NST: Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid is saying it again — it’s the Bukit Tagar landfill that was the cause of smelly tap water in the Klang Valley last week.
This is in spite of the various denials and theories countering his earlier statement on the matter.
Azmi said a report by the Department of Environment on the cause of pollution in Sungai Selangor revealed that it was the landfill and not pig farms or other activities along the river that caused the ammonia level in the water to rise.
"The DOE has tested other areas along the river and has found that none of them caused the overflow of ammonia into Sungai Selangor," he said when contacted.
The river supplies the bulk of drinking water to the Klang Valley.
Azmi added that the ministry had submitted its findings to the Cabinet.
Yesterday, DOE director-general Datuk Rosnani Ibarahim said the landfill in Rawang was under investigation for violating conditions in its environmental impact assessment. The main condition requires the landfill to ensure no leachate escapes into the river.
In Padang Besar, Azmi said he was perplexed as to why the water, despite being declared safe for consumption by the DOE, still stank.
He wanted to know if Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) lacked the expertise to treat the smelly water.
"They should explain whether any measures had been taken to resolve the week-long problem. Also, do they have the capability to do it? Could it be due to the additional cost? Whatever it is, they should explain the actual problem. It is their moral obligation to do so," Azmi said.
He was speaking after launching the mobile public complaints bureau at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Padang Besar. "I am very concerned as it has affected so many people in Klang Valley."
He said he would be going to the Bukit Tagar landfill in Rawang to have a first-hand look at the situation.
On Saturday, he had revealed that the cause of the smelly tap water was water seeping or overflowing from the Bukit Tagar landfill storage pond into Sungai Selangor following heavy rain on Feb 26.
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
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
RM167m mosquito pool, council project grinds to a halt
NST: Construction of the RM167 million Kota Baru Trade Centre (KBTC) near Parit Dalam ground to a halt a few months ago and the site has turned into a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
The 25-storey building project, a joint-venture between the Kota Baru Municipal Council (MPKB) and Selangor-based Cimetra Sdn Bhd, was launched by Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat early last year.
The site was previously the well-known Padang Bas food court and the MPKB Square, which was constructed in 1996 at a cost of RM200,000.
The KBTC, which comprises commercial lots and up-market serviced apartments, was supposed to be completed in three years.
Business operators in the vicinity complained that since work stopped at the end of last year, a large hole that was dug at the site had turned into a giant breeding pool for mosquitoes.
"Guests have complained about the mosquitoes. MPKB should take action quickly before there is an outbreak of dengue fever," said a hostel operator.
A check at the site today found not a single worker on duty. The site office was also empty except for a guard hired to keep out trespassers.
Meanwhile, state Local Government, Housing and Health committee chairman Takiyuddin Hassan confirmed that Cimetra had stopped work because of technical problems.
"We held a meeting with the developer recently and were informed the problems had been resolved. They will resume work by the end of the month.
"I will ask them to pump the water out of the hole, which was dug for preliminary works," he said.
The 25-storey building project, a joint-venture between the Kota Baru Municipal Council (MPKB) and Selangor-based Cimetra Sdn Bhd, was launched by Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat early last year.
The site was previously the well-known Padang Bas food court and the MPKB Square, which was constructed in 1996 at a cost of RM200,000.
The KBTC, which comprises commercial lots and up-market serviced apartments, was supposed to be completed in three years.
Business operators in the vicinity complained that since work stopped at the end of last year, a large hole that was dug at the site had turned into a giant breeding pool for mosquitoes.
"Guests have complained about the mosquitoes. MPKB should take action quickly before there is an outbreak of dengue fever," said a hostel operator.
A check at the site today found not a single worker on duty. The site office was also empty except for a guard hired to keep out trespassers.
Meanwhile, state Local Government, Housing and Health committee chairman Takiyuddin Hassan confirmed that Cimetra had stopped work because of technical problems.
"We held a meeting with the developer recently and were informed the problems had been resolved. They will resume work by the end of the month.
"I will ask them to pump the water out of the hole, which was dug for preliminary works," he said.
Department blames typhoid cases on poor hygiene
Star: KUALA KRAI: Kelantan has a high incidence of typhoid because of lack of hygiene, state Health Department director Datuk Dr Ahmad Razin Ahmad Mahir said.
He said it had become a culture in the state for cleanliness to be neglected, especially when preparing food, and this led to typhoid outbreaks.
He said there was a typhoid outbreak every year.
Dr Ahmad Razin was referring to the recent deaths of two Kuala Krai Mara Junior Science College (MRSM) students, which sparked a typhoid outbreak scare.
Siti Nazirah Said died of dengue fever while Amni Izzati Ghani was suspected to have died from pneumonia.
Dr Ahmad Razin said typhoid could be contained through better cleanliness and personal hygiene.
“Most importantly, food handlers must conform to strict hygienic practices, such as washing their hands constantly,” he said.
In another development, Kuala Krai MRSM principal Shamsudin Hussin said two students who were earlier admitted to hospital for observation after they developed fever, were recovering.
He said the 500 students at the college were sent home for an extended break till March 18. However, this was not due to the deaths of the two students.
Shamsudin said parents should not worry as the college had taken steps to ensure a high level of cleanliness.
He said it had become a culture in the state for cleanliness to be neglected, especially when preparing food, and this led to typhoid outbreaks.
He said there was a typhoid outbreak every year.
Dr Ahmad Razin was referring to the recent deaths of two Kuala Krai Mara Junior Science College (MRSM) students, which sparked a typhoid outbreak scare.
Siti Nazirah Said died of dengue fever while Amni Izzati Ghani was suspected to have died from pneumonia.
Dr Ahmad Razin said typhoid could be contained through better cleanliness and personal hygiene.
“Most importantly, food handlers must conform to strict hygienic practices, such as washing their hands constantly,” he said.
In another development, Kuala Krai MRSM principal Shamsudin Hussin said two students who were earlier admitted to hospital for observation after they developed fever, were recovering.
He said the 500 students at the college were sent home for an extended break till March 18. However, this was not due to the deaths of the two students.
Shamsudin said parents should not worry as the college had taken steps to ensure a high level of cleanliness.
Follow all medical advice given, Sarawakians told
Star: MIRI: The hand, foot and mouth disease outbreak in Sarawak, which saw 601 new cases over the last three days, is beginning to worry the authorities.
They are particularly concerned that people are not paying serious attention to the problem, with many parents still sending their children to kindergartens despite the Health Ministry’s directive to all 488 kindergartens in the state to close.
In view of this, Deputy Chief Minister and State Disaster Relief Committee chairman Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam, who announced the figures, urged the people to take a serious view of the disease and follow all medical advice given in the last few weeks.
“The people should not take this lightly, as the consequences can be serious,” he said in an interview yesterday.
However, he noted that the number of new cases between Sunday and Monday had dropped compared with the previous 24 hours.
“Nevertheless, we want to ensure the figures are lowered as much as possible,” he said.
“Despite the new cases, there are no more fatalities, and none of the reported cases is critical in nature.
“The number of hospital admissions due to this disease so far is 358, but as of yesterday, only 47 were still in hospital,” he said.
For the 24-hour period from 7am on Friday to Saturday, 211 new cases were reported. From Saturday to Sunday, the figure was 287 and from Sunday to yesterday, it was 103.
Between Jan 1 and Feb 18, the number of cases was 942, compared with the 270 in the corresponding period last year.
He said the state health authorities had taken aggressive measures to try to curb the spread of the disease.
Dr Chan said that besides the closure of kindergartens and pre-school facilities for two weeks, the government had stepped up health surveillance and started cleaning up areas affected by the outbreak.
Meanwhile, concerned groups and members of the public have called for clear-cut measures and concrete guidelines from the federal and state health authorities on what needs to be done immediately.
Miri Consumers Association president George Francis said the authorities needed to come up with clear-cut measures and guidelines, as the electronic media was not doing enough to educate the public.
“We know the authorities at both federal and state levels are trying their best to check the spread,” he said.
“However, there must be more specific measures to educate the people on this disease and why it is spreading so quickly, and how to contain it.
“At the moment, it seems that there is no specific treatment available because HFM is a viral disease.”
Sarawak Teachers Union president William Gani Bina urged the government to censure stubborn kindergartens which were defying the Health Ministry’s directive to close for two weeks.
He said there were complaints from the public that some kindergartens were still open yesterday morning.
“I have checked on these complaints. Some of the operators said they had not received any written directive to close.
“This is a serious health issue. In emergency cases, there is no need to wait for a black-and-white order. The health of our children is at risk,” he said.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek will be in Miri today for an official visit to the various medical facilities there.
They are particularly concerned that people are not paying serious attention to the problem, with many parents still sending their children to kindergartens despite the Health Ministry’s directive to all 488 kindergartens in the state to close.
In view of this, Deputy Chief Minister and State Disaster Relief Committee chairman Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam, who announced the figures, urged the people to take a serious view of the disease and follow all medical advice given in the last few weeks.
“The people should not take this lightly, as the consequences can be serious,” he said in an interview yesterday.
However, he noted that the number of new cases between Sunday and Monday had dropped compared with the previous 24 hours.
“Nevertheless, we want to ensure the figures are lowered as much as possible,” he said.
“Despite the new cases, there are no more fatalities, and none of the reported cases is critical in nature.
“The number of hospital admissions due to this disease so far is 358, but as of yesterday, only 47 were still in hospital,” he said.
For the 24-hour period from 7am on Friday to Saturday, 211 new cases were reported. From Saturday to Sunday, the figure was 287 and from Sunday to yesterday, it was 103.
Between Jan 1 and Feb 18, the number of cases was 942, compared with the 270 in the corresponding period last year.
He said the state health authorities had taken aggressive measures to try to curb the spread of the disease.
Dr Chan said that besides the closure of kindergartens and pre-school facilities for two weeks, the government had stepped up health surveillance and started cleaning up areas affected by the outbreak.
Meanwhile, concerned groups and members of the public have called for clear-cut measures and concrete guidelines from the federal and state health authorities on what needs to be done immediately.
Miri Consumers Association president George Francis said the authorities needed to come up with clear-cut measures and guidelines, as the electronic media was not doing enough to educate the public.
“We know the authorities at both federal and state levels are trying their best to check the spread,” he said.
“However, there must be more specific measures to educate the people on this disease and why it is spreading so quickly, and how to contain it.
“At the moment, it seems that there is no specific treatment available because HFM is a viral disease.”
Sarawak Teachers Union president William Gani Bina urged the government to censure stubborn kindergartens which were defying the Health Ministry’s directive to close for two weeks.
He said there were complaints from the public that some kindergartens were still open yesterday morning.
“I have checked on these complaints. Some of the operators said they had not received any written directive to close.
“This is a serious health issue. In emergency cases, there is no need to wait for a black-and-white order. The health of our children is at risk,” he said.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek will be in Miri today for an official visit to the various medical facilities there.
Monday, March 06, 2006
Niosh Safety Passport System Ensures Safety In High-risk Industries
KUALA LUMPUR, March 6 (Bernama) -- The new Safety Passport System (NSP) of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) ensures occupational safety and health in the workplace of industries deemed to have a high risk of industrial accidents.
Niosh Chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said today NSP consisted of training programmes specifically designed for workers of contractors engaged by, for example, chemical and oil and gas plants.
"The NSP certification will serve as the passport to validate a worker's expertise in handling and maintaining occupational safety and health in the workplace and allow access into the plants and factories of the high-risk industries.
"The passport is renewable every two years," he told Bernama.
Lee said the NSP training programmes focused on providing appropriate training and assessment for the workers in order to ensure that they acquired the necessary safety and health knowledge for their jobs and to meet the occupational safety and health guidelines.
He said one of the major modules of the NSP was the Induction for Plant Access (IPA) which provided standard training and assessment for workers in customised modules with the overall objective of changing the mindset of workers towards a "safety-first" attitude and elevating safety and health at the workplace to the same level as other business functions in the industries.
This helped to relieve the companies from the chore of training their staff and workers of contractors on the basic induction for plant access and to ensure that contractors complied with the minimum legal requirements, he added.
Niosh Chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said today NSP consisted of training programmes specifically designed for workers of contractors engaged by, for example, chemical and oil and gas plants.
"The NSP certification will serve as the passport to validate a worker's expertise in handling and maintaining occupational safety and health in the workplace and allow access into the plants and factories of the high-risk industries.
"The passport is renewable every two years," he told Bernama.
Lee said the NSP training programmes focused on providing appropriate training and assessment for the workers in order to ensure that they acquired the necessary safety and health knowledge for their jobs and to meet the occupational safety and health guidelines.
He said one of the major modules of the NSP was the Induction for Plant Access (IPA) which provided standard training and assessment for workers in customised modules with the overall objective of changing the mindset of workers towards a "safety-first" attitude and elevating safety and health at the workplace to the same level as other business functions in the industries.
This helped to relieve the companies from the chore of training their staff and workers of contractors on the basic induction for plant access and to ensure that contractors complied with the minimum legal requirements, he added.
DOE probe landfill to find source of smelly water
NST: The Bukit Tagar landfill in Rawang, Hulu Selangor, which has been dogged by controversy, is in the news again.
This time, the Federal Government-owned landfill, which opened last April despite reservations by the Selangor State Government, is under investigation by the Department of Environment for contaminating Sungai Selangor and causing smelly tap water in the Klang Valley last week.
DOE director-general Datuk Rosnani Ibarahim said the landfill, operated by KUB-Berjaya Environ Sdn Bhd, would be checked for violations of its environmental impact assessment (EIA) conditions.
She said when the DOE approved the EIA report about two years ago, it had imposed conditions to ensure that leachate would not contaminate the surrounding rivers as the landfill lies in a water catchment area.
"We did not approve the actual project site, as that was up to the land authorities.
"We are investigating to see to what extent the landfill management did or did not comply with the EIA conditions," she told the New Straits Times today.
"If there is a violation, it can be a basis for legal action."
The penalty for EIA violations under the Environmental Quality Act is a maximum fine of RM100,000 or five years’ jail, or both.
Yesterday, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid said the cause of the smelly tap water was water seeping or overflowing from the landfill’s storage pond into Sungai Selangor following heavy rain on Feb 26.
The river supplies 60 per cent of the drinking water consumed in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.
The DOE and State Government in 2004 had warned that leachate could leak into the surrounding peat swamps and rivers.
While the State did not oppose the project, it raised concerns over the suitability of its location near important rivers.
The debate ceased once the Housing and Local Government Ministry acquired the land and placed the landfill under federal jurisdiction.
The ministry said the Bukit Tagar facility was needed as other landfills serving the Klang Valley had reached maximum capacity.
In its EIA report in 2004, the landfill management said it wanted to channel treated waste-water from the site into the Raja Musa peat swamp forest, which feeds some of Selangor’s rivers.
This time, the Federal Government-owned landfill, which opened last April despite reservations by the Selangor State Government, is under investigation by the Department of Environment for contaminating Sungai Selangor and causing smelly tap water in the Klang Valley last week.
DOE director-general Datuk Rosnani Ibarahim said the landfill, operated by KUB-Berjaya Environ Sdn Bhd, would be checked for violations of its environmental impact assessment (EIA) conditions.
She said when the DOE approved the EIA report about two years ago, it had imposed conditions to ensure that leachate would not contaminate the surrounding rivers as the landfill lies in a water catchment area.
"We did not approve the actual project site, as that was up to the land authorities.
"We are investigating to see to what extent the landfill management did or did not comply with the EIA conditions," she told the New Straits Times today.
"If there is a violation, it can be a basis for legal action."
The penalty for EIA violations under the Environmental Quality Act is a maximum fine of RM100,000 or five years’ jail, or both.
Yesterday, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid said the cause of the smelly tap water was water seeping or overflowing from the landfill’s storage pond into Sungai Selangor following heavy rain on Feb 26.
The river supplies 60 per cent of the drinking water consumed in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.
The DOE and State Government in 2004 had warned that leachate could leak into the surrounding peat swamps and rivers.
While the State did not oppose the project, it raised concerns over the suitability of its location near important rivers.
The debate ceased once the Housing and Local Government Ministry acquired the land and placed the landfill under federal jurisdiction.
The ministry said the Bukit Tagar facility was needed as other landfills serving the Klang Valley had reached maximum capacity.
In its EIA report in 2004, the landfill management said it wanted to channel treated waste-water from the site into the Raja Musa peat swamp forest, which feeds some of Selangor’s rivers.
Two students in hospital with fever, headache
NST: Ten Kuala Krai Mara Junior Science College students were sent to the district hospital today with fever and headache.
They were examined to determine whether they had contracted viral fever, college principal Shamsudin Hussin said.
Eight returned home while two were admitted. "It is a precaution. We are not taking this lightly after the deaths of two of our students," he told the New Straits Times.
Siti Nazirah Said, 14, of Marang died of dengue fever on Feb 4. Amni Izati Ghani, 14, of Kemaman died of pneumonia on March 2.
Shamsudin said stool samples were taken from the 10 students as well as 30 others when they complained of fever. "We still do not know what caused them to fall ill."
To allay fear among parents, the school started its mid-semester holidays today instead of Thursday.
"We discussed this with our (Mara) headquarters in Kuala Lumpur and decided to start the holidays early."
Shamsuddin denied reports the college was closed yesterday and that it had sent 500 of its students home following the deaths.
Mara Education Department deputy director-general Datuk Nam Marthinin also denied claims the students were sent home.
"They were spending their time away from school for the weekends. That’s all," he said.
Health Ministry disease control director Dr Ramli Rahmat urged parents not to panic as the two deaths were unrelated and occurred a month apart.
He said the ministry was checking to find out how Amni Izati contracted pneumonia.
They were examined to determine whether they had contracted viral fever, college principal Shamsudin Hussin said.
Eight returned home while two were admitted. "It is a precaution. We are not taking this lightly after the deaths of two of our students," he told the New Straits Times.
Siti Nazirah Said, 14, of Marang died of dengue fever on Feb 4. Amni Izati Ghani, 14, of Kemaman died of pneumonia on March 2.
Shamsudin said stool samples were taken from the 10 students as well as 30 others when they complained of fever. "We still do not know what caused them to fall ill."
To allay fear among parents, the school started its mid-semester holidays today instead of Thursday.
"We discussed this with our (Mara) headquarters in Kuala Lumpur and decided to start the holidays early."
Shamsuddin denied reports the college was closed yesterday and that it had sent 500 of its students home following the deaths.
Mara Education Department deputy director-general Datuk Nam Marthinin also denied claims the students were sent home.
"They were spending their time away from school for the weekends. That’s all," he said.
Health Ministry disease control director Dr Ramli Rahmat urged parents not to panic as the two deaths were unrelated and occurred a month apart.
He said the ministry was checking to find out how Amni Izati contracted pneumonia.
Unfair to penalise son, cries mum
NST: Why penalise my son? This is the cry of housewife Jamaliah Sulaiman, 39, whose six-year-old son has been barred from studying in a government-aided pre-school because he is HIV-positive.
"Is my son being penalised because I was truthful enough to declare to the authorities that he is HIV-positive?" asked Jamaliah, who is also HIV-positive.
She said she informed the school with good intentions but it turned out that the school was stigmatising those with HIV/AIDS.
She said it was through no fault of hers that she got infected and now her son has to suffer for it.
Jamaliah, who also has two adopted daughters aged 11 and 10 (both free of HIV), was diagnosed with HIV in 1998, a year after her husband died.
"I did not know my husband had HIV until he died."
Jamaliah, like many others, found that she was HIV-positive when she went for blood tests during a Health Ministry HIV/AIDS screening campaign in her hometown in Selangor.
When the blood bank called to inform her, she went into denial.
Only when health officials continually called and insisted that she come for counselling, did she accept the fact.
Jamaliah kept her sickness to herself for fear that her family, and society, would isolate her, but she strictly followed what the doctors told her so as not to infect anybody else.
In 1999, she received a marriage proposal and despite her repeated rejections, she said, she was finally forced to marry due to family pressure.
"I did not tell my husband that I was HIV-positive. I did not practise safe sex and I became pregnant."
She had a safe delivery but her son was confirmed HIV-positive a year ago.
"I thank Allah that my husband was not infected," she said, adding that she was grateful that her husband accepted her condition and agreed to continue life with her and the children.
Jamaliah is now a HIV activist, helping other women live a normal life in society.
"Is my son being penalised because I was truthful enough to declare to the authorities that he is HIV-positive?" asked Jamaliah, who is also HIV-positive.
She said she informed the school with good intentions but it turned out that the school was stigmatising those with HIV/AIDS.
She said it was through no fault of hers that she got infected and now her son has to suffer for it.
Jamaliah, who also has two adopted daughters aged 11 and 10 (both free of HIV), was diagnosed with HIV in 1998, a year after her husband died.
"I did not know my husband had HIV until he died."
Jamaliah, like many others, found that she was HIV-positive when she went for blood tests during a Health Ministry HIV/AIDS screening campaign in her hometown in Selangor.
When the blood bank called to inform her, she went into denial.
Only when health officials continually called and insisted that she come for counselling, did she accept the fact.
Jamaliah kept her sickness to herself for fear that her family, and society, would isolate her, but she strictly followed what the doctors told her so as not to infect anybody else.
In 1999, she received a marriage proposal and despite her repeated rejections, she said, she was finally forced to marry due to family pressure.
"I did not tell my husband that I was HIV-positive. I did not practise safe sex and I became pregnant."
She had a safe delivery but her son was confirmed HIV-positive a year ago.
"I thank Allah that my husband was not infected," she said, adding that she was grateful that her husband accepted her condition and agreed to continue life with her and the children.
Jamaliah is now a HIV activist, helping other women live a normal life in society.
HIV/AIDS: Odd-job workers top list
NST: Ask anyone on the street which occupational group has the largest number of HIV/AIDS sufferers and, invariably, the answer will be sex workers. That is the wrong answer.
According to Health Ministry statistics only 455 sex workers are HIV/AIDS sufferers. Topping the list are odd-job workers with 25,726 sufferers followed by 13,973 sufferers, who are unemployed.
The other sufferers according to occupational category are: factory and industrial workers (3,843), fishermen (3,066), private sector staff (2,394), housewives (1,932), uniformed bodies (669), government staff (502) and students (154).
There are also 22,912 HIV/AIDS sufferers whose occupations are unknown.
Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) president Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman said the Government’s campaigns to create awareness among Malaysians of HIV/AIDS is paying off, with people, including women, coming forward to be screened for the affliction.
"Many are not coming out due to shame and fear of being stigmatised. They also fear discrimination against them and their family," she told the New Straits Times.
Dr Adeeba, who heads the Infectious Diseases Unit at University of Malaya Medical Centre, said it was important for every Malaysian to know about HIV/AIDS and how it was transmitted.
"Everyone is a potential victim, not just the drug addict or sex worker," she said, adding that the Government was fighting hard to reduce transmission through its campaigns.
She said until infection among drug users was controlled, it would be a tough battle. A total of 50,303 HIV and 5,956 AIDS sufferers were intravenous drug users as at June last year.
The ministry’s statistics show 25 blood transfusion recipients are suffering from HIV and another 17 have AIDS. Three organ donation recipients have been infected with HIV while three others have AIDS.
The breakdown of those with HIV and AIDS: homosexuals and bisexuals (930 HIV and 232 AIDS) heterosexuals (9,417 HIV and 2,751 AIDS), and mother to child transmission (500 HIV and 124 AIDS).
There is no clear information on how 6,260 HIV and 961 AIDS sufferers became afflicted.
The racial breakdown of sufferers from 1986 to June last year: Malays (48,976 with HIV and 6,007 with AIDS), Chinese (9,893 HIV and 2,751 AIDS), Indians (5,522 HIV and 735 AIDS), Bumiputera Sarawak (185 HIV and 77 AIDS), Bumiputera Sabah (233 HIV and 79 AIDS), Orang Asli (39 HIV), others in Peninsular Malaysia (392 HIV and 115 AIDS) and foreigners (2,040 HIV and 271 AIDS).
According to Health Ministry statistics only 455 sex workers are HIV/AIDS sufferers. Topping the list are odd-job workers with 25,726 sufferers followed by 13,973 sufferers, who are unemployed.
The other sufferers according to occupational category are: factory and industrial workers (3,843), fishermen (3,066), private sector staff (2,394), housewives (1,932), uniformed bodies (669), government staff (502) and students (154).
There are also 22,912 HIV/AIDS sufferers whose occupations are unknown.
Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) president Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman said the Government’s campaigns to create awareness among Malaysians of HIV/AIDS is paying off, with people, including women, coming forward to be screened for the affliction.
"Many are not coming out due to shame and fear of being stigmatised. They also fear discrimination against them and their family," she told the New Straits Times.
Dr Adeeba, who heads the Infectious Diseases Unit at University of Malaya Medical Centre, said it was important for every Malaysian to know about HIV/AIDS and how it was transmitted.
"Everyone is a potential victim, not just the drug addict or sex worker," she said, adding that the Government was fighting hard to reduce transmission through its campaigns.
She said until infection among drug users was controlled, it would be a tough battle. A total of 50,303 HIV and 5,956 AIDS sufferers were intravenous drug users as at June last year.
The ministry’s statistics show 25 blood transfusion recipients are suffering from HIV and another 17 have AIDS. Three organ donation recipients have been infected with HIV while three others have AIDS.
The breakdown of those with HIV and AIDS: homosexuals and bisexuals (930 HIV and 232 AIDS) heterosexuals (9,417 HIV and 2,751 AIDS), and mother to child transmission (500 HIV and 124 AIDS).
There is no clear information on how 6,260 HIV and 961 AIDS sufferers became afflicted.
The racial breakdown of sufferers from 1986 to June last year: Malays (48,976 with HIV and 6,007 with AIDS), Chinese (9,893 HIV and 2,751 AIDS), Indians (5,522 HIV and 735 AIDS), Bumiputera Sarawak (185 HIV and 77 AIDS), Bumiputera Sabah (233 HIV and 79 AIDS), Orang Asli (39 HIV), others in Peninsular Malaysia (392 HIV and 115 AIDS) and foreigners (2,040 HIV and 271 AIDS).
Dirty canteen partially shut
Star: SUNGAI PETANI: A premier primary school here was ordered to partially shut down its canteen for two weeks for flouting the Health Ministry's cleanliness guidelines.
The Kuala Muda district health office issued the order after officers made a surprise check yesterday and found that the refrigerator was not working properly, the eggs in the fridge were unwashed and the vegetables stale.
Under the order, the canteen operator was not allowed to cook at the premises but could sell food that was cooked elsewhere.
The shutdown, which took effect yesterday, was carried out under Section 11 of the Food Act 1983.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad said cooking would not be allowed at the canteen until the operator complied with the cleanliness guidelines.
He said this was in line with the ministry’s emphasis on food handlers to observe hygiene and cleanliness at all times.
“In this case, it’s even worse as the food handler is serving food to children who are more susceptible to infection,” he said.
Dr Abdul Latiff also said district health offices in all states had been asked to continuously monitor the cleanliness at eateries, including school canteens.
The health officers made the surprise check at the canteen shortly after the school was opened at 7.30am yesterday.
This was following a report in The Star on Saturday which highlighted complaints from parents about poor hygiene at the canteen.
Checks at the canteen showed the outlet pipe of the wash basin was damaged, causing dirty water to splash down, drains clogged with leftover food emitting a foul smell and dirty tables.
The Kuala Muda district health office issued the order after officers made a surprise check yesterday and found that the refrigerator was not working properly, the eggs in the fridge were unwashed and the vegetables stale.
Under the order, the canteen operator was not allowed to cook at the premises but could sell food that was cooked elsewhere.
The shutdown, which took effect yesterday, was carried out under Section 11 of the Food Act 1983.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad said cooking would not be allowed at the canteen until the operator complied with the cleanliness guidelines.
He said this was in line with the ministry’s emphasis on food handlers to observe hygiene and cleanliness at all times.
“In this case, it’s even worse as the food handler is serving food to children who are more susceptible to infection,” he said.
Dr Abdul Latiff also said district health offices in all states had been asked to continuously monitor the cleanliness at eateries, including school canteens.
The health officers made the surprise check at the canteen shortly after the school was opened at 7.30am yesterday.
This was following a report in The Star on Saturday which highlighted complaints from parents about poor hygiene at the canteen.
Checks at the canteen showed the outlet pipe of the wash basin was damaged, causing dirty water to splash down, drains clogged with leftover food emitting a foul smell and dirty tables.
Five million light up daily
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: There are about five million smokers in the country – four million of whom are males and one million, females.
“This is the greatest challenge of the Tak Nak campaign – the sheer volume of smokers,” said Federal Territory public health deputy director Dr Sallehudin Abu Bakar.
He said that the Government had spent about RM20mil on the campaign, in contrast to about RM300mil to RM500mil a year spent by tobacco companies on promoting cigarettes.
“The tobacco industry’s target are youngsters and non-smokers. Once these victims have been influenced, they will be addicted for many more years,” he said during Cigarette Slayer seminar at Subang Jaya Medical Centre here yesterday.
Dr Sallehudin said that for every two seconds a cigarette was inhaled, one billion micron size particles were spread throughout the body, causing health defects such as chest pain, shortness of breath, persistent cough and lung cancer.
“But once you stop smoking, you’ll be able to witness the health dividends almost immediately,” he said.
“This includes a lesser chance of a heart attack, a normal pulse rate, higher energy level, higher blood pressure and a chance to recuperate.”
The bad news, he said, was that certain damage was more permanent.
“A smoker’s lungs, once tainted, may never be healed,” he added.
“But the most important thing here is not cancer or death, but the quality of life.”
“If you can climb a flight of steps without the shortness of breath you’ve experienced before, then you’ve achieved a small victory by quitting smoking,” he added.
“This is the greatest challenge of the Tak Nak campaign – the sheer volume of smokers,” said Federal Territory public health deputy director Dr Sallehudin Abu Bakar.
He said that the Government had spent about RM20mil on the campaign, in contrast to about RM300mil to RM500mil a year spent by tobacco companies on promoting cigarettes.
“The tobacco industry’s target are youngsters and non-smokers. Once these victims have been influenced, they will be addicted for many more years,” he said during Cigarette Slayer seminar at Subang Jaya Medical Centre here yesterday.
Dr Sallehudin said that for every two seconds a cigarette was inhaled, one billion micron size particles were spread throughout the body, causing health defects such as chest pain, shortness of breath, persistent cough and lung cancer.
“But once you stop smoking, you’ll be able to witness the health dividends almost immediately,” he said.
“This includes a lesser chance of a heart attack, a normal pulse rate, higher energy level, higher blood pressure and a chance to recuperate.”
The bad news, he said, was that certain damage was more permanent.
“A smoker’s lungs, once tainted, may never be healed,” he added.
“But the most important thing here is not cancer or death, but the quality of life.”
“If you can climb a flight of steps without the shortness of breath you’ve experienced before, then you’ve achieved a small victory by quitting smoking,” he added.
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Dengue And Pneumonia Cause Of Deaths Of MRSM Students
KOTA BAHARU, March 5 (Bernama) -- The two 14-year-old students at the Kuala Krai Mara Junior Science College (MRSM) who died recently succumbed to dengue and pneumonia.
Health Ministry's disease control division director Datuk Dr Ramlee Rahmat confirmed the cause of the students' death today following tests conducted by the Malaysian Institute of Medical Research (IMR).
"The deaths of the two students are not related," he told Bernama when contacted by telephone here Sunday.
An officer at the State Health Department, after insistence from media representatives who were waiting at the office for follow-ups on the death of the MRSM students, contacted Dr Ramlee who then requested to speak to a Bernama reporter.
The students, Siti Nazirah Said, from Kuala Terengganu, died on Feb 4 at the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital (HRPZII) where she was admitted for fever while Amni Izzati Ghani, from Kemaman, who was admitted to the same hospital died last Thursday.
Dr Ramlee said various procedures were taken by the Health Ministry, through the State Health Department, after Siti Nazirah's death.
He said they included preventive measures like fogging, conducting medical checks on other students, upgrading cleanliness and ensuring hygiene in food preparation at the college.
"The ministry is not hiding any information from parents of the victims because we also have to wait for results of the test by IMR to ascertain the cause of their daughters' death," he added.
Yesterday, the families of the students expressed disappointment as to why the actual cause of their daughters' deaths had not been disclosed to them.
They claimed that the hospital informed them that the cause of the deaths had yet to be determined.
Dr Ramlee said the ministry also checked the medical history of the deceased and found that Amni Izzati was asthmatic.
He also said checks were being carried out to determine the source of the dengue infection on Siti Nazirah.
"No other students at the college has been admitted to hospital for dengue fever and checks conducted at the college also found the compound to be clean and free of mosquito breeding," he added.
Dr Ramlee advised parents of students at the college not to panic or be unduly worried and to take their children for immediate medical check up should they come down with fever or complained of not feeling well.
He also said that it was not the ministry which ordered the college to be closed.
It was reported Saturday that more than 500 students from Kelantan were allowed to return home last Thursday after the death of the second student while another 100 from Terengganu and Pahang remained at the college until the school holidays which begin next Friday.
A spokesman from the college, when contacted today said all the students had been allowed to return home.
"It is not a directive from the Education Ministry or other parties, but a decision made by us to ease their parents' anxiety," he added.
Health Ministry's disease control division director Datuk Dr Ramlee Rahmat confirmed the cause of the students' death today following tests conducted by the Malaysian Institute of Medical Research (IMR).
"The deaths of the two students are not related," he told Bernama when contacted by telephone here Sunday.
An officer at the State Health Department, after insistence from media representatives who were waiting at the office for follow-ups on the death of the MRSM students, contacted Dr Ramlee who then requested to speak to a Bernama reporter.
The students, Siti Nazirah Said, from Kuala Terengganu, died on Feb 4 at the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital (HRPZII) where she was admitted for fever while Amni Izzati Ghani, from Kemaman, who was admitted to the same hospital died last Thursday.
Dr Ramlee said various procedures were taken by the Health Ministry, through the State Health Department, after Siti Nazirah's death.
He said they included preventive measures like fogging, conducting medical checks on other students, upgrading cleanliness and ensuring hygiene in food preparation at the college.
"The ministry is not hiding any information from parents of the victims because we also have to wait for results of the test by IMR to ascertain the cause of their daughters' death," he added.
Yesterday, the families of the students expressed disappointment as to why the actual cause of their daughters' deaths had not been disclosed to them.
They claimed that the hospital informed them that the cause of the deaths had yet to be determined.
Dr Ramlee said the ministry also checked the medical history of the deceased and found that Amni Izzati was asthmatic.
He also said checks were being carried out to determine the source of the dengue infection on Siti Nazirah.
"No other students at the college has been admitted to hospital for dengue fever and checks conducted at the college also found the compound to be clean and free of mosquito breeding," he added.
Dr Ramlee advised parents of students at the college not to panic or be unduly worried and to take their children for immediate medical check up should they come down with fever or complained of not feeling well.
He also said that it was not the ministry which ordered the college to be closed.
It was reported Saturday that more than 500 students from Kelantan were allowed to return home last Thursday after the death of the second student while another 100 from Terengganu and Pahang remained at the college until the school holidays which begin next Friday.
A spokesman from the college, when contacted today said all the students had been allowed to return home.
"It is not a directive from the Education Ministry or other parties, but a decision made by us to ease their parents' anxiety," he added.
211 new HFMD cases reported
NST: Another 211 suspected cases of hand, foot and mouth disease have been detected among children below five in the State.
This brings the total number of cases to 2,361 since the outbreak of the disease this year.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said 51 children, including one in critical condition, were warded at government hospitals.
He added that the number of deaths remained at four, including one who was confirmed positive with the deadly Enterovirus 71 (EV71) virus.
Dr Chan, who is also the State Disaster and Relief Management Committee chairman, said two children in critical condition two days ago were now out of danger and had been discharged from hospital.
On the large number of suspected cases reported daily over the last few days, he said they had been registering an average of over 200 suspected cases.
Yesterday, the Federal Health Ministry ordered a total of 488 kindergartens and nurseries in Sarawak to shut down for two weeks to contain the spread of the HFMD among children.
This brings the total number of cases to 2,361 since the outbreak of the disease this year.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said 51 children, including one in critical condition, were warded at government hospitals.
He added that the number of deaths remained at four, including one who was confirmed positive with the deadly Enterovirus 71 (EV71) virus.
Dr Chan, who is also the State Disaster and Relief Management Committee chairman, said two children in critical condition two days ago were now out of danger and had been discharged from hospital.
On the large number of suspected cases reported daily over the last few days, he said they had been registering an average of over 200 suspected cases.
Yesterday, the Federal Health Ministry ordered a total of 488 kindergartens and nurseries in Sarawak to shut down for two weeks to contain the spread of the HFMD among children.
Swiftlet hotels cleared of bird flu
NST: Residents living near edible bird’s nest swiftlet "hotels" who fear a bird flu threat can rest easy.
Regular surveillance tests by the Department of Veterinary Services since 2000 have all come back negative for the dreaded virus.
The department’s head of exotic animals unit, Dr Fazdilah A’ini Abd Kadir, said that it was highly unlikely for the birds, whose nests can sell for up to RM11,000 per kg, to be carriers of the virus.
"They are non-migratory, and do not share flying or roosting space with other birds. So their chances of contracting the virus is minimal."
The birds, she said, never perched anywhere except on their own nests and the swiftlets did not have the same food and water source as other birds, as they drank water droplets in the atmosphere and were insectivorous.
She added that swiftlet droppings were dry, and tests showed they contained no pathogenic parasites.
The swabs and dropping samples collected from birds in randomly selected swiftlet "hotels" nationwide are subjected to a standard test, which checks for Newcastle Disease and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza or bird flu.
She said the department would continue to monitor the estimated 10,000 swiftlet "hotels" in the country, which generate about 50 tonnes of bird’s nest a year.
Although the import and export of bird’s nest has been regulated since 1962, a guideline for edible nest swiftlet premises was only drafted in 2000, and revised in October.
On a report in the Malay Mail yesterday which highlighted the high noise level and poor hygiene of bird "hotels", she said that the complaints probably arose because the owners of premises did not follow the guidelines.
Regular surveillance tests by the Department of Veterinary Services since 2000 have all come back negative for the dreaded virus.
The department’s head of exotic animals unit, Dr Fazdilah A’ini Abd Kadir, said that it was highly unlikely for the birds, whose nests can sell for up to RM11,000 per kg, to be carriers of the virus.
"They are non-migratory, and do not share flying or roosting space with other birds. So their chances of contracting the virus is minimal."
The birds, she said, never perched anywhere except on their own nests and the swiftlets did not have the same food and water source as other birds, as they drank water droplets in the atmosphere and were insectivorous.
She added that swiftlet droppings were dry, and tests showed they contained no pathogenic parasites.
The swabs and dropping samples collected from birds in randomly selected swiftlet "hotels" nationwide are subjected to a standard test, which checks for Newcastle Disease and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza or bird flu.
She said the department would continue to monitor the estimated 10,000 swiftlet "hotels" in the country, which generate about 50 tonnes of bird’s nest a year.
Although the import and export of bird’s nest has been regulated since 1962, a guideline for edible nest swiftlet premises was only drafted in 2000, and revised in October.
On a report in the Malay Mail yesterday which highlighted the high noise level and poor hygiene of bird "hotels", she said that the complaints probably arose because the owners of premises did not follow the guidelines.
IJN dietician first Asian to win award
NST: It was her daily routine to begin the working day by checking her emails.
And last Oct 31 was no different for Mary Easaw-John, the senior dietetics and food services manager with Institut Jantung Negara (IJN).
A pleasant surprise awaited her.
There was a message that she had been chosen as the International Dietetic Network Star Award Winner 2005 by the American Overseas Dietetics Association (AODA).
Good news has to be shared. She called her husband, businessman John Gomez, her father, P.M. Easaw, and IJN CEO, Mohd Radzif Mohd Yunus.
Mary is the first Asian and Malaysian to receive the award, and had not expected it.
But she said, "Deep down I knew if I never tried, I would never know."
On reaching home, her six-year-old daughter, Zuleika Marie, added the icing to the cake by calling the award the "Mother-Daughter Award", as she had also won the "best reading award" in her kindergarten the same day.
Mary will leave for Ireland later this month to receive the award at the 27th AODA Conference.
She will present a paper there on "The Art and Science of Creating a Nutrition Story for the Media" and moderate a roundtable session on "Compensation for Dieticians" with American Dietetic Association CEO, Ron Moen.
She decided to apply for the award last year after being prodded to do so by the first recipient of the award, Stacia Nordin from Malawi.
Mary sent in a thesis comprising her work of the last two years which included her most challenging work, "The Medical Nutrition Therapy Guidelines for Hypertension and Hyperlipidemia".
She said most Malaysians never think about eating healthy and were only aware of nutrition when they were sick.
"What’s so difficult in eating healthy? Our forefathers used to do it carbohydrates, proteins, vegetables, fruit and water."
"Of course, some physical exercise too. Malaysians have become too sedentary. There are a lot of vehicles and people don’t want to walk anymore."
Mary, who has written three recipe books, said there was no such thing as "good" or "bad" food, only faulty eating habits.
"All the food can actually fit into your eating patterns, it’s just you deciding how much of it you eat."
And last Oct 31 was no different for Mary Easaw-John, the senior dietetics and food services manager with Institut Jantung Negara (IJN).
A pleasant surprise awaited her.
There was a message that she had been chosen as the International Dietetic Network Star Award Winner 2005 by the American Overseas Dietetics Association (AODA).
Good news has to be shared. She called her husband, businessman John Gomez, her father, P.M. Easaw, and IJN CEO, Mohd Radzif Mohd Yunus.
Mary is the first Asian and Malaysian to receive the award, and had not expected it.
But she said, "Deep down I knew if I never tried, I would never know."
On reaching home, her six-year-old daughter, Zuleika Marie, added the icing to the cake by calling the award the "Mother-Daughter Award", as she had also won the "best reading award" in her kindergarten the same day.
Mary will leave for Ireland later this month to receive the award at the 27th AODA Conference.
She will present a paper there on "The Art and Science of Creating a Nutrition Story for the Media" and moderate a roundtable session on "Compensation for Dieticians" with American Dietetic Association CEO, Ron Moen.
She decided to apply for the award last year after being prodded to do so by the first recipient of the award, Stacia Nordin from Malawi.
Mary sent in a thesis comprising her work of the last two years which included her most challenging work, "The Medical Nutrition Therapy Guidelines for Hypertension and Hyperlipidemia".
She said most Malaysians never think about eating healthy and were only aware of nutrition when they were sick.
"What’s so difficult in eating healthy? Our forefathers used to do it carbohydrates, proteins, vegetables, fruit and water."
"Of course, some physical exercise too. Malaysians have become too sedentary. There are a lot of vehicles and people don’t want to walk anymore."
Mary, who has written three recipe books, said there was no such thing as "good" or "bad" food, only faulty eating habits.
"All the food can actually fit into your eating patterns, it’s just you deciding how much of it you eat."
Deaths prompt college to send students home
NST: The deaths of two 14-year-old girls from the Kuala Krai Mara Junior Science College has resulted in the educational institution ordering its 500 students to return home.
Medical authorities are unable to confirm what caused the deaths although dengue or typhoid have been named as possible causes.
A spokesman for the college confirmed that the 500 students from Kelantan were told to return home on Thursday, while another 100 from Terengganu and Pahang remained at the college until the school holidays which begin next Friday.
Siti Nazirah Said died on Feb 4 after she was admitted to Raja Perempuan Zainab 2 Hospital for fever while Amni Izati Ghani, who was admitted to the hospital on March 2, also died of fever.
The girls from Marang and Kemaman, respectively, were staying in the same dormitory.
The spokesman said four students who were hospitalised, two here and one each in Pasir Mas and Kuala Krai, had been discharged.
Kelantan director of Health Services Datuk Dr Ahmad Razin Ahmad Maher declined to say whether the students had died of typhoid or dengue.
"I will clarify the situation at a Press conference tomorrow. My department did not order the college to be closed," he told Bernama.
Guchil State Assemblyman Dr Shamsul Ikhwan Ashaari Azmi, who visited the college, said he was informed by the State Health Department that doctors were still investigating the cause of death of the girls.
"I visited the college today and found that there were no mosquito-breeding grounds," he said.
Mara education department deputy director-general Datuk Nam Marthinin assured parents precautionary measures were being taken, including a mass clean-up exercise carried out by the staff and students.
In Kuala Terengganu, Ghani Sulong, father of Amni Izzati, said he hoped the authorities would inform him of the cause of his daughter’s death.
"It is impossible for the hospital not to know the cause," he said.
"If it is a dangerous disease, they must let the people know.
"I can’t understand how there can be two sudden deaths in the college.
"They should also take immediate action. If the college has to be closed, they must do that."
Siti Nazirah’s mother, Hatijah Muda, 52, said the hospital had cited dengue haemorrhagic fever or a lung infection as the likely cause of her daughter’s death.
Medical authorities are unable to confirm what caused the deaths although dengue or typhoid have been named as possible causes.
A spokesman for the college confirmed that the 500 students from Kelantan were told to return home on Thursday, while another 100 from Terengganu and Pahang remained at the college until the school holidays which begin next Friday.
Siti Nazirah Said died on Feb 4 after she was admitted to Raja Perempuan Zainab 2 Hospital for fever while Amni Izati Ghani, who was admitted to the hospital on March 2, also died of fever.
The girls from Marang and Kemaman, respectively, were staying in the same dormitory.
The spokesman said four students who were hospitalised, two here and one each in Pasir Mas and Kuala Krai, had been discharged.
Kelantan director of Health Services Datuk Dr Ahmad Razin Ahmad Maher declined to say whether the students had died of typhoid or dengue.
"I will clarify the situation at a Press conference tomorrow. My department did not order the college to be closed," he told Bernama.
Guchil State Assemblyman Dr Shamsul Ikhwan Ashaari Azmi, who visited the college, said he was informed by the State Health Department that doctors were still investigating the cause of death of the girls.
"I visited the college today and found that there were no mosquito-breeding grounds," he said.
Mara education department deputy director-general Datuk Nam Marthinin assured parents precautionary measures were being taken, including a mass clean-up exercise carried out by the staff and students.
In Kuala Terengganu, Ghani Sulong, father of Amni Izzati, said he hoped the authorities would inform him of the cause of his daughter’s death.
"It is impossible for the hospital not to know the cause," he said.
"If it is a dangerous disease, they must let the people know.
"I can’t understand how there can be two sudden deaths in the college.
"They should also take immediate action. If the college has to be closed, they must do that."
Siti Nazirah’s mother, Hatijah Muda, 52, said the hospital had cited dengue haemorrhagic fever or a lung infection as the likely cause of her daughter’s death.
Colorectal cancer the top killer among Msian men
Star: PETALING JAYA: Colorectal cancer, which affects the colon and rectum, is one of the most life-threatening diseases in the world that has crept into the lives of Malaysian men.
The Malaysian Society of Colorectal Surgeons (MSCRS) said this was due to a fast-paced lifestyle that is commonly associated with developed nations.
MSCRS president Dr Samuel Tay said there were also other factors that had made colorectal cancer the top “killer cancer” among Malaysian males, some of whom are as young as 16.
He said those who face this risk include those with a family history of polyps (a growth from a mucous membrane commonly found in organs such as the rectum, the uterus, and the nose) and people who maintain a high-fat-low-fibre diet.
Obesity and leading an unhealthy lifestyle could also make a person suffer from this cancer,” he told The Star on the sidelines of the 4th Malaysian Colorectal Conference here yesterday.
Participants from all over Malaysia and five other countries – Singapore, Australia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the Philippines – are attending the three-day meeting, which ends today.
The conference also marked the official launching of the MSCRS.
However, Dr Tay gave an assurance that taking a proactive attitude towards health would help in detecting the cancer in its early stages.
“Colorectal cancer at its early stages has no symptoms and it is indistinguishable from non-cancer colon problems,” he said.
The Malaysian Society of Colorectal Surgeons (MSCRS) said this was due to a fast-paced lifestyle that is commonly associated with developed nations.
MSCRS president Dr Samuel Tay said there were also other factors that had made colorectal cancer the top “killer cancer” among Malaysian males, some of whom are as young as 16.
He said those who face this risk include those with a family history of polyps (a growth from a mucous membrane commonly found in organs such as the rectum, the uterus, and the nose) and people who maintain a high-fat-low-fibre diet.
Obesity and leading an unhealthy lifestyle could also make a person suffer from this cancer,” he told The Star on the sidelines of the 4th Malaysian Colorectal Conference here yesterday.
Participants from all over Malaysia and five other countries – Singapore, Australia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the Philippines – are attending the three-day meeting, which ends today.
The conference also marked the official launching of the MSCRS.
However, Dr Tay gave an assurance that taking a proactive attitude towards health would help in detecting the cancer in its early stages.
“Colorectal cancer at its early stages has no symptoms and it is indistinguishable from non-cancer colon problems,” he said.
Chua: Keep children at home
Star: BATU PAHAT: Keep your children at home and make sure your house is clean, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek advises parents in Sarawak, saying that this could help contain the spread of the hand, foot and mouth (HFM) disease that has already taken four young lives in the state this year.
On Friday, the minister announced that all 488 kindergartens in Sarawak would be closed for two weeks to stop the spread of HFM.
The decision was made as 942 cases of children infected by the disease had been reported between Jan 1 and Feb 18, compared with just 270 cases in the corresponding period last year.
“Sarawak is a very big place and without the closure (of the kindergartens), monitoring efforts will not be effective.
“This step is made in the interest of the people and the children. I hope parents and teachers will give their full support and co-operation in this matter,” Dr Chua told reporters after launching the Hill View Loft luxury condominiums in Kampung Istana here yesterday.
He said if all precautionary and preventive measures were taken – under the condition that the affected children must not go out but stay at home – the disease could be contained in two weeks.
Meanwhile, Dr Chua said two men, aged 27 and 36, suspected of having bird flu were warded at the isolation ward of the Kuala Lumpur Hospital on Friday.
However, the two patients, who were involved in bird culling in Gombak, tested negative.
Dr Chua said 19 people had been admitted so far but none of them tested positive for the H5N1 virus.
On Friday, the minister announced that all 488 kindergartens in Sarawak would be closed for two weeks to stop the spread of HFM.
The decision was made as 942 cases of children infected by the disease had been reported between Jan 1 and Feb 18, compared with just 270 cases in the corresponding period last year.
“Sarawak is a very big place and without the closure (of the kindergartens), monitoring efforts will not be effective.
“This step is made in the interest of the people and the children. I hope parents and teachers will give their full support and co-operation in this matter,” Dr Chua told reporters after launching the Hill View Loft luxury condominiums in Kampung Istana here yesterday.
He said if all precautionary and preventive measures were taken – under the condition that the affected children must not go out but stay at home – the disease could be contained in two weeks.
Meanwhile, Dr Chua said two men, aged 27 and 36, suspected of having bird flu were warded at the isolation ward of the Kuala Lumpur Hospital on Friday.
However, the two patients, who were involved in bird culling in Gombak, tested negative.
Dr Chua said 19 people had been admitted so far but none of them tested positive for the H5N1 virus.
techpark@enstek attracts Health Ministry, Jakim
BT: TECHPARK@enstek has attracted two major investors, namely the Health Ministry and the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim), with investments worth RM400 million.
The Health Ministry's National Institute of Natural Products, Vaccines and Biologicals (9BIO) will occupy an area of 25.2ha at techpark@enstek.
9BIO will spearhead the research and development for new vaccines for prevalent tropical diseases. It will be the first of its kind in Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Jakim's Halal Complex, that will include Halal Accreditation Centre, will take up 18.4ha at the park. The halal complex is scheduled to be established this year.
It will enhance Jakim's capabilities and infrastructure in developing a global HALAL accreditation and reference hub in Malaysia.
With these sales, techpark@enstek has so far attracted investments both local as well as foreign totalling more than RM500 million.
Launched in 2002, techpark@enstek also houses five other investors namely Stevian Biotechnology Corp, Felda Biotechnology Centre, Tropical Botanics Sdn Bhd, YHI Manufacturing and Eden Enterprises (M) Bhd.
"The affirmation of 9BIO and the Halal Complex reinforce and strengthen techpark@enstek as the preferred biotechnology destination in Malaysia," TH Properties Sdn Bhd chief exexecutive officer Syed Mohamed Ibrahim said in a statement released in Kuala Lumpur.
TH Properties, a wholly- owned subsidiary of Lembaga Tabung Haji, is managing @enstek, which is envisaged to become a world- class technological hub specifically for the biotechnology, advanced manufacturing technology and information communication industries and sub-sectors.
To complement techpark@enstek businesses, a comprehensive logistics facility known as logispark@enstek is currently being established to offer complete logistics support for their operations.
Logistics and freight forwarding companies are being invited to operate within the logistics hub, which will be designated as a free commercial zone.
@enstek is expected to be completed in 2025. Its gross development value is estimated at RM7 billion.
The Health Ministry's National Institute of Natural Products, Vaccines and Biologicals (9BIO) will occupy an area of 25.2ha at techpark@enstek.
9BIO will spearhead the research and development for new vaccines for prevalent tropical diseases. It will be the first of its kind in Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Jakim's Halal Complex, that will include Halal Accreditation Centre, will take up 18.4ha at the park. The halal complex is scheduled to be established this year.
It will enhance Jakim's capabilities and infrastructure in developing a global HALAL accreditation and reference hub in Malaysia.
With these sales, techpark@enstek has so far attracted investments both local as well as foreign totalling more than RM500 million.
Launched in 2002, techpark@enstek also houses five other investors namely Stevian Biotechnology Corp, Felda Biotechnology Centre, Tropical Botanics Sdn Bhd, YHI Manufacturing and Eden Enterprises (M) Bhd.
"The affirmation of 9BIO and the Halal Complex reinforce and strengthen techpark@enstek as the preferred biotechnology destination in Malaysia," TH Properties Sdn Bhd chief exexecutive officer Syed Mohamed Ibrahim said in a statement released in Kuala Lumpur.
TH Properties, a wholly- owned subsidiary of Lembaga Tabung Haji, is managing @enstek, which is envisaged to become a world- class technological hub specifically for the biotechnology, advanced manufacturing technology and information communication industries and sub-sectors.
To complement techpark@enstek businesses, a comprehensive logistics facility known as logispark@enstek is currently being established to offer complete logistics support for their operations.
Logistics and freight forwarding companies are being invited to operate within the logistics hub, which will be designated as a free commercial zone.
@enstek is expected to be completed in 2025. Its gross development value is estimated at RM7 billion.
Bukit Tagar Landfill Blamed For Pollution Of Sungai Selangor
PADANG BESAR, March 4 (Bernama) -- Water flowing from a catchment pond at the Bukit Tagar landfill has been identified as the cause of excessive content of ammonia in Sungai Selangor.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid said water from a landfill should be treatment before being released into the river but the landfill there did not have any water treatment pond.
It only had an ordinary catchment pond, he told reporters after a communication programme at Felcra Lubok Sireh, here Saturday.
"The extraordinary rainfall in Shah Alam recently had caused the catchment pond to overflow into the river, raising the ammonia content," he said.
The Selangor Department of Environment (DOE) had found that the ammonia level in Sungai Selangor had reached the danger level at 9.2 mg per litre compared to the safe level of 1.5 mg per litre.
According to Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas), the operators of three water treatment plants along the river had increased the chlorine content in the contaminated raw water during the treatment process to reduce the ammonia content.
The chemical reaction had resulted in the foul smell of piped water in several areas in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur last Sunday.
Azmi said a study by the DOE had shown that the piped water was safe for drinking.
However, he expressed disappointment with Syabas which he said had failed to treat the water by supposing it was not its responsibility to do so.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid said water from a landfill should be treatment before being released into the river but the landfill there did not have any water treatment pond.
It only had an ordinary catchment pond, he told reporters after a communication programme at Felcra Lubok Sireh, here Saturday.
"The extraordinary rainfall in Shah Alam recently had caused the catchment pond to overflow into the river, raising the ammonia content," he said.
The Selangor Department of Environment (DOE) had found that the ammonia level in Sungai Selangor had reached the danger level at 9.2 mg per litre compared to the safe level of 1.5 mg per litre.
According to Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas), the operators of three water treatment plants along the river had increased the chlorine content in the contaminated raw water during the treatment process to reduce the ammonia content.
The chemical reaction had resulted in the foul smell of piped water in several areas in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur last Sunday.
Azmi said a study by the DOE had shown that the piped water was safe for drinking.
However, he expressed disappointment with Syabas which he said had failed to treat the water by supposing it was not its responsibility to do so.
Two Students Die Of Suspected Typhoid Fever In Kelantan
KOTA BAHARU, March 4 (Bernama) -- Two girl students of the Mara Junior Science College (MRSM) in Kuala Krai near here have died, the cause of which has yet to be ascertained but is suspected to be typhoid fever.
Siti Nazirah Said of Kampung Titian Baru in Marang, Terengganu, died on Feb 4 while Amni Izzati Abdul Ghani, also 14, of Kampung Bukit Kuang II in Kemaman, Terengganu, died last Thursday.
More than 500 students from Kelantan were allowed to return to their homes last Thursday after the death of the second student, a spokesman of the college said Saturday, adding that more than 100 students from Terengganu and Pahang remained at the college pending the school holidays which begin next Friday.
The spokesman said four students were admitted to hospital -- two here and one each in Pasir Mas and Kuala Krai -- and were discharged after treatment.
Kelantan Director of Health Services Datuk Dr Ahmad Razin Ahmad Maher, when contacted, declined to say whether the students had died of typhoid or dengue fever.
"I will call a press conference tomorrow. I have not checked the report but the department did not order the closure of the college," he said.
Meanwhile, the families of the dead students have expressed disappointment as to why the actual cause of their deaths had not been disclosed to them.
They claimed that the hospital informed them that the cause of the deaths had yet to be determined.
Ghani Sulong, father of Amni Izzati, said he hoped that the authorities of the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital would give them the information immediately and not cover up the matter if her daughter's death was due to a dangerous disease.
"It is impossible for the hospital not to know the cause (of her death). If it is a dangerous disease, they must let the people know. I can't understand how there can be two sudden deaths in the college. They should also take immediate action. If the college has to be closed, they must do that," he said when contacted at his home in Kuala Terengganu.
Student Siti Nazirah's mother, Hatijah Muda, 52, when met at her home in Marang, said the hospital had cited her daughter's death as due to dengue haemorrhagic fever or lung infection.
Siti Nazirah Said of Kampung Titian Baru in Marang, Terengganu, died on Feb 4 while Amni Izzati Abdul Ghani, also 14, of Kampung Bukit Kuang II in Kemaman, Terengganu, died last Thursday.
More than 500 students from Kelantan were allowed to return to their homes last Thursday after the death of the second student, a spokesman of the college said Saturday, adding that more than 100 students from Terengganu and Pahang remained at the college pending the school holidays which begin next Friday.
The spokesman said four students were admitted to hospital -- two here and one each in Pasir Mas and Kuala Krai -- and were discharged after treatment.
Kelantan Director of Health Services Datuk Dr Ahmad Razin Ahmad Maher, when contacted, declined to say whether the students had died of typhoid or dengue fever.
"I will call a press conference tomorrow. I have not checked the report but the department did not order the closure of the college," he said.
Meanwhile, the families of the dead students have expressed disappointment as to why the actual cause of their deaths had not been disclosed to them.
They claimed that the hospital informed them that the cause of the deaths had yet to be determined.
Ghani Sulong, father of Amni Izzati, said he hoped that the authorities of the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital would give them the information immediately and not cover up the matter if her daughter's death was due to a dangerous disease.
"It is impossible for the hospital not to know the cause (of her death). If it is a dangerous disease, they must let the people know. I can't understand how there can be two sudden deaths in the college. They should also take immediate action. If the college has to be closed, they must do that," he said when contacted at his home in Kuala Terengganu.
Student Siti Nazirah's mother, Hatijah Muda, 52, when met at her home in Marang, said the hospital had cited her daughter's death as due to dengue haemorrhagic fever or lung infection.
Saturday, March 04, 2006
Surge in HFMD cases
NST: A total of 488 kindergartens in Sarawak have been directed to shut down temporarily to fight an alarming spread of the hand, foot and mouth disease in the State.
This follows a sudden surge in the number of cases this year — some 920 cases were reported between Jan 1 and Feb 18, compared to 270 cases for the same period last year.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the order follows discussions with Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan today.
At a Press conference in Kuching, Dr Chan advised parents not to expose their children to crowded places.
"They should stop sending their children to public swimming pools," he added.
He said four children below five had died of HFMD, with one confirmed as positive with the Enterovirus 71 (EV71) virus. This was a four-year-old child from Sibu.
However, the latest case, in which a 16-month-old boy from Mukah died with symptoms related to EV71 on Wednesday, had yet to be confirmed.
Yesterday, 20 kindergartens — nine in Kuching, five in Sibu, four in Bintulu and two in Miri — were directed to temporarily close after their pupils were confirmed to have contracted HFMD.
The closure is to enable the authorities to keep close tabs on the situation in the State.
Dr Chan said government hospitals had prepared isolation wards for those suspected of contracting the disease.
Private clinics had also been informed to be on the lookout for such cases.
Dr Chan said based on a study carried out nine years ago, it was found that high incidences of the disease occurred every three years.
This follows a sudden surge in the number of cases this year — some 920 cases were reported between Jan 1 and Feb 18, compared to 270 cases for the same period last year.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the order follows discussions with Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan today.
At a Press conference in Kuching, Dr Chan advised parents not to expose their children to crowded places.
"They should stop sending their children to public swimming pools," he added.
He said four children below five had died of HFMD, with one confirmed as positive with the Enterovirus 71 (EV71) virus. This was a four-year-old child from Sibu.
However, the latest case, in which a 16-month-old boy from Mukah died with symptoms related to EV71 on Wednesday, had yet to be confirmed.
Yesterday, 20 kindergartens — nine in Kuching, five in Sibu, four in Bintulu and two in Miri — were directed to temporarily close after their pupils were confirmed to have contracted HFMD.
The closure is to enable the authorities to keep close tabs on the situation in the State.
Dr Chan said government hospitals had prepared isolation wards for those suspected of contracting the disease.
Private clinics had also been informed to be on the lookout for such cases.
Dr Chan said based on a study carried out nine years ago, it was found that high incidences of the disease occurred every three years.
Department flooded with bird calls
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: The Veterinary Services Department has received more than 400 “bird calls” since Monday.
With staff straining to contain the avian flu scare, these calls have unnecessarily thrown enforcers off the track, as they were largely complaints about chickens making a lot of noise.
“I’m sorry to say that we do not cover those kind of problems,” said operations room director Dr Abu Hassan Muhammad Ali, adding that such matters were under the jurisdiction of City Hall or other local authorities.
Apart from complaints of the birds making a racket and neighbours rearing chickens, the department had also been deluged with calls to clean up dead birds lying in the streets.
“Birds die of natural causes. That’s normal. It does not necessarily mean that the birds had died of the avian flu. The complainants themselves can bury the dead birds,” he added.
“It is impossible for us to test every bird that dies outside the 10km radius (of the area affected by the flu).
“We do hope that the public will understand,” he said.
The calls received by the department also touched on whether it was safe to eat chicken.
Dr Abu Hassan said there should be no worries about having a chicken meal if it was cooked properly. He added that there were calls from Sabah and Sarawak too.
Many callers also complained about people keeping fighting cocks in their neighbourhood.
There are only about 20 veterinary staff in the Federal Territory to cover the affected area in Setapak and other areas beyond the 10km radius.
“Obviously, they have to work extra hours and be on 24-hour stand-by,” Dr Abu Hassan said, adding that culling operations had stopped for now.
With staff straining to contain the avian flu scare, these calls have unnecessarily thrown enforcers off the track, as they were largely complaints about chickens making a lot of noise.
“I’m sorry to say that we do not cover those kind of problems,” said operations room director Dr Abu Hassan Muhammad Ali, adding that such matters were under the jurisdiction of City Hall or other local authorities.
Apart from complaints of the birds making a racket and neighbours rearing chickens, the department had also been deluged with calls to clean up dead birds lying in the streets.
“Birds die of natural causes. That’s normal. It does not necessarily mean that the birds had died of the avian flu. The complainants themselves can bury the dead birds,” he added.
“It is impossible for us to test every bird that dies outside the 10km radius (of the area affected by the flu).
“We do hope that the public will understand,” he said.
The calls received by the department also touched on whether it was safe to eat chicken.
Dr Abu Hassan said there should be no worries about having a chicken meal if it was cooked properly. He added that there were calls from Sabah and Sarawak too.
Many callers also complained about people keeping fighting cocks in their neighbourhood.
There are only about 20 veterinary staff in the Federal Territory to cover the affected area in Setapak and other areas beyond the 10km radius.
“Obviously, they have to work extra hours and be on 24-hour stand-by,” Dr Abu Hassan said, adding that culling operations had stopped for now.
Water Supply Disruption Not Due To Sungai Selangor Pollution
SHAH ALAM, March 3 (Bernama) -- Water supply disruptions in several areas in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur had nothing to do with pollution of Sungai Selangor, says Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas).
Syabas Corporate Affairs Senior Manager Abdul Halem Mat Som said the disruption was due to normal cleaning work at reservoirs.
"We only clean reservoirs in areas that have been specified. It's purely incidental that they are in the polluted areas," he told Bernama here today.
Yesterday, Selangor Public Utility and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Datuk Abdul Fatah Iskandar said Sungai Selangor had been polluted, causing pungent smell of water in several areas in the state and Kuala Lumpur last Sunday.
A day earlier, Syabas said several areas in Kuala Lumpur, Gombak, Petaling Jaya, Klang, Shah Alam, Hulu Selangor, Kuala Selangor and Hulu Langat would experience scheduled water supply disruption from yesterday till next Thursday.
Syabas Corporate Affairs Senior Manager Abdul Halem Mat Som said the disruption was due to normal cleaning work at reservoirs.
"We only clean reservoirs in areas that have been specified. It's purely incidental that they are in the polluted areas," he told Bernama here today.
Yesterday, Selangor Public Utility and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Datuk Abdul Fatah Iskandar said Sungai Selangor had been polluted, causing pungent smell of water in several areas in the state and Kuala Lumpur last Sunday.
A day earlier, Syabas said several areas in Kuala Lumpur, Gombak, Petaling Jaya, Klang, Shah Alam, Hulu Selangor, Kuala Selangor and Hulu Langat would experience scheduled water supply disruption from yesterday till next Thursday.
Landfill May Have Caused Selangor Water Pollution
HULU LANGAT, March 4 (Bernama) -- The release of garbage from the landfill at Bukit Tagar in Hulu Selangor could be one of the reasons for the pollution of Sungai Selangor, which resulted in the foul smell of piped water in several areas on Feb 26.
Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo said the landfill was probably the prime suspect for the pollution after he was informed of the likelihood of the overflow from the "leachate" pond at the landfill following heavy rain.
"I am not saying that this is 100 percent certainty but there is a strong likelihood," he said after attending the National-Level Green Book Campaign launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at Taman Seri Nanding, here Friday.
He said the Sungai Selangor water pollution problem arose since the landfill existed.
Earlier, The public was told by Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) that excessive ammonia was the reason for the smell.
However, Selangor Infrastructure and Public Utilities Committee Chairman, Datuk Abdul Fatah Iskandar said yesterday that water samples taken from the river revealed the presence of effluents from animal farms, as well as palm oil and rubber factories had contributed to the smell of the water.
The Menteri Besar said water samples taken by the Environmental Department at every kilometre of the river would tell the real cause of the pollution.
Dr Mohamad Khir said the Selangor government at first did not agree to the construction of the landfill at Bukit Tagar because the seepage from the leachate pond might increase the ammonia content in the rivers nearby.
However, the company running the landfill had submitted a study report which said there would be zero leachate discharge.
He said if it could be proved that the pollution was caused by the landfill, action would be taken against the operator.
The investigation paper on the case was being prepared and would be submitted to the Attorney-General, he said.
Last Sunday, consumers in Kuala Lumpur, Gombak, Petaling Jaya, Klang, Shah Alam, Hulu Selangor, Kuala Selangor and Hulu Langat alleged that the piped water in their houses was smelly.
Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo said the landfill was probably the prime suspect for the pollution after he was informed of the likelihood of the overflow from the "leachate" pond at the landfill following heavy rain.
"I am not saying that this is 100 percent certainty but there is a strong likelihood," he said after attending the National-Level Green Book Campaign launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at Taman Seri Nanding, here Friday.
He said the Sungai Selangor water pollution problem arose since the landfill existed.
Earlier, The public was told by Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) that excessive ammonia was the reason for the smell.
However, Selangor Infrastructure and Public Utilities Committee Chairman, Datuk Abdul Fatah Iskandar said yesterday that water samples taken from the river revealed the presence of effluents from animal farms, as well as palm oil and rubber factories had contributed to the smell of the water.
The Menteri Besar said water samples taken by the Environmental Department at every kilometre of the river would tell the real cause of the pollution.
Dr Mohamad Khir said the Selangor government at first did not agree to the construction of the landfill at Bukit Tagar because the seepage from the leachate pond might increase the ammonia content in the rivers nearby.
However, the company running the landfill had submitted a study report which said there would be zero leachate discharge.
He said if it could be proved that the pollution was caused by the landfill, action would be taken against the operator.
The investigation paper on the case was being prepared and would be submitted to the Attorney-General, he said.
Last Sunday, consumers in Kuala Lumpur, Gombak, Petaling Jaya, Klang, Shah Alam, Hulu Selangor, Kuala Selangor and Hulu Langat alleged that the piped water in their houses was smelly.
Friday, March 03, 2006
The stinking truth!
Malay Mail: THE public was told by Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) that excessive ammonia was the reason for their smelly tap water. And that it was nothing to worry about.
The whole story is now out, and you may be horrified. Discharges from pig and dairy farms, oxidation ponds and palm oil mills caused the ammonia, it was revealed by the Selangor State Government yesterday. This has led to consumer associations, trade unions, residents’ associations and individuals slamming the State Government and Syabas.
The Selangor State Government owned up yesterday that the stink in the water that flowed from taps in the Klang Valley was caused by discharges from pig and dairy farms, oxidation ponds and palm oil mills.
The statement horrified thousands of affected consumers who had been told that the stink, which many said smelled like faeces, was from excessive ammonia content in the water. However, they were not told the source of the ammonia contamination.
Now that it is out of the bag, consumer associations, trade unions, residents’ associations and individuals have slammed the State Government and Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) for “sheer incompetence” in safeguarding their health and well-being.
The Malay Mail continued to receive calls from irate Klang Valley residents yesterday, demanding an apology from the State Government and Syabas.
Many of them demanded that Syabas also compensate them for the smelly water supply, and “not come up with lame excuses” that the incident was unforeseeable.
State Executive Councillor for Infrastructure and Public Works Datuk Abdul Fatah Iskandar’s statement yesterday that effluents from pig farms entered Sungai Selangor and the water supply system horrified consumers (see accompanying story).
They urged the State Government to prosecute farms that discharged animal wastes into rivers.
The irate callers were unanimous in holding the State Government and Syabas directly responsible if anyone falls sick after consuming the smelly water.
A lawyer urged consumers to sue Syabas and the State Department of Environment (DOE) if they fall ill after consuming the smelly water.
A parasitologist urged the authorities to ascertain what exactly was in the smelly water, for if it contained mercury, consumers would be in danger.
The Muslim Consumers’ Association of Malaysia (PPIM) flayed Syabas for its earlier statement that the smell in the water was merely the result of the chemical reaction of ammonia and chlorine.
PPIM said it was gravely concerned that the water had been contaminated with wastes, including pig waste.
The Health Ministry was slammed by the Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (Fomca) for its “slow response” in assuring that the smelly water was safe for consumption.
Fomca urged the Health Ministry to have a sense of urgency when the issue at stake was the health and safety of millions of Klang Valley consumers.
The whole story is now out, and you may be horrified. Discharges from pig and dairy farms, oxidation ponds and palm oil mills caused the ammonia, it was revealed by the Selangor State Government yesterday. This has led to consumer associations, trade unions, residents’ associations and individuals slamming the State Government and Syabas.
The Selangor State Government owned up yesterday that the stink in the water that flowed from taps in the Klang Valley was caused by discharges from pig and dairy farms, oxidation ponds and palm oil mills.
The statement horrified thousands of affected consumers who had been told that the stink, which many said smelled like faeces, was from excessive ammonia content in the water. However, they were not told the source of the ammonia contamination.
Now that it is out of the bag, consumer associations, trade unions, residents’ associations and individuals have slammed the State Government and Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) for “sheer incompetence” in safeguarding their health and well-being.
The Malay Mail continued to receive calls from irate Klang Valley residents yesterday, demanding an apology from the State Government and Syabas.
Many of them demanded that Syabas also compensate them for the smelly water supply, and “not come up with lame excuses” that the incident was unforeseeable.
State Executive Councillor for Infrastructure and Public Works Datuk Abdul Fatah Iskandar’s statement yesterday that effluents from pig farms entered Sungai Selangor and the water supply system horrified consumers (see accompanying story).
They urged the State Government to prosecute farms that discharged animal wastes into rivers.
The irate callers were unanimous in holding the State Government and Syabas directly responsible if anyone falls sick after consuming the smelly water.
A lawyer urged consumers to sue Syabas and the State Department of Environment (DOE) if they fall ill after consuming the smelly water.
A parasitologist urged the authorities to ascertain what exactly was in the smelly water, for if it contained mercury, consumers would be in danger.
The Muslim Consumers’ Association of Malaysia (PPIM) flayed Syabas for its earlier statement that the smell in the water was merely the result of the chemical reaction of ammonia and chlorine.
PPIM said it was gravely concerned that the water had been contaminated with wastes, including pig waste.
The Health Ministry was slammed by the Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (Fomca) for its “slow response” in assuring that the smelly water was safe for consumption.
Fomca urged the Health Ministry to have a sense of urgency when the issue at stake was the health and safety of millions of Klang Valley consumers.
HFMD: Health Ministry Orders Kindergartens In Sarawak Closed
PUTRAJAYA, March 3 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry Friday ordered the closure of 488 kindergartens in Sarawak with immediate effect for two weeks following rising cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) among children.
Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the decision was made after consulting Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan.
"So far, only 32 kindergartens have been ordered to be shut down.
"This action is taken to cut off the transmission of the infection of the disease which increased markedly in Sarawak," he told a press conference on the disease.
He said the rise in HFMD cases was first detected in Sibu, followed by Kuching, Bintulu and Miri.
Chua said it has been a trend for HFMD cases to happen in Sarawak once in three years from 1997, 2000, 2003 and early this year.
"There were 942 cases between Jan 1 2006 and Feb 18 compared to only 270 in the same period last year.
"What is more worrying is the three suspected HFMD deaths in Sibu this year, the latest death was two days ago.
"One of them was positive Enterovirus 71 (EV71), the virus which caused deaths during the HFMD outbreak in 1997," he said.
Dr Chua said the decision to shut down kindergartens was to cut off transmission of the disease effectively and to facilitate clean-up work at the premises.
"This disease is spread through saliva and faeces from those with disease. Saliva is the mode of transmission," he said.
He said health education is being given to kindergarten operators, parents and the public to ensure they do not panic following the rise in HFMD cases.
"Actually, cleanliness is the most important, particularly self-hygiene like washing the hands after visiting the toilet, and ensuring cleanliness of children as this disease attacks children aged below 10," he said.
He advised parents whose children have symptoms like fever, ulcer and sore throat to seek treatment immediately.
"This disease normally happens between three and five days. Death is caused by complications like inflammation of the heart and sometimes meningitis," he said.
Dr Chua said problems arose when parents allowed their HFMD-infected children to move around actively which could cause them to suffer complications like inflammation of the heart.
"This is the main cause of deaths. Normally, the disease has no complications and it will recover in three to five days.
"What's important is rest, medicine to bring down the fever, drink water and maintain cleanliness. This treatment is easy and not difficult," he added.
Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the decision was made after consulting Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan.
"So far, only 32 kindergartens have been ordered to be shut down.
"This action is taken to cut off the transmission of the infection of the disease which increased markedly in Sarawak," he told a press conference on the disease.
He said the rise in HFMD cases was first detected in Sibu, followed by Kuching, Bintulu and Miri.
Chua said it has been a trend for HFMD cases to happen in Sarawak once in three years from 1997, 2000, 2003 and early this year.
"There were 942 cases between Jan 1 2006 and Feb 18 compared to only 270 in the same period last year.
"What is more worrying is the three suspected HFMD deaths in Sibu this year, the latest death was two days ago.
"One of them was positive Enterovirus 71 (EV71), the virus which caused deaths during the HFMD outbreak in 1997," he said.
Dr Chua said the decision to shut down kindergartens was to cut off transmission of the disease effectively and to facilitate clean-up work at the premises.
"This disease is spread through saliva and faeces from those with disease. Saliva is the mode of transmission," he said.
He said health education is being given to kindergarten operators, parents and the public to ensure they do not panic following the rise in HFMD cases.
"Actually, cleanliness is the most important, particularly self-hygiene like washing the hands after visiting the toilet, and ensuring cleanliness of children as this disease attacks children aged below 10," he said.
He advised parents whose children have symptoms like fever, ulcer and sore throat to seek treatment immediately.
"This disease normally happens between three and five days. Death is caused by complications like inflammation of the heart and sometimes meningitis," he said.
Dr Chua said problems arose when parents allowed their HFMD-infected children to move around actively which could cause them to suffer complications like inflammation of the heart.
"This is the main cause of deaths. Normally, the disease has no complications and it will recover in three to five days.
"What's important is rest, medicine to bring down the fever, drink water and maintain cleanliness. This treatment is easy and not difficult," he added.
Klang Valley to get new poultry slaughterhouse
Star: PUTRAJAYA: A new RM20mil poultry slaughterhouse will be built in the Klang Valley by 2008.
The Integrated Halal Slaughter Centre will be built on a 2ha site near the Selayang Wholesale Market by City Hall.
Federal Territories Minister Datuk Zulhasnan Rafique said one of the reasons for setting up the hygienic centre was to avert the threat of the avian flu.
He said plans for the centre were already there but the Cabinet decided to speed up its construction after over 40 chickens in Setapak were recently found with the H5N1 virus.
“The centre will be equipped with treatment systems that comply with environmental quality standards and also halal standards set by the Islamic Development Department,” he said yesterday.
“This way, City Hall can ensure that chicken and duck meat supplied to consumers will be of the best quality, are clean and halal,” he said.
The treatment system would prevent wastewaters from polluting rivers and waterways.
The centre would ensure that all wastes were properly managed and disposed. Poultry wastes, for instance, could be processed into manure.
Construction of the centre will start this year.
Zulhasnan also said that flooding in Kuala Lumpur had reduced greatly following City Hall’s flood mitigation measures.
He described the SMART Tunnel project as a proactive effort to check flooding while several retention ponds in the city and its outskirts, served to divert extra water flow from channelling into the city.
The Integrated Halal Slaughter Centre will be built on a 2ha site near the Selayang Wholesale Market by City Hall.
Federal Territories Minister Datuk Zulhasnan Rafique said one of the reasons for setting up the hygienic centre was to avert the threat of the avian flu.
He said plans for the centre were already there but the Cabinet decided to speed up its construction after over 40 chickens in Setapak were recently found with the H5N1 virus.
“The centre will be equipped with treatment systems that comply with environmental quality standards and also halal standards set by the Islamic Development Department,” he said yesterday.
“This way, City Hall can ensure that chicken and duck meat supplied to consumers will be of the best quality, are clean and halal,” he said.
The treatment system would prevent wastewaters from polluting rivers and waterways.
The centre would ensure that all wastes were properly managed and disposed. Poultry wastes, for instance, could be processed into manure.
Construction of the centre will start this year.
Zulhasnan also said that flooding in Kuala Lumpur had reduced greatly following City Hall’s flood mitigation measures.
He described the SMART Tunnel project as a proactive effort to check flooding while several retention ponds in the city and its outskirts, served to divert extra water flow from channelling into the city.
Gadgets for the disabled
Star: JOHOR BARU: How does a blind person find a public toilet when he needs to answer the call of nature? Actually, with a lot of difficulty unless somebody leads him to it.
Blind people also find it hard to locate bus stops, vending machines and buildings – efforts that come easily to those who can see.
For the hearing and speech-impaired, their difficulty is communicating with people who do not understand sign language.
Realising the plight of these disabled groups, students of the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia here have come with gadgets to help the disabled to move about with ease in public places.
Four UTM students have invented a device they called View in Black (VIB) that enables the visually impaired user to know his location, such as crossroads, nearby landmarks and public amenities.
Team leader Bong Khong Lee explained that the device used the radio frequency identification (RFID) reader to guide the blind.
“RFID tags would be planted in the ground while the blind person would have his VIB device at his waist, which will have an RFID reader and a database processor.
“When he walks, the user retrieves data from the planted RFID tag, which provides basic information to help him, for instance, cross a road.
“The device, through earphones, will tell the user what road is behind or in front of him and the roads at both his sides.
“On top of that, the RFID tag will be able to give details of surrounding landmarks and facilities, such as vending machines and the nearest bus stop,” he said.
Bong and teammates Boo Yan Jiong, Lee Sin Loong and Lee Poh Peng said they talked to many blind people before starting on their invention and found that the most important thing for the blind when they were in the streets was to locate the public toilet.
“This device will not only be able to help the blind but also help the Government save expenses on the current guiding blocks for the visually impaired,” said Bong, whose team would be competing in the upcoming Philips Young Inventors' Challenge in Kuala Lumpur.
Another group, comprising Tan Ping Hua, Tan Zee Yean, Heap Yee Sim and Ricky Yap, has invented what they named Hello!– a micro-controller gadget and voice processing system to improve communication between hearing and speech impaired people and those who do not understand sign language.
“This system analyses and interprets finger movements and it then converts the movements to voice.
“For example, when the disabled person uses sign language to say “hello,” the movement will be converted into audio and the person he is talking to will be able to understand what they are trying to say,” said team leader Ping Hua.
He said with the device, the audio impaired could “speak” like a normal person and would be able to lead a more normal and independent life.
The two groups are among 15 others vying to be in the finals of the competition to nurture and groom young Malaysian inventors. Organised by Philips Malaysia Sdn Bhd, it will be held on March 14.
The teams that reach the finals will be given RM3,000 each to help them build and complete their prototypes, which must use the company's semiconductors and chips.
The winning team stands to receive RM10,000 in cash and a five-day, four-night educational trip abroad.
Blind people also find it hard to locate bus stops, vending machines and buildings – efforts that come easily to those who can see.
For the hearing and speech-impaired, their difficulty is communicating with people who do not understand sign language.
Realising the plight of these disabled groups, students of the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia here have come with gadgets to help the disabled to move about with ease in public places.
Four UTM students have invented a device they called View in Black (VIB) that enables the visually impaired user to know his location, such as crossroads, nearby landmarks and public amenities.
Team leader Bong Khong Lee explained that the device used the radio frequency identification (RFID) reader to guide the blind.
“RFID tags would be planted in the ground while the blind person would have his VIB device at his waist, which will have an RFID reader and a database processor.
“When he walks, the user retrieves data from the planted RFID tag, which provides basic information to help him, for instance, cross a road.
“The device, through earphones, will tell the user what road is behind or in front of him and the roads at both his sides.
“On top of that, the RFID tag will be able to give details of surrounding landmarks and facilities, such as vending machines and the nearest bus stop,” he said.
Bong and teammates Boo Yan Jiong, Lee Sin Loong and Lee Poh Peng said they talked to many blind people before starting on their invention and found that the most important thing for the blind when they were in the streets was to locate the public toilet.
“This device will not only be able to help the blind but also help the Government save expenses on the current guiding blocks for the visually impaired,” said Bong, whose team would be competing in the upcoming Philips Young Inventors' Challenge in Kuala Lumpur.
Another group, comprising Tan Ping Hua, Tan Zee Yean, Heap Yee Sim and Ricky Yap, has invented what they named Hello!– a micro-controller gadget and voice processing system to improve communication between hearing and speech impaired people and those who do not understand sign language.
“This system analyses and interprets finger movements and it then converts the movements to voice.
“For example, when the disabled person uses sign language to say “hello,” the movement will be converted into audio and the person he is talking to will be able to understand what they are trying to say,” said team leader Ping Hua.
He said with the device, the audio impaired could “speak” like a normal person and would be able to lead a more normal and independent life.
The two groups are among 15 others vying to be in the finals of the competition to nurture and groom young Malaysian inventors. Organised by Philips Malaysia Sdn Bhd, it will be held on March 14.
The teams that reach the finals will be given RM3,000 each to help them build and complete their prototypes, which must use the company's semiconductors and chips.
The winning team stands to receive RM10,000 in cash and a five-day, four-night educational trip abroad.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Nine More Kindergartens In Sarawak Ordered Closed
KUCHING, March 2 (Bernama) -- Nine more kindergartens in Sarawak have been ordered to close temporarily as a preventive measure to avert the spread of the hand, foot and mouth (HFM) disease in the state.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said Thursday that this brought to 10 the number of kindergartens that had been ordered closed, including one that was closed last week.
"As of now, there are a total of six kindergartens in Kuching and four in Bintulu that have been asked to closed," he told reporters after launching the RM10 million Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (Sains) Data Centre here.
Dr Chan said that yesterday, a one-year-old baby from Mukah was confirmed dead with symptoms related to the deadly Enterovirus 71 (EV71), one of the virus strains related to the HFM that killed 29 children below five years old in Sarawak in 1997.
Without revealing the gender of the baby, he said the Sarawak Health Department was doing laboratory tests to confirm the exact cause of death, whether it was due to EV71 or other HFM virus strains.
Dr Chan said four deaths had been recorded since January this year, including the latest case in Mukah yesterday, with one death confirmed to be due to EV71 while the other two were confirmed to be due to HFM-related disease but without the presence of EV71.
He said all the HFM cases in Sarawak were in the town areas.
He assured the public that the Sarawak Health Department had the capability to handle HFM disease based on the 1997 experience.
On the centre, Dr Chan, who is also the chairman, said it was the first of its kind in the state offering information communication technology (ICT) infrastructure outsourcing services to the public and private sectors.
Information on Sains, the ICT arm of the state government, can be found at www.sains.com.my
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said Thursday that this brought to 10 the number of kindergartens that had been ordered closed, including one that was closed last week.
"As of now, there are a total of six kindergartens in Kuching and four in Bintulu that have been asked to closed," he told reporters after launching the RM10 million Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (Sains) Data Centre here.
Dr Chan said that yesterday, a one-year-old baby from Mukah was confirmed dead with symptoms related to the deadly Enterovirus 71 (EV71), one of the virus strains related to the HFM that killed 29 children below five years old in Sarawak in 1997.
Without revealing the gender of the baby, he said the Sarawak Health Department was doing laboratory tests to confirm the exact cause of death, whether it was due to EV71 or other HFM virus strains.
Dr Chan said four deaths had been recorded since January this year, including the latest case in Mukah yesterday, with one death confirmed to be due to EV71 while the other two were confirmed to be due to HFM-related disease but without the presence of EV71.
He said all the HFM cases in Sarawak were in the town areas.
He assured the public that the Sarawak Health Department had the capability to handle HFM disease based on the 1997 experience.
On the centre, Dr Chan, who is also the chairman, said it was the first of its kind in the state offering information communication technology (ICT) infrastructure outsourcing services to the public and private sectors.
Information on Sains, the ICT arm of the state government, can be found at www.sains.com.my
Tests On Samples Show Area Free Of H5N1 Virus
PUTRAJAYA, March 2 (Bernama) -- The results of clinical tests on 2,685 samples carried out since yesterday found that they were free of the Avian Influenza H5N1 virus, Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.
The tests were done by the veterinary research laboratory of the Veterinary Services Department in Petaling Jaya, except for 23 of them which were carried out in Ipoh, Perak.
"This shows that the cases (of the H5N1 virus) which were detected were isolated ones," he added.
On the H5N1 situation in the densely populated areas near Gombak, Kuala Lumpur, Muhyiddin said it was under control and attributed this to the effective surveillance and screening system that was carried out.
"But, we (ministry) cannot declare the area to be completely free of the bird-flu yet," he said after the ministry's post-cabinet meeting here Thursday.
He added that the Veterinary Department would continue with the surveillance work in areas within the 10 km radius of Kampung Batu 4 1/2, Jalan Genting Kalang where 40 chicken died due to bird-flu until the area was found to be completely free of the virus.
He also said that the cabinet had approved about RM18,000 to be given as compensation to owners whose poultry were killed by the Veterinary Department.
Muhyiddin said a chicken eating campaign would be carried out to wipe out fear among the public following the recent bird-flu scare.
He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi would launch the campaign in conjunction with the launching of the "Green Book" at Hulu Langat, Selangor, tomorrow.
The tests were done by the veterinary research laboratory of the Veterinary Services Department in Petaling Jaya, except for 23 of them which were carried out in Ipoh, Perak.
"This shows that the cases (of the H5N1 virus) which were detected were isolated ones," he added.
On the H5N1 situation in the densely populated areas near Gombak, Kuala Lumpur, Muhyiddin said it was under control and attributed this to the effective surveillance and screening system that was carried out.
"But, we (ministry) cannot declare the area to be completely free of the bird-flu yet," he said after the ministry's post-cabinet meeting here Thursday.
He added that the Veterinary Department would continue with the surveillance work in areas within the 10 km radius of Kampung Batu 4 1/2, Jalan Genting Kalang where 40 chicken died due to bird-flu until the area was found to be completely free of the virus.
He also said that the cabinet had approved about RM18,000 to be given as compensation to owners whose poultry were killed by the Veterinary Department.
Muhyiddin said a chicken eating campaign would be carried out to wipe out fear among the public following the recent bird-flu scare.
He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi would launch the campaign in conjunction with the launching of the "Green Book" at Hulu Langat, Selangor, tomorrow.
Effluent Release Causes Water To Smell
SHAH ALAM, March 2 (Bernama) -- The release of effluent from industrial and animal rearing activities as well as discharge from garbage disposal sites and sewage ponds were identified as the cause of pollution at Sungai Selangor resulting in the pungent smell of water in several areas in the state and Kuala Lumpur last Sunday.
Selangor Infrastructure and Public Utility Committee Chairman Datuk Abdul Fatah Iskandar said among industries located along Sungai Selangor were palm oil and rubber-based factories while the animal waste came from cow and pig rearing farms.
He said investigation papers were being prepared by the Department of Environment and, when completed, would be submitted to the Attorney-General's office for further action.
"Those responsible for causing the pollution cannot escape because there is proof through the samples taken," he told a press conference here Thursday.
Abdul Fatah said the water quality had returned to normal.
"The water does not smell (bad) anymore," he added.
To prevent the recurrence of such incident, Abdul Fatah said a report on water quality would be submitted three times a day to the Water Monitoring Department and Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas).
"If there is any abrupt change in water quality, either in its smell, colour or contents, immediate action can be taken to rectify the situation," he added.
Selangor Infrastructure and Public Utility Committee Chairman Datuk Abdul Fatah Iskandar said among industries located along Sungai Selangor were palm oil and rubber-based factories while the animal waste came from cow and pig rearing farms.
He said investigation papers were being prepared by the Department of Environment and, when completed, would be submitted to the Attorney-General's office for further action.
"Those responsible for causing the pollution cannot escape because there is proof through the samples taken," he told a press conference here Thursday.
Abdul Fatah said the water quality had returned to normal.
"The water does not smell (bad) anymore," he added.
To prevent the recurrence of such incident, Abdul Fatah said a report on water quality would be submitted three times a day to the Water Monitoring Department and Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas).
"If there is any abrupt change in water quality, either in its smell, colour or contents, immediate action can be taken to rectify the situation," he added.
No harm done
Malay Mail: Are you worried sick that you may have consumed water contaminated by ammonia? Worry not.
Studies have shown there is no long-term effect from drinking water contaminated with ammonia.
The worst that can happen is a burning sensation in the abdominal area, similar to gastritis or gastric pains.
There would merely be a swelling in the oropharyngeal area (mouth and throat), and thus, no cause for alarm, said Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Associate Professor Dr Salmaan Hussain Inayat Hussain.
“Ammonia diluted in water does not pose a serious threat as the substance will not stay long in the body.
“It will be excreted within days as the body can handle the ammonia intake through its buffering system,” said the university’s head of Environmental Health Programme.
However, Dr Salmaan, who is one of only two registered toxicologists in the country, said ammonia gas on its own, posed a greater threat to the human body.
He said studies had shown that ammonia in the air with more than 300 parts per million (ppm) was lethal to life and health.
The threshold limit value of ammonia exposure to those working near the substance should not exceed 25 ppm in a working condition of eight hours a day. Long periods of exposure to the gas causes chronic pulmonary diseases.
“Those exposed to extreme ammonia gas will immediately feel the effect in the eyes and throat and in serious cases, will suffer tissue necrosis (death of tissue cells).
“The stomach will feel uneasy as the body chemical is reacting with the ammonia substance, and in a worse-case scenario, the stomach and intestines are damaged,” he said.
Dr Salmaan said those who have come into contact with extreme dosage of ammonia and suffering from severe gastrointestinal disorders should seek medical attention.
Ammonia gas, he said, has a strong pungent smell, is alkali-based, toxic and corrosive to some materials, colourless and dissolves in water.
“It is not a cancer-causing agent and does not pose a threat to unborn babies if consumed by pregnant woman,” said Dr Salmaan
Studies have shown there is no long-term effect from drinking water contaminated with ammonia.
The worst that can happen is a burning sensation in the abdominal area, similar to gastritis or gastric pains.
There would merely be a swelling in the oropharyngeal area (mouth and throat), and thus, no cause for alarm, said Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Associate Professor Dr Salmaan Hussain Inayat Hussain.
“Ammonia diluted in water does not pose a serious threat as the substance will not stay long in the body.
“It will be excreted within days as the body can handle the ammonia intake through its buffering system,” said the university’s head of Environmental Health Programme.
However, Dr Salmaan, who is one of only two registered toxicologists in the country, said ammonia gas on its own, posed a greater threat to the human body.
He said studies had shown that ammonia in the air with more than 300 parts per million (ppm) was lethal to life and health.
The threshold limit value of ammonia exposure to those working near the substance should not exceed 25 ppm in a working condition of eight hours a day. Long periods of exposure to the gas causes chronic pulmonary diseases.
“Those exposed to extreme ammonia gas will immediately feel the effect in the eyes and throat and in serious cases, will suffer tissue necrosis (death of tissue cells).
“The stomach will feel uneasy as the body chemical is reacting with the ammonia substance, and in a worse-case scenario, the stomach and intestines are damaged,” he said.
Dr Salmaan said those who have come into contact with extreme dosage of ammonia and suffering from severe gastrointestinal disorders should seek medical attention.
Ammonia gas, he said, has a strong pungent smell, is alkali-based, toxic and corrosive to some materials, colourless and dissolves in water.
“It is not a cancer-causing agent and does not pose a threat to unborn babies if consumed by pregnant woman,” said Dr Salmaan
No shortage of duovir, says hospital director
Malay Mail: Kuala Lumpur Hospital (KLH) has sufficient supplies of duovir, the drug used in the treatment of HIV patients.
KLH director Dr Azmi Shafie yesterday said the drug is available at the hospital’s pharmacy.
He was responding to claims by a social worker that the hospital had run out of duovir.
“This is not true. It is available and being dispensed as prescribed by doctors to the patients,” he said, adding that the drug was pre-packed and dispensed in its original form from the manufacturer.
He said the question of cutbacks also did not arise as the doctors would prescribe the medication accordingly to ensure its effectiveness.
A social worker, who declined to be identified, had claimed that KLH was running low on duovir.
He claimed that several HIV patients had informed him on this.
The social worker claimed HIV carriers were usually given a container of 60 pills monthly.
They are be taken twice daily.
However, he claimed that due to a shortfall in supply, some patients were only supplied for two weeks.
There were also others, he claimed who were only given a 10-day supply.
He claimed that as a result of this, the carriers were helping each other out by sharing their medication.
KLH director Dr Azmi Shafie yesterday said the drug is available at the hospital’s pharmacy.
He was responding to claims by a social worker that the hospital had run out of duovir.
“This is not true. It is available and being dispensed as prescribed by doctors to the patients,” he said, adding that the drug was pre-packed and dispensed in its original form from the manufacturer.
He said the question of cutbacks also did not arise as the doctors would prescribe the medication accordingly to ensure its effectiveness.
A social worker, who declined to be identified, had claimed that KLH was running low on duovir.
He claimed that several HIV patients had informed him on this.
The social worker claimed HIV carriers were usually given a container of 60 pills monthly.
They are be taken twice daily.
However, he claimed that due to a shortfall in supply, some patients were only supplied for two weeks.
There were also others, he claimed who were only given a 10-day supply.
He claimed that as a result of this, the carriers were helping each other out by sharing their medication.
Kao factory blasts claim a third life, DOSH launches probe
Sun2Surf: BUTTERWORTH: The blasts in a factory here on Feb 28, 2006, claimed a third life on March 1, 2006, as the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) launches its probe.
M.Kunasegaran, 46, who was warded in the Seberang Perai Hospital intensive care unit with 80% burns died early yesterday.
DOSH director Syed Mohamad Abdul Fatah said: "We are trying to determine whether the workers were familiar with the procedures or qualified to carry out 'hot works' which included welding work at the (Fatty Chemical (M) Sdn Bhd) (FCM) plant.
"We also want to know if they are experienced enough to carry out such works in the presence of flammable materials.
"Eight officers are conducting investigations in the plant and taking statements from those who were present when the blast occurred."
To date, he said, the factory had a clean record of maintaining health and safety requirements in the premises and has only recorded small incidencts of cuts among its employees.
Syed Mohamad said other maintenance work in the plant will be allowed to continue but not those involving 'hot works'.
Kunasekaran and two other contract workers, Yip Hock Teong, 40, and Ko Chin Nam, 38, who died, were working in a gas facility when a methanol tank exploded twice.
The 15-year-old factory is a joint venture between Kao Japan and IOI Group. It employs 300 workers and manufactures toiletries under the Kao brand.
Sankyu (M) Sdn Bhd, the contractors for the maintenance work, when contacted declined to comment saying that the matter was under investigation.
M.Kunasegaran, 46, who was warded in the Seberang Perai Hospital intensive care unit with 80% burns died early yesterday.
DOSH director Syed Mohamad Abdul Fatah said: "We are trying to determine whether the workers were familiar with the procedures or qualified to carry out 'hot works' which included welding work at the (Fatty Chemical (M) Sdn Bhd) (FCM) plant.
"We also want to know if they are experienced enough to carry out such works in the presence of flammable materials.
"Eight officers are conducting investigations in the plant and taking statements from those who were present when the blast occurred."
To date, he said, the factory had a clean record of maintaining health and safety requirements in the premises and has only recorded small incidencts of cuts among its employees.
Syed Mohamad said other maintenance work in the plant will be allowed to continue but not those involving 'hot works'.
Kunasekaran and two other contract workers, Yip Hock Teong, 40, and Ko Chin Nam, 38, who died, were working in a gas facility when a methanol tank exploded twice.
The 15-year-old factory is a joint venture between Kao Japan and IOI Group. It employs 300 workers and manufactures toiletries under the Kao brand.
Sankyu (M) Sdn Bhd, the contractors for the maintenance work, when contacted declined to comment saying that the matter was under investigation.
Pandemic may not happen
NST: The rapidity with which the H5N1 virus kills humans may prevent the bird flu from becoming a pandemic, a consultant virologist said today.
This was because the virus had little time to replicate and be excreted, said Dr Chua Kaw Bing of the National Public Health Laboratory.
He said the virus attacked the heart, liver and brain of its host, causing a quick death.
This process is hastened when the victim has fever, as a high temperature provides a favourable condition for the virus to multiply.
Dr Chua, who was speaking at the Malaysian Society of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine's 42nd annual scientific seminar, said all previous pandemics involved slower-killing virus strains.
He said based on Darwin’s selection theory, the virus would continue to mutate among birds as it had done in the past.
However, caution was still needed as infected poultry could affect humans.
He called for better surveillance and enhanced laboratory capabilities, adding that the rapid influenza test kit should also be improved.
There should also be regional stockpiles of Tamiflu as part of the mechanism for rapid and effective control.
Dr Chua said attention should also be given to logistics of regional quarantine and prevention through ecological and animal husbandry research.
"You may not be able to prevent the disease from occurring but you may reduce its impact," he said.
Another panel speaker, Perak Health Department deputy director Dr Ranjit Kaur, said the World Health Organisation was convinced that the H5N1 posed a serious threat to humans and was urging pandemic preparedness in all countries, especially in reducing the risk of human exposure to the virus.
In Kuala Lumpur, guidelines on the rearing and slaughtering of chickens in the city are on the drawing board.
Veterinary Services Department acting director-general Datuk Dr Mustapa Jamil will meet Kuala Lumpur City Hall officials this week to discuss the proposals following a directive by the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday.
"At the moment, there are no City Hall by-laws on specific approaches and guidelines on the rearing and slaughtering of chickens in the city," he said.
There is a proposal to ban the slaughter of fowl in wet markets to prevent the spread of diseases such as bird flu.
This was because the virus had little time to replicate and be excreted, said Dr Chua Kaw Bing of the National Public Health Laboratory.
He said the virus attacked the heart, liver and brain of its host, causing a quick death.
This process is hastened when the victim has fever, as a high temperature provides a favourable condition for the virus to multiply.
Dr Chua, who was speaking at the Malaysian Society of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine's 42nd annual scientific seminar, said all previous pandemics involved slower-killing virus strains.
He said based on Darwin’s selection theory, the virus would continue to mutate among birds as it had done in the past.
However, caution was still needed as infected poultry could affect humans.
He called for better surveillance and enhanced laboratory capabilities, adding that the rapid influenza test kit should also be improved.
There should also be regional stockpiles of Tamiflu as part of the mechanism for rapid and effective control.
Dr Chua said attention should also be given to logistics of regional quarantine and prevention through ecological and animal husbandry research.
"You may not be able to prevent the disease from occurring but you may reduce its impact," he said.
Another panel speaker, Perak Health Department deputy director Dr Ranjit Kaur, said the World Health Organisation was convinced that the H5N1 posed a serious threat to humans and was urging pandemic preparedness in all countries, especially in reducing the risk of human exposure to the virus.
In Kuala Lumpur, guidelines on the rearing and slaughtering of chickens in the city are on the drawing board.
Veterinary Services Department acting director-general Datuk Dr Mustapa Jamil will meet Kuala Lumpur City Hall officials this week to discuss the proposals following a directive by the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday.
"At the moment, there are no City Hall by-laws on specific approaches and guidelines on the rearing and slaughtering of chickens in the city," he said.
There is a proposal to ban the slaughter of fowl in wet markets to prevent the spread of diseases such as bird flu.
Illegal cock fighting heightens the threat of avian influenza
Star: IPOH: As long as illegal cock fighting continues in the country, the risk of bird flu spreading will be greater, said the Veterinary Services Department.
“Many of these birds are brought into the country from affected places like Thailand, where fighting cocks are bred. All it takes is just one infected bird for the disease to spread,” said department deputy director-general Dr Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin.
Dr Abdul Aziz, who was speaking to newsmen after launching a seminar organised by the Malaysian Society of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine yesterday, said he had been informed that cock fighting competitions were staged in Kuala Lumpur every Saturday.
“This is very dangerous. These birds spread the H5N1 virus faster than chickens,” he said, adding that the authorities should go after the culprits.
On the fight against avian flu, Dr Abdul Aziz said scientists should take their research a step further and consider a plan of action should the virus mutate.
“For example, if all the chickens in the country were killed, the H5N1 virus may mutate into something else and perhaps attack another animal,” he said.
When viruses begin to multiply in numbers, they may mutate or restructure themselves into something else in order to survive longer, he added.
“That is why we need a programme to work ahead on how to deal with new viruses that may suddenly hit us.
“What we need is a programme to deal with emerging and re-emerging viruses,” he said.
“Many of these birds are brought into the country from affected places like Thailand, where fighting cocks are bred. All it takes is just one infected bird for the disease to spread,” said department deputy director-general Dr Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin.
Dr Abdul Aziz, who was speaking to newsmen after launching a seminar organised by the Malaysian Society of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine yesterday, said he had been informed that cock fighting competitions were staged in Kuala Lumpur every Saturday.
“This is very dangerous. These birds spread the H5N1 virus faster than chickens,” he said, adding that the authorities should go after the culprits.
On the fight against avian flu, Dr Abdul Aziz said scientists should take their research a step further and consider a plan of action should the virus mutate.
“For example, if all the chickens in the country were killed, the H5N1 virus may mutate into something else and perhaps attack another animal,” he said.
When viruses begin to multiply in numbers, they may mutate or restructure themselves into something else in order to survive longer, he added.
“That is why we need a programme to work ahead on how to deal with new viruses that may suddenly hit us.
“What we need is a programme to deal with emerging and re-emerging viruses,” he said.
No new case of avian flu
Star: PETALING JAYA: No new case of bird flu was reported in the last two days, and all those warded have returned home, said Health Ministry disease control division director Dr Ramlee Rahmat.
“The last case involved a 13-year-old girl who was admitted on Monday when she showed flu-like symptoms. She was discharged on Tuesday,” he said.
So far, 17 patients had been admitted to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital (KLH) for observation. They all tested negative for the H5N1 virus.
Dr Ramlee said although there had been no new case, the isolation ward at the hospital would remain open to those admitted with flu-like symptoms.
He said those who had been in contact with chickens three weeks ago would not likely be infected as the maximum incubation period was seven days.
Veterinary Services Department deputy director-general Dr Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin said some 20% of villagers had yet to receive compensation for the chickens, birds and eggs that were confiscated and culled.
He said about RM20,000 had been given out to the other affected villagers.
“The last day for culling was Tuesday. We have already given out cash compensation. Those who have not come forward to get their claims can do so until the end of the week,” he added.
Dr Abdul Aziz said 98% of the residents living within a 1km radius of the affected area had been given check-ups while passive surveillance was carried out within a 10km radius.
Meanwhile, a check with the department’s bird flu operations centre in Putrajaya showed that calls were still coming in of chickens running loose in certain areas.
“Some complained about their neighbour’s chickens and birds, and we have even found chickens in kitchens at low-cost flats,” an officer said.
The public can contact the centre at 03-8870 2041/2.
“The last case involved a 13-year-old girl who was admitted on Monday when she showed flu-like symptoms. She was discharged on Tuesday,” he said.
So far, 17 patients had been admitted to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital (KLH) for observation. They all tested negative for the H5N1 virus.
Dr Ramlee said although there had been no new case, the isolation ward at the hospital would remain open to those admitted with flu-like symptoms.
He said those who had been in contact with chickens three weeks ago would not likely be infected as the maximum incubation period was seven days.
Veterinary Services Department deputy director-general Dr Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin said some 20% of villagers had yet to receive compensation for the chickens, birds and eggs that were confiscated and culled.
He said about RM20,000 had been given out to the other affected villagers.
“The last day for culling was Tuesday. We have already given out cash compensation. Those who have not come forward to get their claims can do so until the end of the week,” he added.
Dr Abdul Aziz said 98% of the residents living within a 1km radius of the affected area had been given check-ups while passive surveillance was carried out within a 10km radius.
Meanwhile, a check with the department’s bird flu operations centre in Putrajaya showed that calls were still coming in of chickens running loose in certain areas.
“Some complained about their neighbour’s chickens and birds, and we have even found chickens in kitchens at low-cost flats,” an officer said.
The public can contact the centre at 03-8870 2041/2.
Heart Recipient Muhammad Fikri Goes Home
KUALA LUMPUR, March 1 (Bernama) -- Muhammad Fikri Nor Azmi just wanted to go home -- and play basketball. He got his wish today.
Malaysia's first mechanical heart recipient, who received a normal heart on Dec 15 last year, was discharged from the National Heart Institute (IJN), Wednesday.
Muhammad Fikri, 16, had been at the IJN for seven months and a week. He was first fitted with a mechanical heart, known as Implantable Ventricular Assist Device (IVAD), while waiting for a donor.
The 16-year-old Muhammad Fikri, once an avid basketball player who has represented his school, SM Bandar Tun Hussein Onn 2, Cheras, is also looking forward to starting school on Monday.
But he needs to wear a mask, said heart and lung transplant surgeon Dr Mohd Izani Md Taib. He said that though the Form Four student was healthy and could do anything, including physical activities, he had to be careful of infections such as coughs and flu.
Muhammad Fikri also has to make frequent visits to the IJN for follow-up checks and undergo biopsy procedures, at least over the next six months.
"This is a routine procedure for all heart recipients to make sure that the body doesn't reject the new heart," Dr Mohd Izani told reporters.
Muhammad Fikri's mother, Fatimah Osman, was elated when told that her son could go home, Wednesday.
"We just want to go home. We also want to thank the doctors and IJN as a whole and those who prayed for Fikri," she said, fighting back tears of joy and relief.
Although the identity of Muhammad Fikri's donor and the donor's family was kept confidential, Fatimah said: "They will always be in our prayers." Also present to bid farewell to Muhammad Fikri was IJN Board Chairman Tan Sri Mohamed Khatib Abdul Hamid and IJN CEO Mohd Radzif Mohd Yunus.
Malaysia's first mechanical heart recipient, who received a normal heart on Dec 15 last year, was discharged from the National Heart Institute (IJN), Wednesday.
Muhammad Fikri, 16, had been at the IJN for seven months and a week. He was first fitted with a mechanical heart, known as Implantable Ventricular Assist Device (IVAD), while waiting for a donor.
The 16-year-old Muhammad Fikri, once an avid basketball player who has represented his school, SM Bandar Tun Hussein Onn 2, Cheras, is also looking forward to starting school on Monday.
But he needs to wear a mask, said heart and lung transplant surgeon Dr Mohd Izani Md Taib. He said that though the Form Four student was healthy and could do anything, including physical activities, he had to be careful of infections such as coughs and flu.
Muhammad Fikri also has to make frequent visits to the IJN for follow-up checks and undergo biopsy procedures, at least over the next six months.
"This is a routine procedure for all heart recipients to make sure that the body doesn't reject the new heart," Dr Mohd Izani told reporters.
Muhammad Fikri's mother, Fatimah Osman, was elated when told that her son could go home, Wednesday.
"We just want to go home. We also want to thank the doctors and IJN as a whole and those who prayed for Fikri," she said, fighting back tears of joy and relief.
Although the identity of Muhammad Fikri's donor and the donor's family was kept confidential, Fatimah said: "They will always be in our prayers." Also present to bid farewell to Muhammad Fikri was IJN Board Chairman Tan Sri Mohamed Khatib Abdul Hamid and IJN CEO Mohd Radzif Mohd Yunus.
Eat Chicken Campaign To Be Launched To Restore Public Confidence
KUALA LUMPUR, March 1 (Bernama) -- The Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry will launch a chicken-eating campaign to restore public confidence after the detection of the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus in Setapak.
Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said his ministry decided to launch the campaign following feedback from chicken breeders and traders that sales have dipped to between 30 and 40 per cent due to the bird flu scare.
"The drop in sales may be due to the people's fear to eat chicken but we have provided information that fried chicken or cooked at 70 degree celsius is safe for consumption because all the germs or virus will be destroyed at that temperature," he told reporters after inspecting preparations for the launch of the national-level Green Book campaign in Hulu Langat, Wednesday.
Muhyiddin said the awareness campaign was important to revive the poultry breeding and selling industry and to instil confidence among the people to eat chicken.
"Probably, from the psychological aspect, the people may not eat chicken in the coming one or two weeks, but the chickens sold at markets actually come from poultry farms unaffected by the bird flu," he said.
On the decision by the Agriculture Ministers of Sabah and Sarawak to ban chicken imports from Peninsular Malaysia, Muhyiddin said he would meet them as soon as possible to persuade them to reconsider their decision.
"Singapore did not totally ban chicken imports from Malaysia, it only suspended entry of chickens from the bird flu-infected area.
"How Sabah and Sarawak, which are part of Malaysia, impose a total ban?" he said.
Meanwhile, the cabinet Wednesday agreed to ban slaughtering of chicken at wet markets located within a kilometre radius from the bird flu-affected area.
He said chicken traders could continue to sell processed chicken at the markets.
The Kuala Lumpur City Hall would help the traders find a suitable site to be turned into a slaughter centre, he said.
Federal Territories Minister Datuk Zulhasnan Rafique had been informed of the matter and to work with City Hall to find suitable slaughter sites, he added.
Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said his ministry decided to launch the campaign following feedback from chicken breeders and traders that sales have dipped to between 30 and 40 per cent due to the bird flu scare.
"The drop in sales may be due to the people's fear to eat chicken but we have provided information that fried chicken or cooked at 70 degree celsius is safe for consumption because all the germs or virus will be destroyed at that temperature," he told reporters after inspecting preparations for the launch of the national-level Green Book campaign in Hulu Langat, Wednesday.
Muhyiddin said the awareness campaign was important to revive the poultry breeding and selling industry and to instil confidence among the people to eat chicken.
"Probably, from the psychological aspect, the people may not eat chicken in the coming one or two weeks, but the chickens sold at markets actually come from poultry farms unaffected by the bird flu," he said.
On the decision by the Agriculture Ministers of Sabah and Sarawak to ban chicken imports from Peninsular Malaysia, Muhyiddin said he would meet them as soon as possible to persuade them to reconsider their decision.
"Singapore did not totally ban chicken imports from Malaysia, it only suspended entry of chickens from the bird flu-infected area.
"How Sabah and Sarawak, which are part of Malaysia, impose a total ban?" he said.
Meanwhile, the cabinet Wednesday agreed to ban slaughtering of chicken at wet markets located within a kilometre radius from the bird flu-affected area.
He said chicken traders could continue to sell processed chicken at the markets.
The Kuala Lumpur City Hall would help the traders find a suitable site to be turned into a slaughter centre, he said.
Federal Territories Minister Datuk Zulhasnan Rafique had been informed of the matter and to work with City Hall to find suitable slaughter sites, he added.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Warning Of Action Against False Reports Of Bird Flu
KOTA KINABALU, March 1 (Bernama) -- Sabah Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Ismail, Wednesday warned of firm government action against anyone making false reports of avian influenza.
No one should conclude, without proper tests, that any death of chickens, ducks or other birds was caused by the bird flu because this would raise panic among the people and undermine the poultry industry that contributed RM600 million annually to the state's economy, he said to reporters after opening a management meeting of the Sabah Information Department in Wisma Dang Bandang near here.
Last Saturday, the authorities in Putrajaya received reports from several people in Sabah that more than 150 chickens in Kuala Penyu had died.
"So far, my (veterinary) officers have yet to detect the poultry farm in question and we believe the reports were false," he said.
Abdul Rahim said there had been reports of the deaths of several chickens in Menggatal and Tambunan but laboratory tests showed that the birds did not die of avian influenza.
"The chickens in Sabah are safe for consumption," he said.
Abdul Rahim said Sabah had imposed a restriction on the entry of birds from outside the state and had stepped up checks conducted under joint operations by the customs, immigration, agriculture and health departments and the police.
Also, from Tuesday, veterinary officers in Sabah had begun inspections at breeding places of birds, including at "kongsi" shacks at building construction sites as a precautionary measure to prevent any outbreak of avian influenza in the state, he said.
No one should conclude, without proper tests, that any death of chickens, ducks or other birds was caused by the bird flu because this would raise panic among the people and undermine the poultry industry that contributed RM600 million annually to the state's economy, he said to reporters after opening a management meeting of the Sabah Information Department in Wisma Dang Bandang near here.
Last Saturday, the authorities in Putrajaya received reports from several people in Sabah that more than 150 chickens in Kuala Penyu had died.
"So far, my (veterinary) officers have yet to detect the poultry farm in question and we believe the reports were false," he said.
Abdul Rahim said there had been reports of the deaths of several chickens in Menggatal and Tambunan but laboratory tests showed that the birds did not die of avian influenza.
"The chickens in Sabah are safe for consumption," he said.
Abdul Rahim said Sabah had imposed a restriction on the entry of birds from outside the state and had stepped up checks conducted under joint operations by the customs, immigration, agriculture and health departments and the police.
Also, from Tuesday, veterinary officers in Sabah had begun inspections at breeding places of birds, including at "kongsi" shacks at building construction sites as a precautionary measure to prevent any outbreak of avian influenza in the state, he said.
M'sians have died from botched China transplants
Malaysiakini: Malaysians have died from botched organ transplants in China, a National Kidney Foundation official said according to a report today, after Japan said it was investigating at least seven deaths.
Healthcare show a platform for buyers
Malay Mail: Healthcare professionals can expect to see a wide range of products and devices at the 11th Southeast Asian Healthcare Trade Show from April 26-28 at KL Convention Centre.
The exhibition will feature over 100 exhibitors from the healthcare, pharmaceutical and medical beauty sections in Switzerland, Italy, India and China.
Orgnised by ABC Exhibitions international sales director S. Singh Bhullar said: "About 80 companies, including 25 to 30 local companies, have confirmed participation. We expect to attract 7,000 visitors.
He added that the exhibition was a good platform for manufacturers, distributors and importers to obtain quality contact for global networking.
Also present yesterday were Malaysian Beauty Therapy Association president Dr Clara Chee, Malaysian Chemical Engineering Technologies project director Mohd Amir Mohd Baki and Rieckermann (Malaysia) sales manager Lee Teng Kiat.
For details, visit www.abcex.com or call 03-7954-6588.
The exhibition will feature over 100 exhibitors from the healthcare, pharmaceutical and medical beauty sections in Switzerland, Italy, India and China.
Orgnised by ABC Exhibitions international sales director S. Singh Bhullar said: "About 80 companies, including 25 to 30 local companies, have confirmed participation. We expect to attract 7,000 visitors.
He added that the exhibition was a good platform for manufacturers, distributors and importers to obtain quality contact for global networking.
Also present yesterday were Malaysian Beauty Therapy Association president Dr Clara Chee, Malaysian Chemical Engineering Technologies project director Mohd Amir Mohd Baki and Rieckermann (Malaysia) sales manager Lee Teng Kiat.
For details, visit www.abcex.com or call 03-7954-6588.
Shutdown would mean a 7-day cut
Malay Mail: Thousands of households in the Klang Valley would have to go without water supply for a week if the Sungai Selangor Water Supply Scheme treatment plants had been shut down to treat the contamination problem.
This was why operations were not halted while the contaminated water supply was being treated.
An official from Puncak Niaga Sdn Bhd gave this explanation to State Multimedia, Environment and New Village Development Permanent Committee chairman, Datuk Ch'ng Toh Eng, yesterday.
Ch’ng was informed that the ammonia reading at the three phases of the scheme stood at 1.2 parts per million (ppm), which is below the normal reading of 1.5ppm.
"I was told that the ammonia level in Sungai Selangor was very high, recording a reading of more than 9ppm on Feb 25. However, it has come down to a safe level."
Ch’ng said he was told that chlorine had to be added to reduce the ammonia content.
"However, the mixture of the two elements created the foul stench," he said.
Ch’ng said the smell would disappear in the next few days. "I have asked the Department of Environment to investigate the reason for the excessive ammonia in the river," he said.
Ch’ng said the water was safe for drinking.
"The health department has given the assurance that the water is drinkable and poses no threat to health," he said.
It was reported in The Malay Mail yesterday that thousands of Klang Valley households had received stinking water from their taps since last Saturday.
This was why operations were not halted while the contaminated water supply was being treated.
An official from Puncak Niaga Sdn Bhd gave this explanation to State Multimedia, Environment and New Village Development Permanent Committee chairman, Datuk Ch'ng Toh Eng, yesterday.
Ch’ng was informed that the ammonia reading at the three phases of the scheme stood at 1.2 parts per million (ppm), which is below the normal reading of 1.5ppm.
"I was told that the ammonia level in Sungai Selangor was very high, recording a reading of more than 9ppm on Feb 25. However, it has come down to a safe level."
Ch’ng said he was told that chlorine had to be added to reduce the ammonia content.
"However, the mixture of the two elements created the foul stench," he said.
Ch’ng said the smell would disappear in the next few days. "I have asked the Department of Environment to investigate the reason for the excessive ammonia in the river," he said.
Ch’ng said the water was safe for drinking.
"The health department has given the assurance that the water is drinkable and poses no threat to health," he said.
It was reported in The Malay Mail yesterday that thousands of Klang Valley households had received stinking water from their taps since last Saturday.
Rearing, Slaughtering Of Chicken Banned In Setapak, Says Muhyiddin
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28 (Bernama) -- Rearing and slaughtering of chickens in Setapak, the bird flu-affected area, will be banned to avoid a recurrence of the outbreak, Agriculture and Agro-based Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said Tuesday.
He said the move was necessary to protect the people's health though it would pose problems to various parties, particularly chicken traders.
"In the interests of people's health, I cannot take this matter for granted eventhough it will affect chicken sellers.
"Tomorrow, I will bring up this matter with the cabinet and I hope the cabinet will agree to this decision," he told reporters after visiting Kampung Pasir in Setapak, the main bird flu-hit area.
Muhyiddin said four markets have been identified within a kilometre radius from the index case.
"After this, they will be allowed to sell only processed chicken or ducks," he said.
Muhyiddin said his ministry would discuss with Kuala Lumpur City Hall to find new sites to be turned into chicken and duck slaughter centres.
On culling of chickens in the index area, he said 3,580 chickens and ducks have been destroyed so far and RM11,083 has been paid as compensation to the owners.
He said the figure represented 98 per cent of chickens believed to be in the index area and culling operations are continuing.
Meanwhile, tests conducted on 2,626 swab samples and 30 carcasses within the 10km radius from the index area showed the chickens were free from the deadly H5N1 virus.
Replying to a question, he said the government would wait up to six months from the detection of the first case on Feb 21 before informing the World Health Organisation in Geneva that Malaysia was free from the virus.
"We must have a fixed period before making the declaration. We don't want new cases to resurface after making the declaration," he said.
He said the move was necessary to protect the people's health though it would pose problems to various parties, particularly chicken traders.
"In the interests of people's health, I cannot take this matter for granted eventhough it will affect chicken sellers.
"Tomorrow, I will bring up this matter with the cabinet and I hope the cabinet will agree to this decision," he told reporters after visiting Kampung Pasir in Setapak, the main bird flu-hit area.
Muhyiddin said four markets have been identified within a kilometre radius from the index case.
"After this, they will be allowed to sell only processed chicken or ducks," he said.
Muhyiddin said his ministry would discuss with Kuala Lumpur City Hall to find new sites to be turned into chicken and duck slaughter centres.
On culling of chickens in the index area, he said 3,580 chickens and ducks have been destroyed so far and RM11,083 has been paid as compensation to the owners.
He said the figure represented 98 per cent of chickens believed to be in the index area and culling operations are continuing.
Meanwhile, tests conducted on 2,626 swab samples and 30 carcasses within the 10km radius from the index area showed the chickens were free from the deadly H5N1 virus.
Replying to a question, he said the government would wait up to six months from the detection of the first case on Feb 21 before informing the World Health Organisation in Geneva that Malaysia was free from the virus.
"We must have a fixed period before making the declaration. We don't want new cases to resurface after making the declaration," he said.
Longer compulsory service
NST: Doctors in public hospitals who take up postgraduate specialist training may be bonded for longer periods.
This is to stop the "brain drain" to the private sector, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Latiff Ahmad said today.
He said medical officers had an obligation to serve the Government, as public funds financed their courses.
He said many "escaped" to the private sector after becoming specialists, resulting in a shortage of medical experts in government hospitals.
Currently, medical officers are required to serve for 10 years in government hospitals but there is no fixed bond period for those upgraded to specialists, as it depends on their years of service with the Government, quantum of study loan taken, and other factors.
"The ministry feels doctors who undertake postgraduate studies at the Government’s expense must remain and serve in government hospitals for a longer time," Dr Latiff said at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital today.
He said the ministry would discuss the matter with the Public Service Department, adding that the bond could be for about five years, as most medical officers doing postgraduate courses were in their 40s.
He said specialists were needed to serve in departments such as rheumatology (diseases of muscles, tendons, joints, bones), pulmonology (diseases of the lungs), nephrology (diseases of the kidneys), gastroenterology (diseases of the stomach and intestines), haematology and oncology (diseases of the blood and tumours) and cardiology.
"If we keep losing these medical experts to the private sector, sophisticated medical equipment and facilities in government hospitals will go to waste."
Earlier, Dr Latiff handed over financial assistance from the Medical Aid Fund to 12 needy patients.
To date, 17 people in Johor have benefited from the fund, with a total of RM411,519 given out.
Ten of the recipients needed special medical assistance such as a total knee replacement, spinal implants and total hip replacement, three received cardiology implants and four needed support equipment.
This is to stop the "brain drain" to the private sector, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Latiff Ahmad said today.
He said medical officers had an obligation to serve the Government, as public funds financed their courses.
He said many "escaped" to the private sector after becoming specialists, resulting in a shortage of medical experts in government hospitals.
Currently, medical officers are required to serve for 10 years in government hospitals but there is no fixed bond period for those upgraded to specialists, as it depends on their years of service with the Government, quantum of study loan taken, and other factors.
"The ministry feels doctors who undertake postgraduate studies at the Government’s expense must remain and serve in government hospitals for a longer time," Dr Latiff said at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital today.
He said the ministry would discuss the matter with the Public Service Department, adding that the bond could be for about five years, as most medical officers doing postgraduate courses were in their 40s.
He said specialists were needed to serve in departments such as rheumatology (diseases of muscles, tendons, joints, bones), pulmonology (diseases of the lungs), nephrology (diseases of the kidneys), gastroenterology (diseases of the stomach and intestines), haematology and oncology (diseases of the blood and tumours) and cardiology.
"If we keep losing these medical experts to the private sector, sophisticated medical equipment and facilities in government hospitals will go to waste."
Earlier, Dr Latiff handed over financial assistance from the Medical Aid Fund to 12 needy patients.
To date, 17 people in Johor have benefited from the fund, with a total of RM411,519 given out.
Ten of the recipients needed special medical assistance such as a total knee replacement, spinal implants and total hip replacement, three received cardiology implants and four needed support equipment.
Ammonia in water below permissible level
NST: The level of ammonia in the malodorous water supplied to houses in several parts of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor is below the permissible level set by the Health Ministry.
In a water sample taken yesterday, the content of ammonia was less than 0.1 parts-per-million (ppm). One ppm equals one milligram of any substance per litre of water.
An engineer in the water quality unit of Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd, who declined to be named, said the level set by the ministry was 1.5 ppm.
"Although the amount is slightly higher than normal, it is below the permissible level.
"On any other day, the treated water is almost completely devoid of the substance."
It was reported today that the unpleasant smell since Feb 26 in areas including Kuala Lumpur, Gombak, Klang, Kuala Selangor and Kuala Langat was due to the high ammonia content in the water from the Selangor River.
The engineer said the problem had been overcome by increasing chlorine content in the water treatment, and it would return to normal in a few days. He also said the water was safe to be consumed.
In a water sample taken yesterday, the content of ammonia was less than 0.1 parts-per-million (ppm). One ppm equals one milligram of any substance per litre of water.
An engineer in the water quality unit of Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd, who declined to be named, said the level set by the ministry was 1.5 ppm.
"Although the amount is slightly higher than normal, it is below the permissible level.
"On any other day, the treated water is almost completely devoid of the substance."
It was reported today that the unpleasant smell since Feb 26 in areas including Kuala Lumpur, Gombak, Klang, Kuala Selangor and Kuala Langat was due to the high ammonia content in the water from the Selangor River.
The engineer said the problem had been overcome by increasing chlorine content in the water treatment, and it would return to normal in a few days. He also said the water was safe to be consumed.
Malaysians among dead after China surgeries
NST: Malaysians have died from botched organ transplant operations in China, though there is no record of their number.
National Kidney Foundation vice-chairman Datuk Dr Zaki Morad Zaher said he was aware of Malaysians who went for organ transplants in China having died there due to complications, and also of some who died or suffered serious complications on their return.
"We do not have the exact numbers because almost all of them go on their own for the organ transplants, mainly kidney transplants," Dr Zaki said in response to the Japanese probe on the deaths of its citizens who received organ transplants in China.
Dr Zaki, the Health Ministry’s consultant nephrologist, said his colleagues in the public and private sectors had informed him of their patients having gone to China and dying of complications, and of some having died on their return.
"Organ transplants are done commercially in China. It is important that those who perform such major operations meet international standards," said Dr Zaki.
It is learnt that many Malaysians, especially the elderly, diabetics and heart patients, go to China in the hope of getting organs, but end up with complications and severe infections leading to their deaths.
It is understood that many of those who died were not fit for the operations, which cost them between RM70,000 and RM100,000.
National Kidney Foundation vice-chairman Datuk Dr Zaki Morad Zaher said he was aware of Malaysians who went for organ transplants in China having died there due to complications, and also of some who died or suffered serious complications on their return.
"We do not have the exact numbers because almost all of them go on their own for the organ transplants, mainly kidney transplants," Dr Zaki said in response to the Japanese probe on the deaths of its citizens who received organ transplants in China.
Dr Zaki, the Health Ministry’s consultant nephrologist, said his colleagues in the public and private sectors had informed him of their patients having gone to China and dying of complications, and of some having died on their return.
"Organ transplants are done commercially in China. It is important that those who perform such major operations meet international standards," said Dr Zaki.
It is learnt that many Malaysians, especially the elderly, diabetics and heart patients, go to China in the hope of getting organs, but end up with complications and severe infections leading to their deaths.
It is understood that many of those who died were not fit for the operations, which cost them between RM70,000 and RM100,000.
Wet market slaughter ban?
NST: The days of consumers buying live fowl at wet markets and having them slaughtered on the spot may be numbered.
The Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry is mulling a proposal to ban the slaughter of fowl in wet markets to prevent the quick spread of diseases, such as bird flu.
For a start, it wants to disallow the sale and slaughter of live fowl at wet markets within a one-kilometre radius of Kampung Pasir Wardieburn where chicken infected with bird flu were found dead on Feb 20.
Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the proposal would be submitted to the Cabinet tomorrow.
Kampung Pasir Wardieburn and neighbouring Taman Danau Kota, Pekan Danau Kota and Kampung Belakang JPJ have been closely monitored since more than 80 chickens died of the deadly H5N1 virus.
"The Datuk Bandar has agreed to the proposal. This is necessary because we want to contain the disease. The virus is contained in the chicken’s blood. And we have no way of knowing which chicken is infected.
"There is no by-law under City Hall for this, but this is an emergency preventive measure," he said after meeting Kampung Pasir Wardieburn villagers to inform them of the situation.
He said chicken sellers could bring their fowl to a designated slaughter area to be prepared for sale, or take the chickens to any slaughter house which had been certified halal.
"They can sell only dressed chicken. We are also considering implementing this everywhere in the long run, because it is unhygienic to slaughter them at the wet market.
"We cannot wait until a disease breaks out before we take action."
A total of 2, 656 swab samples and 30 bird carcasses taken from within a 10km radius of Kampung Pasir Wardieburn have tested negative for bird flu.
Muhyiddin said an estimated 98 per cent of the birds in the 1km radius of the village had been culled. The rest will be culled periodically.
Until yesterday, 3,580 birds, comprising 3,259 chickens, 135 ducks and 186 other birds, were culled. A further 1,476 eggs were destroyed.
A total of RM11,083.50 was paid in compensation.
The Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry is mulling a proposal to ban the slaughter of fowl in wet markets to prevent the quick spread of diseases, such as bird flu.
For a start, it wants to disallow the sale and slaughter of live fowl at wet markets within a one-kilometre radius of Kampung Pasir Wardieburn where chicken infected with bird flu were found dead on Feb 20.
Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the proposal would be submitted to the Cabinet tomorrow.
Kampung Pasir Wardieburn and neighbouring Taman Danau Kota, Pekan Danau Kota and Kampung Belakang JPJ have been closely monitored since more than 80 chickens died of the deadly H5N1 virus.
"The Datuk Bandar has agreed to the proposal. This is necessary because we want to contain the disease. The virus is contained in the chicken’s blood. And we have no way of knowing which chicken is infected.
"There is no by-law under City Hall for this, but this is an emergency preventive measure," he said after meeting Kampung Pasir Wardieburn villagers to inform them of the situation.
He said chicken sellers could bring their fowl to a designated slaughter area to be prepared for sale, or take the chickens to any slaughter house which had been certified halal.
"They can sell only dressed chicken. We are also considering implementing this everywhere in the long run, because it is unhygienic to slaughter them at the wet market.
"We cannot wait until a disease breaks out before we take action."
A total of 2, 656 swab samples and 30 bird carcasses taken from within a 10km radius of Kampung Pasir Wardieburn have tested negative for bird flu.
Muhyiddin said an estimated 98 per cent of the birds in the 1km radius of the village had been culled. The rest will be culled periodically.
Until yesterday, 3,580 birds, comprising 3,259 chickens, 135 ducks and 186 other birds, were culled. A further 1,476 eggs were destroyed.
A total of RM11,083.50 was paid in compensation.
Patients under observation test negative for bird flu virus
Star: PETALING JAYA: All 17 patients admitted to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital for observation last month for suspected avian flu tested negative for the deadly H5N1 virus.
Health Ministry disease control division director Dr Ramlee Rahmat said the latest two patients – teenage girls aged 13 and 17 – also tested negative although they showed flu-like symptoms.
“The 17-year-old has been discharged, bringing the total number discharged so far to 16. The 13-year-old is still warded but is likely to be discharged soon,” he said yesterday.
The Health Ministry is now in its second phase of monitoring, which involves passive surveillance as well as educational programmes, announcements and home monitoring of discharged patients.
Over in Sabah, the Veterinary Services and Animal Industry Department said the deaths of three free-range chickens in the interior were not due to the avian flu virus.
The department’s deputy director, Dr Yeo Boon Kiat, said the dead chickens from three villages in Tambunan and Keningau tested negative for the H5N1 virus.
Health Ministry disease control division director Dr Ramlee Rahmat said the latest two patients – teenage girls aged 13 and 17 – also tested negative although they showed flu-like symptoms.
“The 17-year-old has been discharged, bringing the total number discharged so far to 16. The 13-year-old is still warded but is likely to be discharged soon,” he said yesterday.
The Health Ministry is now in its second phase of monitoring, which involves passive surveillance as well as educational programmes, announcements and home monitoring of discharged patients.
Over in Sabah, the Veterinary Services and Animal Industry Department said the deaths of three free-range chickens in the interior were not due to the avian flu virus.
The department’s deputy director, Dr Yeo Boon Kiat, said the dead chickens from three villages in Tambunan and Keningau tested negative for the H5N1 virus.
Yellow noodles contain highest level of boric acid
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Yellow noodles contain the highest amount of boric acid at 70.4%, said the Health Ministry.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said in a recent statement that after yellow noodles is wantan noodles with 14.8% boric acid content, then koay teow, laksa, loh see fun and spring roll with 3.7% each.
Negri Sembilan recorded the highest percentage of boric acid misuse for food preservation, followed by Perak, Johor, Penang and Selangor.
A person who consumes food with a lot of boric acid could vomit, suffer from dysentery, dermatitis, kidney failure and damage to the blood vessels.
Boric acid is used to preserve wood in the furniture industry and is also used in medication.
The use of boric acid as a food preservative is banned in the country and those who flout this law can be fined up to RM100,000, jailed 10 years or both.
Dr Chua said the ministry launched a boric acid operation last year and of the 668 samples tested, 27 (4.04%) were found to contain the acid.
He said the ministry's enforcement division would launch a special operation throughout the country this month and next month to nab those who misuse boric acid.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said in a recent statement that after yellow noodles is wantan noodles with 14.8% boric acid content, then koay teow, laksa, loh see fun and spring roll with 3.7% each.
Negri Sembilan recorded the highest percentage of boric acid misuse for food preservation, followed by Perak, Johor, Penang and Selangor.
A person who consumes food with a lot of boric acid could vomit, suffer from dysentery, dermatitis, kidney failure and damage to the blood vessels.
Boric acid is used to preserve wood in the furniture industry and is also used in medication.
The use of boric acid as a food preservative is banned in the country and those who flout this law can be fined up to RM100,000, jailed 10 years or both.
Dr Chua said the ministry launched a boric acid operation last year and of the 668 samples tested, 27 (4.04%) were found to contain the acid.
He said the ministry's enforcement division would launch a special operation throughout the country this month and next month to nab those who misuse boric acid.
Residents happy water no longer smells bad
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: The stench in the water has diminished and some residents are calling for a rebate for the smelly water.
On Monday, readers of The Star complained that they could not drink, wash or cook with the water that flowed from their household taps because of a foul odour emitting from it.
Some went as far as saying that the water smelled of faeces.
But the Selangor state government said the water was safe to drink and was not contaminated.
The complaints came from all over the state and Kuala Lumpur, particularly from places that received their water supply from Sungai Selangor, such as Gombak, Petaling Jaya, Klang, Shah Alam, Kuala Selangor, Hulu Selangor and Kuala Langat.
Yesterday, the Klang Valley consumers heaved a sigh of relief as the odour was reduced to just a faint smell.
K.S. Maniam from Taman Klang Jaya said the tap water was almost back to normal but the water in the tank still stank. He suggested that the relevant authority give all households a rebate for the spoilt water when the next bill is issued.
Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor had said that dirty water from rivers and ponds had overflowed into the Sungai Selangor following heavy rains on Sunday, causing the problem.
The overflow, it added, had caused an increase of ammonia content in the raw water sourced from the river. State Environment committee chairman Datuk Ch’ng Toh Eng said the Selangor health department had given its assurance that the water tapped from Sungai Selangor was not contaminated.
On Monday, readers of The Star complained that they could not drink, wash or cook with the water that flowed from their household taps because of a foul odour emitting from it.
Some went as far as saying that the water smelled of faeces.
But the Selangor state government said the water was safe to drink and was not contaminated.
The complaints came from all over the state and Kuala Lumpur, particularly from places that received their water supply from Sungai Selangor, such as Gombak, Petaling Jaya, Klang, Shah Alam, Kuala Selangor, Hulu Selangor and Kuala Langat.
Yesterday, the Klang Valley consumers heaved a sigh of relief as the odour was reduced to just a faint smell.
K.S. Maniam from Taman Klang Jaya said the tap water was almost back to normal but the water in the tank still stank. He suggested that the relevant authority give all households a rebate for the spoilt water when the next bill is issued.
Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor had said that dirty water from rivers and ponds had overflowed into the Sungai Selangor following heavy rains on Sunday, causing the problem.
The overflow, it added, had caused an increase of ammonia content in the raw water sourced from the river. State Environment committee chairman Datuk Ch’ng Toh Eng said the Selangor health department had given its assurance that the water tapped from Sungai Selangor was not contaminated.
Chlorine Not Harmful If Used In Right Amounts
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28 (Bernama) -- Additional chlorine used to reduce the effects of ammonia in raw water at several treatment plants in Selangor will not endanger health if stipulated amounts are used, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad said Tuesday.
"They (Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas)) have the measurements," he told Bernama here.
Latiff was asked to comment on the public's concern over the safety of piped water supplied by Syabas to residents in Kuala Lumpur, Gombak, Petaling Jaya, Klang, Shah Alam, Kuala Selangor and Kuala Langat, which from Saturday had a foul smell.
Syabas explained in a statement yesterday that the smell was due to higher concentrations of ammonia in Sungai Selangor, the source of raw water for the areas concerned.
It said the situation was caused by the overflow of dirty water from drainage systems and ponds into the river as a result of heavy rain.
Syabas said action had been taken by the treatment plant operators to reduce the amount of ammonia by increasing the chlorine content in the raw water.
Syabas also gave the assurance that the water supplied by it was safe for use.
Abdul Latiff said that if the problem of increased ammonia in water was not overcome, it could endanger health.
Among the effects were that babies would suffer a shortage of oxygen supply in the blood if they consumed water with excessive ammonia, he added.
"They (Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas)) have the measurements," he told Bernama here.
Latiff was asked to comment on the public's concern over the safety of piped water supplied by Syabas to residents in Kuala Lumpur, Gombak, Petaling Jaya, Klang, Shah Alam, Kuala Selangor and Kuala Langat, which from Saturday had a foul smell.
Syabas explained in a statement yesterday that the smell was due to higher concentrations of ammonia in Sungai Selangor, the source of raw water for the areas concerned.
It said the situation was caused by the overflow of dirty water from drainage systems and ponds into the river as a result of heavy rain.
Syabas said action had been taken by the treatment plant operators to reduce the amount of ammonia by increasing the chlorine content in the raw water.
Syabas also gave the assurance that the water supplied by it was safe for use.
Abdul Latiff said that if the problem of increased ammonia in water was not overcome, it could endanger health.
Among the effects were that babies would suffer a shortage of oxygen supply in the blood if they consumed water with excessive ammonia, he added.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)