NST: KUALA LUMPUR: "Doctors, just write to me at tionglai@gmail.com."
This was Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai's response to complaints about the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998.
Doctors had complained that the act was being unfairly enforced.
Liow said he was certain the act was not meant to penalise doctors in the private sector, but to help ensure good healthcare services.
"We really have to do something about the irresponsible ones. But this act is not meant to give people problems."
The act compels private practitioners to register with the ministry or face a fine of RM300,000. He said the act was meant to weed out bogus doctors and unqualified practitioners.
Doctors have been writing to the press recently to express their dismay over the Dr Basmullah Yusom case.
Dr Basmullah was jailed when he could not pay a fine of RM120,000 for failing to register his practice with the Health Ministry in January.
Liow, who took office last week, gave his private email address as he has yet to be assigned an official one.
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
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Govt hospitals to send weekly reports
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: Government hospitals will be required to send a weekly report to the Health Ministry on patient care services.
They will have to pay special attention to the outpatient department and the intensive care unit.
Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said the ministry was especially concerned with the time taken for patients to see doctors as well as the number of doctors available to see patients.
Liow said the waiting time for outpatients at hospitals should be cut from the current average of 45 minutes to 30 minutes.
"I met some patients (at KLH) who have been waiting for two hours to see the doctor," he said.
He said this during his first official tour of the Kuala Lumpur Hospital.
Liow was briefed by hospital director Datuk Dr Zaininah Mohd Zain on the running of the hospital.
Liow was accompanied by Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad and Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican.
They will have to pay special attention to the outpatient department and the intensive care unit.
Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said the ministry was especially concerned with the time taken for patients to see doctors as well as the number of doctors available to see patients.
Liow said the waiting time for outpatients at hospitals should be cut from the current average of 45 minutes to 30 minutes.
"I met some patients (at KLH) who have been waiting for two hours to see the doctor," he said.
He said this during his first official tour of the Kuala Lumpur Hospital.
Liow was briefed by hospital director Datuk Dr Zaininah Mohd Zain on the running of the hospital.
Liow was accompanied by Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad and Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican.
No decision to stop doctors from dispensing medicine
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry has not decided to disallow doctors from dispensing medicines.
Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said yesterday he would like to meet the Malaysian Medical Council, doctors and pharmacists to discuss the matter.
Liow said he was aware of the Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society's proposal for pharmacists to dispense medication to patients.
"At the moment, we are still looking at the proposal.
We have not made any decision yet," he said after his first official visit to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital yesterday.
Liow was commenting on a New Straits Times report yesterday headlined "Doctors to be disallowed from dispensing medicines" that quoted health director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican as saying that the move was in the pipeline.
He had also said that a pilot project on the proposal would be launched soon.
He said the move could not be implemented earlier because of logistics problems, especially the shortage of pharmacies and pharmacists.
Liow said the most important thing was for the people to have a good healthcare system.
"That is the responsibility of the government. We do not want to burden the rakyat with extra costs," he said.
The Malaysian Medical Association is against the proposed move to disallow doctors from dispensing medicines.
President Datuk Dr Khoo Kah Lin said the public should decide if they wanted to get medication from either pharmacists or doctors.
He said a doctor's primary role was to diagnose and treat which included giving appropriate medication to patients.
"Therefore, doctors cannot give up their right to dispense medicine," he said.
Dr Khoo said doctors were already separating the consultation fee from the cost of medication, to avoid being accused of profit-making in dispensing medicines.
The MMA's recommended fee for consultation is RM30 for minor ailments. However, doctors generally provide consultation and medication for less than RM30.
Dr Khoo said pharmacists should not be allowed to prescribe medications without a doctor's prescription.
In another development, a senior medical consultant, who declined to be identified, said some pharmacists were already dispensing medicines and treating patients, especially after checking their glucose level and blood pressure.
"This is already affecting our business," he said
He said pharmacists should refer patients to doctors for diagnosis and treatment.
"Their work is only to dispense medicines prescribed by doctors. Pharmacists cannot become doctors. They cannot prescribe medicines based on basic tests," he said.
A doctor in Klang, who only identified himself as Dr Rahim, asked if pharmacies would be open around the clock to cover prescriptions issued by doctors at 24-hour clinics.
"So who is going to dispense medicines in this context, the doctor or the pharmacies?" he asked.
The Malaysian Dietary Supplement Association, however, said the proposed move to disallow doctors from dispensing medicines was long overdue.
Its president, Jagdev Singh, said pharmacists were best suited to dispense medicines because they were more knowledgeable about "drug to drug interaction, drug to health interaction and adverse reactions".
Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said yesterday he would like to meet the Malaysian Medical Council, doctors and pharmacists to discuss the matter.
Liow said he was aware of the Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society's proposal for pharmacists to dispense medication to patients.
"At the moment, we are still looking at the proposal.
We have not made any decision yet," he said after his first official visit to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital yesterday.
Liow was commenting on a New Straits Times report yesterday headlined "Doctors to be disallowed from dispensing medicines" that quoted health director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican as saying that the move was in the pipeline.
He had also said that a pilot project on the proposal would be launched soon.
He said the move could not be implemented earlier because of logistics problems, especially the shortage of pharmacies and pharmacists.
Liow said the most important thing was for the people to have a good healthcare system.
"That is the responsibility of the government. We do not want to burden the rakyat with extra costs," he said.
The Malaysian Medical Association is against the proposed move to disallow doctors from dispensing medicines.
President Datuk Dr Khoo Kah Lin said the public should decide if they wanted to get medication from either pharmacists or doctors.
He said a doctor's primary role was to diagnose and treat which included giving appropriate medication to patients.
"Therefore, doctors cannot give up their right to dispense medicine," he said.
Dr Khoo said doctors were already separating the consultation fee from the cost of medication, to avoid being accused of profit-making in dispensing medicines.
The MMA's recommended fee for consultation is RM30 for minor ailments. However, doctors generally provide consultation and medication for less than RM30.
Dr Khoo said pharmacists should not be allowed to prescribe medications without a doctor's prescription.
In another development, a senior medical consultant, who declined to be identified, said some pharmacists were already dispensing medicines and treating patients, especially after checking their glucose level and blood pressure.
"This is already affecting our business," he said
He said pharmacists should refer patients to doctors for diagnosis and treatment.
"Their work is only to dispense medicines prescribed by doctors. Pharmacists cannot become doctors. They cannot prescribe medicines based on basic tests," he said.
A doctor in Klang, who only identified himself as Dr Rahim, asked if pharmacies would be open around the clock to cover prescriptions issued by doctors at 24-hour clinics.
"So who is going to dispense medicines in this context, the doctor or the pharmacies?" he asked.
The Malaysian Dietary Supplement Association, however, said the proposed move to disallow doctors from dispensing medicines was long overdue.
Its president, Jagdev Singh, said pharmacists were best suited to dispense medicines because they were more knowledgeable about "drug to drug interaction, drug to health interaction and adverse reactions".
MMA opposes move to make pharmacist sole dispensing agents
NST: The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) will oppose a move by the Health Ministry to make pharmacists the sole dispensing agents in the country.
Its president, Datuk Dr Khoo Kah Lin, said based on the ministry’s statistics in 2006, the pharmacist-population ratio in the public sector is 1:29,966, the private sector 1:7,828 and the total ratio is 1:6,207.
He said MMA felt that the public should be left to decide from where they wanted to obtain medication, either from a doctor or pharmacist.
“In helping them to make such a choice, the public need to have all the facts regarding the present position, their advantages and disadvantages and the costs to them as individuals and a community, if the system is to be changed,” he said in a statement here today.
Yesterday, Director-General of Health Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said soon, doctors would only be allowed to issue Rx-prescribe medications but patients needed to obtain their medication from pharmacies.
Currently, doctors especially at private clinics diagnose diseases, prescribe medicines and dispense them to patients.
Dr Khoo said some local manufacturers did not use the same base substance as the original patented drug.
“Thus, although the amount of active substance is the same, the potency and duration of action may differ...so may the shelf life of the drug.
“This is the main reason most doctors still prefer to use patented medicine, not because we want to gain profit or get incentives,” he said.
Dr Khoo said if the proposal shot off prematurely, patients would face the inconvenience of having to travel to another location to buy the medicine prescribed by the doctor.
He said if there was to be change, it should be made gradually beginning with the larger towns, and pilot studies should be considered so that problems that arise could be ironed out.
“In the meantime, both professions (doctor and pharmacist), together with the ministry could look at this problem objectively and solve it amicably, keeping in mind the interest of patients,” he said.
Its president, Datuk Dr Khoo Kah Lin, said based on the ministry’s statistics in 2006, the pharmacist-population ratio in the public sector is 1:29,966, the private sector 1:7,828 and the total ratio is 1:6,207.
He said MMA felt that the public should be left to decide from where they wanted to obtain medication, either from a doctor or pharmacist.
“In helping them to make such a choice, the public need to have all the facts regarding the present position, their advantages and disadvantages and the costs to them as individuals and a community, if the system is to be changed,” he said in a statement here today.
Yesterday, Director-General of Health Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said soon, doctors would only be allowed to issue Rx-prescribe medications but patients needed to obtain their medication from pharmacies.
Currently, doctors especially at private clinics diagnose diseases, prescribe medicines and dispense them to patients.
Dr Khoo said some local manufacturers did not use the same base substance as the original patented drug.
“Thus, although the amount of active substance is the same, the potency and duration of action may differ...so may the shelf life of the drug.
“This is the main reason most doctors still prefer to use patented medicine, not because we want to gain profit or get incentives,” he said.
Dr Khoo said if the proposal shot off prematurely, patients would face the inconvenience of having to travel to another location to buy the medicine prescribed by the doctor.
He said if there was to be change, it should be made gradually beginning with the larger towns, and pilot studies should be considered so that problems that arise could be ironed out.
“In the meantime, both professions (doctor and pharmacist), together with the ministry could look at this problem objectively and solve it amicably, keeping in mind the interest of patients,” he said.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
No decision on docs dispensing medicine
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry has denied a report which said doctors would be prevented from dispensing medicine.
Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said the article, which was published on the front page of a local English daily on Saturday, was not true.
"We have not made any decision at all. We are conducting a study, but it is only at a preliminary stage," he said.
The report said a pilot project on the separation of functions between doctors' clinics and pharmacies would be launched by the Health Ministry.
It also said that the pilot project would be launched at selected major towns, with the ministry closely monitoring the strengths and weaknesses of the system before implementing it nationwide.
Liow said while the Ministry was considering the request by pharmacists, the study had yet to be completed and a pilot project might not even be launched if the findings were not encouraging.
"If we find that people will be affected (negatively), we might not even carry out the pilot project," he said.
He added that he wanted to meet up with doctors and pharmacists to understand more about the issue.
"But most importantly, at the end of the day, the people must enjoy good medical services," he said.
Liow was speaking to reporters after visiting the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital on Saturday.
Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said the article, which was published on the front page of a local English daily on Saturday, was not true.
"We have not made any decision at all. We are conducting a study, but it is only at a preliminary stage," he said.
The report said a pilot project on the separation of functions between doctors' clinics and pharmacies would be launched by the Health Ministry.
It also said that the pilot project would be launched at selected major towns, with the ministry closely monitoring the strengths and weaknesses of the system before implementing it nationwide.
Liow said while the Ministry was considering the request by pharmacists, the study had yet to be completed and a pilot project might not even be launched if the findings were not encouraging.
"If we find that people will be affected (negatively), we might not even carry out the pilot project," he said.
He added that he wanted to meet up with doctors and pharmacists to understand more about the issue.
"But most importantly, at the end of the day, the people must enjoy good medical services," he said.
Liow was speaking to reporters after visiting the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital on Saturday.
TB a problem once again
NST: SERI ISKANDAR: Tuberculosis (TB), a killer disease in the country in the 1950s and 1960s, is once again posing a threat.
There has been an increase in the number of TB cases in the last 10 years.
Malaysian Association of Prevention of Tuberculosis president Datuk Seri Yeop Junior Yeop Adlan said this was despite the government's success in implementing the national TB control programme which brought the number of cases down to below 100 for every 100,000 people.
"However, in the last 10 years, the number of cases has been increasing, with 59.8 cases recorded for every 100,000 people in 1994 and 62.6 cases in 2006," he said at the opening of the state-level World TB Day here yesterday.
Also present were Perak deputy health director (public health) Datin Dr Ranjit Kaur and Perak Tengah district health department medical officer Dr S. Elangovan.
The theme of this year's event, "I am stopping TB", is in line with the World Health Organisation's vision of eliminating TB by the year 2050.
Yeop Junior, who is also MAPTB Perak branch chairman, said that an average of 16,000 cases had been recorded yearly.
Among the factors believed to have contributed to the increase are medical staff who fail to diagnose TB in patients seeking treatment for continuous cough, a symptom of the disease.
They have since been instructed to conduct a thorough examination if a patient complains of a week-long cough.
There has been an increase in the number of TB cases in the last 10 years.
Malaysian Association of Prevention of Tuberculosis president Datuk Seri Yeop Junior Yeop Adlan said this was despite the government's success in implementing the national TB control programme which brought the number of cases down to below 100 for every 100,000 people.
"However, in the last 10 years, the number of cases has been increasing, with 59.8 cases recorded for every 100,000 people in 1994 and 62.6 cases in 2006," he said at the opening of the state-level World TB Day here yesterday.
Also present were Perak deputy health director (public health) Datin Dr Ranjit Kaur and Perak Tengah district health department medical officer Dr S. Elangovan.
The theme of this year's event, "I am stopping TB", is in line with the World Health Organisation's vision of eliminating TB by the year 2050.
Yeop Junior, who is also MAPTB Perak branch chairman, said that an average of 16,000 cases had been recorded yearly.
Among the factors believed to have contributed to the increase are medical staff who fail to diagnose TB in patients seeking treatment for continuous cough, a symptom of the disease.
They have since been instructed to conduct a thorough examination if a patient complains of a week-long cough.
Move will not necessarily cost patients more
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: Contrary to public perception, separating the doctor's function as a healer and as a provider of medicine will not necessarily cost patients more.
Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society president John Chang Chiew Pheng said this was because consumers would have the choice of drugs.
"Many doctors usually dispense the more branded and expensive medicines simply because they get incentives and bonuses from the drug companies.
"When the consumers get their medication and make up their minds whether to get branded or generic drugs, they end up saving money.
"The Poisons Act 1952 allows for doctors to dispense drugs because there were hardly any pharmacists when the law was passed," he said.
There are now roughly 5,000 pharmacists and 13 pharmacy schools in the country that produce an average of 600 graduates every year.
Chang also said that with serious risks to health due to improper medication, it made better sense for patients to get their drugs from a pharmacist who would have spent four years acquiring the knowledge than from a doctor who had none.
"Doctors are only familiar with medicines that they often prescribe, not knowing adverse reactions and drug interactions. However, pharmacists are constantly in touch with the drugs industry," he said.
With the separation of functions between clinics and pharmacies, Malaysia will join the ranks of other developed countries around the world which separate the role of doctors and pharmacists.
In the last 30 years, Asian countries like Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines and Indonesia have implemented the separation with varying degrees of success.
When South Korean health officials enforced the separation in 2000, tens of thousands of doctors took to the streets and forced clinics around the country to close for three days.
The various countries also experienced teething problems such as administrational confusion when charging corporate patients seeking treatment in panel clinics or claiming health insurance.
Separation laws in several countries also had loopholes, abused by pharmacists who were in cahoots with doctors for patient referrals in exchange for kickbacks.
All this, Chang admitted, could very well also happen in Malaysia if the separation was not closely enforced and scrutinised.
Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society president John Chang Chiew Pheng said this was because consumers would have the choice of drugs.
"Many doctors usually dispense the more branded and expensive medicines simply because they get incentives and bonuses from the drug companies.
"When the consumers get their medication and make up their minds whether to get branded or generic drugs, they end up saving money.
"The Poisons Act 1952 allows for doctors to dispense drugs because there were hardly any pharmacists when the law was passed," he said.
There are now roughly 5,000 pharmacists and 13 pharmacy schools in the country that produce an average of 600 graduates every year.
Chang also said that with serious risks to health due to improper medication, it made better sense for patients to get their drugs from a pharmacist who would have spent four years acquiring the knowledge than from a doctor who had none.
"Doctors are only familiar with medicines that they often prescribe, not knowing adverse reactions and drug interactions. However, pharmacists are constantly in touch with the drugs industry," he said.
With the separation of functions between clinics and pharmacies, Malaysia will join the ranks of other developed countries around the world which separate the role of doctors and pharmacists.
In the last 30 years, Asian countries like Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines and Indonesia have implemented the separation with varying degrees of success.
When South Korean health officials enforced the separation in 2000, tens of thousands of doctors took to the streets and forced clinics around the country to close for three days.
The various countries also experienced teething problems such as administrational confusion when charging corporate patients seeking treatment in panel clinics or claiming health insurance.
Separation laws in several countries also had loopholes, abused by pharmacists who were in cahoots with doctors for patient referrals in exchange for kickbacks.
All this, Chang admitted, could very well also happen in Malaysia if the separation was not closely enforced and scrutinised.
Doctors to be disallowed from dispensing medicines
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: Soon, doctors will not be allowed to dispense medicines. Doctors will only be allowed to prescribe medications but patients will have to get the medicines from pharmacies.
Currently, doctors diagnose the disease, prescribe the medicines and their own clinics dispense them.
For almost 20 years, pharmacists have been fighting for the "return" of their right to dispense medications but had been unsuccessful for various reasons.
A pilot project on the separation of functions between doctors' clinics and pharmacies will be launched by the Ministry of Health.
It is scheduled to be launched at selected major towns with the ministry closely monitoring the strength and weaknesses of the system before implementing it nationwide.
Director-General of Health Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said the ministry was not able to implement this system earlier due to logistics problems, especially the shortage of pharmacists and pharmacies in the country.
"We also have to take into consideration the welfare of patients. If we have the separation, then patients must have easy accessibility to pharmacies to get their prescribed medications," he told the New Straits Times.
He said the ministry had conducted a detailed study, "Pharmacy and clinic Mapping" on various issues ranging from welfare of patients, facilities available and capability of pharmacies to meet the demand.
"We found that the logistics problem is still an issue and needs to be resolved as we do not want patients to be running around looking for pharmacies with the doctors' prescriptions," said Dr Ismail.
Furthermore, he said, the pharmacies should be able to provide quality care.
He said the ministry had been doing the study with various stakeholders, focusing on the spread of community pharmacies or pharmacy outlets in major towns, rural and remote areas.
Some 5,000 registered pharmacists are actively practising in some 1,600 pharmacies nationwide.
In 2004, there were only 3,927 registered pharmacists with about 1,540 retail pharmacies or one for every 16,445 persons.
Dr Ismail said the pilot project would be implemented in major towns based on the study where there were pharmacies near clinics.
"If the pilot project is successful, we will have to look into the existing laws to allow for the separation," he added.
India, South Korea and Taiwan have implemented the separation. Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society president John Chang Chiew Pheng said the ministry's move to conduct a pilot project was definitely a positive development which would enhance the level of healthcare delivery.
The separation, he added, would benefit patients as doctors could now focus on their clinical, diagnosing, counselling and prescription, while pharmacists could focus on educating patients on how best to optimise the usage of medicines prescribed.
Furthermore, Chang said, pharmacists could help patients choose between generic and branded drugs based on their financial situation.
"With commitment and determination we can overcome teething problems and patients can understand their medicines," he added.
He said if the government went ahead with the separation, then more pharmacies could be set up near clinics for easy accessibility to patients.
Currently, doctors diagnose the disease, prescribe the medicines and their own clinics dispense them.
For almost 20 years, pharmacists have been fighting for the "return" of their right to dispense medications but had been unsuccessful for various reasons.
A pilot project on the separation of functions between doctors' clinics and pharmacies will be launched by the Ministry of Health.
It is scheduled to be launched at selected major towns with the ministry closely monitoring the strength and weaknesses of the system before implementing it nationwide.
Director-General of Health Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said the ministry was not able to implement this system earlier due to logistics problems, especially the shortage of pharmacists and pharmacies in the country.
"We also have to take into consideration the welfare of patients. If we have the separation, then patients must have easy accessibility to pharmacies to get their prescribed medications," he told the New Straits Times.
He said the ministry had conducted a detailed study, "Pharmacy and clinic Mapping" on various issues ranging from welfare of patients, facilities available and capability of pharmacies to meet the demand.
"We found that the logistics problem is still an issue and needs to be resolved as we do not want patients to be running around looking for pharmacies with the doctors' prescriptions," said Dr Ismail.
Furthermore, he said, the pharmacies should be able to provide quality care.
He said the ministry had been doing the study with various stakeholders, focusing on the spread of community pharmacies or pharmacy outlets in major towns, rural and remote areas.
Some 5,000 registered pharmacists are actively practising in some 1,600 pharmacies nationwide.
In 2004, there were only 3,927 registered pharmacists with about 1,540 retail pharmacies or one for every 16,445 persons.
Dr Ismail said the pilot project would be implemented in major towns based on the study where there were pharmacies near clinics.
"If the pilot project is successful, we will have to look into the existing laws to allow for the separation," he added.
India, South Korea and Taiwan have implemented the separation. Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society president John Chang Chiew Pheng said the ministry's move to conduct a pilot project was definitely a positive development which would enhance the level of healthcare delivery.
The separation, he added, would benefit patients as doctors could now focus on their clinical, diagnosing, counselling and prescription, while pharmacists could focus on educating patients on how best to optimise the usage of medicines prescribed.
Furthermore, Chang said, pharmacists could help patients choose between generic and branded drugs based on their financial situation.
"With commitment and determination we can overcome teething problems and patients can understand their medicines," he added.
He said if the government went ahead with the separation, then more pharmacies could be set up near clinics for easy accessibility to patients.
Friday, March 28, 2008
5.1 million to gain from Socso free check-up
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: The Social Security Organisation (Socso) will provide a one-time free medical check-up for contributors aged 35 and above.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam, who announced this yesterday, said Socso hoped to provide more benefits to its 5.1 million contributors.
He also called on employers to notify Socso of injuries sustained by their workers so that the processing of compensation could be speeded up.
"We have trained more than 900 government doctors to carry out examinations for workers seeking compensation for injuries.
"At the same time, our panel doctors will help speed up rehabilitation of patients so that they can return to work as soon as possible," he said after a three-hour briefing by Socso officials at its headquarters in Jalan Ampang here.
Present were Dr Subramaniam's deputy, Datuk Noraini Ahmad, and ministry secretary-general Datuk Thomas George.
The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) and the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) welcomed the free medical check-up.
MMA president Datuk Dr Khoo Kah Lin said medical check-ups should be conducted more frequently with age.
"Just like a car, the older it gets the more frequent servicing it needs.
"Older people may require not only more frequent medical check-ups but more stringent ones, too. This can be costly," he said.
Dr Khoo said medical check-ups should be conducted from young so that abnormalities could be detected early.
He added that as people today were more health conscious, Socso could undertake more programmes to educate workers on health risks and remedies.
MTUC secretary-general G. Rajasekeran said Socso's free check-up was a good start.He also hoped Socso would make the free check-ups available more frequently to workers exposed to health hazards, such as those working in mines, mills, quarries and factories dealing with chemicals, electronics and asbestos.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam, who announced this yesterday, said Socso hoped to provide more benefits to its 5.1 million contributors.
He also called on employers to notify Socso of injuries sustained by their workers so that the processing of compensation could be speeded up.
"We have trained more than 900 government doctors to carry out examinations for workers seeking compensation for injuries.
"At the same time, our panel doctors will help speed up rehabilitation of patients so that they can return to work as soon as possible," he said after a three-hour briefing by Socso officials at its headquarters in Jalan Ampang here.
Present were Dr Subramaniam's deputy, Datuk Noraini Ahmad, and ministry secretary-general Datuk Thomas George.
The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) and the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) welcomed the free medical check-up.
MMA president Datuk Dr Khoo Kah Lin said medical check-ups should be conducted more frequently with age.
"Just like a car, the older it gets the more frequent servicing it needs.
"Older people may require not only more frequent medical check-ups but more stringent ones, too. This can be costly," he said.
Dr Khoo said medical check-ups should be conducted from young so that abnormalities could be detected early.
He added that as people today were more health conscious, Socso could undertake more programmes to educate workers on health risks and remedies.
MTUC secretary-general G. Rajasekeran said Socso's free check-up was a good start.He also hoped Socso would make the free check-ups available more frequently to workers exposed to health hazards, such as those working in mines, mills, quarries and factories dealing with chemicals, electronics and asbestos.
No more fast food ads on kids’ TV shows
Star: PETALING JAYA: Children will now be fed a healthier diet of TV programmes.
Fast food advertisers have agreed not to place advertisements during children's programmes or sponsor such shows with immediate effect.
Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Malaysia (4As) president Datuk Vincent Lee said new guidelines would set the standards of what could be advertised.
“It will encourage companies to develop and advertise foods we wish our children to consume more of,” he said in a statement here yesterday.
“A pre-vetting system will be introduced to ensure that only advertisements which meet the new standards make it to the television screens and inappropriate advertisements weeded out.”
Lee said fast food advertisers also pledged not to encourage commercials showing excessive food consumption or provide inaccurate or misleading information on nutritional value in any product.
Such commercials would also not imply that a product could replace a complete or balanced diet, he said.
According to the statement, the guidelines had been accepted by the Health Ministry, which also mandated the nutritional labelling of fast food.
Malaysian Advertisers Association president Peter Das said the advertising industry wanted to work with the Government in promoting a healthy lifestyle and diet.
“There is a clear consumer demand for healthy options to which the industry is increasingly responding,” he said.
Fast food advertisers have agreed not to place advertisements during children's programmes or sponsor such shows with immediate effect.
Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Malaysia (4As) president Datuk Vincent Lee said new guidelines would set the standards of what could be advertised.
“It will encourage companies to develop and advertise foods we wish our children to consume more of,” he said in a statement here yesterday.
“A pre-vetting system will be introduced to ensure that only advertisements which meet the new standards make it to the television screens and inappropriate advertisements weeded out.”
Lee said fast food advertisers also pledged not to encourage commercials showing excessive food consumption or provide inaccurate or misleading information on nutritional value in any product.
Such commercials would also not imply that a product could replace a complete or balanced diet, he said.
According to the statement, the guidelines had been accepted by the Health Ministry, which also mandated the nutritional labelling of fast food.
Malaysian Advertisers Association president Peter Das said the advertising industry wanted to work with the Government in promoting a healthy lifestyle and diet.
“There is a clear consumer demand for healthy options to which the industry is increasingly responding,” he said.
Incentives for doctors working overtime
Star: PUTRAJAYA: The Cabinet has approved the Health Ministry’s proposal for incentive payments to be made to doctors and specialists working overtime and weekends.
Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said this would allow more elective surgeries to be held on Saturdays and more patients to seek treatment at certain health clinics after office hours.
“We already have these after-office hours services at 33 of our hospitals. The ministry decided to expand this to 16 health clinics so that non-critical patients can seek treatment at these places instead of coming to the emergency units at public hospitals,” he told reporters after chairing the post-Cabinet meeting here yesterday.
“It will also allow elective surgery to be conducted in 19 hospitals on Saturdays. These are among our measures to reduce the waiting time for patients from 45 minutes currently to 30 minutes. It will cost the ministry a total of RM19.3mil in allocation.”
On Feb 6, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican announced that doctors at selected clinics would be paid more than double or RM80 per hour in incentive payment for overtime while specialists would be paid RM200 per hour to work after office hours and on weekends.
Dr Ismail had said then that the proposal was pending approval from the Cabinet.
Liow said elective surgery on Saturdays were necessary because the number of operations had increased by 23% from 636,867 in 2002 to 782,514 in 2006.
Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said this would allow more elective surgeries to be held on Saturdays and more patients to seek treatment at certain health clinics after office hours.
“We already have these after-office hours services at 33 of our hospitals. The ministry decided to expand this to 16 health clinics so that non-critical patients can seek treatment at these places instead of coming to the emergency units at public hospitals,” he told reporters after chairing the post-Cabinet meeting here yesterday.
“It will also allow elective surgery to be conducted in 19 hospitals on Saturdays. These are among our measures to reduce the waiting time for patients from 45 minutes currently to 30 minutes. It will cost the ministry a total of RM19.3mil in allocation.”
On Feb 6, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican announced that doctors at selected clinics would be paid more than double or RM80 per hour in incentive payment for overtime while specialists would be paid RM200 per hour to work after office hours and on weekends.
Dr Ismail had said then that the proposal was pending approval from the Cabinet.
Liow said elective surgery on Saturdays were necessary because the number of operations had increased by 23% from 636,867 in 2002 to 782,514 in 2006.
Clinics to take load off emergency units
Star: PUTRAJAYA: Sixteen health clinics nationwide will start operating after office hours in a bid to lessen the number of patients at the emergency units in hospitals.
Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said these clinics, which see a lot of patients, would offer services from 5pm to 9.30pm.
"We already have these after office hours services at 33 of our hospitals. The ministry decided to expand this to the health clinics so that non-critical patients can seek treatment at these places, instead of coming to the emergency units at public hospitals.
"These are among our measures to reduce the waiting time for patients from 45 minutes currently to 30 minutes, which is our target.
"The Cabinet has also approved the ministry's proposal for doctors and specialists working on weekends to be paid incentives, and for those working overtime to have their fees increased from RM30 per hour currently to RM80," he told reporters Wednesday after chairing the post-Cabinet meeting here.
On Feb 6, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican had announced that doctors at selected clinics would be paid more than double or RM80 per hour in incentive payment while specialists would be paid RM200 per hour to work after office hours and on weekends.
This would allow them more time to serve the public and to conduct elective surgery from 8am to 1pm on Saturdays at 19 selected hospitals to reduce the backlog of cases.
Liow said elective surgery on Saturdays were necessary because the number of operations had increased by 23% from 636,867 in 2002 to 782,514 in 2006.
"This increase has forced our anaesthesiologists and surgeons to give priority to emergency cases. This has caused our non-critical patients to wait between one to six months for their surgery," he said, adding that this could lead to their conditions becoming more chronic and affecting their quality of life.
He said the ministry also planned to include more hospitals and clinics offering such services if this project proved to be successful.
"It will cost the ministry a total of RM19.3mil," he said.
Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said these clinics, which see a lot of patients, would offer services from 5pm to 9.30pm.
"We already have these after office hours services at 33 of our hospitals. The ministry decided to expand this to the health clinics so that non-critical patients can seek treatment at these places, instead of coming to the emergency units at public hospitals.
"These are among our measures to reduce the waiting time for patients from 45 minutes currently to 30 minutes, which is our target.
"The Cabinet has also approved the ministry's proposal for doctors and specialists working on weekends to be paid incentives, and for those working overtime to have their fees increased from RM30 per hour currently to RM80," he told reporters Wednesday after chairing the post-Cabinet meeting here.
On Feb 6, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican had announced that doctors at selected clinics would be paid more than double or RM80 per hour in incentive payment while specialists would be paid RM200 per hour to work after office hours and on weekends.
This would allow them more time to serve the public and to conduct elective surgery from 8am to 1pm on Saturdays at 19 selected hospitals to reduce the backlog of cases.
Liow said elective surgery on Saturdays were necessary because the number of operations had increased by 23% from 636,867 in 2002 to 782,514 in 2006.
"This increase has forced our anaesthesiologists and surgeons to give priority to emergency cases. This has caused our non-critical patients to wait between one to six months for their surgery," he said, adding that this could lead to their conditions becoming more chronic and affecting their quality of life.
He said the ministry also planned to include more hospitals and clinics offering such services if this project proved to be successful.
"It will cost the ministry a total of RM19.3mil," he said.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Kidney Patients On The Rise
KUALA LUMPUR, March 13 (Bernama) -- About 15,000 kidney patients underwent dialysis nationwide last year and the number is expected to increase to 20,000 by 2010, Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) head of nephrology Dr Ghazali Ahmad said today.
"So far,57 per cent of the chronic kidney disease cases are caused by diabetes and if not treated early, the patients may have to undergo dialysis," he told reporters after the launch of the World Kidney Day by HKL director Datuk Dr Zaininah Mohd Zain here.
Most kidney failure cases area caused by diabetes, said Dr Ghazali.
He advised the public to maintain balanced and nutritious diet to prevent diabetes, gout, and high blood pressure which are associated with kidney problems.
In her speech, Dr Zaininah said steps should be taken not only to treat kidney patients, but also to slow down the process of kidney failure to delay dialysis and prevent disease that increase the risks of kidney problems.
The annual World Kidney Day organised by the HKL Nephrology Department in collaboration with its Catering and Dietetic Department is aimed at raising public awareness in the prevention, detection, and treatment of kidney disease.
"So far,57 per cent of the chronic kidney disease cases are caused by diabetes and if not treated early, the patients may have to undergo dialysis," he told reporters after the launch of the World Kidney Day by HKL director Datuk Dr Zaininah Mohd Zain here.
Most kidney failure cases area caused by diabetes, said Dr Ghazali.
He advised the public to maintain balanced and nutritious diet to prevent diabetes, gout, and high blood pressure which are associated with kidney problems.
In her speech, Dr Zaininah said steps should be taken not only to treat kidney patients, but also to slow down the process of kidney failure to delay dialysis and prevent disease that increase the risks of kidney problems.
The annual World Kidney Day organised by the HKL Nephrology Department in collaboration with its Catering and Dietetic Department is aimed at raising public awareness in the prevention, detection, and treatment of kidney disease.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Promotions for house officers in govt hospitals
Star: PUTRAJAYA: At least 2,000 graduate house officers in government hospitals will get an automatic promotion to grade UD44 upon completion of their two-year housemanship in 2010.
They will be getting at least RM6,000 including allowances every month which is almost double what the present graduate house officers are getting.
At present, graduate house officers come under UD41 with a monthly income of RM3,768.39 including allowances. Most of them are stuck under the grade for at least six to seven years or more.
"This is a hefty jump," Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican announced at a press conference here on Wednesday.
He said the promotion exercise was expected to cost RM1.7mil annually.
Dr Ismail said at least 7,000 house officers under UD41 and UD44, who were appointed before 2008, would also get their long overdue promotions, which would cost RM9.8mil.
He said those who had been stuck under the grade for many years would however be placed under the higher scale of UD44.
"Hopefully, this promotion opportunity will indirectly encourage many doctors to remain in the civil service," he said, adding that at least 70% of young doctors under UD41 resigned to join the private sector.
The Health Ministry extended the housemanship from one year to two years in January following several complaints including the unsatisfactory quality of service.
They will be getting at least RM6,000 including allowances every month which is almost double what the present graduate house officers are getting.
At present, graduate house officers come under UD41 with a monthly income of RM3,768.39 including allowances. Most of them are stuck under the grade for at least six to seven years or more.
"This is a hefty jump," Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican announced at a press conference here on Wednesday.
He said the promotion exercise was expected to cost RM1.7mil annually.
Dr Ismail said at least 7,000 house officers under UD41 and UD44, who were appointed before 2008, would also get their long overdue promotions, which would cost RM9.8mil.
He said those who had been stuck under the grade for many years would however be placed under the higher scale of UD44.
"Hopefully, this promotion opportunity will indirectly encourage many doctors to remain in the civil service," he said, adding that at least 70% of young doctors under UD41 resigned to join the private sector.
The Health Ministry extended the housemanship from one year to two years in January following several complaints including the unsatisfactory quality of service.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
University boost
Sun2Surf: PUTRAJAYA (Feb 12, 2008): Improving the standards of medical and healthcare programmes by ensuring qualified educators and quality students. This will be the catalyst to enhance the ranking of Malaysian universities, which has been sliding in the past few years.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed said yesterday this is a key component in the government’s efforts to enhance the level of excellence of public universities, including instilling a high-performance culture, increasing transparency, and ensuring autonomy of university management.
To begin with, Mustapa said, Public Services director-general Tan Sri Ismail Adam will call for a meeting between Mustapa’s ministry and the Health Ministry soon to discuss outstanding matters.
These matters include the placement of medical students in government hospitals, the limited number of places in universities for medical programmes, and the involvement of academicians in tertiary lectures, hospital administration and clinical work.
"We want to find solutions that will meet and benefit the national agenda, not only those that serve the respective ministries’ objectives," Mustapa told a press conference after a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak at Najib’s office.
"We are happy that many issues have been resolved but there is a need to strengthen this relationship so that everything is seen from the context of national and global competitiveness."
The meeting was also attended by representatives from the PSD, Treasury, Economic Planning Unit, and the management of 20 public universities. Mustapa said the meeting, the first to look into issues on higher education and researches, also discussed last year’s Times Higher Education Supplement-Quacquarelli- Symonds (THES-QS) World University Rankings, which did not include any Malaysian university in the list of top 200 universities.
He said the government has laid out strategic plans to boost the universities’ rankings, including giving more allocations to universities for research purposes.
The meeting also discussed giving more financial autonomy to vice-chancellors, provided it is taken "with accountability and responsibility".
The VCs would have a freehand in running the universities financially and turning them into high-performance institutions.
However, for this to be realised, it will need the cabinet’s approval and amendments to the existing laws.
Mustapa said they also discussed the Financial Procedure Act in relation to the establishment of subsidiaries.
"If we want to form a subsidiary, we have to go to the Finance Ministry. This is a legal requirement.
Some procedures definitely need to be speeded up and bureaucracy minimised so that the plans can be executed smoothly," he said.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed said yesterday this is a key component in the government’s efforts to enhance the level of excellence of public universities, including instilling a high-performance culture, increasing transparency, and ensuring autonomy of university management.
To begin with, Mustapa said, Public Services director-general Tan Sri Ismail Adam will call for a meeting between Mustapa’s ministry and the Health Ministry soon to discuss outstanding matters.
These matters include the placement of medical students in government hospitals, the limited number of places in universities for medical programmes, and the involvement of academicians in tertiary lectures, hospital administration and clinical work.
"We want to find solutions that will meet and benefit the national agenda, not only those that serve the respective ministries’ objectives," Mustapa told a press conference after a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak at Najib’s office.
"We are happy that many issues have been resolved but there is a need to strengthen this relationship so that everything is seen from the context of national and global competitiveness."
The meeting was also attended by representatives from the PSD, Treasury, Economic Planning Unit, and the management of 20 public universities. Mustapa said the meeting, the first to look into issues on higher education and researches, also discussed last year’s Times Higher Education Supplement-Quacquarelli- Symonds (THES-QS) World University Rankings, which did not include any Malaysian university in the list of top 200 universities.
He said the government has laid out strategic plans to boost the universities’ rankings, including giving more allocations to universities for research purposes.
The meeting also discussed giving more financial autonomy to vice-chancellors, provided it is taken "with accountability and responsibility".
The VCs would have a freehand in running the universities financially and turning them into high-performance institutions.
However, for this to be realised, it will need the cabinet’s approval and amendments to the existing laws.
Mustapa said they also discussed the Financial Procedure Act in relation to the establishment of subsidiaries.
"If we want to form a subsidiary, we have to go to the Finance Ministry. This is a legal requirement.
Some procedures definitely need to be speeded up and bureaucracy minimised so that the plans can be executed smoothly," he said.
Move to improve education system in varsities
Star: PUTRAJAYA: The education system in Malaysia’s public universities must be improved with greater transparency and meritocracy, said Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed.
He said this was among the issues decided at the inaugural meeting of various government agencies and university representatives to further boost the performance of the universities.
“We will also continue with our earlier plan to create apex universities and give more autonomous power to universities with financial freedom to the vice-chancellors,” he told reporters after the meeting yesterday.
Mustapa said various government agencies would work together with the Higher Education Ministry to bring an overall improvement to public universities.
The aim is also to push up the world ranking of the country’s 22 local public universities.
He said that in principle, it was agreed that a few regulations and laws pertaining to universities would be amended to pave the way for the planned improvements, including the Financial Procedures Act.
“The amendments would be proposed to the Cabinet in due course,” said Mustapa.
He said that the plan would also include getting highly qualified lecturers, where merit would not be compromised.
Mustapa also said 50 participants from 42 countries would take part in the annual International Bahasa Melayu Oration Competition this year.
The participation this year is nearly double last year’s 23 participating countries, he said.
He said this was among the issues decided at the inaugural meeting of various government agencies and university representatives to further boost the performance of the universities.
“We will also continue with our earlier plan to create apex universities and give more autonomous power to universities with financial freedom to the vice-chancellors,” he told reporters after the meeting yesterday.
Mustapa said various government agencies would work together with the Higher Education Ministry to bring an overall improvement to public universities.
The aim is also to push up the world ranking of the country’s 22 local public universities.
He said that in principle, it was agreed that a few regulations and laws pertaining to universities would be amended to pave the way for the planned improvements, including the Financial Procedures Act.
“The amendments would be proposed to the Cabinet in due course,” said Mustapa.
He said that the plan would also include getting highly qualified lecturers, where merit would not be compromised.
Mustapa also said 50 participants from 42 countries would take part in the annual International Bahasa Melayu Oration Competition this year.
The participation this year is nearly double last year’s 23 participating countries, he said.
Stringent tests, labelling for new drugs, food
NST: PUTRAJAYA: All new food and pharmaceutical products will have to undergo stringent testing before they can be brought on the market.
Both local and foreign producers and manufacturers will have to obtain “pre-market approval” and have their products certified fit for sale.
The Health Ministry Food Safety and Quality Control division director Dr Abd Rahim Mohamad said under the new requirement, producers of food and pharmaceutical products will need to conduct an analysis on their goods and submit the findings.
They must list clearly any claims of benefit and function, as well as the ingredients, nutrients and additives in the product.
Products will not be allowed on the shelves until they meet the requirements, he said.
And once a product has been approved, it will be given a serial number for easy monitoring.
Under the pre-market approval system, proper labelling of products will be emphasised and misleading product names will be rejected. For example, a biscuit cannot be called “Biskuat", implying that eating it would make one strong (kuat).
“This new system will curb label abuse and rampant false advertising,” Dr Abd Rahim said, adding that this would also ensure that product labels did not breach the Food Act 1983 and Food Regulations 1985.
He said all labels must provide details of the producers and cannot make exaggerated claims, like “a good diet begins with X” and “drink X for a healthier lifestyle".
Claims that a certain product is recommended for those with diabetes, cancer, hypertension and kidney problems are also not allowed.
And producers cannot claim that their product is above the rest, by saying, for example, “X does not contain boric acid", as this negative remark suggests that competitors’ products contain the substance.
Dr Abd Rahim said Thailand and Indonesia had fully implemented this system and Malaysia would do it in stages.
“There are so many products being introduced. For starters, we will focus on children’s products, including milk formula, and perishable goods and products targeted at senior citizens,” he told a media dialogue on food safety and quality yesterday.
Both local and foreign producers and manufacturers will have to obtain “pre-market approval” and have their products certified fit for sale.
The Health Ministry Food Safety and Quality Control division director Dr Abd Rahim Mohamad said under the new requirement, producers of food and pharmaceutical products will need to conduct an analysis on their goods and submit the findings.
They must list clearly any claims of benefit and function, as well as the ingredients, nutrients and additives in the product.
Products will not be allowed on the shelves until they meet the requirements, he said.
And once a product has been approved, it will be given a serial number for easy monitoring.
Under the pre-market approval system, proper labelling of products will be emphasised and misleading product names will be rejected. For example, a biscuit cannot be called “Biskuat", implying that eating it would make one strong (kuat).
“This new system will curb label abuse and rampant false advertising,” Dr Abd Rahim said, adding that this would also ensure that product labels did not breach the Food Act 1983 and Food Regulations 1985.
He said all labels must provide details of the producers and cannot make exaggerated claims, like “a good diet begins with X” and “drink X for a healthier lifestyle".
Claims that a certain product is recommended for those with diabetes, cancer, hypertension and kidney problems are also not allowed.
And producers cannot claim that their product is above the rest, by saying, for example, “X does not contain boric acid", as this negative remark suggests that competitors’ products contain the substance.
Dr Abd Rahim said Thailand and Indonesia had fully implemented this system and Malaysia would do it in stages.
“There are so many products being introduced. For starters, we will focus on children’s products, including milk formula, and perishable goods and products targeted at senior citizens,” he told a media dialogue on food safety and quality yesterday.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Tailgating for a faster drive
NST: KLANG: Some Malaysians have a dirty habit: moving in behind a passing ambulance with its siren blaring so they can take advantage of the freed-up space for a faster, smoother drive.
What these people do not realise is that their bad habit could cause a problem.
An average of two Malaysian Red Crescent Society ambulances are involved in accidents every month in Selangor alone because of the actions of these motorists.
It is taking a huge toll on the resources of the charitable organisation.
Selangor Red Crescent Society deputy chairman Venu- kopalan Chellathurai said more than half of the organisation’s maintenance bills for the six ambulances it operates were for “body work” after being hit from behind.
“Of the RM29,000 spent on repairs last year, almost RM15,000 was used for body work. That’s a huge sum for a non-governmental organisation.”
Inconsiderate motorists who tailgate ambulances responding to emergencies were the main culprits.
“They are oblivious to the danger to themselves, the ambulance crew and patient either in the ambulance or at the scene, due to the delay any accident will cause,” said Venukopalan.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Noel Silas Savarimuthu said in most instances, the culprits did not even bother to stop.
“There is little we can do if we are responding to an emergency; people’s lives are at stake and every second counts.”
He said there had been instances of EMTs being injured when their ambulance was hit from behind by other vehicles.
The society also bemoaned the fact that motorists did not follow the rules when it came to emergency lanes.
The fact that motorists used the emergency lane as “just another lane” during traffic jams, coupled with some who ignored sirens on emergency vehicles, added to the response time for EMTs.
The society believed the problem was in education and enforcement.
Venukopalan said the right response to an ambulance with its siren blaring and beacons flashing was not addressed in the syllabus of local driving tests or current road laws.
“Even the use of sirens and beacons, once reserved for the police, Fire and Rescue Department and ambulances, seems to have been extended to commercial vehicles such as hearses, trucks and buses.”
Venukopalan said the subject should be introduced to future generations of drivers while they are in school.
“The subject should be broached during primary school, reinforced while they study for driving tests and enforced strictly by the enforcement authorities.”
What these people do not realise is that their bad habit could cause a problem.
An average of two Malaysian Red Crescent Society ambulances are involved in accidents every month in Selangor alone because of the actions of these motorists.
It is taking a huge toll on the resources of the charitable organisation.
Selangor Red Crescent Society deputy chairman Venu- kopalan Chellathurai said more than half of the organisation’s maintenance bills for the six ambulances it operates were for “body work” after being hit from behind.
“Of the RM29,000 spent on repairs last year, almost RM15,000 was used for body work. That’s a huge sum for a non-governmental organisation.”
Inconsiderate motorists who tailgate ambulances responding to emergencies were the main culprits.
“They are oblivious to the danger to themselves, the ambulance crew and patient either in the ambulance or at the scene, due to the delay any accident will cause,” said Venukopalan.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Noel Silas Savarimuthu said in most instances, the culprits did not even bother to stop.
“There is little we can do if we are responding to an emergency; people’s lives are at stake and every second counts.”
He said there had been instances of EMTs being injured when their ambulance was hit from behind by other vehicles.
The society also bemoaned the fact that motorists did not follow the rules when it came to emergency lanes.
The fact that motorists used the emergency lane as “just another lane” during traffic jams, coupled with some who ignored sirens on emergency vehicles, added to the response time for EMTs.
The society believed the problem was in education and enforcement.
Venukopalan said the right response to an ambulance with its siren blaring and beacons flashing was not addressed in the syllabus of local driving tests or current road laws.
“Even the use of sirens and beacons, once reserved for the police, Fire and Rescue Department and ambulances, seems to have been extended to commercial vehicles such as hearses, trucks and buses.”
Venukopalan said the subject should be introduced to future generations of drivers while they are in school.
“The subject should be broached during primary school, reinforced while they study for driving tests and enforced strictly by the enforcement authorities.”
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Unregistered clinic: Doctor’s wife files application to reduce fine
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: The wife of a doctor who is in jail after failing to settle a RM120,000 fine has filed a revision to reduce the amount.
Norliza Hassan, 44, has also applied for her husband to be released on a good behaviour bond.
Her husband, Dr Basmullah Yusoff, was found guilty of operating his clinic, Pusat Perubatan Al Hilal Sdn Bhd in Kampung Pandan, which was not registered.
He became the first doctor in the country to be convicted under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 Act for operating an unregistered clinic.
He was fined RM120,000 or three months’ jail. He could not raise the amount and has been serving his sentence at the Kajang Prison since Jan 19.
Norliza, a canteen worker, made the application through her counsel Karpal Singh at the High Court registry yesterday.
She named the public prosecutor as the respondent.
Karpal said he had filed a notice of urgency for the application to be heard tomorrow.
In her supporting affidavit, Norliza claimed her husband was unrepresented and was not informed of the maximum fine.
She said the Sessions Court should have informed him of the hefty fine so that he could seek legal aid.
Norliza also claimed that her husband, in a written mitigation, had stated he was unable to raise the RM120,000 fine or pay it in instalments.
Norliza, who was present during the filing, said an enforcement officer from the Health Ministry had posed as a patient before nabbing her husband.
“My husband was treated like a criminal, seeing the number of enforcement officers who raided the clinic,” she said, adding that Dr Basmullah had been operating the clinic for 19 years.
Norliza claimed that her husband did not know the requirement of the Health Ministry to have the clinic registered.
Former Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek had appealed to doctors not to blame him for Dr Basmullah’s jail sentence.
He had said the legislation was to weed out bogus doctors who posed a threat to public health and safety.
“I wanted to ensure that genuine doctors were registered. My paramount concern was patients’ safety.
“We are talking about people’s health and lives,” he had said.
He claimed the ministry had given ample time for doctors to register their clinics.
Under the Act, Dr Basmullah was liable to a maximum fine of RM500,000.
Norliza Hassan, 44, has also applied for her husband to be released on a good behaviour bond.
Her husband, Dr Basmullah Yusoff, was found guilty of operating his clinic, Pusat Perubatan Al Hilal Sdn Bhd in Kampung Pandan, which was not registered.
He became the first doctor in the country to be convicted under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 Act for operating an unregistered clinic.
He was fined RM120,000 or three months’ jail. He could not raise the amount and has been serving his sentence at the Kajang Prison since Jan 19.
Norliza, a canteen worker, made the application through her counsel Karpal Singh at the High Court registry yesterday.
She named the public prosecutor as the respondent.
Karpal said he had filed a notice of urgency for the application to be heard tomorrow.
In her supporting affidavit, Norliza claimed her husband was unrepresented and was not informed of the maximum fine.
She said the Sessions Court should have informed him of the hefty fine so that he could seek legal aid.
Norliza also claimed that her husband, in a written mitigation, had stated he was unable to raise the RM120,000 fine or pay it in instalments.
Norliza, who was present during the filing, said an enforcement officer from the Health Ministry had posed as a patient before nabbing her husband.
“My husband was treated like a criminal, seeing the number of enforcement officers who raided the clinic,” she said, adding that Dr Basmullah had been operating the clinic for 19 years.
Norliza claimed that her husband did not know the requirement of the Health Ministry to have the clinic registered.
Former Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek had appealed to doctors not to blame him for Dr Basmullah’s jail sentence.
He had said the legislation was to weed out bogus doctors who posed a threat to public health and safety.
“I wanted to ensure that genuine doctors were registered. My paramount concern was patients’ safety.
“We are talking about people’s health and lives,” he had said.
He claimed the ministry had given ample time for doctors to register their clinics.
Under the Act, Dr Basmullah was liable to a maximum fine of RM500,000.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Health department steps up checks on foodstuff
Star: JOHOR BARU: The state health department has intensified inspections in a bid to ensure that all festive foodstuff sold is safe for consumption.
An operation, codenamed Ops Shu 2008, began on Jan 24 targeting supermarkets, mini markets and sundry shops in Johor and will go on till the Chinese New Year.
Up to Jan 31, the department had checked 116 premises and sent food samples for analysis.
Johor health director Dr Marzukhi Md Isa said 17 of the 77 samples tested for boric acid were positive.
He said the foodstuff included yellow noodles, koay teow, Nyonya kuih and bak chang and the people responsible would be charged for preparing or selling food containing substances injurious to health.
If convicted, a person can be fined not more than RM100,000 or jailed for up to 10 years or both.
“We also sent 22 samples for beta agonist tests but the results have yet to be finalised,” he told a press conference at his office here yesterday.
He said imported products such as fruits, mushroom, waxed duck and seaweed would be tested for pesticides, colouring, preservatives and heavy metals.
Dr Marzukhi said his officers also seized 620 cans of foodstuff worth some RM78,000 from the premises.
“The canned foods seized were dented, expired or were found to have labelling problems,” he said, adding these products would be destroyed.
Dr Marzukhi said the department would also step up checks on the cleanliness of premises selling food, including restaurants and hawker centres.
An operation, codenamed Ops Shu 2008, began on Jan 24 targeting supermarkets, mini markets and sundry shops in Johor and will go on till the Chinese New Year.
Up to Jan 31, the department had checked 116 premises and sent food samples for analysis.
Johor health director Dr Marzukhi Md Isa said 17 of the 77 samples tested for boric acid were positive.
He said the foodstuff included yellow noodles, koay teow, Nyonya kuih and bak chang and the people responsible would be charged for preparing or selling food containing substances injurious to health.
If convicted, a person can be fined not more than RM100,000 or jailed for up to 10 years or both.
“We also sent 22 samples for beta agonist tests but the results have yet to be finalised,” he told a press conference at his office here yesterday.
He said imported products such as fruits, mushroom, waxed duck and seaweed would be tested for pesticides, colouring, preservatives and heavy metals.
Dr Marzukhi said his officers also seized 620 cans of foodstuff worth some RM78,000 from the premises.
“The canned foods seized were dented, expired or were found to have labelling problems,” he said, adding these products would be destroyed.
Dr Marzukhi said the department would also step up checks on the cleanliness of premises selling food, including restaurants and hawker centres.
Must-do stint for ‘beauty docs’
Star: PUTRAJAYA: Doctors who practise aesthetic medicine will have to go through a training module to ensure they are suitably qualified. And it could take up to three years.
The Health Ministry will soon draw up a training module for aesthetic medicine and doctors who undergo the programme will be acknowledged as specialists.
Its director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said the ministry and The Academy of Medicine Malaysia did not recognise the field as a sub-speciality now.
“While this is pending, we will not allow a person to call himself an aesthetic specialist,” he told reporters yesterday.
And clinics that use the word “aesthetic” on their signboards must remove it. They could, however, include it in their list of services, he added.
“All doctors have to undergo this three year training locally and overseas before they can claim to be a sub specialist,” Dr Ismail said.
He also revealed a case where a doctor underwent a five-day course and received a certificate.
An additional five days gained him a diploma, he added.
“We have characters like that in our midst,” he said.
From now on, doctors who offer aesthetic procedures must produce proof of their training and qualifications to the ministry’s medical practice division before they are allowed to carry out the procedures.
Currently, 60 establishments have applied for the approval.
“Our role is not to be restrictive but it is our responsibility to the public. Patient safety overrides everything else,” Dr Ismail added.
The Health Ministry will soon draw up a training module for aesthetic medicine and doctors who undergo the programme will be acknowledged as specialists.
Its director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said the ministry and The Academy of Medicine Malaysia did not recognise the field as a sub-speciality now.
“While this is pending, we will not allow a person to call himself an aesthetic specialist,” he told reporters yesterday.
And clinics that use the word “aesthetic” on their signboards must remove it. They could, however, include it in their list of services, he added.
“All doctors have to undergo this three year training locally and overseas before they can claim to be a sub specialist,” Dr Ismail said.
He also revealed a case where a doctor underwent a five-day course and received a certificate.
An additional five days gained him a diploma, he added.
“We have characters like that in our midst,” he said.
From now on, doctors who offer aesthetic procedures must produce proof of their training and qualifications to the ministry’s medical practice division before they are allowed to carry out the procedures.
Currently, 60 establishments have applied for the approval.
“Our role is not to be restrictive but it is our responsibility to the public. Patient safety overrides everything else,” Dr Ismail added.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Doctor chose to go to jail
NST: PUTRAJAYA: The doctor who is behind bars for three months for failing to pay a RM120,000 fine over his unregistered clinic preferred jail to paying the amount in instalments.
Dr Basmullah Yusom declined the Health Ministry's offer to stay out of jail.
Director-General of Health Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said the offer was made to the doctor by the ministry's prosecuting officer.
"It's not that we do not care for doctors or are unsympathetic to them," he said when asked about the strong feelings within the medical fraternity over Dr Basmullah's imprisonment.
Dr Ismail said it was time the ministry put the facts straight on the doctor's case.
"I want the medical fraternity and public to know what exactly happened."
He said action against the Al Hilal Polyclinic and Dr Basmullah was based on a complaint from a legal firm in May 2006.
Among others, he said, the complainant demanded to know the status of the clinic.
"Investigations confirmed that the clinic was unregistered. About the same period, ministry enforcement teams raided unregistered clinics owned by businessmen in Seremban, Klang and other towns and sealed them," he said.
Former Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek brought the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 (Act 586) into force on May 1, 2006.
Doctors did not want the act passed especially as they could become "criminals" if prosecuted by the ministry for specific offences.
The ministry has so far approved the registration of 6,322 clinics, 1,439 dental clinics and 51 clinics which offer aesthetic procedures.
Dr Ismail said this spoke volumes of the support from the majority of doctors.
He said Dr Basmullah could have registered his clinic after his clinic was sealed on July 11, last year but did not do so.
"Despite the sealing, Dr Basmullah did not take the initiative to register. He also chose not to be represented in court. He pleaded guilty to the charge."
He said the ministry viewed the matter as a landmark case in efforts to regulate the medical care sector.
"If Dr Basmullah feels he has been harshly sentenced by the Sessions Court, he has the right to appeal to a higher court," he added.
Dr Basmullah, 44, pleaded guilty to operating the Al-Hilal Medical Centre Sdn Bhd at 55, Jalan 5/76B, Desa Pandan off Jalan Kampung Pandan since 1998. The father of eight, who claimed he could not raise the fine, is serving his sentence at the Kajang Prison.
Dr Basmullah Yusom declined the Health Ministry's offer to stay out of jail.
Director-General of Health Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said the offer was made to the doctor by the ministry's prosecuting officer.
"It's not that we do not care for doctors or are unsympathetic to them," he said when asked about the strong feelings within the medical fraternity over Dr Basmullah's imprisonment.
Dr Ismail said it was time the ministry put the facts straight on the doctor's case.
"I want the medical fraternity and public to know what exactly happened."
He said action against the Al Hilal Polyclinic and Dr Basmullah was based on a complaint from a legal firm in May 2006.
Among others, he said, the complainant demanded to know the status of the clinic.
"Investigations confirmed that the clinic was unregistered. About the same period, ministry enforcement teams raided unregistered clinics owned by businessmen in Seremban, Klang and other towns and sealed them," he said.
Former Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek brought the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 (Act 586) into force on May 1, 2006.
Doctors did not want the act passed especially as they could become "criminals" if prosecuted by the ministry for specific offences.
The ministry has so far approved the registration of 6,322 clinics, 1,439 dental clinics and 51 clinics which offer aesthetic procedures.
Dr Ismail said this spoke volumes of the support from the majority of doctors.
He said Dr Basmullah could have registered his clinic after his clinic was sealed on July 11, last year but did not do so.
"Despite the sealing, Dr Basmullah did not take the initiative to register. He also chose not to be represented in court. He pleaded guilty to the charge."
He said the ministry viewed the matter as a landmark case in efforts to regulate the medical care sector.
"If Dr Basmullah feels he has been harshly sentenced by the Sessions Court, he has the right to appeal to a higher court," he added.
Dr Basmullah, 44, pleaded guilty to operating the Al-Hilal Medical Centre Sdn Bhd at 55, Jalan 5/76B, Desa Pandan off Jalan Kampung Pandan since 1998. The father of eight, who claimed he could not raise the fine, is serving his sentence at the Kajang Prison.
Doctors cannot use 'aesthetic' on signboards
NST: PUTRAJAYA: A rose by any other name may smell just as sweet but the saying certainly does not apply to Malaysian doctors.
The Health Ministry has decided not to allow medical practitioners to use the word "aesthetic" on signboards to describe themselves.
The most they can do is list down aesthetic procedures on their signboards -- after approval from the ministry.
To date, 60 doctors have applied to practise aesthetic procedures with the ministry yet to decide on the matter.
Director-General of Health Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said the term "aesthetic specialist" was misleading as "there is no such entity in the medical field".
"Clinics that offer such services must produce evidence that the doctor has specialised training that tallies with requirements set by the ministry's medical practice division.
"If a doctor meets the standards and has an accredited certification, then we will allow him to offer the services. I must stress that doctors' priority when treating patients is their safety. The ministry will not compromise on this."
Dr Ismail said doctors must undergo a three-year sub-speciality course before operating on patients.
"Only then are they actually qualified to perform aesthetic surgeries," he told a press conference.
He said patients had the right to choose the mode of treatment or procedures to be used for the purpose of improving their physical appearance and general well-being.
The decision comes in the wake of discussions between ministry officials and the Malaysian Medical Council, Malaysian Dental Council, Malaysian Medical Association, the Academy of Medicine Malaysia, Malaysian Association of Plastics, Aesthetic and Craniomaxillofacial Surgeons, Society for Anti-Aging and Aesthetic Medicine Malaysia and Malaysian Society of Aesthetic Medicine.
The meeting was held following an increase in the number of botched cosmetic surgeries performed by unqualified people.
Dr Ismail said the meeting also decided to develop a structured training module for aesthetic practice.
"The relevant societies have expressed their willingness to develop the module.
"This will be beneficial to local medical practitioners interested in aesthetic practice by serving as an alternative to courses commonly conducted by foreign aesthetic experts," he added.
He was aware of doctors who attended a three- to five- day course on aesthetic procedures before operating on patients.
Dr Ismail said problems over terminology used to describe doctors handling the aesthetic aspect of health would be resolved with the tabling of the Cosmetology Act in parliament later this year.
On the fate of the orthopaedic surgeon who operated on the wife of Labuan MP Datin Fatimah Wan Chik, Dr Ismail said he had been directed to submit his qualifications to the ministry.
"He has yet to submit them. We will have to ascertain if he had the proper qualifications and competency to perform cosmetic surgeries."
He said checks were also being conducted on whether the doctors's clinic in Klang had a licence to be used for such surgery.
Fatimah, who underwent surgery for removal of eyebags, a liposuction and a tummy tuck on Jan 9, is still in a coma at a private hospital here.
The Health Ministry has decided not to allow medical practitioners to use the word "aesthetic" on signboards to describe themselves.
The most they can do is list down aesthetic procedures on their signboards -- after approval from the ministry.
To date, 60 doctors have applied to practise aesthetic procedures with the ministry yet to decide on the matter.
Director-General of Health Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said the term "aesthetic specialist" was misleading as "there is no such entity in the medical field".
"Clinics that offer such services must produce evidence that the doctor has specialised training that tallies with requirements set by the ministry's medical practice division.
"If a doctor meets the standards and has an accredited certification, then we will allow him to offer the services. I must stress that doctors' priority when treating patients is their safety. The ministry will not compromise on this."
Dr Ismail said doctors must undergo a three-year sub-speciality course before operating on patients.
"Only then are they actually qualified to perform aesthetic surgeries," he told a press conference.
He said patients had the right to choose the mode of treatment or procedures to be used for the purpose of improving their physical appearance and general well-being.
The decision comes in the wake of discussions between ministry officials and the Malaysian Medical Council, Malaysian Dental Council, Malaysian Medical Association, the Academy of Medicine Malaysia, Malaysian Association of Plastics, Aesthetic and Craniomaxillofacial Surgeons, Society for Anti-Aging and Aesthetic Medicine Malaysia and Malaysian Society of Aesthetic Medicine.
The meeting was held following an increase in the number of botched cosmetic surgeries performed by unqualified people.
Dr Ismail said the meeting also decided to develop a structured training module for aesthetic practice.
"The relevant societies have expressed their willingness to develop the module.
"This will be beneficial to local medical practitioners interested in aesthetic practice by serving as an alternative to courses commonly conducted by foreign aesthetic experts," he added.
He was aware of doctors who attended a three- to five- day course on aesthetic procedures before operating on patients.
Dr Ismail said problems over terminology used to describe doctors handling the aesthetic aspect of health would be resolved with the tabling of the Cosmetology Act in parliament later this year.
On the fate of the orthopaedic surgeon who operated on the wife of Labuan MP Datin Fatimah Wan Chik, Dr Ismail said he had been directed to submit his qualifications to the ministry.
"He has yet to submit them. We will have to ascertain if he had the proper qualifications and competency to perform cosmetic surgeries."
He said checks were also being conducted on whether the doctors's clinic in Klang had a licence to be used for such surgery.
Fatimah, who underwent surgery for removal of eyebags, a liposuction and a tummy tuck on Jan 9, is still in a coma at a private hospital here.
Aesthetic medicine to be officially recognised
Star: PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry will draw up a training module for aesthetic medicine that will see medical practitioners who undertake the programme being acknowledged as specialists.
Its director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said currently the ministry and The Academy of Medicine Malaysia did not recognise the field as a sub-speciality.
He said stakeholders including professional bodies and associations would draw up a proposal to be presented to the ministry.
They included the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC), Malaysian Dental Council, Malaysia Medical Association, The Academy of Medicine Malaysia, Malaysian Association of Plastics, Aesthetic and Craniomaxillofacial Surgeons and Malaysian Society of Aesthetic Medicine.
A committee at the ministry would look into the recommendations.
"So, while this is pending, we will not allow a person to call himself an aesthetic specialist," he told reporters on Thursday.
"With the training module, it becomes a recognised sub-speciality with a three-year training scheme. All sub-specialists have to undergo this training locally and overseas before they can come back and claim to be sub-specialists." Dr Ismail said there were cases where the practitioner went for a five-day course and received a certificate. An additional five days gained him a diploma.
"We have characters like that in our midst," he said.
Dr Ismail added that with immediate effect, medical practitioners who currently offered aesthetic practices were required to produce evidence of their training and qualifications to the ministry's medical practice division before being allowed to carry out the procedures.
Its director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said currently the ministry and The Academy of Medicine Malaysia did not recognise the field as a sub-speciality.
He said stakeholders including professional bodies and associations would draw up a proposal to be presented to the ministry.
They included the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC), Malaysian Dental Council, Malaysia Medical Association, The Academy of Medicine Malaysia, Malaysian Association of Plastics, Aesthetic and Craniomaxillofacial Surgeons and Malaysian Society of Aesthetic Medicine.
A committee at the ministry would look into the recommendations.
"So, while this is pending, we will not allow a person to call himself an aesthetic specialist," he told reporters on Thursday.
"With the training module, it becomes a recognised sub-speciality with a three-year training scheme. All sub-specialists have to undergo this training locally and overseas before they can come back and claim to be sub-specialists." Dr Ismail said there were cases where the practitioner went for a five-day course and received a certificate. An additional five days gained him a diploma.
"We have characters like that in our midst," he said.
Dr Ismail added that with immediate effect, medical practitioners who currently offered aesthetic practices were required to produce evidence of their training and qualifications to the ministry's medical practice division before being allowed to carry out the procedures.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Do research and get opinions, say experts
NST: LASER and cosmetic consultant Dr Kuladeva Ratnam advises his patients to get as many opinions as they can.
Dr Ratnam, who has a private practice in Bangsar, believes that while the Health Ministry is playing its role in weeding out bogus operators, patients owe it to themselves to do some checking.
"All surgical procedures come with risks, but it is important to choose a surgeon who is able to handle any complication in the event of an emergency," he said.
Patients should demand a medical screening and allergy tests before going under the knife.
Said consultant occupational physician Dr Alice Prethima: "If you are scheduled for a nip and tuck and your surgeon has not asked for your medical records, this is a clear sign that he does not have your best interest at heart."
Many are unaware of the allergies they have, especially to antibiotics. There is also a possibility of being "hyper" to foreign substances that may cause complications.
With silicone and other fillers easily available, people need to be extra cautious.
"I was shocked when a woman with a bag full of liquid walked into my clinic requesting to be injected with whatever she had brought with her," Dr Alice said.
The substance turned out to be an industrial-type silicone, not for use on humans. It was claimed the liquid could enhance the breasts, hips or buttocks.
Dr Alice says that in most botched nip and tuck cases, the patients cannot identify the product that was used, making it all the more difficult to address the problem.
"Any good substance for cosmetic purposes should be sterile-packed and easily identifiable from the packaging.
"We are in an 'information age' where there is ample opportunity to do your own research and learn from other people's experiences through websites and forums."
Dr Alice warns against trying to mimic cosmetic procedures done on friends and family, as each person's body and cells react differently.
"For someone who is overweight, I would advise against having liposuction. This procedure is for clearing 'difficult' fats and not for changing your overall body shape.
"In this instance, non-invasive procedures should be considered before taking such a big risk under the knife."
When choosing the surgeon, she suggests that the patient insists on speaking to the attending doctor directly and not the receptionist or "consultant".
"Most beauty consultants work by commission and are in competition to win over customers. There are reports of clients receiving contradictory advice from the same clinic.
"Any Tom, Dick and Harry can be trained, but it is in the face of complications when the truth is revealed."
Lee Swee Seng, a mediator with Medical Defence Malaysia, says people should conduct research before any surgery.
"Do your research for whatever it is worth. Get second opinions if necessary. The Internet has proven to be a valuable avenue for information.
"It wouldn't hurt to ask the doctor if you could get in touch with one of his clients to find out about the surgery."
Dr Ratnam, who has a private practice in Bangsar, believes that while the Health Ministry is playing its role in weeding out bogus operators, patients owe it to themselves to do some checking.
"All surgical procedures come with risks, but it is important to choose a surgeon who is able to handle any complication in the event of an emergency," he said.
Patients should demand a medical screening and allergy tests before going under the knife.
Said consultant occupational physician Dr Alice Prethima: "If you are scheduled for a nip and tuck and your surgeon has not asked for your medical records, this is a clear sign that he does not have your best interest at heart."
Many are unaware of the allergies they have, especially to antibiotics. There is also a possibility of being "hyper" to foreign substances that may cause complications.
With silicone and other fillers easily available, people need to be extra cautious.
"I was shocked when a woman with a bag full of liquid walked into my clinic requesting to be injected with whatever she had brought with her," Dr Alice said.
The substance turned out to be an industrial-type silicone, not for use on humans. It was claimed the liquid could enhance the breasts, hips or buttocks.
Dr Alice says that in most botched nip and tuck cases, the patients cannot identify the product that was used, making it all the more difficult to address the problem.
"Any good substance for cosmetic purposes should be sterile-packed and easily identifiable from the packaging.
"We are in an 'information age' where there is ample opportunity to do your own research and learn from other people's experiences through websites and forums."
Dr Alice warns against trying to mimic cosmetic procedures done on friends and family, as each person's body and cells react differently.
"For someone who is overweight, I would advise against having liposuction. This procedure is for clearing 'difficult' fats and not for changing your overall body shape.
"In this instance, non-invasive procedures should be considered before taking such a big risk under the knife."
When choosing the surgeon, she suggests that the patient insists on speaking to the attending doctor directly and not the receptionist or "consultant".
"Most beauty consultants work by commission and are in competition to win over customers. There are reports of clients receiving contradictory advice from the same clinic.
"Any Tom, Dick and Harry can be trained, but it is in the face of complications when the truth is revealed."
Lee Swee Seng, a mediator with Medical Defence Malaysia, says people should conduct research before any surgery.
"Do your research for whatever it is worth. Get second opinions if necessary. The Internet has proven to be a valuable avenue for information.
"It wouldn't hurt to ask the doctor if you could get in touch with one of his clients to find out about the surgery."
Courting misery with a nip and tuck
NST: SHE wanted big breasts but ended up without breasts.
Twenty-eight-year-old Anna Teoh (name changed to protect her identity) never failed to get flattering looks from men and women, yet she was dissatisfied. She felt bigger breasts would make her even more attractive and decided on breast augmentation.
She chose a doctor who came highly recommended by friends. The doctor, she was told, was from Taiwan and was in Kuala Lumpur on a holiday.
After the operation, Teoh started feeling sore. But she ignored it as the "surgeon" had warned her it was to be expected. After a few sleepless nights and days of pain, she noticed that her breasts were swollen and painful to the touch. Worse, pus was oozing at the area operated on.
She rushed to a hospital, where she underwent an emergency double mastectomy because of severe infection.
Teoh's story is but one example of how the quest for beauty can go horribly wrong.
The MCA Public Service and Complaints Department has received more than 10 complaints of cosmetic surgeries going awry, according to its head Datuk Michael Chong.
"The problem is, some of these women did not go to a properly certified surgeon. They sought out 'doctors' or 'surgeons' through advertisements in the newspaper. In some cases, the 'doctors' had conspired with beauticians to be recommended to potential customers.
"When the patients realise their lives are in danger, they seek our help and we refer them for medical treatment, or for legal advice when the cases involved certified surgeons."
He said these women would go for the surgery even when it was done in places such as hotel rooms, the backroom of a beauty salon or a house.
"No self-respecting doctor or surgeon would operate in hotel rooms. But these women choose to listen to their friends or to beauticians."
Faced with this problem, the Health Ministry ruled last October that breast implants, liposuction, eyelid surgery, laser and light-based therapies and hair transplants should not be done by private general practitioners.
The restriction also extended to the use of Vitamin C, placental extract, stem cells and growth hormones by these "physicians".
This, it appears, has had little effect, and the ministry is working on several proposals and drafts to amend the law.
In the meantime, it is business as usual for these "wellness" centres, beauty salons and "physicians". One company even promises a one-stop shop for "your every need".
One reason why some women prefer to have cosmetic surgery done by general practitioners or "physicians" at beauty parlours or hotel rooms is that it is cheaper.
According to lawyer P.S. Ranjan, a consultant in medical ethics, some patients were penny-wise and pound foolish. "They plan to save money when they go for such treatments, but basically they get what they pay for.
"They should go to someone with the proper qualifications and experience. Beauticians and traditional healers claim to do all sorts of things. These quacks and charlatans should be dealt with severely. Patients should be clear of who they are going to and have reasonable expectations."
He said cosmetic surgery had therapeutic value as it could make people happy.
"In some cases, it can improve the patient's quality of life. But, sometimes, what they really need is not a cosmetic surgeon but a good friend, counsellor, husband or boyfriend."
Added Ranjan, "You should not live by others' expectations. Symmetry is one of the things cosmetic aspects are concerned with, but all of us are asymmetrical. You can learn to live with perceived defects. After all, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder."
Twenty-eight-year-old Anna Teoh (name changed to protect her identity) never failed to get flattering looks from men and women, yet she was dissatisfied. She felt bigger breasts would make her even more attractive and decided on breast augmentation.
She chose a doctor who came highly recommended by friends. The doctor, she was told, was from Taiwan and was in Kuala Lumpur on a holiday.
After the operation, Teoh started feeling sore. But she ignored it as the "surgeon" had warned her it was to be expected. After a few sleepless nights and days of pain, she noticed that her breasts were swollen and painful to the touch. Worse, pus was oozing at the area operated on.
She rushed to a hospital, where she underwent an emergency double mastectomy because of severe infection.
Teoh's story is but one example of how the quest for beauty can go horribly wrong.
The MCA Public Service and Complaints Department has received more than 10 complaints of cosmetic surgeries going awry, according to its head Datuk Michael Chong.
"The problem is, some of these women did not go to a properly certified surgeon. They sought out 'doctors' or 'surgeons' through advertisements in the newspaper. In some cases, the 'doctors' had conspired with beauticians to be recommended to potential customers.
"When the patients realise their lives are in danger, they seek our help and we refer them for medical treatment, or for legal advice when the cases involved certified surgeons."
He said these women would go for the surgery even when it was done in places such as hotel rooms, the backroom of a beauty salon or a house.
"No self-respecting doctor or surgeon would operate in hotel rooms. But these women choose to listen to their friends or to beauticians."
Faced with this problem, the Health Ministry ruled last October that breast implants, liposuction, eyelid surgery, laser and light-based therapies and hair transplants should not be done by private general practitioners.
The restriction also extended to the use of Vitamin C, placental extract, stem cells and growth hormones by these "physicians".
This, it appears, has had little effect, and the ministry is working on several proposals and drafts to amend the law.
In the meantime, it is business as usual for these "wellness" centres, beauty salons and "physicians". One company even promises a one-stop shop for "your every need".
One reason why some women prefer to have cosmetic surgery done by general practitioners or "physicians" at beauty parlours or hotel rooms is that it is cheaper.
According to lawyer P.S. Ranjan, a consultant in medical ethics, some patients were penny-wise and pound foolish. "They plan to save money when they go for such treatments, but basically they get what they pay for.
"They should go to someone with the proper qualifications and experience. Beauticians and traditional healers claim to do all sorts of things. These quacks and charlatans should be dealt with severely. Patients should be clear of who they are going to and have reasonable expectations."
He said cosmetic surgery had therapeutic value as it could make people happy.
"In some cases, it can improve the patient's quality of life. But, sometimes, what they really need is not a cosmetic surgeon but a good friend, counsellor, husband or boyfriend."
Added Ranjan, "You should not live by others' expectations. Symmetry is one of the things cosmetic aspects are concerned with, but all of us are asymmetrical. You can learn to live with perceived defects. After all, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder."
D-G: Heal the holistic way with behavioural medicine
Star: PENANG: Medical practitioners should invest in and adopt behavioural medicine to treat and curb illnesses, Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said.
He said studies have proven that the application of behavioural medicine in treating patients resulted in positive outcomes.
“There is need to develop a multidiscipline medical care system. Behavioural medicine is the interdisciplinary field concerned with the psychosocial aspect of illnesses, health and healing. It promotes spiritual and mental well-being that are crucial to a person’s physical well being,” he said in his keynote address at the Conference of Behavioural Medicine.
“It is a holistic way to treat illnesses and the Health Ministry has established the Institution of Behavioural Research and introduced tradition and contemporary medicine, where behavioural medicine is the key element, in three hospitals.”
Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan, who attended the conference on behalf of Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, said the change of approach to behavioural medicine was appropriate.
“Life and work have become more competitive and stressful. It changes the kinds of illnesses we have to deal with,” he said, adding that holistic methods of treatment were needed to treat and curb such diseases.
He said studies have proven that the application of behavioural medicine in treating patients resulted in positive outcomes.
“There is need to develop a multidiscipline medical care system. Behavioural medicine is the interdisciplinary field concerned with the psychosocial aspect of illnesses, health and healing. It promotes spiritual and mental well-being that are crucial to a person’s physical well being,” he said in his keynote address at the Conference of Behavioural Medicine.
“It is a holistic way to treat illnesses and the Health Ministry has established the Institution of Behavioural Research and introduced tradition and contemporary medicine, where behavioural medicine is the key element, in three hospitals.”
Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan, who attended the conference on behalf of Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, said the change of approach to behavioural medicine was appropriate.
“Life and work have become more competitive and stressful. It changes the kinds of illnesses we have to deal with,” he said, adding that holistic methods of treatment were needed to treat and curb such diseases.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Brush teeth well, beat heart woes
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: People who do not brush their teeth properly may be putting themselves greater at risk of developing heart diseases.
The Health Ministry's Oral Health Division director, Datin Dr Norain Abu Taib, said there was increasing evidence of the relationship between oral bacteria and life-threatening conditions, such as heart diseases, diabetes and respiratory ailments.
She added that periodontal diseases, in particular, were a life-threatening health risk.
Dr Norain said this when she launched an Oral-B "Plaque-Free Malaysia" campaign at the Giant hypermarket in Bandar Kinrara yesterday.
She said studies had also found that gum diseases could increase a person's risk of developing diabetes.
"In Malaysia, the number of people with diabetes is increasing and it is important to make people aware of this link between oral infections and systemic diseases."
The National Oral Health Survey of Adults found in 2000 that only 9.8 per cent of Malaysians had healthy gums.
"Clearly, the oral health messages and oral hygiene instructions received in our younger days need to be regularly reinforced to ensure continued compliance."
The Oral-B campaign hoped to raise awareness on the importance of choosing the right toothbrush and brushing techniques.
Shoppers at Giant can take an Oral-B test to check their plaque.
"I wouldn't have realised my problem with plaque because you can't see it with your naked eye," said Jay Chong, 28, after the test.
The campaign booth will be open until Thursday.
The Health Ministry's Oral Health Division director, Datin Dr Norain Abu Taib, said there was increasing evidence of the relationship between oral bacteria and life-threatening conditions, such as heart diseases, diabetes and respiratory ailments.
She added that periodontal diseases, in particular, were a life-threatening health risk.
Dr Norain said this when she launched an Oral-B "Plaque-Free Malaysia" campaign at the Giant hypermarket in Bandar Kinrara yesterday.
She said studies had also found that gum diseases could increase a person's risk of developing diabetes.
"In Malaysia, the number of people with diabetes is increasing and it is important to make people aware of this link between oral infections and systemic diseases."
The National Oral Health Survey of Adults found in 2000 that only 9.8 per cent of Malaysians had healthy gums.
"Clearly, the oral health messages and oral hygiene instructions received in our younger days need to be regularly reinforced to ensure continued compliance."
The Oral-B campaign hoped to raise awareness on the importance of choosing the right toothbrush and brushing techniques.
Shoppers at Giant can take an Oral-B test to check their plaque.
"I wouldn't have realised my problem with plaque because you can't see it with your naked eye," said Jay Chong, 28, after the test.
The campaign booth will be open until Thursday.
The bad and ugly side
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: Smoking will be banned in more public places, among them the National Service training camps.
This squeeze on smokers is part of the government's efforts to reduce their numbers. Appearing soon will be pictures depicting smoking hazards on cigarette packs.
The Health Ministry's parliamentary secretary, Datuk Lee Kah Choon, said it was difficult to have a 100 per cent smoke-free environment.
Hence, by increasing the number of non-smoking areas, the government hopes smokers will kick the habit.
"Every year, we get about 100,000 NS trainees and we want to educate them about leading a healthy lifestyle."
He declined to give a time-frame on the smoking ban in NS training camps, but said the authorities were working towards this.
Lee said his ministry was working with the Human Resource Ministry on plans to make all workplaces smoke-free. "It will take time to draw up the regulations, so I cannot give any target.
"Cigarette smoke deprives everyone of a clean and healthy environment. I hope the day will come when non-smokers can sue smokers for the damage caused by secondhand smoke."
He added that the government was confident the public would eventually accept a smoke-free environment as a natural thing, just like non-smoking flights.
The government plans to reduce the number of smokers through a comprehensive programme, which includes education in schools, enforcement and stop-smoking assistance, such as the ministry's information line (03-88834400) and the 105 "quit smoking" clinics nationwide.
The ministry is planning to have pictures showing the results of smoking on cigarette packs. Currently, cigarette packs carry a warning on the side panel.
Malaysia, which ratified the World Health Organisation's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2005, is required to display warning messages on at least 30 per cent of the cover of cigarette packets.
In Thailand and Singapore, which are also party to the FCTC, warning pictures such as unflattering teeth and a patient with damaged lungs are on the cigarette packets.
Lee said the government faced a battle with tobacco companies whenever they tried to reduce the price of cigarettes. "When the price is reduced, the young may be encouraged to pick up the habit."
This squeeze on smokers is part of the government's efforts to reduce their numbers. Appearing soon will be pictures depicting smoking hazards on cigarette packs.
The Health Ministry's parliamentary secretary, Datuk Lee Kah Choon, said it was difficult to have a 100 per cent smoke-free environment.
Hence, by increasing the number of non-smoking areas, the government hopes smokers will kick the habit.
"Every year, we get about 100,000 NS trainees and we want to educate them about leading a healthy lifestyle."
He declined to give a time-frame on the smoking ban in NS training camps, but said the authorities were working towards this.
Lee said his ministry was working with the Human Resource Ministry on plans to make all workplaces smoke-free. "It will take time to draw up the regulations, so I cannot give any target.
"Cigarette smoke deprives everyone of a clean and healthy environment. I hope the day will come when non-smokers can sue smokers for the damage caused by secondhand smoke."
He added that the government was confident the public would eventually accept a smoke-free environment as a natural thing, just like non-smoking flights.
The government plans to reduce the number of smokers through a comprehensive programme, which includes education in schools, enforcement and stop-smoking assistance, such as the ministry's information line (03-88834400) and the 105 "quit smoking" clinics nationwide.
The ministry is planning to have pictures showing the results of smoking on cigarette packs. Currently, cigarette packs carry a warning on the side panel.
Malaysia, which ratified the World Health Organisation's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2005, is required to display warning messages on at least 30 per cent of the cover of cigarette packets.
In Thailand and Singapore, which are also party to the FCTC, warning pictures such as unflattering teeth and a patient with damaged lungs are on the cigarette packets.
Lee said the government faced a battle with tobacco companies whenever they tried to reduce the price of cigarettes. "When the price is reduced, the young may be encouraged to pick up the habit."
More 'quacks' doing beauty jobs
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: The number of cosmetic surgeries performed by individuals, including doctors, who are not trained in the field, is on the rise.
Dr Peter Wong, president of the Malaysian Association of Plastic, Aesthetic and Craniomaxillofacial Surgeons (MAPACS), said this was regrettable and it had resulted in many cases of botched cosmetic jobs.
"Many patients who are otherwise healthy have become miserable as a result. Even death has been reported," he told the New Straits Times.
He said cosmetic surgery was a very difficult area that required many years of training and experience and it was best done by those who were specialised in the field.
"The public is advised to check on the credentials of the 'doctor' before allowing themselves to be put under the knife, rather than just relying on recommendation or hearsay from someone who may have personal or monetary interests," said Dr Wong.
Commenting on the recent incident where a botched work on a 44-year old Datin has resulted in her fighting for her life, Dr Wong said people should be made aware of the dangers when they went to unqualified doctors.
He supported the efforts by the Health Ministry to check unethical practices by unqualified persons or doctors who had not been trained in the field of plastic and cosmetic surgery.
Dr Wong urged the public to report cases of botched jobs to the authorities so that action could be taken.
Dr Peter Wong, president of the Malaysian Association of Plastic, Aesthetic and Craniomaxillofacial Surgeons (MAPACS), said this was regrettable and it had resulted in many cases of botched cosmetic jobs.
"Many patients who are otherwise healthy have become miserable as a result. Even death has been reported," he told the New Straits Times.
He said cosmetic surgery was a very difficult area that required many years of training and experience and it was best done by those who were specialised in the field.
"The public is advised to check on the credentials of the 'doctor' before allowing themselves to be put under the knife, rather than just relying on recommendation or hearsay from someone who may have personal or monetary interests," said Dr Wong.
Commenting on the recent incident where a botched work on a 44-year old Datin has resulted in her fighting for her life, Dr Wong said people should be made aware of the dangers when they went to unqualified doctors.
He supported the efforts by the Health Ministry to check unethical practices by unqualified persons or doctors who had not been trained in the field of plastic and cosmetic surgery.
Dr Wong urged the public to report cases of botched jobs to the authorities so that action could be taken.
Datin critical after cosmetic surgery
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: The wife of a member of parliament is fighting for her life following a botched cosmetic surgery.
The Health Ministry has picked up a doctor, in his 30s, for questioning.
The 44-year-old woman, a Datin, is now on a life-support machine at a private hospital and her condition is classified as very critical.
All she wanted was to look good. She had an eye bag surgery, a tummy tuck and liposuction. Now, she is unconscious and has been hooked to the life-support machine since last Friday.
"We are investigating the case and action will be taken against the doctor if he is found not qualified to do the surgery or had performed shoddy work," Director-General of Health Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said yesterday.
"If we have strong evidence against him, then he will have to face the consequences. We will not compromise where patient safety is concerned," he told the New Straits Times.
Ministry officials are also checking the status of the clinic and its operating licence to ascertain if it had flouted the Private Healthcare Facilities and Service Act and other regulations.
It is learnt that the Datin had gone to the clinic in Klang on Jan 9 to do an eye-bag surgery and subsequently decided to also get a tummy tuck and liposuction.
It is believed that an orthopaedic surgeon who did a three-week correspondence course in aesthetic medicine performed the almost eight-hour surgery.
The Datin, who encountered complications on the night of the surgery, was rushed to the National Heart Institute (IJN) the following day and later transferred to a private hospital upon request from her family.
A plastic surgeon, who declined to be named, said the woman could have suffered brain damage.
Dr Ismail said the ministry was coming out with guidelines on aesthetic medical practices.
Those who want to go into such practice must have evidence-based training and procedure.
"We do not allow doctors who have completed a three-week correspondence programme to do aesthetic medicine and surgery," he said.
Asked if the surgeon involved in the Datin's case would face the Malaysian Medical Council disciplinary board, Dr Ismail said this would depend on the outcome of the investigation and also if an official complaint was lodged against him.
The Health Ministry has picked up a doctor, in his 30s, for questioning.
The 44-year-old woman, a Datin, is now on a life-support machine at a private hospital and her condition is classified as very critical.
All she wanted was to look good. She had an eye bag surgery, a tummy tuck and liposuction. Now, she is unconscious and has been hooked to the life-support machine since last Friday.
"We are investigating the case and action will be taken against the doctor if he is found not qualified to do the surgery or had performed shoddy work," Director-General of Health Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said yesterday.
"If we have strong evidence against him, then he will have to face the consequences. We will not compromise where patient safety is concerned," he told the New Straits Times.
Ministry officials are also checking the status of the clinic and its operating licence to ascertain if it had flouted the Private Healthcare Facilities and Service Act and other regulations.
It is learnt that the Datin had gone to the clinic in Klang on Jan 9 to do an eye-bag surgery and subsequently decided to also get a tummy tuck and liposuction.
It is believed that an orthopaedic surgeon who did a three-week correspondence course in aesthetic medicine performed the almost eight-hour surgery.
The Datin, who encountered complications on the night of the surgery, was rushed to the National Heart Institute (IJN) the following day and later transferred to a private hospital upon request from her family.
A plastic surgeon, who declined to be named, said the woman could have suffered brain damage.
Dr Ismail said the ministry was coming out with guidelines on aesthetic medical practices.
Those who want to go into such practice must have evidence-based training and procedure.
"We do not allow doctors who have completed a three-week correspondence programme to do aesthetic medicine and surgery," he said.
Asked if the surgeon involved in the Datin's case would face the Malaysian Medical Council disciplinary board, Dr Ismail said this would depend on the outcome of the investigation and also if an official complaint was lodged against him.
Doctor fined RM120,000 for not registering clinic
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: A doctor who has operated his clinic for 10 years without registering it was fined RM120,000 by the Sessions Court yesterday.
Dr Basmullah Yusom earned the dubious reputation of being the first person in the country to be convicted under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998.
Dr Basmullah, 44, had been operating the Al-Hilal Medical Centre Sdn Bhd at No 55, Jalan 5/76B, Desa Pandan, off Jalan Kampung Pandan, since 1998.
The father of eight, who was charged on Dec 13 last year, had pleaded guilty to committing the offence at the premises at 10pm on July 11 last year.
Sentencing was fixed for yesterday. Under the act, he was liable to a maximum fine of RM500,000.
In mitigation, Dr Basmullah, who was unrepresented, pleaded for leniency, saying he did not register his clinic as he wanted to sell it and that he was not the only person running the clinic.
"I have financial problems and I still have to pay RM7,000 for the clinic and RM10,000 in personal loan," he said.
"My wife is not working and I am the sole breadwinner for my family."
Dr Basmullah said he had since moved to Putrajaya claiming it was cheaper to live there and that he had sold his car and was using a motorcycle.
"This financial burden is already a punishment itself for my mistake. I promise not to commit any offence again."
DPP Norfiza Mohamed Noordin from the Health Ministry pressed for a deterrent sentence.
"Unlicensed clinics make it hard for the ministry to monitor them to ensure that they do not illegally sell drugs or conduct illegal abortions. This is to ensure public safety.
"Being busy and having financial problems are not excuses for not registering the clinic," she said.
Judge S.M. Komathy Suppiah fined Dr Basmullah RM120,000 or three months' jail.
At Press time, he had not paid the fine and was taken to the Kajang prison.
Dr Basmullah Yusom earned the dubious reputation of being the first person in the country to be convicted under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998.
Dr Basmullah, 44, had been operating the Al-Hilal Medical Centre Sdn Bhd at No 55, Jalan 5/76B, Desa Pandan, off Jalan Kampung Pandan, since 1998.
The father of eight, who was charged on Dec 13 last year, had pleaded guilty to committing the offence at the premises at 10pm on July 11 last year.
Sentencing was fixed for yesterday. Under the act, he was liable to a maximum fine of RM500,000.
In mitigation, Dr Basmullah, who was unrepresented, pleaded for leniency, saying he did not register his clinic as he wanted to sell it and that he was not the only person running the clinic.
"I have financial problems and I still have to pay RM7,000 for the clinic and RM10,000 in personal loan," he said.
"My wife is not working and I am the sole breadwinner for my family."
Dr Basmullah said he had since moved to Putrajaya claiming it was cheaper to live there and that he had sold his car and was using a motorcycle.
"This financial burden is already a punishment itself for my mistake. I promise not to commit any offence again."
DPP Norfiza Mohamed Noordin from the Health Ministry pressed for a deterrent sentence.
"Unlicensed clinics make it hard for the ministry to monitor them to ensure that they do not illegally sell drugs or conduct illegal abortions. This is to ensure public safety.
"Being busy and having financial problems are not excuses for not registering the clinic," she said.
Judge S.M. Komathy Suppiah fined Dr Basmullah RM120,000 or three months' jail.
At Press time, he had not paid the fine and was taken to the Kajang prison.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Crucial role of homograft banks
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: Besides direct organ transplants from brain-dead patients, selected hospitals have homograft banks where, for example, heart valves, corneas, certain tissues and bones are kept for use when the need arises.
Since 1992, the National Heart Institute (IJN) has had a homograft valve bank following requests from cardiac surgeons for quality-controlled, cryo-preserved heart valve homografts.
Homografts are tissues extracted from one species and implanted into a member of the same species.
In the case of cardiac homografts, the tissues are the aorta with the aortic valve and the anterior mitral valve leaflet; the main pulmonary artery, including the first few centimetres of the branch pulmonary arteries, and the pulmonary valve.
"The homografts are for patients with various cardiac diseases. In the majority of these cases, the outcome has been excellent. Before, all the homografts were flown in from tissue banks overseas," said head of the IJN Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Unit, Datuk Dr Syed Abdul Aziz Syed Zin.
Dr Syed Abdul Aziz said the tissues were extracted from fresh cadavers and cryo-preserved for use in patients who need aortic valve replacements, or for the treatment of congenital heart diseases.
"IJN has successfully retrieved, prepared and implanted cardiac homografts in more than 110 patients.
"The homograft unit at IJN comprises cardiothoracic surgeons and perfusionists/medical technicians who are involved in retrieving, processing and cryo-preserving homograft tissues for storage." he said, adding that children particularly, can benefit from homografts, where the need for small-sized prostheses and freedom from anti-coagulants are critical.
Since 1992, the National Heart Institute (IJN) has had a homograft valve bank following requests from cardiac surgeons for quality-controlled, cryo-preserved heart valve homografts.
Homografts are tissues extracted from one species and implanted into a member of the same species.
In the case of cardiac homografts, the tissues are the aorta with the aortic valve and the anterior mitral valve leaflet; the main pulmonary artery, including the first few centimetres of the branch pulmonary arteries, and the pulmonary valve.
"The homografts are for patients with various cardiac diseases. In the majority of these cases, the outcome has been excellent. Before, all the homografts were flown in from tissue banks overseas," said head of the IJN Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Unit, Datuk Dr Syed Abdul Aziz Syed Zin.
Dr Syed Abdul Aziz said the tissues were extracted from fresh cadavers and cryo-preserved for use in patients who need aortic valve replacements, or for the treatment of congenital heart diseases.
"IJN has successfully retrieved, prepared and implanted cardiac homografts in more than 110 patients.
"The homograft unit at IJN comprises cardiothoracic surgeons and perfusionists/medical technicians who are involved in retrieving, processing and cryo-preserving homograft tissues for storage." he said, adding that children particularly, can benefit from homografts, where the need for small-sized prostheses and freedom from anti-coagulants are critical.
Getting more to donate organs
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: There were only 25 organ donors last year. That is why health authorities are planning to spend RM2 million this year to get more people to pledge their organs.
The National Transplant Resource Centre is planning to revamp its call centre to make it easier for donors to contact it, said its chief transplant co-ordinator, Datin Dr Lela Yasmin Mansor.
It is also recruiting additional staff.
There are plans to employ a director of promotions and a director of communications.
Dr Lela said the centre would also place advertisements on organ donation to create greater awareness of its importance.
"We will also be going to schools to educate children on organ donation.
"With the co-operation of the Education Ministry, we plan to hold competitions to gauge their perceptions and views on the donation of organs," she told the New Straits Times.
Dr Lela said information kits on organ donation would be prepared for distribution to school-children and adults.
Last year, the authorities harvested three hearts, five livers, two lungs, eight heart valves, 16 corneas and five bones from 25 brain-dead patients.
In 2006, there were also 25 organ donors who donated 13 kidneys, a heart, six livers, a lung, 16 heart valves, 19 corneas, three skin implants and six bones.
Between 1976 and last year, 206 people donated 435 organs and tissues.
Kuala Lumpur Hospital Ne-phrology Department head Dr Ghazali Ahmad said there was a need for a dedicated full-time national co-ordinating organ transplant team for the programme to be successful. At present, those on the team are volunteers.
"Their weekends are spent going around holding talks, workshops and group sessions with community leaders and the public on organ donation.
"They even try to get the families of organ donors to speak on why they decided to donate the organs of their loved ones."
He said when there were organ donors, these volunteers swung into action by going to the hospitals to harvest the organs and bringing them back.
Often, it was the same surgeons who performed the transplants.
"These are dedicated people who sacrifice being with their families to promote and do organ transplants to save lives," said Dr Ghazali, adding that it was not easy for them as they had other jobs to do in hospitals.
The New Straits Times also learnt that the records of patients on the waiting list were not regularly updated, making it difficult to contact them.
The National Transplant Resource Centre is planning to revamp its call centre to make it easier for donors to contact it, said its chief transplant co-ordinator, Datin Dr Lela Yasmin Mansor.
It is also recruiting additional staff.
There are plans to employ a director of promotions and a director of communications.
Dr Lela said the centre would also place advertisements on organ donation to create greater awareness of its importance.
"We will also be going to schools to educate children on organ donation.
"With the co-operation of the Education Ministry, we plan to hold competitions to gauge their perceptions and views on the donation of organs," she told the New Straits Times.
Dr Lela said information kits on organ donation would be prepared for distribution to school-children and adults.
Last year, the authorities harvested three hearts, five livers, two lungs, eight heart valves, 16 corneas and five bones from 25 brain-dead patients.
In 2006, there were also 25 organ donors who donated 13 kidneys, a heart, six livers, a lung, 16 heart valves, 19 corneas, three skin implants and six bones.
Between 1976 and last year, 206 people donated 435 organs and tissues.
Kuala Lumpur Hospital Ne-phrology Department head Dr Ghazali Ahmad said there was a need for a dedicated full-time national co-ordinating organ transplant team for the programme to be successful. At present, those on the team are volunteers.
"Their weekends are spent going around holding talks, workshops and group sessions with community leaders and the public on organ donation.
"They even try to get the families of organ donors to speak on why they decided to donate the organs of their loved ones."
He said when there were organ donors, these volunteers swung into action by going to the hospitals to harvest the organs and bringing them back.
Often, it was the same surgeons who performed the transplants.
"These are dedicated people who sacrifice being with their families to promote and do organ transplants to save lives," said Dr Ghazali, adding that it was not easy for them as they had other jobs to do in hospitals.
The New Straits Times also learnt that the records of patients on the waiting list were not regularly updated, making it difficult to contact them.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
More checks to safeguard food
Star: PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry will step up checks to ensure that festive foodstuff from China is safe for consumption.
Director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said state health departments will be told to send out their officers next week to carry out more checks on all food, especially those from China.
“We will tell the states what to focus on,” he said.
Food found to have breached regulations in the past would come under specific scrutiny.
They include mandarin oranges and mushrooms for pesticide residue, dace fish for malachite green, waxed duck, preserved fruits and vegetables, seaweed for heavy metals and honey for antibiotics.
For domestic products, inspectors will target meat for banned substances such as beta agonist, expired food products and labelling.
Any suspected food product would be seized, Dr Ismail said.
Food found to have contravened the Food Act 1983 and Food Regulations 1985 would either be destroyed or returned to the country of origin.
In the past, honey, oyster sauce and dried mushrooms were among products from China that were on the food alert list in Malaysia.
Past Health Ministry data showed that pesticide residue was detected in dried mushrooms on four occasions last year.
Drug residue was found in honey samples and the cancer-causing agent 3-MCPD was found in oyster sauce.
From January to October last year, 32 Chinese products were placed under the ministry’s Food Safety Information System level five alert, where products are held, tested and released.
Other products included frozen eels, seaweed, frozen royal red prawns, shitake mushrooms and salted turnips. All other China-imported food items were put on level four alert, which requires examination.
“So far, there have been no major problems,” Dr Ismail said.
Checks are expected to continue until the end of February at entry points and premises nationwide.
Malaysia imports US$680mil (RM2.3bil) worth of food items from China yearly.
Director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said state health departments will be told to send out their officers next week to carry out more checks on all food, especially those from China.
“We will tell the states what to focus on,” he said.
Food found to have breached regulations in the past would come under specific scrutiny.
They include mandarin oranges and mushrooms for pesticide residue, dace fish for malachite green, waxed duck, preserved fruits and vegetables, seaweed for heavy metals and honey for antibiotics.
For domestic products, inspectors will target meat for banned substances such as beta agonist, expired food products and labelling.
Any suspected food product would be seized, Dr Ismail said.
Food found to have contravened the Food Act 1983 and Food Regulations 1985 would either be destroyed or returned to the country of origin.
In the past, honey, oyster sauce and dried mushrooms were among products from China that were on the food alert list in Malaysia.
Past Health Ministry data showed that pesticide residue was detected in dried mushrooms on four occasions last year.
Drug residue was found in honey samples and the cancer-causing agent 3-MCPD was found in oyster sauce.
From January to October last year, 32 Chinese products were placed under the ministry’s Food Safety Information System level five alert, where products are held, tested and released.
Other products included frozen eels, seaweed, frozen royal red prawns, shitake mushrooms and salted turnips. All other China-imported food items were put on level four alert, which requires examination.
“So far, there have been no major problems,” Dr Ismail said.
Checks are expected to continue until the end of February at entry points and premises nationwide.
Malaysia imports US$680mil (RM2.3bil) worth of food items from China yearly.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Keeping a lid on superbugs
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: Imagine being warded at a hospital for a treatable ailment but contracting a life-threatening infection under the very noses of doctors.
This was the fate of nearly 68,000 in-patients in government hospitals last year who were hit by a range of superbugs, many of which were resistant to antibiotics.
Some died but health authorities are unable to provide the statistics. Among the superbugs is the highly-contagious bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
The number of victims last year was lower than in 2004, when nearly 110,000 were treated for such a problem.
Overall, superbugs affected 5.44 per cent of two million in-patients in 2004 and 3.39 per cent last year.
Common superbugs that cause nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections include Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Staphlylococci, pseudomonads, enterococci and E.coli.
Director-General of Health Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said hospital-acquired infections continued to be the bane of many patients warded at government hospitals.
He said while hospital authorities had reduced the number of such infections, a concerted effort was necessary to rid hospitals of the problem.
He has directed government hospitals to provide monthly reports to the ministry on cases of superbug infection.
Dr Ismail, who chairs the National Infection and Antibiotic Control Committee, said government hospitals were part of the National Infection Control System, with units headed by the hospital director or an accredited infectious disease physician.
The hospital committee has to ensure that doctors and nurses strictly adhere to infection control procedures to prevent superbugs from wreaking havoc in hospitals.
"It's a big challenge. I have directed hospitals to take it seriously. The staff must adopt a multi-pronged approach in tackling the problem."
The ministry has also called on healthcare providers to abide by mandatory rulings which included washing of hands after examining a patient.
Infection may begin with a surgical wound or by bacteria spreading through the air.
"With weakened defences, infections that would not normally affect healthy individuals can cause serious illness and death among those who are hospitalised.
"Patients should also wash their hands frequently, especially before and after eating and using the toilet," Dr Ismail said, adding that those who were ill should not visit in-patients.
Key areas where cross-contamination usually occur include examination rooms, the accident and emergency department, intensive care units and coronary care units.
Dr Ismail said infections caught in hospitals tended to be more difficult to treat as bacteria became resistant to antibiotics.
"Nosocomial infections can even be the cause of death among those hospitalised."
MRSA is the most common type of hospital-acquired infection. First identified in the 1960s, it is resistant to conventional antibiotics. Experts have uncovered many strains of MRSA, with differing degrees of drug resistance.
Dr Ismail said the ministry spent RM1 million in 2006 and RM2.5 million last year to provide alcohol-based hand scrub to hospitals to prevent the spread of superbugs.
A larger allocation is expected this year.
The ministry is putting up posters and identifying doctors who adhere to hand-washing procedures to make them role models for other medical personnel.
In Britain, nearly 5,000 patients die of MRSA every year.
The number of MRSA infections in the United States doubled from about 127,000 with 11,000 deaths in 1999 to more than 278,000 with 17,000 deaths in 2005.
This was the fate of nearly 68,000 in-patients in government hospitals last year who were hit by a range of superbugs, many of which were resistant to antibiotics.
Some died but health authorities are unable to provide the statistics. Among the superbugs is the highly-contagious bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
The number of victims last year was lower than in 2004, when nearly 110,000 were treated for such a problem.
Overall, superbugs affected 5.44 per cent of two million in-patients in 2004 and 3.39 per cent last year.
Common superbugs that cause nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections include Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Staphlylococci, pseudomonads, enterococci and E.coli.
Director-General of Health Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said hospital-acquired infections continued to be the bane of many patients warded at government hospitals.
He said while hospital authorities had reduced the number of such infections, a concerted effort was necessary to rid hospitals of the problem.
He has directed government hospitals to provide monthly reports to the ministry on cases of superbug infection.
Dr Ismail, who chairs the National Infection and Antibiotic Control Committee, said government hospitals were part of the National Infection Control System, with units headed by the hospital director or an accredited infectious disease physician.
The hospital committee has to ensure that doctors and nurses strictly adhere to infection control procedures to prevent superbugs from wreaking havoc in hospitals.
"It's a big challenge. I have directed hospitals to take it seriously. The staff must adopt a multi-pronged approach in tackling the problem."
The ministry has also called on healthcare providers to abide by mandatory rulings which included washing of hands after examining a patient.
Infection may begin with a surgical wound or by bacteria spreading through the air.
"With weakened defences, infections that would not normally affect healthy individuals can cause serious illness and death among those who are hospitalised.
"Patients should also wash their hands frequently, especially before and after eating and using the toilet," Dr Ismail said, adding that those who were ill should not visit in-patients.
Key areas where cross-contamination usually occur include examination rooms, the accident and emergency department, intensive care units and coronary care units.
Dr Ismail said infections caught in hospitals tended to be more difficult to treat as bacteria became resistant to antibiotics.
"Nosocomial infections can even be the cause of death among those hospitalised."
MRSA is the most common type of hospital-acquired infection. First identified in the 1960s, it is resistant to conventional antibiotics. Experts have uncovered many strains of MRSA, with differing degrees of drug resistance.
Dr Ismail said the ministry spent RM1 million in 2006 and RM2.5 million last year to provide alcohol-based hand scrub to hospitals to prevent the spread of superbugs.
A larger allocation is expected this year.
The ministry is putting up posters and identifying doctors who adhere to hand-washing procedures to make them role models for other medical personnel.
In Britain, nearly 5,000 patients die of MRSA every year.
The number of MRSA infections in the United States doubled from about 127,000 with 11,000 deaths in 1999 to more than 278,000 with 17,000 deaths in 2005.
Basic hygiene still a challenge
Star: PUTRAJAYA: Basic hand hygiene by healthcare providers remains a challenge for the Health Ministry.
“How many wash their hands after seeing a patient?” Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican asked.
He said that while the ministry worked hard through the infection control committee to get hospital staff to adhere to policies and procedures, the simple act of keeping their hands clean remained a big challenge.
But past initiatives have seen the national pneumococcal infection rate reduced from 5.44% in March 2004 to 3.39% last September.
The ministry spent RM1mil in 2006 to provide “alcohol-based hand rub” in critical areas including the emergency department, haemodialysis department and intensive care unit.
The allocation was increased to RM2.5mil last year.
“We need to spend more money to get the hand rubs available to everyone,” Dr Ismail said.
About 1.9 million patients are admitted to government hospitals yearly while some 50 million are treated at the outpatient department.
Dr Ismail, a consultant hepatologist by profession, added that he would clean his hands with alcohol after he sees patients.
“This has to be done every time you see a patient,” he said.
The ministry is also a signatory to the World Health Organisation Alliance on Infection Control.
“How many wash their hands after seeing a patient?” Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican asked.
He said that while the ministry worked hard through the infection control committee to get hospital staff to adhere to policies and procedures, the simple act of keeping their hands clean remained a big challenge.
But past initiatives have seen the national pneumococcal infection rate reduced from 5.44% in March 2004 to 3.39% last September.
The ministry spent RM1mil in 2006 to provide “alcohol-based hand rub” in critical areas including the emergency department, haemodialysis department and intensive care unit.
The allocation was increased to RM2.5mil last year.
“We need to spend more money to get the hand rubs available to everyone,” Dr Ismail said.
About 1.9 million patients are admitted to government hospitals yearly while some 50 million are treated at the outpatient department.
Dr Ismail, a consultant hepatologist by profession, added that he would clean his hands with alcohol after he sees patients.
“This has to be done every time you see a patient,” he said.
The ministry is also a signatory to the World Health Organisation Alliance on Infection Control.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Hop on for a RM2 health screening
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: Don't forget to hop onto the National Kidney Foundation bus to get a health screening at only RM2.
The customised 40-seater bus, the first in Malaysia, provides for early detention and prevention of kidney disease through health screenings.
A team of eight, including a driver and a doctor, perform the health screenings and patients would be able to get the results immediately.
Patients could undergo urine, blood pressure, random blood glucose, random blood total cholesterol and body mass index tests, as well as counselling.
The NKF LifeCheck Mobile Health Screening Unit was launched yesterday by Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican, National Kidney Foundation board of directors chairman Dr S.S. Gill and Sunway Group founder and chairman Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah.
The mobile unit will operate five days a week in urban and suburban areas initially, with the aim to cover rural areas in the future.
Dr Ismail congratulated the Sunway group for its initiative in providing health screening and said he hoped more corporate leaders would follow the example, especially in other areas of health such as lungs and liver.
He said the focus of the mobile unit was to make Malaysians more accountable for their health.
"It is sad to end up with a disease which you could have prevented."
Dr Ismail said the number of kidney patients undergoing dialysis was now 14,647, five times more than a decade ago when the number was 2,922.
A member of the NKF board of managers, Goh Seng Chuan, said the mobile unit cost RM440,000 while manpower and equipment per year amounted to RM420,000.
He said the actual cost for a screening was RM35 but patients were only charged RM2 at the mobile unit parked at the Sunway Pryamid while here.
The customised 40-seater bus, the first in Malaysia, provides for early detention and prevention of kidney disease through health screenings.
A team of eight, including a driver and a doctor, perform the health screenings and patients would be able to get the results immediately.
Patients could undergo urine, blood pressure, random blood glucose, random blood total cholesterol and body mass index tests, as well as counselling.
The NKF LifeCheck Mobile Health Screening Unit was launched yesterday by Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican, National Kidney Foundation board of directors chairman Dr S.S. Gill and Sunway Group founder and chairman Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah.
The mobile unit will operate five days a week in urban and suburban areas initially, with the aim to cover rural areas in the future.
Dr Ismail congratulated the Sunway group for its initiative in providing health screening and said he hoped more corporate leaders would follow the example, especially in other areas of health such as lungs and liver.
He said the focus of the mobile unit was to make Malaysians more accountable for their health.
"It is sad to end up with a disease which you could have prevented."
Dr Ismail said the number of kidney patients undergoing dialysis was now 14,647, five times more than a decade ago when the number was 2,922.
A member of the NKF board of managers, Goh Seng Chuan, said the mobile unit cost RM440,000 while manpower and equipment per year amounted to RM420,000.
He said the actual cost for a screening was RM35 but patients were only charged RM2 at the mobile unit parked at the Sunway Pryamid while here.
Find out charges before getting treatment, public told
Star: PETALING JAYA: Ask what the charges are before going ahead with treatment – that is the advice given by the Health Ministry director-general to the public to ensure that they can afford the treatment.
“If you go to a private hospital, ask them what the charge is for treating the disease or illness,” Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican told reporters yesterday after launching the National Kidney Foundation LifeCheck Mobile Health Screening Unit.
“If you cannot pay, go to a public hospital.”
However, Dr Ismail added that private hospitals must treat emergency cases if they were brought to their establishments.
“It is not a case of ask for money and treat later. They must provide first-line treatment,” he said.
He said the ministry monitored charges by private health facilities according to a fee schedule and investigated complaints.
Action would be taken if the charges were found to be too exorbitant, he said.
Dr Ismail also said the ministry had been stepping up its healthy lifestyle and prevention campaigns to ensure that those in rural areas received information on how to remain healthy.
“The campaign has been quite good but those in the rural areas may still not be aware of it while those in urban areas already have the information,” he said.
Dr Ismail also took to task Malaysians who did not like to exercise and preferred to use the elevator to go from one floor to another.
“Those who do not eat properly and do not exercise are bound to grow larger. And once they are obese, it is inevitable for them to get diseases like diabetes, hypertension, chronic heart disease and stroke,” he said.
“If you go to a private hospital, ask them what the charge is for treating the disease or illness,” Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican told reporters yesterday after launching the National Kidney Foundation LifeCheck Mobile Health Screening Unit.
“If you cannot pay, go to a public hospital.”
However, Dr Ismail added that private hospitals must treat emergency cases if they were brought to their establishments.
“It is not a case of ask for money and treat later. They must provide first-line treatment,” he said.
He said the ministry monitored charges by private health facilities according to a fee schedule and investigated complaints.
Action would be taken if the charges were found to be too exorbitant, he said.
Dr Ismail also said the ministry had been stepping up its healthy lifestyle and prevention campaigns to ensure that those in rural areas received information on how to remain healthy.
“The campaign has been quite good but those in the rural areas may still not be aware of it while those in urban areas already have the information,” he said.
Dr Ismail also took to task Malaysians who did not like to exercise and preferred to use the elevator to go from one floor to another.
“Those who do not eat properly and do not exercise are bound to grow larger. And once they are obese, it is inevitable for them to get diseases like diabetes, hypertension, chronic heart disease and stroke,” he said.
Monday, January 07, 2008
Use of seat belts, helmets pays off
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: Despite an increase in accidents last year, the number of fatalities and injuries dropped.
And it is mainly because more people are strapping on their seat belts and putting on helmets. Last year, the death toll in road accidents went down by 50 while the number of those injured was reduced by 1,600 compared with the previous year.
Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research director-general Prof Dr Radin Umar Radin Sohadi said yesterday that the authorities had conducted an intensive awareness programme on the wearing of front and rear seat belts in cars. This helped to reduce injuries and deaths in accidents, he added.
Furthermore, he said the helmet initiative programme by the Road Safety Department in rural areas was bearing fruit as more than 80 per cent of motorcyclists now wear helmets. Previously, the figure was only about 30 per cent.
He also said the other reasons for the drop were:
- Year-round enforcement by the Road Transport Department and police which has increased the probability of errant motorists getting caught from 18 per cent previously to 55 per cent. Enforcement had been intensified to nab reckless car drivers, motorcyclists, and commercial vehicle drivers.
- Reducing accident-prone areas by upgrading roads.
- More buying cars instead of motorcycles. Ownership of motorcycles has dropped since 2006 while car ownership has increased by 10 per cent in the same period.
- More people using public transport to commute to work from Rawang and Seremban to Kuala Lumpur. Those living in the Klang Valley use LRT and Monorail to go to the city centre.
- RM300 on-the-spot fines for those found driving dangerously, including speeding, weaving through traffic and using emergency lanes.
- Checks on express buses and drivers before leaving for their destination. Stringent checks are carried out on brakes, tyres and on the drivers to ensure they are free from alcohol or drugs.
He said that the number of road fatalities and injuries dropped despite the increase in vehicles on the road by an additional one million last year.
According to traffic police, 5,670 people died in road accidents last year compared with 5,720 deaths in 2006. The number of accidents, however, went up from 341,000 to 363,000 within the same period.
And it is mainly because more people are strapping on their seat belts and putting on helmets. Last year, the death toll in road accidents went down by 50 while the number of those injured was reduced by 1,600 compared with the previous year.
Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research director-general Prof Dr Radin Umar Radin Sohadi said yesterday that the authorities had conducted an intensive awareness programme on the wearing of front and rear seat belts in cars. This helped to reduce injuries and deaths in accidents, he added.
Furthermore, he said the helmet initiative programme by the Road Safety Department in rural areas was bearing fruit as more than 80 per cent of motorcyclists now wear helmets. Previously, the figure was only about 30 per cent.
He also said the other reasons for the drop were:
- Year-round enforcement by the Road Transport Department and police which has increased the probability of errant motorists getting caught from 18 per cent previously to 55 per cent. Enforcement had been intensified to nab reckless car drivers, motorcyclists, and commercial vehicle drivers.
- Reducing accident-prone areas by upgrading roads.
- More buying cars instead of motorcycles. Ownership of motorcycles has dropped since 2006 while car ownership has increased by 10 per cent in the same period.
- More people using public transport to commute to work from Rawang and Seremban to Kuala Lumpur. Those living in the Klang Valley use LRT and Monorail to go to the city centre.
- RM300 on-the-spot fines for those found driving dangerously, including speeding, weaving through traffic and using emergency lanes.
- Checks on express buses and drivers before leaving for their destination. Stringent checks are carried out on brakes, tyres and on the drivers to ensure they are free from alcohol or drugs.
He said that the number of road fatalities and injuries dropped despite the increase in vehicles on the road by an additional one million last year.
According to traffic police, 5,670 people died in road accidents last year compared with 5,720 deaths in 2006. The number of accidents, however, went up from 341,000 to 363,000 within the same period.
Priority for sick NS trainees
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Trainees must be attended to even if they are only down with a fever or headache, National Service Training Council chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said.
He said if the trainees did not recover from their sickness within 24 hours, they should be referred to the nearest hospital or clinic as soon as possible.
“This is to ensure that the programme's delivery system is functioning well without creating undue problems to the trainees.
“We want the programme to be executed efficiently and effectively with quality service. As such, we hope every camp personnel should be able to carry out his or her duties well.
“An effective management and adequate medical facilities to cater to the needs of the trainees are among the issues which must be given serious attention.”
He said the National Service Training Department had taken measures to improve medical services at the NS camps, including the recent introduction of self-health tagging system for unhealthy trainees or those suffering from non-chronic illnesses to exempt them from strenuous physical activities.
Lee also said the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the NS security consultant, had introduced a security audit system on physical training at all NS camps.
He said on top of this, all NS personnel and trainees were covered by insurance starting three days before the programme and ending three days after that.
He said if the trainees did not recover from their sickness within 24 hours, they should be referred to the nearest hospital or clinic as soon as possible.
“This is to ensure that the programme's delivery system is functioning well without creating undue problems to the trainees.
“We want the programme to be executed efficiently and effectively with quality service. As such, we hope every camp personnel should be able to carry out his or her duties well.
“An effective management and adequate medical facilities to cater to the needs of the trainees are among the issues which must be given serious attention.”
He said the National Service Training Department had taken measures to improve medical services at the NS camps, including the recent introduction of self-health tagging system for unhealthy trainees or those suffering from non-chronic illnesses to exempt them from strenuous physical activities.
Lee also said the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the NS security consultant, had introduced a security audit system on physical training at all NS camps.
He said on top of this, all NS personnel and trainees were covered by insurance starting three days before the programme and ending three days after that.
Diseased monkeys putting city folk at risk
Star: PETALING JAYA: They may be adorable, even cute. But the thousands of monkeys forced into city streets and housing estates by urban development could be downright dangerous.
Many of them are carrying blood parasites and the herpes virus, or suffering from simian malaria and dengue.
Veterinary Association Malaysia (VAM) vice-president Dr S. Vellayan said humans could be infected with diseases carried by the monkeys, if there was close contact.
“Once these monkeys carry the virus, there is a possibility that those who keep them as pets would contract the disease.
“However the situation also works in reverse, as monkeys easily catch diseases from humans,” he said.
Dr Vellayan, who is also an assistant director of Zoo Negara, said he had conducted post mortems on monkeys killed in road accidents or dead ones brought to the zoo, and found they had suffered from simian malaria, dengue, blood parasite and herpes virus, among other diseases.
He said these were only a handful of monkeys and there were many more not exposed.
The monkeys usually found at the urban areas include the long- tailed and pig-tailed macaques, and the leaf monkey.
The monkey population in Ma-laysia is about 700,000, with 250,000 in urban areas.
Dr Vellayan said this problem occurred in many major cities throughout the country due to the massive destruction of forests that has pushed the wildlife to seek shelter and food in urban areas.
Another veterinarian Dr Roy Sirimanne said that these monkeys could be infected with diseases contracted from humans if the animals licked human spit.
“The mosquitoes that usually feed on the monkeys will also tag along, increasing the risk of vector-borne disease transmission,” he added.
When contacted, Natural Re-sources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid said the ministry viewed seriously the migration of monkeys to urban areas and the danger of diseases brought from them to humans.
“A thorough study is being done on the issue. We will reveal later the steps that we will take once we have completed our probe,” he added.
Many of them are carrying blood parasites and the herpes virus, or suffering from simian malaria and dengue.
Veterinary Association Malaysia (VAM) vice-president Dr S. Vellayan said humans could be infected with diseases carried by the monkeys, if there was close contact.
“Once these monkeys carry the virus, there is a possibility that those who keep them as pets would contract the disease.
“However the situation also works in reverse, as monkeys easily catch diseases from humans,” he said.
Dr Vellayan, who is also an assistant director of Zoo Negara, said he had conducted post mortems on monkeys killed in road accidents or dead ones brought to the zoo, and found they had suffered from simian malaria, dengue, blood parasite and herpes virus, among other diseases.
He said these were only a handful of monkeys and there were many more not exposed.
The monkeys usually found at the urban areas include the long- tailed and pig-tailed macaques, and the leaf monkey.
The monkey population in Ma-laysia is about 700,000, with 250,000 in urban areas.
Dr Vellayan said this problem occurred in many major cities throughout the country due to the massive destruction of forests that has pushed the wildlife to seek shelter and food in urban areas.
Another veterinarian Dr Roy Sirimanne said that these monkeys could be infected with diseases contracted from humans if the animals licked human spit.
“The mosquitoes that usually feed on the monkeys will also tag along, increasing the risk of vector-borne disease transmission,” he added.
When contacted, Natural Re-sources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid said the ministry viewed seriously the migration of monkeys to urban areas and the danger of diseases brought from them to humans.
“A thorough study is being done on the issue. We will reveal later the steps that we will take once we have completed our probe,” he added.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Ministry team seizes RM10mil in expired drugs to be sold as new
Star: MALACCA: Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry enforcement officers have seized RM10.4mil worth of expired health products that were to have been repackaged and sold as new.
The products were recovered from an abandoned factory in Pulau Gadong here yesterday.
The ministry’s special unit handling fake products conducted the raid after receiving a tip-off.
During the noon raid led by the unit’s deputy director, Rosley Abdullah, four workers who were repackaging the expired products were detained for investigations.
There were also dozens of boxes of the repackaged product ready for distribution in the market, while hundreds of other boxes of the original products which were past their due date, were ready to be repackaged.
A spokesman for the company producing the original health products, who did not want to be named, said that some 3,600 packs of the original product had been repacked in fake packages to be sold for a total of RM21mil.
“This does not include the products which are already in the market. We fear the effects on consumers as we had withdrawn them more than a year ago,” he said.
Rosley said that the ministry would investigate the importer named on the repackaged products to find out if the importer exists.
The products were recovered from an abandoned factory in Pulau Gadong here yesterday.
The ministry’s special unit handling fake products conducted the raid after receiving a tip-off.
During the noon raid led by the unit’s deputy director, Rosley Abdullah, four workers who were repackaging the expired products were detained for investigations.
There were also dozens of boxes of the repackaged product ready for distribution in the market, while hundreds of other boxes of the original products which were past their due date, were ready to be repackaged.
A spokesman for the company producing the original health products, who did not want to be named, said that some 3,600 packs of the original product had been repacked in fake packages to be sold for a total of RM21mil.
“This does not include the products which are already in the market. We fear the effects on consumers as we had withdrawn them more than a year ago,” he said.
Rosley said that the ministry would investigate the importer named on the repackaged products to find out if the importer exists.
Returned specialists set up eye centre
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: Seven foreign-trained eye specialists have returned home and set up a high-quality and affordable eye-care centre to serve Malaysians and others in the region.
The International Specialist Eye Centre (Isec) was set up eight months ago and is located at The Boulevard, Mid Valley City here.
The centre's medical director, Dr Wong Jun Shyan, said the centre aimed to be the national and regional centre of excellence for comprehensive and subspecialty ophthalmology.
The state-of-the-art RM10 million eye centre boasts of an eye-bank facility, advanced diagnostics such as Optical Coherent Tomography, Orbscan, abberometry and corneal spectacular microscopy, and new-generation lasers such as Pascal retinal and Technolas iris-tracking technology excimer lasers.
Launching the centre yesterday, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn said the specialists had returned under the Malaysian experts programme in 2001.
"I am happy that they have returned to serve and share their expertise.
"We want Malaysian specialists to come home and pool their resources and make use of Kuala Lumpur's infrastructure to offer their services to the world," he said.
Although the government hoped to attract thousands of Malaysian professionals home, to date, only about 500 specialists in medicine, ICT and accountancy and finance had responded.
Last year, about 100 returned, mainly from Britain, Singapore, the United States and Australia.
Fong said incentives would be offered to attract those with non-Malaysian spouses and children.
He said the country was also keen to see the return of artistes, such as those with Broadway experience, and fashion designers, to make Malaysia a more vibrant nation.
He was pleased that Isec's facilities were fully compliant with the stringent standards required by the recently-implemented Private Healthcare Facilities Act.
"I am also pleased that Isec had taken the initiative to take part in public-private collaborations, especially in ophthalmic education.
"I am particularly pleased that medical and optometry students from both local and foreign universities are routinely attached to Isec for clinical exposure and teaching."
He lauded Isec's move to seek international accreditation from the world-renowned Joint Commission International, which sets the standard in healthcare facility accreditation.
Isec, as an international referral centre, plays an important role in the national economy as Malaysia is now moving into service or knowledge-based export industry, making health tourism an important revenue earner.
The centre has a technical collaboration agreement with Singapore National Eye Centre and a similar agreement will be signed soon with the Optometry Department, Applied Health Sciences Faculty of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
The International Specialist Eye Centre (Isec) was set up eight months ago and is located at The Boulevard, Mid Valley City here.
The centre's medical director, Dr Wong Jun Shyan, said the centre aimed to be the national and regional centre of excellence for comprehensive and subspecialty ophthalmology.
The state-of-the-art RM10 million eye centre boasts of an eye-bank facility, advanced diagnostics such as Optical Coherent Tomography, Orbscan, abberometry and corneal spectacular microscopy, and new-generation lasers such as Pascal retinal and Technolas iris-tracking technology excimer lasers.
Launching the centre yesterday, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn said the specialists had returned under the Malaysian experts programme in 2001.
"I am happy that they have returned to serve and share their expertise.
"We want Malaysian specialists to come home and pool their resources and make use of Kuala Lumpur's infrastructure to offer their services to the world," he said.
Although the government hoped to attract thousands of Malaysian professionals home, to date, only about 500 specialists in medicine, ICT and accountancy and finance had responded.
Last year, about 100 returned, mainly from Britain, Singapore, the United States and Australia.
Fong said incentives would be offered to attract those with non-Malaysian spouses and children.
He said the country was also keen to see the return of artistes, such as those with Broadway experience, and fashion designers, to make Malaysia a more vibrant nation.
He was pleased that Isec's facilities were fully compliant with the stringent standards required by the recently-implemented Private Healthcare Facilities Act.
"I am also pleased that Isec had taken the initiative to take part in public-private collaborations, especially in ophthalmic education.
"I am particularly pleased that medical and optometry students from both local and foreign universities are routinely attached to Isec for clinical exposure and teaching."
He lauded Isec's move to seek international accreditation from the world-renowned Joint Commission International, which sets the standard in healthcare facility accreditation.
Isec, as an international referral centre, plays an important role in the national economy as Malaysia is now moving into service or knowledge-based export industry, making health tourism an important revenue earner.
The centre has a technical collaboration agreement with Singapore National Eye Centre and a similar agreement will be signed soon with the Optometry Department, Applied Health Sciences Faculty of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Prevention focuses on young children
NST: ALLERGY is an abnormal over-reaction by the body's natural immune mechanism to substances that are normally not harmful to the human body.
Practically any substance can become an allergen, or allergy-causing irritant.
House dust, dust mites, pollens, moulds, foods or even a pet -- things most people consider harmless -- can make the allergic person too ill to function normally.
Allergic reactions can provoke symptoms ranging from itchy, watery eyes due to hay fever, the breathing difficulties of asthma, itchy inflamed skin with hives and eczema, or the dangerous fall in blood pressure and breathing problems following a severe reaction after food allergies and insect stings.
The substances may have been ingested, injected, inhaled or merely have come into contact with the skin or mucous membranes, for example through the eyes.
Physical suffering, mental torment, emotional struggles, financial strain and limitations in many aspects of life, ranging from food to sports, vacations to vocation, are the norms of an allergy patient.
Even though allergy symptoms are not serious or life- threatening, Dr Ranbir Kaulsay says, "in a nutshell, allergy rarely kills but often steals your zest for life".
"About 60 per cent of all allergies appear during the first year of life. It is only logical for allergy prevention to be focused on infants and young children."
There are five main things you can do in infancy to prevent allergies later in life.
- Breast-feeding a child for at least six months. Breast milk proteins are not considered foreign proteins to the child's immune system, and it has a long-term preventive effect against non-food allergies.
- Delay the introduction of solid foods until the child is at least six months' old when his digestive tract and immune system are better developed.
- Stay away from highly allergenic foods like shellfish, eggs and nuts during the first year -- introduce only one new food at a time to allow any adverse reactions to be traced easily.
- Stop smoking during pregnancy as it may have adverse effects on infant lung development. Children should also not be exposed to cigarette smoke, especially in confined spaces.
- Recent studies on probiotics (good bacteria) and a diet rich in Omega 3 (fish oils) during pregnancy have proven to reduce the risk of allergy in a newborn.
Practically any substance can become an allergen, or allergy-causing irritant.
House dust, dust mites, pollens, moulds, foods or even a pet -- things most people consider harmless -- can make the allergic person too ill to function normally.
Allergic reactions can provoke symptoms ranging from itchy, watery eyes due to hay fever, the breathing difficulties of asthma, itchy inflamed skin with hives and eczema, or the dangerous fall in blood pressure and breathing problems following a severe reaction after food allergies and insect stings.
The substances may have been ingested, injected, inhaled or merely have come into contact with the skin or mucous membranes, for example through the eyes.
Physical suffering, mental torment, emotional struggles, financial strain and limitations in many aspects of life, ranging from food to sports, vacations to vocation, are the norms of an allergy patient.
Even though allergy symptoms are not serious or life- threatening, Dr Ranbir Kaulsay says, "in a nutshell, allergy rarely kills but often steals your zest for life".
"About 60 per cent of all allergies appear during the first year of life. It is only logical for allergy prevention to be focused on infants and young children."
There are five main things you can do in infancy to prevent allergies later in life.
- Breast-feeding a child for at least six months. Breast milk proteins are not considered foreign proteins to the child's immune system, and it has a long-term preventive effect against non-food allergies.
- Delay the introduction of solid foods until the child is at least six months' old when his digestive tract and immune system are better developed.
- Stay away from highly allergenic foods like shellfish, eggs and nuts during the first year -- introduce only one new food at a time to allow any adverse reactions to be traced easily.
- Stop smoking during pregnancy as it may have adverse effects on infant lung development. Children should also not be exposed to cigarette smoke, especially in confined spaces.
- Recent studies on probiotics (good bacteria) and a diet rich in Omega 3 (fish oils) during pregnancy have proven to reduce the risk of allergy in a newborn.
Alarming rise in people with allergies
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: Symptoms range from mild irritation to life-threatening attacks. Triggers can be something as common as dust or nuts. One-third of the population has one form or another of allergy.
And according to a World Health Organisation (WHO) report, children are the most common sufferers and the most vulnerable.
The Malaysian Society of Allergology and Immunology (MSAI) president Assoc Prof Dr Ranbir Kaulsay said that Malaysia was moving in lock step with the rest of the world in an alarming increase in the number of people with allergies.
"By 2020, it's expected that half the population will be allergic to something if current trends continue," he told the New Straits Times upon his return from the recent World Allergy Congress in Bangkok.
This year's conference will be held here in March.
He said that according to WHO statistics released at the conference, up to 50 per cent of the world's teenagers were already suffering from airway allergies like allergic rhinitis and asthma.
Globally, it's estimated that asthma affects more than 300 million people with another 100 million patients expected by 2025.
"Even though asthma is the one of the most common causes of death in childhood, the warning sirens seem to be silent," said Dr Ranbir.
And even though all signs point to a potential health catastrophe, very little is being done by health organisations worldwide to highlight the problem.
"Sadly, allergy is still not accorded the attention and priority that it needs," said Dr Ranbir, adding that perhaps it was because allergy seldom kills or maims, but it does affect a patient's quality of life.
With allergic diseases becoming a global epidemic, to assimilate rapid advances in this field has become imperative, said Dr Ranbir.
To that end WHO formed the Global Alliance Against Allergic Disease, which MSAI is a part of, five years ago to raise awareness of the threat allergy poses.
"We hope the joint effort will translate into action resulting in increasing awareness towards the prevention of allergy."
At the congress, attended by 4,500 doctors from all over the world, Dr Ranbir presented a lecture entitled The Asian Allergy Crisis in his capacity as associate professor in the Universiti Putra Malaysia medical faculty.
Assoc Prof Jessie De Bruyen from University Malaya Medical Centre also spoke on the Emerging Societies of Allergy in Asia and how asthma effects developing societies.
Dr Ho Tze Ming from the Institute for Medical Research (IMR) Acarology (the study of mites and ticks) Department, ran a workshop on one of the most important allergens in Malaysia -- the house dust mite.
MSAI was formed, based on a WHO charter, nine years ago to combat allergy, and to provide better patient care and quality of life to sufferers and their families in Malaysia.
And according to a World Health Organisation (WHO) report, children are the most common sufferers and the most vulnerable.
The Malaysian Society of Allergology and Immunology (MSAI) president Assoc Prof Dr Ranbir Kaulsay said that Malaysia was moving in lock step with the rest of the world in an alarming increase in the number of people with allergies.
"By 2020, it's expected that half the population will be allergic to something if current trends continue," he told the New Straits Times upon his return from the recent World Allergy Congress in Bangkok.
This year's conference will be held here in March.
He said that according to WHO statistics released at the conference, up to 50 per cent of the world's teenagers were already suffering from airway allergies like allergic rhinitis and asthma.
Globally, it's estimated that asthma affects more than 300 million people with another 100 million patients expected by 2025.
"Even though asthma is the one of the most common causes of death in childhood, the warning sirens seem to be silent," said Dr Ranbir.
And even though all signs point to a potential health catastrophe, very little is being done by health organisations worldwide to highlight the problem.
"Sadly, allergy is still not accorded the attention and priority that it needs," said Dr Ranbir, adding that perhaps it was because allergy seldom kills or maims, but it does affect a patient's quality of life.
With allergic diseases becoming a global epidemic, to assimilate rapid advances in this field has become imperative, said Dr Ranbir.
To that end WHO formed the Global Alliance Against Allergic Disease, which MSAI is a part of, five years ago to raise awareness of the threat allergy poses.
"We hope the joint effort will translate into action resulting in increasing awareness towards the prevention of allergy."
At the congress, attended by 4,500 doctors from all over the world, Dr Ranbir presented a lecture entitled The Asian Allergy Crisis in his capacity as associate professor in the Universiti Putra Malaysia medical faculty.
Assoc Prof Jessie De Bruyen from University Malaya Medical Centre also spoke on the Emerging Societies of Allergy in Asia and how asthma effects developing societies.
Dr Ho Tze Ming from the Institute for Medical Research (IMR) Acarology (the study of mites and ticks) Department, ran a workshop on one of the most important allergens in Malaysia -- the house dust mite.
MSAI was formed, based on a WHO charter, nine years ago to combat allergy, and to provide better patient care and quality of life to sufferers and their families in Malaysia.
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