Star: PUTRAJAYA: Some three months ago, a two-tonne iron mould fell from the worksite at Plaza Damas and killed corporate figure Dr Liew Boon-Horng. Despite several warnings, the contractor still has yet to comply with all safety regulations.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr Fong Chan Onn said officers from the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) inspected the construction site in Jalan Sri Hartamas recently and found conditions still “not satisfactory”.
“The department will give the contractor another two weeks to carry out whatever is necessary to comply with guidelines under the OSH Act,” he told reporters here yesterday.
The department is also recommending to the Attorney-General that legal action be taken over the incident involving Dr Liew.
Dr Fong said: “Based on investigations, DOSH felt there was evidence of non-compliance by the contractor.
“We will hand over the investigation papers in a week or two and seek the A-G’s opinion on who – whether the contractor or main developer – is to bear the burden of these charges,” he said.
If found guilty, the party concerned could be fined RM20,000 under the Act or jailed a year, or both.
Dr Fong said the ministry was also expecting a report from the Construction Industry Development Board.
On safety at construction sites in general, Dr Fong said: “We have set up mobile teams of enforcement officers in the Klang Valley, Ipoh, Penang and Johor Baru, where there are a number of high-rise projects, to carry out checks all year round. Previously, DOSH would only check on worksites three times a year.”
Dr Liew's brother Liew Boon Yen, when contacted, said that the report on the outcome of investigations could help prevent mishaps at construction sites in future.
“The authorities have done a good job in carrying out thorough investigations to find out the actual cause of the incident and who was responsible," he said.
Malaysian Medical News: keeping you up to date with news sourced from various online sites, put in one place for your convenience, with a searchable archive
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Final check on area hit by bird flu
Star: PETALING JAYA: The Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Ministry will conduct a final operation within the 10km radius of the bird flu-hit villages in Setapak tomorrow before declaring the country free of the deadly H5N1 virus.
The announcement will be made after a three-day “mass surveillance” exercise ending on Sunday.
Some 200 Veterinary Department officers, City Hall health workers and Universiti Putra Malaysia students will be involved in the operation, which includes random door-to-door checks on residents’ health and taking swab samples of birds found there.
“The area had passed its mandatory 21 days' surveillance. No incidence related to the deadly H5N1 virus was detected or reported during the crucial period.
“However, to be extra sure one last exercise will be held before the declaration is made,” department director-general Datuk Mustapha Jalil said.
He said the samples would be analysed at the department's laboratory here and research centre in Ipoh.
He said people should not be surprise or worried when they see large groups of health and veterinary officers visiting their place.
Instead, he urged them to assist the officers by volunteering information and allowing them to take swab samples from their birds.
On Feb 21, a safety ring was thrown around the 10km radius in Setapak after 40 kampung chickens were found dead in Jalan Genting Klang.
The announcement will be made after a three-day “mass surveillance” exercise ending on Sunday.
Some 200 Veterinary Department officers, City Hall health workers and Universiti Putra Malaysia students will be involved in the operation, which includes random door-to-door checks on residents’ health and taking swab samples of birds found there.
“The area had passed its mandatory 21 days' surveillance. No incidence related to the deadly H5N1 virus was detected or reported during the crucial period.
“However, to be extra sure one last exercise will be held before the declaration is made,” department director-general Datuk Mustapha Jalil said.
He said the samples would be analysed at the department's laboratory here and research centre in Ipoh.
He said people should not be surprise or worried when they see large groups of health and veterinary officers visiting their place.
Instead, he urged them to assist the officers by volunteering information and allowing them to take swab samples from their birds.
On Feb 21, a safety ring was thrown around the 10km radius in Setapak after 40 kampung chickens were found dead in Jalan Genting Klang.
Sarawak closes 1,265 schools
Star: KUCHING: Year One to Year Three classes in 1,265 primary schools in Sarawak have been ordered closed for the whole of next week.
This was to check the spread of the hand, foot and mouth (HFM) disease which has killed seven children, all below four years old.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam said the closure order to all kindergartens, nurseries, day-care centres and playschools would also be extended until March 26.
“All tuition centres catering to pupils below 12 years old must also close during the same period,” he told reporters here yesterday.
Before the start of the current first term school holidays, 14 primary schools where HFM cases had been reported were closed for two weeks.
The Health Ministry had on March 3 ordered all 488 kindergartens in the state to close.
Dr Chan, also state disaster and relief committee chairman, said the closure of the classes was necessary to control the spread of the disease.
The state Education Department will inform the schools when to replace the classes.
He said 254 new HFM cases were reported yesterday, bringing the total to 4,827.
Of the new cases 91 were reported in Miri division, while in Mukah division there were 34 cases, Sibu dividion (28) and Kuching divising (27).
The number of patients still warded was 89.
Dr Chan said among them were two seriously ill patients, aged four and five, who were warded in Kapit and Bintulu.
He advised parents not to take young children to weddings or birthday parties so as to prevent children from getting or spreading the disease.
This was to check the spread of the hand, foot and mouth (HFM) disease which has killed seven children, all below four years old.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam said the closure order to all kindergartens, nurseries, day-care centres and playschools would also be extended until March 26.
“All tuition centres catering to pupils below 12 years old must also close during the same period,” he told reporters here yesterday.
Before the start of the current first term school holidays, 14 primary schools where HFM cases had been reported were closed for two weeks.
The Health Ministry had on March 3 ordered all 488 kindergartens in the state to close.
Dr Chan, also state disaster and relief committee chairman, said the closure of the classes was necessary to control the spread of the disease.
The state Education Department will inform the schools when to replace the classes.
He said 254 new HFM cases were reported yesterday, bringing the total to 4,827.
Of the new cases 91 were reported in Miri division, while in Mukah division there were 34 cases, Sibu dividion (28) and Kuching divising (27).
The number of patients still warded was 89.
Dr Chan said among them were two seriously ill patients, aged four and five, who were warded in Kapit and Bintulu.
He advised parents not to take young children to weddings or birthday parties so as to prevent children from getting or spreading the disease.
Parents, teachers blamed for situation
NST: Parents and teachers are to blame for the continuing outbreak of the hand, foot and mouth disease in Sarawak.
Director-general of Health Datuk Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said besides not paying attention to cleanliness, failure to adhere to the ministry’s advice to keep the children home led to the current situation in the State.
"We had advised them to stay at home and not to expose their children to public places. But this was not adhered to."
He added kindergartens were directed to shut down temporarily if more than two pupils contracted the disease.
Meanwhile, in Kuching, 259 new cases of suspected hand, foot and mouth disease in Sarawak were reported within the last 24 hours.
This brings the total number to 4,573 since the outbreak began early this year.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan, in updating reporters today, said 86 of the new cases were from Miri while Bintulu and Kuching had 42 cases each, Mukah 40 and Sibu 39.
"The big jump could be due to more parents bringing their sick children for treatment on Monday and this morning instead of Sunday when we had less number of cases registered," he said.
Dr Chan, who is also State disaster and relief management committee chairman, said 90 patients were still hospitalised, including 41 new admissions, as of this morning.
Director-general of Health Datuk Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said besides not paying attention to cleanliness, failure to adhere to the ministry’s advice to keep the children home led to the current situation in the State.
"We had advised them to stay at home and not to expose their children to public places. But this was not adhered to."
He added kindergartens were directed to shut down temporarily if more than two pupils contracted the disease.
Meanwhile, in Kuching, 259 new cases of suspected hand, foot and mouth disease in Sarawak were reported within the last 24 hours.
This brings the total number to 4,573 since the outbreak began early this year.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan, in updating reporters today, said 86 of the new cases were from Miri while Bintulu and Kuching had 42 cases each, Mukah 40 and Sibu 39.
"The big jump could be due to more parents bringing their sick children for treatment on Monday and this morning instead of Sunday when we had less number of cases registered," he said.
Dr Chan, who is also State disaster and relief management committee chairman, said 90 patients were still hospitalised, including 41 new admissions, as of this morning.
Kidney patients blame their bodies, not lifestyle
The Star MIRI: Bad habits are hard to change even among sick people. They would rather blame their tired bodies than point a finger at their unhealthy lifestyle, a survey here showed.
Australian health expert Prof Paola Ferroni, who was commissioned by the Sarawak Government to find out why Miri has the highest kidney failure incidents in the state, said: “Most sufferers blame their kidney disease on their internal body processes.
“It is interesting to note that they hardly mention their lifestyles or issues relating to nutrition, eating habits and the environment they live in.”
Prof Ferroni is the director of the Centre for International Health at Curtin University in Australia.
Prof Ferroni said while many sufferers showed a reasonable amount of knowledge about their general health and renal problems, they are often ignorant about the causes of their disease and the consequences they have to face.
“This is especially so among the younger sufferers,” she told a press conference at the Miri Red Crescent Kidney Dialysis Centre here, where she unveiled some of the findings of her survey yesterday.
Australian health expert Prof Paola Ferroni, who was commissioned by the Sarawak Government to find out why Miri has the highest kidney failure incidents in the state, said: “Most sufferers blame their kidney disease on their internal body processes.
“It is interesting to note that they hardly mention their lifestyles or issues relating to nutrition, eating habits and the environment they live in.”
Prof Ferroni is the director of the Centre for International Health at Curtin University in Australia.
Prof Ferroni said while many sufferers showed a reasonable amount of knowledge about their general health and renal problems, they are often ignorant about the causes of their disease and the consequences they have to face.
“This is especially so among the younger sufferers,” she told a press conference at the Miri Red Crescent Kidney Dialysis Centre here, where she unveiled some of the findings of her survey yesterday.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Seven Pupils, Four Teachers From Sarawak Hospitalised In Kangar
KUALA LUMPUR, March 15 (Bernama) -- Seven pupils and four teachers, who participated in a Girl Guides jamboree in Perlis, were admitted to the Kangar Hospital, Tuesday for suspected Hand, Foot and Mouth (HFM) disease.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said all of them had been placed in two isolation wards in the hospital after they came down with fever and some showed symptoms of HFM disease.
"They will be kept there until tests are conducted. We view seriously this latest development," he told reporters after launching products manufactured by ETAC of Sweden at the official residence of the Swedish Ambassador to Malaysia, Helena Sangeland, here Wednesday.
Dr Chua said that cases of HFM disease had occurred in the peninsula although not as serious as in Sarawak but the ministry viewed the matter with concern.
However, he said, he was disappointed that the seven pupils, mostly aged 10 and 11, had not heeded the ministry's advice not to visit the peninsula to avoid the possibility of spreading the disease here.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said all of them had been placed in two isolation wards in the hospital after they came down with fever and some showed symptoms of HFM disease.
"They will be kept there until tests are conducted. We view seriously this latest development," he told reporters after launching products manufactured by ETAC of Sweden at the official residence of the Swedish Ambassador to Malaysia, Helena Sangeland, here Wednesday.
Dr Chua said that cases of HFM disease had occurred in the peninsula although not as serious as in Sarawak but the ministry viewed the matter with concern.
However, he said, he was disappointed that the seven pupils, mostly aged 10 and 11, had not heeded the ministry's advice not to visit the peninsula to avoid the possibility of spreading the disease here.
Manufacturer Of Contact Lens Care Solutions Told To Withdraw Products
KUALA LUMPUR, March 15 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry has ordered the immediate withdrawal of all ReNu multipurpose contact lens care solutions manufactured by Bausch & Lomb from the local market following cases of contact lens-related fungal eye infections.
Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek, who issued the order Wednesday night, said there was no time frame given to the company to withdraw its products "but they should be responsible".
He said this to reporters after launching a Swedish product, ETAC, at the official residence of the Swedish Ambassador to Malaysia, Helena Sangeland, here.
The minister was elaborating on a statement issued earlier by the ministry which asked all manufacturers and suppliers of contact lens solutions to check and test their products to ensure they were safe following the fungal eye infections reported in Singapore and Hong Kong recently.
Dr Chua said there were three contact lens solutions produced by Bausch & Lomb marketed locally under the brand names of ReNu, Alcon and Complete.
However, he said, the withdrawal order only applied to ReNu based on information received from the Tun Hussein Onn Eye Hospital.
The ministry's statement said that as of today, the Tun Hussein Onn Hospital had listed 14 contact lens-related infective keratitis cases between January 2005 and February 2006.
"Out of these 14, six patients cited ReNu as the solution used, one used a combination of ReNu and Alcon solutions while four reported using Complete solution," the statement added.
The ministry advised the public to get immediate medical attention and treatment at the nearest hospital or clinic if they had any eye infection related to the use of contact lens.
It also reminded all users of contact lens to observe proper contact lens cleaning and care regimes.
Lenses must be rubbed with the fingers and rinsed thoroughly before soaking overnight in a multipurpose solution while disposable contact lenses must not be used beyond their recommended disposal period.
"The multipurpose solution in the lens storage case must be changed every day even if the lenses are not used daily while contact lens storage cases should also be replaced at least every three months," the statement said.
Users should stop wearing the lenses if they develop any redness, blurring of vision or pain of the eye and to consult a doctor or contact lens practitioner, it said.
Alternatively, it added, contact lens users might wish to use spectacles instead for the time being.
Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek, who issued the order Wednesday night, said there was no time frame given to the company to withdraw its products "but they should be responsible".
He said this to reporters after launching a Swedish product, ETAC, at the official residence of the Swedish Ambassador to Malaysia, Helena Sangeland, here.
The minister was elaborating on a statement issued earlier by the ministry which asked all manufacturers and suppliers of contact lens solutions to check and test their products to ensure they were safe following the fungal eye infections reported in Singapore and Hong Kong recently.
Dr Chua said there were three contact lens solutions produced by Bausch & Lomb marketed locally under the brand names of ReNu, Alcon and Complete.
However, he said, the withdrawal order only applied to ReNu based on information received from the Tun Hussein Onn Eye Hospital.
The ministry's statement said that as of today, the Tun Hussein Onn Hospital had listed 14 contact lens-related infective keratitis cases between January 2005 and February 2006.
"Out of these 14, six patients cited ReNu as the solution used, one used a combination of ReNu and Alcon solutions while four reported using Complete solution," the statement added.
The ministry advised the public to get immediate medical attention and treatment at the nearest hospital or clinic if they had any eye infection related to the use of contact lens.
It also reminded all users of contact lens to observe proper contact lens cleaning and care regimes.
Lenses must be rubbed with the fingers and rinsed thoroughly before soaking overnight in a multipurpose solution while disposable contact lenses must not be used beyond their recommended disposal period.
"The multipurpose solution in the lens storage case must be changed every day even if the lenses are not used daily while contact lens storage cases should also be replaced at least every three months," the statement said.
Users should stop wearing the lenses if they develop any redness, blurring of vision or pain of the eye and to consult a doctor or contact lens practitioner, it said.
Alternatively, it added, contact lens users might wish to use spectacles instead for the time being.
Medical Aid Fund Applications Processed In Two Weeks
KUALA LUMPUR, March 15 (Bernama) -- Applications for assistance from the Medical Aid Fund (TBP), which provides financial help to needy patients with chronic diseases, will be processed in 14 working days, the Dewan Rakyat was told Wednesday.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the application forms were available at all government hospitals and the Social Welfare Department.
The applicants only had to fill one form which seeks their personal particulars, he said in a written reply to a question from Datuk Razali Ismail (BN-Kuala Terengganu).
Dr Chua said the TBP had approved 478 applications involving more than RM7 million since it went into operation in January last year.
These applications made up 64 per cent of the total number of applications received between January last year and March 10 this year, he added.
He said the fund, which was established with a government allocation of RM100 million under the 2003 annual budget, had functioned relatively well in providing assistance to needy patients.
Dr Chua said aid given by the fund was specially for medical treatment, including medication and equipment, that could not be obtained at government hospitals.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the application forms were available at all government hospitals and the Social Welfare Department.
The applicants only had to fill one form which seeks their personal particulars, he said in a written reply to a question from Datuk Razali Ismail (BN-Kuala Terengganu).
Dr Chua said the TBP had approved 478 applications involving more than RM7 million since it went into operation in January last year.
These applications made up 64 per cent of the total number of applications received between January last year and March 10 this year, he added.
He said the fund, which was established with a government allocation of RM100 million under the 2003 annual budget, had functioned relatively well in providing assistance to needy patients.
Dr Chua said aid given by the fund was specially for medical treatment, including medication and equipment, that could not be obtained at government hospitals.
Construction Sites To Be Closed If Workers' Safety Neglected
KUALA LUMPUR, March 15 (Bernama) -- The government will close any construction sites if the company or developer fails to provide adequate safety and health measures for their workers, after they are given three notices of improvement.
Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Bakar said the new rules were enforced last month, following the death of a businessman who was killed by falling concrete.
"This is also aimed as a reminder to developers not to continue to neglect workers'safety after being repeatedly reminded," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby Wednesday.
He said the government would ask companies with more than 40 workers to set up a committee on health and safety to enable them to proide maximum safety measures for workers at the sites.
He said safety measures for workers in Malaysia were among the best in the world at 6.8 per cent accidents for every 1,000 people.
"In other countries, except Singapore, the rate is more than 10 per cent", he said.
There were only 26 cases last year including five cases which have been brought to court, including the death of Dr Liew Boon Horng who was hit by falling concrete.
Answering a question, he said among the most common crimes at construction sites last year were unregistered sites and failure to adhere to safety regulations.
Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Bakar said the new rules were enforced last month, following the death of a businessman who was killed by falling concrete.
"This is also aimed as a reminder to developers not to continue to neglect workers'safety after being repeatedly reminded," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby Wednesday.
He said the government would ask companies with more than 40 workers to set up a committee on health and safety to enable them to proide maximum safety measures for workers at the sites.
He said safety measures for workers in Malaysia were among the best in the world at 6.8 per cent accidents for every 1,000 people.
"In other countries, except Singapore, the rate is more than 10 per cent", he said.
There were only 26 cases last year including five cases which have been brought to court, including the death of Dr Liew Boon Horng who was hit by falling concrete.
Answering a question, he said among the most common crimes at construction sites last year were unregistered sites and failure to adhere to safety regulations.
Full-Paying Scheme Is A Pilot Project, Says Health D-G
PUTRAJAYA, March 14 (Bernama) -- The full-paying patients scheme which is likely to be implemented at the Putrajaya and Selayang hospitals in June is a pilot project, Director-General of Health Datuk Dr Ismail Merican said Tuesday.
He said the project would be implemented for six months or a year and a study would be done to see the benefits and disadvantages for the people and healthcare providers before extending it to the other government hospitals,
It would be insensible and unthinkable to implement something as major as this without having a pilot project, he told reporters after a dialogue with the Coalition Against Health Care Privatisation comprising 81 NGOs here.
He also said that the full-paying concept was a mechanism for patients who could afford to pay for the healthcare services.
Under the concept, the patients will be charged for the service given based on the rate certified by the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA).
"I did mention that this is probably interim, when the healthcare financing comes later, as decided by the government, then maybe we can look at other ways of keeping doctors in government service," he said.
He said it was important to ensure that specialists remained in government service to provide specialist care for the people.
On the National Health Financing Scheme, Dr Ismail said he could not elaborate because it was under the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) in Prime Minister's Department.
Meanwhile, coalition chairman Dr Subramanian Pillay said they were not satisfied with the explanation given by Dr Ismail.
"Our argument is we feel that not only government doctors but also the other medical staff should be better paid. We feel the government should spend more money on healthcare and improve their salary," he said.
He said the project would be implemented for six months or a year and a study would be done to see the benefits and disadvantages for the people and healthcare providers before extending it to the other government hospitals,
It would be insensible and unthinkable to implement something as major as this without having a pilot project, he told reporters after a dialogue with the Coalition Against Health Care Privatisation comprising 81 NGOs here.
He also said that the full-paying concept was a mechanism for patients who could afford to pay for the healthcare services.
Under the concept, the patients will be charged for the service given based on the rate certified by the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA).
"I did mention that this is probably interim, when the healthcare financing comes later, as decided by the government, then maybe we can look at other ways of keeping doctors in government service," he said.
He said it was important to ensure that specialists remained in government service to provide specialist care for the people.
On the National Health Financing Scheme, Dr Ismail said he could not elaborate because it was under the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) in Prime Minister's Department.
Meanwhile, coalition chairman Dr Subramanian Pillay said they were not satisfied with the explanation given by Dr Ismail.
"Our argument is we feel that not only government doctors but also the other medical staff should be better paid. We feel the government should spend more money on healthcare and improve their salary," he said.
CAHP seeks meeting with PM over proposed national health financing scheme
Sun2Surf: PUTRAJAYA: The Coalition Against Health Care Privatisation (CAHP) is seeking a meeting with the Prime Minister's Department on the proposed National Health Financing Scheme and related matters.
Unhappy over the outcome of its dialogue with Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Merican on March 14, 2006, coalition chairman Dr Subramaniam Pillay said there were still some unresolved issues after the one-and-a-half-hour meeting.
"We have got a clearer picture about the full-paying patients issue but we also want to know about the consultant said to have been appointed for the proposed scheme and the higher charge for foreign workers.
"He said those are policy matters or not under the ministry's purview and the scheme is being finalised by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU). So, it is better for us to seek explanation from the PM's Department," Subramaniam said.
However, he said CAHP was still not satisfied with the full- paying patients proposal, likening it to private tuition and describing it as a double-charge for taxpayers.
"Doctors will still have an incentive to treat full-paying patients better or quicker than others because they (patients) are going to contribute to their (doctors') own extra income.
"Instead of doing this, the government should set up a service commission to reform the whole system and spend more money to pay them more, not only the specialists, but all health care workers," he said.
Speaking to reporters later, Ismail said he had explained at length about the "full-paying patients" pilot project, slated to begin in the Selayang and Putrajaya hospitals in June, which is part of the proposed scheme.
"It will be just a mechanism for patients who can afford to pay for health care services. This is because the argument that every patient who can afford it goes to private hospital, is no longer true."
He said those who can afford to pay for health care still go to public hospitals because of three main reasons, namely for the specialist treatment, the reasonable price and the professional conduct.
Unhappy over the outcome of its dialogue with Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Merican on March 14, 2006, coalition chairman Dr Subramaniam Pillay said there were still some unresolved issues after the one-and-a-half-hour meeting.
"We have got a clearer picture about the full-paying patients issue but we also want to know about the consultant said to have been appointed for the proposed scheme and the higher charge for foreign workers.
"He said those are policy matters or not under the ministry's purview and the scheme is being finalised by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU). So, it is better for us to seek explanation from the PM's Department," Subramaniam said.
However, he said CAHP was still not satisfied with the full- paying patients proposal, likening it to private tuition and describing it as a double-charge for taxpayers.
"Doctors will still have an incentive to treat full-paying patients better or quicker than others because they (patients) are going to contribute to their (doctors') own extra income.
"Instead of doing this, the government should set up a service commission to reform the whole system and spend more money to pay them more, not only the specialists, but all health care workers," he said.
Speaking to reporters later, Ismail said he had explained at length about the "full-paying patients" pilot project, slated to begin in the Selayang and Putrajaya hospitals in June, which is part of the proposed scheme.
"It will be just a mechanism for patients who can afford to pay for health care services. This is because the argument that every patient who can afford it goes to private hospital, is no longer true."
He said those who can afford to pay for health care still go to public hospitals because of three main reasons, namely for the specialist treatment, the reasonable price and the professional conduct.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Asian men not selfish, says don
The Star: KUALA LUMPUR: So, who said that Asian men are self-centred and do not care about their partner’s satisfaction?
If a survey among 1,000 Malaysian men here is an indication, 39% showed they are vital-sexuals.
This means they care about their partner’s sexual satisfaction.
The survey, commissioned by Bayer Healthcare, was conducted by independent research agency Taylor Nelson Sofres.
The head of the Health Research Development Unit at University Malaya’s Medical Faculty, Prof Dr Low Wah Yun, said the study debunked the common assumption that Asian men were self-centred and did not care about their partner’s satisfaction.
“This is good news for women,” said the chartered psychologist at a press conference here to announce the results of the survey yesterday.
One thousand Malaysian men, aged between 18 to 74 years, were interviewed in the survey conducted in December last year and January.
The survey assessed their sexual opinions, concerns and attitudes as well as the importance of sex to men. It also studied their desire for improved sexual relations and the sexual difficulties they may experience, in particular, erectile dysfunction (ED).
According to Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's head of Urology Unit Dr Zulkifli Md Zainuddin, vital-sexuals were a newly discovered group of men aged 40 and above, who believe that sex and spontaneity in sex were important.
They also believe that their partner’s sexual satisfaction is vital.
“What is more important, vital-sexual men will take medication to solve their ED if the problem occurrs, and they are ready to admit it,” he said.
The study revealed that 75% of the respondents want to communicate more with their partners, 60% want to give more pleasure to their partners, 34% want to have longer sexual intercourse, 30% want to be more spontaneous in sexual relationships and 27% want to have frequent sexual relations. – Bernama
If a survey among 1,000 Malaysian men here is an indication, 39% showed they are vital-sexuals.
This means they care about their partner’s sexual satisfaction.
The survey, commissioned by Bayer Healthcare, was conducted by independent research agency Taylor Nelson Sofres.
The head of the Health Research Development Unit at University Malaya’s Medical Faculty, Prof Dr Low Wah Yun, said the study debunked the common assumption that Asian men were self-centred and did not care about their partner’s satisfaction.
“This is good news for women,” said the chartered psychologist at a press conference here to announce the results of the survey yesterday.
One thousand Malaysian men, aged between 18 to 74 years, were interviewed in the survey conducted in December last year and January.
The survey assessed their sexual opinions, concerns and attitudes as well as the importance of sex to men. It also studied their desire for improved sexual relations and the sexual difficulties they may experience, in particular, erectile dysfunction (ED).
According to Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's head of Urology Unit Dr Zulkifli Md Zainuddin, vital-sexuals were a newly discovered group of men aged 40 and above, who believe that sex and spontaneity in sex were important.
They also believe that their partner’s sexual satisfaction is vital.
“What is more important, vital-sexual men will take medication to solve their ED if the problem occurrs, and they are ready to admit it,” he said.
The study revealed that 75% of the respondents want to communicate more with their partners, 60% want to give more pleasure to their partners, 34% want to have longer sexual intercourse, 30% want to be more spontaneous in sexual relationships and 27% want to have frequent sexual relations. – Bernama
HFM cases in Kedah
The Star: Fifteen children in Kedah are down with hand, foot and mouth (HFM) disease.
They are believed to be the first cases reported in the peninsula. It is not immediately known if the strain infecting these children is the same as that affecting Sarawak, where all kindergartens and two schools were ordered to close.
The children have been warded, said state Health Committee chairman Datuk V. Saravanan, who called on the people to take their children who had symptoms of HFM to hospital.
“Parents should not give their children a herbal remedy or adopt a wait-and-see attitude,” he said, describing the symptoms as including fever and rashes.”
“They must take the children to hospital immediately as this is a highly contagious disease.”
Saravanan, however, added that the HFM occurrence in Kedah was under control and that no kindergarten had been ordered to close.
He said the 15 cases were recorded in Kota Star, Kulim, Yan and Sik.
State Veterinary Services Department director Dr Quaza Nizamuddin Hassan Nizam said 30 head of cattle down with foot-and-mouth disease were quarantined in Kampung Limau, Kubang Pasu.
“We imposed the quarantine four days ago,” he said.
They are believed to be the first cases reported in the peninsula. It is not immediately known if the strain infecting these children is the same as that affecting Sarawak, where all kindergartens and two schools were ordered to close.
The children have been warded, said state Health Committee chairman Datuk V. Saravanan, who called on the people to take their children who had symptoms of HFM to hospital.
“Parents should not give their children a herbal remedy or adopt a wait-and-see attitude,” he said, describing the symptoms as including fever and rashes.”
“They must take the children to hospital immediately as this is a highly contagious disease.”
Saravanan, however, added that the HFM occurrence in Kedah was under control and that no kindergarten had been ordered to close.
He said the 15 cases were recorded in Kota Star, Kulim, Yan and Sik.
State Veterinary Services Department director Dr Quaza Nizamuddin Hassan Nizam said 30 head of cattle down with foot-and-mouth disease were quarantined in Kampung Limau, Kubang Pasu.
“We imposed the quarantine four days ago,” he said.
Managing The High Costs Of Road Deaths
KUALA LUMPUR, March 12 (Bernama) -- When Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy switched on his handphone on arrival at London's Heathrow Airport last Nov 6 after a flight from Kuala Lumpur, one short messaging service (SMS) gave him a shocking welcome.
The SMS came from Suret Singh, the Director-General of the Road Safety Department, who told his boss that 29 people died in road accidents the day earlier in Malaysia as recorded in the annual two-week operation by the police to reduce road fatalities during the festive season.
The death toll on that particular day during the last Hari Raya season was the highest since what the police called Ops Sikap was launched in 2001.
Ops Sikap replaced Ops Statik which was started in 1997. Suret makes it a point to SMS Chan the daily fatality figures during such an operation.
What shocked Chan was that it was much higher than the daily average of 17 deaths registered over the last few years which means that between 6,200 and 6,300 people die every year in road accidents in the country.
Chan readily admits that bringing down the number of road fatalities is his most difficult task and biggest challenge as Transport Minister, simply because of the tremendous odds against achieving this objective.
"When I became Transport Minister two-and-a-half-years ago, I thought the biggest challenge was to build ports and airports. But it is nothing compared to bringing down the number of road deaths which is actually a nightmare," he told journalists at the ministry's media night the other day.
"When I received that SMS at Heathrow Airport from Suret, it really spoilt my day. I couldn't eat well the whole day," said Chan.
Turning to Suret, who was also present, he said: "Datuk Suret, oh, you are not yet a Datuk....but if you can bring down further the number of fatal accidents, I think you can be a Datuk soon".
Is the task doable? Just consider these facts -- Malaysia with a population of 25 million has 14 million vehicles and to compound this, motorcycles, considered the most vulnerable to road accidents, make up half the number.
Between 60 and 65 per cent of those killed in road accidents are motorcyclists and their pillion riders, suggesting that efforts to reduce road deaths won't likely to succeed if the number of these two-wheelers keeps rising unabatedly as it is now.
The motorcycle density has a direct effect in making Malaysia's road deaths one of the world's highest.
Countries like England, Germany and Spain have lower death toll per 100,000 people than Malaysia's rate of 25 and one probable reason is their motorcycle population is only 3 per cent compared with 50 locally.
Malaysia, which enjoys virtually the freest car democracy, registered 1.02 million vehicles last year, up almost 10 per cent from the previous year, with 45 per cent being motorcycles.
The number is expected to rise steadily as finance companies come up with longer term installment schemes merely to boost car sales.
Another odd against road safety efforts is that unlike in some countries which have laws to discourage car ownership, the same cannot be done in Malaysia because the survival of the national car industry largely depends on domestic sales.
Suret and other agencies tasked with road safety like the traffic police and the Road Transport Department (RTD) have also to contend with some 10 million drivers.
A lot has been written about the ugly image of Malaysian drivers and how negatively they behave when they are on the road compared to off it.
At least 400,000 new drivers join the rank of motorists every year and their number is also expected to swell especially with the relaxed financing rules.
According to Suret, except for the unusually high fatality rate of 29 on Nov 5, the daily death toll dropped to 15.5 during the latest operation carried out over 15 days from Jan 23 for the Chinese New Year season compared with 17 on other days.
During Ops Sikap, an estimated two million motorists join the so- called "balik kampung" exodus to get to their destinations from cities and big towns, especially the densely populated Klang Valley.
But Suret agrees that there has been too much media hype surrounding Ops Sikap, with its daily death toll making headlines, while on other days, just about the same number of fatal accidents occurred anyway without alarm bells ringing.
During Ops Sikap, thousands of extra traffic policemen and RTD personnel are deployed throughout the country looking out for traffic offenders.
Besides this, lorries and trucks are taken off the road during peak hours while express bus drivers come under closer scrutiny.
"It is beginning to bear some results because although the number of vehicles on the roads double during the festive reason, the number of road deaths have actually come down compared to the non-festive season.
But Suret says it is far too early to declare Ops Sikap a success and the recent figures could very well be just an aberration.
If he has his way, it makes more sense for Ops Sikap to be a all-year round affair instead of just during the festive season.
"To enable an all year-round operation, the police and the RTD need to overcome their logistic problems. But the logistics are expected to be in place when surveillance cameras and the enforcement system being considered by the Transport Ministry are implemented," said Suret.
Besides the unquantifiable loss of lives -- many in their prime and productive ages -- and untold sufferings of the loved ones left behind, road accidents also cause an unnecessary huge drain on the country's economy.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek says that one road accident victim is admitted to hospital every six minutes, further aggravating hospital congestion and the workload of doctors and paramedics who have to deal with countless other ailments and diseases.
He estimates the nation loses between RM5.4 billion and RM5.7 billion due to road accidents. If the loss of human lives in the road carnage is not checked, the nation's drive to develop its young human capital might also be undermined.
Dr Chua, whose ministry is in the frontline in bearing the costs of dealing with road accident victims, recently made an appeal to local car manufacturers to make their cars safer for the sake of saving lives.
Suret is already thinking out of the box on this. He is in the midst of getting local car makers to install safety gadgets like air-bags and the ABS brake system in all future cars sold in the country.
The ABS is an anti-lock brake system which prevents the car from skidding during braking.
"I really hope this can be done quickly," he told Bernama.
No doubt these gadgets will up the price of cars, but with longer repayment schemes, the average car buyer needs to pay just an insignificant sum extra.
It is the least they could do to help tackle what to Transport Minister Chan and others dealing with road safety, has been a nightmare.
The SMS came from Suret Singh, the Director-General of the Road Safety Department, who told his boss that 29 people died in road accidents the day earlier in Malaysia as recorded in the annual two-week operation by the police to reduce road fatalities during the festive season.
The death toll on that particular day during the last Hari Raya season was the highest since what the police called Ops Sikap was launched in 2001.
Ops Sikap replaced Ops Statik which was started in 1997. Suret makes it a point to SMS Chan the daily fatality figures during such an operation.
What shocked Chan was that it was much higher than the daily average of 17 deaths registered over the last few years which means that between 6,200 and 6,300 people die every year in road accidents in the country.
Chan readily admits that bringing down the number of road fatalities is his most difficult task and biggest challenge as Transport Minister, simply because of the tremendous odds against achieving this objective.
"When I became Transport Minister two-and-a-half-years ago, I thought the biggest challenge was to build ports and airports. But it is nothing compared to bringing down the number of road deaths which is actually a nightmare," he told journalists at the ministry's media night the other day.
"When I received that SMS at Heathrow Airport from Suret, it really spoilt my day. I couldn't eat well the whole day," said Chan.
Turning to Suret, who was also present, he said: "Datuk Suret, oh, you are not yet a Datuk....but if you can bring down further the number of fatal accidents, I think you can be a Datuk soon".
Is the task doable? Just consider these facts -- Malaysia with a population of 25 million has 14 million vehicles and to compound this, motorcycles, considered the most vulnerable to road accidents, make up half the number.
Between 60 and 65 per cent of those killed in road accidents are motorcyclists and their pillion riders, suggesting that efforts to reduce road deaths won't likely to succeed if the number of these two-wheelers keeps rising unabatedly as it is now.
The motorcycle density has a direct effect in making Malaysia's road deaths one of the world's highest.
Countries like England, Germany and Spain have lower death toll per 100,000 people than Malaysia's rate of 25 and one probable reason is their motorcycle population is only 3 per cent compared with 50 locally.
Malaysia, which enjoys virtually the freest car democracy, registered 1.02 million vehicles last year, up almost 10 per cent from the previous year, with 45 per cent being motorcycles.
The number is expected to rise steadily as finance companies come up with longer term installment schemes merely to boost car sales.
Another odd against road safety efforts is that unlike in some countries which have laws to discourage car ownership, the same cannot be done in Malaysia because the survival of the national car industry largely depends on domestic sales.
Suret and other agencies tasked with road safety like the traffic police and the Road Transport Department (RTD) have also to contend with some 10 million drivers.
A lot has been written about the ugly image of Malaysian drivers and how negatively they behave when they are on the road compared to off it.
At least 400,000 new drivers join the rank of motorists every year and their number is also expected to swell especially with the relaxed financing rules.
According to Suret, except for the unusually high fatality rate of 29 on Nov 5, the daily death toll dropped to 15.5 during the latest operation carried out over 15 days from Jan 23 for the Chinese New Year season compared with 17 on other days.
During Ops Sikap, an estimated two million motorists join the so- called "balik kampung" exodus to get to their destinations from cities and big towns, especially the densely populated Klang Valley.
But Suret agrees that there has been too much media hype surrounding Ops Sikap, with its daily death toll making headlines, while on other days, just about the same number of fatal accidents occurred anyway without alarm bells ringing.
During Ops Sikap, thousands of extra traffic policemen and RTD personnel are deployed throughout the country looking out for traffic offenders.
Besides this, lorries and trucks are taken off the road during peak hours while express bus drivers come under closer scrutiny.
"It is beginning to bear some results because although the number of vehicles on the roads double during the festive reason, the number of road deaths have actually come down compared to the non-festive season.
But Suret says it is far too early to declare Ops Sikap a success and the recent figures could very well be just an aberration.
If he has his way, it makes more sense for Ops Sikap to be a all-year round affair instead of just during the festive season.
"To enable an all year-round operation, the police and the RTD need to overcome their logistic problems. But the logistics are expected to be in place when surveillance cameras and the enforcement system being considered by the Transport Ministry are implemented," said Suret.
Besides the unquantifiable loss of lives -- many in their prime and productive ages -- and untold sufferings of the loved ones left behind, road accidents also cause an unnecessary huge drain on the country's economy.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek says that one road accident victim is admitted to hospital every six minutes, further aggravating hospital congestion and the workload of doctors and paramedics who have to deal with countless other ailments and diseases.
He estimates the nation loses between RM5.4 billion and RM5.7 billion due to road accidents. If the loss of human lives in the road carnage is not checked, the nation's drive to develop its young human capital might also be undermined.
Dr Chua, whose ministry is in the frontline in bearing the costs of dealing with road accident victims, recently made an appeal to local car manufacturers to make their cars safer for the sake of saving lives.
Suret is already thinking out of the box on this. He is in the midst of getting local car makers to install safety gadgets like air-bags and the ABS brake system in all future cars sold in the country.
The ABS is an anti-lock brake system which prevents the car from skidding during braking.
"I really hope this can be done quickly," he told Bernama.
No doubt these gadgets will up the price of cars, but with longer repayment schemes, the average car buyer needs to pay just an insignificant sum extra.
It is the least they could do to help tackle what to Transport Minister Chan and others dealing with road safety, has been a nightmare.
Malaysian hand, foot and mouth epidemic claims seventh victim
Todayonline: A nine-year-old boy has become the seventh victim of an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease in the Malaysian state of Sarawak.
The boy died on Monday afternoon in Sibu, one of the areas worst hit by the disease which mainly affects children.
"The children, who had succumbed to the disease are usually admitted under stressful condition, with neurological signs, while those who come early for treatment can survive," Sarawak's deputy chief George Chan told the Bernama news agency on Monday.
Chan said the eastern state on Borneo island had seen 158 new cases in the last day, with a total of 4,278 cases have been recorded since the epidemic started early this year.
The disease has also been detected in the neighbouring country of Brunei, where it has killed one child.
Health authorities have urged parents to keep their children at home, while Malaysia's health minister Chua Soi Lek has suggested that children below the age of 10 stay away from peninsular Malaysia to curb the spread of the disease.
Hand, foot and mouth disease causes painful mouth and throat ulcers, blisters on hands and feet and fever.
Sarawak has periodically been hit by the disease. In the worst outbreak in 1997, the state on Borneo island recorded 31 fatalities. — AFP
The boy died on Monday afternoon in Sibu, one of the areas worst hit by the disease which mainly affects children.
"The children, who had succumbed to the disease are usually admitted under stressful condition, with neurological signs, while those who come early for treatment can survive," Sarawak's deputy chief George Chan told the Bernama news agency on Monday.
Chan said the eastern state on Borneo island had seen 158 new cases in the last day, with a total of 4,278 cases have been recorded since the epidemic started early this year.
The disease has also been detected in the neighbouring country of Brunei, where it has killed one child.
Health authorities have urged parents to keep their children at home, while Malaysia's health minister Chua Soi Lek has suggested that children below the age of 10 stay away from peninsular Malaysia to curb the spread of the disease.
Hand, foot and mouth disease causes painful mouth and throat ulcers, blisters on hands and feet and fever.
Sarawak has periodically been hit by the disease. In the worst outbreak in 1997, the state on Borneo island recorded 31 fatalities. — AFP
Sarawak Reports 158 New HFMD Cases
KUCHING, March 13 (Bernama) -- Sarawak has reported 158 new cases of the hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 4,278, since the outbreak was detected statewide last month.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said Monday that although the death toll remained at six, with two fatalities found to be EV71 positive, the government viewed the situation as still critical.
"The critically ill nine-month-old infant is still awarded at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Sibu Hospital while the condition of the five-year-old boy from Mukah has improved," he told Bernama here.
Dr Chan, who is also Sarawak Disaster and Relief Management Committee chairman, said, however, that the State Health Department had yet to confirm if the reported death of a one-year-old-girl from Mukah on Saturday was HFMD-related.
Preventive measures being taken to control the spread of the disease include a directive against children, especially those 10 years and below, visiting the peninsula as well as a ban on co-curricular activities during the one-week school holidays.
Dr Chan said the number of primary schools found to have two or more HFMD cases and ordered to close down stood at 14 and would remain closed until they had been given a clean bill of health by the department.
All the 488 kindergartens, nurseries and day-care centres in Sarawak, which had also been ordered to close, would be similarly monitored, he added.
The main mode of HFMD transmission is by direct contact with people having the illness, hand to mouth and inhalation of droplets spread by coughing and sneezing.
It can only spread from human to human but young children are most vulnerable due to their weaker immune system compared with adults, who can be carriers but do not show any symptoms of infection such as blisters on the hands, feet and mouth.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said Monday that although the death toll remained at six, with two fatalities found to be EV71 positive, the government viewed the situation as still critical.
"The critically ill nine-month-old infant is still awarded at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Sibu Hospital while the condition of the five-year-old boy from Mukah has improved," he told Bernama here.
Dr Chan, who is also Sarawak Disaster and Relief Management Committee chairman, said, however, that the State Health Department had yet to confirm if the reported death of a one-year-old-girl from Mukah on Saturday was HFMD-related.
Preventive measures being taken to control the spread of the disease include a directive against children, especially those 10 years and below, visiting the peninsula as well as a ban on co-curricular activities during the one-week school holidays.
Dr Chan said the number of primary schools found to have two or more HFMD cases and ordered to close down stood at 14 and would remain closed until they had been given a clean bill of health by the department.
All the 488 kindergartens, nurseries and day-care centres in Sarawak, which had also been ordered to close, would be similarly monitored, he added.
The main mode of HFMD transmission is by direct contact with people having the illness, hand to mouth and inhalation of droplets spread by coughing and sneezing.
It can only spread from human to human but young children are most vulnerable due to their weaker immune system compared with adults, who can be carriers but do not show any symptoms of infection such as blisters on the hands, feet and mouth.
Dengue fever: 11 hospitalised
NST: GEORGE TOWN, PENANG, Sun A total of 11 people have been hospitalised for dengue fever here since last Friday, sparking fears of another outbreak.
Fifty-eight cases were reported between Feb 26 and March 4 and 30 cases the week before.
Most of the victims have been warded at various hospitals here.
Health Ministry Parliamentary Secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon said 700 dengue cases were reported nationwide since Feb 19.
He said the dengue hot spots in Penang were Batu Uban, Farlim and Taman Lip Sin.
"It is under control here but we are monitoring the situation. We want residents to play their role by ensuring that their areas are free of mosquito breeding grounds," he said during a visit to Sungai Dua here today.
Also present were Batu Uban state assemblyman Goh Kheng Sneah and Northeast district health officer Dr Mohd Salleh Mat Jais.
Lee said principals and teachers should ensure that schools were kept clean to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes during the coming school holidays.
Fifty-eight cases were reported between Feb 26 and March 4 and 30 cases the week before.
Most of the victims have been warded at various hospitals here.
Health Ministry Parliamentary Secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon said 700 dengue cases were reported nationwide since Feb 19.
He said the dengue hot spots in Penang were Batu Uban, Farlim and Taman Lip Sin.
"It is under control here but we are monitoring the situation. We want residents to play their role by ensuring that their areas are free of mosquito breeding grounds," he said during a visit to Sungai Dua here today.
Also present were Batu Uban state assemblyman Goh Kheng Sneah and Northeast district health officer Dr Mohd Salleh Mat Jais.
Lee said principals and teachers should ensure that schools were kept clean to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes during the coming school holidays.
Hyper-clean may lead to allergies
NST: Better hygiene among Malaysians leading to an increase in allergic reactions?
Consultant allergy specialist Assoc Prof Dr Ranbir Kaulsay believes this could be the case.
He said the "hygiene hypothesis" among doctors stated that an overly sanitary lifestyle could eventually trigger allergies.
According to him, the dramatic increase in allergies among Malaysians from below five per cent in the 1960s to 30 per cent today was possible proof of the theory.
This could increase to 50 per cent by 2020, he added.
He said the hypothesis was based on the premise that when one of the immune system’s two biological defences weakened with fewer bacteria and viruses to fight, the other became stronger.
This is believed to lead to the defence system overreacting as an allergic reaction to harmless substances, including pollen.
Food allergies normally occur when the immune system mounts an attack on certain proteins in certain foods.
There is also a genetic component to allergies: they are mostly hereditary and passed on by parents to children.
"Allergic diseases are a major public health concern," Dr Ranbir, who is also Malaysian Society of Allergology and Immunology president, said in an interview on the sidelines of the 7th Malaysian Congress and Exhibition on Allergy and Immunology, which ended today.
He said the 50 per cent figure could become reality if allergies were not better managed. Also, treatment costs were increasing annually.
Currently, one in three Malaysians has an allergy ranging in intensity from mild to severe. In babies, the most common are related to food like cow’s milk and eggs.
"Mites are the main cause of eczema (skin allergy) and asthma," he added.
Severe allergies include reactions to insect venom and certain foods, which can cause swelling of the mouth, lips, a worrying dip in blood pressure and breathing difficulties.
Consultant allergy specialist Assoc Prof Dr Ranbir Kaulsay believes this could be the case.
He said the "hygiene hypothesis" among doctors stated that an overly sanitary lifestyle could eventually trigger allergies.
According to him, the dramatic increase in allergies among Malaysians from below five per cent in the 1960s to 30 per cent today was possible proof of the theory.
This could increase to 50 per cent by 2020, he added.
He said the hypothesis was based on the premise that when one of the immune system’s two biological defences weakened with fewer bacteria and viruses to fight, the other became stronger.
This is believed to lead to the defence system overreacting as an allergic reaction to harmless substances, including pollen.
Food allergies normally occur when the immune system mounts an attack on certain proteins in certain foods.
There is also a genetic component to allergies: they are mostly hereditary and passed on by parents to children.
"Allergic diseases are a major public health concern," Dr Ranbir, who is also Malaysian Society of Allergology and Immunology president, said in an interview on the sidelines of the 7th Malaysian Congress and Exhibition on Allergy and Immunology, which ended today.
He said the 50 per cent figure could become reality if allergies were not better managed. Also, treatment costs were increasing annually.
Currently, one in three Malaysians has an allergy ranging in intensity from mild to severe. In babies, the most common are related to food like cow’s milk and eggs.
"Mites are the main cause of eczema (skin allergy) and asthma," he added.
Severe allergies include reactions to insect venom and certain foods, which can cause swelling of the mouth, lips, a worrying dip in blood pressure and breathing difficulties.
Monday, March 13, 2006
Pharmaniaga to halt profit decline
Business Times:PHARMACEUTICAL firm Pharmaniaga Bhd plans to arrest the decline in profits this year, by introducing products with better margins.
The state-owned firm's net profit almost halved to RM26.9 million in 2005 due to small profit margins and as it finishes some contracts to supply products to West Asia.
Before that, its net profit has been consistently growing every year, since the year 2000.
"We will work hard to arrest this decline by boosting productivity and promoting products of higher margins such as injectable antibiotics in the second quarter of this year.
"There will be more new products down the pipeline and we will improve our logistics business ... all the extra revenue will bring in the profit," managing director Azhar Hussain told Business Times recently.
Pharmaniaga, 72 per cent owned by UEM World Bhd, which currently has a local market share of 30 per cent also aims to become a regional and global champion such as Petroliam Nasional Bhd.
"We plan to expand to India and have our sights on the Association of South- East Asian Nations (Asean) region either by setting up a new plant, forge joint ventures or establish new marketing offices," said Azhar.
Pharmaniaga currently has marketing offices in Indonesia, Vietnam and a manufacturing facility in Wuxi, China, which it launched this month to make intravenous drips.
The company at present has three manufacturing plants which are in Sri Iskandar (Perak), Bangi and Puchong in Selangor.
In total, the plants churn over 400 generic products and employ almost 2,000 workers. Ideally, Pharmaniaga wants to have 5 or 6 plants.
The contract manufacturer currently make drugs for three foreign multinationals which are Pfizer, Wyeth and Bristol Myers Squibb.
It also supplies its products to the Government and private hospitals at a ratio of 50:50. Its contract value with the Government is about RM500 million a year, involving 134 hospitals and it exports about 1 per cent of its products.
"We aim to become the preferred brand and a global company in 10 years and will also look at biotechnology opportunities," said Azhar.
The state-owned firm's net profit almost halved to RM26.9 million in 2005 due to small profit margins and as it finishes some contracts to supply products to West Asia.
Before that, its net profit has been consistently growing every year, since the year 2000.
"We will work hard to arrest this decline by boosting productivity and promoting products of higher margins such as injectable antibiotics in the second quarter of this year.
"There will be more new products down the pipeline and we will improve our logistics business ... all the extra revenue will bring in the profit," managing director Azhar Hussain told Business Times recently.
Pharmaniaga, 72 per cent owned by UEM World Bhd, which currently has a local market share of 30 per cent also aims to become a regional and global champion such as Petroliam Nasional Bhd.
"We plan to expand to India and have our sights on the Association of South- East Asian Nations (Asean) region either by setting up a new plant, forge joint ventures or establish new marketing offices," said Azhar.
Pharmaniaga currently has marketing offices in Indonesia, Vietnam and a manufacturing facility in Wuxi, China, which it launched this month to make intravenous drips.
The company at present has three manufacturing plants which are in Sri Iskandar (Perak), Bangi and Puchong in Selangor.
In total, the plants churn over 400 generic products and employ almost 2,000 workers. Ideally, Pharmaniaga wants to have 5 or 6 plants.
The contract manufacturer currently make drugs for three foreign multinationals which are Pfizer, Wyeth and Bristol Myers Squibb.
It also supplies its products to the Government and private hospitals at a ratio of 50:50. Its contract value with the Government is about RM500 million a year, involving 134 hospitals and it exports about 1 per cent of its products.
"We aim to become the preferred brand and a global company in 10 years and will also look at biotechnology opportunities," said Azhar.
No-Visit Outside Sarawak Advice To Children Below 10 Years
KUALA PILAH, March 12 (Bernama) -- Children in Sarawak below 10 years of age are discouraged from visiting or participating in school holiday activities in the peninsula as a precautionary measure to curb the spread of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD).
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said Sunday the decision was reached after discussions with Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan and Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.
"It is not that we don't want them to participate in sports and other activities in the peninsula, but we feel it is better that they do not come now as a precautionary measure," he said at a news conference after visiting the Kuala Pilah Hospital.
He said the Sarawak government had concurred with the decision.
Meanwhile, the HFMD outbreak in Sarawak has shown the first downtrend in reported cases.
Dr Chan said in SIBU that there were only 137 new cases reported up to 5pm Sunday compared to 285 Saturday.
The death toll in the state remained at six, he told reporters after attending visiting patients at the Sibu General Hospital who included a nine-month-old infant in the Intensive Care Unit.
Chan was accompanied by Sarawak Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, state Assistant Minister of Housing and Public Health Dr Soon Choon Teck and the hospital's director Dr Abdul Rahim Abdullah.
He said among the new cases, 46 were from Sibu while most of the rest were from Kuching (21), Bintulu (21), Miri (13) and 10 each from Sarikei and Mukah.
The total number since the outbreak two weeks ago stood at 4,121 cases statewide.
Dr Chan said in most of the HFMD deaths, the victims were already critically ill when taken to hospital.
"Those brought in early have a very good chance of recovery," he said.
He denied news reports that claimed the Rajang River in central Sarawak, the longest in the country, was suspected of being the source of the virus that caused the sickness.
"The river is one of the many factors that we include in our still ongoing studies to seek an answer to the virus that caused the sickness. We are in fact also checking 32 other rivers in the state.
"We began our studies nine years ago. We have had some success as in the present outbreak we are able to handle it ourselves instead of asking for foreign help."
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said Sunday the decision was reached after discussions with Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan and Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.
"It is not that we don't want them to participate in sports and other activities in the peninsula, but we feel it is better that they do not come now as a precautionary measure," he said at a news conference after visiting the Kuala Pilah Hospital.
He said the Sarawak government had concurred with the decision.
Meanwhile, the HFMD outbreak in Sarawak has shown the first downtrend in reported cases.
Dr Chan said in SIBU that there were only 137 new cases reported up to 5pm Sunday compared to 285 Saturday.
The death toll in the state remained at six, he told reporters after attending visiting patients at the Sibu General Hospital who included a nine-month-old infant in the Intensive Care Unit.
Chan was accompanied by Sarawak Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, state Assistant Minister of Housing and Public Health Dr Soon Choon Teck and the hospital's director Dr Abdul Rahim Abdullah.
He said among the new cases, 46 were from Sibu while most of the rest were from Kuching (21), Bintulu (21), Miri (13) and 10 each from Sarikei and Mukah.
The total number since the outbreak two weeks ago stood at 4,121 cases statewide.
Dr Chan said in most of the HFMD deaths, the victims were already critically ill when taken to hospital.
"Those brought in early have a very good chance of recovery," he said.
He denied news reports that claimed the Rajang River in central Sarawak, the longest in the country, was suspected of being the source of the virus that caused the sickness.
"The river is one of the many factors that we include in our still ongoing studies to seek an answer to the virus that caused the sickness. We are in fact also checking 32 other rivers in the state.
"We began our studies nine years ago. We have had some success as in the present outbreak we are able to handle it ourselves instead of asking for foreign help."
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Getting HFM does not mean death
The Star: PETALING JAYA: Getting the hand, foot and mouth (HFM) disease does not mean that your child will die, said the head of Universiti Malaya's Microbiology Department.
Prof Sazaly Abu Bakar, who has researched the deadly Enterovirus 71, advised parents not to press the panic button.
“The rashes on the hand and feet of children are mainly caused by the Coxsackie virus A16, which is one of the more prevalent HFM viruses. But it hardly results in death,” he said, adding that almost all patients with the A16 virus recovered within a week to 10 days.
This virus is common among younger children.
“Children below the age of five are most vulnerable to the disease because their immunity is not properly developed compared with older children or adults,” he added.
“The deadly one is the other prevalent virus, the Enterovirus 71, which infected two of the four children who died in Sarawak last week,” said Prof Sazaly.
He said this virus replicates in the guts, gets secreted in the faeces and was spread through the water supply.
“Its main spreading mode is through direct contact with a person’s saliva, secretion and faeces,” he said.
He added that children do not usually catch the same illness twice due to the immunity developed against the virus.
“Those who claimed to have had HFM before may have only contracted the Coxsackie A16 virus. That is why they exhibit similar symptoms again,” he said.
Proper hygiene, such as washing hands with disinfectant, was still the best defence against HFM infection.
He, however, warned the “HFM virus, especially Enterovirus 71, can withstand most disinfectants, even those that consist of 70% alcohol.”
Association of Registered Childcare Providers Malaysia president Norsheila Abdullah said it was important for parents and childcare centres to be on the alert for signs of HFM.
“If a child has fever, he should be kept away from the centre to prevent the disease from spreading,” she said.
Health Ministry Disease Control Department director Dr Ramlee Rahmat said parents should take their children to the hospital if they showed any symptoms of HFM. The obvious symptoms are fever, mouth ulcers, and rashes or blisters on the palm or sole.
The incubation period for HFM, he said, was between three and six days and a child would normally recover from the disease within a week.
“Do not treat the affected child at home. It is better for the child to get professional treatment at the hospital, and being in the hospital also prevents others from getting infected,” he said.
“Those who are mildly affected and not warded are advised to keep away from crowded places such as supermarkets, shopping malls and playgrounds to minimise the chances of spreading the disease.”
Prof Sazaly Abu Bakar, who has researched the deadly Enterovirus 71, advised parents not to press the panic button.
“The rashes on the hand and feet of children are mainly caused by the Coxsackie virus A16, which is one of the more prevalent HFM viruses. But it hardly results in death,” he said, adding that almost all patients with the A16 virus recovered within a week to 10 days.
This virus is common among younger children.
“Children below the age of five are most vulnerable to the disease because their immunity is not properly developed compared with older children or adults,” he added.
“The deadly one is the other prevalent virus, the Enterovirus 71, which infected two of the four children who died in Sarawak last week,” said Prof Sazaly.
He said this virus replicates in the guts, gets secreted in the faeces and was spread through the water supply.
“Its main spreading mode is through direct contact with a person’s saliva, secretion and faeces,” he said.
He added that children do not usually catch the same illness twice due to the immunity developed against the virus.
“Those who claimed to have had HFM before may have only contracted the Coxsackie A16 virus. That is why they exhibit similar symptoms again,” he said.
Proper hygiene, such as washing hands with disinfectant, was still the best defence against HFM infection.
He, however, warned the “HFM virus, especially Enterovirus 71, can withstand most disinfectants, even those that consist of 70% alcohol.”
Association of Registered Childcare Providers Malaysia president Norsheila Abdullah said it was important for parents and childcare centres to be on the alert for signs of HFM.
“If a child has fever, he should be kept away from the centre to prevent the disease from spreading,” she said.
Health Ministry Disease Control Department director Dr Ramlee Rahmat said parents should take their children to the hospital if they showed any symptoms of HFM. The obvious symptoms are fever, mouth ulcers, and rashes or blisters on the palm or sole.
The incubation period for HFM, he said, was between three and six days and a child would normally recover from the disease within a week.
“Do not treat the affected child at home. It is better for the child to get professional treatment at the hospital, and being in the hospital also prevents others from getting infected,” he said.
“Those who are mildly affected and not warded are advised to keep away from crowded places such as supermarkets, shopping malls and playgrounds to minimise the chances of spreading the disease.”
Friday, March 10, 2006
A-G Ordered To Act Against Errant Kindies
KUCHING, March 10 (Bernama) -- The Sarawak Government has instructed the State Attorney-General to take action against kindergartens and similar institutions found to have defied the Health Ministry's order to close down in the wake of the hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) outbreak in the state.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said the relevant agencies have been asked to send their enforcement officers to the ground to monitor the situation as part of efforts to check the spread of the disease which had claimed five lives so far.
"It is no excuse for these institutions, especially the unregistered ones and operating illegally, because this is a serious situation. I feel it is a very irresponsible act on their part to defy the orders," he told a media conference on the daily HFMD updates.
On March 3, the Health Ministry ordered all 488 kindergartens, nurseries and day-care centres in Sarawak to be closed for two weeks as the number of HFMD cases increased since it was detected last month.
Dr Chan, who is also State Disaster Relief and Management Committee chairman, said institutions found to have not complied with the order are liable to a maximum jail term of two years and a fine of up to RM3,000 under the Public Health Ordinance.
However, the state authorities had yet to take action against errant kindergartens or nurseries so far.
He said the Sarawak Health Department would advise the State Education Department on the need to extend the closure of the kindergartens and affected primary schools should the situation worsens.
Since Thursday, 14 primary schools found to have two or more HFMD cases have been ordered to close.
During the two-week closure, Dr Chan urged kindergarten and nursery operators and school authorities to clean up their premises and disinfect their facilities and playgrounds.
He also urged parents, especially with young children, to reduce the risk of getting infected by avoiding crowded places, including shopping complexes, cinemas and swimming pools besides observing strict personal hygiene.
He said 251 new HFMD cases have been reported, bringing to 3,771 up to noon today.
Dr Chan said the seven-month-old baby girl reported to be critically ill yesterday had been discharged from the intensive care unit of the Sibu Hospital while the five-year-old boy from Mukah is still in the ward.
There are 72 children warded, with 34 new admissions up to noon today.
The death toll remained at five including two found to be EV71-positive, he said.
On regional collaboration to curb the HFMD spread, Dr Chan said the state government was prepared to assist its neighbours including Brunei which closed down all its primary schools and nurseries yesterday following one HFMD-related death.
The state government was ready to provide the relevant data and expertise, upon request, to its counterpart in Brunei and West Kalimantan while the Sabah Government could seek help from the ministry, he added.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said the relevant agencies have been asked to send their enforcement officers to the ground to monitor the situation as part of efforts to check the spread of the disease which had claimed five lives so far.
"It is no excuse for these institutions, especially the unregistered ones and operating illegally, because this is a serious situation. I feel it is a very irresponsible act on their part to defy the orders," he told a media conference on the daily HFMD updates.
On March 3, the Health Ministry ordered all 488 kindergartens, nurseries and day-care centres in Sarawak to be closed for two weeks as the number of HFMD cases increased since it was detected last month.
Dr Chan, who is also State Disaster Relief and Management Committee chairman, said institutions found to have not complied with the order are liable to a maximum jail term of two years and a fine of up to RM3,000 under the Public Health Ordinance.
However, the state authorities had yet to take action against errant kindergartens or nurseries so far.
He said the Sarawak Health Department would advise the State Education Department on the need to extend the closure of the kindergartens and affected primary schools should the situation worsens.
Since Thursday, 14 primary schools found to have two or more HFMD cases have been ordered to close.
During the two-week closure, Dr Chan urged kindergarten and nursery operators and school authorities to clean up their premises and disinfect their facilities and playgrounds.
He also urged parents, especially with young children, to reduce the risk of getting infected by avoiding crowded places, including shopping complexes, cinemas and swimming pools besides observing strict personal hygiene.
He said 251 new HFMD cases have been reported, bringing to 3,771 up to noon today.
Dr Chan said the seven-month-old baby girl reported to be critically ill yesterday had been discharged from the intensive care unit of the Sibu Hospital while the five-year-old boy from Mukah is still in the ward.
There are 72 children warded, with 34 new admissions up to noon today.
The death toll remained at five including two found to be EV71-positive, he said.
On regional collaboration to curb the HFMD spread, Dr Chan said the state government was prepared to assist its neighbours including Brunei which closed down all its primary schools and nurseries yesterday following one HFMD-related death.
The state government was ready to provide the relevant data and expertise, upon request, to its counterpart in Brunei and West Kalimantan while the Sabah Government could seek help from the ministry, he added.
Rejang link to HFM
Star: KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia has zeroed in on its longest river as the source of the outbreak of the hand, foot and mouth (HFM) disease in Sarawak.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said yesterday Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) microbiologist Prof Dr Jane Cardosa believed that the 563km Rejang river might have something to do with the outbreak.
“She wants to do more research on the river, its water quality and viral content,” said Dr Chua who had asked Prof Cardosa to put up a paper for continuing her research which required about RM1mil in funding.
He said the Sarawak government is willing to pay half the amount while his ministry would come up with the balance.
Speaking to reporters after opening the 11th joint Malaysia-Singapore nursing conference here, Dr Chua said Sarawak is now the collaborating centre for HFM disease research within Asean.
In the latest outbreak nearly two weeks ago, 3,200 HFM cases had been reported. There have been five deaths.
Dr Chua said about half the victims were infected with the Entrovirus 71 (EV71) strain, which was slightly different from the virus responsible for the first major HFM outbreak in Sarawak in 1997 that killed more than 30 children.
Prof Cardosa indicated three years ago that a “big outbreak” of the Human Enterovirus 71 (HEV71) was imminent.
In a message posted on the International Society for Infectious Diseases website (www.promedmail.org), she had said the outbreak would likely be due to a new strain of the virus.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said yesterday Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) microbiologist Prof Dr Jane Cardosa believed that the 563km Rejang river might have something to do with the outbreak.
“She wants to do more research on the river, its water quality and viral content,” said Dr Chua who had asked Prof Cardosa to put up a paper for continuing her research which required about RM1mil in funding.
He said the Sarawak government is willing to pay half the amount while his ministry would come up with the balance.
Speaking to reporters after opening the 11th joint Malaysia-Singapore nursing conference here, Dr Chua said Sarawak is now the collaborating centre for HFM disease research within Asean.
In the latest outbreak nearly two weeks ago, 3,200 HFM cases had been reported. There have been five deaths.
Dr Chua said about half the victims were infected with the Entrovirus 71 (EV71) strain, which was slightly different from the virus responsible for the first major HFM outbreak in Sarawak in 1997 that killed more than 30 children.
Prof Cardosa indicated three years ago that a “big outbreak” of the Human Enterovirus 71 (HEV71) was imminent.
In a message posted on the International Society for Infectious Diseases website (www.promedmail.org), she had said the outbreak would likely be due to a new strain of the virus.
Immigration And Army Encourage To Use Forensic Services
KUALA LUMPUR, March 9 (Bernama) -- The immigration and army are encourage to use the forensic services provided by Kimia Malaysia especially in the area of DNA profiling, Science, Technology and Innovation deputy minister Datuk Kong Cho Ha said Thursday.
"I think more agencies can make use of the services provided by Kimia Malaysia," he told reporters after the accreditation award presentation to the Forensic Division of Kimia Malaysia by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accredication Board, here.
Currently, Kimia Malaysia is providing services to the Royal Malaysian Police, Fire and Rescue Services Department, Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, Road Transport Department, hospitals and Customs.
He said Kimia Malaysia plays a critical role in delivering forensic services and has long established itself as the national centre for forensic sciences.
Kong said the government has approved the construction of four new laboratories in Alor Star, Penang, Kota Baharu and Sibu and it is expected to be completed this year.
Meanwhile, Kimia Malaysia's director-general Datuk Kee Sue Sing said with the accreditation and availability of trained inspectors, Kimia Malaysia can now move further to collaborate with other forensic laboratories worldwide.
"I think more agencies can make use of the services provided by Kimia Malaysia," he told reporters after the accreditation award presentation to the Forensic Division of Kimia Malaysia by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accredication Board, here.
Currently, Kimia Malaysia is providing services to the Royal Malaysian Police, Fire and Rescue Services Department, Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, Road Transport Department, hospitals and Customs.
He said Kimia Malaysia plays a critical role in delivering forensic services and has long established itself as the national centre for forensic sciences.
Kong said the government has approved the construction of four new laboratories in Alor Star, Penang, Kota Baharu and Sibu and it is expected to be completed this year.
Meanwhile, Kimia Malaysia's director-general Datuk Kee Sue Sing said with the accreditation and availability of trained inspectors, Kimia Malaysia can now move further to collaborate with other forensic laboratories worldwide.
Personal hygiene the key to prevent spread
Malay Mail: Personal hygiene is the key to avoiding the hand, foot and mouth (HFM) disease, says the Health Ministry’s disease control director, Datuk Dr Ramlee Rahmat.
Cleanliness should be practised on a personal level and at home, particularly in the toilets.
And since HFM is common among children below 12, toys should not be shared.
“Although HFM cases have been reported in Sarawak, it can occur at places where cleanliness is poor. And that’s why to ward off the HFM virus, one should pay attention to cleanliness and have proper nutrition,” said Dr Ramlee yesterday.
He was asked about the possibility of the virus spreading beyond Sarawak and how to stop its spread.
A total of 3,087 suspected HFM cases were reported in the State.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek had said there were also boys aged 13, 14 and 17 who showed mild symptoms of HFM in Sibu, Sarawak.
HFM has reached a serious level and that was why the Ministry ordered the closure of all kindergartens, nurseries and pre-schools in Sarawak for two weeks, said Dr Chua.
Meanwhile, Dr Ramlee said people now tend to talk about preventing the disease from spreading beyond Sarawak.
“That is due to ignorance but everybody should be concerned over its spread and stop the transmission as fast as possible,” he said.
“One can limit the spread by maintaining cleanliness and personal hygiene and seek treatment in hospitals.
“HFM can be easily cured within seven days of treatment, and is not fatal.”
Cleanliness should be practised on a personal level and at home, particularly in the toilets.
And since HFM is common among children below 12, toys should not be shared.
“Although HFM cases have been reported in Sarawak, it can occur at places where cleanliness is poor. And that’s why to ward off the HFM virus, one should pay attention to cleanliness and have proper nutrition,” said Dr Ramlee yesterday.
He was asked about the possibility of the virus spreading beyond Sarawak and how to stop its spread.
A total of 3,087 suspected HFM cases were reported in the State.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek had said there were also boys aged 13, 14 and 17 who showed mild symptoms of HFM in Sibu, Sarawak.
HFM has reached a serious level and that was why the Ministry ordered the closure of all kindergartens, nurseries and pre-schools in Sarawak for two weeks, said Dr Chua.
Meanwhile, Dr Ramlee said people now tend to talk about preventing the disease from spreading beyond Sarawak.
“That is due to ignorance but everybody should be concerned over its spread and stop the transmission as fast as possible,” he said.
“One can limit the spread by maintaining cleanliness and personal hygiene and seek treatment in hospitals.
“HFM can be easily cured within seven days of treatment, and is not fatal.”
RM1m for research into disease
NST: Research to determine the source of the hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) outbreak in Sarawak is expected to cost about RM1 million.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the Government was concerned over why the disease appeared to be starting in Sibu and would allocate funds for research on the disease.
"A researcher with the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), Dr Jane Cardosa, thinks that it might have something to do with Sungai Rejang in Sarawak, with regard to its water quality or virus content.
"She has been asked to come up with a costing plan for the research, and estimates about RM1 million," he told reporters after opening the 11th Malaysia-Singapore Nursing Conference today.
Dr Chua said the State Government would bear half the cost of the research and the Health Ministry would bear the other half.
"We want to study why this disease has broken out in Sibu and continues to originate from there, as well as its fatal effects," he said, adding that Sarawak has become the collaborating centre in the Asean region for research on HFMD.
There were 71 detected HFMD cases in Sabah last year.
Dr Chua also said he was disappointed with some kindergartens which defied the order to close temporarily.
"Some have taken the opportunity to hold tuition classes instead, which counters the point of closing down the classes," he said.
"The children are supposed to stay at home or away from crowded areas where possible, so as not to come into contact with the virus."
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the Government was concerned over why the disease appeared to be starting in Sibu and would allocate funds for research on the disease.
"A researcher with the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), Dr Jane Cardosa, thinks that it might have something to do with Sungai Rejang in Sarawak, with regard to its water quality or virus content.
"She has been asked to come up with a costing plan for the research, and estimates about RM1 million," he told reporters after opening the 11th Malaysia-Singapore Nursing Conference today.
Dr Chua said the State Government would bear half the cost of the research and the Health Ministry would bear the other half.
"We want to study why this disease has broken out in Sibu and continues to originate from there, as well as its fatal effects," he said, adding that Sarawak has become the collaborating centre in the Asean region for research on HFMD.
There were 71 detected HFMD cases in Sabah last year.
Dr Chua also said he was disappointed with some kindergartens which defied the order to close temporarily.
"Some have taken the opportunity to hold tuition classes instead, which counters the point of closing down the classes," he said.
"The children are supposed to stay at home or away from crowded areas where possible, so as not to come into contact with the virus."
Nurses could in future run hospitals
Star: KOTA KINABALU: Senior nurses could one day take over the running and managing of hospitals from doctors when they acquire enough managerial and leadership skills.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said recent studies showed that about half of the nursing matrons and a third of nursing sisters had post-basic management training.
“The days when nurses are doctors’ hand-maidens are long gone. Nurses and doctors are now partners in the provision of healthcare,” he said here yesterday.
Noting that 83% of matrons were making ward rounds once a week while 80% of nursing sisters were seeing their patients in the wards daily, Dr Chua said senior nursing staff needed to rectify and improve the situation.
Dr Chua said his ministry was determined to achieve a ratio of one staff nurse to 200 people by the year 2020.
There are currently 60,000 nurses in Malaysia, he said, adding that 174,000 more were needed in the next 14 years.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said recent studies showed that about half of the nursing matrons and a third of nursing sisters had post-basic management training.
“The days when nurses are doctors’ hand-maidens are long gone. Nurses and doctors are now partners in the provision of healthcare,” he said here yesterday.
Noting that 83% of matrons were making ward rounds once a week while 80% of nursing sisters were seeing their patients in the wards daily, Dr Chua said senior nursing staff needed to rectify and improve the situation.
Dr Chua said his ministry was determined to achieve a ratio of one staff nurse to 200 people by the year 2020.
There are currently 60,000 nurses in Malaysia, he said, adding that 174,000 more were needed in the next 14 years.
Baby is fifth victim in Sarawak
Star: KUCHING: Another child has died of the hand, foot and mouth (HFM) disease, bringing the death toll in Sarawak to five.
Two other children are critically ill in the intensive care unit of the Sibu Hospital.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam said yesterday the latest victim was a 14-month-old girl from Bintulu, while the critically ill were a five-year-old boy and a seven-month-old girl.
“A further 56 children are still warded in the state. There were 251 new cases reported in the past 24 hours (up to noon yesterday),” he told reporters here.
In a related development, neighbouring Brunei has ordered the indefinite closure of all kindergartens, day- care centres and primary schools after a boy died of the HFM disease.
The Education Ministry said the move was part of “precautionary measures” after more than 30 cases of the disease were reported among children recently.
Sarawak has also ordered kindergartens and childcare centres to close.
Dr Chan said another primary school in Miri was shut yesterday, bringing the number closed to 10.
Two other children are critically ill in the intensive care unit of the Sibu Hospital.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam said yesterday the latest victim was a 14-month-old girl from Bintulu, while the critically ill were a five-year-old boy and a seven-month-old girl.
“A further 56 children are still warded in the state. There were 251 new cases reported in the past 24 hours (up to noon yesterday),” he told reporters here.
In a related development, neighbouring Brunei has ordered the indefinite closure of all kindergartens, day- care centres and primary schools after a boy died of the HFM disease.
The Education Ministry said the move was part of “precautionary measures” after more than 30 cases of the disease were reported among children recently.
Sarawak has also ordered kindergartens and childcare centres to close.
Dr Chan said another primary school in Miri was shut yesterday, bringing the number closed to 10.
Klang Valley cases isolated incidences
Star: PETALING JAYA: Cases of hand, foot and mouth (HFM) disease detected in the Klang Valley are isolated incidences, said Health Ministry disease control department director Dr Ramlee Rahmat.
“HFM disease, which is endemic, is bound to happen from time to time at different places in the country,” he said.
“The number of cases here is still within an acceptable level. There is no need for an alert at present.”
He said the situation differed from Sarawak, which was badly affected.
He advised parents of affected children to keep them away from crowded places to prevent possible infection or spread of the disease which normally occurs in children below 10 years old.
In SUNGAI BULOH, Norzalina Haron said the telltale signs of ulcers in the mouth and red spots over the hands and feet indicated that something was wrong with her son Ahmad Irham, four.
She took him to a child specialist where he was confirmed to have contracted the HFM disease.
“I first noticed the red spots on Ahmad Irham last Sunday when he had high fever, blisters on his hands and feet and ulcers in his mouth,” she said.
The doctor advised that her son should be warded and put on drips, mainly due to dehydration. Not wanting to do so, Norzalina obtained a second opinion from a private hospital.
“I was told that Irham’s condition wasn't critical and still under control. They allowed me to take him home to recuperate so long as he took penty of water and anti-dehydration salt.
Yesterday, Norzalina's youngest son – two-year-old Ahmad Akmal – developed signs of the disease.
A neighbour, who is Irham’s classmate, supposedly contracted similar symptoms but the child’s father could not confirm whether it was the HFM disease.
“HFM disease, which is endemic, is bound to happen from time to time at different places in the country,” he said.
“The number of cases here is still within an acceptable level. There is no need for an alert at present.”
He said the situation differed from Sarawak, which was badly affected.
He advised parents of affected children to keep them away from crowded places to prevent possible infection or spread of the disease which normally occurs in children below 10 years old.
In SUNGAI BULOH, Norzalina Haron said the telltale signs of ulcers in the mouth and red spots over the hands and feet indicated that something was wrong with her son Ahmad Irham, four.
She took him to a child specialist where he was confirmed to have contracted the HFM disease.
“I first noticed the red spots on Ahmad Irham last Sunday when he had high fever, blisters on his hands and feet and ulcers in his mouth,” she said.
The doctor advised that her son should be warded and put on drips, mainly due to dehydration. Not wanting to do so, Norzalina obtained a second opinion from a private hospital.
“I was told that Irham’s condition wasn't critical and still under control. They allowed me to take him home to recuperate so long as he took penty of water and anti-dehydration salt.
Yesterday, Norzalina's youngest son – two-year-old Ahmad Akmal – developed signs of the disease.
A neighbour, who is Irham’s classmate, supposedly contracted similar symptoms but the child’s father could not confirm whether it was the HFM disease.
Chronic Kidney Disease Now A Major Silent Killer In Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR, March 9 (Bernama) -- Chronic kidney disease has become a major silent killer affecting a large number of Malaysians but awareness of its cause remains low.
Parliamentary Secretary in the Health Ministry Datuk Lee Kah Choon said the growing problem was the result of people not practising a healthy lifestyle.
He said that based on the Department of Nefrology's statistics, there were some 13,500 kidney patients nationwide and the number was increasing by 2,500 new patients each year.
"People are aware of the dialysis process and kidney transplants but the overall level of awareness on prevention of kidney problems was not encouraging.
"This is a great challenge for us," he told a news conference after launching the inaugural national level World Kidney Day at Kuala Lumpur Hospital Thursday.
He said education of the public needed to be stepped up to increase awareness on chronic kidney disease.
Lee said continuous efforts to educate the public on the disease would help reduce the number of patients.
"Chronic kidney disease is a serious disease. It not only affects the patients but also their families in terms of mental, emotional and financial worries," he said.
He said the government was doing its best to provide services to kidney patients such as setting up a dialysis centre in all hospitals.
Last year the government spent RM20 million to subsidise government and charitable dialysis centres.
Parliamentary Secretary in the Health Ministry Datuk Lee Kah Choon said the growing problem was the result of people not practising a healthy lifestyle.
He said that based on the Department of Nefrology's statistics, there were some 13,500 kidney patients nationwide and the number was increasing by 2,500 new patients each year.
"People are aware of the dialysis process and kidney transplants but the overall level of awareness on prevention of kidney problems was not encouraging.
"This is a great challenge for us," he told a news conference after launching the inaugural national level World Kidney Day at Kuala Lumpur Hospital Thursday.
He said education of the public needed to be stepped up to increase awareness on chronic kidney disease.
Lee said continuous efforts to educate the public on the disease would help reduce the number of patients.
"Chronic kidney disease is a serious disease. It not only affects the patients but also their families in terms of mental, emotional and financial worries," he said.
He said the government was doing its best to provide services to kidney patients such as setting up a dialysis centre in all hospitals.
Last year the government spent RM20 million to subsidise government and charitable dialysis centres.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
M'sia Still Short Of Nurses, Says Chua
KOTA KINABALU, March 9 (Bernama) -- Although fewer Malaysian nurses are leaving for jobs overseas because of better remuneration at home, the country is still short of nurses, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said Thursday.
"We used to lose a lot of nurses but now I understand that the trend is less, partly because our pay is better and with the new scheme introduced by the ministry last year where we give recognition to the nurses with degrees to have a different career path," he told reporters after opening the two-day 11th Joint Malaysia-Singapore and International Nursing Conference here.
The nursing workforce (for all categories) in the country has increased to around 60,000 people, giving an average ratio of 2.25 nurses per 1,000 population but for the staff nurse category alone Malaysia was still short of about 90,000, he said.
"We would need 174,000 of them (staff nurses) by 2020 if we wish to achieve the norm of one staff nurse to 200 population," he added.
Dr Chua said that was why the ministry had embarked on an aggressive drive to increase the annual output of staff nurses from its 17 training institutions which were expected to churn out 2,200 staff nurse graduates this year.
"A couple of years ago, we had only about 1,000-plus staff nurses graduating from the private sector. Today, we are expecting about 4,500 of them to graduate from five public universities and 23 private nursing colleges," he said.
This would provide a total of 6,700 nurses from the 45 institutions, which was not too far from the 8,400 that the government needed to produce each year over the next 15 to 16 years for Malaysia to achieve the targeted nurse to population ratio of 1:200, he said.
The two-day conference is organised by the Health Ministry and the Sabah Nurses Associati
"We used to lose a lot of nurses but now I understand that the trend is less, partly because our pay is better and with the new scheme introduced by the ministry last year where we give recognition to the nurses with degrees to have a different career path," he told reporters after opening the two-day 11th Joint Malaysia-Singapore and International Nursing Conference here.
The nursing workforce (for all categories) in the country has increased to around 60,000 people, giving an average ratio of 2.25 nurses per 1,000 population but for the staff nurse category alone Malaysia was still short of about 90,000, he said.
"We would need 174,000 of them (staff nurses) by 2020 if we wish to achieve the norm of one staff nurse to 200 population," he added.
Dr Chua said that was why the ministry had embarked on an aggressive drive to increase the annual output of staff nurses from its 17 training institutions which were expected to churn out 2,200 staff nurse graduates this year.
"A couple of years ago, we had only about 1,000-plus staff nurses graduating from the private sector. Today, we are expecting about 4,500 of them to graduate from five public universities and 23 private nursing colleges," he said.
This would provide a total of 6,700 nurses from the 45 institutions, which was not too far from the 8,400 that the government needed to produce each year over the next 15 to 16 years for Malaysia to achieve the targeted nurse to population ratio of 1:200, he said.
The two-day conference is organised by the Health Ministry and the Sabah Nurses Associati
Hassle to fulfil pledges
NST: A family of six is reconsidering their pledges to donate their organs since being given the runaround by a government hospital last week, when a member died.
The parents and siblings of Leong Wing Fatt (picture), 38, fear their relatives may have to undergo the same inconvenience in the event of their deaths.
Wing Cheong, 40, the brother of the electrician who died on March 2, said Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia staff did not live up to their promises regarding his brother’s organs.
He said they had promised that harvesting Wing Fatt’s organs would not be a problem when he was rushed to the hospital on March 1.
But he claimed they were totally unprepared the next day when he died.
He claimed they only began looking for the organ donation form, performing a blood test to ascertain his blood group, after he died.
Wing Cheong said hospital staff could have saved the family time and inconvenience if they had done these things the day before.
HUKM staff finally managed to harvest the deceased’s corneas, hand and leg bones, tissues and heart valves. Wing Fatt’s organs eventually went to 30 people.
The businessman said the hospital wanted to charge him the full amount for the blood screening when his brother was a regular blood donor.
"I felt the way they handled the whole process was bad," he said. "The staff should know the procedures and should have been prepared to take the organs on his death."
He said the family had been saddened by the lack of urgency shown by hospital staff.
Wing Fatt suffered a massive stroke about 9.30pm on March 1 at his house in Jalan Sungei Besi and was rushed to HUKM.
At the hospital doctors informed the family Wing Fatt had suffered a brain haemorrhage. They were told he had only a five per cent chance of survival.
Wing Cheong said it was then that the family got together and decided that Wing Fatt’s organs should be donated if he died.
National Transplant Resource Centre chief national transplant co-ordinator, Datin Dr Lela Yasmin Mansor, acknowledged the lack of awareness on organ donation among the staff of general wards.
"Doctors and staff in the hospital’s intensive and coronary care units know the procedure for organ donation better than those in general wards.
"We want to improve the situation."
The parents and siblings of Leong Wing Fatt (picture), 38, fear their relatives may have to undergo the same inconvenience in the event of their deaths.
Wing Cheong, 40, the brother of the electrician who died on March 2, said Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia staff did not live up to their promises regarding his brother’s organs.
He said they had promised that harvesting Wing Fatt’s organs would not be a problem when he was rushed to the hospital on March 1.
But he claimed they were totally unprepared the next day when he died.
He claimed they only began looking for the organ donation form, performing a blood test to ascertain his blood group, after he died.
Wing Cheong said hospital staff could have saved the family time and inconvenience if they had done these things the day before.
HUKM staff finally managed to harvest the deceased’s corneas, hand and leg bones, tissues and heart valves. Wing Fatt’s organs eventually went to 30 people.
The businessman said the hospital wanted to charge him the full amount for the blood screening when his brother was a regular blood donor.
"I felt the way they handled the whole process was bad," he said. "The staff should know the procedures and should have been prepared to take the organs on his death."
He said the family had been saddened by the lack of urgency shown by hospital staff.
Wing Fatt suffered a massive stroke about 9.30pm on March 1 at his house in Jalan Sungei Besi and was rushed to HUKM.
At the hospital doctors informed the family Wing Fatt had suffered a brain haemorrhage. They were told he had only a five per cent chance of survival.
Wing Cheong said it was then that the family got together and decided that Wing Fatt’s organs should be donated if he died.
National Transplant Resource Centre chief national transplant co-ordinator, Datin Dr Lela Yasmin Mansor, acknowledged the lack of awareness on organ donation among the staff of general wards.
"Doctors and staff in the hospital’s intensive and coronary care units know the procedure for organ donation better than those in general wards.
"We want to improve the situation."
Girl lives on in seven children
NST: She was their only child and their lives revolved around her.
But the life that the couple built around the five-year-old came to an abrupt end last week when she died in a road accident.
Their lives were unexpectedly clouded by grief and uncertainty, with a void that could not be filled.
But they rose above their pain and sorrow to take a decision that will ensure that their daughter lives on — in others.
Thanks to their decision to donate the organs of their daughter, seven children are smiling today.
They will face life with the help of the child’s kidneys, liver, corneas and heart valves.
According to the donor’s mother, it was a difficult decision but one which had to be made.
"She was our only child and her sudden death came as a big blow to us, but we’re happy she has helped other children live," she told Datin Dr Lela Yasmin Mansor, chief national transplant co-ordinator of the National Transplant Centre (NTC).
Dr Lela said the couple’s action was exemplary.
"It is so touching. They lost their only child but all they could think of was the welfare of other children."
Until Feb 20, the centre had collected organs from five people: two women and three men.
One person had his organs harvested at Ipoh Hospital, two at Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Johor, and one each at Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Tengku Ampuan Rahimah hospital in Klang.
The NTC managed to obtain three pairs of kidneys, a liver, four pairs of heart valves, skin and bones. More than 50 Malaysians benefited from these donations.
Dr Lela said the centre had to reject some donors due to factors such as infection.
She said Malaysians were becoming more aware of the importance of organ donation, with many coming forward to donate the organs of deceased family members.
Until Feb 20, 93,394 Malaysians had pledged their organs: 50,333 women, 42,147 men and 914 whose gender was unrecorded.
Of them, 59,524 were Chinese, 21,185 Indians, 9,845 Malays, 2,778 others and 62 unknown.
She said 63,382 of those who had signed up had pledged all their organs and tissues.
"Most who pledged their organs are young," said Dr Lela, adding that 219 donors were aged between one and 10 years; 17,831, 11-20 years; 34,651, 21-30 years; and 20,213, 31-40 years.
The rest were above 41 years of age, including 42 Malaysians aged over 90. Until Feb 20, 161 Malaysians had donated their organs.
But the life that the couple built around the five-year-old came to an abrupt end last week when she died in a road accident.
Their lives were unexpectedly clouded by grief and uncertainty, with a void that could not be filled.
But they rose above their pain and sorrow to take a decision that will ensure that their daughter lives on — in others.
Thanks to their decision to donate the organs of their daughter, seven children are smiling today.
They will face life with the help of the child’s kidneys, liver, corneas and heart valves.
According to the donor’s mother, it was a difficult decision but one which had to be made.
"She was our only child and her sudden death came as a big blow to us, but we’re happy she has helped other children live," she told Datin Dr Lela Yasmin Mansor, chief national transplant co-ordinator of the National Transplant Centre (NTC).
Dr Lela said the couple’s action was exemplary.
"It is so touching. They lost their only child but all they could think of was the welfare of other children."
Until Feb 20, the centre had collected organs from five people: two women and three men.
One person had his organs harvested at Ipoh Hospital, two at Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Johor, and one each at Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Tengku Ampuan Rahimah hospital in Klang.
The NTC managed to obtain three pairs of kidneys, a liver, four pairs of heart valves, skin and bones. More than 50 Malaysians benefited from these donations.
Dr Lela said the centre had to reject some donors due to factors such as infection.
She said Malaysians were becoming more aware of the importance of organ donation, with many coming forward to donate the organs of deceased family members.
Until Feb 20, 93,394 Malaysians had pledged their organs: 50,333 women, 42,147 men and 914 whose gender was unrecorded.
Of them, 59,524 were Chinese, 21,185 Indians, 9,845 Malays, 2,778 others and 62 unknown.
She said 63,382 of those who had signed up had pledged all their organs and tissues.
"Most who pledged their organs are young," said Dr Lela, adding that 219 donors were aged between one and 10 years; 17,831, 11-20 years; 34,651, 21-30 years; and 20,213, 31-40 years.
The rest were above 41 years of age, including 42 Malaysians aged over 90. Until Feb 20, 161 Malaysians had donated their organs.
Culling stops but checks go on
NST: Culling of birds at Kampung Pasir Wardieburn and neighbouring villages ceased on Monday.
The Veterinary Services Department had culled 3,751 birds since the outbreak of bird flu at the village.
Veterinary Services Department director-general Datuk Dr Mustapa Jamil said the birds included 3,342 chickens, 135 ducks and 277 birds of different species. Also destroyed were 1,531 eggs.
"We are now doing strategic mopping up of the area."
Dr Mustapa said checks would be carried out again on March 26 to confirm the area was free of the bird flu virus.
The Government has paid RM25,196.50 in compensation to 180 residents whose birds were culled in the two- week exercise.
Dr Mustapa said 2,738 samples from culled birds and 72 dead birds sent to the veterinary laboratory in Petaling Jaya for analysis had come up negative for the avian flu virus. Similarly, 28 samples sent to the Veterinary Research Institute in Ipoh also showed negative results.
He said the outbreak in Kampung Pasir Wardieburn was an isolated incident.
The Veterinary Services Department had culled 3,751 birds since the outbreak of bird flu at the village.
Veterinary Services Department director-general Datuk Dr Mustapa Jamil said the birds included 3,342 chickens, 135 ducks and 277 birds of different species. Also destroyed were 1,531 eggs.
"We are now doing strategic mopping up of the area."
Dr Mustapa said checks would be carried out again on March 26 to confirm the area was free of the bird flu virus.
The Government has paid RM25,196.50 in compensation to 180 residents whose birds were culled in the two- week exercise.
Dr Mustapa said 2,738 samples from culled birds and 72 dead birds sent to the veterinary laboratory in Petaling Jaya for analysis had come up negative for the avian flu virus. Similarly, 28 samples sent to the Veterinary Research Institute in Ipoh also showed negative results.
He said the outbreak in Kampung Pasir Wardieburn was an isolated incident.
Win RM10,000 for quitting
NST: Quit smoking for a month in May and win RM10,000.
The winner will then compete with 100 other national champions from around the world for a US$10,000 (RM37,000) prize in the Quit&Win competition, which has helped hundreds of thousands of people to stop smoking.
Local smokers who want to join the competition must pledge to stop smoking from May 1 to May 31.
Studies on previous participants have shown that an average of 20 per cent of smokers who participate in the competition eventually kick the habit for good.
Associate Professor Lekhraj Rampal of Universiti Putra Malaysia said that of the 1.1 billion smokers in the world, between 70 and 80 per cent had tried to give it up but failed.
"Quit&Win is a cost-effective, evidence-based and practical method to get people to quit.
"At the same time, we are able to inform the public about the harmful effects of smoking.
"When people start smoking, they don’t realise that it is not easy to give up once they are addicted to nicotine," he said.
Knowing the harmful effects may not be enough to prompt smokers to quit because of the nicotine addiction, he added.
UPM is jointly organising the local chapter of the competition with the Health Ministry, Malaysian Medical Association and the medical services division of the armed forces.
Quit&Win originated in Finland. The main organiser, Finland’s National Public Health Institute, with the co-operation of the World Health Organisation and the North Karelian Centre for Public Health, will evaluate the competition.
Rampal, who is chairman of the MMA’s committee on Action on Smoking and Health, said the organisers were targeting 3,000 local participants this year.
"The competition is a way to increase awareness, especially among youth, on the hazards of smoking," he said.
Tobacco, he said, was deadly in any form, be it normal or hand-rolled cigarettes, kretek (clove cigarettes), or whether it is chewed with betel nut or smoked in pipes.
The winner will then compete with 100 other national champions from around the world for a US$10,000 (RM37,000) prize in the Quit&Win competition, which has helped hundreds of thousands of people to stop smoking.
Local smokers who want to join the competition must pledge to stop smoking from May 1 to May 31.
Studies on previous participants have shown that an average of 20 per cent of smokers who participate in the competition eventually kick the habit for good.
Associate Professor Lekhraj Rampal of Universiti Putra Malaysia said that of the 1.1 billion smokers in the world, between 70 and 80 per cent had tried to give it up but failed.
"Quit&Win is a cost-effective, evidence-based and practical method to get people to quit.
"At the same time, we are able to inform the public about the harmful effects of smoking.
"When people start smoking, they don’t realise that it is not easy to give up once they are addicted to nicotine," he said.
Knowing the harmful effects may not be enough to prompt smokers to quit because of the nicotine addiction, he added.
UPM is jointly organising the local chapter of the competition with the Health Ministry, Malaysian Medical Association and the medical services division of the armed forces.
Quit&Win originated in Finland. The main organiser, Finland’s National Public Health Institute, with the co-operation of the World Health Organisation and the North Karelian Centre for Public Health, will evaluate the competition.
Rampal, who is chairman of the MMA’s committee on Action on Smoking and Health, said the organisers were targeting 3,000 local participants this year.
"The competition is a way to increase awareness, especially among youth, on the hazards of smoking," he said.
Tobacco, he said, was deadly in any form, be it normal or hand-rolled cigarettes, kretek (clove cigarettes), or whether it is chewed with betel nut or smoked in pipes.
Pollution due to various sources
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: The pollution at Sungai Selangor which caused piped water in Klang Valley to smell came from various sources, Natural, Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid said.
“The leachate that had polluted the waterways is not solely from the Bukit Tagar landfill,” he told reporters after visiting the Air Hitam landfill in Hulu Selangor yesterday.
Azmi was asked if there were other sources that had polluted the river causing piped water to emit a foul smell.
On Tuesday, Azmi was reported to have said that the pollution was caused solely by leachate from the Bukit Tagar landfill.
“From the air I could see the leachate flowing into many areas; however, I need to inspect from the ground to see exactly where the leachate goes,” Azmi explained.
“This is not the only problem happening here, there are other states with similar problems,” he added.
Azmi stressed that Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd, which operates three water treatment plants along the river, had to upgrade their water treatment system to ensure that there would not be foul smell in the water.
He said a committee comprising representatives from the Health, Housing and Local Government and Energy, Water and Communications ministries would look into the water pollution problem.
“The leachate that had polluted the waterways is not solely from the Bukit Tagar landfill,” he told reporters after visiting the Air Hitam landfill in Hulu Selangor yesterday.
Azmi was asked if there were other sources that had polluted the river causing piped water to emit a foul smell.
On Tuesday, Azmi was reported to have said that the pollution was caused solely by leachate from the Bukit Tagar landfill.
“From the air I could see the leachate flowing into many areas; however, I need to inspect from the ground to see exactly where the leachate goes,” Azmi explained.
“This is not the only problem happening here, there are other states with similar problems,” he added.
Azmi stressed that Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd, which operates three water treatment plants along the river, had to upgrade their water treatment system to ensure that there would not be foul smell in the water.
He said a committee comprising representatives from the Health, Housing and Local Government and Energy, Water and Communications ministries would look into the water pollution problem.
Avian flu pandemic exercise to test states’ preparedness
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: The avian flu pandemic preparedness simulation exercise this month will take place as scheduled, to see if the health authorities’ efficient handling of the outbreak in Setapak could be replicated in other states.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said while the effective management of the bird flu situation in Setapak last month had proven the strength of the National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan, “those involved cannot afford to be complacent.”
“From that particular event, we realised we were prepared to handle an epidemic,” he said yesterday.
“Everything went like clockwork. People knew what their responsibilities were, not only the Health Ministry, but also the Agriculture Ministry, other agencies, and other stakeholders in health.
“But that was KL/Selangor, what about other states? It might not be the same scenario. So we need to have further exercises to see whether the same kind of efficiency and collaboration can be replicated.”
During this inter-pandemic period, risk communication will be essential. As such, Dr Ismail encouraged all health stakeholders – practitioners, organisations, workplaces and educational institutions – to approach the health authorities for information and educational materials such as pamphlets and fact sheets.
“We have the materials, but we may not have the manpower to reach everyone,” said Dr Ismail.
If the guidelines outlined in the National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan and the Alert, Enhanced Surveillance and Management of Avian Influenza in Human advisory are followed, Dr Ismail does not foresee any major problems if and when outbreaks occur.
Copies of the Plan’s guidelines can be obtained from the Health Ministry, while pandemic management strategy highlights, avian influenza fact sheets and surveillance and management guidelines can be downloaded at http:// dph.gov.my/survelans/
Health director-general Datuk Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said while the effective management of the bird flu situation in Setapak last month had proven the strength of the National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan, “those involved cannot afford to be complacent.”
“From that particular event, we realised we were prepared to handle an epidemic,” he said yesterday.
“Everything went like clockwork. People knew what their responsibilities were, not only the Health Ministry, but also the Agriculture Ministry, other agencies, and other stakeholders in health.
“But that was KL/Selangor, what about other states? It might not be the same scenario. So we need to have further exercises to see whether the same kind of efficiency and collaboration can be replicated.”
During this inter-pandemic period, risk communication will be essential. As such, Dr Ismail encouraged all health stakeholders – practitioners, organisations, workplaces and educational institutions – to approach the health authorities for information and educational materials such as pamphlets and fact sheets.
“We have the materials, but we may not have the manpower to reach everyone,” said Dr Ismail.
If the guidelines outlined in the National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan and the Alert, Enhanced Surveillance and Management of Avian Influenza in Human advisory are followed, Dr Ismail does not foresee any major problems if and when outbreaks occur.
Copies of the Plan’s guidelines can be obtained from the Health Ministry, while pandemic management strategy highlights, avian influenza fact sheets and surveillance and management guidelines can be downloaded at http:// dph.gov.my/survelans/
Why warning signs not put up at airports
Star: KUCHING: Airports in Sarawak have not put up signs warning travellers of the hand, foot and mouth (HFM) disease in the state.
Kuching International Airport manager Abang Abdullah Abang Joss said the airport had not received a directive from the Health Department on the matter.
The tourism industry here does not seem to have been affected by news on the HFM outbreak.
Harbourview Hotel sales and public relations manager Dorothy Ling said there had been no cancellations from guests, the majority of whom were from peninsular Malaysia.
Tour and travel company Suntravel's managing director Teresa Bateman-Dris said her clients were generally business people who did not travel with children.
Kuching International Airport manager Abang Abdullah Abang Joss said the airport had not received a directive from the Health Department on the matter.
The tourism industry here does not seem to have been affected by news on the HFM outbreak.
Harbourview Hotel sales and public relations manager Dorothy Ling said there had been no cancellations from guests, the majority of whom were from peninsular Malaysia.
Tour and travel company Suntravel's managing director Teresa Bateman-Dris said her clients were generally business people who did not travel with children.
Sarawak steps up checks to curb HFM outbreak
Star: MIRI: In the biggest exercise of its kind, the health authorities in Sarawak have sent out 119 mobile medical surveillance teams to contain the spread of the hand, foot and mouth (HFM) disease.
The State Health and Medical Services Department has ordered the teams to be thorough in checking for HFM cases, as well as to check the hygiene and cleanliness of places frequented by the public.
Up to noon yesterday, 3,269 cases had been reported, an increase of 182 cases in just a day, and 41 people hospitalised.
The teams are to penetrate all corners of the state, especially areas in Sibu, Kuching, Bintulu and Miri, which have been badly hit by the virus.
It is learnt that the department received the directive from the Health Ministry to send out the teams following an urgent request from Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam, who is State Disaster Relief Committee chairman.
They have been instructed to send daily updates.
“These daily updates will be able to detect accurately which areas still have high rates of infections and which areas have shown improvement, and what additional measures need to be implemented,” said a senior department officer.
It is also learnt that health inspectors have been directed to ensure that no kindergarten or child day care centre defies the ministry’s directive to shut down for two weeks.
More than 3,000 children have been affected and four have died.
“This is a very serious exercise, and we are confident that we can bring down the number of cases very soon through these strict measures,” he said during a joint press conference with Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek on Tuesday here.
Some people have called for stricter surveillance to ensure that the virus does not spread.
They suggested that medical personnel be stationed at airports, jetties, and land entry and exit points at the border to monitor the health of those travelling in and out of the state to detect possible HFM carriers.
However, a doctor here said this might not be very useful.
“It is possible for carriers to show no symptoms until after a few days,” he said.
Meanwhile, security has been beefed up at the Miri Hospital children’s ward where HFM patients are warded, to ensure that unauthorized personnel do not come into contact with the infected kids there.
The State Health and Medical Services Department has ordered the teams to be thorough in checking for HFM cases, as well as to check the hygiene and cleanliness of places frequented by the public.
Up to noon yesterday, 3,269 cases had been reported, an increase of 182 cases in just a day, and 41 people hospitalised.
The teams are to penetrate all corners of the state, especially areas in Sibu, Kuching, Bintulu and Miri, which have been badly hit by the virus.
It is learnt that the department received the directive from the Health Ministry to send out the teams following an urgent request from Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam, who is State Disaster Relief Committee chairman.
They have been instructed to send daily updates.
“These daily updates will be able to detect accurately which areas still have high rates of infections and which areas have shown improvement, and what additional measures need to be implemented,” said a senior department officer.
It is also learnt that health inspectors have been directed to ensure that no kindergarten or child day care centre defies the ministry’s directive to shut down for two weeks.
More than 3,000 children have been affected and four have died.
“This is a very serious exercise, and we are confident that we can bring down the number of cases very soon through these strict measures,” he said during a joint press conference with Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek on Tuesday here.
Some people have called for stricter surveillance to ensure that the virus does not spread.
They suggested that medical personnel be stationed at airports, jetties, and land entry and exit points at the border to monitor the health of those travelling in and out of the state to detect possible HFM carriers.
However, a doctor here said this might not be very useful.
“It is possible for carriers to show no symptoms until after a few days,” he said.
Meanwhile, security has been beefed up at the Miri Hospital children’s ward where HFM patients are warded, to ensure that unauthorized personnel do not come into contact with the infected kids there.
Quality life for heart patients
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Patients with heart failure after a heart attack can regain a better quality of life with a procedure that involves stem cells drawn from their own blood and infused directly into the artery.
The procedure, called intra-coronary peripheral blood stem cell transfusion for dilated ischaemic heart disease, was performed for the first time in South-East Asia by a local cardiologist at a private medical centre in Kuala Lumpur in August, in collaboration with a local stem cell bank.
The 64-year-old patient who underwent the procedure had earlier suffered heart failure after a heart attack, which reduced the organ's function to 28%. Six months after the procedure, there was a 5% improvement in the patient's heart function.
“This improvement is in line with the 5%-6% increase in heart function shown in published studies from the United States and Europe,” said Dr Soo Chee Siong, chief cardiologist of the medical centre involved.
Stem cells, which are cells that can transform into any type of cell in the body, are believed to be able to change into heart muscle cells to replace those damaged during a heart attack.
Previously, adult stem cells had to be harvested from the bone marrow or skeletal muscles, involving highly invasive and painful procedures.
However, stem cells harvested from the patient’s blood involves a simple procedure that is akin to a transfusion. After harvesting, these stem cells are infused in the artery directly into the damaged area of the heart.
“In the past, we had to do open heart surgery to inject the stem cells,” said Dr Soo.
Since the first procedure in August, two more patients have undergone this procedure in the medical centre.
Although this procedure has not been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, Dr Soo said there were no ethical issues involved as the stem cells were harvested from the patient’s own blood.
“The procedures were carried out in Malaysia with the full consent of the patients,” he added.
Adult stem cell therapy is a novel approach in improving heart function, and is also being studied for the treatment of other conditions like leukaemia, diabetes, spinal cord injury and Parkinson’s disease.
Readers can find out more about this procedure in Fit for Life this Sunday.
The procedure, called intra-coronary peripheral blood stem cell transfusion for dilated ischaemic heart disease, was performed for the first time in South-East Asia by a local cardiologist at a private medical centre in Kuala Lumpur in August, in collaboration with a local stem cell bank.
The 64-year-old patient who underwent the procedure had earlier suffered heart failure after a heart attack, which reduced the organ's function to 28%. Six months after the procedure, there was a 5% improvement in the patient's heart function.
“This improvement is in line with the 5%-6% increase in heart function shown in published studies from the United States and Europe,” said Dr Soo Chee Siong, chief cardiologist of the medical centre involved.
Stem cells, which are cells that can transform into any type of cell in the body, are believed to be able to change into heart muscle cells to replace those damaged during a heart attack.
Previously, adult stem cells had to be harvested from the bone marrow or skeletal muscles, involving highly invasive and painful procedures.
However, stem cells harvested from the patient’s blood involves a simple procedure that is akin to a transfusion. After harvesting, these stem cells are infused in the artery directly into the damaged area of the heart.
“In the past, we had to do open heart surgery to inject the stem cells,” said Dr Soo.
Since the first procedure in August, two more patients have undergone this procedure in the medical centre.
Although this procedure has not been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, Dr Soo said there were no ethical issues involved as the stem cells were harvested from the patient’s own blood.
“The procedures were carried out in Malaysia with the full consent of the patients,” he added.
Adult stem cell therapy is a novel approach in improving heart function, and is also being studied for the treatment of other conditions like leukaemia, diabetes, spinal cord injury and Parkinson’s disease.
Readers can find out more about this procedure in Fit for Life this Sunday.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
HFDM: Six More Primary Schools Closed, Says George Chan
MIRI, March 8 (Bernama) -- In the wake of the hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) spreading across Sarawak, six more primary schools were ordered closed Wednesday for two weeks, bringing the number of schools shut down to eight.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said the State Health Department Wednesday instructed the closure of three primary schools in Mukah, one each in Miri, Lawas and Marudi.
The schools are SKJ San San and SK Klid/Pelajau, both in Dalat; SK Kampung Seberang in Mukah; SK Pusat in Lawas; SK Chung Hua No 3 Padungan and SR Lodge Tabuan, both in Kuching; SK Tudan in Miri and SK Good Shepherd in Marudi.
Tuesday, the Chung Hua primary school No. 3 and Lodge primary school, both in Kuching, were asked to shut down.
"Today, we issued closure orders to another six primary schools. This is done to cut off the transmission of the HFMD infection," he told Bernama.
Chan, who is also State Disaster Relief Committee chairman, said the State Health Department held a meeting with the State Education Department on Monday to discuss the possibility to close down schools if there were two cases reported.
It was the Health Ministry's policy that any school with two infections in seven days will be ordered to shut down automatically for two weeks.
Last Friday, the Health Ministry ordered the closure of 488 kindergartens, nurseries and day-care centres in Sarawak with immediate effect for two weeks to contain the HFMD epidemic in the state.
The current outbreak was first detected in Sibu followed by Kuching, Bintulu and Miri.
Dr Chan said 182 new suspected cases have been recorded, bringing the number of cases to 3,269 as of this afternoon, with four fatalities.
"Kuching recorded the highest number of cases with 59, followed by Sibu (31), Bintulu (22) and Mukah (21)," he said, adding that the rest of the cases were reported in Sarikei, Lawas and Marudi.
Dr Chan advised parents to keep their young children, especially those below five, away from crowded public places to contain the spread of HFMD. "The whole idea of the closure of kindergartens, nurseries, day-care centres and affected primary schools is to cut off the transmission of the HFMD effectively.
"Parents should not bring their children for shopping or to the cinema. This will transmit the disease very fast.
"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 when asked on parents bringing their children around the city due to the closure of kindergartens and nurseries.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said the State Health Department Wednesday instructed the closure of three primary schools in Mukah, one each in Miri, Lawas and Marudi.
The schools are SKJ San San and SK Klid/Pelajau, both in Dalat; SK Kampung Seberang in Mukah; SK Pusat in Lawas; SK Chung Hua No 3 Padungan and SR Lodge Tabuan, both in Kuching; SK Tudan in Miri and SK Good Shepherd in Marudi.
Tuesday, the Chung Hua primary school No. 3 and Lodge primary school, both in Kuching, were asked to shut down.
"Today, we issued closure orders to another six primary schools. This is done to cut off the transmission of the HFMD infection," he told Bernama.
Chan, who is also State Disaster Relief Committee chairman, said the State Health Department held a meeting with the State Education Department on Monday to discuss the possibility to close down schools if there were two cases reported.
It was the Health Ministry's policy that any school with two infections in seven days will be ordered to shut down automatically for two weeks.
Last Friday, the Health Ministry ordered the closure of 488 kindergartens, nurseries and day-care centres in Sarawak with immediate effect for two weeks to contain the HFMD epidemic in the state.
The current outbreak was first detected in Sibu followed by Kuching, Bintulu and Miri.
Dr Chan said 182 new suspected cases have been recorded, bringing the number of cases to 3,269 as of this afternoon, with four fatalities.
"Kuching recorded the highest number of cases with 59, followed by Sibu (31), Bintulu (22) and Mukah (21)," he said, adding that the rest of the cases were reported in Sarikei, Lawas and Marudi.
Dr Chan advised parents to keep their young children, especially those below five, away from crowded public places to contain the spread of HFMD. "The whole idea of the closure of kindergartens, nurseries, day-care centres and affected primary schools is to cut off the transmission of the HFMD effectively.
"Parents should not bring their children for shopping or to the cinema. This will transmit the disease very fast.
"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 when asked on parents bringing their children around the city due to the closure of kindergartens and nurseries.
Free screening tomorrow
NST: The sheer number of people coming down with kidney diseases over the past two decades has prompted the first "World Kidney Day" on Thursday.
In line with its theme of "Early Detection and Prevention", nephrologists, nephrology societies and kidney foundations have been urged to promote screening programmes for high-risk individuals.
Studies revealing that more than half-a-billion people suffer from chronic kidney disease have alarmed governments and medical personnel.
Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon will launch World Kidney Day at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital’s main auditorium.
The event is organised by the Malaysian Society of Nephrology and the National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia.
Activities will include free screening for kidney disease from 10am to 2pm and 4pm to 7pm on Thursday and Friday.
The International Federation of Kidney Foundations and the International Society of Nephrology said those suffering from diabetes or hypertension should take this opportunity to seek evaluation and a follow-up.
NKF vice-president Datuk Dr Zaki Morad said early detection of chronic kidney disease could reduce later complications.
In line with its theme of "Early Detection and Prevention", nephrologists, nephrology societies and kidney foundations have been urged to promote screening programmes for high-risk individuals.
Studies revealing that more than half-a-billion people suffer from chronic kidney disease have alarmed governments and medical personnel.
Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon will launch World Kidney Day at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital’s main auditorium.
The event is organised by the Malaysian Society of Nephrology and the National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia.
Activities will include free screening for kidney disease from 10am to 2pm and 4pm to 7pm on Thursday and Friday.
The International Federation of Kidney Foundations and the International Society of Nephrology said those suffering from diabetes or hypertension should take this opportunity to seek evaluation and a follow-up.
NKF vice-president Datuk Dr Zaki Morad said early detection of chronic kidney disease could reduce later complications.
Better dialysis therapy
NST: The Automated Peritoneal Dialysis or APD is a convenient solution to young patients suffering from renal failure. RUSLINA YUSOFF finds out why it’s a better course of treatment.
To date, there are 12,000 kidney patients on dialysis. Datuk Dr Zaki Morad Mohd Zaher, first vice-chairman for the National Kidney Foundation says that one-tenth of these patients are below the age of 20.
There are 100 to 120 new adult cases per year per million whilst for children it is between 10 and 15 new cases per million, which is almost the same as the rest of the world.
Saying that the figures are still manageable, Dr Zaki, who also the head of the Nephrologist Department and senior consultant, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, attributes the fairly stable figures to the increased accessibility to the services as well as greater public awareness.
“Kidney failure is a serious condition and when it occurs in children, it can be devastating for some parents,” he says. “This is certainly sad because being young, the ailment deprives them the chance of being productive.”
Although there are several dialysis therapies available, Dr Zaki says they are pushing for the APD (Automated Peritoneal Dialysis) to replace the CAPD (Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis) as the better choice for children. In APD or Automated Peritoneal Dialysis, the dialysis exchanges are performed by the machine during the night in contrast to CAPD where about four exchanges are done manually by the child or his parent during the course of the day, which can be intrusive.
The APD allows children to attend school full time and reduce the impact of the dialysis treatment on the child as well as his family. This helps the child and his family attain the highest level of psychological and social rehabilitation, says Dr Lim Yam Ngo ,a consultant paediatric nephrologist and a board member of the National Kidney Foundation. In short this could only mean a better quality of life.
To date 10 young patients are on the APD, with the youngest about 1 1/2 years old and the oldest 17. However, the main obstacle is the higher cost of the APD compared to CAPD which include the cost of fluid, tubing and cartridge as well as the additional monthly rental for the machine. The machine costs RM38,000, which is definitely not within the reach of many.
Neither is haemodialysis a good option for children as haemodialysis also requires them to be on the machine for about four hours three times a week in a hospital-based hemodialysis centre. Children are afraid of needles and haemodialysis requires two needles to be inserted at each dialysis.
The Children Dialysis Programme set up by the Kidney National Foundation provides financial assistance to enable more children to have access to APD, says Dr Zaki. To receive the APD treatment, children registered under the programme are only required to pay for difference in cost between APD and CAPD.
However, for the low-income group who still cannot afford to pay the balance, the NKF has introduced the child adoption scheme where organisations or individuals can “adopt a patient”. The dialysis programme, which will soon be extended throughout the country, is only a short-term measure until the children get a kidney transplant.
To date, there are 12,000 kidney patients on dialysis. Datuk Dr Zaki Morad Mohd Zaher, first vice-chairman for the National Kidney Foundation says that one-tenth of these patients are below the age of 20.
There are 100 to 120 new adult cases per year per million whilst for children it is between 10 and 15 new cases per million, which is almost the same as the rest of the world.
Saying that the figures are still manageable, Dr Zaki, who also the head of the Nephrologist Department and senior consultant, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, attributes the fairly stable figures to the increased accessibility to the services as well as greater public awareness.
“Kidney failure is a serious condition and when it occurs in children, it can be devastating for some parents,” he says. “This is certainly sad because being young, the ailment deprives them the chance of being productive.”
Although there are several dialysis therapies available, Dr Zaki says they are pushing for the APD (Automated Peritoneal Dialysis) to replace the CAPD (Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis) as the better choice for children. In APD or Automated Peritoneal Dialysis, the dialysis exchanges are performed by the machine during the night in contrast to CAPD where about four exchanges are done manually by the child or his parent during the course of the day, which can be intrusive.
The APD allows children to attend school full time and reduce the impact of the dialysis treatment on the child as well as his family. This helps the child and his family attain the highest level of psychological and social rehabilitation, says Dr Lim Yam Ngo ,a consultant paediatric nephrologist and a board member of the National Kidney Foundation. In short this could only mean a better quality of life.
To date 10 young patients are on the APD, with the youngest about 1 1/2 years old and the oldest 17. However, the main obstacle is the higher cost of the APD compared to CAPD which include the cost of fluid, tubing and cartridge as well as the additional monthly rental for the machine. The machine costs RM38,000, which is definitely not within the reach of many.
Neither is haemodialysis a good option for children as haemodialysis also requires them to be on the machine for about four hours three times a week in a hospital-based hemodialysis centre. Children are afraid of needles and haemodialysis requires two needles to be inserted at each dialysis.
The Children Dialysis Programme set up by the Kidney National Foundation provides financial assistance to enable more children to have access to APD, says Dr Zaki. To receive the APD treatment, children registered under the programme are only required to pay for difference in cost between APD and CAPD.
However, for the low-income group who still cannot afford to pay the balance, the NKF has introduced the child adoption scheme where organisations or individuals can “adopt a patient”. The dialysis programme, which will soon be extended throughout the country, is only a short-term measure until the children get a kidney transplant.
Whodunit?
NST: Whodunit? Eleven days after thousands of homes in the Klang Valley received putrid piped water, the authorities are still uncertain of the source of the Sungai Selangor pollution.
The chief suspects remain the Bukit Tagar landfill and effluents from pig and cow farms flanking the waterway.
But one thing is certain: On Feb 25, the level of ammonia in the untreated water of the river was 9.2 mg/l, much higher than the 1.5mg/l for drinking water set by the Health Ministry.
That was the day foul-smelling and foul-tasting water gushed from taps in Kuala Lumpur, Gombak, Petaling Jaya, Klang, Shah Alam, Kuala Selangor and Kuala Langat.
The Department of Environment said the reaction from treating the high-ammonia raw water with chlorine had resulted in the foul smell.
It said that Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) should have stopped drawing water from the river if the quality was not up to the required standards.
Meanwhile, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid visited the landfill today.
Speaking to reporters later, he said the cause of the contamination was still inconclusive.
This was a contrast to the statement he made yesterday, when he laid the blame for the pollution squarely on the landfill.
"The management informed me that it is unlikely that they are to blame for the contaminated tap water because the leakage took place after people complained of the foul-smelling water coming out of their taps.
"When I made the earlier statement, it was done before my visit to the landfill," he clarified.
Azmi said there was a breakdown of a valve in the landfill on Feb 26, two days after the furore.
The breakdown caused a 30-minute leakage, leading to 10 cubic metres of waste water flowing about 14km before it reached the river.
He spent several hours inspecting the landfill, which is operated by KUB Berjaya Enviro.
The chief suspects remain the Bukit Tagar landfill and effluents from pig and cow farms flanking the waterway.
But one thing is certain: On Feb 25, the level of ammonia in the untreated water of the river was 9.2 mg/l, much higher than the 1.5mg/l for drinking water set by the Health Ministry.
That was the day foul-smelling and foul-tasting water gushed from taps in Kuala Lumpur, Gombak, Petaling Jaya, Klang, Shah Alam, Kuala Selangor and Kuala Langat.
The Department of Environment said the reaction from treating the high-ammonia raw water with chlorine had resulted in the foul smell.
It said that Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) should have stopped drawing water from the river if the quality was not up to the required standards.
Meanwhile, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid visited the landfill today.
Speaking to reporters later, he said the cause of the contamination was still inconclusive.
This was a contrast to the statement he made yesterday, when he laid the blame for the pollution squarely on the landfill.
"The management informed me that it is unlikely that they are to blame for the contaminated tap water because the leakage took place after people complained of the foul-smelling water coming out of their taps.
"When I made the earlier statement, it was done before my visit to the landfill," he clarified.
Azmi said there was a breakdown of a valve in the landfill on Feb 26, two days after the furore.
The breakdown caused a 30-minute leakage, leading to 10 cubic metres of waste water flowing about 14km before it reached the river.
He spent several hours inspecting the landfill, which is operated by KUB Berjaya Enviro.
Chung Hua first school to close
Star: KUCHING: The Kuching Chung Hua Primary School 3 here has become the first primary school in Sarawak ordered to close immediately for two weeks to prevent the spread of hand, foot and mouth (HFM) disease.
The school authorities received the order by the state Health Department at 2.45pm yesterday after three pupils were suspected to have come down with the disease.
The pupils were from Years One, Three and Five, said school headmaster Moh Fok Choi.
Moh said as the school would close for the first term holiday on Friday, the more than 1,710 pupils in 36 classes would only miss four days of lessons.
Classes will resume on March 21, one day after the start of the second term.
Moh said as the notice from the health department came after lessons ended, the school could not inform the pupils.
“We have got teachers to help call parents,” he said.
The Health Ministry had earlier ordered all the 488 kindergarten in the state to close for two weeks as the number of HFM cases jumped.
The school authorities received the order by the state Health Department at 2.45pm yesterday after three pupils were suspected to have come down with the disease.
The pupils were from Years One, Three and Five, said school headmaster Moh Fok Choi.
Moh said as the school would close for the first term holiday on Friday, the more than 1,710 pupils in 36 classes would only miss four days of lessons.
Classes will resume on March 21, one day after the start of the second term.
Moh said as the notice from the health department came after lessons ended, the school could not inform the pupils.
“We have got teachers to help call parents,” he said.
The Health Ministry had earlier ordered all the 488 kindergarten in the state to close for two weeks as the number of HFM cases jumped.
HFM cases rise in Sarawak
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: The hand, foot and mouth (HFM) disease outbreak in Sarawak has reached epidemic levels, said the Government, but it is hopeful the number of cases will drop by next week.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the disease had been medically classified as an epidemic because of the increase in the number of cases within a short time.
The minister, who had directed kindergartens in the state to close until the situation improved, advised parents not to take their children to crowded places like shopping complexes and cinemas.
“There is no way of knowing if there are infected people in a crowd. This matter should not be treated lightly,” he said here yesterday.
However, he added, the ministry hoped to see the number of cases falling by next week because the incubation period would end within seven days.
The number of cases reached 3,087 by noon yesterday, based on reports from hospitals and clinics across the state. The worst affected areas were Sibu, Kuching and Bintulu.
The number of fatalities from the disease remained at four, with two confirmed to be of the Entrovirus 11 (EV11) strain.
Speaking to reporters in Miri, Dr Chua said the number of cases in Sarawak had initially climbed very fast.
“It was an increase of more than 300 cases per day. Now the increase is about 150 to 200 cases daily. So, the infection seems to be declining,” he said.
Dr Chua met Deputy Chief Minister and state Disaster Relief Committee chairman Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam as well as state Health and Medical Services director Dr Yao Sik King and other senior department officers and local leaders to get an overview of the HFM situation.
He said that while the disease was endemic in the country, it seemed to “flare up” every three years in Sarawak. “We are trying to determine why,” he added.
While advising parents against taking their children to crowded places, Dr Chua said the following measures were also necessary:
·All kindergartens and daycare centres must close, and parents must not send their children there for the next two weeks;
·Any child with symptoms of bruises or blisters must be referred to a doctor;
·Families must clean up their homes thoroughly, especially the toilets, as well as facilities or items frequently used by children; and
·The authorities must clean children's playgrounds.
Dr Chua said his ministry would issue all clinics and hospitals guidelines on dealing with HFM cases.
“Private doctors will be told how to treat the disease and whether they need to refer specific cases to hospitals,” he said.
“We are also monitoring whether primary schoolchildren have been affected. The disease usually affects those under 10.
“Older children can also get infected, but the sickness will be mild and usually there will be no complications.”
Dr Chua said Sarawak had experience dealing with HFM, and the state was functioning as the centre for the Asean region in terms of studies and research on the disease.
The minister opened the RM16.5mil new Tudan polyclinic and visited the newly-built psychiatric ward of the Miri Hospital.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the disease had been medically classified as an epidemic because of the increase in the number of cases within a short time.
The minister, who had directed kindergartens in the state to close until the situation improved, advised parents not to take their children to crowded places like shopping complexes and cinemas.
“There is no way of knowing if there are infected people in a crowd. This matter should not be treated lightly,” he said here yesterday.
However, he added, the ministry hoped to see the number of cases falling by next week because the incubation period would end within seven days.
The number of cases reached 3,087 by noon yesterday, based on reports from hospitals and clinics across the state. The worst affected areas were Sibu, Kuching and Bintulu.
The number of fatalities from the disease remained at four, with two confirmed to be of the Entrovirus 11 (EV11) strain.
Speaking to reporters in Miri, Dr Chua said the number of cases in Sarawak had initially climbed very fast.
“It was an increase of more than 300 cases per day. Now the increase is about 150 to 200 cases daily. So, the infection seems to be declining,” he said.
Dr Chua met Deputy Chief Minister and state Disaster Relief Committee chairman Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam as well as state Health and Medical Services director Dr Yao Sik King and other senior department officers and local leaders to get an overview of the HFM situation.
He said that while the disease was endemic in the country, it seemed to “flare up” every three years in Sarawak. “We are trying to determine why,” he added.
While advising parents against taking their children to crowded places, Dr Chua said the following measures were also necessary:
·All kindergartens and daycare centres must close, and parents must not send their children there for the next two weeks;
·Any child with symptoms of bruises or blisters must be referred to a doctor;
·Families must clean up their homes thoroughly, especially the toilets, as well as facilities or items frequently used by children; and
·The authorities must clean children's playgrounds.
Dr Chua said his ministry would issue all clinics and hospitals guidelines on dealing with HFM cases.
“Private doctors will be told how to treat the disease and whether they need to refer specific cases to hospitals,” he said.
“We are also monitoring whether primary schoolchildren have been affected. The disease usually affects those under 10.
“Older children can also get infected, but the sickness will be mild and usually there will be no complications.”
Dr Chua said Sarawak had experience dealing with HFM, and the state was functioning as the centre for the Asean region in terms of studies and research on the disease.
The minister opened the RM16.5mil new Tudan polyclinic and visited the newly-built psychiatric ward of the Miri Hospital.
'Shit' water, ministry's finger points back at Syabas
Sun PETALING JAYA: The Department of Environment (DOE) has taken Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) to task for failing to ensure that ammonia level in its treatment process does not breach the permitted standard.
In a release yesterday, DOE said the water supply company, to date, does not have facilities to treat the ammonia parameter.
Responding to a newsreport in which Syabas had refuted Mineral Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid's contention that it (Syabas) was responsible for the water supply, the DOE said:
"Syabas is also fully responsible to ensure that river water taken in for water supplies is treated to adhere to the drinking water quality standards set by the Health Ministry before it is distributed to consumers.
"Syabas should have treated the river water to ensure the ammonia parameter adhered to permissible level set by the Health Ministry, or stop the water intake until the ammonia level in the river returned to normal.
"Besides adhering to these standards, it is also reasonable for Syabas to carry out monitoring on the physical elements of the water like its smell, taste and the colour of the water before it is distributed to the consumers to ensure customer satisfaction.
"In the Feb 25, 2006, incident, the ammonia content in the untreated river water was at 9.2mg/l level, far surpassing the 1.5mg/l permissible level set by the Health Ministry.
"The high ammonia level in the water taken in to be supplied to the consumers had reacted with the chlorine chemicals used for water processing, resulting in smelly water."
In a release yesterday, DOE said the water supply company, to date, does not have facilities to treat the ammonia parameter.
Responding to a newsreport in which Syabas had refuted Mineral Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid's contention that it (Syabas) was responsible for the water supply, the DOE said:
"Syabas is also fully responsible to ensure that river water taken in for water supplies is treated to adhere to the drinking water quality standards set by the Health Ministry before it is distributed to consumers.
"Syabas should have treated the river water to ensure the ammonia parameter adhered to permissible level set by the Health Ministry, or stop the water intake until the ammonia level in the river returned to normal.
"Besides adhering to these standards, it is also reasonable for Syabas to carry out monitoring on the physical elements of the water like its smell, taste and the colour of the water before it is distributed to the consumers to ensure customer satisfaction.
"In the Feb 25, 2006, incident, the ammonia content in the untreated river water was at 9.2mg/l level, far surpassing the 1.5mg/l permissible level set by the Health Ministry.
"The high ammonia level in the water taken in to be supplied to the consumers had reacted with the chlorine chemicals used for water processing, resulting in smelly water."
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Sarawak Primary Schools May Be Closed To Stem HFM Spread
MIRI, March 7 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry is closely monitoring an outbreak of Hand, Foot and Mouth (HFM) disease in Sarawak and may close primary schools if necessary following the shutdown of kindergartens in the state last week.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the guidelines on preventing an epidemic were clear and that all parties should comply with them.
"If more than two children in a kindergarten are infected, it will automatically be closed to prevent transmission of the disease," he told reporters after a briefing on the HFM surveillance programme at the Miri General Hospital, Tuesday.
On the possibility of closing primary schools to stem the spread of HFM in Sarawak, Dr Chua said: "We have not taken a final decision yet."
State Health Director Dr Yao Sik King, who also attended the briefing, said that until Monday, HFM had been identified as the cause of four deaths in children aged four years and below and that between 150 and 200 new suspected cases were being reported each day.
So far, 3,087 cases had been reported in the state, mostly in the Sibu, Kuching, Miri and Bintulu divisions.
Asked if HFM could also infect children aged 10 and above, Dr Chua said: "It usually attacks children 10 and below. Those older can still be infected but not so seriously."
A local newspaper has reported that three teenagers aged 13, 14, and 17 were warded in Sibu Hospital since Sunday with symptoms of HFM including fever and rashes on the hands and feet.
Dr Chua, who could not confirm if the three had HFM, said the Health Department was monitoring the case.
Asked about some kindergarten operators disregarding the shutdown order, he said the authorities could revoke their licences or charge them in court with the penalty being a fine or jail term of up to two years.
On Friday, the ministry ordered 488 kindergartens in Sarawak to be closed for two weeks following an increase in the cases of HFM among children.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the guidelines on preventing an epidemic were clear and that all parties should comply with them.
"If more than two children in a kindergarten are infected, it will automatically be closed to prevent transmission of the disease," he told reporters after a briefing on the HFM surveillance programme at the Miri General Hospital, Tuesday.
On the possibility of closing primary schools to stem the spread of HFM in Sarawak, Dr Chua said: "We have not taken a final decision yet."
State Health Director Dr Yao Sik King, who also attended the briefing, said that until Monday, HFM had been identified as the cause of four deaths in children aged four years and below and that between 150 and 200 new suspected cases were being reported each day.
So far, 3,087 cases had been reported in the state, mostly in the Sibu, Kuching, Miri and Bintulu divisions.
Asked if HFM could also infect children aged 10 and above, Dr Chua said: "It usually attacks children 10 and below. Those older can still be infected but not so seriously."
A local newspaper has reported that three teenagers aged 13, 14, and 17 were warded in Sibu Hospital since Sunday with symptoms of HFM including fever and rashes on the hands and feet.
Dr Chua, who could not confirm if the three had HFM, said the Health Department was monitoring the case.
Asked about some kindergarten operators disregarding the shutdown order, he said the authorities could revoke their licences or charge them in court with the penalty being a fine or jail term of up to two years.
On Friday, the ministry ordered 488 kindergartens in Sarawak to be closed for two weeks following an increase in the cases of HFM among children.
Ministry Opts For More Mobile Clinics To Serve Rural Sarawak, Sabah
MIRI, March 7 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry has opted to provide more mobile clinics to serve rural Sarawak and Sabah under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (2006-2010) as a means of circumventing the reluctance of doctors to serve in the rural areas, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said Tuesday.
He said the mobile clinics would enable doctors to go to the rural areas and return the same day, without having to be separated from their families for too long.
The Cabinet had agreed in principle to the proposal, and the question now was to determine the number of mobile clinics the government would make available, he said when opening the RM16.5 million Tudan Health Clinic, here.
The clinic provides services such as outpatient treatment, maternal and child health and dental treatment and has support services such as a pharmacy unit, a radiology unit, medical laboratory and physiotherapy unit.
The number of mobile clinics to be made available for Sarawak and Sabah would be determined once the financial allocation had been made, he said.
Dr Chua said the ministry had difficulty providing health services to people in the interior areas who could not be reached by land transportation.
"The question of ensuring that people in the rural areas enjoy the same health standard as the urban people is a major challenge for the ministry," he said.
In this connection, he said, the ministry would upgrade health facilities at state and district hospitals, particularly in the interior areas of Sarawak and Sabah, under the ninth plan.
He said the mobile clinics would enable doctors to go to the rural areas and return the same day, without having to be separated from their families for too long.
The Cabinet had agreed in principle to the proposal, and the question now was to determine the number of mobile clinics the government would make available, he said when opening the RM16.5 million Tudan Health Clinic, here.
The clinic provides services such as outpatient treatment, maternal and child health and dental treatment and has support services such as a pharmacy unit, a radiology unit, medical laboratory and physiotherapy unit.
The number of mobile clinics to be made available for Sarawak and Sabah would be determined once the financial allocation had been made, he said.
Dr Chua said the ministry had difficulty providing health services to people in the interior areas who could not be reached by land transportation.
"The question of ensuring that people in the rural areas enjoy the same health standard as the urban people is a major challenge for the ministry," he said.
In this connection, he said, the ministry would upgrade health facilities at state and district hospitals, particularly in the interior areas of Sarawak and Sabah, under the ninth plan.
New Regulations To Manage Worksites Safety Soon
PETALING JAYA, March 7 (Bernama) -- The Human Resources Ministry, through the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (Dosh), is in the final stage of introducing a set of regulations which will require employers to manage safety and health at worksites systematically.
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn said one of the main elements in the regulations was the requirement for employers to conduct hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control at construction sites.
"With this requirement, hazards and health risks at worksites can be identified, assessed and controlled during the planning and at various other stages of a project's development," he said at a dialogue with the construction industry players here Tuesday.
He said that Dosh would conduct briefings to explain the regulations when they were ready for implementation.
He said Dosh had set policies and strategies to ensure safety and health in construction sites.
One of the strategies was to take legal action on repeated cases of non-compliance with the law and regulations.
To further improve safety at worksites, the ministry would look at the suggestion that the safety aspect be taken as a separate entity from the tender.
"In any tender, the contractor is usually chosen because of the lowest cost but the suggestion is that the safety component should be taken out from the competitive bidding and everybody uses a standardised sum. I think it is a good idea," he said.
Currently, it was part of the tender and the contractor could reduce the allocation for safety to cut costs, he added.
"This is a major policy decision. I will present this subject to the cabinet after getting feedback from the contractors," he said.
The dialogue involved developers, architects, contractors, the local authorities and non-governmental organisations.
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn said one of the main elements in the regulations was the requirement for employers to conduct hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control at construction sites.
"With this requirement, hazards and health risks at worksites can be identified, assessed and controlled during the planning and at various other stages of a project's development," he said at a dialogue with the construction industry players here Tuesday.
He said that Dosh would conduct briefings to explain the regulations when they were ready for implementation.
He said Dosh had set policies and strategies to ensure safety and health in construction sites.
One of the strategies was to take legal action on repeated cases of non-compliance with the law and regulations.
To further improve safety at worksites, the ministry would look at the suggestion that the safety aspect be taken as a separate entity from the tender.
"In any tender, the contractor is usually chosen because of the lowest cost but the suggestion is that the safety component should be taken out from the competitive bidding and everybody uses a standardised sum. I think it is a good idea," he said.
Currently, it was part of the tender and the contractor could reduce the allocation for safety to cut costs, he added.
"This is a major policy decision. I will present this subject to the cabinet after getting feedback from the contractors," he said.
The dialogue involved developers, architects, contractors, the local authorities and non-governmental organisations.
Study on mobile phone radiation
NST: The debate has been going on for some time on whether long-term use of handphones affects health. However, there has been no conclusive evidence either way.
This has prompted the World Health Organisation to undertake a study among children and youngsters on the effects of handphone use.
And it has chosen the University Malaya Medical Centre to lead the study.
UMMC has started tabulating data on children and teenagers’ understanding of handphone radiation.
UMMC radiologist Professor Dr Ng Kwan Hoong said this was the first time such a study was being conducted.
"Although it is not proven that handphone radiation poses a danger to users, the WHO is doing the study based on a precautionary principle."
After the final results are compiled, an educational website will be set up for schoolchildren to learn more about handphones and electromagnetic fields.
The study (http://www.biij.org/who/survey/) has polled 1,200 of those aged between six and 17 in more than 50 countries, including Malaysia.
The statistics so far show that 36 per cent of those in this age group own a handphone.
One of the questions asked in the survey was whether they thought using a handphone could affect their health. Only 4.1 per cent of respondents agreed, saying they felt that headaches would be the most common problem.
Others said nausea (15 per cent) and dizziness (24.4 per cent) while 25.7 per cent said they did not think there would be health problems.
Rodney Chua, 17, is one of those who does not believe that handphones damage the body. "It’s not true," he said.
He has been using a handphone for the past six years and spends two to three hours a day on it.
Chua is part of the 73 per cent of respondents in the survey who say they carry their phones in their pocket.
A total of 18.6 per cent carry it in a pouch while eight per cent hang their phones around the necks.
The study also shows that 62.8 per cent did not know that handphones used radio waves to send signals and messages.
Dr Ng said the study, which aimed for 10,000 respondents, was timely and necessary.
"All the data we have is on adults, not children, but the young handphone user market is growing. In 10 years, youngsters’ market for handphones is expected to hit US$1 trillion (RM3.75 trillion)."
This has prompted the World Health Organisation to undertake a study among children and youngsters on the effects of handphone use.
And it has chosen the University Malaya Medical Centre to lead the study.
UMMC has started tabulating data on children and teenagers’ understanding of handphone radiation.
UMMC radiologist Professor Dr Ng Kwan Hoong said this was the first time such a study was being conducted.
"Although it is not proven that handphone radiation poses a danger to users, the WHO is doing the study based on a precautionary principle."
After the final results are compiled, an educational website will be set up for schoolchildren to learn more about handphones and electromagnetic fields.
The study (http://www.biij.org/who/survey/) has polled 1,200 of those aged between six and 17 in more than 50 countries, including Malaysia.
The statistics so far show that 36 per cent of those in this age group own a handphone.
One of the questions asked in the survey was whether they thought using a handphone could affect their health. Only 4.1 per cent of respondents agreed, saying they felt that headaches would be the most common problem.
Others said nausea (15 per cent) and dizziness (24.4 per cent) while 25.7 per cent said they did not think there would be health problems.
Rodney Chua, 17, is one of those who does not believe that handphones damage the body. "It’s not true," he said.
He has been using a handphone for the past six years and spends two to three hours a day on it.
Chua is part of the 73 per cent of respondents in the survey who say they carry their phones in their pocket.
A total of 18.6 per cent carry it in a pouch while eight per cent hang their phones around the necks.
The study also shows that 62.8 per cent did not know that handphones used radio waves to send signals and messages.
Dr Ng said the study, which aimed for 10,000 respondents, was timely and necessary.
"All the data we have is on adults, not children, but the young handphone user market is growing. In 10 years, youngsters’ market for handphones is expected to hit US$1 trillion (RM3.75 trillion)."
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