender of a child.
"The concept seemed alien at first when my friend mentioned it but it was intriguing. She read about it in a local Chinese newspaper. I talked it over with my husband and we decided to give it a try," said the housewife.
Alice went to a local fertility centre in the Klang Valley.
Besides recording her personal particulars such as blood type and the cycle of her menstruation, she was also advised to eat more alkaline-based food such as seafood.
"To increase our chances, we were told to have intercourse during ovulation using a certain method," she said.
After three consultations at a total cost of RM600, she was pregnant with a son, who was born in September last year.
Malaysian Fertility Society president Datuk Dr Hamid Arshat said most couples preferred having both a boy and a girl.
Using a combination of methods, gender selection can be between 70 and 80 per cent accurate, he said.
Selecting a child’s gender, said Dr Hamid, was prevalent among all races, but more significantly among younger middle and upper-class couples.
Most couples were in their late 20s and early 30s, and many made a choice of the baby’s sex based on social or cultural reasons as certain communities preferred males.
Dr Hamid, who used to head the National Population and Family Planning Board, said this trend was prevalent in many countries including Japan, South Korea and Malaysia, "but with God’s will, there will be a balance (between girls and boys) at the end of the day".
"We are going through a luxury phase, so people are more choosy," he said.
Choice Baby Sdn Bhd director N. Therakaran said his company offered a method which had a success rate of 92 per cent.
"Rather than a 50 per cent chance, we offer a higher success rate and those who opt for it have nothing to lose as we offer a 100 per cent money-back guarantee if they fail to conceive the gender of their choice," he said.
He said when his company started in May 2001, it was seeing an average of 15 clients a month and now this had increased to 80.
Obstetrics and gynaecology consultant Dr Harlina Halizah Siraj of Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia said in the area of gender selection, there were strict ethical guidelines from the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics.
Among the principles is that the foetus cannot be aborted because parents are unhappy with the sex of the child.
"We are now at a period where we have an option. Just like choosing the colour of a new car, some people may want to select the sex of their children.
"Before, we said it’s up to God, but now the technology is here," said Dr Harlina.
Medical experts say young couples today are more likely to turn to gender selection.
So it was with Alice (not her real name), 33, who already had three daughters, aged between three and eight.
Her husband Lenny (not his real name), 34, had always wanted a son so that they could kick a football at the neighbourhood park.
Add that to an extremely pushy set of in-laws and the prodding from her own parents, and Alice was getting desperate.
Then she heard about the possibility of being able to choose the gender of a child.
"The concept seemed alien at first when my friend mentioned it but it was intriguing. She read about it in a local Chinese newspaper. I talked it over with my husband and we decided to give it a try," said the housewife.
Alice went to a local fertility centre in the Klang Valley.
Besides recording her personal particulars such as blood type and the cycle of her menstruation, she was also advised to eat more alkaline-based food such as seafood.
"To increase our chances, we were told to have intercourse during ovulation using a certain method," she said.
After three consultations at a total cost of RM600, she was pregnant with a son, who was born in September last year.
Malaysian Fertility Society president Datuk Dr Hamid Arshat said most couples preferred having both a boy and a girl.
Using a combination of methods, gender selection can be between 70 and 80 per cent accurate, he said.
Selecting a child’s gender, said Dr Hamid, was prevalent among all races, but more significantly among younger middle and upper-class couples.
Most couples were in their late 20s and early 30s, and many made a choice of the baby’s sex based on social or cultural reasons as certain communities preferred males.
Dr Hamid, who used to head the National Population and Family Planning Board, said this trend was prevalent in many countries including Japan, South Korea and Malaysia, "but with God’s will, there will be a balance (between girls and boys) at the end of the day".
"We are going through a luxury phase, so people are more choosy," he said.
Choice Baby Sdn Bhd director N. Therakaran said his company offered a method which had a success rate of 92 per cent.
"Rather than a 50 per cent chance, we offer a higher success rate and those who opt for it have nothing to lose as we offer a 100 per cent money-back guarantee if they fail to conceive the gender of their choice," he said.
He said when his company started in May 2001, it was seeing an average of 15 clients a month and now this had increased to 80.
Obstetrics and gynaecology consultant Dr Harlina Halizah Siraj of Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia said in the area of gender selection, there were strict ethical guidelines from the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics.
Among the principles is that the foetus cannot be aborted because parents are unhappy with the sex of the child.
"We are now at a period where we have an option. Just like choosing the colour of a new car, some people may want to select the sex of their children.
"Before, we said it’s up to God, but now the technology is here," said Dr Harlina.
Impressive loo designs
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: The days of foul-smelling public toilets in Malaysia, hopefully, are numbered.
Come Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will announce the winners of the first public toilet design competition, which aims to encourage Malaysians to discard bad hygiene habits and give due respect to the common loo.
Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew said there would be nine winners in the competition – three each for three categories of toilets – stand-alone public toilets, toilets in eatery shops and toilets in shopping centres.
The competition, jointly organised by the ministry and the Works Ministry, offers for each category a first prize of RM5,000, followed by RM3,000 and RM1,000 for the second and third prizes respectively.
“The competition, which is the idea of the Deputy Prime Minister, attracted 94 entries. Of these, 41 were short-listed,” said Lau, who is in charge of his ministry’s national clean toilet campaign.
“Many of the entries are impressive. It shows the people support our move to accord proper status to public toilets in the country,” he added.
Lau said among the steps to be taken to accord proper status was to get the people to use toilets with care and keep them clean for the next user.
Good and practical design, quality construction, proper maintenance and enforcement were also equally important, he added.
Malaysian Institute of Architects deputy president Lee Chor Wah, one of the judges in the competition, described the designs and ideas in some of the entries as “a new and totally different experience, very encouraging and good.”
Nevertheless, he said, good and clean public toilets were more than just designs, citing other factors like good toilet manners, maintenance and enforcement.
Najib, who chairs the Cabinet committee on cleanliness, will also launch the Quality Restroom Association of Malaysia when he announces the winners at the Berjaya Times Square here.
A one-day exhibition on toilets will also be held in conjunction with the event, where the public can view a showcase of the latest development in toilet technology.
Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting as well as other ministers and state executive councillors nationwide will be among the event's 500 guests.
Come Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will announce the winners of the first public toilet design competition, which aims to encourage Malaysians to discard bad hygiene habits and give due respect to the common loo.
Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew said there would be nine winners in the competition – three each for three categories of toilets – stand-alone public toilets, toilets in eatery shops and toilets in shopping centres.
The competition, jointly organised by the ministry and the Works Ministry, offers for each category a first prize of RM5,000, followed by RM3,000 and RM1,000 for the second and third prizes respectively.
“The competition, which is the idea of the Deputy Prime Minister, attracted 94 entries. Of these, 41 were short-listed,” said Lau, who is in charge of his ministry’s national clean toilet campaign.
“Many of the entries are impressive. It shows the people support our move to accord proper status to public toilets in the country,” he added.
Lau said among the steps to be taken to accord proper status was to get the people to use toilets with care and keep them clean for the next user.
Good and practical design, quality construction, proper maintenance and enforcement were also equally important, he added.
Malaysian Institute of Architects deputy president Lee Chor Wah, one of the judges in the competition, described the designs and ideas in some of the entries as “a new and totally different experience, very encouraging and good.”
Nevertheless, he said, good and clean public toilets were more than just designs, citing other factors like good toilet manners, maintenance and enforcement.
Najib, who chairs the Cabinet committee on cleanliness, will also launch the Quality Restroom Association of Malaysia when he announces the winners at the Berjaya Times Square here.
A one-day exhibition on toilets will also be held in conjunction with the event, where the public can view a showcase of the latest development in toilet technology.
Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting as well as other ministers and state executive councillors nationwide will be among the event's 500 guests.
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Having cancer, and feeling good
NST: A shop that helps breast cancer patients look better, feel better and get better is opening its doors to men — with accessories that will help guys cope with the cancers they have.
Wigs and hats, and special underwear that can conceal colostomy bags are just some of things men recovering from cancer will soon find at Amanita, a unique boutique that serves the community of Malaysians who live with cancer.
Amanita began in Ampang last year as an all-girl store that sold lacy bras, swimwear and singlets with sex appeal specifically to women who have had a mastectomy. The second store, which opened on Jan 9 at the Cancer Centre in the Subang Jaya Medical Centre, will address all cancers and all people, including children, says Amanita founder Dee Sidhu.
It stocks wigs, hats, headgear, scarves, bras, swimsuits, blouses, nightwear, sportswear and lounge wear for cancer patients. It also stocks compression gloves, sleeves, socks and stockings and suitable exercise accessories.
Forthcoming products include hats with built-in hair and various hair accessories. Soon, it will also have a range for children including cute Legionairre’s hats.
"Hair loss is a major issue for most cancer patients," says Sidhu, "so we will be stocking wigs and products for hair, as well as skin and nail care, and sun protection. When you look good, you feel good."
People recovering from cancer treatments deal with extremely dry skin, hair loss and brittle nails. Those with other illnesses, such as diabetes, need to be extra careful.
" The chemical-free skin creams are soothing and effective," says Sidhu. "There is also a selection of aromatherapy and other products to help the patient relax and be comfortable."
Breast prostheses, in addition to aesthetic reasons, help to maintain posture and spinal alignment.
After a mastectomy, a woman's remaining body weight shifts into a new centre that will eventually affect the spine and overall posture. If not addressed this can lead to severe back pain and permanent disability.
Amanita also stocks books on cancer, its treatments, diet and lifestyle. Some books are intended for children.
Subang Jaya Medical Centre executive director Datuk Dr Jacob Thomas says the Cancer Centre aims to grow into a holistic treatment centre.
"Medical treatment is one thing, emotional support is just as important to recovery," says Dr Thomas. "Patients who have a positive outlook are more likely to comply with treatment regimens and do better in an overall sense."
Dr Thomas says SJMC will work with Amanita on meaningful outreach programmes that take cancer education to schools and the community. "We hope this translates into patients seeking treatment early."
A school programme, for example, will help children understand cancer when one of them has been diagnosed with the illness This means they learn about the illness and how to deal with others who have cancer.
The adult programme helps cancer patients and their caregivers deal with appearance, exercise, nutrition, counseling and sharing.
In April, Amanita will hold a professional breast care nurse training course in Kuala Lumpur for 25 Malaysian nurses, which has been accredited by the Edith Cowan University, in Perth, Australia.
* For more information on Amanita, please visit www.amanita.com.my or email dee@amanita.com.my
Wigs and hats, and special underwear that can conceal colostomy bags are just some of things men recovering from cancer will soon find at Amanita, a unique boutique that serves the community of Malaysians who live with cancer.
Amanita began in Ampang last year as an all-girl store that sold lacy bras, swimwear and singlets with sex appeal specifically to women who have had a mastectomy. The second store, which opened on Jan 9 at the Cancer Centre in the Subang Jaya Medical Centre, will address all cancers and all people, including children, says Amanita founder Dee Sidhu.
It stocks wigs, hats, headgear, scarves, bras, swimsuits, blouses, nightwear, sportswear and lounge wear for cancer patients. It also stocks compression gloves, sleeves, socks and stockings and suitable exercise accessories.
Forthcoming products include hats with built-in hair and various hair accessories. Soon, it will also have a range for children including cute Legionairre’s hats.
"Hair loss is a major issue for most cancer patients," says Sidhu, "so we will be stocking wigs and products for hair, as well as skin and nail care, and sun protection. When you look good, you feel good."
People recovering from cancer treatments deal with extremely dry skin, hair loss and brittle nails. Those with other illnesses, such as diabetes, need to be extra careful.
" The chemical-free skin creams are soothing and effective," says Sidhu. "There is also a selection of aromatherapy and other products to help the patient relax and be comfortable."
Breast prostheses, in addition to aesthetic reasons, help to maintain posture and spinal alignment.
After a mastectomy, a woman's remaining body weight shifts into a new centre that will eventually affect the spine and overall posture. If not addressed this can lead to severe back pain and permanent disability.
Amanita also stocks books on cancer, its treatments, diet and lifestyle. Some books are intended for children.
Subang Jaya Medical Centre executive director Datuk Dr Jacob Thomas says the Cancer Centre aims to grow into a holistic treatment centre.
"Medical treatment is one thing, emotional support is just as important to recovery," says Dr Thomas. "Patients who have a positive outlook are more likely to comply with treatment regimens and do better in an overall sense."
Dr Thomas says SJMC will work with Amanita on meaningful outreach programmes that take cancer education to schools and the community. "We hope this translates into patients seeking treatment early."
A school programme, for example, will help children understand cancer when one of them has been diagnosed with the illness This means they learn about the illness and how to deal with others who have cancer.
The adult programme helps cancer patients and their caregivers deal with appearance, exercise, nutrition, counseling and sharing.
In April, Amanita will hold a professional breast care nurse training course in Kuala Lumpur for 25 Malaysian nurses, which has been accredited by the Edith Cowan University, in Perth, Australia.
* For more information on Amanita, please visit www.amanita.com.my or email dee@amanita.com.my
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Study on plant that turns cats on
Star: KANGAR: A herbal plant, which stimulates cats to moan and groan after smelling or eating it, is now being researched for its “oomph” power for men.
Researchers are now trying to determine if the Kucing Galak plant is safe for consumption.
The plant, which grows well anywhere, may be an alternative to Tongkat Ali and ginseng.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said research had begun in a mini bio-technology centre in Sungai Batu Pahat near here under a RM2mil grant from the Federal Government.
“Initial research shows that each time a cat smells or eats the plant, its sex drive increases. We want to research the medicinal value of the plant with a view of introducing it for consumption,” he said.
“We are curious why the plant causes the cats to moan and groan,” he told a press conference after the swearing-in of 15 Kangar municipal councillors yesterday.
Shahidan said initial research showed that the herbal plant was suitable for those suffering from erectile dysfunction or low sex drive.
Therefore, he hoped that the plant could be a better alternative for such purposes.
“Currently, the plant has only been tested on cats. We need to see the reaction on people,” he said, adding that researchers from Universiti Sains Malaysia would be assisting.
Shahidan said the state government would also be allocating RM2mil for research on cultivating fruits such as dragon fruits and grape.
Researchers are now trying to determine if the Kucing Galak plant is safe for consumption.
The plant, which grows well anywhere, may be an alternative to Tongkat Ali and ginseng.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said research had begun in a mini bio-technology centre in Sungai Batu Pahat near here under a RM2mil grant from the Federal Government.
“Initial research shows that each time a cat smells or eats the plant, its sex drive increases. We want to research the medicinal value of the plant with a view of introducing it for consumption,” he said.
“We are curious why the plant causes the cats to moan and groan,” he told a press conference after the swearing-in of 15 Kangar municipal councillors yesterday.
Shahidan said initial research showed that the herbal plant was suitable for those suffering from erectile dysfunction or low sex drive.
Therefore, he hoped that the plant could be a better alternative for such purposes.
“Currently, the plant has only been tested on cats. We need to see the reaction on people,” he said, adding that researchers from Universiti Sains Malaysia would be assisting.
Shahidan said the state government would also be allocating RM2mil for research on cultivating fruits such as dragon fruits and grape.
PCA hopes more cancer patients will benefit
Daily Express: Kota Kinabalu: The Palliative Care Association (PCA) of Kota Kinabalu hopes to see more advanced cancer patients and their families benefitting from its free financial, medical and counselling assistance.
But it needs continued support from the public to achieve this, either by joining as active volunteers at its day-care service centre or contributing any amount to assist in funding its operational cost which amounts to at least RM200,000 per year.
Its President, Sr Morna Chua, said as a non-governmental organisation, PCA depends almost completely on volunteers to help them provide for much needed services like medical advice and therapy.
PCA has so far have about 80 registered volunteers but only about 30 are actively involved in providing day-care services at its centre located along Jalan Penampang-Kota Kinabalu, near the Chemistry Department building.
But due to the anticipated increase in the number of patients seeking their palliative care services, from the present number of about 40 -50 patients received by their day-care centre at one time, she said the need to have more active volunteers has increased.
Last year, the centre provided services for a total of 153 patients of whom the majority were adults aged between 40-70. This is an increase from slightly over 100 patients they registered at the centre in the year 2004.
"As a volunteer, you will give your time, attention, effort and expertise with no expectation of compensation ?your efforts are repaid in a 'currency' which has no value in the financial market, that is love ?" said Chua.
She said when she and the other senior volunteers first started PCA in 1995, all of them were just volunteers who got together during their free time.
"We began in 1995 with home visits under the Home Care programme for cancer patients to support the Palliative Care Unit at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH)," she recalled.
They officially registered as the Palliative Care Association of Kota Kinabalu in June 1998. And they were able to employ two full-time nurse co-ordinators in 1999 and 2000 to help oversee the Home Care programme.
Chua said they moved into their current premises in 2002, and then managed to start a day-care centre with the dedicated services and efforts of their volunteers.
She is nevertheless happy that their core group of volunteers, mostly women comprising professionals and housewives who were with them in the beginning are still continuing to render their service and share their experiences and expertise with their junior volunteers.
"For some people, a great day is a day spent at the beach with friends. With others, it is a day spent indoors with a good book. The common thread here is that the day is spent doing something that the person loves or spent with someone that the person loves," said Chua.
"That essentially captures what we try to provide to our patients and beneficiariesËe aim to fill their days with love."
"Our patients are the reason why PCA is here. Our volunteers are the reason why PCA is so effective. And public support is the reason why PCA is able to continue providing our services for free to those in need," she said.
The public can also help the association by contributing to its 6th annual charity dinner and concert to be held at Magellan Wing of the Sutera Harbour and Spa here on Mar 29.
But it needs continued support from the public to achieve this, either by joining as active volunteers at its day-care service centre or contributing any amount to assist in funding its operational cost which amounts to at least RM200,000 per year.
Its President, Sr Morna Chua, said as a non-governmental organisation, PCA depends almost completely on volunteers to help them provide for much needed services like medical advice and therapy.
PCA has so far have about 80 registered volunteers but only about 30 are actively involved in providing day-care services at its centre located along Jalan Penampang-Kota Kinabalu, near the Chemistry Department building.
But due to the anticipated increase in the number of patients seeking their palliative care services, from the present number of about 40 -50 patients received by their day-care centre at one time, she said the need to have more active volunteers has increased.
Last year, the centre provided services for a total of 153 patients of whom the majority were adults aged between 40-70. This is an increase from slightly over 100 patients they registered at the centre in the year 2004.
"As a volunteer, you will give your time, attention, effort and expertise with no expectation of compensation ?your efforts are repaid in a 'currency' which has no value in the financial market, that is love ?" said Chua.
She said when she and the other senior volunteers first started PCA in 1995, all of them were just volunteers who got together during their free time.
"We began in 1995 with home visits under the Home Care programme for cancer patients to support the Palliative Care Unit at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH)," she recalled.
They officially registered as the Palliative Care Association of Kota Kinabalu in June 1998. And they were able to employ two full-time nurse co-ordinators in 1999 and 2000 to help oversee the Home Care programme.
Chua said they moved into their current premises in 2002, and then managed to start a day-care centre with the dedicated services and efforts of their volunteers.
She is nevertheless happy that their core group of volunteers, mostly women comprising professionals and housewives who were with them in the beginning are still continuing to render their service and share their experiences and expertise with their junior volunteers.
"For some people, a great day is a day spent at the beach with friends. With others, it is a day spent indoors with a good book. The common thread here is that the day is spent doing something that the person loves or spent with someone that the person loves," said Chua.
"That essentially captures what we try to provide to our patients and beneficiariesËe aim to fill their days with love."
"Our patients are the reason why PCA is here. Our volunteers are the reason why PCA is so effective. And public support is the reason why PCA is able to continue providing our services for free to those in need," she said.
The public can also help the association by contributing to its 6th annual charity dinner and concert to be held at Magellan Wing of the Sutera Harbour and Spa here on Mar 29.
Oral Cancer Detected Late Despite Preventive Programmes
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 17 (Bernama) -- Even though many countries have preventive programmes for early detection and down staging of oral cancer, the disease is still being detected at stage three and four, which is considered as a very late stage, a senior researcher said.
"This is because oral cancer is a major problem in the majority of Asia Pacific countries and the cost to bring out the preventive measures and conducting research are still an obstacle that limit the method to detect it earlier," said the Director of Oral Cancer Research and Coordinating Centre (OCRCC) Universiti Malaya (UM) Prof Dr Rosnah Mohamed Zain.
She told Bernama after the launching of the International Conference on Oral Cancer in The Asia Pacific: A Regional Update and Networking at the Faculty of Dentistry, UM here today.
At least 70 representatives from 18 Asia Pacific countries attended the three-day conference beginning today and would be held until Sunday.
She said many researches were mainly done in the developed nations with few concentrating on the developing countries but some had also been using materials from the developing countries as part of a collaborative research.
"This is where efforts on international networking to conduct research and find a prevention method with limited sources of cost are important where such collaboration would enhance and train the oral surgeons, clinicians and scientists in concerns of oral cancer that would be useful to prevent the disease," she said.
Dr Rosnah said in many countries, risk factors for the Asian region might be similar and yet cancer incidence differed possibly due to the varied composition, method of usage and the dosages of the risk habits such as smoking, and betel quid chewing.
"Other than the habitual risk factors, the genetic susceptibility and other inherent genetic factors may further influence the oral cancer development," she said.
Meanwhile, Dr R.Sankaranarayanan from Regional Cancer Centre, Trivandrum, India, Dr R. Sankaranarayanan in his paper entitled "Oral Cancer Screening" said primary prevention of tobacco and alcohol control, and early detection were important control measures.
He said it was crucial as the disease is the eleventh most common cancer in the world and eighth most common in the developing world with 274,000 new cases and 146,000 deaths occurring annually around the world in the year 2002, of which two-thirds were observed in developing countries.
Director of Oral Health Division, Ministry of Health, Datuk Dr Wan Mohamad Nasir Wan Othman, who also presented a paper, said the National Cancer Registry (NCR) data in 2003 reported that the incidence of oral cancer in Malaysia was 5.2 per cent of 100,000 population and ranked 12th and 13th as compared to other types of cancer.
He said screening and early detection should be continuously done to the high risk communities as well as the involvement of other health care providers and further efforts were needed to extend the screening programme.
"This is because oral cancer is a major problem in the majority of Asia Pacific countries and the cost to bring out the preventive measures and conducting research are still an obstacle that limit the method to detect it earlier," said the Director of Oral Cancer Research and Coordinating Centre (OCRCC) Universiti Malaya (UM) Prof Dr Rosnah Mohamed Zain.
She told Bernama after the launching of the International Conference on Oral Cancer in The Asia Pacific: A Regional Update and Networking at the Faculty of Dentistry, UM here today.
At least 70 representatives from 18 Asia Pacific countries attended the three-day conference beginning today and would be held until Sunday.
She said many researches were mainly done in the developed nations with few concentrating on the developing countries but some had also been using materials from the developing countries as part of a collaborative research.
"This is where efforts on international networking to conduct research and find a prevention method with limited sources of cost are important where such collaboration would enhance and train the oral surgeons, clinicians and scientists in concerns of oral cancer that would be useful to prevent the disease," she said.
Dr Rosnah said in many countries, risk factors for the Asian region might be similar and yet cancer incidence differed possibly due to the varied composition, method of usage and the dosages of the risk habits such as smoking, and betel quid chewing.
"Other than the habitual risk factors, the genetic susceptibility and other inherent genetic factors may further influence the oral cancer development," she said.
Meanwhile, Dr R.Sankaranarayanan from Regional Cancer Centre, Trivandrum, India, Dr R. Sankaranarayanan in his paper entitled "Oral Cancer Screening" said primary prevention of tobacco and alcohol control, and early detection were important control measures.
He said it was crucial as the disease is the eleventh most common cancer in the world and eighth most common in the developing world with 274,000 new cases and 146,000 deaths occurring annually around the world in the year 2002, of which two-thirds were observed in developing countries.
Director of Oral Health Division, Ministry of Health, Datuk Dr Wan Mohamad Nasir Wan Othman, who also presented a paper, said the National Cancer Registry (NCR) data in 2003 reported that the incidence of oral cancer in Malaysia was 5.2 per cent of 100,000 population and ranked 12th and 13th as compared to other types of cancer.
He said screening and early detection should be continuously done to the high risk communities as well as the involvement of other health care providers and further efforts were needed to extend the screening programme.
Sultan Ismail Hospital Is Safe For Use, Says Health Minister
JOHOR BAHARU, Feb 17 (Bernama) -- The Sultan Ismail Hospital in Pandan near here, which was closed in September 2004 due to a fungus attack, began operation in stages Thursday.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the hospital was in satisfactory condition and had begun operations with the opening of the first phase involving the out-patient service, haemodialysis clinic and specialist clinic.
"Almost 82 per cent of the defects, including the fungus attack, had been rectified by the appointed contractor who gave a three-year guarantee," he told reporters after visiting the hospital Friday.
Present was Johor Acting Health Director Dr Daud Abdul Rahim and the hospital director, Dr Mohamad A. Majid.
Dr Chua said the remaining 18 per cent involved minor defects which could be repaired in three months.
He said the hospital's Emergency Unit, Operating Theatres, Intensive Care Unit, Intensive Coronary Care Unit and Catering Division would be fully operational end of the year.
Shortage of staff, especially specialists and medical officers, was the main reason for the hospital opening in stages, he said.
"Of the 124 posts for professionals, only 18 have been filled and the problem is expected to be solved by October."
He assured the public that the hospital, which specialises in radiotherapy and oncology treatment and plans to be made a centre for cancer treatment for the southern region under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, was safe for use.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the hospital was in satisfactory condition and had begun operations with the opening of the first phase involving the out-patient service, haemodialysis clinic and specialist clinic.
"Almost 82 per cent of the defects, including the fungus attack, had been rectified by the appointed contractor who gave a three-year guarantee," he told reporters after visiting the hospital Friday.
Present was Johor Acting Health Director Dr Daud Abdul Rahim and the hospital director, Dr Mohamad A. Majid.
Dr Chua said the remaining 18 per cent involved minor defects which could be repaired in three months.
He said the hospital's Emergency Unit, Operating Theatres, Intensive Care Unit, Intensive Coronary Care Unit and Catering Division would be fully operational end of the year.
Shortage of staff, especially specialists and medical officers, was the main reason for the hospital opening in stages, he said.
"Of the 124 posts for professionals, only 18 have been filled and the problem is expected to be solved by October."
He assured the public that the hospital, which specialises in radiotherapy and oncology treatment and plans to be made a centre for cancer treatment for the southern region under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, was safe for use.
Friday, February 17, 2006
Free thalassaemia blood screening
NST: Form Four students will get free blood screening for thalassaemia, a possibly fatal genetic blood disorder, later this year.
The screening, to be done by the Public Health Department, is aimed at early detection of the disorder which affects the production of haemoglobin, that results in severe anaemia.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek confirmed tonight that a pilot project would be carried out in the Federal Territory, after which the programme would be extended to other States.
For a start, the screening will be available to some 200,000 Form Four students nationwide.
It was announced last year that the Health Ministry had a RM22 million allocation for 2006 to handle free screenings, as well as to tackle the disease through education, treatment and a national registry.
Federation of Malaysia Thalassaemia Societies president Ramli Mohd Yunus, who is also a member of the National Thalassaemia Prevention and Control Steering Committee, said that Form Four students were selected for the tests because they did not have to sit for any major examinations and therefore their studies would not be interrupted.
"At that age, most of them do not have permanent partners yet, and can be counselled on the risks and implications if they are carriers or suffering from thalassaemia minor," he said.
Three to four per cent of the population are thalassaemics. Most are classified as carriers or suffering from thalassaemia minor.
If both father and mother are carriers, there is a 25 per cent chance that their child will have thalassaemia major.
The disease must be treated with blood transfusions and Desferrioxamine, a chelating agent to remove excess iron as a result of the transfusions.
Ramli said thalassaemia major required lifelong treatment of regular transfusions to boost haemoglobin levels.
"The red blood cells, which help carry oxygen, in sufferers are short-lived. As a result, they suffer from severe anaemia," he said, adding that the symptoms included pallour, sleeping difficulties and poor appetite, and could lead to the enlargement of organs such as the spleen and liver.
The screening, to be done by the Public Health Department, is aimed at early detection of the disorder which affects the production of haemoglobin, that results in severe anaemia.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek confirmed tonight that a pilot project would be carried out in the Federal Territory, after which the programme would be extended to other States.
For a start, the screening will be available to some 200,000 Form Four students nationwide.
It was announced last year that the Health Ministry had a RM22 million allocation for 2006 to handle free screenings, as well as to tackle the disease through education, treatment and a national registry.
Federation of Malaysia Thalassaemia Societies president Ramli Mohd Yunus, who is also a member of the National Thalassaemia Prevention and Control Steering Committee, said that Form Four students were selected for the tests because they did not have to sit for any major examinations and therefore their studies would not be interrupted.
"At that age, most of them do not have permanent partners yet, and can be counselled on the risks and implications if they are carriers or suffering from thalassaemia minor," he said.
Three to four per cent of the population are thalassaemics. Most are classified as carriers or suffering from thalassaemia minor.
If both father and mother are carriers, there is a 25 per cent chance that their child will have thalassaemia major.
The disease must be treated with blood transfusions and Desferrioxamine, a chelating agent to remove excess iron as a result of the transfusions.
Ramli said thalassaemia major required lifelong treatment of regular transfusions to boost haemoglobin levels.
"The red blood cells, which help carry oxygen, in sufferers are short-lived. As a result, they suffer from severe anaemia," he said, adding that the symptoms included pallour, sleeping difficulties and poor appetite, and could lead to the enlargement of organs such as the spleen and liver.
AIDS victims bring home message to men who stray
Star: Please think of your family before doing anything that you will regret later. Once you are infected with HIV, the whole family has to suffer along with you.
This was the message three women, all AIDS victims, had for men who seek the services of prostitutes.
Ah Li, 40, Ah Mei, 44, and Ah Ying, 36, (not their real names), told China Press in an interview that they were infected with HIV through their husbands.
They were interviewed at a Chap Goh Meh celebration at Pure Lotus Hospice of Compassion in Penang recently.
The hospice, which had planned to set up a home for AIDS patients, still lack RM10mil to continue the project, the daily reported.
The women now have to bear the burden of supporting their family while coping with their own illnesses and looking after their children, who are not infected.
The wives said they had to carry on with their lives, yet nevertheless fearful that they could die anytime and their children would not be cared for.
“I have no choice now and can only hope that God will allow me to live a few more years to take care of my five children aged between seven and 15,” said Ah Li, whose husband died a year ago.
Ah Mei, from Penang, said she only found out about her husband's disease after he died five years ago.
Ah Ying, from Butterworth, had to look after her husband who was paralysed due to the disease as well as her mother and brother, who are suffering from kidney ailment, and her seven-year-old son.
This was the message three women, all AIDS victims, had for men who seek the services of prostitutes.
Ah Li, 40, Ah Mei, 44, and Ah Ying, 36, (not their real names), told China Press in an interview that they were infected with HIV through their husbands.
They were interviewed at a Chap Goh Meh celebration at Pure Lotus Hospice of Compassion in Penang recently.
The hospice, which had planned to set up a home for AIDS patients, still lack RM10mil to continue the project, the daily reported.
The women now have to bear the burden of supporting their family while coping with their own illnesses and looking after their children, who are not infected.
The wives said they had to carry on with their lives, yet nevertheless fearful that they could die anytime and their children would not be cared for.
“I have no choice now and can only hope that God will allow me to live a few more years to take care of my five children aged between seven and 15,” said Ah Li, whose husband died a year ago.
Ah Mei, from Penang, said she only found out about her husband's disease after he died five years ago.
Ah Ying, from Butterworth, had to look after her husband who was paralysed due to the disease as well as her mother and brother, who are suffering from kidney ailment, and her seven-year-old son.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Grieving parents seek answers
Malay Mail: Eight parents have lodged a complaint with Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Mohd Ismail Merican yesterday over the deaths of their infants under dubious circumstances at Government and private hospitals in Selangor.
Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai accompanied the eight parents to the Health Ministry office in Putrajaya.
Tan said the cases occurred in 2004 and last year. Six of the babies died within seven days of birth. Two survived but suffered brain damage.
He said the cases were at the Selayang Hospital, Universiti Kebangsaan Hospital, Subang Jaya Medical Centre, Hospital Kuala Lumpur and the Ganesan Medical Centre in Rawang.
Tan said Ismail, who is also the Malaysian Medical Council chairman, said they will investigate the reports.
The investigations will be conducted by MMC through the Preliminary Investigation Committee which comprises appointed medical practitioners from the private and public sectors.
Tan said Ismail urged the parents to submit the medical reports to the Health Ministry for investigation.
Tan urged that the parents be allowed to engage their own medical experts during the inquiry.
Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai accompanied the eight parents to the Health Ministry office in Putrajaya.
Tan said the cases occurred in 2004 and last year. Six of the babies died within seven days of birth. Two survived but suffered brain damage.
He said the cases were at the Selayang Hospital, Universiti Kebangsaan Hospital, Subang Jaya Medical Centre, Hospital Kuala Lumpur and the Ganesan Medical Centre in Rawang.
Tan said Ismail, who is also the Malaysian Medical Council chairman, said they will investigate the reports.
The investigations will be conducted by MMC through the Preliminary Investigation Committee which comprises appointed medical practitioners from the private and public sectors.
Tan said Ismail urged the parents to submit the medical reports to the Health Ministry for investigation.
Tan urged that the parents be allowed to engage their own medical experts during the inquiry.
Don't Panic Over News Of Mysterious Death Of Three Children
KUCHING, Feb 15 (Bernama)--The state government wants parents in Sarawak to remain calm following the mysterious death of three children below six years old last week, said Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan, Wednesday.
Dr Chan said at the moment there was no confirmation yet on the actual cause of the death of the three children in Sibu as several medical tests needed to be done although they were symptoms of Hand, Foot and Mouth (HFM) diseases linking to their death.
"It is common to have these cases (HFM), which happens all the time. There were few cases reported every year," he told reporters after handing over industrial lots of the Demak Laut Industrial Park to 29 company at Sarawak Industrial Promotion and Exhibition Centre (SIPEC) here today.
Asked whether the death of the children were linked to the Coxsackie diseases that had killed more than 30 children below five years old in Sibu in 1997, Dr Chan said it had not been medically proven yet.
"It is not proven at this moment. We will wait for the test results. Once it is (confirmed) we will announce but not now.
"However, these cases are very sensitive, especially when the state is declared to be free from these diseases. So further studies need to be confirmed," he added.
Dr Chan was commenting on a newsreport in Borneo Post today that in Sibu there were three children that had died suspected of HFM related diseases.
The newsreport said more than 10 children under six years old have also been admitted to the Sibu Hospital and presently being closely monitored.
Following the sudden rise of the HFM-related diseases, Assistant Minister of Public Health and Housing Dr Soon Choon Teck in the same newsreport had advised all parents to be on full alert if they found their children having fever, ulcers in the mouth and rashes on their hands and feet.
Apart from parents, he said teachers from primary schools, kindergartens and the nurseries were told to watch out for the symptoms.
Dr Chan said at the moment there was no confirmation yet on the actual cause of the death of the three children in Sibu as several medical tests needed to be done although they were symptoms of Hand, Foot and Mouth (HFM) diseases linking to their death.
"It is common to have these cases (HFM), which happens all the time. There were few cases reported every year," he told reporters after handing over industrial lots of the Demak Laut Industrial Park to 29 company at Sarawak Industrial Promotion and Exhibition Centre (SIPEC) here today.
Asked whether the death of the children were linked to the Coxsackie diseases that had killed more than 30 children below five years old in Sibu in 1997, Dr Chan said it had not been medically proven yet.
"It is not proven at this moment. We will wait for the test results. Once it is (confirmed) we will announce but not now.
"However, these cases are very sensitive, especially when the state is declared to be free from these diseases. So further studies need to be confirmed," he added.
Dr Chan was commenting on a newsreport in Borneo Post today that in Sibu there were three children that had died suspected of HFM related diseases.
The newsreport said more than 10 children under six years old have also been admitted to the Sibu Hospital and presently being closely monitored.
Following the sudden rise of the HFM-related diseases, Assistant Minister of Public Health and Housing Dr Soon Choon Teck in the same newsreport had advised all parents to be on full alert if they found their children having fever, ulcers in the mouth and rashes on their hands and feet.
Apart from parents, he said teachers from primary schools, kindergartens and the nurseries were told to watch out for the symptoms.
Healthcare scheme: Minister in the dark?
Malaysiakini: Health Minister Dr Chua Soi Lek adopted a defensive stance when he was asked for an update on the National Healthcare Financing Scheme at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
After-work treatment not privatisation: Chua
Sun2Surf: KUALA LUMPUR: The government yesterday defended its proposal to allow its doctors to offer after-work hours private treatment in general hospitals, saying guidelines will be set so normal service will not be compromised.
Commenting on the nationwide protest campaign by the Coalition Against Health Care Privatisation on Monday, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said this proposal is not part of the privatisation process.
He said it is to help the specialists earn more money, optimise their professions and skills, and stop them from being "abused" by patients who can afford to pay for their specialised services.
Saying some non-gover nmental organisations and opposition political parties are politicising the issue, Chua explained that the country has about 10,000 government doctors and only fewer than 20 may be entitled to offer private treatment only at the Putrajaya and Selayang hospitals.
He said the move has yet to be implemented and it is still being discussed.
"Thus, it is impossible for the coalition to say the move will affect the training provided by the specialists to housemen and the quality or standard of a hospital," he said.
Chua said the ministry will also have guidelines for specialists who will be involved in the business to ensure private patients are not given priority.
He said priority will only be given based on clinical condition or specific requirements by the patients.
"There are rich people who go to the hospitals to have operations and it is reasonable to make them pay more.
"For example, a liver transplant operation will cost around RM3,000 in the Selayang Hospital.
"The same operation will cost around RM200,000 in private hospitals," he said after launching courtesy courses and training modules for the ministry's service counters.
On another matter, Chua said the ministry has received complaints from Putrajaya Hospital that VVIPs were jumping queues when they seek treatment from specialists.
It has become an annoyance to both the doctors and other patients.
Chua said hospitals have the right to deny VVIPs priority.
"Priority is only for emergency cases," he said.
Commenting on the nationwide protest campaign by the Coalition Against Health Care Privatisation on Monday, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said this proposal is not part of the privatisation process.
He said it is to help the specialists earn more money, optimise their professions and skills, and stop them from being "abused" by patients who can afford to pay for their specialised services.
Saying some non-gover nmental organisations and opposition political parties are politicising the issue, Chua explained that the country has about 10,000 government doctors and only fewer than 20 may be entitled to offer private treatment only at the Putrajaya and Selayang hospitals.
He said the move has yet to be implemented and it is still being discussed.
"Thus, it is impossible for the coalition to say the move will affect the training provided by the specialists to housemen and the quality or standard of a hospital," he said.
Chua said the ministry will also have guidelines for specialists who will be involved in the business to ensure private patients are not given priority.
He said priority will only be given based on clinical condition or specific requirements by the patients.
"There are rich people who go to the hospitals to have operations and it is reasonable to make them pay more.
"For example, a liver transplant operation will cost around RM3,000 in the Selayang Hospital.
"The same operation will cost around RM200,000 in private hospitals," he said after launching courtesy courses and training modules for the ministry's service counters.
On another matter, Chua said the ministry has received complaints from Putrajaya Hospital that VVIPs were jumping queues when they seek treatment from specialists.
It has become an annoyance to both the doctors and other patients.
Chua said hospitals have the right to deny VVIPs priority.
"Priority is only for emergency cases," he said.
Dad donates son’s organs
Star: KLANG: His young life might have ended tragically, but Tang Seng Chun’s legacy will live on.
Tang Keem Khoon, 51, donated his son’s corneas, kidneys and heart valve after doctors at the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (HTAR) pronounced the 24-year-old brain dead late last week.
The organs were harvested after Seng Chun, who is the eldest among three boys, died at 8pm on Monday.
Seng Chun, a chef in a restaurant in Bukit Tinggi near here, was involved in a wrangle with two car thieves on Feb 7.
Jason Kok, a close relative who was with Tang at HTAR mortuary yesterday to claim Seng Chun’s remains, said Tang donated his son’s organs to give others a new lease of life.
“The beneficiaries of the corneas are from HTAR while the kidneys have been given to patients at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital,” Kok said, adding that the heart valve went to the National Heart Institute (IJN).
Kok said Tang, who came from Ipoh to claim his son’s remains, believed that his decision to donate the organs would have met with Seng Chun’s approval.
“Seng Chun was a caring and helpful person who would do anything to help those in need. As a matter of fact, he gave his life to help total strangers,” said Kok.
According to him, Seng Chun had gone to the aid of a restaurant patron who was waylaid by two men at about 11pm on that fateful night.
“The patron was walking to his vehicle with a companion when two men tried to grab his car keys,” said Kok.
Hearing the commotion, Seng Chun ran out of the restaurant and rushed towards the car and managed to open the back door of the Toyota Hilux.
“He jumped into the car and a struggle ensued with Seng Chun grabbing the driver of the stolen vehicle by the neck,” added Kok.
However, a short while later, the robbers managed to throw Seng Chun out of the car.
“They then ran over him before speeding off,” said Kok.
Seng Chun’s girlfriend Yong Oi Zhen, 18, who also works in the same restaurant, were among scores of onlookers who witnessed the incident.
Sadly, no one offered to take Seng Chun to the hospital, alleged Kok. “It was after almost 20 minutes before a passer-by rushed him to hospital.”
Tang Keem Khoon, 51, donated his son’s corneas, kidneys and heart valve after doctors at the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (HTAR) pronounced the 24-year-old brain dead late last week.
The organs were harvested after Seng Chun, who is the eldest among three boys, died at 8pm on Monday.
Seng Chun, a chef in a restaurant in Bukit Tinggi near here, was involved in a wrangle with two car thieves on Feb 7.
Jason Kok, a close relative who was with Tang at HTAR mortuary yesterday to claim Seng Chun’s remains, said Tang donated his son’s organs to give others a new lease of life.
“The beneficiaries of the corneas are from HTAR while the kidneys have been given to patients at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital,” Kok said, adding that the heart valve went to the National Heart Institute (IJN).
Kok said Tang, who came from Ipoh to claim his son’s remains, believed that his decision to donate the organs would have met with Seng Chun’s approval.
“Seng Chun was a caring and helpful person who would do anything to help those in need. As a matter of fact, he gave his life to help total strangers,” said Kok.
According to him, Seng Chun had gone to the aid of a restaurant patron who was waylaid by two men at about 11pm on that fateful night.
“The patron was walking to his vehicle with a companion when two men tried to grab his car keys,” said Kok.
Hearing the commotion, Seng Chun ran out of the restaurant and rushed towards the car and managed to open the back door of the Toyota Hilux.
“He jumped into the car and a struggle ensued with Seng Chun grabbing the driver of the stolen vehicle by the neck,” added Kok.
However, a short while later, the robbers managed to throw Seng Chun out of the car.
“They then ran over him before speeding off,” said Kok.
Seng Chun’s girlfriend Yong Oi Zhen, 18, who also works in the same restaurant, were among scores of onlookers who witnessed the incident.
Sadly, no one offered to take Seng Chun to the hospital, alleged Kok. “It was after almost 20 minutes before a passer-by rushed him to hospital.”
Putrajaya Hospital Being Abused By VIPs, Says Chua
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 14 (Bernama) -- Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said today the Putrajaya Hospital is being abused by people claiming to be Very Important Persons (VIPs) and demanding "special treatment" when they seek consultation.
He said that based on complaints by the hospital's medical officers, some of the doctors had been receiving four to five VIPs daily, who insisted on being seen by a doctor for outpatient treatment without following the usual procedure.
"There are people who claim they are VIPs, they cut queue, they don't want to be registered and they want to be seen straightaway. That's the issue. So the issue of VIP should not arise. The issue is that they don't follow the right procedure as a patient," he said.
These people had caused problems not only for the doctors but also for other patients who had been waiting for their turn, he said.
"According to our clients' charter, all patients should be treated equally on clinical consideration, except in an emergency," he told reporters after launching a course module noble values at counter services here.
Asked whom he meant by VIPs, Dr Chua said: "Because Putrajaya is located in the administrative centre there are a lot of ministries, ministers, deputy ministers and VVIPs, so they demand priority.
He said the VVIPs should be aware that there were patients waiting for the same doctor at the outpatient clinic.
Asked whether VIPs should get "special treatment," Chua said they would be treated equally, except for emergency cases.
He said that based on complaints by the hospital's medical officers, some of the doctors had been receiving four to five VIPs daily, who insisted on being seen by a doctor for outpatient treatment without following the usual procedure.
"There are people who claim they are VIPs, they cut queue, they don't want to be registered and they want to be seen straightaway. That's the issue. So the issue of VIP should not arise. The issue is that they don't follow the right procedure as a patient," he said.
These people had caused problems not only for the doctors but also for other patients who had been waiting for their turn, he said.
"According to our clients' charter, all patients should be treated equally on clinical consideration, except in an emergency," he told reporters after launching a course module noble values at counter services here.
Asked whom he meant by VIPs, Dr Chua said: "Because Putrajaya is located in the administrative centre there are a lot of ministries, ministers, deputy ministers and VVIPs, so they demand priority.
He said the VVIPs should be aware that there were patients waiting for the same doctor at the outpatient clinic.
Asked whether VIPs should get "special treatment," Chua said they would be treated equally, except for emergency cases.
National Action Plan For The Disabled In The Pipeline
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 14 (Bernama) -- The government will come up with a National Action Plan to ensure smooth implementation and coordination of programmes, services and facilities for the disabled, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Tuesday.
The main thrust of the plan was to ensure the rights and full and fair participation of the disabled in all aspects of life, he said.
"This assurance is the basis to realise the objectives of national development and to create the concept of a "society for all'," the deputy prime minister said at the launch of the national-level Day for the Disabled celebration here.
His speech was delivered by Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.
Najib said the plan would focus on seven areas vital to developing the disabled and safeguarding their rights.
They were the development of self-help organisations, women and the disabled, detection and early intervention, education, training and employment, access to buildings and public transportation, information and communication and eradication of poverty among the disabled.
"If the programmes, services and facilities that meet their needs can be fully implemented, I believe that the status and quality of life of the disabled will be more assured and secure," he said.
He said government agencies responsible for preparing special programmes and services for the disabled must play their role more effectively to meet the needs of this group.
"In this context, I want to call on the Housing and Local Government Ministry, city halls and the local authorities to create a truly disabled-friendly or barrier-free environment so that they can move around freely, become more self-reliant and go about their daily lives like ordinary people," he said.
Najib said there were still many physical obstructions for the disabled in the country that needed immediate action by the relevant agencies.
He also said that Malaysia had been given the honour to host the Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled (Fespic Games), the second biggest sporting event for this group, after the Paralimpiad, in November.
The main thrust of the plan was to ensure the rights and full and fair participation of the disabled in all aspects of life, he said.
"This assurance is the basis to realise the objectives of national development and to create the concept of a "society for all'," the deputy prime minister said at the launch of the national-level Day for the Disabled celebration here.
His speech was delivered by Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.
Najib said the plan would focus on seven areas vital to developing the disabled and safeguarding their rights.
They were the development of self-help organisations, women and the disabled, detection and early intervention, education, training and employment, access to buildings and public transportation, information and communication and eradication of poverty among the disabled.
"If the programmes, services and facilities that meet their needs can be fully implemented, I believe that the status and quality of life of the disabled will be more assured and secure," he said.
He said government agencies responsible for preparing special programmes and services for the disabled must play their role more effectively to meet the needs of this group.
"In this context, I want to call on the Housing and Local Government Ministry, city halls and the local authorities to create a truly disabled-friendly or barrier-free environment so that they can move around freely, become more self-reliant and go about their daily lives like ordinary people," he said.
Najib said there were still many physical obstructions for the disabled in the country that needed immediate action by the relevant agencies.
He also said that Malaysia had been given the honour to host the Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled (Fespic Games), the second biggest sporting event for this group, after the Paralimpiad, in November.
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