KOTA KINABALU, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- Some 300 medical practitioners are expected to attend the Malaysian Scandinavian International Conference on Infectious and Tropical Diseases (MSIDT) 2006 to be held at the Universiti Malaysia Sabah campus from Nov 16 to 19.
Its School of Medicine senior consultant physician and Infectious/Tropical Diseases professor, Dr Georg Gossius said the seminar would bring together health and medical experts from Norway, the United Kingdom, United States, Sweden and the World Health Organisation (Switzerland).
Speakers from Malaysia would include the Health Ministry's director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican, while there would be representatives from Thailand, India, Indonesia and Australia at the conference, he told a news conference here Friday.
"Among the papers to be presented are mostly on tropical diseases which affect Malaysia such as dengue, hepatitis, AIDS, infectious diarrhoea, tuberculosis and avian influenza."
However, he said, the conference would not be solely meant for medical experts and practitioners to discuss serious issues, but also for them to enjoy the adventure and nature offered by Sabah through its World Heritage site, Mount Kinabalu, Sipadan Island and the wildlife reserves as well as marine parks.
"There will be about 50 Scandinavian doctors at the event and they will bring along their companions. Many of them will extend their stay and go round Sabah.
"This conference is also not only aimed at promoting the university's School of Medicine on the world academic map, but is also indirectly a big public relations campaign for Sabah as well as Visit Malaysia Year 2007," he added.
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
Friday, October 13, 2006
Follow-up study on urban men’s health
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: After the successful Subang Jaya Men’s Health Research 2006 study on the state of urban men’s health, a follow-up study will begin in December.
Consultant urologist Datuk Prof Dr Tan Hui Meng, who also co-ordinated the first study, said the follow-up cross-sectional community study would be divided into two phases.
The first phase, a qualitative study on men’s perceptions of health, family and social well-being and the impact of disease on their families, will be followed by a quantitative study on men’s quality of life and their health perceptions, health-seeking behaviour and lifestyle.
All the men in the earlier study – from both Subang Jaya and Kelana Jaya – will be involved in the follow-up study and their spouses will be included in the second phase.
“The men and women will be divided into five groups to share their perspectives on men’s health. We want to find out men’s role in the family and how women can influence men to improve their health,” Dr Tan told a press conference yesterday.
The follow-up study is initiated by the Malaysian Society of Andrology and the Study of the Ageing Male and University Malaya Medical Centre, and funded by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.
Consultant urologist Datuk Prof Dr Tan Hui Meng, who also co-ordinated the first study, said the follow-up cross-sectional community study would be divided into two phases.
The first phase, a qualitative study on men’s perceptions of health, family and social well-being and the impact of disease on their families, will be followed by a quantitative study on men’s quality of life and their health perceptions, health-seeking behaviour and lifestyle.
All the men in the earlier study – from both Subang Jaya and Kelana Jaya – will be involved in the follow-up study and their spouses will be included in the second phase.
“The men and women will be divided into five groups to share their perspectives on men’s health. We want to find out men’s role in the family and how women can influence men to improve their health,” Dr Tan told a press conference yesterday.
The follow-up study is initiated by the Malaysian Society of Andrology and the Study of the Ageing Male and University Malaya Medical Centre, and funded by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.
More Than 70 Per Cent Of Men In Urban Areas Are Overweight
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- More than 70 per cent of men in the urban areas are obese or overweight due to the environmental factor and the unhealthy lifestyle especially eating habits, according to a study.
They run the risk of contracting chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart ailments and the trend is besetting men below 55 years old, said Subang Jaya Medical Centre Urology Centre consultant Datuk Prof Dr Tan Hui Meng.
He said these were the findings of a two-year study carried out by the Malaysian Society of Andrology on the ageing male in collaboration with the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry in Subang Jaya and Petaling Jaya which ended in July.
Of the 1,046 respondents, 49 per cent were Chinese, 34.3 per cent Malays, 14.9 per cent Indians and 1.7 per cent other races, he told a news conference to announce the findings, here Thursday.
Present was Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.
Dr Tan said random samplings were taken among male smokers and drinkers aged 40 years and above with protruding waistline and high blood pressure.
He said the town dwellers had the wrong notion they would not develop the symptoms of chronic diseases and that they were healthy and would live healthily to a ripe old age.
"Ironically the trend is the opposite, with men as young as 55 years old already suffering from chronic diseases which should be besetting 70-year-old men," he said.
Shahrizat quipped that as family heads, unhealthy men could cause a lot of problems to their wives and as such the problems ought to be resolved.
They run the risk of contracting chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart ailments and the trend is besetting men below 55 years old, said Subang Jaya Medical Centre Urology Centre consultant Datuk Prof Dr Tan Hui Meng.
He said these were the findings of a two-year study carried out by the Malaysian Society of Andrology on the ageing male in collaboration with the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry in Subang Jaya and Petaling Jaya which ended in July.
Of the 1,046 respondents, 49 per cent were Chinese, 34.3 per cent Malays, 14.9 per cent Indians and 1.7 per cent other races, he told a news conference to announce the findings, here Thursday.
Present was Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.
Dr Tan said random samplings were taken among male smokers and drinkers aged 40 years and above with protruding waistline and high blood pressure.
He said the town dwellers had the wrong notion they would not develop the symptoms of chronic diseases and that they were healthy and would live healthily to a ripe old age.
"Ironically the trend is the opposite, with men as young as 55 years old already suffering from chronic diseases which should be besetting 70-year-old men," he said.
Shahrizat quipped that as family heads, unhealthy men could cause a lot of problems to their wives and as such the problems ought to be resolved.
Fear Of Hospitalisation And Pain Deter Women From Pap Smear
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- The fear of hospitalisation and pain has deterred many Malaysian women from undergoing the pap smear test to detect cervical cancer, the second most common cancer affecting the group after breast cancer, according to a gynaecologist.
President of the Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society Malaysia (OGSM) Dr Abdul Aziz Yahya said this negative perception discouraged them from undergoing this important test as an early detection for cervical cancer.
Early detection of cervical cancer was important as the survival chance via treatment was the highest because cervical cancer usually does not cause pain or other symptoms, he told reporters after launching a media campaign "Tell Someone" here Thursday.
The campaign is aimed at creating awareness and disseminating vital information about cervical cancer as well as ways to protect against the disease.
Dr Abdul Aziz, as gynaecologist for over 18 years, said: "The majority of cervical cancer cases in Malaysia are detected through pap smear test at the final stage, which is too late for any treatment."
He said that according to the National Cancer Register, Malaysian's crude incidence rate of cervical cancer was 16.5 female per 100,000 population.
In developed nations, the pap smear test had been widely used as early detection against cervical cancer since the 1950s and between 1950 and 1970 the test had significally reduced cervical cancer death in United States by 70 per cent, he said.
The nationwide campaign, jointly organised by OGSM and Merck Sharp & Dohme Malaysia, a global research-driven pharmaceutical company, involves advertisement via print and radio, website, social activities and hand-out of in-clinic support materials.
"Women need to be proactive in taking measures to protect themselves from this unwanted disease," Dr Abdul Aziz said.
President of the Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society Malaysia (OGSM) Dr Abdul Aziz Yahya said this negative perception discouraged them from undergoing this important test as an early detection for cervical cancer.
Early detection of cervical cancer was important as the survival chance via treatment was the highest because cervical cancer usually does not cause pain or other symptoms, he told reporters after launching a media campaign "Tell Someone" here Thursday.
The campaign is aimed at creating awareness and disseminating vital information about cervical cancer as well as ways to protect against the disease.
Dr Abdul Aziz, as gynaecologist for over 18 years, said: "The majority of cervical cancer cases in Malaysia are detected through pap smear test at the final stage, which is too late for any treatment."
He said that according to the National Cancer Register, Malaysian's crude incidence rate of cervical cancer was 16.5 female per 100,000 population.
In developed nations, the pap smear test had been widely used as early detection against cervical cancer since the 1950s and between 1950 and 1970 the test had significally reduced cervical cancer death in United States by 70 per cent, he said.
The nationwide campaign, jointly organised by OGSM and Merck Sharp & Dohme Malaysia, a global research-driven pharmaceutical company, involves advertisement via print and radio, website, social activities and hand-out of in-clinic support materials.
"Women need to be proactive in taking measures to protect themselves from this unwanted disease," Dr Abdul Aziz said.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Thalassaemia Patients Get Govt Attention, Says Chua
PUTRAJAYA, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- The government has started to bear in stages the cost of thalassaemia-related treatment, including the procurement of chelating agent needed by patients to remove excessive iron due to continuous blood transfusion.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said that previously it was the patients and their families who had to bear the expensive cost of treatment.
He said that the ministry, in collaboration with the Federation of Malaysian Thalassaemia Societies, had started a thalassaemia prevention programme which included free blood screening and educational campaign.
"All of these will cost the government RM25 million annually," he told reporters after launching a thalassaemia awareness campaign here.
The minister said that a pilot blood screening scheme was being conducted in Penang, Melaka and Sabah targeting groups like secondary school children, relatives of known thalassaemia patients and couples intending to get married.
For thalassaemia carriers wishing to get married, he said, they would be given counselling on the risk of their children becoming thalassaemia major cases.
Dr Chua said that Malaysia had about 3,000 thalassaemia patients with between 120 and 350 thalassaemia major babies being born each year.
Thalassaemia major cases happen when both father and mother are thalassaemia carriers.
Dr Chua said an estimated one million Malaysians were carriers of thalassaemia.
To get a clearer picture of the situation nationwide, he said that the ministry was in the process of setting up a national thalassaemia registry.
Thalassaemia is a hereditary disorder where there is insufficient haemoglobin in the red blood cells, leading to a condition known as anaemia. Patients need to undergo continuous blood transfusion on a monthly basis.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said that previously it was the patients and their families who had to bear the expensive cost of treatment.
He said that the ministry, in collaboration with the Federation of Malaysian Thalassaemia Societies, had started a thalassaemia prevention programme which included free blood screening and educational campaign.
"All of these will cost the government RM25 million annually," he told reporters after launching a thalassaemia awareness campaign here.
The minister said that a pilot blood screening scheme was being conducted in Penang, Melaka and Sabah targeting groups like secondary school children, relatives of known thalassaemia patients and couples intending to get married.
For thalassaemia carriers wishing to get married, he said, they would be given counselling on the risk of their children becoming thalassaemia major cases.
Dr Chua said that Malaysia had about 3,000 thalassaemia patients with between 120 and 350 thalassaemia major babies being born each year.
Thalassaemia major cases happen when both father and mother are thalassaemia carriers.
Dr Chua said an estimated one million Malaysians were carriers of thalassaemia.
To get a clearer picture of the situation nationwide, he said that the ministry was in the process of setting up a national thalassaemia registry.
Thalassaemia is a hereditary disorder where there is insufficient haemoglobin in the red blood cells, leading to a condition known as anaemia. Patients need to undergo continuous blood transfusion on a monthly basis.
Govt Should Capitalise On Local Innovation, Says Award Winner
PUTRAJAYA, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- Dr Fikri Abdullah, a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon from Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital should be the happiest man today after winning the Medical Innovation category for The Outstanding Young Malaysian Awards.
However, he was not in the mood for celebration as he felt that his "Made in Malaysia" innovation had yet to be used worldwide.
"I don't have the money to go global with my innovation. The government should take advantage of my innovation and capitalise on the indigenous technology," he told Bernama.
Dr Fikri, 40, has developed an alternative technique of superior vena cava obstruction bypass using bovine pericardial conduit, the first of its kind in the world compared to a common practice using the spiral vein graft.
He carried out the operation successfully on a Sudanese patient at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Hospital in 2002 and the new technique was published in the American Medical Journal.
"I have to find other alternative as his spiral vein graft could not be used," he said in explaining how he came out with the innovation.
"We have a lot of cows in this country and by combining biotechnology and my innovation, I believe we can enhance our country's technology capability," he said.
Dr Fikri said he had approached Malaysian Venture Capital for help in selling his ideas but "it died half way" as there was no follow-up by the body later.
"I feel so frustrated that our own technology cannot benefit people through out the world although the technology has been proven successful," he said.
He cited dedication, passion and discipline as his principles of success.
"I have the passion to continue to improve the treatment of my patients using new techniques and new technology," said Dr Fikri, the father of three children aged between four and 12 years old.
However, all these frustrations did not mean that Dr Fikri did not appreciate the award given by the Junior Chamber International Malaysia.
"I am thankful for the award. I didn't expect to win as there are many contenders. Actually, it was my sister who nominated me for this award. She sent the nomination forms," Dr Fikri said.
Dr Fikri is also known for his off pump coronary artery bypass grafting in a high-risk dextrocardia patient.
"It is the first heart by-pass operation in the world where the heart was still beating and situated on the right side," he said.
Normally, the heartbeat temporarily stops during the by-pass and it is usually situated on the left side.
"It is just like driving a car with the right hand or left hand but you have to adjust the technique. The way we drive is still the same but the technique is different. But performing an operation with the heart still beating is totally a new thing," he said.
The operation was performed on a HUKM pharmacist in 2003.
However, he was not in the mood for celebration as he felt that his "Made in Malaysia" innovation had yet to be used worldwide.
"I don't have the money to go global with my innovation. The government should take advantage of my innovation and capitalise on the indigenous technology," he told Bernama.
Dr Fikri, 40, has developed an alternative technique of superior vena cava obstruction bypass using bovine pericardial conduit, the first of its kind in the world compared to a common practice using the spiral vein graft.
He carried out the operation successfully on a Sudanese patient at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Hospital in 2002 and the new technique was published in the American Medical Journal.
"I have to find other alternative as his spiral vein graft could not be used," he said in explaining how he came out with the innovation.
"We have a lot of cows in this country and by combining biotechnology and my innovation, I believe we can enhance our country's technology capability," he said.
Dr Fikri said he had approached Malaysian Venture Capital for help in selling his ideas but "it died half way" as there was no follow-up by the body later.
"I feel so frustrated that our own technology cannot benefit people through out the world although the technology has been proven successful," he said.
He cited dedication, passion and discipline as his principles of success.
"I have the passion to continue to improve the treatment of my patients using new techniques and new technology," said Dr Fikri, the father of three children aged between four and 12 years old.
However, all these frustrations did not mean that Dr Fikri did not appreciate the award given by the Junior Chamber International Malaysia.
"I am thankful for the award. I didn't expect to win as there are many contenders. Actually, it was my sister who nominated me for this award. She sent the nomination forms," Dr Fikri said.
Dr Fikri is also known for his off pump coronary artery bypass grafting in a high-risk dextrocardia patient.
"It is the first heart by-pass operation in the world where the heart was still beating and situated on the right side," he said.
Normally, the heartbeat temporarily stops during the by-pass and it is usually situated on the left side.
"It is just like driving a car with the right hand or left hand but you have to adjust the technique. The way we drive is still the same but the technique is different. But performing an operation with the heart still beating is totally a new thing," he said.
The operation was performed on a HUKM pharmacist in 2003.
Ministry Coming Down Hard On Unregistered Private Clinics
PUTRAJAYA, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- The "doctor" has been operating at a so-called clinic in Shah Alam for quite some time, charging patients between RM350 and RM4,000 for procedures like removal of tumours, kidney stones and ovarian cysts.
Besides modern medical treatment, the clinic also offered traditional mode of treatment like "urut" and "bekam" to local and foreign patients, including VVIPs.
The Health Ministry got wind of its suspicious activities and decided to check on it on Sept 27, before raiding the premises with a search warrant Wednesday.
It would be this sort of premises that the ministry will go after when the Oct 31 deadline for registration of existing private clinics expires.
"By Nov 1, the focus of enforcement will be on unregistered clinics run by registered doctors, unregistered doctors or quacks," Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican told a press conference, here Thursday.
Explaining that offenders could face a fine of up to RM300,000 or six years' jail or both, he stressed: "Our priority is to rid the country of healthcare premises or services run by unregistered medical practitioners, bogus doctors or quacks providing modern healthcare services."
"We will raid such premises and take the owners, practitioners and quacks who provide such services to face the full brunt of the law," Dr Ismail warned.
The registration is required under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 with Oct 31 set as the end of a six-month transitional period for clinics to apply for registration. The law was enforced on May 1 2006.
As of yesterday, Dr Ismail said about 30 per cent of the estimated 8,000 clinics have applied for registration.
"There is no deferment of the implementation of the Act and regulations. The Oct 31 deadline for registration of existing private clinics remains," he said.
Dr Ismail said registered doctors operating unregistered clinics could still apply for registration after the deadline but their applications would be subjected to a premise inspection. He, nevertheless, said several types of healthcare facilities were exempted from the registration exercise.
They are factory and hotel in-house clinics, estate and offshore clinics as well as those run by voluntary organisations and the Federation of Malaysian Family Planning Associations.
Referring to the Shah Alam case, Dr Ismail said in yesterday's raid, the so-called doctor and his patients have fled, noting that the authorities knew his particulars based on their first visit to the premises last month.
He said they seized various equipment and documents from the clinic whose location he refused to identify.
"We'll investigate the case and send a report to the public prosecutor so that the person involved can be charged in court," he said.
Qualified traditional medicine practitioners should stick to their trade and refrain from indulging in modern healthcare services, he added.
Besides modern medical treatment, the clinic also offered traditional mode of treatment like "urut" and "bekam" to local and foreign patients, including VVIPs.
The Health Ministry got wind of its suspicious activities and decided to check on it on Sept 27, before raiding the premises with a search warrant Wednesday.
It would be this sort of premises that the ministry will go after when the Oct 31 deadline for registration of existing private clinics expires.
"By Nov 1, the focus of enforcement will be on unregistered clinics run by registered doctors, unregistered doctors or quacks," Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican told a press conference, here Thursday.
Explaining that offenders could face a fine of up to RM300,000 or six years' jail or both, he stressed: "Our priority is to rid the country of healthcare premises or services run by unregistered medical practitioners, bogus doctors or quacks providing modern healthcare services."
"We will raid such premises and take the owners, practitioners and quacks who provide such services to face the full brunt of the law," Dr Ismail warned.
The registration is required under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 with Oct 31 set as the end of a six-month transitional period for clinics to apply for registration. The law was enforced on May 1 2006.
As of yesterday, Dr Ismail said about 30 per cent of the estimated 8,000 clinics have applied for registration.
"There is no deferment of the implementation of the Act and regulations. The Oct 31 deadline for registration of existing private clinics remains," he said.
Dr Ismail said registered doctors operating unregistered clinics could still apply for registration after the deadline but their applications would be subjected to a premise inspection. He, nevertheless, said several types of healthcare facilities were exempted from the registration exercise.
They are factory and hotel in-house clinics, estate and offshore clinics as well as those run by voluntary organisations and the Federation of Malaysian Family Planning Associations.
Referring to the Shah Alam case, Dr Ismail said in yesterday's raid, the so-called doctor and his patients have fled, noting that the authorities knew his particulars based on their first visit to the premises last month.
He said they seized various equipment and documents from the clinic whose location he refused to identify.
"We'll investigate the case and send a report to the public prosecutor so that the person involved can be charged in court," he said.
Qualified traditional medicine practitioners should stick to their trade and refrain from indulging in modern healthcare services, he added.
World Sight Day: Diabetics need to take care of eyes
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: When Osmah Saad was driving home from work one day, her vision suddenly blurred. Within minutes, she was nearly blind.
Although Osmah, a diabetic, had been struggling with poor eyesight for nearly two months, she did not expect to lose her sight completely.
"No one told me my eyesight would go because I’m a diabetic. Even before the incident, I was having problems when I used the computer or taught my students," said Osmah, who lectures at the Sultan Abdul Halim Teaching Institute in Alor Star.
Osmah, 57, had been suffering from cataracts since she was 46 years old. She had been on diabetic medication for three years but instead of taking her prescriptions, she turned to herbal products.
"The medicine the doctor gave me made me tired so I took mangosteen shoots and my strength returned," she said when met at Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia where she was due for a vitrectomy surgery to remove a blood clot from the eye.
While her strength may have returned, her eyesight has worsened because she did not take her prescribed medications.
"If only you had taken your medication properly, your eye problem would have been better controlled," HUKM consultant ophthalmologist Professor Dr Muhaya Mohamad told her, adding that it was rare to get cataracts at the age of 46.
Dr Muhaya’s frustrations are understandable as there is a lack of awareness among diabetics that they are 25 times more likely to become blind than non-diabetics.
"This means that more people are going to lose their eyesight because they are not aware of the link," she said.
Currently, there are 3.5 million diabetics in the country. Every year, 10,000 become blind.
In an interview in conjunction with World Sight Day today, Dr Muhaya, who is the chairman of the Ophthalmological Society of the Malaysian Medical Association (OSMMA), said diabetic retinopathy and other retinal problems, including blindness, were growing problems which were set to become worse as the country was on the brink of a diabetes epidemic.
Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease that can cause decreased vision and blindness. Depending on a patient’s condition, diabetic retinopathy can progress quickly or slowly. Factors that may hasten the progress include heavy smoking and poorly controlled hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol).
Diabetic retinopathy occurs when the eye vessel leaks and the retina becomes ischaemic, or half-dead. Since the retina lacks oxygen, it produces a substance which induces the formation of new blood vessels which are abnormal.
These abnormal blood vessels can bleed suddenly and lead to immediate blindness.
"It is not easy to reverse this as it requires major surgery. However, people usually come to us too late," Dr Muhaya said.
In 1999, a study on insulin-dependent diabetics showed that 10 per cent suffered from diabetic retinopathy. The figure rose to 43 per cent a few years later.
Dr Muhaya said it was frustrating that diabetics were becoming blind in their productive years. This could be avoided if people managed their lives better, she said.
"The roti canai, teh tarik, rice and nasi lemak are our staple diet but these are such damaging food.
"There was a patient in his 30s who used to skip lunch and have a carbonated drink instead. Five years later, he developed diabetes. His kidney is now failing and he is blind in one eye."
The problem is compounded when doctors fail to send diabetic patients for eye tests.
Such was the case of former vegetable seller Lee Yoke Kien, 66.
"I have been a diabetic for 20 years but in the early days, the doctor did not tell me that it could lead to blindness," he said.
He was finally referred to HUKM by a different doctor five years ago for a cataract surgery.
Dr Muhaya said doctors should refer all diabetic patients to an ophthalmologist at the time of diagnosis. They should also ensure that diabetic patients have a yearly follow-up.
Even if a diabetic’s vision is not affected, they should still go for regular eye check-ups.
Among the treatment options is laser therapy which is done as outpatient treatment. It is a painless and effective way of correcting eyesight.
In conjunction with World Sight Day, the OSMMA’s Eye Fund and the Association of Wives of Petronas Officers and Petronas Lady Officers will be putting up 100,000 posters on diabetic blindness at Petronas stations around the country in three languages — English, Bahasa Malaysia and Tamil.
Although Osmah, a diabetic, had been struggling with poor eyesight for nearly two months, she did not expect to lose her sight completely.
"No one told me my eyesight would go because I’m a diabetic. Even before the incident, I was having problems when I used the computer or taught my students," said Osmah, who lectures at the Sultan Abdul Halim Teaching Institute in Alor Star.
Osmah, 57, had been suffering from cataracts since she was 46 years old. She had been on diabetic medication for three years but instead of taking her prescriptions, she turned to herbal products.
"The medicine the doctor gave me made me tired so I took mangosteen shoots and my strength returned," she said when met at Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia where she was due for a vitrectomy surgery to remove a blood clot from the eye.
While her strength may have returned, her eyesight has worsened because she did not take her prescribed medications.
"If only you had taken your medication properly, your eye problem would have been better controlled," HUKM consultant ophthalmologist Professor Dr Muhaya Mohamad told her, adding that it was rare to get cataracts at the age of 46.
Dr Muhaya’s frustrations are understandable as there is a lack of awareness among diabetics that they are 25 times more likely to become blind than non-diabetics.
"This means that more people are going to lose their eyesight because they are not aware of the link," she said.
Currently, there are 3.5 million diabetics in the country. Every year, 10,000 become blind.
In an interview in conjunction with World Sight Day today, Dr Muhaya, who is the chairman of the Ophthalmological Society of the Malaysian Medical Association (OSMMA), said diabetic retinopathy and other retinal problems, including blindness, were growing problems which were set to become worse as the country was on the brink of a diabetes epidemic.
Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease that can cause decreased vision and blindness. Depending on a patient’s condition, diabetic retinopathy can progress quickly or slowly. Factors that may hasten the progress include heavy smoking and poorly controlled hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol).
Diabetic retinopathy occurs when the eye vessel leaks and the retina becomes ischaemic, or half-dead. Since the retina lacks oxygen, it produces a substance which induces the formation of new blood vessels which are abnormal.
These abnormal blood vessels can bleed suddenly and lead to immediate blindness.
"It is not easy to reverse this as it requires major surgery. However, people usually come to us too late," Dr Muhaya said.
In 1999, a study on insulin-dependent diabetics showed that 10 per cent suffered from diabetic retinopathy. The figure rose to 43 per cent a few years later.
Dr Muhaya said it was frustrating that diabetics were becoming blind in their productive years. This could be avoided if people managed their lives better, she said.
"The roti canai, teh tarik, rice and nasi lemak are our staple diet but these are such damaging food.
"There was a patient in his 30s who used to skip lunch and have a carbonated drink instead. Five years later, he developed diabetes. His kidney is now failing and he is blind in one eye."
The problem is compounded when doctors fail to send diabetic patients for eye tests.
Such was the case of former vegetable seller Lee Yoke Kien, 66.
"I have been a diabetic for 20 years but in the early days, the doctor did not tell me that it could lead to blindness," he said.
He was finally referred to HUKM by a different doctor five years ago for a cataract surgery.
Dr Muhaya said doctors should refer all diabetic patients to an ophthalmologist at the time of diagnosis. They should also ensure that diabetic patients have a yearly follow-up.
Even if a diabetic’s vision is not affected, they should still go for regular eye check-ups.
Among the treatment options is laser therapy which is done as outpatient treatment. It is a painless and effective way of correcting eyesight.
In conjunction with World Sight Day, the OSMMA’s Eye Fund and the Association of Wives of Petronas Officers and Petronas Lady Officers will be putting up 100,000 posters on diabetic blindness at Petronas stations around the country in three languages — English, Bahasa Malaysia and Tamil.
Deadline looms, but most clinics yet to register
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: The majority of private doctors and dentists have not registered their clinics despite the need to do so by Oct 31.
With just 20 days to go, 5,760 of the 8,000 have not done so.
They could be fined up to RM300,000 if they don’t make the deadline.
Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said he would not hesitate to act against errant doctors.
"We are serious about enforcing the law after the deadline," he said in an interview.
He could not understand why the majority had not done so despite the ministry simplifying the registration process.
"We have bent over backwards in trying to meet counter-proposals from doctors. They should respond positively," he said.
Doctors are required to pay RM1,500 to register their clinics under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 and Regulations (2006) which came into force in May.
The Act spells out conditions for the private healthcare sector, ranging from qualifications of personnel to renovations of premises, which has struck a negative chord with doctors.
They fear the threat of fines and imprisonment could prove a dampener on private practice.
Dr Ismail said registration would also remove bogus doctors and the bad apples who had tarnished the profession.
Federal Territory Health director Dr E.G. Palaniappan said only 567 of the 1,500 medical practitioners and dentists in the area under his jurisdiction had registered.
This was despite roadshows, registration exercises, letters, reminders and brochures.
He said doctors could register from 8.30am to 12.30pm daily, with the exception of Oct 22.
Federation of Private Medical Practitioners Association of Malaysia president Dr Steven Chow said he could not understand why many doctors had not registered.
"They are delaying the registration despite our repeated calls over the past six months to do so quickly," he said.
"There is no reason for doctors to complain as the registration exercise has been simplified."
Malaysian Medical Association president-elect Datuk Dr Khoo Kah Lin said doctors with doubts should call the association for clarification.
With just 20 days to go, 5,760 of the 8,000 have not done so.
They could be fined up to RM300,000 if they don’t make the deadline.
Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said he would not hesitate to act against errant doctors.
"We are serious about enforcing the law after the deadline," he said in an interview.
He could not understand why the majority had not done so despite the ministry simplifying the registration process.
"We have bent over backwards in trying to meet counter-proposals from doctors. They should respond positively," he said.
Doctors are required to pay RM1,500 to register their clinics under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 and Regulations (2006) which came into force in May.
The Act spells out conditions for the private healthcare sector, ranging from qualifications of personnel to renovations of premises, which has struck a negative chord with doctors.
They fear the threat of fines and imprisonment could prove a dampener on private practice.
Dr Ismail said registration would also remove bogus doctors and the bad apples who had tarnished the profession.
Federal Territory Health director Dr E.G. Palaniappan said only 567 of the 1,500 medical practitioners and dentists in the area under his jurisdiction had registered.
This was despite roadshows, registration exercises, letters, reminders and brochures.
He said doctors could register from 8.30am to 12.30pm daily, with the exception of Oct 22.
Federation of Private Medical Practitioners Association of Malaysia president Dr Steven Chow said he could not understand why many doctors had not registered.
"They are delaying the registration despite our repeated calls over the past six months to do so quickly," he said.
"There is no reason for doctors to complain as the registration exercise has been simplified."
Malaysian Medical Association president-elect Datuk Dr Khoo Kah Lin said doctors with doubts should call the association for clarification.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Doctor suspended over love affair
NST: PUTRAJAYA: Love is fine but he was a doctor and his lover was his patient.
He forgot his professional code of ethics in the heat of the moment earlier this year and will pay dearly for it.
The 44-year-old will not be able to practise for the next two years for breach of ethics.
The Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) found him guilty of the offence after an enquiry where he admitted the liaison.
In doing so, he also admitted abusing professional privilege and acting in a manner derogatory to the profession.
The MMC found that the doctor’s behaviour had resulted in disruption in the lives of the patient’s family besides distress to them.
The doctor has appealed to the High Court.
He is one of 18 registered medical practitioners suspended since 2003 after being found guilty of ethical offences.
Director-general of Health Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican, who is also MMC president, told the New Straits Times that 15 doctors had received reprimands.
Between January 2004 and August this year, the five Preliminary Investigation Committees (PIC) in MMC investigated 344 cases, with 181 yet to be resolved.
At council level, 45 cases had been acted upon while 18 cases were pending.
Other instances of a breach of ethics included:
• A 47-year-old doctor at a clinic in Johor being suspended for two years after being convicted for offences under the Poisons Act and fined varying amounts or imprisonment in default.
• A 34-year-old doctor running a private clinic in Taman Sri Manja, Petaling Jaya, who was suspended for six months after being found guilty of circulating leaflets entitled Kempen Percuma announcing free services at her clinic.
• A 58-year-old doctor with a maternity home in Johor being reprimanded for forging the signature of another person on a loan document.
He was charged in Sibu, Sarawak, and on appeal was sentenced to a day’s jail and fined RM10,000 in default four months jail.
The MMC also decided in its meeting yesterday that it would publish the names of errant doctors even if they had appealed to the High Court.
Previously, it did so only if an appeal had not been lodged or if an appeal had been overturned.
Of the 15,797 practising medical practitioners, less than one per cent are engaged in unethical practices.
Dr Ismail said the council could not take action on occasions against doctors as some complainants did not want to appear before an enquiry, information given was inadequate or the complainant could not be contacted.
He forgot his professional code of ethics in the heat of the moment earlier this year and will pay dearly for it.
The 44-year-old will not be able to practise for the next two years for breach of ethics.
The Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) found him guilty of the offence after an enquiry where he admitted the liaison.
In doing so, he also admitted abusing professional privilege and acting in a manner derogatory to the profession.
The MMC found that the doctor’s behaviour had resulted in disruption in the lives of the patient’s family besides distress to them.
The doctor has appealed to the High Court.
He is one of 18 registered medical practitioners suspended since 2003 after being found guilty of ethical offences.
Director-general of Health Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican, who is also MMC president, told the New Straits Times that 15 doctors had received reprimands.
Between January 2004 and August this year, the five Preliminary Investigation Committees (PIC) in MMC investigated 344 cases, with 181 yet to be resolved.
At council level, 45 cases had been acted upon while 18 cases were pending.
Other instances of a breach of ethics included:
• A 47-year-old doctor at a clinic in Johor being suspended for two years after being convicted for offences under the Poisons Act and fined varying amounts or imprisonment in default.
• A 34-year-old doctor running a private clinic in Taman Sri Manja, Petaling Jaya, who was suspended for six months after being found guilty of circulating leaflets entitled Kempen Percuma announcing free services at her clinic.
• A 58-year-old doctor with a maternity home in Johor being reprimanded for forging the signature of another person on a loan document.
He was charged in Sibu, Sarawak, and on appeal was sentenced to a day’s jail and fined RM10,000 in default four months jail.
The MMC also decided in its meeting yesterday that it would publish the names of errant doctors even if they had appealed to the High Court.
Previously, it did so only if an appeal had not been lodged or if an appeal had been overturned.
Of the 15,797 practising medical practitioners, less than one per cent are engaged in unethical practices.
Dr Ismail said the council could not take action on occasions against doctors as some complainants did not want to appear before an enquiry, information given was inadequate or the complainant could not be contacted.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Suffering Malaysians unhappy with Indonesia
NST: PUTRAJAYA: The haze has caused much resentment and hardship among Malaysians.
Health Minister Datuk Sri Dr Chua Soi Lek said it also had implications for tourism and economic activities, such as hawking, night markets and outdoor activities.
"The Indonesian government is fully aware of the problem created in Asia, especially in Singapore and Malaysia, its immediate neighbours. We hope Jakarta will be more proactive in solving the problem which has become an annual affair."
He advised that outdoor activities be minimised and those in the high-risk group, such as the elderly, asthmatic patients, heart patients and those who suffer from chronic bronchitis, to exercise care and seek medical advice should they encounter breathing difficulties.
He said in Sibu, Sarawak, there were 13 cases of respiratory illnesses linked to the haze.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said all Asean countries must work together in pooling their expertise and resources to stop the haze from recurring.
"Malaysia wants agreements that have been signed pertaining to action to overcome the problem to be translated into some form of action.
"There is no way one single country can overcome this problem. The burning must stop," he said.
"Even if Indonesia ratified the transboundary agreement on haze, if the burning does not stop or we do not work together to prevent it, it is not going to solve the matter."
The Department of Environment’s statistics revealed 14 areas in peninsular Malaysia that were reported to be "unhealthy" according to the Air Pollutants Index (API).
The worst hit area was Nilai, Negri Sembilan, with a reading of 194, followed by Sri Manjung, Perak, (183) and Seremban, Negri Sembilan (181).
Six areas in Selangor with high API readings are Kuala Selangor (181), Country Heights Kajang (158), Shah Alam (145), Petaling Jaya (139), Port Klang (131) and Gombak (127).
Other areas include two in Malacca — Bukit Rambai (131) and Malacca (110), and SK Jalan Pegoh, Ipoh (113).
The API in Kuala Lumpur rose from 80 on Sunday to 159 yesterday, while in Putrajaya, the reading was 171 (98).
The situation in Sarawak had improved with the API below 100 in 10 areas.
Visibility in the Petaling Jaya area and the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang fell below 1km — to 0.8km and 0.5km respectively — at 10am yesterday, while in Subang and Mersing, Johor, it was between 1km and 2km.
No commercial flights were interrupted at major airports in the country, but those involving small aeroplanes and helicopters experienced delays or cancellations due to poor visibility.
Department of Civil Aviation director-general Datuk Kok Soo Chon said yesterday all flights departed and arrived as scheduled, including at the KLIA.
"Air traffic controllers, however, are on the alert. Should visibility for runways falls below 300 metres, air traffic controllers can stop the flights from landing and taking off."
Health Minister Datuk Sri Dr Chua Soi Lek said it also had implications for tourism and economic activities, such as hawking, night markets and outdoor activities.
"The Indonesian government is fully aware of the problem created in Asia, especially in Singapore and Malaysia, its immediate neighbours. We hope Jakarta will be more proactive in solving the problem which has become an annual affair."
He advised that outdoor activities be minimised and those in the high-risk group, such as the elderly, asthmatic patients, heart patients and those who suffer from chronic bronchitis, to exercise care and seek medical advice should they encounter breathing difficulties.
He said in Sibu, Sarawak, there were 13 cases of respiratory illnesses linked to the haze.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said all Asean countries must work together in pooling their expertise and resources to stop the haze from recurring.
"Malaysia wants agreements that have been signed pertaining to action to overcome the problem to be translated into some form of action.
"There is no way one single country can overcome this problem. The burning must stop," he said.
"Even if Indonesia ratified the transboundary agreement on haze, if the burning does not stop or we do not work together to prevent it, it is not going to solve the matter."
The Department of Environment’s statistics revealed 14 areas in peninsular Malaysia that were reported to be "unhealthy" according to the Air Pollutants Index (API).
The worst hit area was Nilai, Negri Sembilan, with a reading of 194, followed by Sri Manjung, Perak, (183) and Seremban, Negri Sembilan (181).
Six areas in Selangor with high API readings are Kuala Selangor (181), Country Heights Kajang (158), Shah Alam (145), Petaling Jaya (139), Port Klang (131) and Gombak (127).
Other areas include two in Malacca — Bukit Rambai (131) and Malacca (110), and SK Jalan Pegoh, Ipoh (113).
The API in Kuala Lumpur rose from 80 on Sunday to 159 yesterday, while in Putrajaya, the reading was 171 (98).
The situation in Sarawak had improved with the API below 100 in 10 areas.
Visibility in the Petaling Jaya area and the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang fell below 1km — to 0.8km and 0.5km respectively — at 10am yesterday, while in Subang and Mersing, Johor, it was between 1km and 2km.
No commercial flights were interrupted at major airports in the country, but those involving small aeroplanes and helicopters experienced delays or cancellations due to poor visibility.
Department of Civil Aviation director-general Datuk Kok Soo Chon said yesterday all flights departed and arrived as scheduled, including at the KLIA.
"Air traffic controllers, however, are on the alert. Should visibility for runways falls below 300 metres, air traffic controllers can stop the flights from landing and taking off."
Government to build 500 clinics
STar: KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry plans to build 500 health and village clinics to meet the needs of a growing population under the 9th Malaysia Plan (9MP).
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said Hulu Langat and Petaling in Selangor had the highest population but the number of clinics was small.
“Under the 9MP, we will also upgrade the facilities and equipment in certain clinics,” he said.
Dr Chua said the Cabinet had given approval to clinics to operate from shoplots as well as the setting-up of mobile clinics in areas that needed healthcare services.
He said this would overcome the problem of acquiring land to build hospitals and clinics.
“For instance, Jinjang has a population of 300,000 but it only has a health clinic and if we want to build a hospital, we need to look for a proper piece of land,” he said, adding that the ratio of population against the number of health clinics should be reviewed.
Dr Chua said this after visiting the health clinic in Jinjang.
The clinic’s medical officer-in-charge, Dr Inthirani Sivarajah, said the clinic had limited facilities such as computers, an ambulance and other vehicles.
“There is an average of 380 patients here a day and we need to upgrade our facilities,” she said, adding that the clinic had only one ambulance at present.
She said the clinic, built in 1977, was upgraded at a cost of RM21mil in May.
She added that the clinic also trained medical students from International Medical University and other colleges.
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said Hulu Langat and Petaling in Selangor had the highest population but the number of clinics was small.
“Under the 9MP, we will also upgrade the facilities and equipment in certain clinics,” he said.
Dr Chua said the Cabinet had given approval to clinics to operate from shoplots as well as the setting-up of mobile clinics in areas that needed healthcare services.
He said this would overcome the problem of acquiring land to build hospitals and clinics.
“For instance, Jinjang has a population of 300,000 but it only has a health clinic and if we want to build a hospital, we need to look for a proper piece of land,” he said, adding that the ratio of population against the number of health clinics should be reviewed.
Dr Chua said this after visiting the health clinic in Jinjang.
The clinic’s medical officer-in-charge, Dr Inthirani Sivarajah, said the clinic had limited facilities such as computers, an ambulance and other vehicles.
“There is an average of 380 patients here a day and we need to upgrade our facilities,” she said, adding that the clinic had only one ambulance at present.
She said the clinic, built in 1977, was upgraded at a cost of RM21mil in May.
She added that the clinic also trained medical students from International Medical University and other colleges.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Health Minister hopes haze will not get worse
Star: PUTRAJAYA: Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek is hoping that the current haze will not worsen.
"I just hope the API reading will not reach 300. The haze situation is getting better in Sarawak, but is worsening in Peninsular Malaysia.
"If it reaches 500, it is a state of medical emergency," Dr Chua told a press conference after a dialogue session with Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo and state exco members here on Monday.
Dr Chua said while the Indonesian government was aware of the problem it must also be proactive in helping to solve the problem.
"The haze is not only causing resentment among our people, it has also economic implications in terms of tourism or outdoor activities.
"Even some hawkers can't trade at night," he added.
He said, "We have 38 clinics to attend to haze related illness, but in the last three days there is no clear indication if the cases are related to haze.
"If the haze continues for the next few days, we may be able to see the trend clearly," he added.
He advised people, especially the old folks and those with asthma or bronchitis related problems, to reduce their outdoor activities.
"If they have breathing difficulties, they should go to the hospital immediately," he added.
"I just hope the API reading will not reach 300. The haze situation is getting better in Sarawak, but is worsening in Peninsular Malaysia.
"If it reaches 500, it is a state of medical emergency," Dr Chua told a press conference after a dialogue session with Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo and state exco members here on Monday.
Dr Chua said while the Indonesian government was aware of the problem it must also be proactive in helping to solve the problem.
"The haze is not only causing resentment among our people, it has also economic implications in terms of tourism or outdoor activities.
"Even some hawkers can't trade at night," he added.
He said, "We have 38 clinics to attend to haze related illness, but in the last three days there is no clear indication if the cases are related to haze.
"If the haze continues for the next few days, we may be able to see the trend clearly," he added.
He advised people, especially the old folks and those with asthma or bronchitis related problems, to reduce their outdoor activities.
"If they have breathing difficulties, they should go to the hospital immediately," he added.
Blood Groups A And B Stocks Running Low
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- Group A and B blood stocks at the National Blood Centre is running low and it is appealing for more non-Muslims to come forward to donate blood.
"Stocks for these two blood groups are down but the situation is not critical yet," a specialist at the centre told Bernama Monday.
"Nevertheless, we appeal to the public, especially the non-Muslims with these two blood types to donate blood to ensure that our stock is sufficient throughout this month," she added.
She said the low supply was due to low blood donation during the fasting month and high demand from hospitals for the two blood groups.
However, group AB and O stocks at the centre which supplies blood to hospitals in the Klang Valley has been unaffected by the fasting month.
"Stocks for these two blood groups are down but the situation is not critical yet," a specialist at the centre told Bernama Monday.
"Nevertheless, we appeal to the public, especially the non-Muslims with these two blood types to donate blood to ensure that our stock is sufficient throughout this month," she added.
She said the low supply was due to low blood donation during the fasting month and high demand from hospitals for the two blood groups.
However, group AB and O stocks at the centre which supplies blood to hospitals in the Klang Valley has been unaffected by the fasting month.
Many ‘blind’ folk actually have low vision, says group
Star: PETALING JAYA: There are about 500,000 Malaysians who think they are blind but are actually people with low vision, according to the Malaysian Association for the Blind (MAB).
Its vice-president Prof Datuk Dr Veera Ramani said these people actually suffered from low vision because they were able to read with low-vision devices such as magnifiers or if the letterings were enlarged.
Low vision is defined as a significant reduction of visual function that cannot be corrected by ordinary glasses, contact lenses, medical treatment or surgery.
So far, only about 19,000 Malaysians have registered themselves with the Government as blind people.
Dr Ramani, who is also World Sight Day organising committee chairman, said most of these half-a-million Malaysians thought they were blind because they had not gotten their eyes tested.
“Most of these people are senior citizens who have not tested their eyes for a long time,” she said.
She added that to track down those suffering from blindness, low vision and other eye defects a free eye screening would be held at the Mines Shopping Fair in Kuala Lumpur from Thursday to Sunday.
Held in conjunction with World Sight Day on Oct 12, the free screening aims to raise public awareness on the gravity of blindness and the need for eyes to be tested.
MAB deputy president S. Kulasegaran said that every five seconds someone in the world goes blind and every minute a child goes blind.
“This translates into seven million people needlessly going blind in a year,” Kulasegaran said.
Currently, there were about 40 million blind persons worldwide and about 120 million people suffering from low vision, he said. Most of those affected live in Asia.
“Blindness can be prevented if action is taken early enough, but the problem is that most people take their eyes for granted,” he said.
Its vice-president Prof Datuk Dr Veera Ramani said these people actually suffered from low vision because they were able to read with low-vision devices such as magnifiers or if the letterings were enlarged.
Low vision is defined as a significant reduction of visual function that cannot be corrected by ordinary glasses, contact lenses, medical treatment or surgery.
So far, only about 19,000 Malaysians have registered themselves with the Government as blind people.
Dr Ramani, who is also World Sight Day organising committee chairman, said most of these half-a-million Malaysians thought they were blind because they had not gotten their eyes tested.
“Most of these people are senior citizens who have not tested their eyes for a long time,” she said.
She added that to track down those suffering from blindness, low vision and other eye defects a free eye screening would be held at the Mines Shopping Fair in Kuala Lumpur from Thursday to Sunday.
Held in conjunction with World Sight Day on Oct 12, the free screening aims to raise public awareness on the gravity of blindness and the need for eyes to be tested.
MAB deputy president S. Kulasegaran said that every five seconds someone in the world goes blind and every minute a child goes blind.
“This translates into seven million people needlessly going blind in a year,” Kulasegaran said.
Currently, there were about 40 million blind persons worldwide and about 120 million people suffering from low vision, he said. Most of those affected live in Asia.
“Blindness can be prevented if action is taken early enough, but the problem is that most people take their eyes for granted,” he said.
HMs can close schools if API rises above 300
Star: SHAH ALAM: Headmasters can use their discretion to close their schools if the air pollutant index (API) rises above 300.
Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the headmasters would not need the ministry’s permission to do it if the haze worsens.
“The ministry’s decision has always been to close schools if the API is above 300.
“This was practised last year,” he told reporters here at a khatam Quran ceremony (to mark the completion of the reading of the Quran) by 22 pupils yesterday.
Hishammuddin also said schools should not allow students to take part in outdoor activities if the API was above 200.
He added that the decisionalso depended on the health condition of students.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry said there had not been any “obvious increase” in the number of cases of asthma and respiratory illness.
Its disease control director, Datuk Dr Ramlee Rahmat, said only Sarawak hospitals had reported on Saturday that there was an increase in haze-related cases.
Checks on several clinics in the Klang Valley, however, showed many people had sought treatment for coughing, throat irritation and dry eyes.
Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the headmasters would not need the ministry’s permission to do it if the haze worsens.
“The ministry’s decision has always been to close schools if the API is above 300.
“This was practised last year,” he told reporters here at a khatam Quran ceremony (to mark the completion of the reading of the Quran) by 22 pupils yesterday.
Hishammuddin also said schools should not allow students to take part in outdoor activities if the API was above 200.
He added that the decisionalso depended on the health condition of students.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry said there had not been any “obvious increase” in the number of cases of asthma and respiratory illness.
Its disease control director, Datuk Dr Ramlee Rahmat, said only Sarawak hospitals had reported on Saturday that there was an increase in haze-related cases.
Checks on several clinics in the Klang Valley, however, showed many people had sought treatment for coughing, throat irritation and dry eyes.
Home nursing for quick healing
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: Feb 12 is a date Susan Ngew, 48, will never forget. She was walking towards her parked car after Sunday mass on that fateful day this year when a Proton Saga crashed into her and pinned her to a stationary vehicle.
Both her legs were fractured and there was a gaping wound on her body. She was hospitalised for seven weeks.
"I was depressed and desperately wanted to go home even though my wounds had not healed," she said.
That was when her doctor referred her to a home nursing service.
More doctors are discharging their patients early from hospital and recommending that they receive care at home.
This service is suitable for patients who are recovering, but whose wounds may need to be cleaned and dressed, or whose injuries require physiotherapy.
"Home nursing can help to reduce medical costs for the patient and frees up hospital beds for very ill patients," said Sunway Medical Centre consultant orthopaedic and trauma surgeon Dr Hyzan Mohd Yusof.
Dr Hyzan, who refers 15 per cent of his patients to home nursing agencies for post-surgical care, said patients could receive better treatment at home as it is more comfortable and hygienic as there is a lower risk of in-house hospital infections.
Nurses At Home is one of the agencies providing such services and the business is flourishing.
Managing director Asok Nair said three years ago there were only requests for 10 to 20 home visits a month. Today, it has increased to 200 to 300 visits.
He attributed the growing demand to the affluence of Malaysians and the knowledge that they had the option of either being treated by doctors in hospitals or being taken care of in the comfort of their homes.
The agency’s charges range from RM65 to RM100 per home visit, depending on the care a patient needs.
Asok said hospital stays cost RM200 to RM400 a day, excluding intangible charges, such as a doctor’s fee to see a patient.
"We bring the treatment to the home as it is a better place for recovery and, of course, cheaper."
Ngew has been using the service for the past five months as she is being cared for by a nurse from the agency, Tan Soh Cheng.
"The first few months, I was in low spirits. I thought I would become disabled.
"Tan’s visits mean a lot to me. She gives me encouragement and the assurance that I will become normal again," she said.
"She is also very gentle and professional when cleaning and dressing my wounds and massaging my legs. We have become friends."
Siah Chee Teck, president of Home Care Connection, also reported growing demand for his agency’s home nursing services.
"Three years ago, there were about 200 patients under our care. Now we have more than 1,000 patients."
He related the case of a 16-year-old stroke victim who was referred to his agency. Initially, the girl was bed-ridden and could not swallow or utter a word.
Siah said that after six months of physiotherapy and exercises at home, the girl was able to walk slowly. She was fully recovered in eight months.
Hospis Malaysia, the charitable organisation for palliative care, started in 1992 with 44 patients. In 2003, it received 762 new cases and made about 600 home visits each month.
The number of its patients is expected to reach 1,150 by the end of this year.
Hospis Malaysia chief executive officer and medical director Dr Ednin Hamzah said the increase in patients is due to growing awareness of the organisation. It receives two to three referrals from hospitals every day.
One of its patients is a man suffering from fourth stage lung cancer.
"He was diagnosed in April and we cannot do much for him except make him comfortable and ease his pain," said Hospis Malaysia nurse Faezah Ali.
"I prescribe his medication and guide the private nurse in taking care of him. I also comfort him and his wife."
Another attraction of home nursing is that there is less disruption to the lives of family members.
"With a nurse going to their home, patients’ family members don’t lose working hours ferrying them to and from hospital," said Dr Tunku Nor Taayah Tunku Zubir, a consultant rehabilitation physician at Gleneagles Intan Medical Centre.
Both her legs were fractured and there was a gaping wound on her body. She was hospitalised for seven weeks.
"I was depressed and desperately wanted to go home even though my wounds had not healed," she said.
That was when her doctor referred her to a home nursing service.
More doctors are discharging their patients early from hospital and recommending that they receive care at home.
This service is suitable for patients who are recovering, but whose wounds may need to be cleaned and dressed, or whose injuries require physiotherapy.
"Home nursing can help to reduce medical costs for the patient and frees up hospital beds for very ill patients," said Sunway Medical Centre consultant orthopaedic and trauma surgeon Dr Hyzan Mohd Yusof.
Dr Hyzan, who refers 15 per cent of his patients to home nursing agencies for post-surgical care, said patients could receive better treatment at home as it is more comfortable and hygienic as there is a lower risk of in-house hospital infections.
Nurses At Home is one of the agencies providing such services and the business is flourishing.
Managing director Asok Nair said three years ago there were only requests for 10 to 20 home visits a month. Today, it has increased to 200 to 300 visits.
He attributed the growing demand to the affluence of Malaysians and the knowledge that they had the option of either being treated by doctors in hospitals or being taken care of in the comfort of their homes.
The agency’s charges range from RM65 to RM100 per home visit, depending on the care a patient needs.
Asok said hospital stays cost RM200 to RM400 a day, excluding intangible charges, such as a doctor’s fee to see a patient.
"We bring the treatment to the home as it is a better place for recovery and, of course, cheaper."
Ngew has been using the service for the past five months as she is being cared for by a nurse from the agency, Tan Soh Cheng.
"The first few months, I was in low spirits. I thought I would become disabled.
"Tan’s visits mean a lot to me. She gives me encouragement and the assurance that I will become normal again," she said.
"She is also very gentle and professional when cleaning and dressing my wounds and massaging my legs. We have become friends."
Siah Chee Teck, president of Home Care Connection, also reported growing demand for his agency’s home nursing services.
"Three years ago, there were about 200 patients under our care. Now we have more than 1,000 patients."
He related the case of a 16-year-old stroke victim who was referred to his agency. Initially, the girl was bed-ridden and could not swallow or utter a word.
Siah said that after six months of physiotherapy and exercises at home, the girl was able to walk slowly. She was fully recovered in eight months.
Hospis Malaysia, the charitable organisation for palliative care, started in 1992 with 44 patients. In 2003, it received 762 new cases and made about 600 home visits each month.
The number of its patients is expected to reach 1,150 by the end of this year.
Hospis Malaysia chief executive officer and medical director Dr Ednin Hamzah said the increase in patients is due to growing awareness of the organisation. It receives two to three referrals from hospitals every day.
One of its patients is a man suffering from fourth stage lung cancer.
"He was diagnosed in April and we cannot do much for him except make him comfortable and ease his pain," said Hospis Malaysia nurse Faezah Ali.
"I prescribe his medication and guide the private nurse in taking care of him. I also comfort him and his wife."
Another attraction of home nursing is that there is less disruption to the lives of family members.
"With a nurse going to their home, patients’ family members don’t lose working hours ferrying them to and from hospital," said Dr Tunku Nor Taayah Tunku Zubir, a consultant rehabilitation physician at Gleneagles Intan Medical Centre.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Out-Patient Numbers Rising Due To Haze
MUAR, Oct 7 (Bernama) -- The number of people suffering from influenza due to the haze in Sarikei has risen by 62 percent, while clinics in Bintulu registered a 60 percent jump in the number of such patients in the past two weeks.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the ministry was monitoring the threat posed by the haze on the people's health, particularly in Sarawak, following the increasing number of out-patients in three of 13 clinics in the state.
"The number of asthma patients in Sibu is also rising and the haze acts as a catalyst in aggravating the situation," he said at a press conference after launching the Johor MCA Work Camp at the Gunung Ledang Resort, Air Panas, Sagil, here Saturday evening.
He said the ministry was also monitoring the haze situation which started in several states in the peninsula two days ago.
"We have 52 special clinics in the peninsula with treatment facilities, and their management have been told to report their patient admission status every day to the ministry," he said. He said although the haze situation in the peninsula was under control, the ministry would continue to monitor the effects of the haze on health.
Among those who faced the highest risk of contracting asthma due to the haze were children, senior citizens and heart disease patients.
That was why when the Air Pollutant Index (API) readings were more than 100, these groups of people were prohibited from participating in outdoor activities and told to consume lots of fluids.
"If the API reading is more than 200, those residing in the areas are advised to wear masks. If the reading is more than 300, the area will be declared as having unhealthy air quality and everybody must wear a mask," he said.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the ministry was monitoring the threat posed by the haze on the people's health, particularly in Sarawak, following the increasing number of out-patients in three of 13 clinics in the state.
"The number of asthma patients in Sibu is also rising and the haze acts as a catalyst in aggravating the situation," he said at a press conference after launching the Johor MCA Work Camp at the Gunung Ledang Resort, Air Panas, Sagil, here Saturday evening.
He said the ministry was also monitoring the haze situation which started in several states in the peninsula two days ago.
"We have 52 special clinics in the peninsula with treatment facilities, and their management have been told to report their patient admission status every day to the ministry," he said. He said although the haze situation in the peninsula was under control, the ministry would continue to monitor the effects of the haze on health.
Among those who faced the highest risk of contracting asthma due to the haze were children, senior citizens and heart disease patients.
That was why when the Air Pollutant Index (API) readings were more than 100, these groups of people were prohibited from participating in outdoor activities and told to consume lots of fluids.
"If the API reading is more than 200, those residing in the areas are advised to wear masks. If the reading is more than 300, the area will be declared as having unhealthy air quality and everybody must wear a mask," he said.
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Adverse effects of haze being felt in Sarawak and Sabah
NST: KUCHING, SAT.: The haze has begun to take a toll on people's health, with a sharp rise in asthma and respiratory tract infections in Sarawak.
The state's deputy chief minister, Tan Sri Dr George Chan, said the Sarawak General Hospital and government clinics here have reported a sharp jump in the number of haze-related ailments and respiratory tract infection cases as the air quality worsened.
“The hospital and clinics were now treating some 200 cases daily of respiratory diseases, like asthma and conjunctivitis, up from the normal 40 to 50 cases," he said.
Small children are also advised to stay indoors, given the noticeable increase in the number of reported respiratory problems.
Hapni Ojen, 39, a primary school teacher in Kuching promptly took his children Nur Dayana, 9, and Mohd Hanafi, 3, to the government clinic at Jalan Masjid here after Hanafi complained about difficulty breathing.
"Hanafi was in tears last night, saying he has difficulty breathing but this morning he was all right. Although Hanafi and Dayana never had respiratory problems, I don’t want to take chances. I think children are more vulnerable than adults," Hapni said.
Primary school children at SK Encik Buyong in Petra Jaya had no choice but to use their classroom for physical exercise instead of the usual outdoor field.
Their teachers Fatimah Mohd Hamni, 44 and Umizan Ismail, 32, are concerned about the worsening haze and the school has stopped outdoor activities.
"The children, especially those in the afternoon session, became quite restless by 3pm because it was so hot and humid and they had to stay in the whole afternoon," Fatimah said.
In Kota Kinabalu, the haze in Sabah has been keeping fisherman Talib Musi home at Kampung Unggun in Menggatal near here most of the time these days.
He would probably try his luck at the river mouth and venture about a kilometre or two out at the Sepanggar Bay but nothing beyond that.
"Our fishing grounds are mostly beyond Pulau Gaya and Pulau Sepanggar, about 5km to 10km out at sea, but with the haze we can't really find our way because we depend on landmarks to find the right spot," he said.
Talib, in his 60s, said most traditional fishermen would mark their spot at sea by taking visual bearings such as hills, islands and here, in Sepanggar, the Tun Mustapha Tower, Likas bridge or UiTM building.
"If we go now nearer shore, the catch would be lesser. Luckily, it's prawn season now at the river mouth, so you can see many of us early in the morning out there and back by noon," he said.
The state's deputy chief minister, Tan Sri Dr George Chan, said the Sarawak General Hospital and government clinics here have reported a sharp jump in the number of haze-related ailments and respiratory tract infection cases as the air quality worsened.
“The hospital and clinics were now treating some 200 cases daily of respiratory diseases, like asthma and conjunctivitis, up from the normal 40 to 50 cases," he said.
Small children are also advised to stay indoors, given the noticeable increase in the number of reported respiratory problems.
Hapni Ojen, 39, a primary school teacher in Kuching promptly took his children Nur Dayana, 9, and Mohd Hanafi, 3, to the government clinic at Jalan Masjid here after Hanafi complained about difficulty breathing.
"Hanafi was in tears last night, saying he has difficulty breathing but this morning he was all right. Although Hanafi and Dayana never had respiratory problems, I don’t want to take chances. I think children are more vulnerable than adults," Hapni said.
Primary school children at SK Encik Buyong in Petra Jaya had no choice but to use their classroom for physical exercise instead of the usual outdoor field.
Their teachers Fatimah Mohd Hamni, 44 and Umizan Ismail, 32, are concerned about the worsening haze and the school has stopped outdoor activities.
"The children, especially those in the afternoon session, became quite restless by 3pm because it was so hot and humid and they had to stay in the whole afternoon," Fatimah said.
In Kota Kinabalu, the haze in Sabah has been keeping fisherman Talib Musi home at Kampung Unggun in Menggatal near here most of the time these days.
He would probably try his luck at the river mouth and venture about a kilometre or two out at the Sepanggar Bay but nothing beyond that.
"Our fishing grounds are mostly beyond Pulau Gaya and Pulau Sepanggar, about 5km to 10km out at sea, but with the haze we can't really find our way because we depend on landmarks to find the right spot," he said.
Talib, in his 60s, said most traditional fishermen would mark their spot at sea by taking visual bearings such as hills, islands and here, in Sepanggar, the Tun Mustapha Tower, Likas bridge or UiTM building.
"If we go now nearer shore, the catch would be lesser. Luckily, it's prawn season now at the river mouth, so you can see many of us early in the morning out there and back by noon," he said.
Travel advisory against visiting areas in India hit by Chikungunya
NST: KUALA LUMPUR, SAT.: Travellers have been advised not to visit the areas in India which have been badly hit by Chikungunya, a viral disease.
There have been thousands of cases of this viral disease in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have also been affected by the disease which has no known treatment.
The virus, spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, is generally not fatal but hundreds in India have died.
Health Ministry's Disease Control Department director Datuk Dr Ramlee Rahmat said Malaysians should not travel to the affected areas unless absolutely necessary.
He said the ministry is closely monitoring the situation in India, especially in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, and is getting the latest updates from the World Health Organisation.
“We have not started screening passengers arriving from India, but we advise them to seek medical treatment immediately if they develop symptoms of the virus.”
The symptoms of Chikungunya, also called Chicken Guinea, include high fever, a rash - usually on the limbs and trunk - and severe pain in the joints. The fever typically lasts for two days and abruptly comes down. Other symptoms, like the joint pain, intense headache, insomnia, and extreme tiredness usually last up to a week.
Dr Ramlee said Malaysians must work together to destroy all Aedes mosquito breeding grounds.
“This is not only protect against Chikungunya, but also dengue,” he said.
There was an outbreak of Chikungunya in Port Klang in 1999 affecting 27 people and a few months ago, there was an outbreak in a village in Perak, said Dr Ramlee.
There have been thousands of cases of this viral disease in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have also been affected by the disease which has no known treatment.
The virus, spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, is generally not fatal but hundreds in India have died.
Health Ministry's Disease Control Department director Datuk Dr Ramlee Rahmat said Malaysians should not travel to the affected areas unless absolutely necessary.
He said the ministry is closely monitoring the situation in India, especially in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, and is getting the latest updates from the World Health Organisation.
“We have not started screening passengers arriving from India, but we advise them to seek medical treatment immediately if they develop symptoms of the virus.”
The symptoms of Chikungunya, also called Chicken Guinea, include high fever, a rash - usually on the limbs and trunk - and severe pain in the joints. The fever typically lasts for two days and abruptly comes down. Other symptoms, like the joint pain, intense headache, insomnia, and extreme tiredness usually last up to a week.
Dr Ramlee said Malaysians must work together to destroy all Aedes mosquito breeding grounds.
“This is not only protect against Chikungunya, but also dengue,” he said.
There was an outbreak of Chikungunya in Port Klang in 1999 affecting 27 people and a few months ago, there was an outbreak in a village in Perak, said Dr Ramlee.
Hospitals on alert
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: A nationwide alert has gone out to all hospitals for an anticipated rise in cases of asthma and other respiratory ailments as the air quality dropped further in many areas yesterday.
The hospitals have been directed to collect data on a daily basis and report to the Health Ministry if they see a significant increase in those seeking treatment for such complaints.
The Health Ministry’s Disease Control Department director, Datuk Dr Ramlee Rahmat, said all hospitals were already on standby to cater to any increase in the number of patients.
Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said hospitals and clinics in the state were daily treating some 200 cases of respiratory diseases, like asthma, and conjunctivitis — up from the normal 40 to 50 cases.
Tips and information on haze-related problems can be obtained from all hospitals and the ministry’s website www.dph.gov.my/haze/index.html
As for the El Nino weather phenomenon which is predicted to bring dry weather to Malaysia in a few months, Dr Ramlee said their main concern was the outbreak of diseases related to drought.
Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur Hospital’s consultant pulmonary and critical care physician Datuk Dr Jeyaindran Sinnadurai said he did not see a significant increase in asthma and respiratory cases because particles in the air could be large.
"Large particles can be trapped by nasal hair. It’s the small particles that get into the respiratory system and cause health problems."
Department of Environment director-general Datuk Rosnani Ibarahim said a letter was sent to the Indonesian authorities yesterday informing them the haze had reached very unhealthy levels.
Meanwhile, many kindergartens in Kuala Lumpur put masks on children under their care.
They are also encouraging the pupils to stay indoors and drink more water.
Many young children have stopped going to kindergartens and those attending have coughs and sore throats.
The hospitals have been directed to collect data on a daily basis and report to the Health Ministry if they see a significant increase in those seeking treatment for such complaints.
The Health Ministry’s Disease Control Department director, Datuk Dr Ramlee Rahmat, said all hospitals were already on standby to cater to any increase in the number of patients.
Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said hospitals and clinics in the state were daily treating some 200 cases of respiratory diseases, like asthma, and conjunctivitis — up from the normal 40 to 50 cases.
Tips and information on haze-related problems can be obtained from all hospitals and the ministry’s website www.dph.gov.my/haze/index.html
As for the El Nino weather phenomenon which is predicted to bring dry weather to Malaysia in a few months, Dr Ramlee said their main concern was the outbreak of diseases related to drought.
Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur Hospital’s consultant pulmonary and critical care physician Datuk Dr Jeyaindran Sinnadurai said he did not see a significant increase in asthma and respiratory cases because particles in the air could be large.
"Large particles can be trapped by nasal hair. It’s the small particles that get into the respiratory system and cause health problems."
Department of Environment director-general Datuk Rosnani Ibarahim said a letter was sent to the Indonesian authorities yesterday informing them the haze had reached very unhealthy levels.
Meanwhile, many kindergartens in Kuala Lumpur put masks on children under their care.
They are also encouraging the pupils to stay indoors and drink more water.
Many young children have stopped going to kindergartens and those attending have coughs and sore throats.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Haze on the move, won't stay for long
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: The haze has spread to many parts of the nation, but officials are sticking by their guns that it will last only for a short period.
The Air Pollutant Index readings showed air quality in many areas had deteriorated yesterday, with more areas recording unhealthy levels than the previous day.
A Meteorological Services Department spokesman said initial estimates that the haze would only be around for a short period were accurate.
The spokesman repeated earlier reasons for the hazy conditions — that transitioning weather from the current inter-monsoon season to the North-East Monsoon resulted in the haze moving from Sumatra to Malaysia.
"There is also some inconsistent wind patterns which have affected the weather conditions," he said.
He said isolated thunderstorms and showers expected today in many parts of the peninsula, some parts of Sabah and Limbang and Kuching in Sarawak would help ease the situation.
In Kota Baru, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the government would carry out cloud seeding to induce rain in areas which had been badly affected by the haze.
Speaking to reporters after chairing the Kelantan Umno liaison meeting here yesterday, Najib said this had been done before in Sarawak just before the National Day celebrations in Kuching in August.
But the government’s ability to deal with the yearly weather phenomenon was hampered by the fact the haze originated from neighbouring Indonesia, he added.
"The area where these fires are from is huge and there is nothing we can do about that. At the same time, whether we are affected is dependent on wind direction.
"We are hoping that the wind direction changes soon. But if we need to perform cloud seeding we will," Najib said.
API readings at 5pm yesterday showed 15 areas had "unhealthy" readings with Sarawak being the worst-hit.
The air quality in Sabah improved slightly with Tawau, deemed unhealthy on Wednesday. All other areas in Sabah were considered moderate.
In the peninsula, Negri Sembilan and Malacca were affected with Nilai registering the highest reading in the peninsula at 118, with Seremban close behind at 114.
In Malacca, Bukit Rambai recorded 111 while Malacca town showed a reading of 104.
Other unhealthy areas in the peninsula were Muar (104), Kuala Selangor and Putrajaya (both 102).
The Air Pollutant Index readings showed air quality in many areas had deteriorated yesterday, with more areas recording unhealthy levels than the previous day.
A Meteorological Services Department spokesman said initial estimates that the haze would only be around for a short period were accurate.
The spokesman repeated earlier reasons for the hazy conditions — that transitioning weather from the current inter-monsoon season to the North-East Monsoon resulted in the haze moving from Sumatra to Malaysia.
"There is also some inconsistent wind patterns which have affected the weather conditions," he said.
He said isolated thunderstorms and showers expected today in many parts of the peninsula, some parts of Sabah and Limbang and Kuching in Sarawak would help ease the situation.
In Kota Baru, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the government would carry out cloud seeding to induce rain in areas which had been badly affected by the haze.
Speaking to reporters after chairing the Kelantan Umno liaison meeting here yesterday, Najib said this had been done before in Sarawak just before the National Day celebrations in Kuching in August.
But the government’s ability to deal with the yearly weather phenomenon was hampered by the fact the haze originated from neighbouring Indonesia, he added.
"The area where these fires are from is huge and there is nothing we can do about that. At the same time, whether we are affected is dependent on wind direction.
"We are hoping that the wind direction changes soon. But if we need to perform cloud seeding we will," Najib said.
API readings at 5pm yesterday showed 15 areas had "unhealthy" readings with Sarawak being the worst-hit.
The air quality in Sabah improved slightly with Tawau, deemed unhealthy on Wednesday. All other areas in Sabah were considered moderate.
In the peninsula, Negri Sembilan and Malacca were affected with Nilai registering the highest reading in the peninsula at 118, with Seremban close behind at 114.
In Malacca, Bukit Rambai recorded 111 while Malacca town showed a reading of 104.
Other unhealthy areas in the peninsula were Muar (104), Kuala Selangor and Putrajaya (both 102).
UKM makes top 200 — for the first time
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: For the first time ever, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia is among the world’s top 200 universities.
Ranked 185th by The Times Higher Education Supplement (THES) in its 2006 rankings published yesterday, UKM improved by an impressive 104 places from the 289th spot last year.
In achieving its best position so far, UKM beat well-known universities such as University of Minnesota in the United States, which was placed 187th, University of Reading, Britain (192), and University of Wollongong, Australia (196).
Sadly though, Universiti Malaya, which was ranked among the world’s top 100 universities two years ago, continued its downward slide.
In its worst placing ever, the nation’s oldest university tied with the University of Reading for the 192nd spot. It had slipped to 169th spot last year from a commendable 89th in 2004 when it was the only Malaysian university which made THES’ top-200 list.
When contacted yesterday, both vice-chancellors of UKM and UM declined to comment on the latest rankings.
Instead, UKM’s Datuk Dr Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hasan Shahabudin and UM’s Datuk Rafiah Salim said they would be making a joint statement today.
But former UKM vice-chancellor, Prof Datuk Mohd Salleh Mohd Yasin, credited the university’s improved placing to the concise information provided on its website.
"We knew they (THES) were looking at our website, to look at the information and see whether it was easy to use. Everyone put a lot of effort into this and I guess the brief features showing the academicians at work also helped," he said.
Salleh said UKM had also produced a lot of brochures which were distributed by lecturers attending seminars and conferences abroad.
"It was a simple one-page brochure to promote the university to as many people as possible," he said.
Salleh, who was UKM’s vice-chancellor for the last three years until he retired on Aug 27, said he was proud of the university’s achievement and credited the hard work put in by the staff.
"The university would not have gotten where it is today without the support of the staff," he added.
As for international institutions, American and British universities dominate the rankings for the top 100 universities in the world.
In fact, all 13 top universities are from the two countries. Harvard University (United States) leads the pack, followed by Britain’s University of Cambridge and University of Oxford.
The US has 33 universities ranked in the top 100. Britain has 15, while Australia and the Netherlands have seven each.
Switzerland and France are next with five, while Hong Kong, Japan, Canada and Germany each have three institutions among the 100 top universities.
China and India, the world’s two most populous countries, have two each along with Singapore, New Zealand and Belgium.
The highest-ranking Asian university is Beijing University which is placed 15th while the National University of Singapore is ranked 19th.
THES looked at 500 universities worldwide and asked 3,703 academics to pick their 30 best universities in terms of research carried out.
It also takes into account responses from 736 employers globally. Other factors include the ratio of academic staff to students and a university’s ability to draw foreign students and world-renowned academics.
Ranked 185th by The Times Higher Education Supplement (THES) in its 2006 rankings published yesterday, UKM improved by an impressive 104 places from the 289th spot last year.
In achieving its best position so far, UKM beat well-known universities such as University of Minnesota in the United States, which was placed 187th, University of Reading, Britain (192), and University of Wollongong, Australia (196).
Sadly though, Universiti Malaya, which was ranked among the world’s top 100 universities two years ago, continued its downward slide.
In its worst placing ever, the nation’s oldest university tied with the University of Reading for the 192nd spot. It had slipped to 169th spot last year from a commendable 89th in 2004 when it was the only Malaysian university which made THES’ top-200 list.
When contacted yesterday, both vice-chancellors of UKM and UM declined to comment on the latest rankings.
Instead, UKM’s Datuk Dr Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hasan Shahabudin and UM’s Datuk Rafiah Salim said they would be making a joint statement today.
But former UKM vice-chancellor, Prof Datuk Mohd Salleh Mohd Yasin, credited the university’s improved placing to the concise information provided on its website.
"We knew they (THES) were looking at our website, to look at the information and see whether it was easy to use. Everyone put a lot of effort into this and I guess the brief features showing the academicians at work also helped," he said.
Salleh said UKM had also produced a lot of brochures which were distributed by lecturers attending seminars and conferences abroad.
"It was a simple one-page brochure to promote the university to as many people as possible," he said.
Salleh, who was UKM’s vice-chancellor for the last three years until he retired on Aug 27, said he was proud of the university’s achievement and credited the hard work put in by the staff.
"The university would not have gotten where it is today without the support of the staff," he added.
As for international institutions, American and British universities dominate the rankings for the top 100 universities in the world.
In fact, all 13 top universities are from the two countries. Harvard University (United States) leads the pack, followed by Britain’s University of Cambridge and University of Oxford.
The US has 33 universities ranked in the top 100. Britain has 15, while Australia and the Netherlands have seven each.
Switzerland and France are next with five, while Hong Kong, Japan, Canada and Germany each have three institutions among the 100 top universities.
China and India, the world’s two most populous countries, have two each along with Singapore, New Zealand and Belgium.
The highest-ranking Asian university is Beijing University which is placed 15th while the National University of Singapore is ranked 19th.
THES looked at 500 universities worldwide and asked 3,703 academics to pick their 30 best universities in terms of research carried out.
It also takes into account responses from 736 employers globally. Other factors include the ratio of academic staff to students and a university’s ability to draw foreign students and world-renowned academics.
Schools In Sarawak To Close If API Breaches 300 Level
KUCHING, Oct 5 (Bernama) -- The state government will order the closure of all schools in haze-hit Sarawak if the air pollutant index (API) breaches the hazardous 300 level.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said the decision was approved by the state cabinet at its weekly meeting Thursday morning.
"The cabinet has also decided that a state of emergency will be declared in Sarawak, which has experienced reduced visibility range in most areas over the last few days, if the API reading soars to 500 level and above," he told a news conference here.
He said the state government was preparing for the worst and had reactivated the operations room in all the Resident Offices throughout Sarawak.
So far 240,000 out of the one million face masks to be given free to the public by the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) had been distributed to the NREB regional offices, State Education Department divisional offices and district offices, he said.
Priority would be given to younger children in kindergartens and schools, especially in badly affected areas in Kuching, Sarikei, Sibu, Samarahan and Sri Aman.
Small children were also advised to stay indoors, given the noticeable increase in the number of reported respiratory problems, particularly asthma cases in the state, he said.
He also reminded plantations to totally stop open burning although only two of the total 294 hotspots detected in Borneo today were in Sri Aman, with the rest detected by satellite in Kalimantan.
He said the cloud seeding by Royal Malaysian Air Force Hercules aircraft, which began Tuesday, had so far failed to induce rain due to the absence of moisture-laden clouds but the operation would continue until the situation improved.
As at 3pm Thursday, eight areas still recorded an unhealthy air quality. Kuching had an API reading of 160, Sibu (165), Bintulu (108), Sarikei (183), Samarahan (166), Sri Aman (176), Kapit (117) and Petra Jaya (169).
Only two areas recorded a moderate level -- Miri at 63 and Limbang (60) -- he said.
All major towns continued to record poor visibility with Kuching having a visibility range of only 800m, Sri Aman (1km), Sibu (500m), Bintulu (800m), Miri (1.8km) and Limbang (2km) as at 3pm Thursday.
Meanwhile a forecaster from the State Meteorological Services Department said the haze was expected to be cleared by mid-October when the climatic changes would be conducive to rain-producing clouds.
He said it was likely that the haze situation, which had disrupted air services due to reduced visibility, would improve with the onset of the inter-monsoon season.
"By then the force of the Typhoon Xansane, which is now blowing over Japan, will reduce the strength of the southwesterly bringing the haze from hotspots in Kalimantan into the state," he said.
However residents in Bintulu, Miri, Limbang and Kapit were expected to get a respite from the choking haze with anticipated rains in the afternoon in the next few days, he said.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said the decision was approved by the state cabinet at its weekly meeting Thursday morning.
"The cabinet has also decided that a state of emergency will be declared in Sarawak, which has experienced reduced visibility range in most areas over the last few days, if the API reading soars to 500 level and above," he told a news conference here.
He said the state government was preparing for the worst and had reactivated the operations room in all the Resident Offices throughout Sarawak.
So far 240,000 out of the one million face masks to be given free to the public by the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) had been distributed to the NREB regional offices, State Education Department divisional offices and district offices, he said.
Priority would be given to younger children in kindergartens and schools, especially in badly affected areas in Kuching, Sarikei, Sibu, Samarahan and Sri Aman.
Small children were also advised to stay indoors, given the noticeable increase in the number of reported respiratory problems, particularly asthma cases in the state, he said.
He also reminded plantations to totally stop open burning although only two of the total 294 hotspots detected in Borneo today were in Sri Aman, with the rest detected by satellite in Kalimantan.
He said the cloud seeding by Royal Malaysian Air Force Hercules aircraft, which began Tuesday, had so far failed to induce rain due to the absence of moisture-laden clouds but the operation would continue until the situation improved.
As at 3pm Thursday, eight areas still recorded an unhealthy air quality. Kuching had an API reading of 160, Sibu (165), Bintulu (108), Sarikei (183), Samarahan (166), Sri Aman (176), Kapit (117) and Petra Jaya (169).
Only two areas recorded a moderate level -- Miri at 63 and Limbang (60) -- he said.
All major towns continued to record poor visibility with Kuching having a visibility range of only 800m, Sri Aman (1km), Sibu (500m), Bintulu (800m), Miri (1.8km) and Limbang (2km) as at 3pm Thursday.
Meanwhile a forecaster from the State Meteorological Services Department said the haze was expected to be cleared by mid-October when the climatic changes would be conducive to rain-producing clouds.
He said it was likely that the haze situation, which had disrupted air services due to reduced visibility, would improve with the onset of the inter-monsoon season.
"By then the force of the Typhoon Xansane, which is now blowing over Japan, will reduce the strength of the southwesterly bringing the haze from hotspots in Kalimantan into the state," he said.
However residents in Bintulu, Miri, Limbang and Kapit were expected to get a respite from the choking haze with anticipated rains in the afternoon in the next few days, he said.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Family of four in Bachok cleared of bird flu
NST: TUMPAT, KELANTAN, THURS: A FAMILY of four, quarantined since Monday on suspicion of having contracted the bird flu, has been cleared of the disease. The family, from Jelawat, Bachok, had been warded at the Raja Perempuan II Hospital in Kota Baru since last week.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek told reporters after visiting the Tumpat Hospital that blood tests performed on the family had cleared them of the avian influenza.
On Monday, the four, aged between 43 and 19 were warded after they complained of fever and joint aches after four of their chicken died.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek told reporters after visiting the Tumpat Hospital that blood tests performed on the family had cleared them of the avian influenza.
On Monday, the four, aged between 43 and 19 were warded after they complained of fever and joint aches after four of their chicken died.
Free Eye Screening On Oct 12 World Sight Day
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5 (Bernama) -- A four-day free eye screening and exhibition will be held at the Mines Shopping Fair, Seri Kembangan, near here beginning Oct 12 in conjunction with World Sight Day.
The Malaysian Association for the Blind (MAB), in a statement here Thursday, said the exhibition was jointly organised by the National Council for the Blind, Tun Hussein Onn Eye Hospital, Lions International and Rotary International.
World Sight Day is an annual event set up by the World Health Organisation and the International Association for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) to be observed globally on the second Thursday of October each year, to create awareness that 80 per cent of blindness can actually be prevented or treated.
Currently, there are about 40 million blind persons worldwide and about 120 million people, mostly Asians, are suffering from low vision, it said.
The Malaysian Association for the Blind (MAB), in a statement here Thursday, said the exhibition was jointly organised by the National Council for the Blind, Tun Hussein Onn Eye Hospital, Lions International and Rotary International.
World Sight Day is an annual event set up by the World Health Organisation and the International Association for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) to be observed globally on the second Thursday of October each year, to create awareness that 80 per cent of blindness can actually be prevented or treated.
Currently, there are about 40 million blind persons worldwide and about 120 million people, mostly Asians, are suffering from low vision, it said.
When is the money coming?
Star: AN abandoned ward project lies between University Malaya Medical Centre’s (UMMC) Menara Timur and the surau.
The Obstetric Paediatric Ward project, which started in 2002, has been abandoned since 2003.
The project was supposed to provide the paediatric department with a block containing nine floors and three basement floors while the obstetric department was to get a block with four floors and three basement floors (according to the notice board for the project).
The new ward was aimed at providing enough beds for patients, as there is presently an insufficient number of beds to meet demand.
Yet the project has been left alone after the base structure was completed.
UM vice-chancellor Datuk Rafiah Salim said the project was not stalled intentionally nor were there any elements of bad faith.
It was tendered with officials from both the Finance Ministry and the Works Ministry present with all the proper paperwork done.
“We started the project in good faith and expected the rest of the money to come because approval had been given under the 8th Malaysia Plan,” said Rafiah.
“The hospital is very crowded. If we could get the building completed early, we could take off some of the load from the old wing.”
Rafiah said the funds were not under the university’s control but that of the Finance Ministry and money had been allocated this time around for the project to continue.
“It’s a lot of money, that’s why there’s a lot of interest in this project. As far as the university is concerned, we would like to finish the project and not leave it as an eyesore.”
Independent engineer E.F. Lee said the practice of building the first part of a project was both foolish and unheard of in the construction industry.
“In the industry, when you start a project, you want to finish it because a few years later, the technologies and needs may have changed and the base structure would have been outdated,” said Lee.
“Starting a project when you only have partial funds, while not illegal, is very bad planning.”
In the event that a building project could not continue, Lee said, the structure would have to be protected against sulphur dioxide (acid rain) with paint or primer applied over the concrete and steel bars to prevent erosion and corrosion.
Lee said although he had not inspected the site up close, from his observation the construction looked abandoned without any mitigation or protection to the completed structures.
“Generally, the conditions in Malaysian cities are not very hazardous, but the reinforcement of steel bars is critical,” said Lee.
“By leaving it unprotected, corrosion will set in and the bars will lose strength that is critical to reinforce the concrete structure,” he added.
UMMC director Prof Dr Ikram Shah Ismail and UMMC associate professor and consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Prof Dr Jamiyah Hassan further clarified the situation.
“The building was initiated under the 7th Malaysia Plan, with the building designed to be done in two phases because there was not enough funds in the 7th Malaysia Plan. Thus, funding for the project had to be spilled over to the 8th Malaysia Plan,” said Dr Jamiyah.
“Tender for the base structure was closed on Aug 7, 2002, and the project was undertaken and completed by the first construction company while we waited for the next part of the funding from the Finance Ministry.”
On April 22, 2004, the Finance Ministry officially told UMMC that there were not enough funds to finance the project due to the economic downturn and asked UMMC to resubmit applications for funds in the 9th Malaysia Plan instead.
Ikram said RM20mil was spent on the initial project in 2002.
The funds for the next phase include the cost of checking the structure’s safety and would take 18 months to complete from the date of commencement.
The Obstetric Paediatric Ward project, which started in 2002, has been abandoned since 2003.
The project was supposed to provide the paediatric department with a block containing nine floors and three basement floors while the obstetric department was to get a block with four floors and three basement floors (according to the notice board for the project).
The new ward was aimed at providing enough beds for patients, as there is presently an insufficient number of beds to meet demand.
Yet the project has been left alone after the base structure was completed.
UM vice-chancellor Datuk Rafiah Salim said the project was not stalled intentionally nor were there any elements of bad faith.
It was tendered with officials from both the Finance Ministry and the Works Ministry present with all the proper paperwork done.
“We started the project in good faith and expected the rest of the money to come because approval had been given under the 8th Malaysia Plan,” said Rafiah.
“The hospital is very crowded. If we could get the building completed early, we could take off some of the load from the old wing.”
Rafiah said the funds were not under the university’s control but that of the Finance Ministry and money had been allocated this time around for the project to continue.
“It’s a lot of money, that’s why there’s a lot of interest in this project. As far as the university is concerned, we would like to finish the project and not leave it as an eyesore.”
Independent engineer E.F. Lee said the practice of building the first part of a project was both foolish and unheard of in the construction industry.
“In the industry, when you start a project, you want to finish it because a few years later, the technologies and needs may have changed and the base structure would have been outdated,” said Lee.
“Starting a project when you only have partial funds, while not illegal, is very bad planning.”
In the event that a building project could not continue, Lee said, the structure would have to be protected against sulphur dioxide (acid rain) with paint or primer applied over the concrete and steel bars to prevent erosion and corrosion.
Lee said although he had not inspected the site up close, from his observation the construction looked abandoned without any mitigation or protection to the completed structures.
“Generally, the conditions in Malaysian cities are not very hazardous, but the reinforcement of steel bars is critical,” said Lee.
“By leaving it unprotected, corrosion will set in and the bars will lose strength that is critical to reinforce the concrete structure,” he added.
UMMC director Prof Dr Ikram Shah Ismail and UMMC associate professor and consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Prof Dr Jamiyah Hassan further clarified the situation.
“The building was initiated under the 7th Malaysia Plan, with the building designed to be done in two phases because there was not enough funds in the 7th Malaysia Plan. Thus, funding for the project had to be spilled over to the 8th Malaysia Plan,” said Dr Jamiyah.
“Tender for the base structure was closed on Aug 7, 2002, and the project was undertaken and completed by the first construction company while we waited for the next part of the funding from the Finance Ministry.”
On April 22, 2004, the Finance Ministry officially told UMMC that there were not enough funds to finance the project due to the economic downturn and asked UMMC to resubmit applications for funds in the 9th Malaysia Plan instead.
Ikram said RM20mil was spent on the initial project in 2002.
The funds for the next phase include the cost of checking the structure’s safety and would take 18 months to complete from the date of commencement.
Sarawak residents to get 10 free masks each
Star: KUCHING: Sarawak residents are entitled to 10 free face-masks each. The distribution will be handled by the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB).
Private firms, institutions and NGOs wanting to get the masks for their employees should send written requests to the board.
The masks will also be distributed via the State Education Department to schools.
“The masks are available at the NREB headquarters at Menara Pelita in Petra Jaya here and at its regional and sub-regional offices in Sibu, Miri, Bintulu, Bandar Sri Aman, Mukah and Limbang,” a spokesman for the board said yesterday.
Enquiries can be made to Lau Ing Huong, regional environment officer for the southern region (covering Kuching, Samarahan, Sri Aman and Betong divisions), Mohd Arnie Mustapha or Georgeson George Lansam (082-319 518/ 319 514 or hotline 447 129).
The board has reactivated its operations room, which is open from 8am to 5pm throughout the week.
Private firms, institutions and NGOs wanting to get the masks for their employees should send written requests to the board.
The masks will also be distributed via the State Education Department to schools.
“The masks are available at the NREB headquarters at Menara Pelita in Petra Jaya here and at its regional and sub-regional offices in Sibu, Miri, Bintulu, Bandar Sri Aman, Mukah and Limbang,” a spokesman for the board said yesterday.
Enquiries can be made to Lau Ing Huong, regional environment officer for the southern region (covering Kuching, Samarahan, Sri Aman and Betong divisions), Mohd Arnie Mustapha or Georgeson George Lansam (082-319 518/ 319 514 or hotline 447 129).
The board has reactivated its operations room, which is open from 8am to 5pm throughout the week.
Parents want Kuching schools closed
NST: KUCHING: Anxious parents are urging schools here to be closed until the haze clears.
But Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan has said that there were no immediate plans to do so.
Schools would only close if the situation worsened and the air pollutant index breached the 400 mark, he said.
An API reading of 101 to 200 denotes unhealthy air quality; 201 to 300 very unhealthy; and, above 300 is considered hazardous.
Dr Chan, however, advised school not to have any outdoor activities until the air quality improved.
President of the Sarawak Teachers Union William Ghani Bina felt that that medical and health experts should be the ones deciding on whether schools should be closed.
But, he said, this might not be the right time to close the schools as it would disrupt the ongoing Penilaian Menengah Rendah examinations for Form Three students.
"I think to close the schools at this point would be disruptive unless the examination is allowed to continue," he said.
Although cloud-seeding operations were carried out in several areas yesterday to induce rain, there are fears that the Kuching International Airport may be closed if the haze continues.
Although an official with the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) declined to comment, the public relations officer of Hornbill Skyways, Zawawi "Awek" Abdul Rahman, said they had been told by the DCA that the airport would be closed if visibility is reduced to 91 metres.
Yesterday was the sixth consecutive day that Hornbill Skyways, the state’s largest helicopter operator, had grounded its fleet of 10 helicopters.
The move has affected the state’s Flying Doctor Service which depends on the helicopters. But emergency flights would still be carried out if the pilots feel that it is safe to do so.
Cloud seeding was carried out over Kuching, Miri, Limbang and Mukah yesterday.
While it rained in Miri and Mukah, Kuching continues to have dry weather, and the haze has reduced visibility to 200 metres.
Despite the poor visibility in most parts of the state, the DCA has not banned aircraft from flying.
"It’s up to the operators and their pilots to decide whether it is safe to fly," said Sim Chai Choon, the supervisor on duty at the DCA call centre.
The visibility problem, however, had disrupted Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia and Fly Asian Express domestic flight schedules in Sabah and Sarawak.
Delays are now the norm and some of the flights were cancelled at short notice.
MAS Kuching airport station manager Awang Habu Sabtu said four flights to Kuching had to be cancelled yesterday and another two had to be diverted to Sibu.
But Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan has said that there were no immediate plans to do so.
Schools would only close if the situation worsened and the air pollutant index breached the 400 mark, he said.
An API reading of 101 to 200 denotes unhealthy air quality; 201 to 300 very unhealthy; and, above 300 is considered hazardous.
Dr Chan, however, advised school not to have any outdoor activities until the air quality improved.
President of the Sarawak Teachers Union William Ghani Bina felt that that medical and health experts should be the ones deciding on whether schools should be closed.
But, he said, this might not be the right time to close the schools as it would disrupt the ongoing Penilaian Menengah Rendah examinations for Form Three students.
"I think to close the schools at this point would be disruptive unless the examination is allowed to continue," he said.
Although cloud-seeding operations were carried out in several areas yesterday to induce rain, there are fears that the Kuching International Airport may be closed if the haze continues.
Although an official with the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) declined to comment, the public relations officer of Hornbill Skyways, Zawawi "Awek" Abdul Rahman, said they had been told by the DCA that the airport would be closed if visibility is reduced to 91 metres.
Yesterday was the sixth consecutive day that Hornbill Skyways, the state’s largest helicopter operator, had grounded its fleet of 10 helicopters.
The move has affected the state’s Flying Doctor Service which depends on the helicopters. But emergency flights would still be carried out if the pilots feel that it is safe to do so.
Cloud seeding was carried out over Kuching, Miri, Limbang and Mukah yesterday.
While it rained in Miri and Mukah, Kuching continues to have dry weather, and the haze has reduced visibility to 200 metres.
Despite the poor visibility in most parts of the state, the DCA has not banned aircraft from flying.
"It’s up to the operators and their pilots to decide whether it is safe to fly," said Sim Chai Choon, the supervisor on duty at the DCA call centre.
The visibility problem, however, had disrupted Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia and Fly Asian Express domestic flight schedules in Sabah and Sarawak.
Delays are now the norm and some of the flights were cancelled at short notice.
MAS Kuching airport station manager Awang Habu Sabtu said four flights to Kuching had to be cancelled yesterday and another two had to be diverted to Sibu.
Haze sweeps back to peninsula
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: The haze is back. After weeks of respite, Malaysians woke up yesterday morning to grey skies and muted sunlight. Worst hit was Sarawak where pollutant readings classified as "very unhealthy" were recorded in several areas.
The only reassurance: It is only a temporary condition, due to changes in wind direction, from south-easterly to south-westerly.
A spokesman for the Malaysian Meteorological Services Department also attributed the situation to transitioning weather, from the current inter-monsoon season to the North-East monsoon, which is expected to hit the country next month.
"As a result, we are having intermittent haze (due to inconsistent wind patterns), which is moving from Sumatra to Malaysia," he said.
As of 7pm yesterday, 124 hotspots were detected in Sumatra and another 29 in Kalimantan.
The spokesman added the current situation would continue until the monsoon season next month.
However, rainfall is expected for the next few days in the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah, with scattered rain in the interiors of Sarawak to help alleviate the problem.
Visibility levels as of 7pm yesterday saw a drop in a majority of areas.
Among the worst-hit were Kuching with a visibility of 400m, Sibu (800m), Bintulu (1km), Sri Aman (1.5km) and Mersing (2km).
At the same time, visibility at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport was reduced to 1.5km, but Department of Civil Aviation director-general Datuk Kok Soo Chon said flights were not affected.
However, the department would be monitoring the situation closely.
Despite the condition, the Department of Environment’s Air Pollutant Index (API) readings at 5pm showed 10 areas in four states — Sabah, Sarawak, Malacca and Negri Sembilan — were at moderate levels.
For the first time in a long while, the API reading for Petra Jaya in Sarawak rose to a "very unhealthy" level of 213, up from its previous reading of 135 and 130 on Tuesday and Monday respectively.
Readings for 35 areas in the country, including Selangor, were moderate.
Kuala Lumpur recorded a reading of 87; Putrajaya, 90; Petaling Jaya, 82; Shah Alam, 84; Miri, 89; and, Tanjung Malim, 67.
They were caused by high concentration of dust particles and ground-level ozone.
Another 13 areas recorded a reading of good.
An API of between 0 and 50 indicates that the air quality is "good"; between 51 and 100 is considered "moderate"; between 101 and 200 is "unhealthy"; between 201 and 300 is "very unhealthy"; while 301 onwards is "hazardous".
Meanwhile, the haze, previously concentrated in Sarawak, spread to Sabah at an alarmingly rapid rate despite torrential rain on Tuesday night.
The haze, particularly thick in the east coast town of Tawau, where the API reached the level of 142 on Tuesday evening, was at 133 yesterday.
And despite heavy rain throughout the morning, the haze here continues to plague the city, while Keningau and Sandakan both experienced moderate conditions at 80 and 70 reading respectively.
State Environment Department assistant director Mohammad Ruslan Mu- hamad said that people should not worry yet but "be cautious" and not aggravate the situation by conducting open burning.
He said that it would be hard to predict whether the situation would get better or worse as it would depend on the wind pattern and the rain.
The worsening haze, coupled with strong winds and torrential rain has worried citizens here, although no emergency calls and serious damage have been reported as yet.
The only reassurance: It is only a temporary condition, due to changes in wind direction, from south-easterly to south-westerly.
A spokesman for the Malaysian Meteorological Services Department also attributed the situation to transitioning weather, from the current inter-monsoon season to the North-East monsoon, which is expected to hit the country next month.
"As a result, we are having intermittent haze (due to inconsistent wind patterns), which is moving from Sumatra to Malaysia," he said.
As of 7pm yesterday, 124 hotspots were detected in Sumatra and another 29 in Kalimantan.
The spokesman added the current situation would continue until the monsoon season next month.
However, rainfall is expected for the next few days in the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah, with scattered rain in the interiors of Sarawak to help alleviate the problem.
Visibility levels as of 7pm yesterday saw a drop in a majority of areas.
Among the worst-hit were Kuching with a visibility of 400m, Sibu (800m), Bintulu (1km), Sri Aman (1.5km) and Mersing (2km).
At the same time, visibility at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport was reduced to 1.5km, but Department of Civil Aviation director-general Datuk Kok Soo Chon said flights were not affected.
However, the department would be monitoring the situation closely.
Despite the condition, the Department of Environment’s Air Pollutant Index (API) readings at 5pm showed 10 areas in four states — Sabah, Sarawak, Malacca and Negri Sembilan — were at moderate levels.
For the first time in a long while, the API reading for Petra Jaya in Sarawak rose to a "very unhealthy" level of 213, up from its previous reading of 135 and 130 on Tuesday and Monday respectively.
Readings for 35 areas in the country, including Selangor, were moderate.
Kuala Lumpur recorded a reading of 87; Putrajaya, 90; Petaling Jaya, 82; Shah Alam, 84; Miri, 89; and, Tanjung Malim, 67.
They were caused by high concentration of dust particles and ground-level ozone.
Another 13 areas recorded a reading of good.
An API of between 0 and 50 indicates that the air quality is "good"; between 51 and 100 is considered "moderate"; between 101 and 200 is "unhealthy"; between 201 and 300 is "very unhealthy"; while 301 onwards is "hazardous".
Meanwhile, the haze, previously concentrated in Sarawak, spread to Sabah at an alarmingly rapid rate despite torrential rain on Tuesday night.
The haze, particularly thick in the east coast town of Tawau, where the API reached the level of 142 on Tuesday evening, was at 133 yesterday.
And despite heavy rain throughout the morning, the haze here continues to plague the city, while Keningau and Sandakan both experienced moderate conditions at 80 and 70 reading respectively.
State Environment Department assistant director Mohammad Ruslan Mu- hamad said that people should not worry yet but "be cautious" and not aggravate the situation by conducting open burning.
He said that it would be hard to predict whether the situation would get better or worse as it would depend on the wind pattern and the rain.
The worsening haze, coupled with strong winds and torrential rain has worried citizens here, although no emergency calls and serious damage have been reported as yet.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Haze worsens in Sarawak
Star: KUCHING: Parents are keeping their children indoors as the air quality in several towns in Sarawak has worsened.
The Department of Environment (DOE) website showed that the air pollutant index (API) in Sarikei rose to 196 at 11am yesterday. It, however, dropped to 177 at 5pm.
Six other towns, one more than on Monday, recorded unhealthy air levels at 5pm.
The state capital had the lowest visibility level at 800m, followed by Bintulu (1km) and Sibu (1.5km) as at 7pm yesterday.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam urged those working outdoors to get free surgical masks from Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) distribution centres.
“Stay indoors and have fewer outdoor activities,” he added.
Schools have also been instructed to control and reduce the number of outdoor activities.
Motorists here have begun wearing masks.
Ishak Omar, who cashed in on the situation by selling face masks at RM1 each in Jalan Astana, Petra Jaya here, said business was brisk.
In Sabah, the haze worsened overnight, with API readings showing a rising trend, and with the east coast district of Tawau experiencing an unhealthy level of 132.
In the peninsula, air quality was between good and moderate levels.
Satellite pictures yesterday showed 305 hotspots in Sumatra and 434 in Borneo.
The Meteorological Services Department said the situation was expected to improve by the middle of this month because of the inter-monsoon season.
It said an increase in tropical storm activities in the Western Pacific near the Philippines and in the South China Sea had caused the strengthening of winds and a return of drier weather.
“As a result, there was a significant increase in the number of hotspots mainly around the south of Pontianak, Palangkaraya and Banjarmasin in Kalimantan and south of Jambi in Sumatra,” the statement said.
The Department of Environment (DOE) website showed that the air pollutant index (API) in Sarikei rose to 196 at 11am yesterday. It, however, dropped to 177 at 5pm.
Six other towns, one more than on Monday, recorded unhealthy air levels at 5pm.
The state capital had the lowest visibility level at 800m, followed by Bintulu (1km) and Sibu (1.5km) as at 7pm yesterday.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam urged those working outdoors to get free surgical masks from Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) distribution centres.
“Stay indoors and have fewer outdoor activities,” he added.
Schools have also been instructed to control and reduce the number of outdoor activities.
Motorists here have begun wearing masks.
Ishak Omar, who cashed in on the situation by selling face masks at RM1 each in Jalan Astana, Petra Jaya here, said business was brisk.
In Sabah, the haze worsened overnight, with API readings showing a rising trend, and with the east coast district of Tawau experiencing an unhealthy level of 132.
In the peninsula, air quality was between good and moderate levels.
Satellite pictures yesterday showed 305 hotspots in Sumatra and 434 in Borneo.
The Meteorological Services Department said the situation was expected to improve by the middle of this month because of the inter-monsoon season.
It said an increase in tropical storm activities in the Western Pacific near the Philippines and in the South China Sea had caused the strengthening of winds and a return of drier weather.
“As a result, there was a significant increase in the number of hotspots mainly around the south of Pontianak, Palangkaraya and Banjarmasin in Kalimantan and south of Jambi in Sumatra,” the statement said.
Free stay for family of patients
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Family members accompanying patients at the Selayang Hospital near here, need not worry about seeking accommodation for themselves.
Since last month, the hospital has been providing free accommodation for such family members at its Anjung Kasih, which has 18 rooms, a surau, a rest area and washrooms, including a toilet for the disabled.
Priority is given to visitors from outside Kuala Lumpur and Selangor who are caring for the very sick and cannot afford decent accommodation elsewhere.
However, they have to make a refundable deposit of RM50 for the use of the facility.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the facility is currently just available at the Selayang Hospital.
However, he added, it would also be extended to other major hospitals like Hospital Kuala Lumpur and general hospitals in Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Sabah.
Since it started last month, 43 families of patients warded at the Selayang Hospital had used its facilities, he told reporters after opening the Anjung Kasih (Caring Pavilion) yesterday.
Also present was Family, Women and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, who also chairs the board of trustees of the National Welfare Foundation (YKN).
The two ministers also jointly opened the one-stop MeKar-YKN child and youth mental health clinic, which provides wards, clinical services, therapy and day-care services.
Dr Chua said an increasing number of children and teenagers are seeking psychiatric help at the Selayang Hospital.
A total of 1,079 patients were recorded last year compared with just 285 in 2002.
“Often, parents do not understand their condition,” Dr Chua said. “Sometimes they think their children are disobedient and have difficulty relating to their siblings, going to school or speaking.
“This is where the one-stop-centre can provide counselling for the family.”
He said the MeKar-YKN centre caters for children from two to 17 years who suffer from autism, refusal to go to school, conduct disorder, depressive disorder, attention deficit disorder and schizophrenia.
Since last month, the hospital has been providing free accommodation for such family members at its Anjung Kasih, which has 18 rooms, a surau, a rest area and washrooms, including a toilet for the disabled.
Priority is given to visitors from outside Kuala Lumpur and Selangor who are caring for the very sick and cannot afford decent accommodation elsewhere.
However, they have to make a refundable deposit of RM50 for the use of the facility.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the facility is currently just available at the Selayang Hospital.
However, he added, it would also be extended to other major hospitals like Hospital Kuala Lumpur and general hospitals in Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Sabah.
Since it started last month, 43 families of patients warded at the Selayang Hospital had used its facilities, he told reporters after opening the Anjung Kasih (Caring Pavilion) yesterday.
Also present was Family, Women and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, who also chairs the board of trustees of the National Welfare Foundation (YKN).
The two ministers also jointly opened the one-stop MeKar-YKN child and youth mental health clinic, which provides wards, clinical services, therapy and day-care services.
Dr Chua said an increasing number of children and teenagers are seeking psychiatric help at the Selayang Hospital.
A total of 1,079 patients were recorded last year compared with just 285 in 2002.
“Often, parents do not understand their condition,” Dr Chua said. “Sometimes they think their children are disobedient and have difficulty relating to their siblings, going to school or speaking.
“This is where the one-stop-centre can provide counselling for the family.”
He said the MeKar-YKN centre caters for children from two to 17 years who suffer from autism, refusal to go to school, conduct disorder, depressive disorder, attention deficit disorder and schizophrenia.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
New centre launched in Selayang Hospital
The Star KUALA LUMPUR: The first hospital visitors' accommodation and one-stop-centre child and adolescent psychiatry clinic were launched at the Selayang Hospital on Tuesday.
Health Minister Datuk Chua Soi Lek said the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry contributed almost RM500,000 to the two projects, which were a joint effort between the National Welfare Foundation and the Selayang Hospital.
Chua said the free visitors' accommodation Anjung Kasih, with RM50 returnable deposit, catered for the poor from outside the Klang Valley who are caring for the very sick at the hospital and could not afford to pay for accommodation.
"It is our hope that state hospitals will provide visitors' accommodation such as that is provided in this hospital," he said.
The other hospitals that had been identified for the setting up of such accommodation are the Kuala Lumpur Hospital and hospitals in Kelantan, Trengganu, Kedah and Sabah, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, who officially launched the two projects with Chua.
The accommodation at Selayang Hospital, which started out as a Visitors' Hall, was upgraded to 18 rooms.
"Since the hospital was upgraded, it has received positive feedback from 43 families who have used the facilities in August and September," said Shahrizat.
Chua said the number of children and teenagers who went to the Psychiatric Clinic at the Selayang Hospital increased from 285 children in 2002 to 1079 last year.
At the clinic cum one-stop-centre, MeKAR, children and teenagers from ages two to 17 who experience autism, school refusal, conduct disorder, depressive disorder, attention deficit disorder and schizophrenia receive treatment, he said.
"They and their families receive counselling, behaviour modification, speech therapy, occupational therapy and other treatments," he said.
Health Minister Datuk Chua Soi Lek said the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry contributed almost RM500,000 to the two projects, which were a joint effort between the National Welfare Foundation and the Selayang Hospital.
Chua said the free visitors' accommodation Anjung Kasih, with RM50 returnable deposit, catered for the poor from outside the Klang Valley who are caring for the very sick at the hospital and could not afford to pay for accommodation.
"It is our hope that state hospitals will provide visitors' accommodation such as that is provided in this hospital," he said.
The other hospitals that had been identified for the setting up of such accommodation are the Kuala Lumpur Hospital and hospitals in Kelantan, Trengganu, Kedah and Sabah, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, who officially launched the two projects with Chua.
The accommodation at Selayang Hospital, which started out as a Visitors' Hall, was upgraded to 18 rooms.
"Since the hospital was upgraded, it has received positive feedback from 43 families who have used the facilities in August and September," said Shahrizat.
Chua said the number of children and teenagers who went to the Psychiatric Clinic at the Selayang Hospital increased from 285 children in 2002 to 1079 last year.
At the clinic cum one-stop-centre, MeKAR, children and teenagers from ages two to 17 who experience autism, school refusal, conduct disorder, depressive disorder, attention deficit disorder and schizophrenia receive treatment, he said.
"They and their families receive counselling, behaviour modification, speech therapy, occupational therapy and other treatments," he said.
National bio-safety board in the works
The Star KANGAR: The proposal to set up a National Bio-Safety Board will be tabled in Parliament early next year.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid said the board, once established, would be responsible for approving the import and export of biological products.
“Foreign investors will also be able to invest in such products in the country when the board is set up,'' he told reporters after attending a buka puasa event with the ministry’s staff and Padang Besar Umno division leaders on Sunday.
Azmi said once the board was established, a Genetic Modification Advisory Committee would be formed to assist the board in implementing policies, and that a group of scientists would sit on the committee.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid said the board, once established, would be responsible for approving the import and export of biological products.
“Foreign investors will also be able to invest in such products in the country when the board is set up,'' he told reporters after attending a buka puasa event with the ministry’s staff and Padang Besar Umno division leaders on Sunday.
Azmi said once the board was established, a Genetic Modification Advisory Committee would be formed to assist the board in implementing policies, and that a group of scientists would sit on the committee.
Lower speed can reduce death toll
Star: PETALING JAYA: A 10kph reduction in the speed limit for federal and state roads can bring the death toll down by 24%, according to findings by the Universiti Putra Malaysia Road Safety Research Centre.
Director Prof Dr Radin Umar Radin Sohadi said the proposal by police to reduce the 90kph speed limit on such roads would be a “worthwhile attempt” as such action in the United States, Europe and Australia had proven to be successful in reducing the number of fatalities.
“Based on the local accident records on federal and state roads, most accidents occurred due to reckless driving, indiscriminate lane switching, inability to overtake in time and dangerous overtaking," he told The Star.
He said most motorists travelling on federal and state roads tended to speed.
“Our survey showed they travelled between 100kph and 110kph on these roads, and nobody seems to be bothered about the speed limit," he added.
Dr Radin said accidents on these roads, in most cases, resulted in deaths.
“If the speed limit can be reduced by 10kph, chances are that the impact can be minimised and this can help reduce the death rate," he pointed out.
He urged the police to be strict if the proposal was adopted and advised motorists to adhere to traffic rules.
“Police must introduce on-the-spot fines while motorists must change their driving habits and patterns to ensure the success of the campaign,” he said.
There are 67,000km of federal, state and municipal roads and 1,000km of highways nationwide.
On Sunday, police proposed that the speed limit on federal and state roads be reduced for a week before and after the Hari Raya and Deepavali celebrations.
Based on Ops Sikap X statistics, 13,153 accidents were reported between Jan 23 and Feb 6 this year, which was a 14.8% increase compared with the corresponding period last year.
Selangor recorded 3,347 accidents, the highest number reported nationwide, followed by Johor (1,826), Kuala Lumpur (1,479), Penang (1,380) and Perak (1,373).
Director Prof Dr Radin Umar Radin Sohadi said the proposal by police to reduce the 90kph speed limit on such roads would be a “worthwhile attempt” as such action in the United States, Europe and Australia had proven to be successful in reducing the number of fatalities.
“Based on the local accident records on federal and state roads, most accidents occurred due to reckless driving, indiscriminate lane switching, inability to overtake in time and dangerous overtaking," he told The Star.
He said most motorists travelling on federal and state roads tended to speed.
“Our survey showed they travelled between 100kph and 110kph on these roads, and nobody seems to be bothered about the speed limit," he added.
Dr Radin said accidents on these roads, in most cases, resulted in deaths.
“If the speed limit can be reduced by 10kph, chances are that the impact can be minimised and this can help reduce the death rate," he pointed out.
He urged the police to be strict if the proposal was adopted and advised motorists to adhere to traffic rules.
“Police must introduce on-the-spot fines while motorists must change their driving habits and patterns to ensure the success of the campaign,” he said.
There are 67,000km of federal, state and municipal roads and 1,000km of highways nationwide.
On Sunday, police proposed that the speed limit on federal and state roads be reduced for a week before and after the Hari Raya and Deepavali celebrations.
Based on Ops Sikap X statistics, 13,153 accidents were reported between Jan 23 and Feb 6 this year, which was a 14.8% increase compared with the corresponding period last year.
Selangor recorded 3,347 accidents, the highest number reported nationwide, followed by Johor (1,826), Kuala Lumpur (1,479), Penang (1,380) and Perak (1,373).
Ban on paraquat lifted for study
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: The ban on the herbicide paraquat will be temporarily lifted from Nov 1, to allow a comprehensive study on its many uses.
The Pesticide Control Division under the then Agriculture Ministry banned the weedkiller for its hazardous effect on health in August 2002.
The decision to temporarily lift the ban by the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry now was made following appeals from farmers and manufacturers to look at the greater uses of the herbicide.
“We want to do an extensive study on paraquat, its harmful effects and positive aspects, before the set date for its total ban in November next year,” Pesticide Control Division director Nursiah Tajul Arus told The Star.
Although the ban was imposed in August 2002, paraquat products such as Syngenta's Gramoxone, which were previously registered for use, were being phased out in stages by November 2007.
“If it is proven that paraquat’s usefulness outweighs its negative impact, we may have to review its usage.
“The Agriculture Department wants to review paraquat’s effectiveness on various plants and cash crops,” she added.
To facilitate the study, the Pesticides Board is now allowing registration of paraquat for all crops.
Federation of Malaysian Conumers Association consultant for health and environment Josie Fernandez said: “It is surprising that the Government is reconsidering the ban on the one of the most hazardous poisons in the world – and it has no antidote.
“Paraquat causes a litany of problems to plantation workers and farmers including severe illness and death.
“The Government should not compromise on the safety and health of poor workers.”
Fernandez said some corporations in Europe had declared that they would not import palm oil from nations that use paraquat in plantations as the palm oil might carry traces of the poison.
A study by the National Poison Centre in 2002 showed that women using paraquat suffered nosebleeds, tearing of the eyes, contact dermatitis, skin irritation and sores, nail discolouration, dropping of the nails and abdominal ulcerations.
Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific executive director Sarojeni V. Rengam said: “It is lamentable that the Government has taken a step back on this dangerous chemical.
“It has come to our attention that the industry has been putting pressure on the authorities to repeal the ban.”
“The total ban should have taken effect in 2005, but a phase out period has been extended till 2007 after appeals by the industry,” she said.
The Pesticide Control Division under the then Agriculture Ministry banned the weedkiller for its hazardous effect on health in August 2002.
The decision to temporarily lift the ban by the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry now was made following appeals from farmers and manufacturers to look at the greater uses of the herbicide.
“We want to do an extensive study on paraquat, its harmful effects and positive aspects, before the set date for its total ban in November next year,” Pesticide Control Division director Nursiah Tajul Arus told The Star.
Although the ban was imposed in August 2002, paraquat products such as Syngenta's Gramoxone, which were previously registered for use, were being phased out in stages by November 2007.
“If it is proven that paraquat’s usefulness outweighs its negative impact, we may have to review its usage.
“The Agriculture Department wants to review paraquat’s effectiveness on various plants and cash crops,” she added.
To facilitate the study, the Pesticides Board is now allowing registration of paraquat for all crops.
Federation of Malaysian Conumers Association consultant for health and environment Josie Fernandez said: “It is surprising that the Government is reconsidering the ban on the one of the most hazardous poisons in the world – and it has no antidote.
“Paraquat causes a litany of problems to plantation workers and farmers including severe illness and death.
“The Government should not compromise on the safety and health of poor workers.”
Fernandez said some corporations in Europe had declared that they would not import palm oil from nations that use paraquat in plantations as the palm oil might carry traces of the poison.
A study by the National Poison Centre in 2002 showed that women using paraquat suffered nosebleeds, tearing of the eyes, contact dermatitis, skin irritation and sores, nail discolouration, dropping of the nails and abdominal ulcerations.
Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific executive director Sarojeni V. Rengam said: “It is lamentable that the Government has taken a step back on this dangerous chemical.
“It has come to our attention that the industry has been putting pressure on the authorities to repeal the ban.”
“The total ban should have taken effect in 2005, but a phase out period has been extended till 2007 after appeals by the industry,” she said.
PSD: Doctor who died eligible for ex-gratia
Star: PUTRAJAYA: The doctor who died after an accident in an ambulance is eligible for an ex-gratia payment, according to the Public Services Department (PSD) and Treasury.
PSD corporate communications unit head Hasniah Rashid said although Dr Norbaizura Yahaya was not confirmed as a doctor at the time of death, she was eligible for the compensation as long as she was a government staff member.
She said the ex-gratia scheme was provided for all government servants under a 1994 Treasury circular amended in 2001, which stipulated that a staff member injured or killed while on duty, even if not confirmed, was entitled to compensation.
“In her (Dr Norbaizura’s) case, the Health Ministry is conducting an investigation and will propose the payment (quantum) to the Treasury, which will then relay the final decision to the PSD on the next course of action,” she said.
On Sept 4, Dr Norbaizura was accompanying a patient in an ambulance from Seremban Hospital to Selayang Hospital when the vehicle burst a tyre at the expressway near Bangi and landed in a ditch.
The 24-year doctor from Sabak Bernam, who suffered injuries to her head, ribs and lungs, went into a coma and died 16 days later.
PSD corporate communications unit head Hasniah Rashid said although Dr Norbaizura Yahaya was not confirmed as a doctor at the time of death, she was eligible for the compensation as long as she was a government staff member.
She said the ex-gratia scheme was provided for all government servants under a 1994 Treasury circular amended in 2001, which stipulated that a staff member injured or killed while on duty, even if not confirmed, was entitled to compensation.
“In her (Dr Norbaizura’s) case, the Health Ministry is conducting an investigation and will propose the payment (quantum) to the Treasury, which will then relay the final decision to the PSD on the next course of action,” she said.
On Sept 4, Dr Norbaizura was accompanying a patient in an ambulance from Seremban Hospital to Selayang Hospital when the vehicle burst a tyre at the expressway near Bangi and landed in a ditch.
The 24-year doctor from Sabak Bernam, who suffered injuries to her head, ribs and lungs, went into a coma and died 16 days later.
Monday, October 02, 2006
Banking on hope
Star: The CT scan results for the four-month-old boy looked suspicious. They showed bleeding in the head, caused either by a fall or abuse. Doctors queried Winnie Chan, the baby’s mother, if either had taken place. She denied it, but was deeply troubled by the questions.
She had brought Chang How Nam to the hospital because he had difficulty swallowing, could not grip with his hands or initiate movements.
It was not until Chang was seven that his condition was diagnosed. The cause: glutaric aciduria type I, a rare genetic disorder in which the body is unable to process the amino acid lysine, hydroxylysine and tryptophan properly. He suffered brain damage that resulted in mental retardation.
Some people with glutaric aciduria develop bleeding in the head (subdural haemorrhage) and the bleeding can be mistaken for acts of child abuse, said Dr Choy Yew Sing, chief investigator of the Health Ministry’s pilot project, Newborn Screening for Inborn Errors of Metabolism (IEM), which started on Sept 1.
“Bleeding could be mistaken for acts of child abuse,’’ he explained.
How Nam was misdiagnosed due to the general lack of expertise in Malaysia. As he grew, he could not sit, crawl or call his parents. Now, at 12 , he cannot stand, walk, speak or swallow food because the right diagnosis came too late.
“I was told that if his condition had been known earlier, he would be able to talk and walk,” said 47-year-old Chan.
She had brought her son to many specialists and ended up in a neuro clinic. He was treated as a cerebral palsy case but his condition continued to worsen.
“I could not accept it. He was normal until he was four months old. I insisted that the doctor carry out an MRI scan for him because he was not getting better despite all the treatment,” she said.
The neurosurgeons then decided to refer her case to a geneticist. Special blood and urine tests were done. That was when his condition was finally diagnosed, in 2004.
“I was so relieved when we finally found out what was really wrong with him,” she said.
How Nam now takes 10 different types of medication and vitamin supplements. His condition has affected his capacity to swallow, so an opening is created at the abdomen to feed him.
“I am glad that the Health Ministry is looking into the possibility of making IEM screening available to all newborns in future. Then cases such as mine could be prevented,” she said.
Tan Yee Ping was a normal, healthy baby until he started having fits at around four and a half months, recalled his 57-year-old retiree father C. L. Tan.
“He would have more than 20 fits a day and it was impossible for us to feed him. We saw a lot of doctors and they would give medication. But the medication did not stop the fits. It only reduced (the frequency),” said Tan.
“The doctors said he was epileptic and told me that when his immunity is stronger by the time he is 15, the fits might go away,” he said.
However, they did not. Yee Ping grew up thinner and smaller than most children his age. He could not sit or stand, and he salivated all the time. Every two or three hours, he would need to lie down because he would be tired.
“Yee Ping has run out of ‘battery,’ the teachers would say and let him rest,” recalled Tan.
His condition shifted between being as soft as jelly when he was not having a fit, and stiff when he had one, Tan said.
Two years ago, when Yee Ping was 18, Tan brought him to see a paediatrician in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Hospital.
Coincidentally, Yee Ping had a fit at that time and the doctor saw his seizure. He said that it was not epilepsy but some kind of neurotransmitter disorder due to the lack of certain enzymes, said Tan.
“He referred me to a specialist at KLH," he added. The specialist had just returned from overseas and had set up a special clinic called the metabolic clinic. I didn’t know what metabolic disorder was,” he said.
The geneticist saw his son, asked him to walk and told Tan that it could be a neuro-transmitter disorder. He took blood and urine samples and wanted to admit Yee Ping the following week to take some spinal fluid.
“One of my relatives told me that his child became abnormal as a result of spinal fluid being removed from him while others told me that it would be a high risk procedure. I was troubled. I had to make a decision and I decided to admit Yee Ping,” he said.
After the spinal fluid was removed, Yee Ping felt dizzy, vomited and could not sit up, the side effects from the procedure. He stayed in the hospital for five days before he was discharged.
Test results showed he suffered from tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency, a rare disorder that increases the blood levels of a substance called phenylalanine.
The specialist changed all the medication except for the one that treated seizures. The treatment helped him produce the enzyme that he lacked.
He suffered side effects for more than a month due to the change in medication but within six months, Yee Ping, who had never walked since he was born, began walking.
“He is literally a walking miracle,” said Tan, tears welling up in his eyes.
“He became physically stronger and more alert, unlike before, often in a daze due to fits and medication. No more floppy eyes, sleepiness or frequent fits. Now he is undergoing speech therapy,” he added.
From 20 fits a day to about six when Yee Ping was under medication, it is now down to once or twice a year.
When asked what he hopes for the future, Yee Ping, with his slurred speech, said he wants to be a policeman.
She had brought Chang How Nam to the hospital because he had difficulty swallowing, could not grip with his hands or initiate movements.
It was not until Chang was seven that his condition was diagnosed. The cause: glutaric aciduria type I, a rare genetic disorder in which the body is unable to process the amino acid lysine, hydroxylysine and tryptophan properly. He suffered brain damage that resulted in mental retardation.
Some people with glutaric aciduria develop bleeding in the head (subdural haemorrhage) and the bleeding can be mistaken for acts of child abuse, said Dr Choy Yew Sing, chief investigator of the Health Ministry’s pilot project, Newborn Screening for Inborn Errors of Metabolism (IEM), which started on Sept 1.
“Bleeding could be mistaken for acts of child abuse,’’ he explained.
How Nam was misdiagnosed due to the general lack of expertise in Malaysia. As he grew, he could not sit, crawl or call his parents. Now, at 12 , he cannot stand, walk, speak or swallow food because the right diagnosis came too late.
“I was told that if his condition had been known earlier, he would be able to talk and walk,” said 47-year-old Chan.
She had brought her son to many specialists and ended up in a neuro clinic. He was treated as a cerebral palsy case but his condition continued to worsen.
“I could not accept it. He was normal until he was four months old. I insisted that the doctor carry out an MRI scan for him because he was not getting better despite all the treatment,” she said.
The neurosurgeons then decided to refer her case to a geneticist. Special blood and urine tests were done. That was when his condition was finally diagnosed, in 2004.
“I was so relieved when we finally found out what was really wrong with him,” she said.
How Nam now takes 10 different types of medication and vitamin supplements. His condition has affected his capacity to swallow, so an opening is created at the abdomen to feed him.
“I am glad that the Health Ministry is looking into the possibility of making IEM screening available to all newborns in future. Then cases such as mine could be prevented,” she said.
Tan Yee Ping was a normal, healthy baby until he started having fits at around four and a half months, recalled his 57-year-old retiree father C. L. Tan.
“He would have more than 20 fits a day and it was impossible for us to feed him. We saw a lot of doctors and they would give medication. But the medication did not stop the fits. It only reduced (the frequency),” said Tan.
“The doctors said he was epileptic and told me that when his immunity is stronger by the time he is 15, the fits might go away,” he said.
However, they did not. Yee Ping grew up thinner and smaller than most children his age. He could not sit or stand, and he salivated all the time. Every two or three hours, he would need to lie down because he would be tired.
“Yee Ping has run out of ‘battery,’ the teachers would say and let him rest,” recalled Tan.
His condition shifted between being as soft as jelly when he was not having a fit, and stiff when he had one, Tan said.
Two years ago, when Yee Ping was 18, Tan brought him to see a paediatrician in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Hospital.
Coincidentally, Yee Ping had a fit at that time and the doctor saw his seizure. He said that it was not epilepsy but some kind of neurotransmitter disorder due to the lack of certain enzymes, said Tan.
“He referred me to a specialist at KLH," he added. The specialist had just returned from overseas and had set up a special clinic called the metabolic clinic. I didn’t know what metabolic disorder was,” he said.
The geneticist saw his son, asked him to walk and told Tan that it could be a neuro-transmitter disorder. He took blood and urine samples and wanted to admit Yee Ping the following week to take some spinal fluid.
“One of my relatives told me that his child became abnormal as a result of spinal fluid being removed from him while others told me that it would be a high risk procedure. I was troubled. I had to make a decision and I decided to admit Yee Ping,” he said.
After the spinal fluid was removed, Yee Ping felt dizzy, vomited and could not sit up, the side effects from the procedure. He stayed in the hospital for five days before he was discharged.
Test results showed he suffered from tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency, a rare disorder that increases the blood levels of a substance called phenylalanine.
The specialist changed all the medication except for the one that treated seizures. The treatment helped him produce the enzyme that he lacked.
He suffered side effects for more than a month due to the change in medication but within six months, Yee Ping, who had never walked since he was born, began walking.
“He is literally a walking miracle,” said Tan, tears welling up in his eyes.
“He became physically stronger and more alert, unlike before, often in a daze due to fits and medication. No more floppy eyes, sleepiness or frequent fits. Now he is undergoing speech therapy,” he added.
From 20 fits a day to about six when Yee Ping was under medication, it is now down to once or twice a year.
When asked what he hopes for the future, Yee Ping, with his slurred speech, said he wants to be a policeman.
Screening them at birth
Star: The mystery has haunted many grieving parents: why do their normal, healthy babies suddenly become handicapped or mentally retarded? But such are the insidious effects of infants with Inborn Errors of Metabolism (IEM), inherited metabolic diseases that comprise a large class of genetic diseases.
“A baby may be well until suddenly at three years old, he or she dies of a heart attack,” said Dr Choy Yew Sing, geneticist-cum-metabolic-specialist at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital (KLH).
Cases detected in Malaysia are just the tip of the iceberg. Many have gone unnoticed because the symptoms are common: heart attack, stroke, poor feeding, fits, comatose, behavioural problems, hearing or visual problems, bleeding in the head, vomiting blood or autism, he said.
“Deficiency in enzymes due to defective genes can affect any organ in the body,” explained Dr Choy, who diagnoses at least four new cases weekly. “If untreated, they may cause mental retardation, physical handicap and even death.
“Many of the diseases resulting from IEM are treatable, if only they are detected early,” he said.
Hence, newborn screening, early diagnosis and appropriate management would save the child and prevent mental retardation and physical handicaps, he said.
He said, generally, treatment would be futile when a child reached age seven.
An affected individual inherits the defective gene from both parents who are carriers but are themselves normal.
Examples of the more common IEM are: G6PD deficiency, maple syrup urine disease, urea cycle defects, methylmalonic academia, mucopolysaccharidosis and mitochondrial disease.
The symptoms range from mild to severe. The condition usually affects babies although some symptoms are manifested only in adulthood, said Dr Choy.
He said if the symptoms indicate usual health problems, proper standard treatment would rectify them.
But with IEM, the problem will recur and worsen, even after treatment.
He said the problem cuts across all ethnic groups; marriage between relatives increases the risk.
He said the lack of expertise and IEM testing facilities has resulted in the lack of detection. There are only three geneticists in Malaysia who are trained to detect IEM, and only the Institute for Medical Research and Kuala Lumpur Hospital have the facilities and expertise to conduct the tests, said Choy.
The screening process for IEM includes special blood (serum amino acid) and urine (uric organic acid) tests of newborns by using the technology called tandem mass spectrometry.
Currently, there are more than 1,000 patients on record. Since one in 1,500 children is born with the condition, there may be more than 300,000 cases a year from the 500,000 babies born in Malaysia every year, said Dr Choy.
The Health Ministry had initiated the project to look into the feasibility of screening all newborn babies for genetic metabolic disorder. The two-year project is currently being carried out at government hospitals in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Selayang, Alor Star, Penang, Kota Baru, Kuching and Malacca, said Dr Choy.
“We want to see how prevalent IEM is in our population and how feasible the treatment process is so that we can plan for the health needs of the population,” he said.
“Screening babies at birth allows for early treatment and preventing complications,” he said. “It also reduces the extent of brain damage and organ failure.”
Depending on the type of IEM, patients can be treated with special diet, vitamin supplements, medications, enzyme replacements, liver transplants or bone marrow transplant, said Dr Choy.
“A baby may be well until suddenly at three years old, he or she dies of a heart attack,” said Dr Choy Yew Sing, geneticist-cum-metabolic-specialist at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital (KLH).
Cases detected in Malaysia are just the tip of the iceberg. Many have gone unnoticed because the symptoms are common: heart attack, stroke, poor feeding, fits, comatose, behavioural problems, hearing or visual problems, bleeding in the head, vomiting blood or autism, he said.
“Deficiency in enzymes due to defective genes can affect any organ in the body,” explained Dr Choy, who diagnoses at least four new cases weekly. “If untreated, they may cause mental retardation, physical handicap and even death.
“Many of the diseases resulting from IEM are treatable, if only they are detected early,” he said.
Hence, newborn screening, early diagnosis and appropriate management would save the child and prevent mental retardation and physical handicaps, he said.
He said, generally, treatment would be futile when a child reached age seven.
An affected individual inherits the defective gene from both parents who are carriers but are themselves normal.
Examples of the more common IEM are: G6PD deficiency, maple syrup urine disease, urea cycle defects, methylmalonic academia, mucopolysaccharidosis and mitochondrial disease.
The symptoms range from mild to severe. The condition usually affects babies although some symptoms are manifested only in adulthood, said Dr Choy.
He said if the symptoms indicate usual health problems, proper standard treatment would rectify them.
But with IEM, the problem will recur and worsen, even after treatment.
He said the problem cuts across all ethnic groups; marriage between relatives increases the risk.
He said the lack of expertise and IEM testing facilities has resulted in the lack of detection. There are only three geneticists in Malaysia who are trained to detect IEM, and only the Institute for Medical Research and Kuala Lumpur Hospital have the facilities and expertise to conduct the tests, said Choy.
The screening process for IEM includes special blood (serum amino acid) and urine (uric organic acid) tests of newborns by using the technology called tandem mass spectrometry.
Currently, there are more than 1,000 patients on record. Since one in 1,500 children is born with the condition, there may be more than 300,000 cases a year from the 500,000 babies born in Malaysia every year, said Dr Choy.
The Health Ministry had initiated the project to look into the feasibility of screening all newborn babies for genetic metabolic disorder. The two-year project is currently being carried out at government hospitals in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Selayang, Alor Star, Penang, Kota Baru, Kuching and Malacca, said Dr Choy.
“We want to see how prevalent IEM is in our population and how feasible the treatment process is so that we can plan for the health needs of the population,” he said.
“Screening babies at birth allows for early treatment and preventing complications,” he said. “It also reduces the extent of brain damage and organ failure.”
Depending on the type of IEM, patients can be treated with special diet, vitamin supplements, medications, enzyme replacements, liver transplants or bone marrow transplant, said Dr Choy.
Keeping the old healthy
Star: PETALING JAYA: The National Health Council for the Elderly will be revived to take care of rising number of the aged in the country.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the council, which has been dormant for several years, would help coordinate better healthcare facilities, treatment, counselling and home nursing for the now two million senior citizens.
“The Government has revived the council as more and more Malaysians are living longer and need more health facilities.
“The council will now have to plan and implement programmes with other Government agencies and NGOs to keep the elderly healthy and happy,” he added.
Dr Chua said the Government had also formulated a National Policy for Older People, which recognises senior citizens' role in the socio-economic development of the county.
“Not only must we give the best possible medical care to older patients but also treat them with respect and dignity.
“I have directed, where feasible and with available resources, that special lanes be set up at Government hospitals and clinics to reduce the waiting time for senior citizens,” he said, after opening a carnival and food fair organised by the Selangor and Federal Territory Senior Citizens Association in conjunction with Senior Citizens Day yesterday.
Proceeds from the fair will go towards the construction of a day care activity centre for the elderly.
Dr Chua said that the elderly had a lot to contribute.
“They are often wrongly viewed as a group, who are no longer able to contribute positively to their families and societies, and even viewed as a burden by some.
“But this has been proven wrong. In eastern culture, we have been reminded time and again to accord them the honour they deserve,” he added.
Dr Chua said families should be motivated to care for the elderly and be responsible for their welfare.
He also voiced his concern that that geriatrics was unpopular as a career option. There are only nine geriatricians in the country.
“I urge more doctors with a passion to treat the elderly to specialise in geriatrics,” he added.
There are only three general hospitals – Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Seremban Hospital and Banting Hospital – that give full geriatric care.
Dr Chua said that under the 9th Malaysia Plan, geriatric facilities would be available in government hospitals in Alor Star, Penang, Johor Baru, Kuala Terengganu and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu.
The elderly proportion in the country is expected to reach 3.4 million or 10% of the population by the end of 2020.
This follows the improved life expectancy in Malaysia, which at the end of last year stood at the age of 71 for men and 76 for women.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the council, which has been dormant for several years, would help coordinate better healthcare facilities, treatment, counselling and home nursing for the now two million senior citizens.
“The Government has revived the council as more and more Malaysians are living longer and need more health facilities.
“The council will now have to plan and implement programmes with other Government agencies and NGOs to keep the elderly healthy and happy,” he added.
Dr Chua said the Government had also formulated a National Policy for Older People, which recognises senior citizens' role in the socio-economic development of the county.
“Not only must we give the best possible medical care to older patients but also treat them with respect and dignity.
“I have directed, where feasible and with available resources, that special lanes be set up at Government hospitals and clinics to reduce the waiting time for senior citizens,” he said, after opening a carnival and food fair organised by the Selangor and Federal Territory Senior Citizens Association in conjunction with Senior Citizens Day yesterday.
Proceeds from the fair will go towards the construction of a day care activity centre for the elderly.
Dr Chua said that the elderly had a lot to contribute.
“They are often wrongly viewed as a group, who are no longer able to contribute positively to their families and societies, and even viewed as a burden by some.
“But this has been proven wrong. In eastern culture, we have been reminded time and again to accord them the honour they deserve,” he added.
Dr Chua said families should be motivated to care for the elderly and be responsible for their welfare.
He also voiced his concern that that geriatrics was unpopular as a career option. There are only nine geriatricians in the country.
“I urge more doctors with a passion to treat the elderly to specialise in geriatrics,” he added.
There are only three general hospitals – Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Seremban Hospital and Banting Hospital – that give full geriatric care.
Dr Chua said that under the 9th Malaysia Plan, geriatric facilities would be available in government hospitals in Alor Star, Penang, Johor Baru, Kuala Terengganu and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu.
The elderly proportion in the country is expected to reach 3.4 million or 10% of the population by the end of 2020.
This follows the improved life expectancy in Malaysia, which at the end of last year stood at the age of 71 for men and 76 for women.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
USM to look into new brainier ways of learning
Star: KOTA BARU: Imagine a new technique which uses music to help a child learn Mathematics or where children are taught to use their brains effectively rather than just memorising their lessons.
This is what Universiti Sains Malaysia plans to look into by setting up of a research body called BRAINnetwork which it hopes will lead in brain science research in the country.
BRAINnetwork coordinator Assoc Prof Dr Zalina Ismail said that in Malaysia, brain research was geared towards curing diseases.
“USM’s campaign, however, is focused on the wellness of the brain. It is more on preventive rather than curing.
“We want to empower the brain and use the findings from tests done on the seven types of brain intelligence,” she said in an interview.
Among the types of brain intelligence are mathematical ability, memory and reflex abilities.
Dr Zalina said she did not regard anyone as stupid. She said a person might be weaker or stronger when it came to using the brain intelligence.
“But most importantly, they must use the stronger intellect to develop themselves mentally and physically,” she said.
The medical doctor, who also has a law degree, said the target groups of the research are children and the rural communities.
“We want to give back to the rural community by teaching them how best to use their brains. Kelantan is a suitable state for us to begin our reach-out programmes,” she said.
BRAINnetwork has teamed up with Total Repute Sdn Bhd, which will organise seminars, workshops and activities to encourage the young to learn about their brain.
It will also hold exhibitions on mind-mapping and mental tests to gauge the intelligence abilities of the young.
Dr Zalina said USM wanted to promote a brain-based concept of learning instead of the routine memory and comprehension methods adopted by all learning institutions.
“We want learning in Malaysia to be transformed into a brain-based method. We must change how we teach rather than what we teach.
“Through the brain-based concept, students can be taught mathematics through music. Some who are poor in calculations but good in music can still be good mathematics students,” she said.
On brain exercises, she recommended reading more, doing puzzles, playing certain video games and improving eye-to-hand contact.
She said certain types of brain food could be nutritious and help improve mental health.
This is what Universiti Sains Malaysia plans to look into by setting up of a research body called BRAINnetwork which it hopes will lead in brain science research in the country.
BRAINnetwork coordinator Assoc Prof Dr Zalina Ismail said that in Malaysia, brain research was geared towards curing diseases.
“USM’s campaign, however, is focused on the wellness of the brain. It is more on preventive rather than curing.
“We want to empower the brain and use the findings from tests done on the seven types of brain intelligence,” she said in an interview.
Among the types of brain intelligence are mathematical ability, memory and reflex abilities.
Dr Zalina said she did not regard anyone as stupid. She said a person might be weaker or stronger when it came to using the brain intelligence.
“But most importantly, they must use the stronger intellect to develop themselves mentally and physically,” she said.
The medical doctor, who also has a law degree, said the target groups of the research are children and the rural communities.
“We want to give back to the rural community by teaching them how best to use their brains. Kelantan is a suitable state for us to begin our reach-out programmes,” she said.
BRAINnetwork has teamed up with Total Repute Sdn Bhd, which will organise seminars, workshops and activities to encourage the young to learn about their brain.
It will also hold exhibitions on mind-mapping and mental tests to gauge the intelligence abilities of the young.
Dr Zalina said USM wanted to promote a brain-based concept of learning instead of the routine memory and comprehension methods adopted by all learning institutions.
“We want learning in Malaysia to be transformed into a brain-based method. We must change how we teach rather than what we teach.
“Through the brain-based concept, students can be taught mathematics through music. Some who are poor in calculations but good in music can still be good mathematics students,” she said.
On brain exercises, she recommended reading more, doing puzzles, playing certain video games and improving eye-to-hand contact.
She said certain types of brain food could be nutritious and help improve mental health.
Need for docs to be upfront
Star: PETALING JAYA: Doctors should inform family members of patients in intensive care unit (ICU) of a possible brain death situation to avoid any ethical dilemma, according to a pioneer in ICU.
Universiti Malaya anaesthesiology and critical care Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Alex Delilkan said keeping brain dead patients on a ventilator and charging their families for it could be “ethically and morally wrong” and open the doctors to lawsuits.
It would also deprive other critically ill patients of hospital facilities, he said.
“Even if family members protest and refuse to let doctors remove the ventilator, they cannot decide what doctors should do professionally,” he said, adding that family members would often claim that the electrocardiogram showed the person was still alive.
This was because they did not realise that drugs kept the patient’s heart beating and mechanical support kept the lungs working but the person was actually dead.
Such a situation usually arose when doctors did not explain to the family members early enough on the possibility of brain death in intensive care, said Dr Delilkan.
When he first set up the intensive care unit in 1968 in the then-Universiti Hospital, Dr Delilkan said he had noticed that despite doctors resuscitating patients, some patients’ bodies began to stink and decompose.
He said that in Malaysia, a medical consensus on brain death had been compiled in 1993 and updated 10 years later.
In Malacca, A. L. Loh, 39, recalled that her father could not accept the sudden death of her mother two years ago from bacterial infection when the doctor told them she was brain dead.
“I did not recall the doctor explaining what brain death meant but he said she was already dead and it was useless to continue with the life support machine,” she said.
The life support system was removed six days later after family and friends talked to Loh’s father and helped him come to terms with his wife’s death, she said.
Malaysian Medical Association honorary general secretary Dr Mary Suma Cardosa said some doctors might not check if patients were brain dead because it has not yet become a routine in the profession.
However, should a patient's family protests against removing the ventilator when brain death is confirmed, doctors should let them know the cost involved and help them come to grips with the truth, she said.
Universiti Malaya anaesthesiology and critical care Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Alex Delilkan said keeping brain dead patients on a ventilator and charging their families for it could be “ethically and morally wrong” and open the doctors to lawsuits.
It would also deprive other critically ill patients of hospital facilities, he said.
“Even if family members protest and refuse to let doctors remove the ventilator, they cannot decide what doctors should do professionally,” he said, adding that family members would often claim that the electrocardiogram showed the person was still alive.
This was because they did not realise that drugs kept the patient’s heart beating and mechanical support kept the lungs working but the person was actually dead.
Such a situation usually arose when doctors did not explain to the family members early enough on the possibility of brain death in intensive care, said Dr Delilkan.
When he first set up the intensive care unit in 1968 in the then-Universiti Hospital, Dr Delilkan said he had noticed that despite doctors resuscitating patients, some patients’ bodies began to stink and decompose.
He said that in Malaysia, a medical consensus on brain death had been compiled in 1993 and updated 10 years later.
In Malacca, A. L. Loh, 39, recalled that her father could not accept the sudden death of her mother two years ago from bacterial infection when the doctor told them she was brain dead.
“I did not recall the doctor explaining what brain death meant but he said she was already dead and it was useless to continue with the life support machine,” she said.
The life support system was removed six days later after family and friends talked to Loh’s father and helped him come to terms with his wife’s death, she said.
Malaysian Medical Association honorary general secretary Dr Mary Suma Cardosa said some doctors might not check if patients were brain dead because it has not yet become a routine in the profession.
However, should a patient's family protests against removing the ventilator when brain death is confirmed, doctors should let them know the cost involved and help them come to grips with the truth, she said.
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