NST: KUALA LUMPUR: After years of discussion, the Cabinet has given the green light to introduce sex education into the school syllabus at all levels, said the Ministry of Education in a statement yesterday.
Reproductive and Social Health Education is designed with various age groups in mind. The Ministries of Education and Women, Family and Community Development have produced 160 pages of guidelines covering topics as diverse as teaching a child what kind of "touching" is allowed, contraception, teenage crushes and the dangers of online sexual predators.
The ministries worked with non-governmental organisations, experts and religious groups for three years to come up with the guidelines.
The age-groups are preschoolers aged four to six; children between seven and nine; early adolescents between 10 and 12; teenagers between 13 and 18; and adults 19 and above, said the statement.
Children aged four to six will be taught how to identify and say no to the "wrong touch".
They will get a brief introduction to HIV/AIDS as "a virus that can make you easily susceptible to many illnesses if you get infected."
Older children will learn about sexual orientation and how it can change in the course of life.
The language will be neutral, and topics like homosexuality or bisexuality will include a declaration that "most religions regard homosexuality as wrong".
Teenagers whose "hormones are running wild" will be counselled on peer pressure, infatuation, platonic or exploitative relationships and love.
While the course does include a section on contraception, it will teach that abstinence is best.
The possible dangers of abortion will also be touched on.
For those 19 years and above, the course will touch on relationships, marriage, parenting and even sexual dysfunction, in addition to sexually transmitted diseases and their symptoms and the need to be tested.
The Education Ministry is reported to have been training teachers with the help of non- governmental organisations most familiar with these subjects.
The details of how the course will be implemented and when it will make its debut have not yet been announced.
Malaysian Medical News: keeping you up to date with news sourced from various online sites, put in one place for your convenience, with a searchable archive
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Therapy for addicts bearing fruit
NST: THE Health Ministry’s methadone replacement therapy (MRT) programme to wean addicts away from hard drugs has shown encouraging results.
Its Minister, Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek, told the Dewan Negara that the programme has seen a retention rate (where those using drugs keep away from it after undergoing MRT) of 84 per cent.
He added that 1,240 drug addicts were on the MRT programme’s first phase. Under Phase Two, 5,000 addicts will be brought under it.
He said the misuse of methadone was low as it came in liquid form, as compared to another drug, Subutex.
Subutex is dispensed in the form of pills and can be obtained from any private medical practitioners.
To prevent the misuse of Subutex, the ministry has taken a number of steps, he said yesterday when replying to points raised by senators during the Budget 2007 debate.
This includes the creation of a Drug Substitution Registry to register all private practitioners involved in the substitute therapy programme, while at the same time registering drug addicts involved in such programme.
Touching on the Health Tourism sector, he said there were 35 hospitals nationwide which marketed products under the concept this year. He said 232,161 tourists sought treatment at these hospitals, generating for them RM150.9 million in revenue.
Replying to a point raised by Senator Datin Paduka Norhayati Onn, he said the current government policy was to equip all hospitals with haemodylasis centres.
The government will continue to provide financial assistance to those seeking treatment from haemodylasis centres run by non-governmental organisations.
"Out of the 4,169 patients seeking treatment in such centres, 2,132 patients are given treatment subsidies for each session," he said.
Its Minister, Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek, told the Dewan Negara that the programme has seen a retention rate (where those using drugs keep away from it after undergoing MRT) of 84 per cent.
He added that 1,240 drug addicts were on the MRT programme’s first phase. Under Phase Two, 5,000 addicts will be brought under it.
He said the misuse of methadone was low as it came in liquid form, as compared to another drug, Subutex.
Subutex is dispensed in the form of pills and can be obtained from any private medical practitioners.
To prevent the misuse of Subutex, the ministry has taken a number of steps, he said yesterday when replying to points raised by senators during the Budget 2007 debate.
This includes the creation of a Drug Substitution Registry to register all private practitioners involved in the substitute therapy programme, while at the same time registering drug addicts involved in such programme.
Touching on the Health Tourism sector, he said there were 35 hospitals nationwide which marketed products under the concept this year. He said 232,161 tourists sought treatment at these hospitals, generating for them RM150.9 million in revenue.
Replying to a point raised by Senator Datin Paduka Norhayati Onn, he said the current government policy was to equip all hospitals with haemodylasis centres.
The government will continue to provide financial assistance to those seeking treatment from haemodylasis centres run by non-governmental organisations.
"Out of the 4,169 patients seeking treatment in such centres, 2,132 patients are given treatment subsidies for each session," he said.
Practise good toilet habits
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has called for an attitude change towards public toilet hygiene as it reflects the culture and civilisation of the people.
“Even if we have the best-looking toilets around it would not mean a thing if bad attitude becomes the order of the day,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
He said that in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2007, the people must understand that the Government was trying its level best to ensure the cleanliness of toilets.
“Next year we are expecting at least 20 million foreigners and one of the ways an outsider can tell about the culture and civilisation (of a country) is from the condition of public toilets,” Najib said when launching the city's latest public toilet along Jalan Bukit Bintang.
The toilet is fully automated, including the cleaning of the toilet bowls. It costs RM1 to use the toilet.
Twenty-three such toilets, each costing about RM400,000, will be strategically placed around the city by next year.
Najib said Japan was now the country rated the most outstanding for clean public toilets. The focus of that country had been clean toilets in schools.
“The Japanese see this as a mid- to long-term solution and their strategy is for the children to understand why toilets are important, and how toilets are kept clean.
“I cannot see why this cannot work in schools in Malaysia, and I believe that it can work for Malaysians if (the habit) is inculcated in the children,” he said.
“Even if we have the best-looking toilets around it would not mean a thing if bad attitude becomes the order of the day,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
He said that in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2007, the people must understand that the Government was trying its level best to ensure the cleanliness of toilets.
“Next year we are expecting at least 20 million foreigners and one of the ways an outsider can tell about the culture and civilisation (of a country) is from the condition of public toilets,” Najib said when launching the city's latest public toilet along Jalan Bukit Bintang.
The toilet is fully automated, including the cleaning of the toilet bowls. It costs RM1 to use the toilet.
Twenty-three such toilets, each costing about RM400,000, will be strategically placed around the city by next year.
Najib said Japan was now the country rated the most outstanding for clean public toilets. The focus of that country had been clean toilets in schools.
“The Japanese see this as a mid- to long-term solution and their strategy is for the children to understand why toilets are important, and how toilets are kept clean.
“I cannot see why this cannot work in schools in Malaysia, and I believe that it can work for Malaysians if (the habit) is inculcated in the children,” he said.
Klang Valley records surge in dengue fever cases
Star: PUTRAJAYA: The Klang Valley has recorded a surge in dengue cases despite decreasing trends elsewhere.
The areas surrounding Setapak such as Ayer Panas, Taman Melati, Pulapol in Jalan Semarak, Wadieburn Camp, Section 10 in Wangsa Maju, Taman Danau, Keramat Wangsa and Jalan Gombak have become hotspots for dengue cases in the city.
Director of Disease Control Datuk Dr Ramlee Rahmat said unlike places such as Penang, which only reported 86 dengue cases last week, the number of dengue infections in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor continued to chart cases in the hundreds.
Other states reported on average 50 cases a week.
“This is due to the effective measures implemented by the various local authorities, particularly in searching out and destroying aedes mosquito breeding sites.
“However, in Selangor, the number of cases has actually climbed, from 313 to 329, and in Kuala Lumpur, from 190 to 242.
“This means that the local authorities in the Klang Valley have not been very effective in eradicating the disease,” Dr Ramlee told reporters here yesterday.
“They should do more, especially at a time when the country is experiencing frequent rains, which encourages the breeding of mosquitoes.”
The country has so far recorded 1,016 suspected dengue cases, 26% of which were later found to be positive.
A nine-year-old girl in Sabah and a 53-year-old woman in Malacca were the latest cases of haemorrhagic dengue fever fever.
So far this year there had been 72 deaths.
“In comparison, we had 99 deaths last year” Dr Ramlee said, adding that the authorities would continue to distribute free larvicide to schools and health clinics.
The areas surrounding Setapak such as Ayer Panas, Taman Melati, Pulapol in Jalan Semarak, Wadieburn Camp, Section 10 in Wangsa Maju, Taman Danau, Keramat Wangsa and Jalan Gombak have become hotspots for dengue cases in the city.
Director of Disease Control Datuk Dr Ramlee Rahmat said unlike places such as Penang, which only reported 86 dengue cases last week, the number of dengue infections in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor continued to chart cases in the hundreds.
Other states reported on average 50 cases a week.
“This is due to the effective measures implemented by the various local authorities, particularly in searching out and destroying aedes mosquito breeding sites.
“However, in Selangor, the number of cases has actually climbed, from 313 to 329, and in Kuala Lumpur, from 190 to 242.
“This means that the local authorities in the Klang Valley have not been very effective in eradicating the disease,” Dr Ramlee told reporters here yesterday.
“They should do more, especially at a time when the country is experiencing frequent rains, which encourages the breeding of mosquitoes.”
The country has so far recorded 1,016 suspected dengue cases, 26% of which were later found to be positive.
A nine-year-old girl in Sabah and a 53-year-old woman in Malacca were the latest cases of haemorrhagic dengue fever fever.
So far this year there had been 72 deaths.
“In comparison, we had 99 deaths last year” Dr Ramlee said, adding that the authorities would continue to distribute free larvicide to schools and health clinics.
Ministry Registers Almost All Private Clinics
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 19 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry received 7,563 applications to register private clinics up to Dec 5, the Dewan Negara was told Tuesday.
Parliamentary Secretary to the ministry Datuk Lee Kah Choon said the ministry was sure that the figure represented nearly all private clinics nationwide.
"However, the ministry also believes there are private clinics with treatment facilities and provide health services in various forms that are not registered as private clinics," he said in reply to Senator Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi.
Private clinics must register with the Health Ministry following the enforcement of the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 on May 1.
"Under the Act, only qualified people are allowed to give health treatment and should ensure that patients receive quality service at reasonable rates," Lee said.
Parliamentary Secretary to the ministry Datuk Lee Kah Choon said the ministry was sure that the figure represented nearly all private clinics nationwide.
"However, the ministry also believes there are private clinics with treatment facilities and provide health services in various forms that are not registered as private clinics," he said in reply to Senator Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi.
Private clinics must register with the Health Ministry following the enforcement of the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 on May 1.
"Under the Act, only qualified people are allowed to give health treatment and should ensure that patients receive quality service at reasonable rates," Lee said.
High Employment Draws More Men To Enroll In Nursing Programmes
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 19 (Bernama) -- More males in the country prefer to enrol in nursing programmes and pursue a career in the profession due to high employment in this sector.
This could be seen in the increasing number of men enrolling in the nursing programmes offered by 18 private nursing colleges over the years, Masterskills College of Nursing and Health chief executive officer Edmund Santhara said Tuesday.
"The main pulling factors are high employability due to the high market demand for qualified nurses and the better salaries paid by the government and private hospitals," he told Bernama Tuesday.
In addition, Santhara said, local qualified nurses, particularly males, were highly sought-after to serve in the United Kingdom, United States of America, Middle East and Australia, with lucrative salaries and benefits.
"Male nurses are more suitable to be placed at the Emergence Units at hospitals. They are mentality ready to face the daunting task of handling accident victims," he added.
Citing the example of the college's male undergraduate enrolment, Santhara said that this year alone 121 male students had taken up the programme compared with only four since the programme's inception in 2001.
He said that in line with the Health Ministry's emphasis on producing well-trained and qualified nurses locally, the college planned to recruit more male students beginning 2008.
The college's Diploma in Nursing, he said, was fully accredited by the National Accreditation Board (LAN). It is currently one of the private colleges with the largest number of nursing undergraduates, totalling 3,038 students from 4,702 students overall.
"The intrinsic value such as recognised and approved by the Public Service Department, Higher Education Ministry and Nursing Board Malaysia, are among the attractiveness that make this programme value-added," Santhara said.
This could be seen in the increasing number of men enrolling in the nursing programmes offered by 18 private nursing colleges over the years, Masterskills College of Nursing and Health chief executive officer Edmund Santhara said Tuesday.
"The main pulling factors are high employability due to the high market demand for qualified nurses and the better salaries paid by the government and private hospitals," he told Bernama Tuesday.
In addition, Santhara said, local qualified nurses, particularly males, were highly sought-after to serve in the United Kingdom, United States of America, Middle East and Australia, with lucrative salaries and benefits.
"Male nurses are more suitable to be placed at the Emergence Units at hospitals. They are mentality ready to face the daunting task of handling accident victims," he added.
Citing the example of the college's male undergraduate enrolment, Santhara said that this year alone 121 male students had taken up the programme compared with only four since the programme's inception in 2001.
He said that in line with the Health Ministry's emphasis on producing well-trained and qualified nurses locally, the college planned to recruit more male students beginning 2008.
The college's Diploma in Nursing, he said, was fully accredited by the National Accreditation Board (LAN). It is currently one of the private colleges with the largest number of nursing undergraduates, totalling 3,038 students from 4,702 students overall.
"The intrinsic value such as recognised and approved by the Public Service Department, Higher Education Ministry and Nursing Board Malaysia, are among the attractiveness that make this programme value-added," Santhara said.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Rosmah: Public vehicles still leaving the disabled behind
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Despite repeatedly appealing to the authorities to include them in transport development, the disabled still have little access to public transport.
“This is indeed sad. I hope the relevant authorities will look into this and give priority to the underprivileged group,” said Bakti acting president Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.
Quoting a World Health Organisation report, she said disabled people should be able to move along in the mainstream of development with others and fully utilise the facilities available to them.
She said this in her speech at the 2nd Bakti-Mind Conference: Empowering Persons With Disabilities Through Information Provision here yesterday.
Meanwhile, a coalition of 16 non-governmental organisations championing the cause of a barrier-free environment said they had sent a memorandum to Rapid KL asking accessible buses for all, including the disabled.
Barrier-free Environment and Accessible Transport (BEAT) coordinator Christine Lee said: “We tested out the buses when Rapid KL launched its new buses in September but they were not accessible to us.”
She said the memorandum was sent on Nov 6.
BEAT assistant coordinator Peter Tan said they were not asking for just disabled-friendly buses but universally accessible buses which the elderly, children, pregnant women and adults with prams or heavy baggage could travel in with ease.
“This is indeed sad. I hope the relevant authorities will look into this and give priority to the underprivileged group,” said Bakti acting president Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.
Quoting a World Health Organisation report, she said disabled people should be able to move along in the mainstream of development with others and fully utilise the facilities available to them.
She said this in her speech at the 2nd Bakti-Mind Conference: Empowering Persons With Disabilities Through Information Provision here yesterday.
Meanwhile, a coalition of 16 non-governmental organisations championing the cause of a barrier-free environment said they had sent a memorandum to Rapid KL asking accessible buses for all, including the disabled.
Barrier-free Environment and Accessible Transport (BEAT) coordinator Christine Lee said: “We tested out the buses when Rapid KL launched its new buses in September but they were not accessible to us.”
She said the memorandum was sent on Nov 6.
BEAT assistant coordinator Peter Tan said they were not asking for just disabled-friendly buses but universally accessible buses which the elderly, children, pregnant women and adults with prams or heavy baggage could travel in with ease.
Bittergourd 'cure' in fight against diabetes
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: It takes some bitterness to fight the nemesis of those who have a sweet tooth.
And as it turns out, using bittergourd to fight diabetes is not an old wives’ tale after all.
With the ever-growing numbers of diabetics, many pharmaceutical companies are looking for alternative cures, and they have discovered that bittergourd works to control blood sugar levels.
It has been used as an Ayurvedic treatment for diabetes for centuries.
CCM Duopharma Berhad, a Chemical Company of Malaysia (CCM) subsidiary, has developed bittergourd capsules which can be used as a preventive measure to help keep diabetes at bay.
This could indirectly help to lower the number of patients with the disease.
The National Diabetes Institute (Nadi) estimates that up to 14 per cent of the adult population has diabetes.
Ninety-five per cent have Type 2 diabetes, which can be controlled with a healthy life-style, supplements, or medication if necessary.
"Assuming just 40 per cent of the population (estimated at 25 million) are 30 years and above, we should have at least 16 million adult diabetics in this country now," said Nadi executive director Datuk Professor Dr Mustaffa Embong.
He was at the launch of "Diamelon", CCM Duopharma’s bittergourd capsules.
Dr Mustaffa said that Type 2 diabetes was no longer considered a disease of middle and old age.
And as it turns out, using bittergourd to fight diabetes is not an old wives’ tale after all.
With the ever-growing numbers of diabetics, many pharmaceutical companies are looking for alternative cures, and they have discovered that bittergourd works to control blood sugar levels.
It has been used as an Ayurvedic treatment for diabetes for centuries.
CCM Duopharma Berhad, a Chemical Company of Malaysia (CCM) subsidiary, has developed bittergourd capsules which can be used as a preventive measure to help keep diabetes at bay.
This could indirectly help to lower the number of patients with the disease.
The National Diabetes Institute (Nadi) estimates that up to 14 per cent of the adult population has diabetes.
Ninety-five per cent have Type 2 diabetes, which can be controlled with a healthy life-style, supplements, or medication if necessary.
"Assuming just 40 per cent of the population (estimated at 25 million) are 30 years and above, we should have at least 16 million adult diabetics in this country now," said Nadi executive director Datuk Professor Dr Mustaffa Embong.
He was at the launch of "Diamelon", CCM Duopharma’s bittergourd capsules.
Dr Mustaffa said that Type 2 diabetes was no longer considered a disease of middle and old age.
Govt Quarantines 30 Pig Farms Found Using Beta-Agonist
PUTRAJAYA, Dec 18 (Bernama) -- Thirty pig farms nationwide have been placed under a one-month quarantine for injecting the animals with beta-agonist, which contaminated 16 per cent of pork in the market.
"They will also not be allowed to slaughter or relocate their animals during the quarantine period," Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek told a press conference, here Monday.
"The abuse of beta-agonist was discovered following checks by the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry on 415 pig farms nationwide," he said.
He said most of the errant farms are located in Melaka, Selangor, Perak and Penang. Pig farms in Johor and Kedah are free of the drug.
Beta-agonist is a bronchodilator medicine that opens the airways by relaxing the muscles around airways that may be tightened during an asthma attack or in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The medicine was jabbed into pigs to reduce their fat and make their meat more lean.
Chua said the beta-agonist content in pork at the 30 farms had reached 6,500 parts per million (ppm), which is among the highest in the world.
"We have to be strict in this matter as these errant farmers will kill the RM1.5 billion industry," he said.
He said several pork sellers will be charged in court for selling meat containing beta-agonist and face a fine of up to RM100,000 or 10 years jail or both upon conviction.
He also said that all pig farmers would be required to make a statutory declaration they would not inject their animals with the beta-agonist drug.
"They will also not be allowed to slaughter or relocate their animals during the quarantine period," Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek told a press conference, here Monday.
"The abuse of beta-agonist was discovered following checks by the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry on 415 pig farms nationwide," he said.
He said most of the errant farms are located in Melaka, Selangor, Perak and Penang. Pig farms in Johor and Kedah are free of the drug.
Beta-agonist is a bronchodilator medicine that opens the airways by relaxing the muscles around airways that may be tightened during an asthma attack or in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The medicine was jabbed into pigs to reduce their fat and make their meat more lean.
Chua said the beta-agonist content in pork at the 30 farms had reached 6,500 parts per million (ppm), which is among the highest in the world.
"We have to be strict in this matter as these errant farmers will kill the RM1.5 billion industry," he said.
He said several pork sellers will be charged in court for selling meat containing beta-agonist and face a fine of up to RM100,000 or 10 years jail or both upon conviction.
He also said that all pig farmers would be required to make a statutory declaration they would not inject their animals with the beta-agonist drug.
Address Mental, Health Issues At Workplaces, Says Lam Thye
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 (Bernama) -- The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) wants action be taken to address mental and health issues at workplaces involving employers, employees and relevant authorities.
Niosh Chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the neglect of mental health and psychological factors at workplaces was not only detrimental to an individual worker but also directly affects efficiency, effectiveness and output of any enterprise.
"Mental health issues at workplaces must be given due attention as the productivity of staff of any organisation depends on their mental health," he said in a statement Sunday.
Lee said more can be done for the mentally-ill in the country, not only in terms of treatment, counselling and care but also support for their next-of-kin and other benefits.
He suggested more benefits to the mentally-ill such as insurance coverage which is now denied to them.
He also proposed income tax relief be given to parents or relatives taking care of the mentally-ill and better health care services for such patients in government hospitals.
Most importantly, he said, all forms of discrimination must be removed against people who have recovered from mental illness so that they can be successfully reintegrated into society.
Niosh Chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the neglect of mental health and psychological factors at workplaces was not only detrimental to an individual worker but also directly affects efficiency, effectiveness and output of any enterprise.
"Mental health issues at workplaces must be given due attention as the productivity of staff of any organisation depends on their mental health," he said in a statement Sunday.
Lee said more can be done for the mentally-ill in the country, not only in terms of treatment, counselling and care but also support for their next-of-kin and other benefits.
He suggested more benefits to the mentally-ill such as insurance coverage which is now denied to them.
He also proposed income tax relief be given to parents or relatives taking care of the mentally-ill and better health care services for such patients in government hospitals.
Most importantly, he said, all forms of discrimination must be removed against people who have recovered from mental illness so that they can be successfully reintegrated into society.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Fighting fakes with new hologram labels
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: Registered medical products will soon carry new holograms with enhanced security features as fake holograms on several prescription drugs and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines have been detected.
The Pharmaceutical Services Division of the Ministry of Health was notified of two cases of medicines bearing fake Meditag hologram labels recently, in Kedah and in the Klang Valley.
One was an OTC ointment and the other was a cholesterol-lowering drug.
The fake holograms were reported to the enforcement authorities by the product owners, who found them on sale in small pharmacies.
Principal assistant director of the division’s enforcement unit, Ahmad Nozrin Taharin, said that a syndicate is believed to be faking these security holograms, which were solely licensed to Mediharta Sdn Bhd.
"We are carrying out surveillance and we have narrowed down our list of suspects," he said, warning that licensed pharmacies which sold products with the fake labels risked having their licences revoked.
In May last year, Mediharta was given the sole licence by the Health Ministry to sell hologram labels to drug companies to beat the booming trade in counterfeit and unregistered medicines.
The holograms, which are imported from France, are affixed on the packaging of all registered drugs, including traditional medicines, sold in the country.
The labels, among others, bear the name of the Drug Control Authority under the Health Ministry, serial number, a hibiscus (national symbol) security feature, and Meditag logo.
Mediharta chairman Datuk Dr Mohd Nordin Mohd Nor said the new security-enhanced Meditag hologram was introduced to enable consumers to check the authenticity of the medical product at the point of sale.
"It comes with a polaroid optical security feature which will enable the purchaser to distinguish the fake from the genuine using a polaroid-detecting gadget," he told the New Sunday Times.
All licensed pharmacies will have the gadget.
The consumer can immediately verify the authenticity of the product by placing the Meditag hologram under the gadget and turning it back and forth at a 90-degree angle.
"When they do that, they will see the security feature appear and disappear. This is just one of the new security features that have been added."
Dr Nordin said pharmaceutical companies could continue to use the old holograms until they exhaust their stock.
He said the security features in the old holograms were mainly to assist the ministry’s enforcement officers in weeding out fake and unregistered medicines. However, it was not easy for the public to differentiate between fake and genuine labels.
"This new security feature has been included to build consumer confidence in the product they are buying.
"We are aware that cheats will never stop trying to beat the system, so we will continue to enhance the security features in the hologram from time to time."
The Pharmaceutical Services Division seized 12,242 counterfeit and unregistered medical products last year.
In the first nine months of this year, it seized 23,263 such products, worth RM5.5 million.
To fight the problem, the ministry will soon amend the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulation 1984, to make it an offence to also possess such products.
Under the existing regulation, individuals found selling such drugs risked being fined up to RM25,000 or jailed for up to three years, or both companies faced a maximum RM50,000 fine or three years’ jail or both.
The Pharmaceutical Services Division of the Ministry of Health was notified of two cases of medicines bearing fake Meditag hologram labels recently, in Kedah and in the Klang Valley.
One was an OTC ointment and the other was a cholesterol-lowering drug.
The fake holograms were reported to the enforcement authorities by the product owners, who found them on sale in small pharmacies.
Principal assistant director of the division’s enforcement unit, Ahmad Nozrin Taharin, said that a syndicate is believed to be faking these security holograms, which were solely licensed to Mediharta Sdn Bhd.
"We are carrying out surveillance and we have narrowed down our list of suspects," he said, warning that licensed pharmacies which sold products with the fake labels risked having their licences revoked.
In May last year, Mediharta was given the sole licence by the Health Ministry to sell hologram labels to drug companies to beat the booming trade in counterfeit and unregistered medicines.
The holograms, which are imported from France, are affixed on the packaging of all registered drugs, including traditional medicines, sold in the country.
The labels, among others, bear the name of the Drug Control Authority under the Health Ministry, serial number, a hibiscus (national symbol) security feature, and Meditag logo.
Mediharta chairman Datuk Dr Mohd Nordin Mohd Nor said the new security-enhanced Meditag hologram was introduced to enable consumers to check the authenticity of the medical product at the point of sale.
"It comes with a polaroid optical security feature which will enable the purchaser to distinguish the fake from the genuine using a polaroid-detecting gadget," he told the New Sunday Times.
All licensed pharmacies will have the gadget.
The consumer can immediately verify the authenticity of the product by placing the Meditag hologram under the gadget and turning it back and forth at a 90-degree angle.
"When they do that, they will see the security feature appear and disappear. This is just one of the new security features that have been added."
Dr Nordin said pharmaceutical companies could continue to use the old holograms until they exhaust their stock.
He said the security features in the old holograms were mainly to assist the ministry’s enforcement officers in weeding out fake and unregistered medicines. However, it was not easy for the public to differentiate between fake and genuine labels.
"This new security feature has been included to build consumer confidence in the product they are buying.
"We are aware that cheats will never stop trying to beat the system, so we will continue to enhance the security features in the hologram from time to time."
The Pharmaceutical Services Division seized 12,242 counterfeit and unregistered medical products last year.
In the first nine months of this year, it seized 23,263 such products, worth RM5.5 million.
To fight the problem, the ministry will soon amend the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulation 1984, to make it an offence to also possess such products.
Under the existing regulation, individuals found selling such drugs risked being fined up to RM25,000 or jailed for up to three years, or both companies faced a maximum RM50,000 fine or three years’ jail or both.
Keep homes free of aedes breeding grounds
Star: MUAR: The Health Ministry wants every Malaysian to look after cleanliness in and around their homes to get rid of the Aedes mosquito's breeding grounds.
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the people should not depend only on the Government, especially his ministry and the local government authorities, to eradicate the menace.
“If every family can see to the cleanliness of their homes including the surroundings and get rid of any potential breeding spot for mosquitoes, we can reduce the dengue menace.
“However, until the people change their attitude, the dengue outbreak will continue in the country,” he said at the ground-breaking ceremony for a new building of SK Chung Hwa Tiga here yesterday.
On another issue, Dr Chua, who is also MCA vice-president, said the party had always adopted a low-key approach when discussing sensitive issues such as education.
He said the party gave more emphasis on results rather than going for political mileage.
He said that between 1999 and this year, 22 schools out of the 52 Chinese schools under the relocation programme had been completed and 11 new schools had been built to cater to the growing demand for such schools.
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the people should not depend only on the Government, especially his ministry and the local government authorities, to eradicate the menace.
“If every family can see to the cleanliness of their homes including the surroundings and get rid of any potential breeding spot for mosquitoes, we can reduce the dengue menace.
“However, until the people change their attitude, the dengue outbreak will continue in the country,” he said at the ground-breaking ceremony for a new building of SK Chung Hwa Tiga here yesterday.
On another issue, Dr Chua, who is also MCA vice-president, said the party had always adopted a low-key approach when discussing sensitive issues such as education.
He said the party gave more emphasis on results rather than going for political mileage.
He said that between 1999 and this year, 22 schools out of the 52 Chinese schools under the relocation programme had been completed and 11 new schools had been built to cater to the growing demand for such schools.
Plan to screen all newborns for metabolic disease
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry hopes to screen all newborn babies for Inborn Errors of Metabolism (IEM) or inherited metabolic diseases.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abd Latiff Ahmad said with a small investment many lives could be spared from agony, deaths and costly treatment in the future.
He said the ministry would ask for more budget allocation from the Government to provide the screening after the on-going two-year pilot project on screening of babies for IEM is completed in 2008.
“It only cost RM3 for a child to be screened for the inherited metabolic disease and the small investment could save a lot of lives from agony, deaths and costly treatment in future,” Dr Latiff said at the Metabolic Camp II yesterday.
The pilot project, that started in September, is being carried out at government hospitals in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Selayang, Alor Star, Penang, Kota Baru, Kuching and Malacca, said geneticist Dr Choy Yew Sing, who is the chief investigator of the pilot project known as Newborn Screening for IEM.
Dr Latiff said it would cost the Government RM1.5mil to screen an estimated 500,000 babies born each year in Malaysia.
“It is a small investment compared with the cost saved in future because with early detection, the right diet and treatment, many can lead normal lives,” he said.
IEM comprises a large class of genetic diseases involving disorders of metabolism such as mitochondrial disease, organic academia, urea cycle defects, glycogen storage disease, lysosomal storage disease and fatty acid oxidation defects.
It is due to defects in genes producing enzymes, which are essential in many biochemical reactions or metabolism in the body.
If untreated, they may cause mental retardation, physical handicap and even death. If both parents carry the same defective gene responsible for one particular IEM, they run 25% risk of giving birth to a child with the particular inborn error of metabolic disease, said Dr Choy.
During a question and answer session, he said the lack of Q10 drug for mitochondria patients was due to difficulty in getting approval for the drug.
“We lack report on the effectiveness of the drug. We are trying to obtain health technology assessment from other countries and also compile our own report,” he said.
He said the drug had been effective on one-third of his patients, however, for another third, there were still some problems while it was not effective at all for the rest.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abd Latiff Ahmad said with a small investment many lives could be spared from agony, deaths and costly treatment in the future.
He said the ministry would ask for more budget allocation from the Government to provide the screening after the on-going two-year pilot project on screening of babies for IEM is completed in 2008.
“It only cost RM3 for a child to be screened for the inherited metabolic disease and the small investment could save a lot of lives from agony, deaths and costly treatment in future,” Dr Latiff said at the Metabolic Camp II yesterday.
The pilot project, that started in September, is being carried out at government hospitals in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Selayang, Alor Star, Penang, Kota Baru, Kuching and Malacca, said geneticist Dr Choy Yew Sing, who is the chief investigator of the pilot project known as Newborn Screening for IEM.
Dr Latiff said it would cost the Government RM1.5mil to screen an estimated 500,000 babies born each year in Malaysia.
“It is a small investment compared with the cost saved in future because with early detection, the right diet and treatment, many can lead normal lives,” he said.
IEM comprises a large class of genetic diseases involving disorders of metabolism such as mitochondrial disease, organic academia, urea cycle defects, glycogen storage disease, lysosomal storage disease and fatty acid oxidation defects.
It is due to defects in genes producing enzymes, which are essential in many biochemical reactions or metabolism in the body.
If untreated, they may cause mental retardation, physical handicap and even death. If both parents carry the same defective gene responsible for one particular IEM, they run 25% risk of giving birth to a child with the particular inborn error of metabolic disease, said Dr Choy.
During a question and answer session, he said the lack of Q10 drug for mitochondria patients was due to difficulty in getting approval for the drug.
“We lack report on the effectiveness of the drug. We are trying to obtain health technology assessment from other countries and also compile our own report,” he said.
He said the drug had been effective on one-third of his patients, however, for another third, there were still some problems while it was not effective at all for the rest.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Health Care Workers Should Strictly Adhere To Hand Hygiene
KUCHING, Dec 15 (Bernama) -- Health care workers should strictly adhere to hand hygiene to reduce infections and the spread of anti-microbial resistance, Sarawak State Health Director Dr Yao Sik King said Friday.
She said health care associated infection was a major global issue concerning patient safety as it affected millions of people and complicated a significant proportion of patient-care deliveries.
Infections also contributed to patient deaths and disability besides promoting resistance to antibiotics and generated additional expenditure to those already incurred by patients' underlying disease, she added.
"Hand hygiene remains the primary measure to reduce infection but health care workers' adherence is extremely low. They should not be the culprits. They should promote the highest standards of practice and behaviour to reduce the risks of health care associated infection," she said.
Dr Yao said this when launching the state-level Hand Hygiene campaign to reduce healthcare associated infections and to promote safety for patients, healthcare providers and community at the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) here.
The launching, initiated by Infection Control teams of SGH, was in response to the World Health Organisation Global Patient Safety Challenge 2005-2006 with the theme: Clean Care is Safer Care.
"Healthcare campaign launch should not be a minute campaign. There should be an intensifying campaign to promote hand hygiene in all levels. Keeping hand hygiene is part and parcel of daily life," Dr Yao said.
She said health care associated infection was a major global issue concerning patient safety as it affected millions of people and complicated a significant proportion of patient-care deliveries.
Infections also contributed to patient deaths and disability besides promoting resistance to antibiotics and generated additional expenditure to those already incurred by patients' underlying disease, she added.
"Hand hygiene remains the primary measure to reduce infection but health care workers' adherence is extremely low. They should not be the culprits. They should promote the highest standards of practice and behaviour to reduce the risks of health care associated infection," she said.
Dr Yao said this when launching the state-level Hand Hygiene campaign to reduce healthcare associated infections and to promote safety for patients, healthcare providers and community at the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) here.
The launching, initiated by Infection Control teams of SGH, was in response to the World Health Organisation Global Patient Safety Challenge 2005-2006 with the theme: Clean Care is Safer Care.
"Healthcare campaign launch should not be a minute campaign. There should be an intensifying campaign to promote hand hygiene in all levels. Keeping hand hygiene is part and parcel of daily life," Dr Yao said.
Colleges Offering Nursing Courses Told To Toe The Line
ALOR GAJAH, Dec 15 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry warned colleges which offer nursing courses to follow the student intake criteria to the letter.
Its Deputy Minister, Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad said currently, there were colleges that did not follow the criteria, hiring unqualified tutors and not meeting the tutor-student ratio.
"This will affect the quality of nurses churned out," he told reporters after witnessing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between the ministry and Kolej Teknologi Islam Antarabangsa Melaka at Kuala Sungai Baru, near here.
Dr Abdul Latiff said nursing colleges must have all the facilities like laboratories that met the standards of the Malaysian Accreditation Board and the Malaysian Nursing Board.
"The nursing course differs slightly from other courses. They have to do practical training as well that is linked to what they learn. They are professionals. They need wide exposure and not just theories," he said.
He also said that the government was concerned about the nursing career, and it had taken a new approach in treating the profession such as raising the salary grade from U40 to U54 for those with a first degree.
Nurses who fulfilled all the conditions would be given the opportunity to become a hospital director, he said.
Its Deputy Minister, Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad said currently, there were colleges that did not follow the criteria, hiring unqualified tutors and not meeting the tutor-student ratio.
"This will affect the quality of nurses churned out," he told reporters after witnessing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between the ministry and Kolej Teknologi Islam Antarabangsa Melaka at Kuala Sungai Baru, near here.
Dr Abdul Latiff said nursing colleges must have all the facilities like laboratories that met the standards of the Malaysian Accreditation Board and the Malaysian Nursing Board.
"The nursing course differs slightly from other courses. They have to do practical training as well that is linked to what they learn. They are professionals. They need wide exposure and not just theories," he said.
He also said that the government was concerned about the nursing career, and it had taken a new approach in treating the profession such as raising the salary grade from U40 to U54 for those with a first degree.
Nurses who fulfilled all the conditions would be given the opportunity to become a hospital director, he said.
Tragic wait for ambulance
Sun2Surf: KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 14, 2006): The indifferent and callous response of those responsible for saving lives may have cost an accident victim his life.
At 1.30pm on Wednesday, businesswoman Zara Davies Abdul Rahman came across an accident near the Batu Tiga toll booth on the Elite Highway, Shah Alam. A victim with serious injuries was lying motionless on the road, surrounded by a crowd.
Zara said when she approached him, he was still alive and grabbed her hand.
"I tried to calm him and asked bystanders if an ambulance had been called. I was told it had not," she said at the Parliament lobby today, while accompanied by Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang.
Zara said she told the driver who knocked into the motorcyclist to call for an ambulance but it took three attempts to 999 before there was a response, and the phone passed to her.
She said she disclosed her contact details and the accident's location, and told 999 that Klang Hospital was the closest hospital.
Subsequently, the hospital's ambulance control centre rang, and she had to repeat the information, stress the urgency of the situation and convince the caller that the hospital was the closest.
She called back at 2.06pm and was told the ambulance had not been sent. She was also asked to repeat the information she had given earlier. Frustrated, she called an aide to the mentri besar for help.
When she called the hospital again at 2.36pm, the ambulance had still not been sent.
Finally, the driver who knocked into the motorcyclist decided to drive him to the hospital with Zara leading the way.
But when they arrived, no one came to their aid, and the victim had died.
Zara said there were about eight ambulances parked at the hospital.
She called on the authorities to:
* locate emergency response centres and ambulances at strategic locations;
* provide proper road signs and directions to hospitals;
* provide special emergency exits at tolls, exit signs and emergency telephone numbers;
* highlight highway names at various locations so road users would be able to identify the location in case of emergency;
* have professionally-trained personnel;
* have emergency stations at hospitals that are staffed at all times; and
* implement a 15-minute response time for SOS calls.
Lim said he would write to the sultan, the Health Minister and the prime minister about the incident.
At 1.30pm on Wednesday, businesswoman Zara Davies Abdul Rahman came across an accident near the Batu Tiga toll booth on the Elite Highway, Shah Alam. A victim with serious injuries was lying motionless on the road, surrounded by a crowd.
Zara said when she approached him, he was still alive and grabbed her hand.
"I tried to calm him and asked bystanders if an ambulance had been called. I was told it had not," she said at the Parliament lobby today, while accompanied by Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang.
Zara said she told the driver who knocked into the motorcyclist to call for an ambulance but it took three attempts to 999 before there was a response, and the phone passed to her.
She said she disclosed her contact details and the accident's location, and told 999 that Klang Hospital was the closest hospital.
Subsequently, the hospital's ambulance control centre rang, and she had to repeat the information, stress the urgency of the situation and convince the caller that the hospital was the closest.
She called back at 2.06pm and was told the ambulance had not been sent. She was also asked to repeat the information she had given earlier. Frustrated, she called an aide to the mentri besar for help.
When she called the hospital again at 2.36pm, the ambulance had still not been sent.
Finally, the driver who knocked into the motorcyclist decided to drive him to the hospital with Zara leading the way.
But when they arrived, no one came to their aid, and the victim had died.
Zara said there were about eight ambulances parked at the hospital.
She called on the authorities to:
* locate emergency response centres and ambulances at strategic locations;
* provide proper road signs and directions to hospitals;
* provide special emergency exits at tolls, exit signs and emergency telephone numbers;
* highlight highway names at various locations so road users would be able to identify the location in case of emergency;
* have professionally-trained personnel;
* have emergency stations at hospitals that are staffed at all times; and
* implement a 15-minute response time for SOS calls.
Lim said he would write to the sultan, the Health Minister and the prime minister about the incident.
Stop your whining, housemen told
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: Housemen who claim to be overworked and deprived of basic comforts should listen to Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.
The Health Minister said things were far worse when he was a houseman, but yet he and those of his era persevered.
Thirty-six hour work days were not uncommon with no place to sleep while on call.
Dr Chua said housemen today had all the basic comforts and facilities.
Showing reporters the room at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital where housemen slept, he said this was nowhere near what he and his peers had to endure.
He said housemen unwilling to work hard and wanting 8am to 4pm jobs should not become doctors.
"If housemen are not willing to work hard and go through the process which is mandatory anywhere, then they do not have what it takes to be a doctor. I am very frank about this."
Pointing to Datuk Dr Jeyaindran Sinnadurai, Dr Chua said the Kuala Lumpur Hospital’s head of Department of Medicine was a consultant pulmonary and critical care physician and yet worked very long hours.
"He does not work from 8am to 4pm.
"As a specialist, he puts in long hours, besides making VIP house calls. He cannot say he worked long hours and did not sleep and not treat VIPs," he said.
He denied that the ministry did not care for housemen or their welfare.
"We care for housemen and that is why we have ensured that they have proper facilities to sleep while on call and have increased their on-call allowance," he added.
On the quality of housemen, he said five to 10 per cent of the 1,300 housemen annually had to continue housemanship even after a year as they did not meet the criteria set to become qualified medical officers.
"The percentage not qualifying is high," he added.
The Health Minister said things were far worse when he was a houseman, but yet he and those of his era persevered.
Thirty-six hour work days were not uncommon with no place to sleep while on call.
Dr Chua said housemen today had all the basic comforts and facilities.
Showing reporters the room at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital where housemen slept, he said this was nowhere near what he and his peers had to endure.
He said housemen unwilling to work hard and wanting 8am to 4pm jobs should not become doctors.
"If housemen are not willing to work hard and go through the process which is mandatory anywhere, then they do not have what it takes to be a doctor. I am very frank about this."
Pointing to Datuk Dr Jeyaindran Sinnadurai, Dr Chua said the Kuala Lumpur Hospital’s head of Department of Medicine was a consultant pulmonary and critical care physician and yet worked very long hours.
"He does not work from 8am to 4pm.
"As a specialist, he puts in long hours, besides making VIP house calls. He cannot say he worked long hours and did not sleep and not treat VIPs," he said.
He denied that the ministry did not care for housemen or their welfare.
"We care for housemen and that is why we have ensured that they have proper facilities to sleep while on call and have increased their on-call allowance," he added.
On the quality of housemen, he said five to 10 per cent of the 1,300 housemen annually had to continue housemanship even after a year as they did not meet the criteria set to become qualified medical officers.
"The percentage not qualifying is high," he added.
36 hospitals threatened with shutdown
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: Thirty-six private hospitals, including some well-known ones in the Klang Valley, will be shut down if they do not renew their operating licences within a month.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, in issuing the warning yesterday, said the hospitals that failed to comply would also be taken to court.
Private hospitals must renew their licences with the ministry every two years.
The errant hospitals are mostly located here, Selangor and Johor.
"These hospitals have not even applied for their licences to be renewed," he said.
Dr Chua said this at a function where the Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) was given the Malaysia Society for Quality in Health (MSQH) Accreditation Status from July, 2005 to July 22, 2008.
After getting private clinics to register, his ministry is now turning to the country’s 237 private hospitals to ascertain if they were licensed and adhering to the requirements stipulated in the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act.
He said discussions were also in progress to appoint members for the visitors boards in private hospitals as it was through these boards that the ministry could get feedback from the community on the hospitals’ services.
Dr Chua said private hospitals must have the visitors boards to hear public complaints from next year.
"We have lots of complaints on private hospital charges and payment demands," he added.
Earlier in his speech, Dr Chua said 60 out of the 129 government hospitals had been conferred the MSQH accreditation status compared with only 17 out of the 237 private hospitals.
He said the accreditation status was another feather in the cap of the 136-year-old HKL.
Last year, 124,570 patients were admitted to the hospital. It also gave outpatient treatment to 700,806 people.
"Malaysians strongly believe in the hospital’s 64 services which also comprise sub-specialisations," Dr Chua said.
MSQH board member Datuk K. Kulaveerasingam said one of the objectives of the accreditation programme was to ensure that the quality of health services nationwide was continuously upheld and service management competency was improved.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, in issuing the warning yesterday, said the hospitals that failed to comply would also be taken to court.
Private hospitals must renew their licences with the ministry every two years.
The errant hospitals are mostly located here, Selangor and Johor.
"These hospitals have not even applied for their licences to be renewed," he said.
Dr Chua said this at a function where the Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) was given the Malaysia Society for Quality in Health (MSQH) Accreditation Status from July, 2005 to July 22, 2008.
After getting private clinics to register, his ministry is now turning to the country’s 237 private hospitals to ascertain if they were licensed and adhering to the requirements stipulated in the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act.
He said discussions were also in progress to appoint members for the visitors boards in private hospitals as it was through these boards that the ministry could get feedback from the community on the hospitals’ services.
Dr Chua said private hospitals must have the visitors boards to hear public complaints from next year.
"We have lots of complaints on private hospital charges and payment demands," he added.
Earlier in his speech, Dr Chua said 60 out of the 129 government hospitals had been conferred the MSQH accreditation status compared with only 17 out of the 237 private hospitals.
He said the accreditation status was another feather in the cap of the 136-year-old HKL.
Last year, 124,570 patients were admitted to the hospital. It also gave outpatient treatment to 700,806 people.
"Malaysians strongly believe in the hospital’s 64 services which also comprise sub-specialisations," Dr Chua said.
MSQH board member Datuk K. Kulaveerasingam said one of the objectives of the accreditation programme was to ensure that the quality of health services nationwide was continuously upheld and service management competency was improved.
Health laws to be enforced on imports
Star: PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia will soon begin enforcing certain health regulations to restrict the import of food and agricultural products into the country.
This is to reduce the widening deficit in the balance of trade, especially in the agricultural sector, as well as to prevent the dumping of cheap, low-quality food on the local market.
However, Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin allayed fears that Malaysia would impose tariffs on food imports.
“We can’t do that because we are a member of the World Trade Organisation as well as the Asean Free Trade Area.
“Health regulations, which call for food products imported into the country to adhere to standards in sanitation, food safety, quality, packaging and labelling, quarantine and expiry date, already exist under the Food Act.
“But for some reason these were not enforced strictly. Maybe this was due to Malaysians not taking seriously concerns over food safety and quality.
“Beginning next year, we will start enforcing these rules with cooperation from the Health Ministry.
“We will give adequate notice to all food importers when this happens,” he told reporters after handing over the ministry’s annual report to department heads here yesterday.
Muhyiddin said the dumping of these imported food products had also led to competition with local farmers.
“Many developed countries already have very stringent regulations regarding food imports.
“For instance, Malaysia had to negotiate with Australia for eight years before it could export its food products there due to prevailing high standards of hygiene.
“Similarly, whenever one wants to export foodstuff to Japan, the government there imposes very stringent food quality rules to protect consumers. It’s time Malaysia does the same,” he added.
This is to reduce the widening deficit in the balance of trade, especially in the agricultural sector, as well as to prevent the dumping of cheap, low-quality food on the local market.
However, Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin allayed fears that Malaysia would impose tariffs on food imports.
“We can’t do that because we are a member of the World Trade Organisation as well as the Asean Free Trade Area.
“Health regulations, which call for food products imported into the country to adhere to standards in sanitation, food safety, quality, packaging and labelling, quarantine and expiry date, already exist under the Food Act.
“But for some reason these were not enforced strictly. Maybe this was due to Malaysians not taking seriously concerns over food safety and quality.
“Beginning next year, we will start enforcing these rules with cooperation from the Health Ministry.
“We will give adequate notice to all food importers when this happens,” he told reporters after handing over the ministry’s annual report to department heads here yesterday.
Muhyiddin said the dumping of these imported food products had also led to competition with local farmers.
“Many developed countries already have very stringent regulations regarding food imports.
“For instance, Malaysia had to negotiate with Australia for eight years before it could export its food products there due to prevailing high standards of hygiene.
“Similarly, whenever one wants to export foodstuff to Japan, the government there imposes very stringent food quality rules to protect consumers. It’s time Malaysia does the same,” he added.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
M'sian Eye Doctor Is First Asian In Elite American Programme
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 14 (Bernama) -- A Malaysian eye specialist has done the country proud by being the first Asian to be selected for the Leadership Development Programme conducted by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), the world's largest association of eye doctors and surgeons.
Dr Wong Jun Shyan, a consultant ophthalmologist and part-time lecturer in retinal services at Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, is in fact the only international participant among the 19 selected doctors for the 2006-2007 programme which began in Las Vegas last month.
His candidacy for the programme was proposed by the Ophthalmological Society of the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) to the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology, which after considering a field of other eye specialists throughout the region, picked Dr Wong as the sole Asia Pacific representative.
"This is a great opportunity for any ophthalmologist who wants to continue building his skills," Dr Wong was quoted by the MMA in a statement today.
"I hope to use what I'll learn to bring the practice of ophthalmology to the next level in Malaysia," added the specialist who has published more than 20 articles in scientific journals.
The Leadership Development Programme identifies and prepares ophthalmologists with the skills they need to lead their society in future. Nominees must have demonstrated a commitment to their society and have shown potential to lead their organisations.
A recognised leader in his field, Dr Wong had also been a clinical fellow at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne, Australia as well as at the Beetham Eye Institute at Joslin Diabetes Centre, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School in Boston, United States.
He is also the only Malaysian to join the ranks of the Retina Society and is a founding member of the International Retina Foundation.
The Retina Society is an exclusive US-based organisation that promotes the education and professional interaction of vitreo-retinal specialists, providing optimal patient care and encouraging -- through clinical and basic research -- the discovery and development of new means to further patient care.
Dr Wong Jun Shyan, a consultant ophthalmologist and part-time lecturer in retinal services at Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, is in fact the only international participant among the 19 selected doctors for the 2006-2007 programme which began in Las Vegas last month.
His candidacy for the programme was proposed by the Ophthalmological Society of the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) to the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology, which after considering a field of other eye specialists throughout the region, picked Dr Wong as the sole Asia Pacific representative.
"This is a great opportunity for any ophthalmologist who wants to continue building his skills," Dr Wong was quoted by the MMA in a statement today.
"I hope to use what I'll learn to bring the practice of ophthalmology to the next level in Malaysia," added the specialist who has published more than 20 articles in scientific journals.
The Leadership Development Programme identifies and prepares ophthalmologists with the skills they need to lead their society in future. Nominees must have demonstrated a commitment to their society and have shown potential to lead their organisations.
A recognised leader in his field, Dr Wong had also been a clinical fellow at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne, Australia as well as at the Beetham Eye Institute at Joslin Diabetes Centre, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School in Boston, United States.
He is also the only Malaysian to join the ranks of the Retina Society and is a founding member of the International Retina Foundation.
The Retina Society is an exclusive US-based organisation that promotes the education and professional interaction of vitreo-retinal specialists, providing optimal patient care and encouraging -- through clinical and basic research -- the discovery and development of new means to further patient care.
Higher intake for professional courses
NST: With the rising number of students applying for critical courses yearly, places in the medicine, dentistry and pharmacy faculties will be increased by three per cent every year until 2010.
Higher Education Ministry Parliamentary Secretary Datuk Dr Adham Baba said the government realised the three courses were popular among students.
He told Senator Chua Kim Chuan that since this was the case, the ministry decided to offer more seats for the courses in public universities.
It was also aimed at producing more doctors, dentists and pharmacists to meet the country’s needs.
However, he said the ministry could not simply add more seats without jeopardising the quality of the courses and graduates.
"We cannot increase enrolment without referring to the professional bodies which set high standards, like on the ratio of teachers to students and facilities," he said.
For private institutions of higher learning, factors such as infrastructure and teaching strength were taken into consideration before more students could be admitted.
Higher Education Ministry Parliamentary Secretary Datuk Dr Adham Baba said the government realised the three courses were popular among students.
He told Senator Chua Kim Chuan that since this was the case, the ministry decided to offer more seats for the courses in public universities.
It was also aimed at producing more doctors, dentists and pharmacists to meet the country’s needs.
However, he said the ministry could not simply add more seats without jeopardising the quality of the courses and graduates.
"We cannot increase enrolment without referring to the professional bodies which set high standards, like on the ratio of teachers to students and facilities," he said.
For private institutions of higher learning, factors such as infrastructure and teaching strength were taken into consideration before more students could be admitted.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
No Plan To Streamline Medicine Prices
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 13 (Bernama) -- The government has no plan to standardise or control the prices of medicine in the market, particularly at private clinics, says Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abd Latiff Ahmad.
He said although the medicine prices in the market were more expensive compared to the World Health Organisation's International Drug Price Indicator Guide, they are still manageable.
Replying to a question from Senator Fatanah Datuk Ahmad at the Dewan Negara, here today, he said the prices suggested by the guide were median averages of wholesale prices that excluded additional costs like insurance and delivery.
He said the factor that differentiated the market price for medicines was the consulting cost charged by medical specialists.
The public had the option to buy the medicine at the clinics or the pharmacies, he said.
"For now, we let the market forces determine the price," he said.
He said although the medicine prices in the market were more expensive compared to the World Health Organisation's International Drug Price Indicator Guide, they are still manageable.
Replying to a question from Senator Fatanah Datuk Ahmad at the Dewan Negara, here today, he said the prices suggested by the guide were median averages of wholesale prices that excluded additional costs like insurance and delivery.
He said the factor that differentiated the market price for medicines was the consulting cost charged by medical specialists.
The public had the option to buy the medicine at the clinics or the pharmacies, he said.
"For now, we let the market forces determine the price," he said.
RM1m fines collected for letting Aedes breed
NST: PUTRAJAYA: The obvious health risks aside, not maintaining one’s compound and allowing Aedes mosquitoes to breed has financial consequences. This year alone, health authorities have collected close to RM1 million in compound fines.
That’s a lot of breeding places, considering the maximum fine is RM500.
Last week, four schools — one each in Penang, Kedah, Perak and Kuala Lumpur — were slapped with fines ranging from RM150 to RM300.
Selangor and Kuala Lumpur have the most number of dengue cases. Both areas, and Penang, will be the main focus of the fight against the Aedes mosquito in view of Visit Malaysia Year 2007, said director of disease control Datuk Dr Ramlee Rahmat.
During the Health Ministry’s weekly dengue update, he said that last week, nine construction sites, 149 homes and shoplots, and four factories in Selangor were penalised. In Kuala Lumpur, five construction sites and six shopping centres were fined.
Hot spots in the Klang Valley include Setapak, Shah Alam, Subang Jaya, Kajang, Petaling Jaya, Gombak, Cheras and Ampang Jaya, he said.
Last week, Selangor had 313 cases, up 23 over the previous week, while in Kuala Lumpur there were 13 more cases than the week before, with 190.
In Penang, the number of cases went down from 116 the week before last to 102 last week.
That’s a lot of breeding places, considering the maximum fine is RM500.
Last week, four schools — one each in Penang, Kedah, Perak and Kuala Lumpur — were slapped with fines ranging from RM150 to RM300.
Selangor and Kuala Lumpur have the most number of dengue cases. Both areas, and Penang, will be the main focus of the fight against the Aedes mosquito in view of Visit Malaysia Year 2007, said director of disease control Datuk Dr Ramlee Rahmat.
During the Health Ministry’s weekly dengue update, he said that last week, nine construction sites, 149 homes and shoplots, and four factories in Selangor were penalised. In Kuala Lumpur, five construction sites and six shopping centres were fined.
Hot spots in the Klang Valley include Setapak, Shah Alam, Subang Jaya, Kajang, Petaling Jaya, Gombak, Cheras and Ampang Jaya, he said.
Last week, Selangor had 313 cases, up 23 over the previous week, while in Kuala Lumpur there were 13 more cases than the week before, with 190.
In Penang, the number of cases went down from 116 the week before last to 102 last week.
Dengue Still Under Control Despite Up By 20 Cases
PUTRAJAYA, Dec 12 (Bernama) -- Despite suspected dengue cases up by 20, bringing the total to 917 on Dec 9 compared to 897 on Dec 2, the situation is still under control, says the Health Ministry.
Of the total, 863 are suspected dengue fever cases (94.1 per cent) and 54 are suspected dengue haemorrhagic fever (5.9 per cent), says the ministry's Disease Control Division director Datuk Dr Ramlee Rahmat.
As of the 49th week ending on Dec 9, he said, there were 34,386 cases of suspected dengue fever as compared to 37,153 in the same period last year, with only 9,775 cases (28.4 per cent) confirmed as dengue positive.
"Since early this year, there were 70 dengue-related deaths compared to 99 in the same period last year," he told a press conference.
Dr Ramlee said the increased reported cases showed the public had begun to realise the importance to seek early treatment for the fever and to prevent it from becoming contagious.
Dr Ramlee said Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory were the two states which registered increased dengue cases.
Selangor recorded 313 cases compared to 290 in the 48th week ending Dec 2 while the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory had 190 cases, he said.
Dengue cases in Penang showed a decline from 116 on Dec 2 to 102 on Dec 9, he said.
To control and prevent the spread of dengue fever in high-risk areas, he said the ministry had open national dengue operation rooms from 8am to 4.30pm.
Public wishing to get further information on dengue fever can call the rooms at 03-88 88 6252 or fax no 03-8888 6251/8861.
Dr Ramlee also said the ministry was distributing larvae-killing insecticide called "Temephos" for free to the public.
He said arrangements have been made with the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory and Selangor health departments and Islamic Religious Affairs Councils to include dengue fever and precautionary measures in their Friday sermons.
Of the total, 863 are suspected dengue fever cases (94.1 per cent) and 54 are suspected dengue haemorrhagic fever (5.9 per cent), says the ministry's Disease Control Division director Datuk Dr Ramlee Rahmat.
As of the 49th week ending on Dec 9, he said, there were 34,386 cases of suspected dengue fever as compared to 37,153 in the same period last year, with only 9,775 cases (28.4 per cent) confirmed as dengue positive.
"Since early this year, there were 70 dengue-related deaths compared to 99 in the same period last year," he told a press conference.
Dr Ramlee said the increased reported cases showed the public had begun to realise the importance to seek early treatment for the fever and to prevent it from becoming contagious.
Dr Ramlee said Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory were the two states which registered increased dengue cases.
Selangor recorded 313 cases compared to 290 in the 48th week ending Dec 2 while the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory had 190 cases, he said.
Dengue cases in Penang showed a decline from 116 on Dec 2 to 102 on Dec 9, he said.
To control and prevent the spread of dengue fever in high-risk areas, he said the ministry had open national dengue operation rooms from 8am to 4.30pm.
Public wishing to get further information on dengue fever can call the rooms at 03-88 88 6252 or fax no 03-8888 6251/8861.
Dr Ramlee also said the ministry was distributing larvae-killing insecticide called "Temephos" for free to the public.
He said arrangements have been made with the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory and Selangor health departments and Islamic Religious Affairs Councils to include dengue fever and precautionary measures in their Friday sermons.
Health Ministry Seals Three Clinics
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 13 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry has sealed three private clinics for offering services without permits and employing unqualified medical practitioners.
Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said the ministry's enforcement officers raided one of the clinics in Seremban at 11.30pm on Nov 17.
The clinic was run by a former medical assistant of the defence forces from 10pm to 8am over the past several months, he said in a statement today.
In another raid at 11am on Dec 9, the ministry sealed two clinics in Klang.
One was the clinics was operating without a permit and run by a foreigner without a valid travelling document.
The police who accompanied the ministry's enforcement officers in the raid, arrested the illegal immigrant.
The other clinic was run by a retired medical assistant.
Dr Mohd Ismail said the Health Ministry viewed the incidents as serious as they showed the stubbornness of the private healthcare facility owners in not complying with the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998.
Their irresponsible acts would greatly endanger the people, he said.
Owners of the premises, if convicted, are liable to a RM500,000 fine for companies and RM300,000 or six months in prison or both for their directors or individual owners.
Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said the ministry's enforcement officers raided one of the clinics in Seremban at 11.30pm on Nov 17.
The clinic was run by a former medical assistant of the defence forces from 10pm to 8am over the past several months, he said in a statement today.
In another raid at 11am on Dec 9, the ministry sealed two clinics in Klang.
One was the clinics was operating without a permit and run by a foreigner without a valid travelling document.
The police who accompanied the ministry's enforcement officers in the raid, arrested the illegal immigrant.
The other clinic was run by a retired medical assistant.
Dr Mohd Ismail said the Health Ministry viewed the incidents as serious as they showed the stubbornness of the private healthcare facility owners in not complying with the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998.
Their irresponsible acts would greatly endanger the people, he said.
Owners of the premises, if convicted, are liable to a RM500,000 fine for companies and RM300,000 or six months in prison or both for their directors or individual owners.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Ministry: We need to improve
Sun2Surf: PENANG (Dec 12, 2006): The Health Ministry will have to look into ways to improve its health services system and develop its human resources capacity to avoid possible cases of negligence.
Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon said the ministry will have to seriously look into complaints and reported cases of negligence against government hospitals or medical staff.
"We will have to look into why it happens and if need be, change the way of doing things to solve the problem," he said.
Lee said the ministry is looking at how it can upgrade and improve its complaints mechanism so that complaints can be solved faster.
"We want reported cases to be immediately investigated and we want to involve both parties during the investigation," he said.
At present, a complaint goes directly to the hospital director first, after which an independent committee is formed to investigate the case.
"If the complainants are unhappy with the final outcome of their complaints, they can always send their complaints to the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) if the complaint is against a doctor or to the Health Ministry if the complaint is against a hospital and other medical staff," Lee said.
MMC will conduct a thorough investigation into the doctor concerned and take disciplinary action if the doctor is found to be negligent in his duty, he said.
He added the ministry will do the same if the complaint is against nurses or other medical staff.
Lee was commenting on the case where a baby became semi-paralysed after delivery at the Seberang Jaya Hospital on Dec 5.
R. Santhanavaly and J. Sivananthan, both 30, claimed their son's condition could have been avoided if the staff and doctor on duty that day had delivered him via Caesarean section.
Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon said the ministry will have to seriously look into complaints and reported cases of negligence against government hospitals or medical staff.
"We will have to look into why it happens and if need be, change the way of doing things to solve the problem," he said.
Lee said the ministry is looking at how it can upgrade and improve its complaints mechanism so that complaints can be solved faster.
"We want reported cases to be immediately investigated and we want to involve both parties during the investigation," he said.
At present, a complaint goes directly to the hospital director first, after which an independent committee is formed to investigate the case.
"If the complainants are unhappy with the final outcome of their complaints, they can always send their complaints to the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) if the complaint is against a doctor or to the Health Ministry if the complaint is against a hospital and other medical staff," Lee said.
MMC will conduct a thorough investigation into the doctor concerned and take disciplinary action if the doctor is found to be negligent in his duty, he said.
He added the ministry will do the same if the complaint is against nurses or other medical staff.
Lee was commenting on the case where a baby became semi-paralysed after delivery at the Seberang Jaya Hospital on Dec 5.
R. Santhanavaly and J. Sivananthan, both 30, claimed their son's condition could have been avoided if the staff and doctor on duty that day had delivered him via Caesarean section.
Malaysian scientists seek cures from nature
Star: PUTRAJAYA: Malaysian scientists are looking to nature for cures where chemical or synthetic drugs have failed.
They have joined a worldwide partnership that is fighting pathogens that developed a resistance to modern drugs.
The Health Ministry and the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry have started working with the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi) on the matter.
Central to their efforts will be identifying new compounds in marine, plant and other biological material.
Malaysian Institute of Pharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals director Prof Datuk Dr Mohamed Isa Abd Majid said the problem in conventional medicine was the resistance that pathogens developed to them over time.
"In order for us to come up with new and effective drugs, we have to go back to natural resources. It is like taking one step back to move two steps forward," he said at the start of a DNDi conference here yesterday.
DNDi works with governments and the pharmaceutical industry to identify potential new cures for development.
The institute, which is under the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, is one of the participating agencies in the three-day conference, which will discuss neglected diseases and identify natural substances that can be used in their treatment.
Dr Mohamed Isa said Malaysia decided to collaborate with DNDi as the country is one of 12 mega-biodiversity sites in the world and could offer its natural resources for medical cures.
The collaboration will also help Malaysia’s own goals under the National Biotechnology Policy to enhance capacity in research and development.
Neglected diseases refer to those diseases which threaten the majority of the world’s population but for which little research and funding has been invested.
The term also refers to a disease for which treatment is available but not affordable due to the high cost, such as HIV/AIDS.
Other neglected diseases include sleeping sickness or the Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), which threatens populations in sub-Saharan Africa, Kala-Azar disease or visceral Leshmaniasis which affects the Indian subcontinent, Brazil and Sudan; and the Chagas disease or trypanosomiasis, which is common in South America.
These diseases are fatal and most often afflict poor communities.
Dr Mohamed Isa said "only 10 per cent of global research and development funding have gone into 90 per cent of the world’s problems".
The majority of research and funding has gone into "first world" diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and neurological problems, he added.
He said in Malaysia, malaria, dengue and HIV/AIDS were considered the major neglected diseases.
Although these have been around for some time, little research has gone into developing new treatments while in the case of HIV/AIDS, the medication available is still costly for large segments of the population.
They have joined a worldwide partnership that is fighting pathogens that developed a resistance to modern drugs.
The Health Ministry and the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry have started working with the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi) on the matter.
Central to their efforts will be identifying new compounds in marine, plant and other biological material.
Malaysian Institute of Pharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals director Prof Datuk Dr Mohamed Isa Abd Majid said the problem in conventional medicine was the resistance that pathogens developed to them over time.
"In order for us to come up with new and effective drugs, we have to go back to natural resources. It is like taking one step back to move two steps forward," he said at the start of a DNDi conference here yesterday.
DNDi works with governments and the pharmaceutical industry to identify potential new cures for development.
The institute, which is under the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, is one of the participating agencies in the three-day conference, which will discuss neglected diseases and identify natural substances that can be used in their treatment.
Dr Mohamed Isa said Malaysia decided to collaborate with DNDi as the country is one of 12 mega-biodiversity sites in the world and could offer its natural resources for medical cures.
The collaboration will also help Malaysia’s own goals under the National Biotechnology Policy to enhance capacity in research and development.
Neglected diseases refer to those diseases which threaten the majority of the world’s population but for which little research and funding has been invested.
The term also refers to a disease for which treatment is available but not affordable due to the high cost, such as HIV/AIDS.
Other neglected diseases include sleeping sickness or the Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), which threatens populations in sub-Saharan Africa, Kala-Azar disease or visceral Leshmaniasis which affects the Indian subcontinent, Brazil and Sudan; and the Chagas disease or trypanosomiasis, which is common in South America.
These diseases are fatal and most often afflict poor communities.
Dr Mohamed Isa said "only 10 per cent of global research and development funding have gone into 90 per cent of the world’s problems".
The majority of research and funding has gone into "first world" diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and neurological problems, he added.
He said in Malaysia, malaria, dengue and HIV/AIDS were considered the major neglected diseases.
Although these have been around for some time, little research has gone into developing new treatments while in the case of HIV/AIDS, the medication available is still costly for large segments of the population.
Monday, December 11, 2006
China's Traditional Medicine Experts For Integrated Hospital
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 11 (Bernama) -- Traditional medical specialists from three renowned universities in China will help out in the implementation of the Integrated Hospital Concept, a special hospital offering a combination of western and traditional medicine treatments, here next year.
The three universities are the University of Beijing, University of Shanghai and University of Nanjing, which are actively involved in herbal research and giving out support for well-established and closely monitored integrated hospital around China.
Health Minister, Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek said during last month's meeting with the republic's Health Ministry, the Chinese had agreed to Malaysia's proposal to send Malaysia's western-educated doctors to attend short-term courses on traditional and complementary medicine at these universities.
"In exchange, the Chinese will send their experts in traditional medicine from the three universities to help out the Malaysian government in implementing the integrated hospital concept here," he told reporters after presenting a government grant amounting to RM2 million to the non-profit making Tung Shin Hospital, here, Monday.
Besides that, he said the universities' experts would also be roped in to introduce traditional medicine modules at the medical faculties of local universities.
"Traditional medicine will be introduced as a subject for medical undergraduates. Upon completion, these would-be-doctors will have sound knowledge about traditional medicine," he said.
Chua also said that the Integrated Hospital Concept would be implemented after the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Bill was gazetted next year.
"The government has identified three government hospitals, namely, Kepala Batas Hospital, Putrajaya Hospital and Sultan Ismail Hospital (Johor Baharu) as the pilot project for the Integrated Hospital Concept," he said.
"In these hospitals, traditional medicine complementary treatments will include pain management (acupuncture, massage and reflexology), complementary treatment to build up cancer patients' immune system, health and wellness program involving enhancing mental health, and dieting," he added.
The three universities are the University of Beijing, University of Shanghai and University of Nanjing, which are actively involved in herbal research and giving out support for well-established and closely monitored integrated hospital around China.
Health Minister, Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek said during last month's meeting with the republic's Health Ministry, the Chinese had agreed to Malaysia's proposal to send Malaysia's western-educated doctors to attend short-term courses on traditional and complementary medicine at these universities.
"In exchange, the Chinese will send their experts in traditional medicine from the three universities to help out the Malaysian government in implementing the integrated hospital concept here," he told reporters after presenting a government grant amounting to RM2 million to the non-profit making Tung Shin Hospital, here, Monday.
Besides that, he said the universities' experts would also be roped in to introduce traditional medicine modules at the medical faculties of local universities.
"Traditional medicine will be introduced as a subject for medical undergraduates. Upon completion, these would-be-doctors will have sound knowledge about traditional medicine," he said.
Chua also said that the Integrated Hospital Concept would be implemented after the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Bill was gazetted next year.
"The government has identified three government hospitals, namely, Kepala Batas Hospital, Putrajaya Hospital and Sultan Ismail Hospital (Johor Baharu) as the pilot project for the Integrated Hospital Concept," he said.
"In these hospitals, traditional medicine complementary treatments will include pain management (acupuncture, massage and reflexology), complementary treatment to build up cancer patients' immune system, health and wellness program involving enhancing mental health, and dieting," he added.
TMC Stemcells A Strategic Move For TMC Life Sciences
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 11 (Bernama) -- TMC Life Sciences Bhd has established a wholly-owned subsidiary, TMC Stemcells Sdn Bhd, dedicated to cord blood and adult stem cell banking, therapy, application, and research and development.
In a statement Monday, the company, the parent company of TMC Fertility Centre, said TMC Stemcells will primarily be in the business of harvesting, processing, and storage of umbilical cord blood stem cells and peripheral blood stem cells.
"The incorporation of TMC Stemcells is a strategic step for the group, and part of the group's long term plan to provide stem cell therapy and banking to local and foreign patients," its chairman, Professor Khalid Abdul Kadir said.
In short term, TMC Stemcells is expected to be a direct beneficiary of TMC Fertility Centre's growing business.
In long term, the healthcare services to be provided in the upcoming Tropicana Medical Centre would also be advantageous to TMC Stemcells, the statement said.
Tropicana Medical Centre is expected to be operational in 2008.
"We are optimistic that TMC Stemcells will indeed contribute positively to the group in the coming years," Khalid added.
In a statement Monday, the company, the parent company of TMC Fertility Centre, said TMC Stemcells will primarily be in the business of harvesting, processing, and storage of umbilical cord blood stem cells and peripheral blood stem cells.
"The incorporation of TMC Stemcells is a strategic step for the group, and part of the group's long term plan to provide stem cell therapy and banking to local and foreign patients," its chairman, Professor Khalid Abdul Kadir said.
In short term, TMC Stemcells is expected to be a direct beneficiary of TMC Fertility Centre's growing business.
In long term, the healthcare services to be provided in the upcoming Tropicana Medical Centre would also be advantageous to TMC Stemcells, the statement said.
Tropicana Medical Centre is expected to be operational in 2008.
"We are optimistic that TMC Stemcells will indeed contribute positively to the group in the coming years," Khalid added.
Niosh draws up safety induction programme
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) has drawn up the Niosh Safety Passport Programme to provide safety induction courses to contractors and their workers.
Its chairman, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, said the latest programme was initiated last month with Telekom Malaysia (TM).
The safety induction course is for workers who are hired by TM's contractors to do maintenance work and other non-routine work in a confined space or that involved heights.
He said in a statement issued here yesterday that the safety programme had a steering committee comprising representatives from TM and Niosh to oversee its implementation and co-ordination.
He said TM contractors who were awarded the passports could renew them after successfully attending a refresher course.
Its chairman, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, said the latest programme was initiated last month with Telekom Malaysia (TM).
The safety induction course is for workers who are hired by TM's contractors to do maintenance work and other non-routine work in a confined space or that involved heights.
He said in a statement issued here yesterday that the safety programme had a steering committee comprising representatives from TM and Niosh to oversee its implementation and co-ordination.
He said TM contractors who were awarded the passports could renew them after successfully attending a refresher course.
Study shows heart disease is No 1 killer of women
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: A study by the Health Ministry from 1990 to 2005 has revealed a 135% increase in heart disease among women, said Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.
She said that last year, 22.5% of deaths among women were due to cardiovascular heart disease.
“Heart disease is the number one killer of Malaysian women, not breast cancer,” she said at the launch of the website www.go-red.info, which aims to create more awareness about heart disease among women.
Rosmah, who is patron of the Go-Red Campaign, pointed out that 46% of women around the age of 50 suffered from heart disease compared with 10% from breast cancer. Also 31% of women around that age had died of heart disease while only 3% died from breast cancer.
“I hope the Health Ministry will lay out more aggressive campaigns to create greater awareness on this issue,” she said.
National Heart Institute consultant cardiologist Datuk Seri Dr Robaayah Zambahari, who is the Go-Red campaign advisor, said the lack of awareness about heart disease among women was not just among the general public but also healthcare providers.
“As a result, women tend to receive less treatment than men,” she said.
Dr Robaayah said while men tended to experience pains on the left side of the chest during a heart attack, women mostly had difficulty breathing and experienced pain on the upper part of the abdomen, which is sometimes mistaken for gastritis.
Among the women, who have a higher risk of getting heart disease were those who had reached menopause, led a sedentary lifestyle, were obese, diabetics and smokers.
She said that last year, 22.5% of deaths among women were due to cardiovascular heart disease.
“Heart disease is the number one killer of Malaysian women, not breast cancer,” she said at the launch of the website www.go-red.info, which aims to create more awareness about heart disease among women.
Rosmah, who is patron of the Go-Red Campaign, pointed out that 46% of women around the age of 50 suffered from heart disease compared with 10% from breast cancer. Also 31% of women around that age had died of heart disease while only 3% died from breast cancer.
“I hope the Health Ministry will lay out more aggressive campaigns to create greater awareness on this issue,” she said.
National Heart Institute consultant cardiologist Datuk Seri Dr Robaayah Zambahari, who is the Go-Red campaign advisor, said the lack of awareness about heart disease among women was not just among the general public but also healthcare providers.
“As a result, women tend to receive less treatment than men,” she said.
Dr Robaayah said while men tended to experience pains on the left side of the chest during a heart attack, women mostly had difficulty breathing and experienced pain on the upper part of the abdomen, which is sometimes mistaken for gastritis.
Among the women, who have a higher risk of getting heart disease were those who had reached menopause, led a sedentary lifestyle, were obese, diabetics and smokers.
Friday, December 08, 2006
Teenager to return home minus 3kg facial tumour
Star: ALOR STAR: SPM school-leaver Hong Siew Hui who went to China in May to remove a facial tumour will return to Malaysia on Tuesday – minus the 3kg growth.
The tumour was successfully removed at the Fuda Cancer Hospital in Guangzhou where she had been warded since May 15. She had the condition since birth.
Hong, 18, from Taman Bersatu in Simpang Empat here, is scheduled to arrive at the Penang International Airport on Dec 12, Kedah Chinese Assembly Hall (KCAH) president Datuk Wong Gin Chee told a press conference here yesterday.
She will be accompanied by another Kedahan, Tan Kia Khim, 25, who also had a facial tumour removed at the same hospital earlier.
The surgeries were made possible by KCAH which set up a special medical fund to send them to China to remove the tumours.
Tan, a coffeeshop assistant from Alor Star, had returned to Malaysia on July 18 after his tumour was removed but returned to the same hospital on Nov 11 to have his face “touched up.”
Wong said KCAH would charter a bus to bring family members of both patients from Alor Star to welcome them at the Penang airport.
He thanked the public for contributing to the fund to enable both youths to have “new faces.”
Hong and Tan would be accompanied by several officials from the Fuda Hospital as well as television journalists from Guangzhou.
Their surgery had involved many steps such as cutting the tumour skin, removing the tumour, a “cryoablation procedure” to freeze the tumour, stitching back the wound and repeating the cryoablation procedure.
There was also a “Transarterial Intervention Therapy” to prevent excessive bleeding until the hard-core tissues were completely destroyed and removed.
The tumour was successfully removed at the Fuda Cancer Hospital in Guangzhou where she had been warded since May 15. She had the condition since birth.
Hong, 18, from Taman Bersatu in Simpang Empat here, is scheduled to arrive at the Penang International Airport on Dec 12, Kedah Chinese Assembly Hall (KCAH) president Datuk Wong Gin Chee told a press conference here yesterday.
She will be accompanied by another Kedahan, Tan Kia Khim, 25, who also had a facial tumour removed at the same hospital earlier.
The surgeries were made possible by KCAH which set up a special medical fund to send them to China to remove the tumours.
Tan, a coffeeshop assistant from Alor Star, had returned to Malaysia on July 18 after his tumour was removed but returned to the same hospital on Nov 11 to have his face “touched up.”
Wong said KCAH would charter a bus to bring family members of both patients from Alor Star to welcome them at the Penang airport.
He thanked the public for contributing to the fund to enable both youths to have “new faces.”
Hong and Tan would be accompanied by several officials from the Fuda Hospital as well as television journalists from Guangzhou.
Their surgery had involved many steps such as cutting the tumour skin, removing the tumour, a “cryoablation procedure” to freeze the tumour, stitching back the wound and repeating the cryoablation procedure.
There was also a “Transarterial Intervention Therapy” to prevent excessive bleeding until the hard-core tissues were completely destroyed and removed.
No HIV Screening For Those Tying The Knot
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 7 (Bernama) -- The government has no plans yet to make it mandatory for couples intending to get married to go through HIV screening, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abd Latiff Ahmad said.
He, however, said those in the "high-risk" groups were encouraged to do blood screening for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), the virus that causes the deadly AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) disease.
"Sreening and diagnosis will allow for early treatment to be administered to HIV carriers and ensure that patients do not spread the disease to their partners through sexual contact.
"The public, including those who plan to get married, should go for HIV screening in any government clinic," he said in reply to Abdul Halim Abdul Rahman (Pas-Pengkalan Chepa) in the Dewan Rakyat Thursday.
He said some states such as Johor and Perak already made it mandatory for Muslim couples intending to marry to go for HIV screening.
Abd Latiff also revealed that in the first eight months of this year, a total of 1,790 patients reportedly experienced side-effects from medicines administered to them. There were 2,363 cases last year.
He said the Malaysian Adverse Drug Reaction Advisory Committee (MADRAC) was set up to monitor the adverse effects of medicines among patients in Malaysia.
"The focus is on adverse effects that are life threatening, can cause hospitalisation, needing long treatment, and babies to be deformed."
He said that the Drug Control Authority would review the registration status of fatal or dangerous medicines.
"The authority can order these medicines to be suspended or banned," he added.
He, however, said those in the "high-risk" groups were encouraged to do blood screening for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), the virus that causes the deadly AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) disease.
"Sreening and diagnosis will allow for early treatment to be administered to HIV carriers and ensure that patients do not spread the disease to their partners through sexual contact.
"The public, including those who plan to get married, should go for HIV screening in any government clinic," he said in reply to Abdul Halim Abdul Rahman (Pas-Pengkalan Chepa) in the Dewan Rakyat Thursday.
He said some states such as Johor and Perak already made it mandatory for Muslim couples intending to marry to go for HIV screening.
Abd Latiff also revealed that in the first eight months of this year, a total of 1,790 patients reportedly experienced side-effects from medicines administered to them. There were 2,363 cases last year.
He said the Malaysian Adverse Drug Reaction Advisory Committee (MADRAC) was set up to monitor the adverse effects of medicines among patients in Malaysia.
"The focus is on adverse effects that are life threatening, can cause hospitalisation, needing long treatment, and babies to be deformed."
He said that the Drug Control Authority would review the registration status of fatal or dangerous medicines.
"The authority can order these medicines to be suspended or banned," he added.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Buy drugs online at your own risk
Star: PETALING JAYA: Buying medication online is extremely risky because the source of the medicine is unknown, said pharmacists and doctors.
Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society president John Chang said that while it might be convenient to buy the products online it was tantamount to cheating oneself.
“Some of the medication for chronic illnesses like diabetes is supposed to be prescribed by doctors,” he pointed out.
“There are people buying such medication without any medical attention or advice.”
Chang added that the harm was made worse by the fact that the suppliers were unknown, and the medication sold sometimes did not even contain medicine.
“They could just be blank tablets. The perceived savings is not worth the high risk,” he said, adding that buying drugs online was one way of promoting counterfeit medicine.
He said some medication required professional advice on its usage and follow-up.
Malaysian Medical Association president Datuk Dr Teoh Siang Chin said buying on the Internet was akin to “putting your hand in a bag of worms.”
“It is like putting your hand into something and not knowing what you’re taking,” he added.
For those buying drugs online for their sexual problems as they were too shy to consult doctors, Dr Teoh said people have to realise that such problems were multi-faceted.
“Most of these problems have a psychological component which needs counselling. Medicine alone is not enough,” he said.
Chang said being shy was not a good reason to buy drugs online as the buyers were taking the risk of bypassing the healthcare professional, who could provide good advice.
Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society president John Chang said that while it might be convenient to buy the products online it was tantamount to cheating oneself.
“Some of the medication for chronic illnesses like diabetes is supposed to be prescribed by doctors,” he pointed out.
“There are people buying such medication without any medical attention or advice.”
Chang added that the harm was made worse by the fact that the suppliers were unknown, and the medication sold sometimes did not even contain medicine.
“They could just be blank tablets. The perceived savings is not worth the high risk,” he said, adding that buying drugs online was one way of promoting counterfeit medicine.
He said some medication required professional advice on its usage and follow-up.
Malaysian Medical Association president Datuk Dr Teoh Siang Chin said buying on the Internet was akin to “putting your hand in a bag of worms.”
“It is like putting your hand into something and not knowing what you’re taking,” he added.
For those buying drugs online for their sexual problems as they were too shy to consult doctors, Dr Teoh said people have to realise that such problems were multi-faceted.
“Most of these problems have a psychological component which needs counselling. Medicine alone is not enough,” he said.
Chang said being shy was not a good reason to buy drugs online as the buyers were taking the risk of bypassing the healthcare professional, who could provide good advice.
Dengue count includes suspected cases
Star: PUTRAJAYA: The number of reports on dengue cases is high in Malaysia because it also includes suspected cases as well. Confirmed cases only make up a fraction of the statistics.
Disease Control director Datuk Dr Ramlee Rahmat said that other countries reported only confirmed cases.
“The actual number of positive cases of dengue (in Malaysia) is rather small,” he told reporters here yesterday.
“We decided that we should also report suspected cases because this will help us put in place surveillance and preventative measures in the areas concerned,” he added.
Dr Ramlee was commenting on a Hong Kong newspaper report cautioning its residents against visiting Malaysia due to an alleged dengue outbreak.
Besides the media report, the Hong Kong Travel Health Services website also stated that a 34-year-old traveller from Hong Kong had “imported” the disease from Malaysia. It stated that the woman had been in Malaysia from Oct 10 to 24.
Disease Control director Datuk Dr Ramlee Rahmat said that other countries reported only confirmed cases.
“The actual number of positive cases of dengue (in Malaysia) is rather small,” he told reporters here yesterday.
“We decided that we should also report suspected cases because this will help us put in place surveillance and preventative measures in the areas concerned,” he added.
Dr Ramlee was commenting on a Hong Kong newspaper report cautioning its residents against visiting Malaysia due to an alleged dengue outbreak.
Besides the media report, the Hong Kong Travel Health Services website also stated that a 34-year-old traveller from Hong Kong had “imported” the disease from Malaysia. It stated that the woman had been in Malaysia from Oct 10 to 24.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Pharmaniaga to bank on new products
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Pharmaniaga Bhd is banking on the introduction of new products and the streamlining of its core business to boost revenue next year.
Chairman Datuk Mohamed Azman Yahya said the integrated healthcare solutions provider would also continue to reduce its dependence on Government's procurement for growth.
“Our focus next year will be on growing the three core businesses: logistics, medical equipment and services, and pharmaceuticals. We are looking at double-digit growth from our overseas operations, particularly Indonesia.
“Domestically, our growth will be in line with the overall industry growth of 8% to 10%,” he said after the launch of the Clinisys clinic management system by Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad here yesterday.
Besides Indonesia, Pharmaniaga markets its products to 16 other countries, including China, Brunei, Singapore, Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong and Iraq.
Overseas sales contributed about 24% to its total revenue in the first quarter of this year.
Managing director Azhar Hussain said Pharmaniaga's dependence on Government's procurement was as high as 95% of total revenue a few years ago.
He said the figure dropped to about “60% to 65% last year” and was expected to drop further as the company's operation locally and overseas expanded.
He said Pharmaniaga planned to launch 80 new products over the next five years.
Pharmaniaga holds a 15-year concession (ending 2009) to supply drugs to government hospitals, with an option for the authorities to extend the concession by another 15 years.
Commenting on Clinisys, Azman said the software would be made available to all its customers free-of-charge.
“Clinisys will help increase efficiency and productivity in clinics and enhance patients' experience,” he said, adding that about 100 clinics had adopted the system since its introduction in May.
Chairman Datuk Mohamed Azman Yahya said the integrated healthcare solutions provider would also continue to reduce its dependence on Government's procurement for growth.
“Our focus next year will be on growing the three core businesses: logistics, medical equipment and services, and pharmaceuticals. We are looking at double-digit growth from our overseas operations, particularly Indonesia.
“Domestically, our growth will be in line with the overall industry growth of 8% to 10%,” he said after the launch of the Clinisys clinic management system by Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad here yesterday.
Besides Indonesia, Pharmaniaga markets its products to 16 other countries, including China, Brunei, Singapore, Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong and Iraq.
Overseas sales contributed about 24% to its total revenue in the first quarter of this year.
Managing director Azhar Hussain said Pharmaniaga's dependence on Government's procurement was as high as 95% of total revenue a few years ago.
He said the figure dropped to about “60% to 65% last year” and was expected to drop further as the company's operation locally and overseas expanded.
He said Pharmaniaga planned to launch 80 new products over the next five years.
Pharmaniaga holds a 15-year concession (ending 2009) to supply drugs to government hospitals, with an option for the authorities to extend the concession by another 15 years.
Commenting on Clinisys, Azman said the software would be made available to all its customers free-of-charge.
“Clinisys will help increase efficiency and productivity in clinics and enhance patients' experience,” he said, adding that about 100 clinics had adopted the system since its introduction in May.
Government hopes to reduce HIV/AIDS cases by 20%
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: The Government hopes to see a 20% reduction in HIV/AIDS cases by 2008 as a direct result of comprehensive preventive efforts.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said although 16 to 18 new cases were reported daily, there would be a reduction with a “change in behaviour.”
”If what should not happen still happens, the result from our efforts will be limited,” Chua said after attending the national-level World AIDS Day celebration at the Health Management Institute here yesterday.
His confidence of reducing the cases stemmed from the National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan which focused on treatment, harm reduction and the training of paramedics.
“The Cabinet has allocated an extra RM100mil over five years on top of the RM40mil yearly allocation,” he said.
Dr Chua said 100 paramedics were also being trained at a cost of RM600,000 to counsel and administer anti-retro viral drugs to patients.
“The drugs are not like normal medicine and the personnel are trained to understand the intricacies involved in treating HIV/AIDS,” he said.
Dr Chua added that the target was to treat up to 10,000 patients by 2010, and to prolong the lives of at least 80% of them.
He said that with the expansion of the ministry's needle/ syringe exchange programme and methadone replacement therapy to include all states in the country, more people would receive help.
“We hope to involve 15,000 drug users in methadone replacement therapy and 15,000 to 25,000 intravenous drug users in the needle/ syringe exchange programme by 2010,” he added.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said although 16 to 18 new cases were reported daily, there would be a reduction with a “change in behaviour.”
”If what should not happen still happens, the result from our efforts will be limited,” Chua said after attending the national-level World AIDS Day celebration at the Health Management Institute here yesterday.
His confidence of reducing the cases stemmed from the National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan which focused on treatment, harm reduction and the training of paramedics.
“The Cabinet has allocated an extra RM100mil over five years on top of the RM40mil yearly allocation,” he said.
Dr Chua said 100 paramedics were also being trained at a cost of RM600,000 to counsel and administer anti-retro viral drugs to patients.
“The drugs are not like normal medicine and the personnel are trained to understand the intricacies involved in treating HIV/AIDS,” he said.
Dr Chua added that the target was to treat up to 10,000 patients by 2010, and to prolong the lives of at least 80% of them.
He said that with the expansion of the ministry's needle/ syringe exchange programme and methadone replacement therapy to include all states in the country, more people would receive help.
“We hope to involve 15,000 drug users in methadone replacement therapy and 15,000 to 25,000 intravenous drug users in the needle/ syringe exchange programme by 2010,” he added.
Chua: Don’t buy drugs online
Star: SUBANG JAYA: Malaysians have been told to stop making online purchases of medication because the products may be fake.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the ministry was concerned with the new trend which has seen the number of online medicine sales and purchases growing by the day.
“We are advising the public not to be so naive as to believe all that is stated about the product in online advertisements. Using these drugs involves high risks because the information on the effects might be false, while the medication might be fake,” he said.
He said the medication available over the Internet included prescription drugs meant for those suffering from diabetes and hypertension, anti-histamines and painkillers.
“But a large number of products that are bought online are lifestyle drugs such as sexual performance enhancers for men, and for the women it is beauty and anti-ageing products,” he told reporters after launching the Seminar on Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals: A Global Perspective here yesterday.
Dr Chua said the ministry suspected that people bought the drugs over the Internet out of convenience as they did not need to visit a doctor or pharmacy or require a prescription to buy the medication, which are also usually cheaper.
He said the ministry had not received complaints from those who had bought the products, but suspected that this was because of the nature of Malaysians who did not complain even when they were cheated.
He said although the ministry had adequate provisions under the law to take action against those selling drugs over the Internet, it was difficult to trace the owners of the websites, who were often based overseas.
Pharmaceutical Services Division director Datuk Mohd Zin Che Awang said enforcement officers under the division traced one website operator each in Kedah and Penang about two years ago and took action against them.
“The two sites used ‘dot com dot my’ at the end of their URL and we were able to trace them from there, but all the companies that we have checked on the Internet since then use ‘dot com’ and we cannot trace them,” he said.
Mohd Zin said the division was also worried that the companies involved might also be trading in psychotropic pills, andthere was nothing to stop their illegal activities.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the ministry was concerned with the new trend which has seen the number of online medicine sales and purchases growing by the day.
“We are advising the public not to be so naive as to believe all that is stated about the product in online advertisements. Using these drugs involves high risks because the information on the effects might be false, while the medication might be fake,” he said.
He said the medication available over the Internet included prescription drugs meant for those suffering from diabetes and hypertension, anti-histamines and painkillers.
“But a large number of products that are bought online are lifestyle drugs such as sexual performance enhancers for men, and for the women it is beauty and anti-ageing products,” he told reporters after launching the Seminar on Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals: A Global Perspective here yesterday.
Dr Chua said the ministry suspected that people bought the drugs over the Internet out of convenience as they did not need to visit a doctor or pharmacy or require a prescription to buy the medication, which are also usually cheaper.
He said the ministry had not received complaints from those who had bought the products, but suspected that this was because of the nature of Malaysians who did not complain even when they were cheated.
He said although the ministry had adequate provisions under the law to take action against those selling drugs over the Internet, it was difficult to trace the owners of the websites, who were often based overseas.
Pharmaceutical Services Division director Datuk Mohd Zin Che Awang said enforcement officers under the division traced one website operator each in Kedah and Penang about two years ago and took action against them.
“The two sites used ‘dot com dot my’ at the end of their URL and we were able to trace them from there, but all the companies that we have checked on the Internet since then use ‘dot com’ and we cannot trace them,” he said.
Mohd Zin said the division was also worried that the companies involved might also be trading in psychotropic pills, andthere was nothing to stop their illegal activities.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Perks raised to 50pc for Sabah docs
Daily Express: Kota Kinabalu: The Health Ministry has acceded to the Malaysian Medical Association's (MMA) request for an increase in the critical allowance from 10 per cent to 50 per cent for all doctors serving in East Malaysia.
The critical allowance, also called hardship allowance, is for both local doctors and their counterparts from the peninsula.
President-elect of MMA, Dato' Dr Khoo Kah Lin, disclosed this when officiating the 23rd Installation and Annual Dinner of MMA Sabah branch at Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort (Star), Saturday.
"Previously, the doctors were only given 10 per cent critical allowance following numerous requests from doctors working in East Malaysia. "But now, the Ministry has agreed to a 50 per cent such allowance," he said.
Dr Khoo said the Ministry has been very kind in deploying its officers to gauge the feelings on the ground. The Ministry has a Human Resource Division to look after the welfare of doctors.
"Sometimes, the Director-General, Permanent Secretary and other people at the top level may not understand the difficulties faced at the lower rung. We are happy to note that the officers have responded positively to the needs of doctors serving in Sabah and Sarawak."
He, however, clarified that once a peninsular doctor goes back to West Malaysia, the doctor is no longer entitled to the critical allowance.
"So long as the doctor is working in East Malaysia, the doctor must be given the allowance, and that was totally agreed to by the Ministry."
On locum work (in the private sector) carried out by government doctors, Dr Khoo said the doctors concerned need not write to the MOH.
"All they need to do is contact the Head of Department for the permission required. That is another problem sorted out."
Touching on the National Health Financing Act, he said experts had come in from Australia to study the health situation generally and how much money can be used before recommending several models to the Government.
These include the United Kingdom Model, Australian Model and Singapore Model. "Like any Model, there will be benefits as well as flaws." Meanwhile, Dr Khoo said MMA is in the process of making some changes to the Medical Act 1981.
"I hope to get some feedback from doctors in the country during my term of office next year. They can convey their 'feelings' about the proposed changes, which we will pass to the respective branch chairmen."
He concurred with MMA Sabah Branch Chairman, Dr J.S. Sidhu that challenges would become easier to surmount if doctors have the strength and strength comes from numbers.
"Numbers are strength, and since we are the biggest body representing all doctors, both in the Government and private sector, the Ministry is quite willing to listen to us, and do call us up on important issues.
"Being a strong body of several thousand doctors, they do pay some attention to us. The only thing you (Sabah branch) can do is to improve our numbers. With the numbers and the strength, we are able to negotiate," he pointed out.
The critical allowance, also called hardship allowance, is for both local doctors and their counterparts from the peninsula.
President-elect of MMA, Dato' Dr Khoo Kah Lin, disclosed this when officiating the 23rd Installation and Annual Dinner of MMA Sabah branch at Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort (Star), Saturday.
"Previously, the doctors were only given 10 per cent critical allowance following numerous requests from doctors working in East Malaysia. "But now, the Ministry has agreed to a 50 per cent such allowance," he said.
Dr Khoo said the Ministry has been very kind in deploying its officers to gauge the feelings on the ground. The Ministry has a Human Resource Division to look after the welfare of doctors.
"Sometimes, the Director-General, Permanent Secretary and other people at the top level may not understand the difficulties faced at the lower rung. We are happy to note that the officers have responded positively to the needs of doctors serving in Sabah and Sarawak."
He, however, clarified that once a peninsular doctor goes back to West Malaysia, the doctor is no longer entitled to the critical allowance.
"So long as the doctor is working in East Malaysia, the doctor must be given the allowance, and that was totally agreed to by the Ministry."
On locum work (in the private sector) carried out by government doctors, Dr Khoo said the doctors concerned need not write to the MOH.
"All they need to do is contact the Head of Department for the permission required. That is another problem sorted out."
Touching on the National Health Financing Act, he said experts had come in from Australia to study the health situation generally and how much money can be used before recommending several models to the Government.
These include the United Kingdom Model, Australian Model and Singapore Model. "Like any Model, there will be benefits as well as flaws." Meanwhile, Dr Khoo said MMA is in the process of making some changes to the Medical Act 1981.
"I hope to get some feedback from doctors in the country during my term of office next year. They can convey their 'feelings' about the proposed changes, which we will pass to the respective branch chairmen."
He concurred with MMA Sabah Branch Chairman, Dr J.S. Sidhu that challenges would become easier to surmount if doctors have the strength and strength comes from numbers.
"Numbers are strength, and since we are the biggest body representing all doctors, both in the Government and private sector, the Ministry is quite willing to listen to us, and do call us up on important issues.
"Being a strong body of several thousand doctors, they do pay some attention to us. The only thing you (Sabah branch) can do is to improve our numbers. With the numbers and the strength, we are able to negotiate," he pointed out.
Bill On Safe Drinking Water Being Enacted, Says Dr Latiff
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 (Bernama) -- A bill on safe drinking water is being drawn up to protect consumers and to ensure the people received water supply whose quality is better guaranteed, the Dewan Rakyat was told Tuesday.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad said the Bill would ensure a monitoring system backed by a law to be more effective.
"The implications from the Bill is that the people will receive water supply whose quality is better guaranteed and it will give the confidence to consumers on the quality of water supplied to them," he said when replying to Loh Seng Kok (BN-Kelana Jaya) during question time.
Loh had asked Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek to state the water quality standard being used, control and supervisory procedures and frequency of water quality checks and whether the Government was prepared to enact a law on safe drinking water.
Dr Latiff said the water quality level adopted now was based on the guidelines set by the Geneva-based World Health Organisation and the water quality standards from several countries.
It is divided into four main groups -- physical, bacteria, chemical (organic and non-organic) including heavy metal and insecticide residues.
Dr Latiff said the physical and bacteria levels were checked every week at water treatment plants and every month at water distribution centres while the chemical levels (non-organic) were taken monthly at water treatment plants and every six months at distribution areas.
Currently, control and supervision were done by the water regulatory bodies in every state under the Energy, Water and Communications Ministry, while the Health Ministry only acted as a monitoring agency by carrying out sampling and providing advisory services to the water supplier, he said.
"We conduct frequent checks, for instance, every week to ensure the water we drink is clean. For example, in 2005, we carried out 115,000 water samplings," he said.
"With the standard of water sampling being carried out, the ministry gives an assurance that the drinking water piped to consumers is safe and of quality," he added.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad said the Bill would ensure a monitoring system backed by a law to be more effective.
"The implications from the Bill is that the people will receive water supply whose quality is better guaranteed and it will give the confidence to consumers on the quality of water supplied to them," he said when replying to Loh Seng Kok (BN-Kelana Jaya) during question time.
Loh had asked Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek to state the water quality standard being used, control and supervisory procedures and frequency of water quality checks and whether the Government was prepared to enact a law on safe drinking water.
Dr Latiff said the water quality level adopted now was based on the guidelines set by the Geneva-based World Health Organisation and the water quality standards from several countries.
It is divided into four main groups -- physical, bacteria, chemical (organic and non-organic) including heavy metal and insecticide residues.
Dr Latiff said the physical and bacteria levels were checked every week at water treatment plants and every month at water distribution centres while the chemical levels (non-organic) were taken monthly at water treatment plants and every six months at distribution areas.
Currently, control and supervision were done by the water regulatory bodies in every state under the Energy, Water and Communications Ministry, while the Health Ministry only acted as a monitoring agency by carrying out sampling and providing advisory services to the water supplier, he said.
"We conduct frequent checks, for instance, every week to ensure the water we drink is clean. For example, in 2005, we carried out 115,000 water samplings," he said.
"With the standard of water sampling being carried out, the ministry gives an assurance that the drinking water piped to consumers is safe and of quality," he added.
Cheap prescription drugs on-line
Malay Mail: Any Malaysian with an e-mail account would have had the displeasure of receiving e-mail with such headings or similar ones in their inbox.
Most of us would normally mark it as spam and banish it to the trash folder, never to be seen again.
But not all of us do. An increasing number of Malaysians, weary of visits to the doctor, are resorting to buying their prescription drugs on-line, and as a result, putting their lives in danger.
Sent under headings such as ‘Cheap medicine, Worthy Effect’, ‘The Best Cure for Men’s Health’ or ‘Save Your Money and Buy Pills Here’, the on-line ads offer drugs which target just about every kind of medical condition from diabetes, high blood pressure and asthma to poor stamina, depression and sexual dysfunction.
They lure customers with the promise of medicine which can only be prescribed for use by a doctor and at supposedly affordable prices.
The problem begins when some consumers, desperate for a cure, get taken in by the promise of a remedy without the hassle of going to the doctor, signalling the beginning of a potentially dangerous habit.
The Consumers Association of Penang admits that on-line advertising involving prescription drugs are gaining in popularity, having come across on-line banners as well as print ads which refer readers to the websites.
Its president, S.M. Mohamed Idris, said the print ads are above board and do not violate any laws, but infringements were found upon checking the websites.
“We brought these to the attention of the Ministry of Health and they have taken action,” he said.
Prescription drugs are classified as Group B Poisons under the law and can only be prescribed by a doctor, said Mohamed Idris.
This, he said, is for very good reasons. The drugs require more caution in use and may also give rise to serious side-effects or adverse reactions.
Some consumers might also have pre-existing conditions such as kidney or liver problems, making it dangerous for them to consume certain prescription drugs.
“Patients are endangering their lives when they self-medicate using medicine from this group.
“Saving a few ringgits simply isn’t worth the risk of serious side-effects, injury, added illness or even death.”
Unfortunately, there are patients who are willing to compromise on quality to save money, said Malaysian Medical Association president Datuk Dr Teoh Siang Chin.
These patients shop on-line for the cheapest prices for their drug supplies without a doctor’s prescription and thus, place themselves at a real risk of receiving fake goods.
“It is often almost impossible to distinguish a fake drug from locally manufactured genuine generic drugs, as both do not carry any logo or the name of the manufacturer,” said Teoh.
Only after treatment fails do doctors become alerted to the possibility that patients are taking fake drugs.
“Even if we suspect that it is a case of fake drugs, we cannot do anything as we have no proof. Furthermore, it is expensive to send these drugs for analysis,” said Teoh.
The consequences of consuming fake medicine can range from adverse reactions to death, explained Pfizer Malaysia medical director Dr Wong Kok Seng.
Counterfeit pharmaceuticals are highly unsafe as manufacturing sites are not regulated or inspected. The conditions are often unsanitary and equipment is not properly cleaned thus increasing risk of contamination.
“The products are not tested or approved and they may contain toxic ingredients or unlisted ingredients which again, put people's health at risk,” said Wong.
“Patients must see a doctor to obtain prescription medicine and medical practitioners must buy only from authorised distributors.
“As long as patients and medical practitioners adhere to this, it would be a major step forward in combating this problem,” he said.
Most of us would normally mark it as spam and banish it to the trash folder, never to be seen again.
But not all of us do. An increasing number of Malaysians, weary of visits to the doctor, are resorting to buying their prescription drugs on-line, and as a result, putting their lives in danger.
Sent under headings such as ‘Cheap medicine, Worthy Effect’, ‘The Best Cure for Men’s Health’ or ‘Save Your Money and Buy Pills Here’, the on-line ads offer drugs which target just about every kind of medical condition from diabetes, high blood pressure and asthma to poor stamina, depression and sexual dysfunction.
They lure customers with the promise of medicine which can only be prescribed for use by a doctor and at supposedly affordable prices.
The problem begins when some consumers, desperate for a cure, get taken in by the promise of a remedy without the hassle of going to the doctor, signalling the beginning of a potentially dangerous habit.
The Consumers Association of Penang admits that on-line advertising involving prescription drugs are gaining in popularity, having come across on-line banners as well as print ads which refer readers to the websites.
Its president, S.M. Mohamed Idris, said the print ads are above board and do not violate any laws, but infringements were found upon checking the websites.
“We brought these to the attention of the Ministry of Health and they have taken action,” he said.
Prescription drugs are classified as Group B Poisons under the law and can only be prescribed by a doctor, said Mohamed Idris.
This, he said, is for very good reasons. The drugs require more caution in use and may also give rise to serious side-effects or adverse reactions.
Some consumers might also have pre-existing conditions such as kidney or liver problems, making it dangerous for them to consume certain prescription drugs.
“Patients are endangering their lives when they self-medicate using medicine from this group.
“Saving a few ringgits simply isn’t worth the risk of serious side-effects, injury, added illness or even death.”
Unfortunately, there are patients who are willing to compromise on quality to save money, said Malaysian Medical Association president Datuk Dr Teoh Siang Chin.
These patients shop on-line for the cheapest prices for their drug supplies without a doctor’s prescription and thus, place themselves at a real risk of receiving fake goods.
“It is often almost impossible to distinguish a fake drug from locally manufactured genuine generic drugs, as both do not carry any logo or the name of the manufacturer,” said Teoh.
Only after treatment fails do doctors become alerted to the possibility that patients are taking fake drugs.
“Even if we suspect that it is a case of fake drugs, we cannot do anything as we have no proof. Furthermore, it is expensive to send these drugs for analysis,” said Teoh.
The consequences of consuming fake medicine can range from adverse reactions to death, explained Pfizer Malaysia medical director Dr Wong Kok Seng.
Counterfeit pharmaceuticals are highly unsafe as manufacturing sites are not regulated or inspected. The conditions are often unsanitary and equipment is not properly cleaned thus increasing risk of contamination.
“The products are not tested or approved and they may contain toxic ingredients or unlisted ingredients which again, put people's health at risk,” said Wong.
“Patients must see a doctor to obtain prescription medicine and medical practitioners must buy only from authorised distributors.
“As long as patients and medical practitioners adhere to this, it would be a major step forward in combating this problem,” he said.
No dengue outbreak
Star: KLANG: Travellers from Hong Kong have no cause to fear they would contract dengue fever if they visit Malaysia, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.
Dr Chua was responding to a question over a report in a Hong Kong newspaper which cautioned against visiting Malaysia due to an alleged dengue outbreak.
“This advice is baseless because dengue is endemic, meaning that it is always here but there occurs an increase in cases from time to time,” said Dr Chua.
He was speaking to reporters after the launch of the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (HTAR) Outpatient Treatment Complex here by Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah of Selangor yesterday.
Dr Chua also said Selangor was the only state that had seen an increase in dengue cases.
Besides the media report, the Hong Kong Travel Health Services website also stated that a 34-year-old traveller from Hong Kong had “imported” the disease from Malaysia. The advisory stated that the woman had been in Malaysia from Oct 10 to 24.
“This is not accurate and I received a call from Deputy Tourism Minister (Datuk Donald Lim) about it and we hope to relay this (that its not accurate information) to the Hong Kong administration through him and the Tourism Ministry,” added Dr Chua.
He said certain parties, including those from other countries, had misconstrued the Government’s transparency policy in providing information.
Earlier in his speech Dr Chua said Selangor had been given RM1.042bil, the biggest allocation given to a state for healthcare under the 9th Malaysia Plan.
“Among the main projects to be initiated are the Shah Alam and Kuala Selangor hospitals, the Bandar Botanic Health Clinic, the Food and Vector Quality Control Laboratory as well as the Klang district health office.”
According to Dr Chua, the Health Ministry was aware of the overcrowding at HTAR due to an increase in population and rapid development in surrounding areas.
He said the Government had built hospitals in Selayang, Serdang, Ampang and Sungai Buloh.
“Now that these hospitals are fully operational, we hope that overcrowding in HTAR will be reduced.”
Dr Chua was responding to a question over a report in a Hong Kong newspaper which cautioned against visiting Malaysia due to an alleged dengue outbreak.
“This advice is baseless because dengue is endemic, meaning that it is always here but there occurs an increase in cases from time to time,” said Dr Chua.
He was speaking to reporters after the launch of the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (HTAR) Outpatient Treatment Complex here by Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah of Selangor yesterday.
Dr Chua also said Selangor was the only state that had seen an increase in dengue cases.
Besides the media report, the Hong Kong Travel Health Services website also stated that a 34-year-old traveller from Hong Kong had “imported” the disease from Malaysia. The advisory stated that the woman had been in Malaysia from Oct 10 to 24.
“This is not accurate and I received a call from Deputy Tourism Minister (Datuk Donald Lim) about it and we hope to relay this (that its not accurate information) to the Hong Kong administration through him and the Tourism Ministry,” added Dr Chua.
He said certain parties, including those from other countries, had misconstrued the Government’s transparency policy in providing information.
Earlier in his speech Dr Chua said Selangor had been given RM1.042bil, the biggest allocation given to a state for healthcare under the 9th Malaysia Plan.
“Among the main projects to be initiated are the Shah Alam and Kuala Selangor hospitals, the Bandar Botanic Health Clinic, the Food and Vector Quality Control Laboratory as well as the Klang district health office.”
According to Dr Chua, the Health Ministry was aware of the overcrowding at HTAR due to an increase in population and rapid development in surrounding areas.
He said the Government had built hospitals in Selayang, Serdang, Ampang and Sungai Buloh.
“Now that these hospitals are fully operational, we hope that overcrowding in HTAR will be reduced.”
Overcome Hospital Congestion, Ordered Sultan Of Selangor
KLANG, Dec 4 (Bernama) -- Concerned over congestion at the wards of government hospitals, Sultan of Selangor wanted the Health Ministry to overcome the problem especially at the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (TARH) here which at times exceeded full capacity.
"The people are placing high hopes on medical services due to the high level of awareness on healthy living as a result of good education and as such hospitalisation must be made comfortable," he said when opening the TARH Day Care Complex, here Monday.
Also present were Health Minister Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek and Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo.
Costing RM85 million, the day care complex which began operation in August provides a more effective, efficient and quality management of health services in a comfortable environment.
The Sultan advised the people to be patient and considerate when seeking treatment at hospitals for the medical officers were also ready to render a fast service.
In his speech, Dr Chua said Selangor would be among the states with a high standard of health service in the country and congestion at certain hospitals including in Klang would be overcome with the completion of three new hospitals in Serdang, Ampang and Sungai Buloh.
On a travel warning by the Hong Kong authorities to its citizens against visiting Malaysia because of a dengue outbreak, he said it was uncalled for and inaccurate information.
"Dengue is an epidemic that could happen anywhere," he said when commenting on the warning issued by the Hong Kong authorities after one of its citizens was infected with dengue fever after returning from Malaysia.
"The people are placing high hopes on medical services due to the high level of awareness on healthy living as a result of good education and as such hospitalisation must be made comfortable," he said when opening the TARH Day Care Complex, here Monday.
Also present were Health Minister Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek and Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo.
Costing RM85 million, the day care complex which began operation in August provides a more effective, efficient and quality management of health services in a comfortable environment.
The Sultan advised the people to be patient and considerate when seeking treatment at hospitals for the medical officers were also ready to render a fast service.
In his speech, Dr Chua said Selangor would be among the states with a high standard of health service in the country and congestion at certain hospitals including in Klang would be overcome with the completion of three new hospitals in Serdang, Ampang and Sungai Buloh.
On a travel warning by the Hong Kong authorities to its citizens against visiting Malaysia because of a dengue outbreak, he said it was uncalled for and inaccurate information.
"Dengue is an epidemic that could happen anywhere," he said when commenting on the warning issued by the Hong Kong authorities after one of its citizens was infected with dengue fever after returning from Malaysia.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Tung Shin to set up traditional medicine academy
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Tung Shin Hospital (TSH) is in the midst of setting up its own Academy of Traditional Medicine in hopes of training high calibre traditional Chinese medical practitioners.
Estimated to cost between RM2mil and RM3mil, TSH president Tan Sri Teo Soo Cheng said the hospital had been receiving help from the Singapore Traditional Medicine Institute as to how to set up its own training facility.
“They are like our consultants. It will also be convenient as those being trained can undergo practical training at our premises,” Teo said at the 125th anniversary of TSH yesterday.
TSH currently has two wings – one which offers Western medicine and the other traditional Chinese medical treatment.
Teo said the academy would utilise an old building within the premises. The hospital was in the process of getting the Health Ministry’s approval.
On the anniversary which was celebrated at the hospital’s new Chinese Medical Building, Teo said he was pleased to see vast improvements in the delivery of healthcare services since shifting into the new building.
TSH vice-president Ng Beh Tong hoped the hospital would continue to provide top-class professional services and courtesy towards its patients.
“This is the only way we can compete with commercial hospitals and their beautiful buildings.”
The graduation ceremony of 28 assistant nurses from the TSH Academy of Nursing was also held in conjunction with the anniversary. Loyal staff who had served at the hospital between 10 and 35 years were given tokens of appreciation.
Estimated to cost between RM2mil and RM3mil, TSH president Tan Sri Teo Soo Cheng said the hospital had been receiving help from the Singapore Traditional Medicine Institute as to how to set up its own training facility.
“They are like our consultants. It will also be convenient as those being trained can undergo practical training at our premises,” Teo said at the 125th anniversary of TSH yesterday.
TSH currently has two wings – one which offers Western medicine and the other traditional Chinese medical treatment.
Teo said the academy would utilise an old building within the premises. The hospital was in the process of getting the Health Ministry’s approval.
On the anniversary which was celebrated at the hospital’s new Chinese Medical Building, Teo said he was pleased to see vast improvements in the delivery of healthcare services since shifting into the new building.
TSH vice-president Ng Beh Tong hoped the hospital would continue to provide top-class professional services and courtesy towards its patients.
“This is the only way we can compete with commercial hospitals and their beautiful buildings.”
The graduation ceremony of 28 assistant nurses from the TSH Academy of Nursing was also held in conjunction with the anniversary. Loyal staff who had served at the hospital between 10 and 35 years were given tokens of appreciation.
Disabled face daily barriers
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: “We want disabled-friendly vehicle, We cannot get into buses, We want barrier-free and accessible buses.” Scrawled on placards, these plaintive pleas represented some of the daily obstacles faced by wheelchair-bound people in getting around in public.
Led by Damai Disabled Persons Association of Selangor and Wilayah Persekutuan, the group of disabled people gathered at the KL Sentral bus stop, lobbying for facilities that are more sensitive to their needs.
Besides demanding disabled-friendly buses, they also wanted disabled-friendly infrastructure such as wheelchair ramps at bus stops.
The association’s president V. Murugeswaran said buses were one of the most important modes of public transport for the disabled, as most of them did not own a car and taxis were too expensive.
He said they were disappointed with the public bus operator, RapidKL, which had failed to fulfil its promise to provide 100 disabled-friendly buses.
“RapidKL bought new buses in September but we have yet to see one that is disabled-friendly,” Murugeswaran told reporters in conjunction with the International Day of Disabled Persons.
“Without public transport, we lose out on a lot of opportunities such as jobs and education.
“At this celebration, we want to show decision makers our daily obstacles but we do not want charity, we want to be independent,” he said.
Barrier-free Environment and Accessible Transport Group (BEAT) coordinator Christine Lee said they had sent a memorandum to RapidKL to explain the needs of the disabled.
“Statistics have shown that the number of disabled people is rising due to accidents and old age.
“Disabled-friendly facilities are accessible and safe for wheelchair-bound people, the elderly, young children as well as pregnant women,” she said.
When contacted, RapidKL corporate communications division senior manager Katherine Chew said the 100 units of disabled-friendly buses would be delivered in batches from Europe soon.
“We hope they will arrive by January,” she said.
She also urged the disabled community to be patient, as changes could not be made overnight.
Led by Damai Disabled Persons Association of Selangor and Wilayah Persekutuan, the group of disabled people gathered at the KL Sentral bus stop, lobbying for facilities that are more sensitive to their needs.
Besides demanding disabled-friendly buses, they also wanted disabled-friendly infrastructure such as wheelchair ramps at bus stops.
The association’s president V. Murugeswaran said buses were one of the most important modes of public transport for the disabled, as most of them did not own a car and taxis were too expensive.
He said they were disappointed with the public bus operator, RapidKL, which had failed to fulfil its promise to provide 100 disabled-friendly buses.
“RapidKL bought new buses in September but we have yet to see one that is disabled-friendly,” Murugeswaran told reporters in conjunction with the International Day of Disabled Persons.
“Without public transport, we lose out on a lot of opportunities such as jobs and education.
“At this celebration, we want to show decision makers our daily obstacles but we do not want charity, we want to be independent,” he said.
Barrier-free Environment and Accessible Transport Group (BEAT) coordinator Christine Lee said they had sent a memorandum to RapidKL to explain the needs of the disabled.
“Statistics have shown that the number of disabled people is rising due to accidents and old age.
“Disabled-friendly facilities are accessible and safe for wheelchair-bound people, the elderly, young children as well as pregnant women,” she said.
When contacted, RapidKL corporate communications division senior manager Katherine Chew said the 100 units of disabled-friendly buses would be delivered in batches from Europe soon.
“We hope they will arrive by January,” she said.
She also urged the disabled community to be patient, as changes could not be made overnight.
Addicts not doomed for life
Star: PENANG: A drug addict is not doomed for life. Unfortunately, that is the general perception, said an anti-drug abuse voluntary group here.
Global Addiction Network said there were many success stories of those who had kicked the habit.
“If properly administered, treatments can be successful,” said its chairman Datuk Zainuddin Bahari.
Speaking at an international symposium here on Saturday, he stressed on the importance of follow-ups once former addicts leave rehabilitation centres.
Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, who opened the symposium, said the drug menace was more serious in developed countries as their nations had more spending power.
However, he said, the situation in Malaysia was also alarming.
“I am told that there is a new case of drug addiction every two hours in Malaysia.
“That means there are 360 new drug addicts every month,” he added
Global Addiction Network said there were many success stories of those who had kicked the habit.
“If properly administered, treatments can be successful,” said its chairman Datuk Zainuddin Bahari.
Speaking at an international symposium here on Saturday, he stressed on the importance of follow-ups once former addicts leave rehabilitation centres.
Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, who opened the symposium, said the drug menace was more serious in developed countries as their nations had more spending power.
However, he said, the situation in Malaysia was also alarming.
“I am told that there is a new case of drug addiction every two hours in Malaysia.
“That means there are 360 new drug addicts every month,” he added
Needle plan by next year
Star: PUTRAJAYA: The government-funded Needle Syringe Exchange Programme (NSEP) will be introduced in all states by next year to check the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Under the NGO-driven programme, Drop In Centres will be set up in different states to provide needle exchange, face-to-face counselling and medical treatment.
There are centres now in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor Baru and they give out information and help educate intravenous drug users (IDU) on ways to reduce the risk of transmitting HIV/AIDS infections.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said a study showed that five to six drug users in Malaysia shared needles daily.
“They inject themselves three to five times a day. So we have to give them clean needles under the NSEP programme.
“Condoms are also provided so that HIV/AIDS is not sexually transmitted,” he added.
He said HIV/AIDS cases in the country might reach 300,000 by 2015 if more aggressive measures were not taken to check the spread.
Dr Chua hoped that with the eradication plan in place, the cases would be capped at 100,000.
As for those against the idea of providing needles and condoms, he said: “There was initially some objection, but following the strong commitment (given) by our Prime Minister and his deputy, we find that there is a general acceptance.”
Dr Chua said the Government and NGOs had gradually raised the level of awareness where the focus was on curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS.
“We are also trying to eliminate the stigma attached to HIV/AIDS (patients) and drug users.
“We have in our country people who think drug addicts should be consigned to an island and starved to death, or left to look after themselves. I believe most Malaysians don’t subscribe to that,” he said.
The NSEP target is to reach 1,200 to 2,100 IDUs by the beginning of next year.
As at August this year, 1,233 IDUs were recruited and given needles, and more 34,000 NSEP kits were given out. Each kit contains four needles, four syringes and eight cotton swabs.
Dr Chua said the return rate of used syringes was 58%.
Under the NGO-driven programme, Drop In Centres will be set up in different states to provide needle exchange, face-to-face counselling and medical treatment.
There are centres now in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor Baru and they give out information and help educate intravenous drug users (IDU) on ways to reduce the risk of transmitting HIV/AIDS infections.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said a study showed that five to six drug users in Malaysia shared needles daily.
“They inject themselves three to five times a day. So we have to give them clean needles under the NSEP programme.
“Condoms are also provided so that HIV/AIDS is not sexually transmitted,” he added.
He said HIV/AIDS cases in the country might reach 300,000 by 2015 if more aggressive measures were not taken to check the spread.
Dr Chua hoped that with the eradication plan in place, the cases would be capped at 100,000.
As for those against the idea of providing needles and condoms, he said: “There was initially some objection, but following the strong commitment (given) by our Prime Minister and his deputy, we find that there is a general acceptance.”
Dr Chua said the Government and NGOs had gradually raised the level of awareness where the focus was on curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS.
“We are also trying to eliminate the stigma attached to HIV/AIDS (patients) and drug users.
“We have in our country people who think drug addicts should be consigned to an island and starved to death, or left to look after themselves. I believe most Malaysians don’t subscribe to that,” he said.
The NSEP target is to reach 1,200 to 2,100 IDUs by the beginning of next year.
As at August this year, 1,233 IDUs were recruited and given needles, and more 34,000 NSEP kits were given out. Each kit contains four needles, four syringes and eight cotton swabs.
Dr Chua said the return rate of used syringes was 58%.
Anti-aedes steps mulled
Star: BUTTERWORTH: New buildings may have to do without rain gutters or “closed” ones may have to be installed to drain away rainwater.
This is the latest measure mulled over by the Government to reduce the breeding grounds of aedes mosquitoes and to check the spread of dengue, said Housing and Local Government Ministry parliamentary secretary Dr S. Subramaniam.
“New buildings in Singapore have been designed without gutters. When it rains, it may be a bit noisy as the rainwater will hit the roof and flow directly to the ground.
“But the move has been effective in preventing the gutters from becoming aedes breeding sites,” he said after opening an anti-dengue campaign and gotong-royong at SJK(T) Ladang Prye here yesterday.
Dr Subramaniam said the ministry had asked its architects to study roof designs with closed gutters and also those without gutters.
“Gutters were originally introduced in certain housing projects to help promote the Government’s rain harvesting programme.
“So, removing all gutters from existing houses may jeopardise this programme. Thus, we have to study the issue carefully before making a decision,” he said.
He also noted that the local authorities were also looking at using the bacillus thuringiensis bacteria either as aerosol or in tablet form to kill aedes larvae.
“It is effective but a little costly,” he said.
This is the latest measure mulled over by the Government to reduce the breeding grounds of aedes mosquitoes and to check the spread of dengue, said Housing and Local Government Ministry parliamentary secretary Dr S. Subramaniam.
“New buildings in Singapore have been designed without gutters. When it rains, it may be a bit noisy as the rainwater will hit the roof and flow directly to the ground.
“But the move has been effective in preventing the gutters from becoming aedes breeding sites,” he said after opening an anti-dengue campaign and gotong-royong at SJK(T) Ladang Prye here yesterday.
Dr Subramaniam said the ministry had asked its architects to study roof designs with closed gutters and also those without gutters.
“Gutters were originally introduced in certain housing projects to help promote the Government’s rain harvesting programme.
“So, removing all gutters from existing houses may jeopardise this programme. Thus, we have to study the issue carefully before making a decision,” he said.
He also noted that the local authorities were also looking at using the bacillus thuringiensis bacteria either as aerosol or in tablet form to kill aedes larvae.
“It is effective but a little costly,” he said.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Infant formula sold here is safe
Star: KUALA TERENGGANU: A brand of infant formula that was recalled in Australia by its manufacturer has not affected its distribution in Malaysia, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.
He said the recall of the NAN 2 HA Gold product is limited to only Australia, where it has a different formulation and is manufactured in Germany.
“The product for the local market (in Malaysia) is manufactured in Switzerland and is, therefore, safe for consumption,” he said in a press statement that was distributed after the official renaming of the Kuala Terengganu Hospital to the Sultanah Nur Zarinah Hospital here yesterday.
Sultan Mizan Zinal Abidin officiated at the renaming ceremony, which was in honour of his consort.
Dr Chua gave an assurance that the infant formula that comes in 900g containers is safe for consumption in Malaysia despite the voluntary nationwide recall made by Nestle Australia.
He said the recall was made after small metal fragments were found in some batches of the products.
He said the recall of the NAN 2 HA Gold product is limited to only Australia, where it has a different formulation and is manufactured in Germany.
“The product for the local market (in Malaysia) is manufactured in Switzerland and is, therefore, safe for consumption,” he said in a press statement that was distributed after the official renaming of the Kuala Terengganu Hospital to the Sultanah Nur Zarinah Hospital here yesterday.
Sultan Mizan Zinal Abidin officiated at the renaming ceremony, which was in honour of his consort.
Dr Chua gave an assurance that the infant formula that comes in 900g containers is safe for consumption in Malaysia despite the voluntary nationwide recall made by Nestle Australia.
He said the recall was made after small metal fragments were found in some batches of the products.
KT hospital set to treat injured scuba divers
Star: KUALA TERENGGANU: The Kuala Terengganu Hospital, renamed Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah yesterday, will have an “hyperbaric chamber unit” in its emergency department to treat injured scuba divers.
This is in support of the expanding tourism industry and scuba-diving activities in the state.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the unit, the first in the east coast, was on par with the one at the military hospital in Lumut.
“The setting-up of the unit is part of the RM5.5mil upgrading and renovation of the hospital’s Emergency Department,” he said in his speech at a ceremony to rename the hospital yesterday.
Among the upgrading projects planned are building a maternity specialist complex (RM120mil), a stroke ward/ acute ICU (RM37mil) and a psychiatry and mental health complex (RM28mil), and expanding the intensive care unit (RM25mil).
This is in support of the expanding tourism industry and scuba-diving activities in the state.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the unit, the first in the east coast, was on par with the one at the military hospital in Lumut.
“The setting-up of the unit is part of the RM5.5mil upgrading and renovation of the hospital’s Emergency Department,” he said in his speech at a ceremony to rename the hospital yesterday.
Among the upgrading projects planned are building a maternity specialist complex (RM120mil), a stroke ward/ acute ICU (RM37mil) and a psychiatry and mental health complex (RM28mil), and expanding the intensive care unit (RM25mil).
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Follow health inspectors to ensure no hanky-panky
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: The next time a health officer checks your house for mosquito larvae, make sure you follow him when he makes his inspection round.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said his ministry recently received a complaint that an officer had planted larvae in the compound of a house in Klang.
“The resident provided proof that there was no larvae on his premises,” said Dr Chua.
When the officer was questioned, he admitted he had brought the larvae from the neighbouring area, the minister said.
“We have investigated the case and disciplinary action will be taken against the health officer,” he told a press conference yesterday.
Dr Chua reminded the public to be vigilant for mosquitoes breeding in their premises as the number of dengue cases in the Federal Territory and Selangor had doubled from 400 to 800 in the last three weeks.
“Please take care of the environment where you live and keep it clean so that mosquitoes cannot multiply,” he said.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said his ministry recently received a complaint that an officer had planted larvae in the compound of a house in Klang.
“The resident provided proof that there was no larvae on his premises,” said Dr Chua.
When the officer was questioned, he admitted he had brought the larvae from the neighbouring area, the minister said.
“We have investigated the case and disciplinary action will be taken against the health officer,” he told a press conference yesterday.
Dr Chua reminded the public to be vigilant for mosquitoes breeding in their premises as the number of dengue cases in the Federal Territory and Selangor had doubled from 400 to 800 in the last three weeks.
“Please take care of the environment where you live and keep it clean so that mosquitoes cannot multiply,” he said.
Sorry, docs can’t use these words
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Doctors at health screening centres have been told not to tell patients “sorry, you don’t have many more years to live,” based on blood test results.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek called on such centres to be professional and do a thorough check before making any conclusions on their patients’ health.
“Don’t leave patients high and dry without explaining the true state of their health. Doctors should explain so that the patient knows how his ailment is affecting him,” he said at the launch of the second Country Heights Health Screening Centre to be located at Plaza Mont Kiara yesterday.
“Not any Ali, Ah Kow or Muthu can open a health centre. This is because the health of the person is very important to the individual and his family,” Dr Chua said.
He called for screening tests and programmes to be conducted under proper medical guidance.
“All medical results should be interpreted in the light of the patient’s clinical condition and properly explained by a medical doctor. Pre- and post-test counselling should also be provided, and patients should be referred for a second opinion if necessary,” he said.
“There must also be proper treatment and follow-up that is safe, ethical, acceptable and effective.”
To regulate this sector of the health industry, Dr Chua said a Pathology Bill would be tabled in Parliament next year.
He said there was demand for screening services as the public had become more health conscious.
“Unfortunately, this has led to the proliferation and aggressive marketing of a large array of screening tests, many of which are conducted without proper medical guidance and may be unnecessary or even misused,” he said.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek called on such centres to be professional and do a thorough check before making any conclusions on their patients’ health.
“Don’t leave patients high and dry without explaining the true state of their health. Doctors should explain so that the patient knows how his ailment is affecting him,” he said at the launch of the second Country Heights Health Screening Centre to be located at Plaza Mont Kiara yesterday.
“Not any Ali, Ah Kow or Muthu can open a health centre. This is because the health of the person is very important to the individual and his family,” Dr Chua said.
He called for screening tests and programmes to be conducted under proper medical guidance.
“All medical results should be interpreted in the light of the patient’s clinical condition and properly explained by a medical doctor. Pre- and post-test counselling should also be provided, and patients should be referred for a second opinion if necessary,” he said.
“There must also be proper treatment and follow-up that is safe, ethical, acceptable and effective.”
To regulate this sector of the health industry, Dr Chua said a Pathology Bill would be tabled in Parliament next year.
He said there was demand for screening services as the public had become more health conscious.
“Unfortunately, this has led to the proliferation and aggressive marketing of a large array of screening tests, many of which are conducted without proper medical guidance and may be unnecessary or even misused,” he said.
Friday, December 01, 2006
Negri next to test couples for HIV
Star: JELEBU: Negri Sembilan is set to join other states in making HIV-testing compulsory for Muslim couples before marriage.
State Deputy Health, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee chairman Datuk Roslan Mohd Yusof said that a proposal would be submitted to the four undang and Yang di-Pertuan Besar next month.
If approved, he said that the compulsory testing would begin next year.
“We want to reduce the HIV/AIDS infection rate,” he said yesterday after opening the state-level World AIDS Day celebration on behalf of chairman Datuk Yu Chok Tow.
He said those with HIV-positive partners would be advised on the treatment available as well as given counselling.
“Some are still willing to get married because of love,” he said.
Selangor, Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Perak, Perlis, Kedah and Pahang have made HIV-testing compulsory for Muslim couples intending to get married.
Jakim director-general Datuk Mustapa Abdul Rahman had said in July that Muslim couples in all states would have to be tested for HIV before they could get married.
Health Department deputy director Dr Omar Mihat, in his speech on behalf of director Datuk Dr Rosnah Ismail, said response to voluntary HIV testing had not been good.
“Maybe, they are afraid. The numbers are low even though the tests are free and confidential,” he said.
Malaysian AIDS Council executive director Nik Mohd Fahmee Nik Hussin said the poor response was because Malaysians did not think that they were at risk. ”That's why we need more targeted programmes to create awareness.”
State Deputy Health, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee chairman Datuk Roslan Mohd Yusof said that a proposal would be submitted to the four undang and Yang di-Pertuan Besar next month.
If approved, he said that the compulsory testing would begin next year.
“We want to reduce the HIV/AIDS infection rate,” he said yesterday after opening the state-level World AIDS Day celebration on behalf of chairman Datuk Yu Chok Tow.
He said those with HIV-positive partners would be advised on the treatment available as well as given counselling.
“Some are still willing to get married because of love,” he said.
Selangor, Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Perak, Perlis, Kedah and Pahang have made HIV-testing compulsory for Muslim couples intending to get married.
Jakim director-general Datuk Mustapa Abdul Rahman had said in July that Muslim couples in all states would have to be tested for HIV before they could get married.
Health Department deputy director Dr Omar Mihat, in his speech on behalf of director Datuk Dr Rosnah Ismail, said response to voluntary HIV testing had not been good.
“Maybe, they are afraid. The numbers are low even though the tests are free and confidential,” he said.
Malaysian AIDS Council executive director Nik Mohd Fahmee Nik Hussin said the poor response was because Malaysians did not think that they were at risk. ”That's why we need more targeted programmes to create awareness.”
More women infected with HIV in last 15 years
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: More Malaysian women are getting infected with HIV even as the needle exchange programme and drug substitution therapy are achieving their targets.
In the last 15 years, the number of women infected with HIV has jumped 10 times from 1.2% in 1990 to 12% in 2005, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek in his speech for the United Nations World AIDS Day Commemoration themed Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise.
The text of his speech was read out by the ministry’s Disease Control director Datuk Dr Ramlee Rahmat.
Asked why this was so, Dr Ramlee said infection through heterosexual relationships was on the rise, prompting United Nations resident coordinator Dr Richard Leete to quip: “Drug addicts have sex, that’s the simple fact.”
However, the main mode of HIV transmission in Malaysia is still through the sharing of needles, which accounted for 75% of the cases.
“Till the end of June this year, 73,427 cases of HIV infection had been noted, and the infection rate is still disproportionately high in men, who accounted for 92.6% of all notified cases,” Dr Chua said.
Dr Ramlee told a press conference later that the Methadone Maintenance Therapy and the Needle and Syringe Exchange Programme (NSEP), which came under the Harm Reduction Programme, had been able to reach more than its initial target.
“When we started the NSEP in February this year, we targeted 1,200 people. To date, we have reached 1,233 people. Of that, 107 have been referred for methadone therapy.
“As for the methadone therapy which the ministry started in October last year, we also targeted 1,200 people, but have enrolled 1,240,” he said.
He said they hoped to enrol 5,000 drug addicts for the therapy by the end of 2007, and increase the number of venues providing such therapy nationwide.
In the last 15 years, the number of women infected with HIV has jumped 10 times from 1.2% in 1990 to 12% in 2005, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek in his speech for the United Nations World AIDS Day Commemoration themed Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise.
The text of his speech was read out by the ministry’s Disease Control director Datuk Dr Ramlee Rahmat.
Asked why this was so, Dr Ramlee said infection through heterosexual relationships was on the rise, prompting United Nations resident coordinator Dr Richard Leete to quip: “Drug addicts have sex, that’s the simple fact.”
However, the main mode of HIV transmission in Malaysia is still through the sharing of needles, which accounted for 75% of the cases.
“Till the end of June this year, 73,427 cases of HIV infection had been noted, and the infection rate is still disproportionately high in men, who accounted for 92.6% of all notified cases,” Dr Chua said.
Dr Ramlee told a press conference later that the Methadone Maintenance Therapy and the Needle and Syringe Exchange Programme (NSEP), which came under the Harm Reduction Programme, had been able to reach more than its initial target.
“When we started the NSEP in February this year, we targeted 1,200 people. To date, we have reached 1,233 people. Of that, 107 have been referred for methadone therapy.
“As for the methadone therapy which the ministry started in October last year, we also targeted 1,200 people, but have enrolled 1,240,” he said.
He said they hoped to enrol 5,000 drug addicts for the therapy by the end of 2007, and increase the number of venues providing such therapy nationwide.
AIDS fight needs action, says minister
Star: PUTRAJAYA: The Government is not interested in armchair critics and conservatives in its fight against HIV and AIDS, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said.
“If I have to deal with conservatives or people who are against the fight to curb the disease, a lot of my time, a lot of non-governmental organisations’ time will be spent on managing their negative reaction,” he said in an interview with The Star.
“We don’t want unnecessary publicity that would generate a backlash as these critics do not suffer from HIV or AIDS.”
The Government, he said, wanted to help those suffering from HIV or AIDS.
“What’s important is that the people come forward quietly to make it a success,” he said.
“The armchair critics put a lot of moral or religious dimension on what is basically, to the Government, an infectious disease, which if not controlled, can become an epidemic.
“The fight against AIDS is not an election campaign. We want to work and convince a group, who have been virtually marginalised before this, to come forward so that the AIDS problem will be curbed.”
The Health Ministry is taking the “bull by the horns” to check the growth of AIDS.
“Our first pilot project in working with NGOs has gained general acceptance. That’s how we should move forward,” he said.
Dr Chua said NGOs were working closely with the Government.
“So all this is NGO driven, but funded by the Government, with us supervising.
“We actually direct the NGOs where and how to move,” he said.
“We had three centres initially and now we are trying to make sure that in 2010 there is a centre in every state.
“Initially, we started from 1,000 to 2,000 people. We are sure that we’ll be able to reach out to 15,000 to 20,000 people in our fight against AIDS.”
The Government has allocated RM500mil to curb HIV and AIDS under the National Strategic Plan and several NGOs would be funded.
Dr Chua said: “We will work closely with NGOs and fund their activities for the needle exchange programme, methadone replacement therapy and networking.”
“If I have to deal with conservatives or people who are against the fight to curb the disease, a lot of my time, a lot of non-governmental organisations’ time will be spent on managing their negative reaction,” he said in an interview with The Star.
“We don’t want unnecessary publicity that would generate a backlash as these critics do not suffer from HIV or AIDS.”
The Government, he said, wanted to help those suffering from HIV or AIDS.
“What’s important is that the people come forward quietly to make it a success,” he said.
“The armchair critics put a lot of moral or religious dimension on what is basically, to the Government, an infectious disease, which if not controlled, can become an epidemic.
“The fight against AIDS is not an election campaign. We want to work and convince a group, who have been virtually marginalised before this, to come forward so that the AIDS problem will be curbed.”
The Health Ministry is taking the “bull by the horns” to check the growth of AIDS.
“Our first pilot project in working with NGOs has gained general acceptance. That’s how we should move forward,” he said.
Dr Chua said NGOs were working closely with the Government.
“So all this is NGO driven, but funded by the Government, with us supervising.
“We actually direct the NGOs where and how to move,” he said.
“We had three centres initially and now we are trying to make sure that in 2010 there is a centre in every state.
“Initially, we started from 1,000 to 2,000 people. We are sure that we’ll be able to reach out to 15,000 to 20,000 people in our fight against AIDS.”
The Government has allocated RM500mil to curb HIV and AIDS under the National Strategic Plan and several NGOs would be funded.
Dr Chua said: “We will work closely with NGOs and fund their activities for the needle exchange programme, methadone replacement therapy and networking.”
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