KUALA LUMPUR, April 10 (Bernama) -- Private hospitals in the country were reminded Monday that they must provide immediate emergency treatment to patients without waiting for deposit payment.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said they should also communicate with the patients and their relatives during the emergency treatment.
"These aspects will be stressed in the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act) (1998) (PHFA) which will be enforced from May 1," he said while answering a question from Huan Chen Guan (BN-Batu Kawan) in Parliament today.
Huan asked what were the actions to be taken by the ministry on private hospitals which refused to treat emergency-case patients who could not pay deposits before treatment.
Answering another question on hospital fees, he said the payment to private hospitals came under the "schedule fees" agreed to by the Malaysian Medical Hospital (MMA).
The disparity in hospital fees between hospitals would be resolved when the new Act was enforced which would empower the Health Ministry's Director General and the Minister to alter the "schedule fees" if they were unrealistic.
The Minister will also be empowered to decide on the nature of social contribution by the private hospitals.
"For instance, they should provide emergency treatment to poor students and discounts or exemptions to patients who cannot afford to pay," 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
Monday, April 10, 2006
MMC approves three medical courses
Star: PETALING JAYA: Malaysians can now study medicine in the Czech Republic and at a lower cost than in popular destinations such as Britain or Australia.
The Malaysian Medical Council (MMC), responsible for the recognition of medical programmes locally and abroad, now recognises three in the Czech Republic with courses in English.
These are programmes in the First Faculty of Medicine at Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Medicine at Charles University in Hradec Kralove and the Faculty of Medicine, Palacky University, Olomouc.
The first two faculties mentioned above are part of Charles University in Prague, which has five medical faculties, three located within the capital city itself, and one each in Hradec Kralove and Plsen.
According to BestEd Sdn Bhd projects manager Shirley Abdullah, the company has been appointed sole agent for the recruitment and enrolment of students for the three programmes.
“The total cost for the six-year medical programme inclusive of living expenses is approximately RM450,000 in Prague while the cost in the two smaller cities of Hradec Karalove and Olomouc is around RM350,000.
In a letter to BestEd dated July 23, 2005, MMC president Datuk Dr Ismail Merican said the council had agreed to recognise the undergraduate medical programmes.
MMC will also make visits to ensure the quality of the programmes concerned.
An entrance examination for interested students will be held next month.
Czech Ambassador to Malaysia Dana Hunatova told The Star that students could expect the same living standards as other member European Union countries.
“Charles University which was founded in 1348, is the oldest university in central Europe. Since 1992, it has conducted a parallel programme for its medical degree in English and this has attracted students from around the world,” she said.
The Malaysian Medical Council (MMC), responsible for the recognition of medical programmes locally and abroad, now recognises three in the Czech Republic with courses in English.
These are programmes in the First Faculty of Medicine at Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Medicine at Charles University in Hradec Kralove and the Faculty of Medicine, Palacky University, Olomouc.
The first two faculties mentioned above are part of Charles University in Prague, which has five medical faculties, three located within the capital city itself, and one each in Hradec Kralove and Plsen.
According to BestEd Sdn Bhd projects manager Shirley Abdullah, the company has been appointed sole agent for the recruitment and enrolment of students for the three programmes.
“The total cost for the six-year medical programme inclusive of living expenses is approximately RM450,000 in Prague while the cost in the two smaller cities of Hradec Karalove and Olomouc is around RM350,000.
In a letter to BestEd dated July 23, 2005, MMC president Datuk Dr Ismail Merican said the council had agreed to recognise the undergraduate medical programmes.
MMC will also make visits to ensure the quality of the programmes concerned.
An entrance examination for interested students will be held next month.
Czech Ambassador to Malaysia Dana Hunatova told The Star that students could expect the same living standards as other member European Union countries.
“Charles University which was founded in 1348, is the oldest university in central Europe. Since 1992, it has conducted a parallel programme for its medical degree in English and this has attracted students from around the world,” she said.
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Foul-smelling water resurfaces
Star: KUALA LANGAT: Foul-smelling water has resurfaced in Selangor, and this time the places affected are residential areas around Banting such as Taman Datuk Hormat, Taman Chempaka and Taman Damai.
Other areas include Taman Muhibbah, Taman Delima, Taman Kanchong Laut, Taman Setia Jaya and Taman Langat Jaya, with residents claiming they had to bear with murky brown water since last Saturday.
Some claimed they developed skin irritation after using the water for washing and bathing.
This comes just six weeks after leachate from a landfill flowed into Sungai Selangor – Klang Valley's main drinking water source.
Housewife Che Bedah Che Wan, 43, said her children complained of itchiness after taking their bath.
She said it happened last Saturday morning, when the tap water turned light brown.
“I left the water to run and it took two hours to become clear,” said Che Bedah, adding that her children developed the skin irritation in the evening.
Housewife G. Mahadewi, 38, who lives in Taman Sri Putra, said murky water had come out of her tap on Thursday at about 6am.
“It smelled similar to that of rotting fish and after 10 minutes the water became clear,” she said.
She added that the same situation occurred again yesterday and it was experienced throughout the 300 households in the neighbourhood.
Taman Damai stall operator Chong Ah Kin, 56, said water quality had deteriorated since Saturday with sediments flowing out from the taps.
In Taman Datuk Hormat in Teluk Panglima Garang, housewife G. Kavitha Norah, 32, said the same brownish coloured water was flowing with a strong pungent smell from the taps since Thursday.
“It lasted for some time and later became clear but the smell remained,” she said, adding that she also bought filtered water.
Her neighbour K. Neelambigai, in her late 40s, said her washed clothes were stained due to brown sediments.
“Our health has also been affected. Most of the people who drank the water from the taps have suffered sore throats,” she said.
Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor chief operating officer engineer Lee Miang Koi said his firm was aware of the situation.
“We conducted a manual flushing and a better quality of water has resume and safe for use,” he said.
Lee advised consumers to call the Puspel toll free line at 1-800-88-5252, which operates 24-hours, or SMS to 39222 by typing PUSPEL to obtain a quick reply.
Other areas include Taman Muhibbah, Taman Delima, Taman Kanchong Laut, Taman Setia Jaya and Taman Langat Jaya, with residents claiming they had to bear with murky brown water since last Saturday.
Some claimed they developed skin irritation after using the water for washing and bathing.
This comes just six weeks after leachate from a landfill flowed into Sungai Selangor – Klang Valley's main drinking water source.
Housewife Che Bedah Che Wan, 43, said her children complained of itchiness after taking their bath.
She said it happened last Saturday morning, when the tap water turned light brown.
“I left the water to run and it took two hours to become clear,” said Che Bedah, adding that her children developed the skin irritation in the evening.
Housewife G. Mahadewi, 38, who lives in Taman Sri Putra, said murky water had come out of her tap on Thursday at about 6am.
“It smelled similar to that of rotting fish and after 10 minutes the water became clear,” she said.
She added that the same situation occurred again yesterday and it was experienced throughout the 300 households in the neighbourhood.
Taman Damai stall operator Chong Ah Kin, 56, said water quality had deteriorated since Saturday with sediments flowing out from the taps.
In Taman Datuk Hormat in Teluk Panglima Garang, housewife G. Kavitha Norah, 32, said the same brownish coloured water was flowing with a strong pungent smell from the taps since Thursday.
“It lasted for some time and later became clear but the smell remained,” she said, adding that she also bought filtered water.
Her neighbour K. Neelambigai, in her late 40s, said her washed clothes were stained due to brown sediments.
“Our health has also been affected. Most of the people who drank the water from the taps have suffered sore throats,” she said.
Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor chief operating officer engineer Lee Miang Koi said his firm was aware of the situation.
“We conducted a manual flushing and a better quality of water has resume and safe for use,” he said.
Lee advised consumers to call the Puspel toll free line at 1-800-88-5252, which operates 24-hours, or SMS to 39222 by typing PUSPEL to obtain a quick reply.
Ageing population needs more geriatricians
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: There are only 10 doctors specialising in the care for the elderly, or geriatricians, to cater to the 1.2 million people in Malaysia who are above 65 years old.
This makes the ratio of geriatrician to patient at 1:120,000. Ideally, it should be 1:10,000.
In his speech read by director of medical development division Dr Noorimi Murad at the Asia Pacific Geriatric Conference yesterday, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said that in 2000, 6.2% of the Malaysian population was above 60 years old.
“It is expected to rise to 7.3% by 2010 and almost 10% by 2020, and by 2025, about 11% of the population will be aged above 60.
“A study by the Public Health Institute in 1995 indicated that 81.4% of the elderly suffered from at least one chronic medical illness, and 12.7% of them had three or more chronic medical conditions,” he said.
He added that “there was a clear association of increasing disability with advancing age ? where 50.1% of our elderly had chronic joint pains, 40% had eyesight problems and 21.1% had hearing difficulties”.
The conference's scientific chairperson, associate professor Dr Philip Poi said that, as such, there were plans to overcome the lack of geriatricians.
“We are in the planning stages to have a Masters in Geriatric Medicine in Universiti Malaya (UM). We hope to have the course ready in a year or two,'' said Dr Poi, who is also UM’s head of division of geriatrics.
He also said “physicians who are already specialists in their own right can go for a one-year geriatric training in University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC)”.
This makes the ratio of geriatrician to patient at 1:120,000. Ideally, it should be 1:10,000.
In his speech read by director of medical development division Dr Noorimi Murad at the Asia Pacific Geriatric Conference yesterday, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said that in 2000, 6.2% of the Malaysian population was above 60 years old.
“It is expected to rise to 7.3% by 2010 and almost 10% by 2020, and by 2025, about 11% of the population will be aged above 60.
“A study by the Public Health Institute in 1995 indicated that 81.4% of the elderly suffered from at least one chronic medical illness, and 12.7% of them had three or more chronic medical conditions,” he said.
He added that “there was a clear association of increasing disability with advancing age ? where 50.1% of our elderly had chronic joint pains, 40% had eyesight problems and 21.1% had hearing difficulties”.
The conference's scientific chairperson, associate professor Dr Philip Poi said that, as such, there were plans to overcome the lack of geriatricians.
“We are in the planning stages to have a Masters in Geriatric Medicine in Universiti Malaya (UM). We hope to have the course ready in a year or two,'' said Dr Poi, who is also UM’s head of division of geriatrics.
He also said “physicians who are already specialists in their own right can go for a one-year geriatric training in University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC)”.
Online hospitals to curb repeat medical tests and claims
Star: PETALING JAYA: The Health Ministry will introduce a Hospital Information System (HIS) for the transfer of health data and test results between private and public hospitals.
The online system, expected early next year, will help curb fraudulent medical insurance claims.
In addition, hospitals will not be able to overcharge by repeating expensive tests when patients transfer from one hospital to another because the medical data will be available online at the request of doctors.
The HIS will facilitate easier transfer from private to government hospitals in the event that a patient runs out of funds.
Its introduction will also save the patient the need to retake health examinations as doctors’ records and notes will be transmitted online.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the Government was working on the integration of services between private and government hospitals and the new system would be implemented in stages.
“At present, there is this dichotomy between the private and public sectors. Patients can’t migrate easily from one to the other because of differences in payment and a lack of coordination and co-operation.
“The information system will integrate the flow of information and further improve healthcare delivery by providing accurate and complete patient information online.
“Implementation of the HIS will be undertaken in phases and will include all new and existing hospitals and clinics,” he added.
Dr Chua said commercialisation of medical services was worrying.
“And this is a trend that occurs everywhere. This means that health services become more and more expensive because of the demand for it by more educated patients.
“With the increasing demand for healthcare, the price will continue to go up,” he said.
Healthy Aging and Wellness Society adviser Dr Rajbans Singh welcomed the move, noting that such sharing of information was practised in advanced countries like the United States, Australia and Europe.
He said patients would often turn up from different hospitals and doctors were forced to rerun tests as they could not retrieve the medical records from other hospitals.
“With online hospitals, it will make their work easier, but the transfer of data must be secure and safe,” he said.
“Confidentiality is crucial and the data should not get into the wrong hands,” he added.
The online system, expected early next year, will help curb fraudulent medical insurance claims.
In addition, hospitals will not be able to overcharge by repeating expensive tests when patients transfer from one hospital to another because the medical data will be available online at the request of doctors.
The HIS will facilitate easier transfer from private to government hospitals in the event that a patient runs out of funds.
Its introduction will also save the patient the need to retake health examinations as doctors’ records and notes will be transmitted online.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the Government was working on the integration of services between private and government hospitals and the new system would be implemented in stages.
“At present, there is this dichotomy between the private and public sectors. Patients can’t migrate easily from one to the other because of differences in payment and a lack of coordination and co-operation.
“The information system will integrate the flow of information and further improve healthcare delivery by providing accurate and complete patient information online.
“Implementation of the HIS will be undertaken in phases and will include all new and existing hospitals and clinics,” he added.
Dr Chua said commercialisation of medical services was worrying.
“And this is a trend that occurs everywhere. This means that health services become more and more expensive because of the demand for it by more educated patients.
“With the increasing demand for healthcare, the price will continue to go up,” he said.
Healthy Aging and Wellness Society adviser Dr Rajbans Singh welcomed the move, noting that such sharing of information was practised in advanced countries like the United States, Australia and Europe.
He said patients would often turn up from different hospitals and doctors were forced to rerun tests as they could not retrieve the medical records from other hospitals.
“With online hospitals, it will make their work easier, but the transfer of data must be secure and safe,” he said.
“Confidentiality is crucial and the data should not get into the wrong hands,” he added.
Saturday, April 08, 2006
Opinion: Looking for a healthy compromise
NST: How should the proposed National Health Financing Scheme work? Doctors and activists share their checklist with SANTHA OORJITHAM.
WHEN a patient visits a government polyclinic, he or she pays RM1 for an examination and up to two weeks’ to a month’s worth of medication. But the real cost, according to a government study, is RM45 per visit.
Malaysia’s population is aging, the cost of health care rising and the public health system creaking under the strain.
Although only 25 to 30 per cent of medical specialists work in government hospitals, they handle about 75 per cent of admissions.
"The Government is overwhelmed," says Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong, Member of Parliament for Segambut and chairman of the Barisan Nasional’s Backbenchers Club (BBC) Health Committee. "It cannot cope."
The Government calculates that the only way to meet health care demands is by sharing the workload with the private health care sector and sharing the cost with workers and employers.
The aim of the proposed National Health Financing Scheme (NHFS) scheme is to split the burden of provisioning between "stakeholders", although the Ministry of Health has promised that both the NHFS and the National Health Financing Authority (NHFA) that oversees it will be non-profit and will not be privatised.
Karol Consulting, an Australian firm, was appointed in March to study the details of the financing mechanism over the next 18 months.
The Government is likely to test the scheme with a pilot project, the most logical candidate for which is the densely- populated Klang Valley, suggests Tan.
The ministry gave a briefing on the NHFS in Parliament on March 24 to Tan’s committee and other "interested groups" — the Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations, the Malaysian Trades Union Con- gress, the Coalition Against Health Care Privatisation (CAHCP) and representatives from the Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia and Koperasi Doktor.
Other countries have based their schemes on taxation, insurance or both. The Government has said that it would pay for the poor, disabled, civil servants and retirees.
For the rest, the NHFS is likely to require special payments, probably monthly. These are likely to be divided between the employee or self-employed, the employer and the Government.
The amount is likely to be based on "community risk" (everyone pays the same amount no matter what his health status is) rather than "individual risk" (i.e. based on the individual’s health risk).
Tan stresses that payment should be tagged to income levels. He also suggests a no-claim bonus, so that people who don’t visit a doctor or receive any treatment will pay less.
Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president Dr Teoh Siang Chin, however, says funding should be entirely from taxes.
"Since we are now financing public health expenditure from general taxation, it would be sensible to continue this allocation," he argues. "The proportion by Government must be increased, since the Government is the major employer and must also ensure access for the poor, sick, young and aged."
The Australian consultant, whose study is jointly funded by the United Nations Development Programme and the Malaysian Government, will also recommend what treatment should be covered by the scheme’s "essential health benefit package".
Tan, who trained as a general practitioner (GP), says coverage must include treatment for chronic diseases such as renal dialysis and chemotherapy.
In the past, the ministry has said the essential package could be supplemented with private insurance.
But, urges Tan, people who take out private insurance should not be exempted from the NHFS scheme.
The CAHCP is against private insurance: "It will increase the total cost but not the provision of health care," predicts coalition chairman Dr Subramaniam Pillay. "In the United States, for example, health care expenditure is 14 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), yet millions are without adequate health care."
(At present, the Malaysian Government spends 1.8 per cent of GDP on health. The World Health Organisation recommends that developing countries should spend five per cent of their GDP on health.)
Teoh agrees that encouraging private insurance would be contrary to the NHFS: "Private insurance is motivated by profit. Social or national health insurance is primarily to ensure a safety net and a cross-subsidy system."
The Government is considering organising the NHFS under the "gatekeeper" concept, in which a patient first sees a GP (to whom he is assigned, depending on where he lives), who then directs him to a specialist if necessary.
Ideally, Malaysians should be able to choose from among a few GPs in their neighbourhood — or at least, to change GPs if they are not satisfied with the service. And since the Ninth Malaysia Plan says the scheme will "encourage greater flexibility and freedom of choice in obtaining care from both the private and public sectors", that is likely.
The NHFS may also pay for some treatment in private hospitals. The scheme might pay a lower rate, which would have to be topped up, either out of the patient’s pocket or by private insurance.
Subramaniam is against that idea: "The private sector will thrive if government funding goes to private hospitals," he says, warning of a greater brain drain of government doctors into the private sector.
But if it is implemented, he says, it should be similar to Canada’s scheme, in which the private hospitals cannot charge more than government rates if the Government is paying.
Finally, Karol Consulting will also have to study how the NHFS makes its payments. Will it pay per visit or give "capitation" fees (a fixed amount per year, based on the number of patients registered with a doctor) or funds based on the private or government hospital’s case mix? Will the patient also be required to "co-pay"?
Doctors recommend a combination: "If you pay per head, there is no incentive to work harder," says the BBC’s Tan. If doctors are paid a fixed amount per head per year, they could try to reduce visits or treatment to lighten their workload.
Noting that many employers already provide medical benefits, the MP suggests that an employee could pay a certain amount into the fund that would be topped up by the employer.
Tan welcomes the assurance at the recent briefing that interested groups will be "continuously briefed" by the ministry, which welcomes any feedback.
"People are worried and scared that in addition to all the other costs that are going up now, another component of basic living is going to shoot through the roof," he says.
Workers already have contributions for the Employees’ Provident Fund, Social Security Organisation (Socso) and income tax deducted from their pay packets.
Subramaniam stresses that the activists’ goals are similar to the ministry’s: "We all want a sustainable, quality health care system with equitable access, where all citizens regardless of financial ability are able to get adequate treatment for their illnesses."
WHEN a patient visits a government polyclinic, he or she pays RM1 for an examination and up to two weeks’ to a month’s worth of medication. But the real cost, according to a government study, is RM45 per visit.
Malaysia’s population is aging, the cost of health care rising and the public health system creaking under the strain.
Although only 25 to 30 per cent of medical specialists work in government hospitals, they handle about 75 per cent of admissions.
"The Government is overwhelmed," says Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong, Member of Parliament for Segambut and chairman of the Barisan Nasional’s Backbenchers Club (BBC) Health Committee. "It cannot cope."
The Government calculates that the only way to meet health care demands is by sharing the workload with the private health care sector and sharing the cost with workers and employers.
The aim of the proposed National Health Financing Scheme (NHFS) scheme is to split the burden of provisioning between "stakeholders", although the Ministry of Health has promised that both the NHFS and the National Health Financing Authority (NHFA) that oversees it will be non-profit and will not be privatised.
Karol Consulting, an Australian firm, was appointed in March to study the details of the financing mechanism over the next 18 months.
The Government is likely to test the scheme with a pilot project, the most logical candidate for which is the densely- populated Klang Valley, suggests Tan.
The ministry gave a briefing on the NHFS in Parliament on March 24 to Tan’s committee and other "interested groups" — the Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations, the Malaysian Trades Union Con- gress, the Coalition Against Health Care Privatisation (CAHCP) and representatives from the Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia and Koperasi Doktor.
Other countries have based their schemes on taxation, insurance or both. The Government has said that it would pay for the poor, disabled, civil servants and retirees.
For the rest, the NHFS is likely to require special payments, probably monthly. These are likely to be divided between the employee or self-employed, the employer and the Government.
The amount is likely to be based on "community risk" (everyone pays the same amount no matter what his health status is) rather than "individual risk" (i.e. based on the individual’s health risk).
Tan stresses that payment should be tagged to income levels. He also suggests a no-claim bonus, so that people who don’t visit a doctor or receive any treatment will pay less.
Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president Dr Teoh Siang Chin, however, says funding should be entirely from taxes.
"Since we are now financing public health expenditure from general taxation, it would be sensible to continue this allocation," he argues. "The proportion by Government must be increased, since the Government is the major employer and must also ensure access for the poor, sick, young and aged."
The Australian consultant, whose study is jointly funded by the United Nations Development Programme and the Malaysian Government, will also recommend what treatment should be covered by the scheme’s "essential health benefit package".
Tan, who trained as a general practitioner (GP), says coverage must include treatment for chronic diseases such as renal dialysis and chemotherapy.
In the past, the ministry has said the essential package could be supplemented with private insurance.
But, urges Tan, people who take out private insurance should not be exempted from the NHFS scheme.
The CAHCP is against private insurance: "It will increase the total cost but not the provision of health care," predicts coalition chairman Dr Subramaniam Pillay. "In the United States, for example, health care expenditure is 14 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), yet millions are without adequate health care."
(At present, the Malaysian Government spends 1.8 per cent of GDP on health. The World Health Organisation recommends that developing countries should spend five per cent of their GDP on health.)
Teoh agrees that encouraging private insurance would be contrary to the NHFS: "Private insurance is motivated by profit. Social or national health insurance is primarily to ensure a safety net and a cross-subsidy system."
The Government is considering organising the NHFS under the "gatekeeper" concept, in which a patient first sees a GP (to whom he is assigned, depending on where he lives), who then directs him to a specialist if necessary.
Ideally, Malaysians should be able to choose from among a few GPs in their neighbourhood — or at least, to change GPs if they are not satisfied with the service. And since the Ninth Malaysia Plan says the scheme will "encourage greater flexibility and freedom of choice in obtaining care from both the private and public sectors", that is likely.
The NHFS may also pay for some treatment in private hospitals. The scheme might pay a lower rate, which would have to be topped up, either out of the patient’s pocket or by private insurance.
Subramaniam is against that idea: "The private sector will thrive if government funding goes to private hospitals," he says, warning of a greater brain drain of government doctors into the private sector.
But if it is implemented, he says, it should be similar to Canada’s scheme, in which the private hospitals cannot charge more than government rates if the Government is paying.
Finally, Karol Consulting will also have to study how the NHFS makes its payments. Will it pay per visit or give "capitation" fees (a fixed amount per year, based on the number of patients registered with a doctor) or funds based on the private or government hospital’s case mix? Will the patient also be required to "co-pay"?
Doctors recommend a combination: "If you pay per head, there is no incentive to work harder," says the BBC’s Tan. If doctors are paid a fixed amount per head per year, they could try to reduce visits or treatment to lighten their workload.
Noting that many employers already provide medical benefits, the MP suggests that an employee could pay a certain amount into the fund that would be topped up by the employer.
Tan welcomes the assurance at the recent briefing that interested groups will be "continuously briefed" by the ministry, which welcomes any feedback.
"People are worried and scared that in addition to all the other costs that are going up now, another component of basic living is going to shoot through the roof," he says.
Workers already have contributions for the Employees’ Provident Fund, Social Security Organisation (Socso) and income tax deducted from their pay packets.
Subramaniam stresses that the activists’ goals are similar to the ministry’s: "We all want a sustainable, quality health care system with equitable access, where all citizens regardless of financial ability are able to get adequate treatment for their illnesses."
Aedes breeding in USJ11 houses
Star: SUBANG JAYA: Aedes mosquitoes are breeding in houses in USJ11 here, which has been declared a dengue epidemic area.
Subang Jaya assemblyman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng said the local municipal council had cleared up mosquito breeding spots in the neighbourhood.
“In the absence of construction sites, that leaves only homes as breeding grounds, and checks by the council’s health department confirmed this,” said Lee who is also a Subang Jaya municipal councillor.
Lee said the council declared USJ11 an epidemic area 10 weeks ago when several dengue cases were confirmed there.
“The council declares an epidemic area if there is more than one case in two weeks,” he said, adding that there had been three to five confirmed cases each week over the last 10 weeks in USJ11.
The figures are alarming as USJ11 has only 2,005 houses.
Of the 227 confirmed dengue cases in USJ, 34 were recorded in USJ11, he added.
Lee, who joined the council in inspecting houses in the area yesterday, told newsmen that 125 fines had been issued so far to USJ11 occupants whose flowerpots, aquariums and garden ponds were found to contain mosquito larvae.
He called on residents to cooperate in the fight against this prolonged dengue problem by ensuring that their homes were not mosquito breeding grounds.
Subang Jaya assemblyman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng said the local municipal council had cleared up mosquito breeding spots in the neighbourhood.
“In the absence of construction sites, that leaves only homes as breeding grounds, and checks by the council’s health department confirmed this,” said Lee who is also a Subang Jaya municipal councillor.
Lee said the council declared USJ11 an epidemic area 10 weeks ago when several dengue cases were confirmed there.
“The council declares an epidemic area if there is more than one case in two weeks,” he said, adding that there had been three to five confirmed cases each week over the last 10 weeks in USJ11.
The figures are alarming as USJ11 has only 2,005 houses.
Of the 227 confirmed dengue cases in USJ, 34 were recorded in USJ11, he added.
Lee, who joined the council in inspecting houses in the area yesterday, told newsmen that 125 fines had been issued so far to USJ11 occupants whose flowerpots, aquariums and garden ponds were found to contain mosquito larvae.
He called on residents to cooperate in the fight against this prolonged dengue problem by ensuring that their homes were not mosquito breeding grounds.
Villagers to maintain cleanliness themselves
Star: IPOH: Villagers of Bagan Panchor, where there was a Chikungunya outbreak recently, have opted to maintain cleanliness in the village themselves, instead of letting the local authorities do the job.
State Urban and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Chang Ko Youn said the villagers had turned down the offer to come under a district council as they did not want to pay assessment rates or have their activities regulated.
“Some of them conduct business activities at home and being placed under a local council means they would have to apply for business premises and advertising licences,” he said yesterday.
“The community felt that their present stage of development did not require them to come under either the Manjung or Taiping municipal council.
“They are not ready for such a financial burden,” Chang said.
Following the outbreak of the measles-like disease at the fishing village near Pantai Remis, about 98km from here, the 1,300 villagers were told to decide whether to let local authorities look after the cleanliness of their surroundings or do the job themselves.
Chikungunya, an urban disease resembling dengue, is a relatively rare form of viral fever caused by an alphavirus that is spread by the Aedes mosquito.
Chang said the level of cleanliness had improved considerably after local authorities helped to clean up and collect rubbish there.
State Urban and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Chang Ko Youn said the villagers had turned down the offer to come under a district council as they did not want to pay assessment rates or have their activities regulated.
“Some of them conduct business activities at home and being placed under a local council means they would have to apply for business premises and advertising licences,” he said yesterday.
“The community felt that their present stage of development did not require them to come under either the Manjung or Taiping municipal council.
“They are not ready for such a financial burden,” Chang said.
Following the outbreak of the measles-like disease at the fishing village near Pantai Remis, about 98km from here, the 1,300 villagers were told to decide whether to let local authorities look after the cleanliness of their surroundings or do the job themselves.
Chikungunya, an urban disease resembling dengue, is a relatively rare form of viral fever caused by an alphavirus that is spread by the Aedes mosquito.
Chang said the level of cleanliness had improved considerably after local authorities helped to clean up and collect rubbish there.
Johorean down with Chikungunya after trip
Star: JOHOR BARU: A 62-year-old man from Taman Ungku Tun Aminah in Skudai here has tested positive for Chikungunya.
The man and five other family members had visited Bagan Panchor near Pantai Remis in Perak – which saw an outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease recently – and he developed a fever when they got home.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the man sought treatment at a clinic and was later admitted to a private hospital where he tested positive for the viral disease on Monday.
“However, there is no reason to panic because we have already taken all measures to ensure that the disease does not spread in the residential area in Skudai,” Dr Chua said after visiting the Kota Tinggi Hospital here yesterday.
“We have fogged the area. We advise all residents who have fever or joint pains to seek medical attention and get their blood tested.”
Dr Chua said the disease could have been brought into the country by foreign workers.
He said no case was reported in the past two days and the country would be declared free of Chikungunya if no case was reported in the next one or two weeks.
Dr Chua also said the Health Ministry would set up a Health Promotion Board next month with an allocation of RM50mil to carry out various activities to promote a healthy lifestyle.
The board, he said, would be headed by a full-time chief executive officer and its members would include non-governmental organisation officials and professionals.
The man and five other family members had visited Bagan Panchor near Pantai Remis in Perak – which saw an outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease recently – and he developed a fever when they got home.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the man sought treatment at a clinic and was later admitted to a private hospital where he tested positive for the viral disease on Monday.
“However, there is no reason to panic because we have already taken all measures to ensure that the disease does not spread in the residential area in Skudai,” Dr Chua said after visiting the Kota Tinggi Hospital here yesterday.
“We have fogged the area. We advise all residents who have fever or joint pains to seek medical attention and get their blood tested.”
Dr Chua said the disease could have been brought into the country by foreign workers.
He said no case was reported in the past two days and the country would be declared free of Chikungunya if no case was reported in the next one or two weeks.
Dr Chua also said the Health Ministry would set up a Health Promotion Board next month with an allocation of RM50mil to carry out various activities to promote a healthy lifestyle.
The board, he said, would be headed by a full-time chief executive officer and its members would include non-governmental organisation officials and professionals.
New regulation on contact lenses
Star: PUTRAJAYA: Registered private optometrists now need to have the Photo Name Certificate before they can prescribe contact lenses.
The Health Ministry has set this condition in view of the rising cases of eye complications associated with contact lens usage.
Its director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Merican, who launched the certificate yesterday, said that of late there had been more cases of fungal keratitis corneal infection related to contact lens solutions.
The introduction of the PNC, which is issued free of charge, is also to curb bogus and illegal optometry practitioners, he said.
Dr Ismail said of the 2,661 registered optometrists, only 2,056 had renewed their Annual Practising Certificate.
“Those without the APC will not be penalised when they come forward to register for the PNC,” he said.
“But if they deal with contact lenses without having the PNC, then they will be held for contravening regulations.”
The laminated PNC has to be displayed on the wall of the optometrist’s premises and it will feature details on the optometrist’s scope of practice.
Dr Ismail said the suspension of Bausch&Lomb’s ReNu multi-purpose contact lens solution was still on indefinitely.
The Health Ministry has set this condition in view of the rising cases of eye complications associated with contact lens usage.
Its director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Merican, who launched the certificate yesterday, said that of late there had been more cases of fungal keratitis corneal infection related to contact lens solutions.
The introduction of the PNC, which is issued free of charge, is also to curb bogus and illegal optometry practitioners, he said.
Dr Ismail said of the 2,661 registered optometrists, only 2,056 had renewed their Annual Practising Certificate.
“Those without the APC will not be penalised when they come forward to register for the PNC,” he said.
“But if they deal with contact lenses without having the PNC, then they will be held for contravening regulations.”
The laminated PNC has to be displayed on the wall of the optometrist’s premises and it will feature details on the optometrist’s scope of practice.
Dr Ismail said the suspension of Bausch&Lomb’s ReNu multi-purpose contact lens solution was still on indefinitely.
Friday, April 07, 2006
Health Promotion Board For Active Lifestyle
KOTA TINGGI, April 7 (Bernama) -- The government had set aside RM50 million this year to promote healthy lifestyle among Malaysians as well as to help the local sports associations overcome their shortfall in revenue due to the ban on cigarette advertisements that started this year.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said Friday, the RM50 million funding came under the Ninth Malaysia Plan and a board, to be known as the Health Promotion Board, would be established to manage the fund.
"The ministry will select a full-time Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to manage the board. We will get inputs and views from the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Appointments will be made on his advice," he told reporters after visiting the Kota Tinggi Hospital.
Dr Chua said the board would ensure efforts at encouraging healthy lifestyle and discouraging unhealthy habits like the 'Tak Nak' anti-smoking campaign, were conducted effectively and efficiently.
The board would also help to sponsor sporting activities as well as cultural activities that used to get funding from cigarette advertisements, he said.
He said studies conducted by the ministry also showed that Malaysians who practised healthy lifestyles had not changed much over the past ten years.
Dr Chua said, in 1996, 13 per cent of Malaysians said that they underwent extensive exercise at least three times a week, and the figure had not changed when the Health Ministry conducted another study on the same topic in 2003.
He also cited the ministry's study which showed that the number of obese Malaysians had grown from 20 per cent in 1996 to 37 per cent in 2003, and currently there were three million Malaysians who were suffering from high blood pressure and 900,000 diabetic sufferers.
Meanwhile, Dr Chua's visit also brought cheers to the Kota Tinggi Hospital.
At the hospital, he not only instantly approved a RM200,000 allocation that was requested by the hospital director Dr Morni Atan for its emergency ward, but also said that the hospital would be receiving another RM25.3 million in the next five years.
The announcement drew applause from the hospital staff.
Dr Chua said that a total of RM9.7 million would be used to build two more new hospital buildings to house its specialist clinics while the rest would be used to upgrade as well as to renew hospital equipments.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said Friday, the RM50 million funding came under the Ninth Malaysia Plan and a board, to be known as the Health Promotion Board, would be established to manage the fund.
"The ministry will select a full-time Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to manage the board. We will get inputs and views from the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Appointments will be made on his advice," he told reporters after visiting the Kota Tinggi Hospital.
Dr Chua said the board would ensure efforts at encouraging healthy lifestyle and discouraging unhealthy habits like the 'Tak Nak' anti-smoking campaign, were conducted effectively and efficiently.
The board would also help to sponsor sporting activities as well as cultural activities that used to get funding from cigarette advertisements, he said.
He said studies conducted by the ministry also showed that Malaysians who practised healthy lifestyles had not changed much over the past ten years.
Dr Chua said, in 1996, 13 per cent of Malaysians said that they underwent extensive exercise at least three times a week, and the figure had not changed when the Health Ministry conducted another study on the same topic in 2003.
He also cited the ministry's study which showed that the number of obese Malaysians had grown from 20 per cent in 1996 to 37 per cent in 2003, and currently there were three million Malaysians who were suffering from high blood pressure and 900,000 diabetic sufferers.
Meanwhile, Dr Chua's visit also brought cheers to the Kota Tinggi Hospital.
At the hospital, he not only instantly approved a RM200,000 allocation that was requested by the hospital director Dr Morni Atan for its emergency ward, but also said that the hospital would be receiving another RM25.3 million in the next five years.
The announcement drew applause from the hospital staff.
Dr Chua said that a total of RM9.7 million would be used to build two more new hospital buildings to house its specialist clinics while the rest would be used to upgrade as well as to renew hospital equipments.
S'wak Reports 84 New Cases, Two Children Flown To Sibu Hospital
KUCHING, April 7 (Bernama) -- Sarawak has reported 84 new cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), including two children from Kapit, who were airflown to Sibu hospital for further treatment.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said Friday one of the HFMD patients was a five-month-old boy from Rh. Jampang in Nanga Banyan while the second one was a two-year-four-month old boy from Rh. Pius in Nanga Merit.
"They are not seriously ill but were referred to specialists in Sibu for further management of persistent fever after they were evacuated by air by a medical team on standby," he said in his daily HFMD updates here.
So far 8,117 children had been infected with the HFMD, which had claimed nine lives, including three cases confirmed to be Enterovirus 71 (EV71) positive, statewide, he said.
Dr Chan, who is the State Disaster and Relief Management Committee Chairman, said the one-year-seven-month-old girl, from Nanga Bena, Baleh also in Kapit, who was airlifted to Sibu yesterday was in stable condition.
On the daily HFMD updates, he said, 33 new admissions were reported today, compared to 20 yesterday, bringing the cumulative admissions to 1,427 since the outbreak was first detected in Sibu in February.
He said 53 HFMD patients were still in the wards, from 40 yesterday, with Sibu hospital having the highest number of 18 infected children followed by Miri hospital (nine), Sarikei and Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) here with seven each.
He said yesterday the Sarawak Health Department would not order any more kindergartens and child care centres to shut down as the spread of HFMD in the state had been contained.
The Active Surveillance Team from the department had also not detected any symptoms of the disease among any children, who returned on Monday after all pre-schools were reopened, he said.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said Friday one of the HFMD patients was a five-month-old boy from Rh. Jampang in Nanga Banyan while the second one was a two-year-four-month old boy from Rh. Pius in Nanga Merit.
"They are not seriously ill but were referred to specialists in Sibu for further management of persistent fever after they were evacuated by air by a medical team on standby," he said in his daily HFMD updates here.
So far 8,117 children had been infected with the HFMD, which had claimed nine lives, including three cases confirmed to be Enterovirus 71 (EV71) positive, statewide, he said.
Dr Chan, who is the State Disaster and Relief Management Committee Chairman, said the one-year-seven-month-old girl, from Nanga Bena, Baleh also in Kapit, who was airlifted to Sibu yesterday was in stable condition.
On the daily HFMD updates, he said, 33 new admissions were reported today, compared to 20 yesterday, bringing the cumulative admissions to 1,427 since the outbreak was first detected in Sibu in February.
He said 53 HFMD patients were still in the wards, from 40 yesterday, with Sibu hospital having the highest number of 18 infected children followed by Miri hospital (nine), Sarikei and Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) here with seven each.
He said yesterday the Sarawak Health Department would not order any more kindergartens and child care centres to shut down as the spread of HFMD in the state had been contained.
The Active Surveillance Team from the department had also not detected any symptoms of the disease among any children, who returned on Monday after all pre-schools were reopened, he said.
France honours virologist
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Lam Sai Kit, who discovered the Nipah virus, was conferred the Officier de l’Ordre National du Merite (National Order of Merit) by the French Embassy here last night.
The award Dr Lam received is one of the most prestigious honours conferred by the French Government.
Ipoh-born Dr Lam, 68, is one of the most influential figures in medical virology and despite having retired three years ago, is actively involved in his field as president of the Asia Pacific Society for Medical Virology.
He is also a member of the Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar) International Advisory Council and is working on forging links between Utar and France in the field of higher education.
After receiving the award from French Ambassador to Malaysia Alain du Boispean at his residence, Dr Lam gave a toast to his friends and family with “yam seng!” in Cantonese.
Du Boispean said: “Your prominent role in medical research and scientific cooperation, recognised worldwide, explains why the President of France decides to distinguish your valuable cooperation between the two countries.”
Dr Lam described as “very stressed” the long hours he spent at the high bio-safety laboratory when he worked to find solutions to fatal infectious viral diseases, especially when there was an outbreak. “This is because it was a life and death situation.”
On why he had stayed in the field, he said: “I enjoy my work. It’s worth risking (my) life because it’s for humanity.”
In 1997, an encephalitis outbreak occurred in Malaysia and many had thought it was Japanese Encephalitis but Dr Lam and Dr Chua Kaw Bing later isolated a new virus – Nipah.
Dr Lam has also contributed much to the discovery of EV 71 and echovirus 7 for the control of hand, foot and mouth disease and the Chikungunya virus as a cause of dengue-like illness with arthritis in 1998.
The award Dr Lam received is one of the most prestigious honours conferred by the French Government.
Ipoh-born Dr Lam, 68, is one of the most influential figures in medical virology and despite having retired three years ago, is actively involved in his field as president of the Asia Pacific Society for Medical Virology.
He is also a member of the Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar) International Advisory Council and is working on forging links between Utar and France in the field of higher education.
After receiving the award from French Ambassador to Malaysia Alain du Boispean at his residence, Dr Lam gave a toast to his friends and family with “yam seng!” in Cantonese.
Du Boispean said: “Your prominent role in medical research and scientific cooperation, recognised worldwide, explains why the President of France decides to distinguish your valuable cooperation between the two countries.”
Dr Lam described as “very stressed” the long hours he spent at the high bio-safety laboratory when he worked to find solutions to fatal infectious viral diseases, especially when there was an outbreak. “This is because it was a life and death situation.”
On why he had stayed in the field, he said: “I enjoy my work. It’s worth risking (my) life because it’s for humanity.”
In 1997, an encephalitis outbreak occurred in Malaysia and many had thought it was Japanese Encephalitis but Dr Lam and Dr Chua Kaw Bing later isolated a new virus – Nipah.
Dr Lam has also contributed much to the discovery of EV 71 and echovirus 7 for the control of hand, foot and mouth disease and the Chikungunya virus as a cause of dengue-like illness with arthritis in 1998.
Fight now turns to dengue
Star: KUCHING: Having contained the spread of the hand, foot and mouth (HFM) disease, the Sarawak health authorities are now battling dengue fever, which has claimed the lives of three adults recently.
Two women and a man are believed to have died of dengue haemorrhagic fever between March 12 and 16, said Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam.
They were from Kampung Baru Daro in Sibu, Sg Bakong in Miri, and Jalan Mahkamah Meradong in Sarikei.
He said the state recorded a big jump in the number of suspected dengue cases, at 580 (of which 110 were confirmed) so far this year compared with 1,411 (with five deaths) for the whole of last year.
Sarikei Division tops the list with 226 cases, followed by Kuching Division (166) and Miri Division (54).
“The trend is worrying,” Dr Chan told reporters at his office at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here yesterday.
He said the health authorities had stepped up enforcement and had inspected almost 92,000 premises for aedes breeding grounds.
The authorities had also carried out fogging in more than 63,500 premises.
On HFM, Dr Chan said there were 61 new cases and 20 hospital admissions yesterday.
Dr Chan said a 19-month-old girl was airlifted from Kapit hospital to Sibu hospital, but her condition was stable.
Two women and a man are believed to have died of dengue haemorrhagic fever between March 12 and 16, said Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam.
They were from Kampung Baru Daro in Sibu, Sg Bakong in Miri, and Jalan Mahkamah Meradong in Sarikei.
He said the state recorded a big jump in the number of suspected dengue cases, at 580 (of which 110 were confirmed) so far this year compared with 1,411 (with five deaths) for the whole of last year.
Sarikei Division tops the list with 226 cases, followed by Kuching Division (166) and Miri Division (54).
“The trend is worrying,” Dr Chan told reporters at his office at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here yesterday.
He said the health authorities had stepped up enforcement and had inspected almost 92,000 premises for aedes breeding grounds.
The authorities had also carried out fogging in more than 63,500 premises.
On HFM, Dr Chan said there were 61 new cases and 20 hospital admissions yesterday.
Dr Chan said a 19-month-old girl was airlifted from Kapit hospital to Sibu hospital, but her condition was stable.
Cuba’s cancer expert to arrive tomorrow
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: The plan for clinical trials here on a Cuban anti-cancer vaccine is moving ahead with Cuba despatching its top cancer research scientist here.
Dr Augustin Lage, who is director of Cuba’s famed Centre of Molecular Immunology, will arrive tomorrow to meet with Malaysian officials.
The centre has successfully developed cancer vaccines which mobilise the immune system to target malignant cells, as opposed to traditional treatments which target the cancerous cells themselves.
Cuban Ambassador to Malaysia Pedro Monzon Barata said tests by the centre on lung cancer patients had shown great success.
“The vaccine was used on terminally ill cancer patients with just months to live, and the drug was able to prolong their lives by several years. The patients were able to enjoy a better quality of life while under treatment,” he said.
Under an agreement signed with Cuba during Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s visit to Havana in November 2004, Malaysian company Bioven Holdings Sdn Bhd will team up with the centre to undertake clinical trials of the anti-cancer vaccine, which will also be produced here.
Cuban scientists are also working on a Hepatitis B vaccine and shrimp growth enhancement technology as agreed upon by the private sectors of both countries.
Barata said Cuban scientists and senior officials had been visiting Malaysia to follow up on the agreements reached during Abdullah’s visit.
The envoy also said the third Malaysia-Cuba Joint Commission Meeting held in Havana from Monday to Wednesday had provided both sides with an opportunity to review the progress in various areas of cooperation.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar led a 17-member delegation to the talks.
Dr Augustin Lage, who is director of Cuba’s famed Centre of Molecular Immunology, will arrive tomorrow to meet with Malaysian officials.
The centre has successfully developed cancer vaccines which mobilise the immune system to target malignant cells, as opposed to traditional treatments which target the cancerous cells themselves.
Cuban Ambassador to Malaysia Pedro Monzon Barata said tests by the centre on lung cancer patients had shown great success.
“The vaccine was used on terminally ill cancer patients with just months to live, and the drug was able to prolong their lives by several years. The patients were able to enjoy a better quality of life while under treatment,” he said.
Under an agreement signed with Cuba during Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s visit to Havana in November 2004, Malaysian company Bioven Holdings Sdn Bhd will team up with the centre to undertake clinical trials of the anti-cancer vaccine, which will also be produced here.
Cuban scientists are also working on a Hepatitis B vaccine and shrimp growth enhancement technology as agreed upon by the private sectors of both countries.
Barata said Cuban scientists and senior officials had been visiting Malaysia to follow up on the agreements reached during Abdullah’s visit.
The envoy also said the third Malaysia-Cuba Joint Commission Meeting held in Havana from Monday to Wednesday had provided both sides with an opportunity to review the progress in various areas of cooperation.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar led a 17-member delegation to the talks.
HFMD Contained, No More Kindergartens Closed
KUCHING, April 6 (Bernama) -- The Sarawak Health Department will not order any more kindergartens and child care centres to shut down as the spread of the hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in the state has been contained.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said Thursday the Active Surveillance Team from the department had not detected any symptoms of the disease among the children, who returned on Monday after all the pre-schools were reopened.
"We need not close any more of them as new HFMD cases reported in Sarawak has shown a declining trend," he told a news conference on the daily HFMD updates at his office in Petra Jaya here.
On March 3, the Health Ministry issued a directive to close down all kindergartens and other similar institutions as a preventive measure to curb the disease following the detection of the first HFMD case in Sibu in February.
Dr Chan, who is also the State Disaster and Relief Management Committee Chairman, said Sarawak reported 8,033 infected children so far, with 61 new cases detected Thursday compared to 114 Wednesday.
He said the one-year-seven-month-old girl, from Nanga Bena, Baleh in Kapit division, who was airlifted by a medical team to the Sibu hospital Thursday, was in stable condition.
Sarawak also reported 20 new admissions Thursday from 21 Wednesday, bringing the total number of children admitted to 1,394 so far, he said.
He said 40 HFMD patients were still in the wards, with Sibu hospital having the highest number of 12 infected children, followed by the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) here (seven) and Sarikei and Miri hospitals (six each).
Since the current outbreak was first detected in the state, he said Sibu division had also reported the highest cases, with 2,215, followed by Miri (1,213), Bintulu (1,003), Kuching (959), Sarikei (792) and Mukah (694), he said.
However, the death toll remained at nine, with three cases confirmed to Enterovirus 71 (EV71) positive so far.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said Thursday the Active Surveillance Team from the department had not detected any symptoms of the disease among the children, who returned on Monday after all the pre-schools were reopened.
"We need not close any more of them as new HFMD cases reported in Sarawak has shown a declining trend," he told a news conference on the daily HFMD updates at his office in Petra Jaya here.
On March 3, the Health Ministry issued a directive to close down all kindergartens and other similar institutions as a preventive measure to curb the disease following the detection of the first HFMD case in Sibu in February.
Dr Chan, who is also the State Disaster and Relief Management Committee Chairman, said Sarawak reported 8,033 infected children so far, with 61 new cases detected Thursday compared to 114 Wednesday.
He said the one-year-seven-month-old girl, from Nanga Bena, Baleh in Kapit division, who was airlifted by a medical team to the Sibu hospital Thursday, was in stable condition.
Sarawak also reported 20 new admissions Thursday from 21 Wednesday, bringing the total number of children admitted to 1,394 so far, he said.
He said 40 HFMD patients were still in the wards, with Sibu hospital having the highest number of 12 infected children, followed by the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) here (seven) and Sarikei and Miri hospitals (six each).
Since the current outbreak was first detected in the state, he said Sibu division had also reported the highest cases, with 2,215, followed by Miri (1,213), Bintulu (1,003), Kuching (959), Sarikei (792) and Mukah (694), he said.
However, the death toll remained at nine, with three cases confirmed to Enterovirus 71 (EV71) positive so far.
Malaysians paying a steep price for unhealthy living
BT: KUALA LUMPUR: Unhealthy lifestyle — from smoking and over-eating to lack of exercise — is taking its toll on Malaysians.
For years, the country has struggled to cope with the increasing incidence of lifestyle diseases such as cardiovascular illnesses, cancer and diabetes.
But the most effective answer lies within every Malaysian — change your habits.
People today are eating and smoking more and exercising less, and these habits are reasons why millions die every year from one of these diseases.
If global trends persist, 270 million Asians will die from chronic diseases between 2005 and 2015 and most from the low income bracket in countries like Indonesia, Pakistan, India and China, the AFP reports.
Last year’s figures show that more than 10,000 people in Malaysia died each year from diseases linked to hypertension like stroke, heart attack and renal failure, including about 6,000 deaths due to coronary heart disease.
Three million suffer from high cholesterol while another 2.1 million have diabetes.
Malaysia also has the most overweight and obese people in Asia, about 25 per cent.
Every day, about 110 Malaysians suffer a stroke, the country's third killer after cancer and heart attack. More than 40,000 new cancer cases are reported annually.
One in three Malaysians aged 30 and above suffers from hypertension while only six out of every 100 have their blood pressure under control.
The figures are daunting but is there an answer to this doom and gloom? Yes, says Dr Han Tieru, the World Health Organisation representative for Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore.
“Eat healthy, exercise and quit smoking. But it is important that we have to provide the right environment for people to do this,” he said in an interview at Wisma UN today.
For example, to persuade someone to give up smoking, he or she has to be in an environment where smoking is frowned upon.
“If everybody around them is okay with the fact that they smoke, it will not help them want to quit the habit. When you ban smoking from public places, it makes the smoker a little more conscious of the habit and that kind of environment will help you to quit,” he said.
“It is not purely a personal decision (to quit smoking, eat healthily or exercise more). We need policy and environmental support,” Dr Han said.
Compared to her neighbouring countries, Malaysia was doing “quite well” in tackling lifestyle diseases with the introduction of various policies, especially those that had been slated under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) that focused on developing human capital, he said.
This, he added, was in line with the theme of the World Health Day 2006, which falls today, titled “Working Together for Health”
The core message of the theme highlights the health workforce and how crucial it is to develop it.
While Malaysia has acknowledged its shortage of doctors and pharmacists, the problem is not only national, but remains a global one.
“There is a global shortage of four million doctors, nurses, midwives and dentists but the situation varies from country to country,” said Dr Han.
The good news is that Malaysia is on track to reach the 1:650 doctor-patient ratio goal by 2020. Figures in the 9MP show that as at last year, the doctor-patient ratio is 1:1,387 while the number of nurses has doubled from the year 2000 to 1: 594.
Among key messages of the World Health Day this year is towards generating enthusiasm, solidarity, support, commitment and most of all, action that aims to improve the working conditions, health and well-being of all who work for health.
“When we look at the manpower, investments in health, facilities and the country’s policies and strategies, Malaysia is in a good position,” he said.
Of course, while this does not mean we can take things easy, not with a global threat looming, efforts must continue to upgrade all aspects of healthcare in the country.
In Brunei, he said, there are aerobics classes tailored for women who want to exercise but not in a leotard, preferring instead to wear a baju kurung.
In Johor, there are community centres where housewives are taught how to cook healthy meals.
“These kind of community-based programmes are effective in changing people’s unhealthy lifestyle habits.”
For years, the country has struggled to cope with the increasing incidence of lifestyle diseases such as cardiovascular illnesses, cancer and diabetes.
But the most effective answer lies within every Malaysian — change your habits.
People today are eating and smoking more and exercising less, and these habits are reasons why millions die every year from one of these diseases.
If global trends persist, 270 million Asians will die from chronic diseases between 2005 and 2015 and most from the low income bracket in countries like Indonesia, Pakistan, India and China, the AFP reports.
Last year’s figures show that more than 10,000 people in Malaysia died each year from diseases linked to hypertension like stroke, heart attack and renal failure, including about 6,000 deaths due to coronary heart disease.
Three million suffer from high cholesterol while another 2.1 million have diabetes.
Malaysia also has the most overweight and obese people in Asia, about 25 per cent.
Every day, about 110 Malaysians suffer a stroke, the country's third killer after cancer and heart attack. More than 40,000 new cancer cases are reported annually.
One in three Malaysians aged 30 and above suffers from hypertension while only six out of every 100 have their blood pressure under control.
The figures are daunting but is there an answer to this doom and gloom? Yes, says Dr Han Tieru, the World Health Organisation representative for Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore.
“Eat healthy, exercise and quit smoking. But it is important that we have to provide the right environment for people to do this,” he said in an interview at Wisma UN today.
For example, to persuade someone to give up smoking, he or she has to be in an environment where smoking is frowned upon.
“If everybody around them is okay with the fact that they smoke, it will not help them want to quit the habit. When you ban smoking from public places, it makes the smoker a little more conscious of the habit and that kind of environment will help you to quit,” he said.
“It is not purely a personal decision (to quit smoking, eat healthily or exercise more). We need policy and environmental support,” Dr Han said.
Compared to her neighbouring countries, Malaysia was doing “quite well” in tackling lifestyle diseases with the introduction of various policies, especially those that had been slated under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) that focused on developing human capital, he said.
This, he added, was in line with the theme of the World Health Day 2006, which falls today, titled “Working Together for Health”
The core message of the theme highlights the health workforce and how crucial it is to develop it.
While Malaysia has acknowledged its shortage of doctors and pharmacists, the problem is not only national, but remains a global one.
“There is a global shortage of four million doctors, nurses, midwives and dentists but the situation varies from country to country,” said Dr Han.
The good news is that Malaysia is on track to reach the 1:650 doctor-patient ratio goal by 2020. Figures in the 9MP show that as at last year, the doctor-patient ratio is 1:1,387 while the number of nurses has doubled from the year 2000 to 1: 594.
Among key messages of the World Health Day this year is towards generating enthusiasm, solidarity, support, commitment and most of all, action that aims to improve the working conditions, health and well-being of all who work for health.
“When we look at the manpower, investments in health, facilities and the country’s policies and strategies, Malaysia is in a good position,” he said.
Of course, while this does not mean we can take things easy, not with a global threat looming, efforts must continue to upgrade all aspects of healthcare in the country.
In Brunei, he said, there are aerobics classes tailored for women who want to exercise but not in a leotard, preferring instead to wear a baju kurung.
In Johor, there are community centres where housewives are taught how to cook healthy meals.
“These kind of community-based programmes are effective in changing people’s unhealthy lifestyle habits.”
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Fatwa Committee Prefers Virtual Autopsy
SHAH ALAM, April 6 (Bernama) -- The National Fatwa Committee favours the virtual autopsy for Muslims as it doesn't involve physical incisions on the dead body.
Perak Mufti Datuk Seri Harussani Zakaria said the committee is still studying its feasibility before proclaiming an edict.
"We are still studying the method to see how far it corresponds to Islam that forbids the abuse of dead bodies and the feasibility of its implementation," he said at the National Fatwa Committee and the Media discussion programme here, Wednesday night.
Other than Harussani, the panel members were the Malaysian National News Agency's (Bernama) Editor in Chief Datuk Azman Ujang and Deputy Director (Operations) Islamic Development Department (Jakim) Datuk Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz.
The virtual autopsy method utilises the computerised CT Scan that eliminates the need for physical incisions on dead bodies to ascertain the cause of death.
Perak Mufti Datuk Seri Harussani Zakaria said the committee is still studying its feasibility before proclaiming an edict.
"We are still studying the method to see how far it corresponds to Islam that forbids the abuse of dead bodies and the feasibility of its implementation," he said at the National Fatwa Committee and the Media discussion programme here, Wednesday night.
Other than Harussani, the panel members were the Malaysian National News Agency's (Bernama) Editor in Chief Datuk Azman Ujang and Deputy Director (Operations) Islamic Development Department (Jakim) Datuk Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz.
The virtual autopsy method utilises the computerised CT Scan that eliminates the need for physical incisions on dead bodies to ascertain the cause of death.
Another HFMD case in Sibu
NST: One child has been confirmed to have contracted the hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) since kindergartens, pre-schools and day care centres reopened in Sarawak on Monday.
However, the pupil’s kindergarten in Sibu was not ordered closed.
There need to be two or more cases before a kindergarten is required to close, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said yesterday.
He said another kindergarten pupil suspected to have contracted the disease was sent home by the teachers, but a visit to the doctor confirmed it was not HFMD.
He said the Health Department would continue to visit kindergartens and pre- schools as part of the active detection drive and appealed to operators and teachers to assist health teams.
There are about 488 kindergartens and 534 pre-schools in the State.
Dr Chan said with the epidemic continuing its downtrend, the Health Department had been given discretionary powers to close kindergartens or schools where the disease had been detected.
He also said that while the epidemic may be under control, it was far from over.
New cases continue to be detected but the 114 cases reported in the last 24 hours up till 10am yesterday were far fewer than the daily average of 300 cases reported at the height of the epidemic.
However, the pupil’s kindergarten in Sibu was not ordered closed.
There need to be two or more cases before a kindergarten is required to close, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said yesterday.
He said another kindergarten pupil suspected to have contracted the disease was sent home by the teachers, but a visit to the doctor confirmed it was not HFMD.
He said the Health Department would continue to visit kindergartens and pre- schools as part of the active detection drive and appealed to operators and teachers to assist health teams.
There are about 488 kindergartens and 534 pre-schools in the State.
Dr Chan said with the epidemic continuing its downtrend, the Health Department had been given discretionary powers to close kindergartens or schools where the disease had been detected.
He also said that while the epidemic may be under control, it was far from over.
New cases continue to be detected but the 114 cases reported in the last 24 hours up till 10am yesterday were far fewer than the daily average of 300 cases reported at the height of the epidemic.
Vaccination For Poultry Rejected
PUTRAJAYA, April 5 (Bernama) -- The government has decided against vaccinating chickens and ducks to prevent infection by the H5N1 bird flu virus.
Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who announced this Wednesday, said the government would continue with the present measure of destroying all birds in an affected area as this was believed to be the best method to control an outbreak of the disease.
"The industry and government agree the best option is still culling and we have seen this is the most effective way," he told reporters after his ministry's post-Cabinet meeting, Wednesday.
Muhyiddin said scientists whom the government consulted and other local scientists also agreed with the opinion.
The suggestion to vaccinate all ducks and chickens reared either on commercial farms or by individuals was made during the recent outbreak of H5N1 bird flu in several states.
Muhyiddin said the poultry industry suffered about RM50 million in lost earnings due to cutbacks in imports by several countries because of the bird flu outbreak.
However, he said, the setback was expected to be temporary and demand was already picking up again.
He said the serious measures taken by the government and the industry to control the H5N1 outbreak gave confidence to consumers to buy poultry from this country.
Muhyiddin also said his ministry has set up a committee to monitor the implementation of its projects under the Ninth Malaysia Plan to ensure they proceeded on schedule.
Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who announced this Wednesday, said the government would continue with the present measure of destroying all birds in an affected area as this was believed to be the best method to control an outbreak of the disease.
"The industry and government agree the best option is still culling and we have seen this is the most effective way," he told reporters after his ministry's post-Cabinet meeting, Wednesday.
Muhyiddin said scientists whom the government consulted and other local scientists also agreed with the opinion.
The suggestion to vaccinate all ducks and chickens reared either on commercial farms or by individuals was made during the recent outbreak of H5N1 bird flu in several states.
Muhyiddin said the poultry industry suffered about RM50 million in lost earnings due to cutbacks in imports by several countries because of the bird flu outbreak.
However, he said, the setback was expected to be temporary and demand was already picking up again.
He said the serious measures taken by the government and the industry to control the H5N1 outbreak gave confidence to consumers to buy poultry from this country.
Muhyiddin also said his ministry has set up a committee to monitor the implementation of its projects under the Ninth Malaysia Plan to ensure they proceeded on schedule.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Take Heart With "Rakan IJN"
KUALA LUMPUR, April 5 (Bernama) -- Perhaps the most pressing question in the minds of heart patients counting the days before an operation at the National Heart Institute (IJN) is: "Am I going to die during the operation, or after?"
That question is the one most often asked, and it is completely understandable in such a situation.
But take heart you patients! A group has been formed, based on the realisation of this harsh reality, to try to ease the tension and instil courage in such patients. Called "Rakan IJN" (Friends of IJN), it extends its "therapy" before and after an operation.
Former Rakan IJN Chairman Ahmad Hassan said the voluntary group, in line with the slogan of the institute "We Light Up Your Heart", also helps to bring cheer and hope to the patients.
Ahmad said the group adopted its own approach by visiting the patients in the wards for light conversation aimed at dispelling tension and instilling positive thoughts and feelings which can calm them.
"This approach helps tremendously, and many patients said they would like to join us after the operation," he told Bernama at the launch of the association here recently.
Recollecting the group's formation in 1998, Ahmad, 71, said the idea was mooted by the then medical director of the institute, Tan Sri Dr Yahya Awang, who appointed Brig Gen (R) Adam Abu Bakar (now deceased) as its leader.
After eight years, the group's membership has increased and Ahmad felt it was time for the group to be registered.
The name, Rakan IJN, was changed to "Persatuan Rakan IJN Malaysia" (Rakan IJN Association of Malaysia) and it has become a legal entity after the registration.
With the membership now at 50, comprising former heart patients, their relatives and friends, staff of the institute and others, the association was now free to carry out various activities.
Association Chairman Datin Raja Zuraida Raja Mansur said the main aim of the association was to bring moral support to patients and their relatives or friends through counselling and emotional support based on their own experience as former patients.
"Besides providing a mobile library, we also provide recreation and advice on treatment based on the guidelines provided by doctors," she said.
Raja Zuraida, 41, is the wife of the chief surgeon at the institute, Datuk Dr Mohd Azhari Yakub.
She said the funds derived from the membership fees were used to buy toys for sick children and give as aid to other heart patients at the institute.
Information on the association's services and assistance is available at the Held Desk Service at the information counter at the institute's main entrance.
"Rakan IJN" is open to Malaysians 18 years and older and a RM10 fee is payable for registration, RM20 a year for ordinary members, RM100 for whole life members payable once, and RM20 for associate members.
That question is the one most often asked, and it is completely understandable in such a situation.
But take heart you patients! A group has been formed, based on the realisation of this harsh reality, to try to ease the tension and instil courage in such patients. Called "Rakan IJN" (Friends of IJN), it extends its "therapy" before and after an operation.
Former Rakan IJN Chairman Ahmad Hassan said the voluntary group, in line with the slogan of the institute "We Light Up Your Heart", also helps to bring cheer and hope to the patients.
Ahmad said the group adopted its own approach by visiting the patients in the wards for light conversation aimed at dispelling tension and instilling positive thoughts and feelings which can calm them.
"This approach helps tremendously, and many patients said they would like to join us after the operation," he told Bernama at the launch of the association here recently.
Recollecting the group's formation in 1998, Ahmad, 71, said the idea was mooted by the then medical director of the institute, Tan Sri Dr Yahya Awang, who appointed Brig Gen (R) Adam Abu Bakar (now deceased) as its leader.
After eight years, the group's membership has increased and Ahmad felt it was time for the group to be registered.
The name, Rakan IJN, was changed to "Persatuan Rakan IJN Malaysia" (Rakan IJN Association of Malaysia) and it has become a legal entity after the registration.
With the membership now at 50, comprising former heart patients, their relatives and friends, staff of the institute and others, the association was now free to carry out various activities.
Association Chairman Datin Raja Zuraida Raja Mansur said the main aim of the association was to bring moral support to patients and their relatives or friends through counselling and emotional support based on their own experience as former patients.
"Besides providing a mobile library, we also provide recreation and advice on treatment based on the guidelines provided by doctors," she said.
Raja Zuraida, 41, is the wife of the chief surgeon at the institute, Datuk Dr Mohd Azhari Yakub.
She said the funds derived from the membership fees were used to buy toys for sick children and give as aid to other heart patients at the institute.
Information on the association's services and assistance is available at the Held Desk Service at the information counter at the institute's main entrance.
"Rakan IJN" is open to Malaysians 18 years and older and a RM10 fee is payable for registration, RM20 a year for ordinary members, RM100 for whole life members payable once, and RM20 for associate members.
New Approach To Tackle HFMD Outbreak In Kindergartens And Childcare
KUCHING, April 5 (Bernama) -- The Sarawak Health Department will be flexible with kindergartens and childcare centre operators following the declining trend in the hand, foot and mouth Disease (HFMD) outbreak.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said that where previously a total closure was required if two or more suspected HFMD cases were detected in these establishments, now they would only have to close the affected classes.
As such, kindergartens and childcare centre operators should give their fullest cooperation to officers from the Sarawak Health Department when they come to their premises for their daily inspections, he told reporters here.
He said the daily inspections should not be viewed as a harassment but as a necessary precaution to avoid another serious outbreak this year.
He said none of the kindergartens that had re-opened since Monday had been re-closed despite one having a confirmed case.
"The confirmed HFMD case was reported in a kindergarten in Sibu but since it involved only one case, the kindergarten is still operational," he said.
Dr Chan said that despite the declining trend, the Sarawak Health Department would continue to monitor the kindergartens, childcare centres and schools in the state until the situation was under control or no more cases were reported.
As for HFMD updates, he said 21 new admissions were reported today compared with 15 yesterday and most of the case were in Miri, followed by Kuching and Sibu.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said that where previously a total closure was required if two or more suspected HFMD cases were detected in these establishments, now they would only have to close the affected classes.
As such, kindergartens and childcare centre operators should give their fullest cooperation to officers from the Sarawak Health Department when they come to their premises for their daily inspections, he told reporters here.
He said the daily inspections should not be viewed as a harassment but as a necessary precaution to avoid another serious outbreak this year.
He said none of the kindergartens that had re-opened since Monday had been re-closed despite one having a confirmed case.
"The confirmed HFMD case was reported in a kindergarten in Sibu but since it involved only one case, the kindergarten is still operational," he said.
Dr Chan said that despite the declining trend, the Sarawak Health Department would continue to monitor the kindergartens, childcare centres and schools in the state until the situation was under control or no more cases were reported.
As for HFMD updates, he said 21 new admissions were reported today compared with 15 yesterday and most of the case were in Miri, followed by Kuching and Sibu.
‘Kaki jab’ signs up for needle exchange
NST: Mat (not his real name) has been dropping in at a drug rehabilitation centre in Penang for the past month to pick up free needles and enjoy a hot meal.
The 42-year-old intravenous drug user has signed up for the HIV/AIDS "harm reduction" programme aimed at preventing the spread of the virus by exchanging syringes, distributing condoms and offering Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT).
Until the needle exchange, Mat had lost track of the many people he had shared his needles with. Now, he says, he is not sharing needles any more.
"I think this needle exchange programme is a good way of preventing the spread of HIV," says the Pulau Tikus resident.
"Many of my kaki jab buddies are dropping in at the centre to sign up for the programme," he says, adding that news of the drop-in centre was spreading fast on the island.
The pilot project has done well in the north and south and was launched without fanfare in Kuala Lumpur last week.
A Health Ministry source says the programme may also be introduced in Kelantan, Pahang and Perak later.
And the six-month Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT) programme, which was due to end next month, will now be extended until the end of the year since the RM3.2 million allocation will last until then.
Almost 290,000 drug addicts were registered from 1988 through last year, including 15,389 new cases last year. Most of them were men (98.2 per cent) and 67.3 per cent were Malays.
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) claims HIV/AIDS in Malaysia has reached epidemic proportions, with an estimated 81,000 Malaysians infected.
The ministry’s syringe exchange scheme started on a small scale last month, with 168 intravenous drug addicts and 42 drop-in centres in Penang and 150 at 10 centres in Johor Baru.
The response has been good so far, the Health Ministry official says: "Those selected are doing well and so far there has been no report of abuse or drop-outs."
The Malaysian AIDS Council has been given RM1.5 million for the project and other non-governmental organisations are helping out.
Meanwhile, 754 drug addicts have enrolled for the MMT programme which began last October. The official said this is "running smoothly without any hindrance".
Eight government hospitals, two health clinics and eight general practitioners are dispensing the oral drug substitute. The programme may be expanded by the third or fourth quarter of the year.
The 42-year-old intravenous drug user has signed up for the HIV/AIDS "harm reduction" programme aimed at preventing the spread of the virus by exchanging syringes, distributing condoms and offering Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT).
Until the needle exchange, Mat had lost track of the many people he had shared his needles with. Now, he says, he is not sharing needles any more.
"I think this needle exchange programme is a good way of preventing the spread of HIV," says the Pulau Tikus resident.
"Many of my kaki jab buddies are dropping in at the centre to sign up for the programme," he says, adding that news of the drop-in centre was spreading fast on the island.
The pilot project has done well in the north and south and was launched without fanfare in Kuala Lumpur last week.
A Health Ministry source says the programme may also be introduced in Kelantan, Pahang and Perak later.
And the six-month Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT) programme, which was due to end next month, will now be extended until the end of the year since the RM3.2 million allocation will last until then.
Almost 290,000 drug addicts were registered from 1988 through last year, including 15,389 new cases last year. Most of them were men (98.2 per cent) and 67.3 per cent were Malays.
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) claims HIV/AIDS in Malaysia has reached epidemic proportions, with an estimated 81,000 Malaysians infected.
The ministry’s syringe exchange scheme started on a small scale last month, with 168 intravenous drug addicts and 42 drop-in centres in Penang and 150 at 10 centres in Johor Baru.
The response has been good so far, the Health Ministry official says: "Those selected are doing well and so far there has been no report of abuse or drop-outs."
The Malaysian AIDS Council has been given RM1.5 million for the project and other non-governmental organisations are helping out.
Meanwhile, 754 drug addicts have enrolled for the MMT programme which began last October. The official said this is "running smoothly without any hindrance".
Eight government hospitals, two health clinics and eight general practitioners are dispensing the oral drug substitute. The programme may be expanded by the third or fourth quarter of the year.
No new avian flu cases
Star: PETALING JAYA: There has been no new cases of avian flu detected among birds nationwide, said Veterinary Services Department acting director-general Datuk Dr Mustapa Abdul Jalil.
“Everything is under control. There are no new cases of avian flu, not even in the previously affected areas in Penang and Perak”, he said when contacted yesterday.
Dr Mustapa said they had completed the active surveillance phase, and random sampling of birds nationwide turned up negative for the deadly H5N1 virus.
He said they would not relax on border control, however, but would continue with strict monitoring as the country has yet to be declared bird flu free.
“Also, birds from other areas are barred from being brought into Johor, Negri Sembilan and Malacca, as these three states have 160 accredited farms that are still allowed to export their chicken, ducks and eggs to Singapore,” he added.
Meanwhile, Health Ministry communicable disease control director Datuk Dr Ramlee Rahmat said all patients previously admitted after displaying bird flu-like symptoms had been discharged.
“There are no new cases of admission in the country. The last patient admitted was on March 28 and he has since been discharged.”
On the Chikungunya viral disease that hit the fishing village of Bagan Panchor near Pantai Remis in Perak, Dr Ramlee said four of the five patients admitted had been discharged. Some 200 residents had been diagnosed with the illness and given outpatient treatment.
“We are currently reducing the source of infection by conducting fogging and destroying the breeding ground of Aedes mosquitoes, which is the vector that carries the virus.”
“Everything is under control. There are no new cases of avian flu, not even in the previously affected areas in Penang and Perak”, he said when contacted yesterday.
Dr Mustapa said they had completed the active surveillance phase, and random sampling of birds nationwide turned up negative for the deadly H5N1 virus.
He said they would not relax on border control, however, but would continue with strict monitoring as the country has yet to be declared bird flu free.
“Also, birds from other areas are barred from being brought into Johor, Negri Sembilan and Malacca, as these three states have 160 accredited farms that are still allowed to export their chicken, ducks and eggs to Singapore,” he added.
Meanwhile, Health Ministry communicable disease control director Datuk Dr Ramlee Rahmat said all patients previously admitted after displaying bird flu-like symptoms had been discharged.
“There are no new cases of admission in the country. The last patient admitted was on March 28 and he has since been discharged.”
On the Chikungunya viral disease that hit the fishing village of Bagan Panchor near Pantai Remis in Perak, Dr Ramlee said four of the five patients admitted had been discharged. Some 200 residents had been diagnosed with the illness and given outpatient treatment.
“We are currently reducing the source of infection by conducting fogging and destroying the breeding ground of Aedes mosquitoes, which is the vector that carries the virus.”
Free tests for single mums
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Keeping single mothers in mind, Wanita MCA will conduct free mammogram and pap smear tests for them.
Wanita MCA chief Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen told a press conference: “This event aims to create awareness among women, especially single mothers, on the importance of regular medical check-ups, as well as educating them on breast and cervix cancer.”
Breast and cervix cancer afflict women on a large scale; the former the number one cancer killer of Malaysian women, and the latter the number two cancer killer among women worldwide.
Ng said cancer patients could achieve 100% recovery if the illness was detected early.
“Sometimes, single mothers neglect their health because they are too busy or the medical fees are too high. In such cases, treatments are delayed,” she said.
Ng added that the number of single mothers was on the rise and their ages were getting younger. Therefore, over the next two years, Wanita MCA will be focusing on various projects to help them.
“We want to provide as much support as possible for them in three areas, which are skills-building, parenting and information access,” she said.
“There are about 29,000 Chinese single mothers in Malaysia. We wish to provide platforms for them to meet and share ideas through single mother clubs nationwide.”
Ng also said that a mother-children camp would be organised to bridge the communication gap between single mothers and their children.
The free mammogram and pap smear tests, an effort under Wanita MCA Project Care, is jointly organised by the Wanita MCA Health Bureau, Wanita MCA’s Multi-purpose Training Centre and the National Cancer Society of Malaysia.
However, certain criteria have to be met. They are free for single mothers above 40 years old, with a monthly income of less than RM1,200 and who have never had mammogram and pap smear tests before.
It is on a first-come-first- served basis for 100 single mothers of all races. Therefore, early booking is required.
Comprising of three sessions – April 15, May 20 and June 24 (Saturdays, 9am onwards) – the tests will take place at the Women’s Cancer Detection & Breast Clinic, 66, Jln Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur.
Each session will cater for about 30 participants. For bookings, contact Wanita MCA Secretariat at 03-2161 8044 or Health Bureau Chief Gina Goh at 03-7726 5808 on weekdays from 10am to 5pm.
Wanita MCA chief Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen told a press conference: “This event aims to create awareness among women, especially single mothers, on the importance of regular medical check-ups, as well as educating them on breast and cervix cancer.”
Breast and cervix cancer afflict women on a large scale; the former the number one cancer killer of Malaysian women, and the latter the number two cancer killer among women worldwide.
Ng said cancer patients could achieve 100% recovery if the illness was detected early.
“Sometimes, single mothers neglect their health because they are too busy or the medical fees are too high. In such cases, treatments are delayed,” she said.
Ng added that the number of single mothers was on the rise and their ages were getting younger. Therefore, over the next two years, Wanita MCA will be focusing on various projects to help them.
“We want to provide as much support as possible for them in three areas, which are skills-building, parenting and information access,” she said.
“There are about 29,000 Chinese single mothers in Malaysia. We wish to provide platforms for them to meet and share ideas through single mother clubs nationwide.”
Ng also said that a mother-children camp would be organised to bridge the communication gap between single mothers and their children.
The free mammogram and pap smear tests, an effort under Wanita MCA Project Care, is jointly organised by the Wanita MCA Health Bureau, Wanita MCA’s Multi-purpose Training Centre and the National Cancer Society of Malaysia.
However, certain criteria have to be met. They are free for single mothers above 40 years old, with a monthly income of less than RM1,200 and who have never had mammogram and pap smear tests before.
It is on a first-come-first- served basis for 100 single mothers of all races. Therefore, early booking is required.
Comprising of three sessions – April 15, May 20 and June 24 (Saturdays, 9am onwards) – the tests will take place at the Women’s Cancer Detection & Breast Clinic, 66, Jln Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur.
Each session will cater for about 30 participants. For bookings, contact Wanita MCA Secretariat at 03-2161 8044 or Health Bureau Chief Gina Goh at 03-7726 5808 on weekdays from 10am to 5pm.
Lapses revealed in flu pandemic drill
NST: Several government agencies staged an influenza pandemic exercise to test their level of preparedness yesterday.
The result? Everyone generally performed well, except for several officers who fumbled with procedures, especially in executing the chain of command and in passing on information.
Health Ministry Disease Control Division director Datuk Dr Ramlee Rahmat said improvements could still be made.
"There are still some who are not familiar with the procedures, like knowing which committees to activate," he told newsmen invited to observe the "table-top" simulation, which rehearsed the "mental steps" in dealing with a pandemic.
There were around 50 participants from departments and units under the Health Ministry, Veterinary Services Department, National Security Division, Immigration, Customs, police, Defence Ministry, Fire and Rescue Department, and the Information, Education and Foreign Affairs ministries.
The three-hour exercise began with a staged "news broadcast" of bird flu outbreaks in China, Hong Kong and Vietnam.
With that information, the different groups were asked for their responses and plans of action, while Dr Ramlee observed and took notes.
The groups also went through simulations of different levels of pandemic alerts.
Level One of an inter-pandemic period occurs when the virus is detected in animals and the risk of human infection is still low.
Level Two is when the virus is spreading between animals and carries a higher risk of human infection. At this stage, animal and human surveillance must be heightened, anti-viral medication stockpiled, and risk communication and health contingency plans developed.
A Level Three pandemic alert is when the virus has been transmitted from animals to humans. This level calls for the "early strategic use" of anti-virals and isolation of humans infected. Contingency and communication plans must be executed.
Higher levels of alert deal with the human-to-human transmission of the virus and measures to contain or delay its spread.
The bird flu virus has been detected in isolated areas in the country but no human-to-human transmission has been reported.
The result? Everyone generally performed well, except for several officers who fumbled with procedures, especially in executing the chain of command and in passing on information.
Health Ministry Disease Control Division director Datuk Dr Ramlee Rahmat said improvements could still be made.
"There are still some who are not familiar with the procedures, like knowing which committees to activate," he told newsmen invited to observe the "table-top" simulation, which rehearsed the "mental steps" in dealing with a pandemic.
There were around 50 participants from departments and units under the Health Ministry, Veterinary Services Department, National Security Division, Immigration, Customs, police, Defence Ministry, Fire and Rescue Department, and the Information, Education and Foreign Affairs ministries.
The three-hour exercise began with a staged "news broadcast" of bird flu outbreaks in China, Hong Kong and Vietnam.
With that information, the different groups were asked for their responses and plans of action, while Dr Ramlee observed and took notes.
The groups also went through simulations of different levels of pandemic alerts.
Level One of an inter-pandemic period occurs when the virus is detected in animals and the risk of human infection is still low.
Level Two is when the virus is spreading between animals and carries a higher risk of human infection. At this stage, animal and human surveillance must be heightened, anti-viral medication stockpiled, and risk communication and health contingency plans developed.
A Level Three pandemic alert is when the virus has been transmitted from animals to humans. This level calls for the "early strategic use" of anti-virals and isolation of humans infected. Contingency and communication plans must be executed.
Higher levels of alert deal with the human-to-human transmission of the virus and measures to contain or delay its spread.
The bird flu virus has been detected in isolated areas in the country but no human-to-human transmission has been reported.
RM130 mil payout to Nipah virus victims
Malaysiakini: The government has been ordered to pay RM130 million in compensation to victims of the Nipah virus for mishandling the outbreak of the disease between September 1998 and May 1999.
Chikungunya Outbreak Confined To Bagan Panchor Village
KUALA LUMPUR, April 4 (Bernama) -- Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek, Tuesday said the outbreak of rare mosquito-borne disease, Chikungunya, has so far only been detected in Bagan Panchor village in Pantai Remis, Perak and has not spread to any other places in the country.
"It's still confined there, I hope it would be contained," he said.
Speaking to reporters at the sideline of the MCA leaders dialogue session with Chinese community leaders in Bukit Kiara, Dr Chua said the ministry had deployed two top experts -- virologist Dr Chua Kaw Beng and physician Dr Christopher Lee, to help the relevant authorities to contain the disease even it was not fatal.
Dr Chua Kaw Beng is a renowned virologist who has detected the Chikungunya outbreak in Port Klang six years ago where 27 people were infected with the disease. Chikungunya was first described in Tanzania, Africa in 1952.
Dr Chua said several measures to contain the outbreak, believed to be brought in by foreign workers, working in the area had been implemented.
A team has been sent to work with the local authorities there to clean up the villages as the area has been found to have very high aedes breeding index (27 per cent) compared to other areas where the index would be normally around one per cent.
Other measures included setting up a mobile clinic in the village to provide treatment for those infected while the serious cases would be transferred to Taiping Hospital, he said, adding that the ministry hoped to contain the outbreak in the next 10 days.
So far, 200 villages have been infected with the Chikungunya with five of them warded at Taiping Hospital. However, four of them had been discharged yesterday, leaving only one patient still being hospitalised.
Dr Chua also expressed disappointment with private clinics there for not reporting the outbreak of Chikungunya much earlier to the ministry.
He said the ministry was told that the outbreak had occurred much earlier -- after the Chinese New Year but none of the cases had been reported to the Health department.
"We have never been alerted until March 26 when one GP (General Practitioner) alerted us that he saw a lot of cases on the same day.
To the private doctors, "when they see a lot of patients with the same complaint, they should alert us that there is in-fact an epidemic. They should not keep quiet," he said.
Dr Chua said if the Chikungunya outbreak was not detected early, it could contribute to the massive outbreak as recorded on the French island of Re'union in the Indian Ocean where about 157,000 residents, of the total population of 777,000 have been hit by the virus.
The name Chikungunya is derived from Swahili "that which bends up", referring to stooped posture developed as a result of arthritic symptoms of the disease. The symptoms included fever, rashes, arthritis affecting multiple joints and headache.
"It's still confined there, I hope it would be contained," he said.
Speaking to reporters at the sideline of the MCA leaders dialogue session with Chinese community leaders in Bukit Kiara, Dr Chua said the ministry had deployed two top experts -- virologist Dr Chua Kaw Beng and physician Dr Christopher Lee, to help the relevant authorities to contain the disease even it was not fatal.
Dr Chua Kaw Beng is a renowned virologist who has detected the Chikungunya outbreak in Port Klang six years ago where 27 people were infected with the disease. Chikungunya was first described in Tanzania, Africa in 1952.
Dr Chua said several measures to contain the outbreak, believed to be brought in by foreign workers, working in the area had been implemented.
A team has been sent to work with the local authorities there to clean up the villages as the area has been found to have very high aedes breeding index (27 per cent) compared to other areas where the index would be normally around one per cent.
Other measures included setting up a mobile clinic in the village to provide treatment for those infected while the serious cases would be transferred to Taiping Hospital, he said, adding that the ministry hoped to contain the outbreak in the next 10 days.
So far, 200 villages have been infected with the Chikungunya with five of them warded at Taiping Hospital. However, four of them had been discharged yesterday, leaving only one patient still being hospitalised.
Dr Chua also expressed disappointment with private clinics there for not reporting the outbreak of Chikungunya much earlier to the ministry.
He said the ministry was told that the outbreak had occurred much earlier -- after the Chinese New Year but none of the cases had been reported to the Health department.
"We have never been alerted until March 26 when one GP (General Practitioner) alerted us that he saw a lot of cases on the same day.
To the private doctors, "when they see a lot of patients with the same complaint, they should alert us that there is in-fact an epidemic. They should not keep quiet," he said.
Dr Chua said if the Chikungunya outbreak was not detected early, it could contribute to the massive outbreak as recorded on the French island of Re'union in the Indian Ocean where about 157,000 residents, of the total population of 777,000 have been hit by the virus.
The name Chikungunya is derived from Swahili "that which bends up", referring to stooped posture developed as a result of arthritic symptoms of the disease. The symptoms included fever, rashes, arthritis affecting multiple joints and headache.
PM To Announce More Incentives For Biotech Companies, Says Dr Jamaludin
KUALA LUMPUR, April 4 (Bernama) -- The government is making available all the necessary funds and incentives to woo more companies and entrepreneurs to be involved in biotechnology, including those that may be announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi sometime in May or June.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis said Tuesday that many companies perceived biotechnology as a risky proposition and for this reason, the government would like to take measures to mitigate such risks.
"The prime minister will chair the National Biotechnology Implementation Council meeting and at that time, he will announce other financial incentives to reduce the risks for investors making a foray into the biotechnology industry," he told reporters after attending a briefing for exhibitors and participants of the BIO 2006 international biotechnology conference to be held in Chicago on April 9-12.
Dr Jamaludin said that some of the initiatives were already outlined in the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) which has set aside RM2.02 billion for biotechnology for the next five years.
He said that of this amount, RM100 million had been allocated for the biotechnology acquisition programme while another RM100 million was earmarked as biotechnology commercialisation fund which could be tapped by the companies involved.
"Let's suppose that to procure a particular technology costs RM5 million. The company can apply for some funds from us, we can consider, depending on how important the technology is. If the technology is so important for the nation, we can even finance up to 100 per cent.
"It will depend on the merit of the case, for example, how many jobs it can create later on. We will support them to minimise the technology risks," he said.
Dr Jamaludin said that besides the 9MP allocations, biotechnology companies could also source for funds from the RM1 billion Malaysian Life Sciences Capital Fund (MLSF) that had been set up by the government.
"We have RM100 million first and we are trying to get more money into the Life Sciences fund with the involvement of the private sector," he said.
The Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC), he said, was another avenue for companies to obtain biotechnology venture capital.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis said Tuesday that many companies perceived biotechnology as a risky proposition and for this reason, the government would like to take measures to mitigate such risks.
"The prime minister will chair the National Biotechnology Implementation Council meeting and at that time, he will announce other financial incentives to reduce the risks for investors making a foray into the biotechnology industry," he told reporters after attending a briefing for exhibitors and participants of the BIO 2006 international biotechnology conference to be held in Chicago on April 9-12.
Dr Jamaludin said that some of the initiatives were already outlined in the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) which has set aside RM2.02 billion for biotechnology for the next five years.
He said that of this amount, RM100 million had been allocated for the biotechnology acquisition programme while another RM100 million was earmarked as biotechnology commercialisation fund which could be tapped by the companies involved.
"Let's suppose that to procure a particular technology costs RM5 million. The company can apply for some funds from us, we can consider, depending on how important the technology is. If the technology is so important for the nation, we can even finance up to 100 per cent.
"It will depend on the merit of the case, for example, how many jobs it can create later on. We will support them to minimise the technology risks," he said.
Dr Jamaludin said that besides the 9MP allocations, biotechnology companies could also source for funds from the RM1 billion Malaysian Life Sciences Capital Fund (MLSF) that had been set up by the government.
"We have RM100 million first and we are trying to get more money into the Life Sciences fund with the involvement of the private sector," he said.
The Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC), he said, was another avenue for companies to obtain biotechnology venture capital.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Baby dies of HFM disease, death toll climbs to nine
The Star: KUCHING: A 15-month-old boy died of hand foot and mouth disease in the Miri Hospital at 2.30pm Tuesday, raising the death toll from the disease to nine.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said the toddler could have been saved if his parents had sent him to the hospital earlier.
He said the boy was already in serious condition when he was admitted.
A total of 129 new cases were reported Tuesday, bringing the cumulative figure of cases to 7,858.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said the toddler could have been saved if his parents had sent him to the hospital earlier.
He said the boy was already in serious condition when he was admitted.
A total of 129 new cases were reported Tuesday, bringing the cumulative figure of cases to 7,858.
Gombak Now Free Of H5N1 Virus
PENANG, April 4 (Bernama) -- The Gombak district can now be declared free of the bird flu after no new case of H5N1 virus was reported for the past month.
Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the area could be declared safe because the poultry samples tested were found to contain no bird flu virus.
However, the government had to wait from the standard report of the World Animal Health Organisation (OIE) to officially confirm that the area was really safe and free of the H5N1 virus, he told reporters after launching two tuna fishing boats belonging to Blue Ocean Fisheries Sdn Bhd and the International Tuna Wharf here.
The Gombak district was hit with the bird flu outbreak last month, followed by Perak and Penang.
Muhyiddin also said that the government was coordinating the payment of compensation to poultry farmers whose birds were culled to contain the disease.
Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the area could be declared safe because the poultry samples tested were found to contain no bird flu virus.
However, the government had to wait from the standard report of the World Animal Health Organisation (OIE) to officially confirm that the area was really safe and free of the H5N1 virus, he told reporters after launching two tuna fishing boats belonging to Blue Ocean Fisheries Sdn Bhd and the International Tuna Wharf here.
The Gombak district was hit with the bird flu outbreak last month, followed by Perak and Penang.
Muhyiddin also said that the government was coordinating the payment of compensation to poultry farmers whose birds were culled to contain the disease.
Eight More Residents Suspected Down With Chikungunya
PANTAI REMIS, April 3 (Bernama) -- Eight people in the fishing village of Bagan Panchur near here are suspected to be infected with Chikungunya, a rare mosquito-borne disease detected two weeks ago.
They were among more than 20 villagers who went for a medical check-up today.
Health Ministry Parliamentary Secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon said all of them had high fever but only two were sent to the Taiping Hospital for further treatment.
He said the health authorities had conducted medical checks on more than 200 residents in the village since last week and found only five suspected cases.
"Four have been discharged while the fifth is under observation for suspected dengue," he told reporters here.
Asked on the possibility of the disease being brought by foreigners working in the village, he said it could be one of the causes but added that it could also be due to the apathy of local residents towards cleanliness.
Lee said the Health Department had sent 25 samples for analysis since the disease was detected in the village.
They were among more than 20 villagers who went for a medical check-up today.
Health Ministry Parliamentary Secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon said all of them had high fever but only two were sent to the Taiping Hospital for further treatment.
He said the health authorities had conducted medical checks on more than 200 residents in the village since last week and found only five suspected cases.
"Four have been discharged while the fifth is under observation for suspected dengue," he told reporters here.
Asked on the possibility of the disease being brought by foreigners working in the village, he said it could be one of the causes but added that it could also be due to the apathy of local residents towards cleanliness.
Lee said the Health Department had sent 25 samples for analysis since the disease was detected in the village.
More Oncology Pharmacists Sent Overseas For Training
KUALA LUMPUR, April 3 (Bernama) -- The government plans to send more oncology pharmacists overseas through attachment training programmes to expose them to more options towards improving cancer patient care.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad said Monday the ministry had sent oncology pharmacists overseas, particularly Australia, through such programmes.
To date there were 15 hospitals providing oncology pharmacy service and at least 15 more sites would be established under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, he said at the opening of the 10th International Symposium on Oncology Pharmacy Practice (ISOPPX-2006 KL) here.
"Oncology pharmacy is one more area where pharmacists can play a direct role in patient management in collaboration with the oncology team towards better cancer care.
Besides being experts in cytotoxic drug reconstitution (CDR), pharmacists could utilise their knowledge in improving patient care, especially since cancer drugs were very toxic and patients suffered numerous side-effects from their use, he said.
Pharmacists could play a vital role in helping cancer patients to recognise potential side effects from their chemotherapy and thus enable them to cope and comply with their treatment, he added.
Cancer had been recognised to be the fourth leading cause of death in Malaysia and a serious national health issue, he said, adding that oncology pharmacy was one area where pharmacists could play a direct role in patient management in collaboration with the oncology team towards better cancer care.
He also said that the ministry would continue to ensure that appropriate and adequate facilities were built for the reconstitution of cytotoxic drugs that meet international standards and requirements, to ensure personnel and product protection.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad said Monday the ministry had sent oncology pharmacists overseas, particularly Australia, through such programmes.
To date there were 15 hospitals providing oncology pharmacy service and at least 15 more sites would be established under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, he said at the opening of the 10th International Symposium on Oncology Pharmacy Practice (ISOPPX-2006 KL) here.
"Oncology pharmacy is one more area where pharmacists can play a direct role in patient management in collaboration with the oncology team towards better cancer care.
Besides being experts in cytotoxic drug reconstitution (CDR), pharmacists could utilise their knowledge in improving patient care, especially since cancer drugs were very toxic and patients suffered numerous side-effects from their use, he said.
Pharmacists could play a vital role in helping cancer patients to recognise potential side effects from their chemotherapy and thus enable them to cope and comply with their treatment, he added.
Cancer had been recognised to be the fourth leading cause of death in Malaysia and a serious national health issue, he said, adding that oncology pharmacy was one area where pharmacists could play a direct role in patient management in collaboration with the oncology team towards better cancer care.
He also said that the ministry would continue to ensure that appropriate and adequate facilities were built for the reconstitution of cytotoxic drugs that meet international standards and requirements, to ensure personnel and product protection.
Monday, April 03, 2006
Gastric, Bowel Symptoms Survey In TTDI
KUALA LUMPUR, April 3 (Bernama) -- The Faculty of Medicine of Universiti Malaya is conducting a survey on gastric and bowel symptoms in Taman Tun Dr Ismail here until April 30.
The survey, funded by the Centre for Economic Development and Ethnic Relations, aims to collect data on the effects of bowel and gastric disorders which are believed to be increasingly common among Malaysians, said a statement issued by the university Monday.
It said the data from the survey could be utilised by the relevant authorities for budgeting and healthcare planning.
The survey, funded by the Centre for Economic Development and Ethnic Relations, aims to collect data on the effects of bowel and gastric disorders which are believed to be increasingly common among Malaysians, said a statement issued by the university Monday.
It said the data from the survey could be utilised by the relevant authorities for budgeting and healthcare planning.
State Health Department Orders Re-closure Of SK St John Medong
KUCHING, April 3 (Bernama) -- The Sarawak Health Department has ordered the re-closure of Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) St John Medong in Mukah Division effective Monday, following the detection of 10 new cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), barely a week after it was reopened.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said the school was among 17 primary schools throughout Sarawak which were re-opened on March 27 while another 33 schools were still closed.
Since the school re-opened, the health team had detected 10 new cases and to curb the transmission, the department closed down the school again, he told a news conference on the daily HFMD updates.
The ministry's policy is that any school with two or more infections within seven days will be ordered to shut down automatically for two weeks.
Dr Chan, who is also the State Disaster and Relief Management Committee chairman, said 46 new cases of HFMD were detected over the last 24 hours, including 10 cases in Bintulu, followed by Sarikei (seven), Sibu and Miri (six each), Mukah (five), Kapit (four) and the rest from other towns.
Although the HFMD outbreak had shown a declining trend in the state, the number of new cases reported in Samarahan and Sri Aman divisions had risen.
Dr Chan said that a total of 260 cumulative cases were reported in Samarahan and 143 in Sri Aman.
He said a 16-month-old boy was admitted to Miri Hospital's intensive care unit (ICU) last Saturday and was in critical condition.
To date, 7,729 children have been infected since the outbreak was detected in Sibu in February, with 19 new admissions and 45 patients still warded.
Eight deaths linked to HFMD have been reported so far with three confirmed to be due to EV71 while the remaining cases are still under investigation.
Dr Chan said the health department would also focus on active case detection in the 488 kindergartens and day-care centres and 534 pre-schools, which re-opened today.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said the school was among 17 primary schools throughout Sarawak which were re-opened on March 27 while another 33 schools were still closed.
Since the school re-opened, the health team had detected 10 new cases and to curb the transmission, the department closed down the school again, he told a news conference on the daily HFMD updates.
The ministry's policy is that any school with two or more infections within seven days will be ordered to shut down automatically for two weeks.
Dr Chan, who is also the State Disaster and Relief Management Committee chairman, said 46 new cases of HFMD were detected over the last 24 hours, including 10 cases in Bintulu, followed by Sarikei (seven), Sibu and Miri (six each), Mukah (five), Kapit (four) and the rest from other towns.
Although the HFMD outbreak had shown a declining trend in the state, the number of new cases reported in Samarahan and Sri Aman divisions had risen.
Dr Chan said that a total of 260 cumulative cases were reported in Samarahan and 143 in Sri Aman.
He said a 16-month-old boy was admitted to Miri Hospital's intensive care unit (ICU) last Saturday and was in critical condition.
To date, 7,729 children have been infected since the outbreak was detected in Sibu in February, with 19 new admissions and 45 patients still warded.
Eight deaths linked to HFMD have been reported so far with three confirmed to be due to EV71 while the remaining cases are still under investigation.
Dr Chan said the health department would also focus on active case detection in the 488 kindergartens and day-care centres and 534 pre-schools, which re-opened today.
"Pre-Hospital Care" To Handle Emergency Calls
KUALA LUMPUR, April 3 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry is developing a pre-hospital care service to handle emergency calls and provide treatment to patients before their arrival at hospitals, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latif Ahmad.
He said the purpose of the service, to be implemented under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP), among others, were to screen for genuine emergency calls and to advice clients.
"Pre-hospital care will be equipped with a sophisticated communication system and the operator will be someone with medical knowledge," he told reporters after opening a seminar on major incident management here Monday.
He said the service would also be introduced to overcome congestion at the emergency unit in hospitals since all diseases are referred to the unit.
Commenting on the seminar, Abdul Latif said it was the first to be held and in line with efforts by the government to improve its delivery system.
Participants at the two-day seminar included from the Fire and Rescue Department, the National Security Division, Red Crescent Society, Civil Defence Department (JPA3) and the Health Ministry's Disease Control Division.
He said workers manning the emergency units should have high skills and be able to perform their task efficiently as it involved a round-the-clock service.
"We need to have a standard procedure for all departments which offer emergency service in line with the government's aspiration to improve on its delivery system," he added.
He said the purpose of the service, to be implemented under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP), among others, were to screen for genuine emergency calls and to advice clients.
"Pre-hospital care will be equipped with a sophisticated communication system and the operator will be someone with medical knowledge," he told reporters after opening a seminar on major incident management here Monday.
He said the service would also be introduced to overcome congestion at the emergency unit in hospitals since all diseases are referred to the unit.
Commenting on the seminar, Abdul Latif said it was the first to be held and in line with efforts by the government to improve its delivery system.
Participants at the two-day seminar included from the Fire and Rescue Department, the National Security Division, Red Crescent Society, Civil Defence Department (JPA3) and the Health Ministry's Disease Control Division.
He said workers manning the emergency units should have high skills and be able to perform their task efficiently as it involved a round-the-clock service.
"We need to have a standard procedure for all departments which offer emergency service in line with the government's aspiration to improve on its delivery system," he added.
Blindness the price of a sweet tooth
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: Two cans of aerated drink for lunch daily was a recipe for disaster for Mohamad Ismail (not his real name).
The sweet liquid diet was convenient as the busy company executive did not have to leave his office to look for food.
The 47-year-old now wonders how he could have been so blind to the fact that excessive consumption of aerated drinks would affect his health.
Today, he is almost sightless, with limited vision in one eye. His active lifestyle has ended.
Three months ago he found himself unable to see through an eye and hardly able to make out anything with the other.
A visit to the Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia revealed the worst: Diabetes had silently, and irreversibly, ravaged his eyes.
Mohamad is among scores of Malaysians blinded by the high sugar content of aerated drinks. Doctors call it diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetic retinopathy is today the leading cause of blindness among Malaysian adults, with more than half of diabetics eventually losing their vision.
And the future looks increasingly bleak: About 12 per cent of adults (from eight per cent at present) are expected to become diabetics by 2010.
According to HUKM senior consultant specialist Prof Dr Muhaya Mohamad, the chances of a diabetic becoming blind is 25 times greater than for a non-diabetic person.
She said diabetes occurred when beta cells became exhausted and could not produce insulin.
"Too much sugar can exhaust the cell and that leads to diabetes," she said.
Health Ministry studies show that more than five million young Malaysians could become victims of diabetes, hypertension, heart ailments and stroke this year if they do not change their lifestyles, and eating and smoking habits.
By 2020, the figure will rise to 10 million.
Dr Muhaya said diabetics should be regularly referred to an ophthalmologist for a check-up.
"Many doctors do not refer their patients until they complain of a loss of vision," she said, adding that patients may have already suffered damage to the eye by then.
Patients with diabetic retinopathy generally receive laser treatment.
She advised diabetics to exercise good control over their blood sugar to keep blindness at bay.
Dr Muhaya said more young Malaysians were becoming diabetic due to unhealthy eating habits, including excessive intake of sugar.
"Exposing children early to aerated drinks is bad as they develop a sweet tooth. They may not appreciate water, which is the best drink."
The sweet liquid diet was convenient as the busy company executive did not have to leave his office to look for food.
The 47-year-old now wonders how he could have been so blind to the fact that excessive consumption of aerated drinks would affect his health.
Today, he is almost sightless, with limited vision in one eye. His active lifestyle has ended.
Three months ago he found himself unable to see through an eye and hardly able to make out anything with the other.
A visit to the Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia revealed the worst: Diabetes had silently, and irreversibly, ravaged his eyes.
Mohamad is among scores of Malaysians blinded by the high sugar content of aerated drinks. Doctors call it diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetic retinopathy is today the leading cause of blindness among Malaysian adults, with more than half of diabetics eventually losing their vision.
And the future looks increasingly bleak: About 12 per cent of adults (from eight per cent at present) are expected to become diabetics by 2010.
According to HUKM senior consultant specialist Prof Dr Muhaya Mohamad, the chances of a diabetic becoming blind is 25 times greater than for a non-diabetic person.
She said diabetes occurred when beta cells became exhausted and could not produce insulin.
"Too much sugar can exhaust the cell and that leads to diabetes," she said.
Health Ministry studies show that more than five million young Malaysians could become victims of diabetes, hypertension, heart ailments and stroke this year if they do not change their lifestyles, and eating and smoking habits.
By 2020, the figure will rise to 10 million.
Dr Muhaya said diabetics should be regularly referred to an ophthalmologist for a check-up.
"Many doctors do not refer their patients until they complain of a loss of vision," she said, adding that patients may have already suffered damage to the eye by then.
Patients with diabetic retinopathy generally receive laser treatment.
She advised diabetics to exercise good control over their blood sugar to keep blindness at bay.
Dr Muhaya said more young Malaysians were becoming diabetic due to unhealthy eating habits, including excessive intake of sugar.
"Exposing children early to aerated drinks is bad as they develop a sweet tooth. They may not appreciate water, which is the best drink."
Eye-Test Machine To Detect Addict Students
SHAH ALAM, April 2 (Bernama) -- A pioneer project using an eye-test machine to detect drug abuse among students will be carried out in a school in Kuala Lumpur next month to determine effectiveness of the method.
Deputy Education Minister Datuk Noh Omar said the machine, costing about RM200,000 a unit, could detect within 24 hours the type of drugs used.
He said the machine would enable more students to be tested for drug abuse and students identified to be trying with drugs could be sent for counselling and rehabilitation.
"Not that we want to find students to send them to rehabilitation centres but to counsel and rehabilitate them," he told a press conference held in conjunction with a dinner hosted by Pengasih Selangor here.
He said tests using the eye-test machine were aimed at rehabilitating student addicts instead of penalising them.
Students would be required to go for urine tests only if legal action was to be taken against them, he said.
Noh said some parents were unhappy with the random urine tests conducted in schools and the method was also costly, about RM9 per student.
Last year, urine tests were conducted on some 8,000 secondary school students. There are about three million secondary school students in the country.
According to media reports, 374 students were tested positive for drugs last year and this year, 65 students have been identified to be on drugs.
Deputy Education Minister Datuk Noh Omar said the machine, costing about RM200,000 a unit, could detect within 24 hours the type of drugs used.
He said the machine would enable more students to be tested for drug abuse and students identified to be trying with drugs could be sent for counselling and rehabilitation.
"Not that we want to find students to send them to rehabilitation centres but to counsel and rehabilitate them," he told a press conference held in conjunction with a dinner hosted by Pengasih Selangor here.
He said tests using the eye-test machine were aimed at rehabilitating student addicts instead of penalising them.
Students would be required to go for urine tests only if legal action was to be taken against them, he said.
Noh said some parents were unhappy with the random urine tests conducted in schools and the method was also costly, about RM9 per student.
Last year, urine tests were conducted on some 8,000 secondary school students. There are about three million secondary school students in the country.
According to media reports, 374 students were tested positive for drugs last year and this year, 65 students have been identified to be on drugs.
MBM Suggests More Training Institutions To Tackle Drug Abuse
KANGAR, April 2 (Bernama) - The Malaysian Youth Council Sunday suggested that the government builds more institutions of higher learning and vocational training to overcome the drug scourge among youths.
Its president, Datuk Seri Mohamad Khir Toyo believed that by having more of such institutions there would be more places for youths and this would prevent them from whiling away their time.
He added that in many cases, youths became hooked on drugs because they had so much time doing nothing.
"It can help overcome the drug problem if they were able to pursue education or sent for vocational training," he told a press conference at a youth programme here.
Mohamad Khir, who is the Selangor Menteri Besar, said studies revealed that the majority of the 260,000 drug addicts in the country were youths who failed to continue their education.
"This means that those who are unable to pursue education are more likely to be involved in drug abuse," he added.
Its president, Datuk Seri Mohamad Khir Toyo believed that by having more of such institutions there would be more places for youths and this would prevent them from whiling away their time.
He added that in many cases, youths became hooked on drugs because they had so much time doing nothing.
"It can help overcome the drug problem if they were able to pursue education or sent for vocational training," he told a press conference at a youth programme here.
Mohamad Khir, who is the Selangor Menteri Besar, said studies revealed that the majority of the 260,000 drug addicts in the country were youths who failed to continue their education.
"This means that those who are unable to pursue education are more likely to be involved in drug abuse," he added.
Sunday, April 02, 2006
Saving hearts
The Star:Concerned with the growing number of Malaysians suffering from heart diseases, the National Heart Association of Malaysia (NHAM), National Heart Foundation of Malaysia (NHF) and Pfizer has joined forces to create greater national awareness of heart health among the public.
One of the group’s first initiatives from the public-private partnership was the production of an education video compact disc (CD) on Heart Health which was jointly unveiled by the three organisations at a media briefing recently.
Produced in three languages, the 30-minute video CD aims to provide over 5,000 doctors nationwide a visual aid to raise awareness of heart diseases among their patients and empower them with information to care for their hearts. “We are happy with this collaboration between the public and private sector to support public education on heart disease. As doctors, our concern is primarily for the wellbeing of our patients, not only in treatment, but also in educating them on prevention of heart disease risk factors such as hypertension, high cholesterol and obesity among others.
“We hope that our patients will benefit from the video to further understand the implications of heart disease and start taking preventive measures to change their lifestyles now”, said Dr Ahmad Nizar Jamaludin, President of the National Heart Association of Malaysia.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Malaysia. The number of heart disease related cases in local hospitals have shown significant increase. In 2005, hypertension-related disease cases in hospitals rose to 38,445 compared to 32,886 in the year 2000. Other heart disease related cases amounted to 25,362 last year vs. 17,598 in 2000.
Today, 30% of Malaysians suffer from obesity, hypertension and high cholesterol while 8.5% suffer from diabetes, according to the Health Ministry. In calculating those percentages against the country’s population of 25 million, approximately 7.5 million people suffer from heart disease risk factors while 2.1 million are diabetic.
The increasing rate of cardiovascular diseases among the people continue to consume a large portion of the country’s healthcare budget and the Health Ministry has further allocated funds under the Ninth Malaysia Plan in a mission to bring down the incidences of heart disease risk factors such as hypertension, high cholesterol and obesity through health education and promotional activities.
According to Datuk Dr Khoo Kah Lin, Director of the National Heart Foundation of Malaysia and also President-elect of the Malaysian Medical Association, “Our investment in heart disease awareness programmes have been increasing annually as we believe that empowering the community with information and other resources will help them attain healthier lifestyles.
“We want the public to feel responsible for their health and we are confident that this education video on Heart Health will yet be another resource to learn about heart disease prevention.”
Despite mounting research and advances in treatment, Malaysians are not getting the message that heart diseases is claiming more lives and has become the leading cause of morbidity, if not mortality in the country.
“Our common goal is to save lives”, said John Latham, Managing Director of Pfizer Malaysia. “With a collaborative effort, we hope to make the society aware of the risk factors for heart disease and to motivate them – with the help of their health care professionals to take an active role in their heart health,” he added.
The education video CD on Heart Health produced by the three organisations with the contribution of cardiovascular experts is distributed through doctors who are registered with NHAM and participating clinics nationwide. To attain a copy of the video, individuals are encouraged to visit their nearest healthcare professionals or contact NHF at 03-2693 4709 from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Whiz kid’s name on herbal products
The Star:IPOH: Mathematics whiz kid Adi Putra Abdul Ghani now has a herbal health drink and capsule named after him.
A Kuala Kangsar-based herbal company making the products claims the move to use Adi Putra’s name on such products was with the consent of his father, Abdul Ghani Abdul Wahab.
But the 48-year-old Tenaga Nasional Bhd technician said he was not exploiting his son by allowing his name to be used by the company.
State Education director Muhammed Zakaria Mohd Noor said he was aware of the situation.
He urged parents to be wary of any claims made by such manufacturers.
“Parents must check if they are produced with the approval of the Health Ministry before buying such products,” he said after opening a bird museum at SM Kampung Pasir Puteh here yesterday.
He advised parents to not fall prey to unsubstantiated claims on the benefits of such products.
A Kuala Kangsar-based herbal company making the products claims the move to use Adi Putra’s name on such products was with the consent of his father, Abdul Ghani Abdul Wahab.
But the 48-year-old Tenaga Nasional Bhd technician said he was not exploiting his son by allowing his name to be used by the company.
State Education director Muhammed Zakaria Mohd Noor said he was aware of the situation.
He urged parents to be wary of any claims made by such manufacturers.
“Parents must check if they are produced with the approval of the Health Ministry before buying such products,” he said after opening a bird museum at SM Kampung Pasir Puteh here yesterday.
He advised parents to not fall prey to unsubstantiated claims on the benefits of such products.
Melaka To Have Eight Biotechnology Projects Under 9MP
MELAKA, April 1 (Bernama) -- The special RM2 billion allocation under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) for the development of biotechnology industry can help revive eight biotechnology projects proposed for the state.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Ali Rustam said the eight projects to be undertaken by the Melaka Biotechnology Corporation were stalled since the last three years due to the lack of funds.
"The state government proposed eight biotechnology projects to the federal government. I hope the allocation for the projects can be approved," he told reporters after officiating a medical seminar on stroke and the launching of the Melaka Stroke Foundation at Seri Negeri, Ayer Keroh, near here, Saturday.
Mohamed Ali said the allocation for the projects can be provided in the form of loan, grant and venture capital.
"We have projects in mind that can bring in revenue through research and development (R&D)," he said.
He said the government should also use the R&D allocation for biotechnology to reduce the overall cost of projects.
"If the government utilises the R&D allocation, more projects can be launched as we have many research in the universities but never commercialised ...," he said.
He said its a long road in developing biotechnology as it involves intensive research and financial resources.
Mohamed Ali said the government's effort in introducing special allocation for R&D under the 9MP will help develop the biotechnology field effectively.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Ali Rustam said the eight projects to be undertaken by the Melaka Biotechnology Corporation were stalled since the last three years due to the lack of funds.
"The state government proposed eight biotechnology projects to the federal government. I hope the allocation for the projects can be approved," he told reporters after officiating a medical seminar on stroke and the launching of the Melaka Stroke Foundation at Seri Negeri, Ayer Keroh, near here, Saturday.
Mohamed Ali said the allocation for the projects can be provided in the form of loan, grant and venture capital.
"We have projects in mind that can bring in revenue through research and development (R&D)," he said.
He said the government should also use the R&D allocation for biotechnology to reduce the overall cost of projects.
"If the government utilises the R&D allocation, more projects can be launched as we have many research in the universities but never commercialised ...," he said.
He said its a long road in developing biotechnology as it involves intensive research and financial resources.
Mohamed Ali said the government's effort in introducing special allocation for R&D under the 9MP will help develop the biotechnology field effectively.
Downtrend In Sarawak HFMD Cases
KUCHING, April 1 (Bernama) -- New hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases in Sarawak have been trending downwards in the last few days, with 121 cases Saturday compared to 148 yesterday and 163 on Thursday.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said most of the new cases were reported in Kuching (29), Sibu (16), Miri (16), Samarahan (15), Bintulu (15) and Sri Aman (13).
No serious case was reported since last week, he said in his daily update on the outbreak.
The accumulated number of HFMD cases in Sarawak since the disease was detected in early February stood at 7,628.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said most of the new cases were reported in Kuching (29), Sibu (16), Miri (16), Samarahan (15), Bintulu (15) and Sri Aman (13).
No serious case was reported since last week, he said in his daily update on the outbreak.
The accumulated number of HFMD cases in Sarawak since the disease was detected in early February stood at 7,628.
NCPRC To Improve Health Crisis Management
KUALA LUMPUR, April 1 (Bernama) -- The establishment of the National Crisis (Health) Preparedness and Response Centre (NCPRC) under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) will help the Ministry of Health to strengthen and increase its level of preparedness in terms of health crisis and disaster management.
Health Ministry's Communicable Disease Control Director Datuk Dr Ramlee Rahmat said the establishment of NCPRC, which would be extended to the state and district levels, would also assist the ministry in developing strategies to address public health issues and rehabilitation in the event of disasters.
"We would be able to have rapid information, rapid response and rapid action in any crisis," he said.
The NCPRC would be set up at the Ministry of Health premises in Putrajaya. Currently, the ministry has a small operation centre to deal with all information and monitor any disease outbreak in the country through their health department in the various states.
"However, with the NCPRC, we would have proper funding and allocation to run the centre throughout the country, as well as complement the National Operations Centre at the National Security Division in the Prime Minister's Department," he said.
However, Dr Ramlee said the NCPRC comprised mainly the staff of the Ministry of Health as it was an internal organisation at the ministry's level to deal with the health crisis and disaster management in the country.
"The centre will coordinate all health related activities in the event of a crisis to ensure effective and immediate response, including coordination with international organisations, NGOs and the private sector," he said.
Expressing happiness that the NCPRC project would finally take off with firm commitment from the government, Dr Ramlee said the establishment of the centre would be another milestone for the country in its plan to have better and rapid response on any health crisis management.
Health Ministry's Communicable Disease Control Director Datuk Dr Ramlee Rahmat said the establishment of NCPRC, which would be extended to the state and district levels, would also assist the ministry in developing strategies to address public health issues and rehabilitation in the event of disasters.
"We would be able to have rapid information, rapid response and rapid action in any crisis," he said.
The NCPRC would be set up at the Ministry of Health premises in Putrajaya. Currently, the ministry has a small operation centre to deal with all information and monitor any disease outbreak in the country through their health department in the various states.
"However, with the NCPRC, we would have proper funding and allocation to run the centre throughout the country, as well as complement the National Operations Centre at the National Security Division in the Prime Minister's Department," he said.
However, Dr Ramlee said the NCPRC comprised mainly the staff of the Ministry of Health as it was an internal organisation at the ministry's level to deal with the health crisis and disaster management in the country.
"The centre will coordinate all health related activities in the event of a crisis to ensure effective and immediate response, including coordination with international organisations, NGOs and the private sector," he said.
Expressing happiness that the NCPRC project would finally take off with firm commitment from the government, Dr Ramlee said the establishment of the centre would be another milestone for the country in its plan to have better and rapid response on any health crisis management.
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Govt rules out vaccination of domestic fowl
Sun2Surf : KUALA LUMPUR: The government has ruled out the suggestion of vaccinating domestic fowl as a measure to prevent the spread of H5N1 bird-flu virus.
Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the ministry had consulted veterinary specialists and found that culling was still the best way of containing the spread of the disease.
He said some people may think the poultry industry would suffer heavy loses as a result of the culling, but noted that vaccination was no guarantee that the poultry would not contract the disease.
Asked whether the ministry would subsidise farmers who wish to vaccinate their poultry, Muhyiddin told reporters that since the ministry did not support vaccination, no subsidies would be given.
He also said although no new cases were reported by the Veterinary Research Institute, active surveillance was still being conducted in bird-flu hit states such as Perak and Penang.
"Surveillance has been conducted in Gombak for the past one month.
"No more new cases are reported there and the tests on birds also showed negative. The situation in the affected areas is improving," he said.
Asked about Singapore's ban on poultry from Selangor, now that Gombak is now free from bird-flu, Muhyiddin said the ministry has talked to the Singapore government, which promised that the republic would continue to import poultry from the state when the area was deemed safe.
"The Singapore government needs a one-month window period to see if the area is really safe. Then they will lift the ban.
"They are still importing our poultry from unaffected states like Johor, Melaka and Negeri Sembilan," he added.
Meanwhile, in Putrajaya, Veterinary Services Department director-general Datuk Dr Mustapa Jalil said no laboratory reports have been received so far from the department in Negeri Sembilan about the three chickens found dead in a poultry farm in Lenggeng on Wednesday.
Big boost for rural healthcare
Malaysiakini: The rural health services will be getting a RM2.027 billion impetus under the 9MP, doubling the amount of the previous plan.
The amount forms 20 percent of the total expenditure for the health sector under the 9MP, scheduled to run from 2006 to 2010.
The 9MP report, released today, revealed that three less developed states such as Sabah, Sarawak and Terengganu, are still lagging far behind in terms of doctor-population ratio, as of 2005.
As such, the 9MP hopes to further improve the ‘tele-consultation’ services to allow specialist services for the rural population, especially those in Sabah and Sarawak.
More money will also be channeled to financing additional and improved accommodation facilities for healthcare givers in rural and remote areas.
Furthermore, the implementation of the ‘water supply and environmental health programme’ will be continued, whereby “provisions of sanitary latrines, safe water, proper sullage and solid waste disposal systems will be expanded for the benefit of the rural population”.
Health financing scheme
The report describes the impending implementation of the National Health Financing Scheme as a mechanism to “enhance accessibility and equity” for the public.
“In doing so, the mechanism will encourage greater flexibility and freedom of choice in obtaining care from both the private and public sectors.
“In addition, the Government will continue to ensure that no one is denied access to health care,” read point 20.77 of the report.
The amount forms 20 percent of the total expenditure for the health sector under the 9MP, scheduled to run from 2006 to 2010.
The 9MP report, released today, revealed that three less developed states such as Sabah, Sarawak and Terengganu, are still lagging far behind in terms of doctor-population ratio, as of 2005.
As such, the 9MP hopes to further improve the ‘tele-consultation’ services to allow specialist services for the rural population, especially those in Sabah and Sarawak.
More money will also be channeled to financing additional and improved accommodation facilities for healthcare givers in rural and remote areas.
Furthermore, the implementation of the ‘water supply and environmental health programme’ will be continued, whereby “provisions of sanitary latrines, safe water, proper sullage and solid waste disposal systems will be expanded for the benefit of the rural population”.
Health financing scheme
The report describes the impending implementation of the National Health Financing Scheme as a mechanism to “enhance accessibility and equity” for the public.
“In doing so, the mechanism will encourage greater flexibility and freedom of choice in obtaining care from both the private and public sectors.
“In addition, the Government will continue to ensure that no one is denied access to health care,” read point 20.77 of the report.
Public banking on proposed medical scheme
The Star: THE introduction of the National Health Financing scheme under the Ninth Malaysian Plan is a great benefit for Malaysians who do not have medical insurance.
With a mechanism similar to the EPF, a percentage will be deducted from a working person’s salary and channelled to the health scheme. Contributors can then apply for coverage under the scheme when seeking treatment at hospitals.
Azizah Md Kasah, 25, said there should be transparency so that the public will know how the funds will be disbursed.
The administration assistant also hopes that, for married couples, only one spouse needs to contribute.Kamarul Azmy Safarudin, 34, felt that higher allocations should be given to building more hospitals and clinics.
“The facilities are still insufficient judging from the long queues at general hospitals. The public healthcare services can’t fulfil the public’s needs,” said the private assistant for lawyers.
Sales personnel Azahari Shahari is all for the scheme.
“The Government can deduct from my income as long as the funds are kept for my healthcare,” the 42-year-old said.
On the Government’s move to enhance the public service delivery system by reducing red tape, Azahari said it was a long overdue move.
“I had to wait from 6.30am till 11am just to apply for MyKad. Then two months before I could collect it. Two months is way too long,” he said.
University student Chong Wyxiang, 18, said: “In the end it depends on the attitude of the people serving the public. If they are unmotivated, things will be the same.”
Retired lecturer Angela Jessie, 57, said any plan to improve the delivery system should include more transparency in local authorities, to ensure that benefits reach all citizens and not just “the ones on top”.
The oft-criticised public transport system will be getting a substantial amount to extend the LRT and Komuter services.
“I hope the Government gets it right this time,” said general manager Lim Moon Hing, 54.
As for 39-year-old event organiser Adrian Danker, he hopes that whatever grand plans the Government has must not just be seen, but also be felt by the people.
He urged the Government to double efforts to bring home the “brains” of Malaysia so that they can do their part for the country.
With a mechanism similar to the EPF, a percentage will be deducted from a working person’s salary and channelled to the health scheme. Contributors can then apply for coverage under the scheme when seeking treatment at hospitals.
Azizah Md Kasah, 25, said there should be transparency so that the public will know how the funds will be disbursed.
The administration assistant also hopes that, for married couples, only one spouse needs to contribute.Kamarul Azmy Safarudin, 34, felt that higher allocations should be given to building more hospitals and clinics.
“The facilities are still insufficient judging from the long queues at general hospitals. The public healthcare services can’t fulfil the public’s needs,” said the private assistant for lawyers.
Sales personnel Azahari Shahari is all for the scheme.
“The Government can deduct from my income as long as the funds are kept for my healthcare,” the 42-year-old said.
On the Government’s move to enhance the public service delivery system by reducing red tape, Azahari said it was a long overdue move.
“I had to wait from 6.30am till 11am just to apply for MyKad. Then two months before I could collect it. Two months is way too long,” he said.
University student Chong Wyxiang, 18, said: “In the end it depends on the attitude of the people serving the public. If they are unmotivated, things will be the same.”
Retired lecturer Angela Jessie, 57, said any plan to improve the delivery system should include more transparency in local authorities, to ensure that benefits reach all citizens and not just “the ones on top”.
The oft-criticised public transport system will be getting a substantial amount to extend the LRT and Komuter services.
“I hope the Government gets it right this time,” said general manager Lim Moon Hing, 54.
As for 39-year-old event organiser Adrian Danker, he hopes that whatever grand plans the Government has must not just be seen, but also be felt by the people.
He urged the Government to double efforts to bring home the “brains” of Malaysia so that they can do their part for the country.
Three new institutes
The Star: THREE medical institutes namely the National Institute for Cancer at Hospital Putrajaya, a National Forensic Institute and the National Institute for Oral Health are in the pipeline under the 9MP.
Regional centres for the management of infectious diseases will also be established, along with hospitals for women and children, and people suffering from chronic and terminal illnesses.
Underused medical facilities will also be optimised, by using hospitals with low-bed occupancy for patients suffering from chronic and terminal illnesses as well as those requiring rehabilitation.
Palliative centres, day care centres and halfway houses for mental patients will also be set up at these facilities.
The National Medicine Policy will be formulated to promote the rational use of safe and affordable drugs.
Consumer education on pharmaceuticals will also be increased via online information websites, awareness campaigns and increased involvement from pharmacists in in-patient care.
The private and public sectors are also expected to cooperate in the outsourcing of medical services, provision of services in public facilities by private practitioners, leasing of public facilities to private practitioners as well as collaborating with private medical institutions, will all be undertaken.
Malaysia will also be promoting health tourism by developing a package of services including traditional and complementary medicine (T/CM), spas and cosmetics services at popular tourist destinations.
Health promotion activities will be marketed to attract more tourists.
Malaysians can expect the shortage of medical and health personnel in the country to be addressed under the 9MP as RM1bill has been allocated to improve human resource development.
Regional centres for the management of infectious diseases will also be established, along with hospitals for women and children, and people suffering from chronic and terminal illnesses.
Underused medical facilities will also be optimised, by using hospitals with low-bed occupancy for patients suffering from chronic and terminal illnesses as well as those requiring rehabilitation.
Palliative centres, day care centres and halfway houses for mental patients will also be set up at these facilities.
The National Medicine Policy will be formulated to promote the rational use of safe and affordable drugs.
Consumer education on pharmaceuticals will also be increased via online information websites, awareness campaigns and increased involvement from pharmacists in in-patient care.
The private and public sectors are also expected to cooperate in the outsourcing of medical services, provision of services in public facilities by private practitioners, leasing of public facilities to private practitioners as well as collaborating with private medical institutions, will all be undertaken.
Malaysia will also be promoting health tourism by developing a package of services including traditional and complementary medicine (T/CM), spas and cosmetics services at popular tourist destinations.
Health promotion activities will be marketed to attract more tourists.
Malaysians can expect the shortage of medical and health personnel in the country to be addressed under the 9MP as RM1bill has been allocated to improve human resource development.
Getting to the heart of the problem
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: A National Cardiovascular Disease Database (NCVD) has been established and the information collected will be useful to prevent and control heart disease.
NCVD chairman Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian said patient information, such as demographic profiles, types of disease and treatments will be kept confidential. However, the database is not meant to be a medical record.
“The online database was initiated by the National Heart Association of Malaysia and it should give a clearer picture of what the situation is nationwide,” he said when launching the database at the association's 10th Annual Scientific Meeting yesterday.
“It will also allow doctors to record the treatment given to their patients and compare that with (treatments given in) the rest of the country,” he said.
“Right now, the only database we have on cardio disease is the Health Ministry's but, because it is heavily biased towards government hospitals, the information is not sufficient.”
Cardiovascular diseases are the number one killer in Malaysia and worldwide, accounting for 16.7 million deaths per year around the globe.
“For now, we want to focus only on Acute Coronary Syndrome, or more commonly known as heart attack, before we start looking into other areas of cardio diseases. It is impossible to register so many areas all at once,” he added.
In January and February this year, Prof Sim ran a pilot test with six hospitals and got 600 patients to register.
“We want all parties including private practitioners, universities and the armed forces to be involved,” Prof Sim said.
Medical practitioners who want to register can contact the NCVD at the Clinical Research Centre in Kuala Lumpur Hospital at 03-2692 4249 or 03-2698 0310, or go to www.acrm.org.my/ncvd
NCVD chairman Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian said patient information, such as demographic profiles, types of disease and treatments will be kept confidential. However, the database is not meant to be a medical record.
“The online database was initiated by the National Heart Association of Malaysia and it should give a clearer picture of what the situation is nationwide,” he said when launching the database at the association's 10th Annual Scientific Meeting yesterday.
“It will also allow doctors to record the treatment given to their patients and compare that with (treatments given in) the rest of the country,” he said.
“Right now, the only database we have on cardio disease is the Health Ministry's but, because it is heavily biased towards government hospitals, the information is not sufficient.”
Cardiovascular diseases are the number one killer in Malaysia and worldwide, accounting for 16.7 million deaths per year around the globe.
“For now, we want to focus only on Acute Coronary Syndrome, or more commonly known as heart attack, before we start looking into other areas of cardio diseases. It is impossible to register so many areas all at once,” he added.
In January and February this year, Prof Sim ran a pilot test with six hospitals and got 600 patients to register.
“We want all parties including private practitioners, universities and the armed forces to be involved,” Prof Sim said.
Medical practitioners who want to register can contact the NCVD at the Clinical Research Centre in Kuala Lumpur Hospital at 03-2692 4249 or 03-2698 0310, or go to www.acrm.org.my/ncvd
Incentives To Promote Biotechnology Development
KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (Bernama) -- A comprehensive funding structure and financial incentives will be put in place to address the gaps in financing for biotechnology projects under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP).
During the 9MP period, an allocation of RM2.0 billion will be provided for biotechnology development, with 45.9 percent for physical infrastructure development and the remaining 54.1 percent for soft infrastructure development.
Emphasis will be placed on research and development (R&D) and commercialisation, strategic technology acquisition, business and entrepreneurship development as well as the building of the requisite infrastructure, according to the 9MP report released today by the Economic Planning Unit of the Prime Minister's Department.
In this regard, the public sector will complement private sector financing and investment efforts, including a number of programmes to improve access to financing by the private sector.
Funding for R&D in biotechnology will be proided through existing sources as well as new funds such as the ScienceFund and TechnoFund.
To complement these sources, a dedicated Biotechnology Commercialisation Fund with an allocation of RM100 million will be set up to provide matching grants to R&D companies or companies conducting in-house R&D.
Biotechnology projects are confronted with issues such as high risk, long gestation period, substantial upfront investment and stringent regulatory compliance and in transforming it into a vibrant one, access to financing across the entire chain will be the critical factor for success, the report said.
The objective of biotechnology development during the 9MP period will be to harvest its potential as a growing source of wealth creation and enhance applications on biotechnology in various sectors of the economy.
By 2010, the target will be to at least double the number of biotechnology and biotechnology related companies to 400.
Concerted efforts will be geared towards the implementation of the National Biotechnology Policy, which was launched in 2005, to generate new sources of growth in agriculture, healthcare and industrial biotechnology as well as bioinformatics.
In this regard, the promotion of foreign and domestic investments and close collaboration with foreign entities to access new technology, expertise and markets will be intensified by the Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation.
A new approach, namely BioNexus which leverages on the strengths of existing institutions along with parallel development in industries, will be adopted.
The brand BioNexus will be promoted to market Malaysia's biotechnology initiative and attractive package of incentives will be offered to domestic and foreign BioNexus-status companies.
With the biotechnology policy framework in place, critical factors such as conducive regulatory framework, adequate financing infrastructure, human capital development and R&D capabilities will provide the essential building blocks to develop the biotechnology industry, the report said.
During the 9MP period, an allocation of RM2.0 billion will be provided for biotechnology development, with 45.9 percent for physical infrastructure development and the remaining 54.1 percent for soft infrastructure development.
Emphasis will be placed on research and development (R&D) and commercialisation, strategic technology acquisition, business and entrepreneurship development as well as the building of the requisite infrastructure, according to the 9MP report released today by the Economic Planning Unit of the Prime Minister's Department.
In this regard, the public sector will complement private sector financing and investment efforts, including a number of programmes to improve access to financing by the private sector.
Funding for R&D in biotechnology will be proided through existing sources as well as new funds such as the ScienceFund and TechnoFund.
To complement these sources, a dedicated Biotechnology Commercialisation Fund with an allocation of RM100 million will be set up to provide matching grants to R&D companies or companies conducting in-house R&D.
Biotechnology projects are confronted with issues such as high risk, long gestation period, substantial upfront investment and stringent regulatory compliance and in transforming it into a vibrant one, access to financing across the entire chain will be the critical factor for success, the report said.
The objective of biotechnology development during the 9MP period will be to harvest its potential as a growing source of wealth creation and enhance applications on biotechnology in various sectors of the economy.
By 2010, the target will be to at least double the number of biotechnology and biotechnology related companies to 400.
Concerted efforts will be geared towards the implementation of the National Biotechnology Policy, which was launched in 2005, to generate new sources of growth in agriculture, healthcare and industrial biotechnology as well as bioinformatics.
In this regard, the promotion of foreign and domestic investments and close collaboration with foreign entities to access new technology, expertise and markets will be intensified by the Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation.
A new approach, namely BioNexus which leverages on the strengths of existing institutions along with parallel development in industries, will be adopted.
The brand BioNexus will be promoted to market Malaysia's biotechnology initiative and attractive package of incentives will be offered to domestic and foreign BioNexus-status companies.
With the biotechnology policy framework in place, critical factors such as conducive regulatory framework, adequate financing infrastructure, human capital development and R&D capabilities will provide the essential building blocks to develop the biotechnology industry, the report said.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)