Star: PETALING JAYA: Operating procedures for health matters regarding national service trainees will be reviewed.
Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said yesterday this would include requiring trainees to provide a more up-to-date and indepth details of their health condition on derclaration forms.
“We will review the standard operating procedures. Trainees should tell the medical attendants immediately if they have a problem.”
He was commenting on the death of trainee Too Hui Min at the Slim River Hospital on Wednesday. She had been stationed at the Geo Kosmo National Service Training Camp .
Hours earlier she had complained of an upset stomach while undergoing firearms training at the shooting range in Jugra in Banting, Selangor.
Her family said she had complained of constipation for three days before she died and they want to know why camp officials did not take her to the hospital earlier.
Liow said the cause of death had been determined as being toxic megacolon and her colon had been swollen and the lining had thinned due to septicemia.
“I have directed our director-general to investigate the incident and determine is there was negligence,” he said.
“From what we were told, she was sent to the hospital quite late and that was because she was at the shooting range which was hours away from the camp.”
He said that Too was examined by the camp’s medical attendant when she returned to the camp and was immediately sent to the Slim River Hospital.
“That took another hour . By then, it was too late.”
Liow also said that trainees at Kem PLKN Jiwa Murni Semanggol had came down with the common flu.
“Everything is under control and we are sending health officers to help control the situation,” he said.
Its 196 trainees have been quarantined by the Kerian district health office.
They have also been instructed to improve their personal hygiene while face masks have been distributed.
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
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Friday, May 09, 2008
Important to correct cleft lip and palate at young age
Star: A SMILE goes a long way into shaping the future of a child. It helps him to make his first friend, fit in among his peers and slowly work his way into his future.
Realising the importance of it, the Pantai Group of Hospitals launched the Gift of Smile campaign in 2003 to help restore the smiles of Malaysian children born with cleft palate and lip through corrective surgery.
Cleft lip is a congenital defect in which there is a separation in the upper lip while a similar defect in the roof of the is known as a cleft palate.
Under the programme, a patient will be fully funded until the age of 18 and priority is given to families with more than one child, and have a household income of RM2,000 and below.
The corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme is also aimed at creating a greater awareness of the rectifiable birth defect among the Malaysian public.
Since the programme’s inception, more than RM1mil has been raised and utilised for the corrective surgery, with the support of the public and corporate partners, Pantai Hospitals and ING Insurance.
More than 150 children have been effectively treated and many have undergone at least two operations before the age of one.
On average, each corrective procedure costs between RM4,000 and RM5,000.
The campaign, which is also one of McDonald's main CSR efforts through its Ronald McDonald Children's Charity (RMCC), is headed by cosmetic surgeon Dr Kim Tan.
“The idea is to get the young patient to look as normal as possible so that he or she can fit into society and lead a normal lifestyle.
“It is not a life-threatening situation but it is certainly life-changing,” Tan said, adding that one in 600 newborn babies suffered from the condition in Malaysia.
Tan said children born with the condition suffered from low self-esteem and were inclined to shy away from the public.
“And, the condition isn't just cosmetic; these children may experience breathing difficulties, speech and hearing problems, trouble in swallowing food and drink, and facial growth impairments.
“So, if a child grows up with the condition, it is not good for his future,” he said.
Comparing “before” and “after” operation photographs of a toddler and a middle-aged man, Tan explained the urgent need to have the problem corrected while a patient was young.
“Look at both patients. They look normal but look at their eyes. The younger one has hopeful eyes with a bright future ahead of him, while the older one has lived through it, deprived of a normal life. He has sad eyes,” Tan pointed out.
Tan added that the hospital planned to make the project accessible to children outside of the Klang Valley. Currently, Tan and his team of doctors have already started cleft lip clinic sessions in Sabah and Sarawak.
“Logistics is the main problem facing patients especially in Sabah and Sarawak. We plan to have more of these outreach clinics in both Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak,” Tan said, adding that the medical centre would continue to partner RMCC for the project.
Tan said that as a provider of premier healthcare service, the hospital wanted to ensure the medical needs of the less fortunate were taken care of, especially those of children and the disabled.
“This is our way of giving back to society. Our corporate social responsibility has to be ethical and full of compassion,” said Tan.
Realising the importance of it, the Pantai Group of Hospitals launched the Gift of Smile campaign in 2003 to help restore the smiles of Malaysian children born with cleft palate and lip through corrective surgery.
Cleft lip is a congenital defect in which there is a separation in the upper lip while a similar defect in the roof of the is known as a cleft palate.
Under the programme, a patient will be fully funded until the age of 18 and priority is given to families with more than one child, and have a household income of RM2,000 and below.
The corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme is also aimed at creating a greater awareness of the rectifiable birth defect among the Malaysian public.
Since the programme’s inception, more than RM1mil has been raised and utilised for the corrective surgery, with the support of the public and corporate partners, Pantai Hospitals and ING Insurance.
More than 150 children have been effectively treated and many have undergone at least two operations before the age of one.
On average, each corrective procedure costs between RM4,000 and RM5,000.
The campaign, which is also one of McDonald's main CSR efforts through its Ronald McDonald Children's Charity (RMCC), is headed by cosmetic surgeon Dr Kim Tan.
“The idea is to get the young patient to look as normal as possible so that he or she can fit into society and lead a normal lifestyle.
“It is not a life-threatening situation but it is certainly life-changing,” Tan said, adding that one in 600 newborn babies suffered from the condition in Malaysia.
Tan said children born with the condition suffered from low self-esteem and were inclined to shy away from the public.
“And, the condition isn't just cosmetic; these children may experience breathing difficulties, speech and hearing problems, trouble in swallowing food and drink, and facial growth impairments.
“So, if a child grows up with the condition, it is not good for his future,” he said.
Comparing “before” and “after” operation photographs of a toddler and a middle-aged man, Tan explained the urgent need to have the problem corrected while a patient was young.
“Look at both patients. They look normal but look at their eyes. The younger one has hopeful eyes with a bright future ahead of him, while the older one has lived through it, deprived of a normal life. He has sad eyes,” Tan pointed out.
Tan added that the hospital planned to make the project accessible to children outside of the Klang Valley. Currently, Tan and his team of doctors have already started cleft lip clinic sessions in Sabah and Sarawak.
“Logistics is the main problem facing patients especially in Sabah and Sarawak. We plan to have more of these outreach clinics in both Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak,” Tan said, adding that the medical centre would continue to partner RMCC for the project.
Tan said that as a provider of premier healthcare service, the hospital wanted to ensure the medical needs of the less fortunate were taken care of, especially those of children and the disabled.
“This is our way of giving back to society. Our corporate social responsibility has to be ethical and full of compassion,” said Tan.
All-out plan to make Malaysia herbal hub
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: The government has drafted an action plan to enhance the growth of the herbal and biotechnology industry, which is estimated to be worth about RM2.5 billion by 2010.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Douglas Unggah said medicinal plants had been identified as one of the main commodities to make Malaysia a centre for herbal product development and a supplier of raw materials for industrial use.
"This is in line with the government's initiative to transform the forestry field and to find non-timber resources."
Douglas, in his speech read by his deputy Datuk Maznah Mazlan at the launch of "Herbal Asia 2008" at the Matrade Exhibition and Convention Centre, said the government was confident that as one of the mega-biodiversity nations, Malaysia had the potential and the resources to be among the leading global players in the herbal industry.
"We acknowledge the potential of developing some of the traditional remedies based on traditional knowledge into commercial products."
He said the ever-expanding market for herbal products had also increased demand for raw materials.
In many developing countries, Douglas said, this surge of demand for herbal medicine had been met by indiscriminate and spontaneous harvesting of flora, including those in the forest. As a result, many plant species have been lost and some faced extinction.
He said Malaysia, as one of the leading producers of sustainable timber products, was aware of such danger and was putting in place appropriate policies and programmes to prevent such a situation.
To ensure continuous supply of raw material as well as reducing the pressure on the natural forests, the Forest Research Institute Malaysia had also developed a pilot project in Maran, Pahang, to cultivate tongkat ali and kacip fatimah.
Douglas said such research and development was necessary to ensure medicinal plants conformed to physical and chemical standards.
"I hope the herbal industry will adopt the prescribed integrated approach, which includes the application of modern scientific methods in the selection, cultivation and manufacture of proven herbal medicines. Only through such an approach can we transform traditional trade into modern industrial practices."
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Douglas Unggah said medicinal plants had been identified as one of the main commodities to make Malaysia a centre for herbal product development and a supplier of raw materials for industrial use.
"This is in line with the government's initiative to transform the forestry field and to find non-timber resources."
Douglas, in his speech read by his deputy Datuk Maznah Mazlan at the launch of "Herbal Asia 2008" at the Matrade Exhibition and Convention Centre, said the government was confident that as one of the mega-biodiversity nations, Malaysia had the potential and the resources to be among the leading global players in the herbal industry.
"We acknowledge the potential of developing some of the traditional remedies based on traditional knowledge into commercial products."
He said the ever-expanding market for herbal products had also increased demand for raw materials.
In many developing countries, Douglas said, this surge of demand for herbal medicine had been met by indiscriminate and spontaneous harvesting of flora, including those in the forest. As a result, many plant species have been lost and some faced extinction.
He said Malaysia, as one of the leading producers of sustainable timber products, was aware of such danger and was putting in place appropriate policies and programmes to prevent such a situation.
To ensure continuous supply of raw material as well as reducing the pressure on the natural forests, the Forest Research Institute Malaysia had also developed a pilot project in Maran, Pahang, to cultivate tongkat ali and kacip fatimah.
Douglas said such research and development was necessary to ensure medicinal plants conformed to physical and chemical standards.
"I hope the herbal industry will adopt the prescribed integrated approach, which includes the application of modern scientific methods in the selection, cultivation and manufacture of proven herbal medicines. Only through such an approach can we transform traditional trade into modern industrial practices."
100 'state-of-the-art' ambulances for hospitals
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: State-of-the-art ambulances will help save more lives with computer technology that allows readings of a patient's vital signs and electrocardiograms (ECGs) to be sent ahead to the emergency room.
The Health Ministry is spending more than RM30 million on 100 ambulances which will be stationed at government hospitals nationwide.
Emergency room staff can help medical assistants to treat patients while they are on their way in the ambulance, rather than wait till they reach the hospital.
"Pre-hospital care is important. Therefore the number of ambulances has to be increased, and existing ones upgraded to provide quality service to patients," said Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai, adding that he had already requested funds to order another 100.
He said, in addition to the 200, another 400 ambulances would be needed in the near future to meet the country's needs.
Currently there are 568 government ambulances serving hospitals across the country, excluding the 50 owned by the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS).
He said this after launching the Red Crescent Bazaar at Lake Titiwangsa.
MRCS is celebrating Red Crescent Day and its 60th anniversary.
He also said ambulance services could be improved through better inter-departmental co-ordination and communication.
"The sharing of information is crucial to expedite the process of transferring victims from the accident site to the ambulance."
In his speech he said the ministry was looking at changing its current analog communications system to a digital one, enabling control centre staff to monitor ambulance movements.
He said the 26 emergency call co-ordination centres set up nationwide last year had reduced ambulance response time to 30 minutes.
Previously there were reports of ambulances taking an hour to reach patients.
The Health Ministry is spending more than RM30 million on 100 ambulances which will be stationed at government hospitals nationwide.
Emergency room staff can help medical assistants to treat patients while they are on their way in the ambulance, rather than wait till they reach the hospital.
"Pre-hospital care is important. Therefore the number of ambulances has to be increased, and existing ones upgraded to provide quality service to patients," said Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai, adding that he had already requested funds to order another 100.
He said, in addition to the 200, another 400 ambulances would be needed in the near future to meet the country's needs.
Currently there are 568 government ambulances serving hospitals across the country, excluding the 50 owned by the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS).
He said this after launching the Red Crescent Bazaar at Lake Titiwangsa.
MRCS is celebrating Red Crescent Day and its 60th anniversary.
He also said ambulance services could be improved through better inter-departmental co-ordination and communication.
"The sharing of information is crucial to expedite the process of transferring victims from the accident site to the ambulance."
In his speech he said the ministry was looking at changing its current analog communications system to a digital one, enabling control centre staff to monitor ambulance movements.
He said the 26 emergency call co-ordination centres set up nationwide last year had reduced ambulance response time to 30 minutes.
Previously there were reports of ambulances taking an hour to reach patients.
Free health check on mum’s day
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Forget about those fancy little gifts you give to your mother every year on Mothers Day and instead take her for a free health check this year.
The National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) will be conducting free screenings for both women and men at 50 of its clinics from May 11 to 18.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen said the check would cover blood pressure, cholesterol, breast and pap smear examinations and menopause service (hormone therapy medication).
“Whenever mothers are sick, they just take Panadol and believe that it will cure them. We hope that through this campaign, children can give their mothers something special by bringing them to this check-up session,” she told a press conference here yesterday.
She said the screening, which was worth RM80, was also available for men, who were entitled for a prosthetic enzyme check.
For information on the clinics, call the LPPKN hotline at 15999.
The National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) will be conducting free screenings for both women and men at 50 of its clinics from May 11 to 18.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen said the check would cover blood pressure, cholesterol, breast and pap smear examinations and menopause service (hormone therapy medication).
“Whenever mothers are sick, they just take Panadol and believe that it will cure them. We hope that through this campaign, children can give their mothers something special by bringing them to this check-up session,” she told a press conference here yesterday.
She said the screening, which was worth RM80, was also available for men, who were entitled for a prosthetic enzyme check.
For information on the clinics, call the LPPKN hotline at 15999.
Fast relaying of info can help to save lives, says Health Minister
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Getting the vital medical statistics of a patient in an ambulance to a hospital even before the vehicle gets there is the latest digital project to be considered by the Health Ministry.
This will be the main target of the ministry’s plan to change its emergency communication system from analog to digital mode.
Its minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said that if implemented, medical assistants in the ambulances would be able to obtain help from emergency rooms to treat the patient during the journey to the hospital.
“If this digital system is implemented, it will not only make communication between those in the ambulance and control centre easier, personnel could also monitor the movement of the ambulances under their care through a computerised system,” he said in his speech when opening the RC Bazaar 2008 organised by the Malaysian Red Crescent Society yesterday.
He added that patient information such as blood pressure reading, pulse, breathing rate and ECG could be transmitted to the control centres.
Speaking to reporters later, Liow said the project was still being studied and, if approved, would be implemented in stages.
“I hope it can be done because all this is important to save lives,” he said.
Liow also said that 400 ambulances were needed in the future to serve Malaysians efficiently. An initial 100 units worth about RM300mil has been ordered and another 100 will be bought soon.
The locally-manufactured ambulances will be sent to areas which need them the most.
Liow said the setting up of call coordination centres under the ministry had resulted in ambulances reaching the emergency sites within 30 minutes.
The centres are part of the ministry’s initiative when the 999 Emergency Call Service Centre was set up by the Government last year.
There are 25 hospitals which are involved, with another located at the ministry in Putrajaya.
Staff members at the centres would give advice to the caller on what should be done while waiting for the ambulance to arrive, he said.
Liow said coordination between government agencies which handled emergency situations needed to be streamlined so that the rescue process could be expedited.
Note: PETALING JAYA: In the report “Liow wants to go digital” which appeared in The Star on Friday, it has been pointed out that the correct cost of 100 units of ambulances should have been RM30mil and not the amount stated.
The error is regretted.
This will be the main target of the ministry’s plan to change its emergency communication system from analog to digital mode.
Its minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said that if implemented, medical assistants in the ambulances would be able to obtain help from emergency rooms to treat the patient during the journey to the hospital.
“If this digital system is implemented, it will not only make communication between those in the ambulance and control centre easier, personnel could also monitor the movement of the ambulances under their care through a computerised system,” he said in his speech when opening the RC Bazaar 2008 organised by the Malaysian Red Crescent Society yesterday.
He added that patient information such as blood pressure reading, pulse, breathing rate and ECG could be transmitted to the control centres.
Speaking to reporters later, Liow said the project was still being studied and, if approved, would be implemented in stages.
“I hope it can be done because all this is important to save lives,” he said.
Liow also said that 400 ambulances were needed in the future to serve Malaysians efficiently. An initial 100 units worth about RM300mil has been ordered and another 100 will be bought soon.
The locally-manufactured ambulances will be sent to areas which need them the most.
Liow said the setting up of call coordination centres under the ministry had resulted in ambulances reaching the emergency sites within 30 minutes.
The centres are part of the ministry’s initiative when the 999 Emergency Call Service Centre was set up by the Government last year.
There are 25 hospitals which are involved, with another located at the ministry in Putrajaya.
Staff members at the centres would give advice to the caller on what should be done while waiting for the ambulance to arrive, he said.
Liow said coordination between government agencies which handled emergency situations needed to be streamlined so that the rescue process could be expedited.
Note: PETALING JAYA: In the report “Liow wants to go digital” which appeared in The Star on Friday, it has been pointed out that the correct cost of 100 units of ambulances should have been RM30mil and not the amount stated.
The error is regretted.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Blood infection the main cause of deaths
NST: BACTERIAL infection of the blood or septicaemia is among the main causes of death among Malaysians in government hospitals, Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said.
He said 16.8 per cent of the 40,000 deaths in government hospitals in 2006 was due to septicaemia, also known as blood poisoning.
"Septicaemia is a condition related to chronic diseases, like infections of the lung, abdomen or urinary tract, which can occur before or during infection to the bone (osteomyelitis), or to the neurosis system (meningitis) or other tissues," he said in response to a question from Datuk Mohamed Aziz (BN-Sri Gading) in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
Liow said that besides septicaemia, the other main causes of death among Malaysians were heart and pulmonary diseases (15.7 per cent), cancer or malignant neoplasms (10.59 per cent), strokes due to cerebrovascular disease (8.49 per cent), pneumonia (5.81 per cent) and accidents (5.59 per cent).
On measures to enhance the delivery system in government hospitals, Liow said the focus would be on providing the best health service to the people, including reducing the waiting time to be treated to 30 minutes and providing a special lane for the disabled and senior citizens seeking outpatient treatment.
Liow said efforts were being made to enhance the corporate culture practice at all its facilities with emphasis on three values - caring, team work and professionalism.
He said 16.8 per cent of the 40,000 deaths in government hospitals in 2006 was due to septicaemia, also known as blood poisoning.
"Septicaemia is a condition related to chronic diseases, like infections of the lung, abdomen or urinary tract, which can occur before or during infection to the bone (osteomyelitis), or to the neurosis system (meningitis) or other tissues," he said in response to a question from Datuk Mohamed Aziz (BN-Sri Gading) in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
Liow said that besides septicaemia, the other main causes of death among Malaysians were heart and pulmonary diseases (15.7 per cent), cancer or malignant neoplasms (10.59 per cent), strokes due to cerebrovascular disease (8.49 per cent), pneumonia (5.81 per cent) and accidents (5.59 per cent).
On measures to enhance the delivery system in government hospitals, Liow said the focus would be on providing the best health service to the people, including reducing the waiting time to be treated to 30 minutes and providing a special lane for the disabled and senior citizens seeking outpatient treatment.
Liow said efforts were being made to enhance the corporate culture practice at all its facilities with emphasis on three values - caring, team work and professionalism.
World Thalassaemia Day 2008: A million who have that gene
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: It is estimated that over one million Malaysians carry the gene that causes beta-thalassaemia, mostly in the Malay and Chinese communities.
Thalassaemia is a blood disorder passed from parent to child which affects the body's ability to produce normal red blood cells that carry oxygen in the body.
There are two types of thalassaemia - minor and major. Thalassaemia minor is not a problem. But if two people with thalassaemia minor have children together, there is a one in four chance their offspring will have thalassaemia major, which requires lifelong treatment and can be fatal.
It is for this reason the Thalassaemia Association of Malaysia advises people to go for blood screening for the disease.
Thalassaemia major patients need regular blood transfusions and drug therapy. The transfusions give the body a temporary supply of healthy red blood cells with normal haemoglobin that carries the oxygen around the body.
Association president Datuk Dr Zulkifli Ismail says the blood cell transfusions greatly improve the patients' quality of life and they can live longer.
But because there is no natural way for the body to eliminate iron, the iron in the transfused blood cells builds up in a condition known as "iron overload", and becomes toxic to tissues and organs particularly the liver and heart. Iron overload typically results in the patient's early death from organ failure.
To help remove excess iron, Dr Zulkifli said, patients undergo "iron chelation therapy", in which a drug that binds with the excess iron is infused into the blood and removes it through the urine or stool.
It is a painful and difficult process. A needle is attached to a small battery-operated infusion pump and worn under the skin of the stomach or legs. The drug Desferal is slowly released into the bloodstream five to seven times a week for up to 12 hours.
Dr Zulkifli says there are about 3,000 transfusion dependent thalassaemia major patients in the country.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia medical faculty Department of Paediatrics senior medical consultant Prof Dr A. Rahman A. Jamal said every year between 120 and 240 new thalassaemia major cases are reported nationwide. But he believes this number could be higher as many seek treatment in private hospitals and abroad.
He said Cyprus and Greece have mandated premarital screening for thalassaemia, reducing the number of new patients by 90 percent. And prenatal testing can determine whether the foetus has thalassaemia major.
In Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Iran, aborting a foetus of less than 120 days is allowed, but not in Malaysia unless the pregnancy endangers the mother's life.
Dr Zulkifli said thalassaemia patients are often discriminated against because their appearance is different. Their height, skin colour and facial features are affected.
And he said employers are often reluctant to hire thalassaemia patients because they fear they would have to pay the medical bills. But two years ago, the government set aside RM49 million to treat them.
"Employers need not worry about their medical expenses as the government is paying for their treatment. All they need to do is allow them one day in a month to go for their blood transfusions.
"We want the private sector to accept them into the work force as this would help their self-esteem and independence," he said, adding that he knows of several thalassaemia patients who have carved out successful careers.
Thalassaemia is a blood disorder passed from parent to child which affects the body's ability to produce normal red blood cells that carry oxygen in the body.
There are two types of thalassaemia - minor and major. Thalassaemia minor is not a problem. But if two people with thalassaemia minor have children together, there is a one in four chance their offspring will have thalassaemia major, which requires lifelong treatment and can be fatal.
It is for this reason the Thalassaemia Association of Malaysia advises people to go for blood screening for the disease.
Thalassaemia major patients need regular blood transfusions and drug therapy. The transfusions give the body a temporary supply of healthy red blood cells with normal haemoglobin that carries the oxygen around the body.
Association president Datuk Dr Zulkifli Ismail says the blood cell transfusions greatly improve the patients' quality of life and they can live longer.
But because there is no natural way for the body to eliminate iron, the iron in the transfused blood cells builds up in a condition known as "iron overload", and becomes toxic to tissues and organs particularly the liver and heart. Iron overload typically results in the patient's early death from organ failure.
To help remove excess iron, Dr Zulkifli said, patients undergo "iron chelation therapy", in which a drug that binds with the excess iron is infused into the blood and removes it through the urine or stool.
It is a painful and difficult process. A needle is attached to a small battery-operated infusion pump and worn under the skin of the stomach or legs. The drug Desferal is slowly released into the bloodstream five to seven times a week for up to 12 hours.
Dr Zulkifli says there are about 3,000 transfusion dependent thalassaemia major patients in the country.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia medical faculty Department of Paediatrics senior medical consultant Prof Dr A. Rahman A. Jamal said every year between 120 and 240 new thalassaemia major cases are reported nationwide. But he believes this number could be higher as many seek treatment in private hospitals and abroad.
He said Cyprus and Greece have mandated premarital screening for thalassaemia, reducing the number of new patients by 90 percent. And prenatal testing can determine whether the foetus has thalassaemia major.
In Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Iran, aborting a foetus of less than 120 days is allowed, but not in Malaysia unless the pregnancy endangers the mother's life.
Dr Zulkifli said thalassaemia patients are often discriminated against because their appearance is different. Their height, skin colour and facial features are affected.
And he said employers are often reluctant to hire thalassaemia patients because they fear they would have to pay the medical bills. But two years ago, the government set aside RM49 million to treat them.
"Employers need not worry about their medical expenses as the government is paying for their treatment. All they need to do is allow them one day in a month to go for their blood transfusions.
"We want the private sector to accept them into the work force as this would help their self-esteem and independence," he said, adding that he knows of several thalassaemia patients who have carved out successful careers.
World Thalassaemia Day 2008: Patients must strictly adhere to treatment
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: Mohamad Zanel Ibrahim has thalassaemia major. But the 22-year-old executive secretary of the Thalassaemia Association of Malaysia lives his life to the fullest.
Laughing, he says: "I get pulled over by the police all the time, especially at road blocks. They think I'm an underage school kid and ask me for my 'P' (provisional driving) licence. When I show them my driving licence, they give me a quizzical look."
Zanel has the short stature and looks common to thalassaemia patients.
His 19-year-old brother, Mohamad Zarul, and sister Siti Nur Atilla, 16, are carriers of the disease. Both his parents have the beta-thalassaemia gene, but only discovered it when Zanel started showing symptoms of the illness at six months old.
Zanel's mother told him that he used to vomit, had no appetite and often had fever. He was diagnosed with thalassaemia major at Penang Hospital and referred to Kuala Lumpur Hospital.
Thalassaemia major children are normal at birth, but develop anaemia during the first year of life. Growth failure, bone deformities, and enlarged liver and spleen are some of the problems that occur.
Zanel has been having regular blood transfusions since he was diagnosed.
"I had an enlarged spleen, and it was removed when I was 4. When I was 10, I was put on Desferal, the chelation therapy.
"My mother used to inject me in the stomach. I had to be on the therapy five times a week for 12 hours each time."
Zanel started injecting himself in Standard Five, carrying a small pump.
"I was and still am on penicillin, vitamin C and folic acid," said Zanel, who attended Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Kampung Baru and Sekolah Menengah Seri Titiwangsa.
He now goes for blood transfusions every two months and is taking the oral iron chelator, Exjade.
His next dream, he says, is to improve his income so he can marry his girlfriend.
He wants all thalassaemia major patients to know they can live life to the fullest if they strictly follow their treatment regimen, going for regular blood transfusions and doing the chelation therapy.
Laughing, he says: "I get pulled over by the police all the time, especially at road blocks. They think I'm an underage school kid and ask me for my 'P' (provisional driving) licence. When I show them my driving licence, they give me a quizzical look."
Zanel has the short stature and looks common to thalassaemia patients.
His 19-year-old brother, Mohamad Zarul, and sister Siti Nur Atilla, 16, are carriers of the disease. Both his parents have the beta-thalassaemia gene, but only discovered it when Zanel started showing symptoms of the illness at six months old.
Zanel's mother told him that he used to vomit, had no appetite and often had fever. He was diagnosed with thalassaemia major at Penang Hospital and referred to Kuala Lumpur Hospital.
Thalassaemia major children are normal at birth, but develop anaemia during the first year of life. Growth failure, bone deformities, and enlarged liver and spleen are some of the problems that occur.
Zanel has been having regular blood transfusions since he was diagnosed.
"I had an enlarged spleen, and it was removed when I was 4. When I was 10, I was put on Desferal, the chelation therapy.
"My mother used to inject me in the stomach. I had to be on the therapy five times a week for 12 hours each time."
Zanel started injecting himself in Standard Five, carrying a small pump.
"I was and still am on penicillin, vitamin C and folic acid," said Zanel, who attended Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Kampung Baru and Sekolah Menengah Seri Titiwangsa.
He now goes for blood transfusions every two months and is taking the oral iron chelator, Exjade.
His next dream, he says, is to improve his income so he can marry his girlfriend.
He wants all thalassaemia major patients to know they can live life to the fullest if they strictly follow their treatment regimen, going for regular blood transfusions and doing the chelation therapy.
World Thalassaemia Day 2008: Need to screen carriers
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: There is no national screening programme to identify thalassaemia carriers.
Thalassaemia Society of University Hospital president Professor Dr Chan Lee Lee says unless a programme is put in place, it would be difficult to control the number of children born with thalassaemia major.
But, she says, at least awareness of the disease is much higher now than it was five years ago.
"The government has also taken the initiative to develop a thalassaemia group last year, and they are now drafting clinical practice guidelines for the management of thalassaemia patients," Dr Chan said in conjunction with World Thalassaemia Day. It will be marked at the national level from May 26-29 at Berjaya Times Square.
She said the treatment of thalassaemia patients has improved, with the government making available one of the essential drugs, Desferal, for free since 2006.
About 3,000 thalassaemia major patients now get free treatment at government hospitals.
Dr Chan said with proper treatment, a thalassaemia patient can live for many years, but in Malaysia the oldest patient is 35 years old. Sabah has the most thalassaemia patients, with Selangor and the Federal Territory believed to be second and third.
Dr Chan's advice to those starting a family is - test for thalassaemia. A simple blood test is all that it takes. She warned that a thalassaemia major child without treatment could die before two years of age.
Dr Chan also called on Malaysians not to stigmatise thalassaemia patients - it is a hereditary problem and not contagious.
Thalassaemia Society of University Hospital president Professor Dr Chan Lee Lee says unless a programme is put in place, it would be difficult to control the number of children born with thalassaemia major.
But, she says, at least awareness of the disease is much higher now than it was five years ago.
"The government has also taken the initiative to develop a thalassaemia group last year, and they are now drafting clinical practice guidelines for the management of thalassaemia patients," Dr Chan said in conjunction with World Thalassaemia Day. It will be marked at the national level from May 26-29 at Berjaya Times Square.
She said the treatment of thalassaemia patients has improved, with the government making available one of the essential drugs, Desferal, for free since 2006.
About 3,000 thalassaemia major patients now get free treatment at government hospitals.
Dr Chan said with proper treatment, a thalassaemia patient can live for many years, but in Malaysia the oldest patient is 35 years old. Sabah has the most thalassaemia patients, with Selangor and the Federal Territory believed to be second and third.
Dr Chan's advice to those starting a family is - test for thalassaemia. A simple blood test is all that it takes. She warned that a thalassaemia major child without treatment could die before two years of age.
Dr Chan also called on Malaysians not to stigmatise thalassaemia patients - it is a hereditary problem and not contagious.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Private hospital for Iskandar Malaysia
Star: JOHOR BARU: A private hospital will be built at Afiat Healthpark in Nusajaya, which is within Iskandar Malaysia.
The 70-bed hospital is expected to begin operations in 2010.
It will be equipped with laboratory and diagnostic services, outpatient and inpatient services, and ample parking facilities.
The project is a joint venture between Nusajaya Medical Park (NMPSB) – a subsidiary of UEM Land – and Columbia Asia.
A sale and purchase agreement was signed on April 14 between UEM Land managing director Wan Abdullah Wan Ibrahim and Columbia Asia Group of Companies chairman Rick Evans.
Under the terms, Columbia Asia shall purchase more than 1ha from NMPSB for a total consideration if RM4.818mil.
Wan Abdullah said the project was to be carried out in view of the tremendous potential and growth prospects of Iskandar Malaysia (formerly known as Iskandar Development Region).
“Afiat Healthpark is intended to meet the under-served healthcare needs of the community in Nusajaya.
“We are confident that the hospital will cater to demand for better healthcare services and facilities,” he said.
The hospital will be part of the first phase of Afiat Healthpark, which will include a private specialist clinic and health-screening centre.
The second phase will comprise a dialysis and rehabilitation centre, a nursing college and a traditional and complementary medicine academy.
Afiat Healthpark is located on the northern part of Nusajaya, which houses Johor's new administrative centre.
Other developments in the area are Puteri Harbour (a waterfront precinct), an education city, an international destination resort with theme parks, and residential and commercial blocks.
The 70-bed hospital is expected to begin operations in 2010.
It will be equipped with laboratory and diagnostic services, outpatient and inpatient services, and ample parking facilities.
The project is a joint venture between Nusajaya Medical Park (NMPSB) – a subsidiary of UEM Land – and Columbia Asia.
A sale and purchase agreement was signed on April 14 between UEM Land managing director Wan Abdullah Wan Ibrahim and Columbia Asia Group of Companies chairman Rick Evans.
Under the terms, Columbia Asia shall purchase more than 1ha from NMPSB for a total consideration if RM4.818mil.
Wan Abdullah said the project was to be carried out in view of the tremendous potential and growth prospects of Iskandar Malaysia (formerly known as Iskandar Development Region).
“Afiat Healthpark is intended to meet the under-served healthcare needs of the community in Nusajaya.
“We are confident that the hospital will cater to demand for better healthcare services and facilities,” he said.
The hospital will be part of the first phase of Afiat Healthpark, which will include a private specialist clinic and health-screening centre.
The second phase will comprise a dialysis and rehabilitation centre, a nursing college and a traditional and complementary medicine academy.
Afiat Healthpark is located on the northern part of Nusajaya, which houses Johor's new administrative centre.
Other developments in the area are Puteri Harbour (a waterfront precinct), an education city, an international destination resort with theme parks, and residential and commercial blocks.
Research on ageing men
Star: There was a flurry of activities at the Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) last Sunday when the first group of almost 200 men turned up for a health study.
They were part of the 1,046 men chosen to take part in the Subang Longitudinal Study on the Ageing Men (SAM).
According to Hospital Universiti Kebang-saan Malaysia urologist and senior lecturer Dr Lee Boon Cheok, 38, the objective of the rese-arch is to identify important reversible risk factors that can potentially affect men’s health and their quality of life.
“This will help in the development of a future health intervention programme in Malaysia to emphasise greater awareness of the importance of men's health,” Lee said.
The study involves men above 40 years old in Subang Jaya and Kelana Jaya and will be conducted over 10 years.
“Participants were invited by post and telephone calls and we've interviewed them before this,” he said.
The first 200 participants were at the SJMC to fill in questionnaires, take a blood test and undergo a physical examination, facilitated by researchers led by chief researcher Datuk Dr Tan Hui Meng, an Universiti Malaya medical faculty adjunct professor.
“We hope that the rest of the respondents will show up over the next few days,” Lee said.
They were part of the 1,046 men chosen to take part in the Subang Longitudinal Study on the Ageing Men (SAM).
According to Hospital Universiti Kebang-saan Malaysia urologist and senior lecturer Dr Lee Boon Cheok, 38, the objective of the rese-arch is to identify important reversible risk factors that can potentially affect men’s health and their quality of life.
“This will help in the development of a future health intervention programme in Malaysia to emphasise greater awareness of the importance of men's health,” Lee said.
The study involves men above 40 years old in Subang Jaya and Kelana Jaya and will be conducted over 10 years.
“Participants were invited by post and telephone calls and we've interviewed them before this,” he said.
The first 200 participants were at the SJMC to fill in questionnaires, take a blood test and undergo a physical examination, facilitated by researchers led by chief researcher Datuk Dr Tan Hui Meng, an Universiti Malaya medical faculty adjunct professor.
“We hope that the rest of the respondents will show up over the next few days,” Lee said.
Monday, May 05, 2008
Your favourite pillow or teddy could be making you tear
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: What do dust mites and frequent contact with pets have to do with eye allergies?
A great deal, according to Pantai Medical Centre consultant allergist Dr M. Yadav, who said a survey recently found that 70 per cent of allergies, including ones affecting the eyes, were caused by dust mites.
"They can multiply by 50 times due to the tropical weather and can be all over the house, even if it is clean."
He said the dust mite problem was critical in Malaysia but most people were unaware of the harm they caused.
They feed on flakes of shed human skin and are the most common cause of asthma and allergic symptoms worldwide.
Dr Yadav said children tended to touch things like carpets and toys, which had a large number of dust mites, and rubbed their eyes afterwards.
"This is how they contract eye allergies. In some conditions, they would start to wheeze and eventually suffer from asthma," he said, adding that dust mites could also cause eczema.
While children were targets of allergies caused by dust mites in pillows and mattresses and stuffed toys, hair from cats and dogs taken to bed could also cause allergies.
He said parents were as generally unaware of this as they were of the fact that eggs and milk could also cause allergies.
Dr Yadav said parents should take prevention of dust mites seriously by using special fabric pillow cases available in the market.
He added that an anti-dust mite spray could be used for the sofa and carpet while air cleaners or filters could keep the air clean.
Dust mites are killed by micro-predators and exposure to the sun.
A great deal, according to Pantai Medical Centre consultant allergist Dr M. Yadav, who said a survey recently found that 70 per cent of allergies, including ones affecting the eyes, were caused by dust mites.
"They can multiply by 50 times due to the tropical weather and can be all over the house, even if it is clean."
He said the dust mite problem was critical in Malaysia but most people were unaware of the harm they caused.
They feed on flakes of shed human skin and are the most common cause of asthma and allergic symptoms worldwide.
Dr Yadav said children tended to touch things like carpets and toys, which had a large number of dust mites, and rubbed their eyes afterwards.
"This is how they contract eye allergies. In some conditions, they would start to wheeze and eventually suffer from asthma," he said, adding that dust mites could also cause eczema.
While children were targets of allergies caused by dust mites in pillows and mattresses and stuffed toys, hair from cats and dogs taken to bed could also cause allergies.
He said parents were as generally unaware of this as they were of the fact that eggs and milk could also cause allergies.
Dr Yadav said parents should take prevention of dust mites seriously by using special fabric pillow cases available in the market.
He added that an anti-dust mite spray could be used for the sofa and carpet while air cleaners or filters could keep the air clean.
Dust mites are killed by micro-predators and exposure to the sun.
Eye on children who don't see properly
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: More children are having poor vision from long hours of television and reading.
Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital consultant ophthalmologist Dr Vijaya Mohan said the hospital received about 2,000 cases of reflective error a year.
Most people with low vision were either very old or very young, she said, adding that her case load had increased by 15 per cent over the past 10 years.
She put this down to changes in lifestyle and quite a number of her patients were children.
"Of the total number of cases we receive, more than half involves children. We examine four to five children a day."
Shortsightedness, a common manifestation of reflective error, was often found in children.
Dr Vijaya said another common eye condition among children was allergic conjunctivitis, of which the hospital received about 2,000 cases annually.
Allergic conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the membrane covering the white part of the eye due to an allergy that causes itchiness, redness and teary eyes.
"Children who have this condition may also have asthma and skin problems as their weakened immune system makes them susceptible to pollutants."
She said the government should make eye checks compulsory for pre-schoolers to ascertain if they had reflective error, which could lead to a condition called "lazy eye".
She added that most parents did not realise that the condition could be prevented from worsening if detected by age 10.
"They can actually improve the eyesight with early detection. But after age 10, even surgery can't correct defective vision," she said, adding that eye patching and exercise, however, could help improve lazy eyes.
Dr Vijaya said the hospital had been conducting a seminar since 1997 for kindergarten teachers to identify eye problems among children aged 2 to 6 so that the problems could be treated early.
Nearly 2,600 teachers have been trained to recognise children with squint eyes or those who like to rub their eyes.
There are more than 30 clinics in government hospitals to treat poor vision among children. The Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital is the nation's only eye-care hospital.
Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital consultant ophthalmologist Dr Vijaya Mohan said the hospital received about 2,000 cases of reflective error a year.
Most people with low vision were either very old or very young, she said, adding that her case load had increased by 15 per cent over the past 10 years.
She put this down to changes in lifestyle and quite a number of her patients were children.
"Of the total number of cases we receive, more than half involves children. We examine four to five children a day."
Shortsightedness, a common manifestation of reflective error, was often found in children.
Dr Vijaya said another common eye condition among children was allergic conjunctivitis, of which the hospital received about 2,000 cases annually.
Allergic conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the membrane covering the white part of the eye due to an allergy that causes itchiness, redness and teary eyes.
"Children who have this condition may also have asthma and skin problems as their weakened immune system makes them susceptible to pollutants."
She said the government should make eye checks compulsory for pre-schoolers to ascertain if they had reflective error, which could lead to a condition called "lazy eye".
She added that most parents did not realise that the condition could be prevented from worsening if detected by age 10.
"They can actually improve the eyesight with early detection. But after age 10, even surgery can't correct defective vision," she said, adding that eye patching and exercise, however, could help improve lazy eyes.
Dr Vijaya said the hospital had been conducting a seminar since 1997 for kindergarten teachers to identify eye problems among children aged 2 to 6 so that the problems could be treated early.
Nearly 2,600 teachers have been trained to recognise children with squint eyes or those who like to rub their eyes.
There are more than 30 clinics in government hospitals to treat poor vision among children. The Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital is the nation's only eye-care hospital.
Reward organ donors and give their families incentives
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Organ donors should be rewarded and their families given incentives in a bid to save more lives, medical officers have suggested.
Cambridge University Visiting Professor and consultant surgeon Sir Roy Calne, who attended a seminar on organ transplantation at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre yesterday, urged the Government to be more committed to increase the number of organ donors.
“More coordination and determination by Government officials will benefit those in need of an organ to improve their health condition.
“With more doctors trained in transplantation, the rate of transplants will increase,” he said.
Neurosurgeon Dr C.M. Vickneswaran suggested that the Government consider paying the funeral expenses of a deceased donor.
“Another incentive is to provide medical benefits to the immediate family members of the deceased. For example, like pensioners are given medical benefits, the children of donors could receive medical benefits until they are 18,” he proposed.
Universiti Malaya Vice-Chancellor Datuk Rafiah Salim said that kidney transplantation, which was the most effective treatment for kidney failure, had unfortunately lagged in Malaysia.
“In Malaysia, our transplantation rate remains one of the lowest in the world as there is slightly less than one transplant per million people compared to countries in Europe, where the transplant rate is at 33% per million population.
Cambridge University Visiting Professor and consultant surgeon Sir Roy Calne, who attended a seminar on organ transplantation at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre yesterday, urged the Government to be more committed to increase the number of organ donors.
“More coordination and determination by Government officials will benefit those in need of an organ to improve their health condition.
“With more doctors trained in transplantation, the rate of transplants will increase,” he said.
Neurosurgeon Dr C.M. Vickneswaran suggested that the Government consider paying the funeral expenses of a deceased donor.
“Another incentive is to provide medical benefits to the immediate family members of the deceased. For example, like pensioners are given medical benefits, the children of donors could receive medical benefits until they are 18,” he proposed.
Universiti Malaya Vice-Chancellor Datuk Rafiah Salim said that kidney transplantation, which was the most effective treatment for kidney failure, had unfortunately lagged in Malaysia.
“In Malaysia, our transplantation rate remains one of the lowest in the world as there is slightly less than one transplant per million people compared to countries in Europe, where the transplant rate is at 33% per million population.
Sunday, May 04, 2008
'Warrior mosquitoes' will not be released in Pulau Ketam
NST: KANGAR: The Health Ministry will not allow the release of genetically modified (GM) mosquitoes in Pulau Ketam, Selangor in a bid to combat the dengue scourge.
Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said the ministry would conduct another study tofind other ways of carrying out the research, which is being conducted by the Institute of Medical Research (IMR) and a company partly owned by the University of Oxford.
"It is research which has been proven successful in the laboratory. But we will conduct another study.
"We will not release the mosquitoes because the findings are still at research-level," he said when asked about the proposed Pulau Ketam study.
Liow was speaking to reporters after attending the national-level World Health Day launch in Dewan 2020 here.
The study involves releasing GM male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which carry killer genes, to mate with female Aedes mosquitoes at Pulau Ketam.
Laboratory tests, conducted over the past year, have shown that the method could kill Aedes mosquitoes.
Only the female Aedes mosquito can transmit the dengue fever virus.
Liow said the ministry would consider the views of residents near Pulau Ketam, an island 30 minutes by boat from Port Klang.
"The people of Pulau Ketam have been saying that the mosquitoes would be released on the island.
"The ministry would not do such a thing."
The New Sunday Times reported last week that the IMR and British bio-tech company, Oxitec Ltd would release these male "warrior mosquitoes" in Pulau Ketam off Selangor.
However, environmental non-governmental organisations fear that releasing these GM mosquitoes in the wild may affect the ecosystem and cause further damage.
On dengue prevention, Liow said the ministry needed the help of local councils, NGOs and the people to maintain cleanliness to prevent the spread of the disease.
He said about 13,000 dengue cases were reported between January and April this year. Of that number, 35 were in Perlis.
The number had decreased by 23 per cent compared with the same period last year.
Liow urged the people to take care of their health in light of the uncertain global climate.
He said climate change was interrelated with common Malaysian diseases such as malaria, dengue and leptospirosis, which usually occurs during floods.
He said the ministry focused on preventive and control measures when it came to diseases brought about by natural disasters.
Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said the ministry would conduct another study tofind other ways of carrying out the research, which is being conducted by the Institute of Medical Research (IMR) and a company partly owned by the University of Oxford.
"It is research which has been proven successful in the laboratory. But we will conduct another study.
"We will not release the mosquitoes because the findings are still at research-level," he said when asked about the proposed Pulau Ketam study.
Liow was speaking to reporters after attending the national-level World Health Day launch in Dewan 2020 here.
The study involves releasing GM male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which carry killer genes, to mate with female Aedes mosquitoes at Pulau Ketam.
Laboratory tests, conducted over the past year, have shown that the method could kill Aedes mosquitoes.
Only the female Aedes mosquito can transmit the dengue fever virus.
Liow said the ministry would consider the views of residents near Pulau Ketam, an island 30 minutes by boat from Port Klang.
"The people of Pulau Ketam have been saying that the mosquitoes would be released on the island.
"The ministry would not do such a thing."
The New Sunday Times reported last week that the IMR and British bio-tech company, Oxitec Ltd would release these male "warrior mosquitoes" in Pulau Ketam off Selangor.
However, environmental non-governmental organisations fear that releasing these GM mosquitoes in the wild may affect the ecosystem and cause further damage.
On dengue prevention, Liow said the ministry needed the help of local councils, NGOs and the people to maintain cleanliness to prevent the spread of the disease.
He said about 13,000 dengue cases were reported between January and April this year. Of that number, 35 were in Perlis.
The number had decreased by 23 per cent compared with the same period last year.
Liow urged the people to take care of their health in light of the uncertain global climate.
He said climate change was interrelated with common Malaysian diseases such as malaria, dengue and leptospirosis, which usually occurs during floods.
He said the ministry focused on preventive and control measures when it came to diseases brought about by natural disasters.
Helicopters for Langkawi Hospital
NST: KANGAR: The Health Ministry is thinking of setting up helicopter services for the Langkawi Hospital to ferry patients to the mainland.
Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said a proposal from residents to have a special boat to transfer patients to the mainland would also be considered.
Langkawi residents and Kuah assemblyman Datuk Nawawi Ahmad recently requested for a special boat ambulance to ferry those in need of medical attention from the island to the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Star.
Patients are now transferred by the public ferry service from Kuah, Langkawi to Kuala Kedah.
Nawawi had said it was difficult if an emergency occurred outside the operational hours of the public ferry service.
Yesterday, Liow said the ministry's medical division would study the proposal to have a boat ambulance and helicopter.
He said that once they were approved, both facilities would be equipped with a medical team.
On the lack of medical staff and equipment in Langkawi Hospital, Liow said: "We expect to increase the number of specialists, especially doctors in Langkawi Hospital. This is to ensure that patients receive due treatment and attention.
"We are aware of the need for the emergency transport.
"We are working to fulfil the needs of Langkawi residents, considering that the island is a popular tourist destination," he said.after attending the launch of the national-level World Health Day celebration at Dewan 2020 here
The Raja Perempuan of Perlis Tuanku Fauziah Tengku Abdul Rashid officiated the event. Also present was Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Md Isa Sabu.
Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said a proposal from residents to have a special boat to transfer patients to the mainland would also be considered.
Langkawi residents and Kuah assemblyman Datuk Nawawi Ahmad recently requested for a special boat ambulance to ferry those in need of medical attention from the island to the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Star.
Patients are now transferred by the public ferry service from Kuah, Langkawi to Kuala Kedah.
Nawawi had said it was difficult if an emergency occurred outside the operational hours of the public ferry service.
Yesterday, Liow said the ministry's medical division would study the proposal to have a boat ambulance and helicopter.
He said that once they were approved, both facilities would be equipped with a medical team.
On the lack of medical staff and equipment in Langkawi Hospital, Liow said: "We expect to increase the number of specialists, especially doctors in Langkawi Hospital. This is to ensure that patients receive due treatment and attention.
"We are aware of the need for the emergency transport.
"We are working to fulfil the needs of Langkawi residents, considering that the island is a popular tourist destination," he said.after attending the launch of the national-level World Health Day celebration at Dewan 2020 here
The Raja Perempuan of Perlis Tuanku Fauziah Tengku Abdul Rashid officiated the event. Also present was Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Md Isa Sabu.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Big hope for 'warrior' Aedes
NST: KLANG: The Health Ministry will consider all factors when conducting field trials using genetically modified (GM) Aedes mosquitoes.
Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said it was too soon to conclude whether the method would be a success as it was at the research stage.
"It is a technological breakthrough and we are hoping that it can control the disease," he said, adding that research was also being done on vaccines.
Liow was commenting on fears expressed by environmentalists that the release of GM Aedes mosquitoes could cause more harm than good.
The New Sunday Times reported yesterday that the Institute of Medical Research and a company partly owned by the University of Oxford would release "warrior" mosquitoes in Pulau Ketam off Selangor to combat the den-gue scourge.
Speaking at a press conference after officiating the Federation of Alumni Associations of Taiwan Universities, Mal-aysia annual general meeting in Centro Mall yesterday, Liow said there was a shortage of about 9,000 doctors in the country, adding that in the past five years, more than 100 Malaysian specialists practising abroad had applied to return.
He said those who returned could apply for research grants from the government.
He said the eight Taiwanese universities that were recognised by the government were Medical School of Taiwan, Defence Medical School, Yang Ming Medical School, Chung Kung Medical School, Taipei Medical School, China Medical School, Chung Shan Medical School and Kaoshiung Medical University.
Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said it was too soon to conclude whether the method would be a success as it was at the research stage.
"It is a technological breakthrough and we are hoping that it can control the disease," he said, adding that research was also being done on vaccines.
Liow was commenting on fears expressed by environmentalists that the release of GM Aedes mosquitoes could cause more harm than good.
The New Sunday Times reported yesterday that the Institute of Medical Research and a company partly owned by the University of Oxford would release "warrior" mosquitoes in Pulau Ketam off Selangor to combat the den-gue scourge.
Speaking at a press conference after officiating the Federation of Alumni Associations of Taiwan Universities, Mal-aysia annual general meeting in Centro Mall yesterday, Liow said there was a shortage of about 9,000 doctors in the country, adding that in the past five years, more than 100 Malaysian specialists practising abroad had applied to return.
He said those who returned could apply for research grants from the government.
He said the eight Taiwanese universities that were recognised by the government were Medical School of Taiwan, Defence Medical School, Yang Ming Medical School, Chung Kung Medical School, Taipei Medical School, China Medical School, Chung Shan Medical School and Kaoshiung Medical University.
Medical student wins British Council award
NST: MEDICAL student Stephanie Siew Jean Tiew's passion and dedication in saving the lives of babies has won her the International Student of the Year 2008 award, and a cash prize of STG2,000 (RM12,500).
The fourth year student of University of Manchester was among more than 1,500 students representing 127 nationalities in the annual competition by the British Council.
The competition aims to shine the spotlight on international students and their unique contributions to life in the UK.
Siew, who established the "Save a Baby's Life" Society with fellow students, goes to local communities to teach parents and carers of babies about basic life support skills. She also raises funds for the society.
Present to hand over the prize to Siew at the award ceremony last Wednesday was Datuk Jimmy Choo.
Siew was one of 12 finalists to vie for the award and the entry letter that she submitted, detailing her achievements that helped make her time in the UK so rewarding, moved the judges.
In her letter, Siew said: "Since coming to the UK, I feel the sky is the limit and I have dared to dream. This is a place full of opportunities and endless possibilities. The supportive culture in campus, be it from faculty staff or peers, has knitted an extraordinary student life for me. I am a simple country girl who has blossomed into a confident and capable woman."
Despite her busy schedule, Siew finds time to counsel local teenagers interested in a career in healthcare and writes for the medical school newsletter, Mediscope, while also representing the university in debating tournaments.
On her award, she said: "I am thrilled and delighted to have been chosen as an ambassador for my university and country."
Siew has also won the prestigious Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health Student Prize and has been invited to present one of her papers at an international conference.
Martin Davidson, chief executive of the British Council, said: "The British Council knows that international students make a huge contribution and commitment to life in the UK.
"This competition provides a fantastic opportunity for them to earn some well-deserved recognition for their achievements, a great chance for them to show the world what they've achieved while in the UK."
The fourth year student of University of Manchester was among more than 1,500 students representing 127 nationalities in the annual competition by the British Council.
The competition aims to shine the spotlight on international students and their unique contributions to life in the UK.
Siew, who established the "Save a Baby's Life" Society with fellow students, goes to local communities to teach parents and carers of babies about basic life support skills. She also raises funds for the society.
Present to hand over the prize to Siew at the award ceremony last Wednesday was Datuk Jimmy Choo.
Siew was one of 12 finalists to vie for the award and the entry letter that she submitted, detailing her achievements that helped make her time in the UK so rewarding, moved the judges.
In her letter, Siew said: "Since coming to the UK, I feel the sky is the limit and I have dared to dream. This is a place full of opportunities and endless possibilities. The supportive culture in campus, be it from faculty staff or peers, has knitted an extraordinary student life for me. I am a simple country girl who has blossomed into a confident and capable woman."
Despite her busy schedule, Siew finds time to counsel local teenagers interested in a career in healthcare and writes for the medical school newsletter, Mediscope, while also representing the university in debating tournaments.
On her award, she said: "I am thrilled and delighted to have been chosen as an ambassador for my university and country."
Siew has also won the prestigious Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health Student Prize and has been invited to present one of her papers at an international conference.
Martin Davidson, chief executive of the British Council, said: "The British Council knows that international students make a huge contribution and commitment to life in the UK.
"This competition provides a fantastic opportunity for them to earn some well-deserved recognition for their achievements, a great chance for them to show the world what they've achieved while in the UK."
Beware of work risks, says Niosh
Star: PETALING JAYA: The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) wants workers to examine the risks related to their jobs in conjunction with World Health Day for Safety and Health at Work today.
The International Labour Organisation has chosen the theme “My Life, My Work, My Safe Work – Managing Risk in the Work Environment” for the international campaign promoting safety and health at work.
“Some industries are inherently more hazardous than others. Workers must respect and apply measures designed to protect them from occupational hazards,” Niosh chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said.
Nonetheless, Lee said employers were responsible for building and maintaining a safety and health culture that addresses prevention, hazard identification, risk assessment and control, information and training.
“Groups such as migrants and other marginalised workers are often more at risk as poverty frequently forces them into unsafe occupations. The Government, employers and workers’ organisations should conduct awareness-raising activities for employees,” he said.
According to Socso, costs related to occupational safety and health came to more than RM900mil last year due to compensation, lost working time, interruption of production, training and medical expenses.
The International Labour Organisation has chosen the theme “My Life, My Work, My Safe Work – Managing Risk in the Work Environment” for the international campaign promoting safety and health at work.
“Some industries are inherently more hazardous than others. Workers must respect and apply measures designed to protect them from occupational hazards,” Niosh chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said.
Nonetheless, Lee said employers were responsible for building and maintaining a safety and health culture that addresses prevention, hazard identification, risk assessment and control, information and training.
“Groups such as migrants and other marginalised workers are often more at risk as poverty frequently forces them into unsafe occupations. The Government, employers and workers’ organisations should conduct awareness-raising activities for employees,” he said.
According to Socso, costs related to occupational safety and health came to more than RM900mil last year due to compensation, lost working time, interruption of production, training and medical expenses.
Better pay for specialists
Star: KLANG: The Health Ministry is stepping up efforts to get Malaysian specialists overseas to return home by offering them better remuneration.
Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said the Ministry would offer these specialists salaries in the top-most higher management tier, Jusa grades A to C, depending on their experience.
“This will enable them to earn more than RM10,000 a month including allowances,” he said.
This was an upgrade from the current U54 senior officer post offer, which offers less than RM10,000, he added.
Only 112 overseas specialists had returned to Malaysia in the last five years, and the ministry hoped more would come home and serve the people, Liow said.
Asked why some Malaysian specialists abroad had complained that they experienced difficulty in returning home to work, he said it likely had to do with negotiations on salary, perks and working conditions.
“We were using all kinds of means to overcome the shortage of doctors – increasing intake, hiring foreign doctors and increasing incentives. These did not solve the problem.
“Now we are asking the specialists to come home,” he said.
With the country short of 9,000 doctors, he urged general practitioners to return to government hospitals and clinics once or twice a month to contribute their services, just like private specialists are doing.
These doctors would be paid RM80 an hour, he said after launching the Taiwanese graduates’ alumni annual general meeting yesterday.
On a plan to release genetically-modified (GM) “killer” Aedes mosquitoes in the fishing village of Pulau Ketam in Selangor as part of international field trials to fight dengue, he said it would be a breakthrough if it was successful.
However, for now, the ministry would look into environmental and other concerns.
It was reported in an English newspaper yesterday that the GM male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes would be released into the wild to eliminate the Aedes mosquito, which spreads dengue fever.
Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said the Ministry would offer these specialists salaries in the top-most higher management tier, Jusa grades A to C, depending on their experience.
“This will enable them to earn more than RM10,000 a month including allowances,” he said.
This was an upgrade from the current U54 senior officer post offer, which offers less than RM10,000, he added.
Only 112 overseas specialists had returned to Malaysia in the last five years, and the ministry hoped more would come home and serve the people, Liow said.
Asked why some Malaysian specialists abroad had complained that they experienced difficulty in returning home to work, he said it likely had to do with negotiations on salary, perks and working conditions.
“We were using all kinds of means to overcome the shortage of doctors – increasing intake, hiring foreign doctors and increasing incentives. These did not solve the problem.
“Now we are asking the specialists to come home,” he said.
With the country short of 9,000 doctors, he urged general practitioners to return to government hospitals and clinics once or twice a month to contribute their services, just like private specialists are doing.
These doctors would be paid RM80 an hour, he said after launching the Taiwanese graduates’ alumni annual general meeting yesterday.
On a plan to release genetically-modified (GM) “killer” Aedes mosquitoes in the fishing village of Pulau Ketam in Selangor as part of international field trials to fight dengue, he said it would be a breakthrough if it was successful.
However, for now, the ministry would look into environmental and other concerns.
It was reported in an English newspaper yesterday that the GM male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes would be released into the wild to eliminate the Aedes mosquito, which spreads dengue fever.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Health Ministry to test drive-through project at Penang Hospital soon
Star: PETALING JAYA: Patients with chronic ailments may soon enjoy “drive through” facilities to collect their medication instead of having to wait at government hospital pharmacies.
Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said a pilot project would begin at the Penang Hospital in three months to study its feasibility.
The service, which would also operate after hours, would be enjoyed by those who suffered from illnesses like diabetes and hypertension.
“They will not have to come on their work day. They can get their medication after office hours or on weekends,” he said.
Ismail said the move was to make pharmacies at the hospitals less congested.
He said patients would be able to make a telephone call or send an SMS to the pharmacy ahead of making the collection.
“Right now, we do not give medication out every three or six months anymore. It is now on a monthly basis and patients have complained that this is inconvenient,” he said.
Furthermore, he said patients with chronic ailments would not need to see the doctor if it was merely repeating one’s medication.
Dr Ismail said “e-prescribing” – the computerisation of medicine prescriptions – had seen a decrease of the number of prescription errors.
The programme has been implemented at the Putrajaya, Selayang and Sungai Buloh hospitals.
Teaching hospitals like Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and University Malaya Medical Centre have also recognised the benefits of computerisation and e-prescribing, he said.
Ismail said there were now more pharmacists in government hospitals particularly after September 2005 when compulsory service for them was introduced.
By the end of last year, 78% of vacancies for U41 pharmacists had been filled. He said there were 2,288 pharmacists in the public sector.
Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said a pilot project would begin at the Penang Hospital in three months to study its feasibility.
The service, which would also operate after hours, would be enjoyed by those who suffered from illnesses like diabetes and hypertension.
“They will not have to come on their work day. They can get their medication after office hours or on weekends,” he said.
Ismail said the move was to make pharmacies at the hospitals less congested.
He said patients would be able to make a telephone call or send an SMS to the pharmacy ahead of making the collection.
“Right now, we do not give medication out every three or six months anymore. It is now on a monthly basis and patients have complained that this is inconvenient,” he said.
Furthermore, he said patients with chronic ailments would not need to see the doctor if it was merely repeating one’s medication.
Dr Ismail said “e-prescribing” – the computerisation of medicine prescriptions – had seen a decrease of the number of prescription errors.
The programme has been implemented at the Putrajaya, Selayang and Sungai Buloh hospitals.
Teaching hospitals like Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and University Malaya Medical Centre have also recognised the benefits of computerisation and e-prescribing, he said.
Ismail said there were now more pharmacists in government hospitals particularly after September 2005 when compulsory service for them was introduced.
By the end of last year, 78% of vacancies for U41 pharmacists had been filled. He said there were 2,288 pharmacists in the public sector.
'Warrior' mosquitoes to fight dengue scourge
NST: The days of the Aedes mosquitoes appear to be numbered, thanks to the efforts of a British bio-tech company and Malaysia's Institute of Medical Research, writes P. SELVARANI.
MILLIONS of genetically modified (GM) "warrior" Aedes mosquitoes will soon be released into the fishing village of Pulau Ketam off Selangor as part of international field trials to fight the dengue scourge.
The GM male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which carry killer genes, will be released into the wild to eliminate the Aedes mosquito population which spreads dengue fever.
The field trials will be undertaken by the Health Ministry's Institute of Medical Research (IMR) in collaboration with British-based Oxitec Ltd, an insect bio-tech company part-owned by the University of Oxford.
This follows the success of confined lab trials which were conducted under the supervision of the IMR over the past year.
The field testing is expected to be conducted on a wider scale on Pulau Ketam at the end of the year or early next year.
The team is undertaking a baseline survey of the island, which is reported to have a high number of the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
Oxitec has advertised on its website vacancies for the Pulau Ketam field-testing job, which includes a position for a senior entomologist.
The field trials on the island, which is a 30-minute boat ride from Port Klang, are expected to be carried out over a year.
Health Ministry and IMR officials did not want to comment on the tests.
In February, Oxitec had announced that it planned to release the GM mosquitoes in Malaysia on a large scale in three years, following its successful trials.
Calcutta's The Telegraph newspaper had quoted Oxitec's head of public health, Seshadri S. Vasan, as saying that the first confined field study under the supervision of the IMR "yielded encouraging results".
Sources said the controlled lab tests done here were the first in the world and was a breakthrough in the fight against dengue, which has grown to alarming proportions across the globe in recent years.
The technique involves releasing GM male Aedes mosquitoes to mate with the female Aedes mosquito. The lethal genes cause the larvae to die.
(Only a female mosquito can transmit the disease-causing germ because it, and not the male mosquito, has a proboscis that is capable of piercing the human skin.)
The Aedes mosquito is the main vector for dengue and chikungunya fever and conventional methods such as fogging have been ineffective in controlling the spread of these diseases.
However, environmental non-governmental organisations fear that releasing these GM mosquitoes in the wild may affect the ecosystem and cause further damage.
Gurmit Singh, the chairman of the Centre for Environment, Technology and Development, said: "Like all GM organisms, once they have been released in the wild, how do you prevent them from interacting with other insects and producing mutants which may be worse than the Aedes mos-quito?"
It is learnt that if the Pulau Ketam field trials prove successful, the next step would be to introduce the killer mosquitoes in bigger towns which have a high incidence of dengue.
The Telegraph had also reported that the sterile insect technique (SIT), which involves releasing millions of sterile male insects over a wide area to mate with the native female ones, had been around for decades.
It said the conventional sterilisation programmes using radiation or chemical treatment to foster sterility, which were tried on mosquitoes as well, did not work.
Irradiation rendered these mosquitoes so sickly and unattractive that their female counterparts shunned them for the wild ones.
On the other hand, mosquitoes subjected to Oxitec's proprietary technique, called RIDL-SIT, remained healthy and attractive enough to woo the native female insects.
This was proved in independent case studies in Oxford and France and in contained semi-field trials in Malaysia.
Vasan was quoted as saying that the latest study in Malaysia showed that "up to 50 per cent of the wild type female mosquitoes chose to mate with Oxitec's RIDL male mosquitoes".
The paper added that Oxitec had received regulatory and import permits for confined evaluation in the US, France and Malaysia.
MILLIONS of genetically modified (GM) "warrior" Aedes mosquitoes will soon be released into the fishing village of Pulau Ketam off Selangor as part of international field trials to fight the dengue scourge.
The GM male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which carry killer genes, will be released into the wild to eliminate the Aedes mosquito population which spreads dengue fever.
The field trials will be undertaken by the Health Ministry's Institute of Medical Research (IMR) in collaboration with British-based Oxitec Ltd, an insect bio-tech company part-owned by the University of Oxford.
This follows the success of confined lab trials which were conducted under the supervision of the IMR over the past year.
The field testing is expected to be conducted on a wider scale on Pulau Ketam at the end of the year or early next year.
The team is undertaking a baseline survey of the island, which is reported to have a high number of the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
Oxitec has advertised on its website vacancies for the Pulau Ketam field-testing job, which includes a position for a senior entomologist.
The field trials on the island, which is a 30-minute boat ride from Port Klang, are expected to be carried out over a year.
Health Ministry and IMR officials did not want to comment on the tests.
In February, Oxitec had announced that it planned to release the GM mosquitoes in Malaysia on a large scale in three years, following its successful trials.
Calcutta's The Telegraph newspaper had quoted Oxitec's head of public health, Seshadri S. Vasan, as saying that the first confined field study under the supervision of the IMR "yielded encouraging results".
Sources said the controlled lab tests done here were the first in the world and was a breakthrough in the fight against dengue, which has grown to alarming proportions across the globe in recent years.
The technique involves releasing GM male Aedes mosquitoes to mate with the female Aedes mosquito. The lethal genes cause the larvae to die.
(Only a female mosquito can transmit the disease-causing germ because it, and not the male mosquito, has a proboscis that is capable of piercing the human skin.)
The Aedes mosquito is the main vector for dengue and chikungunya fever and conventional methods such as fogging have been ineffective in controlling the spread of these diseases.
However, environmental non-governmental organisations fear that releasing these GM mosquitoes in the wild may affect the ecosystem and cause further damage.
Gurmit Singh, the chairman of the Centre for Environment, Technology and Development, said: "Like all GM organisms, once they have been released in the wild, how do you prevent them from interacting with other insects and producing mutants which may be worse than the Aedes mos-quito?"
It is learnt that if the Pulau Ketam field trials prove successful, the next step would be to introduce the killer mosquitoes in bigger towns which have a high incidence of dengue.
The Telegraph had also reported that the sterile insect technique (SIT), which involves releasing millions of sterile male insects over a wide area to mate with the native female ones, had been around for decades.
It said the conventional sterilisation programmes using radiation or chemical treatment to foster sterility, which were tried on mosquitoes as well, did not work.
Irradiation rendered these mosquitoes so sickly and unattractive that their female counterparts shunned them for the wild ones.
On the other hand, mosquitoes subjected to Oxitec's proprietary technique, called RIDL-SIT, remained healthy and attractive enough to woo the native female insects.
This was proved in independent case studies in Oxford and France and in contained semi-field trials in Malaysia.
Vasan was quoted as saying that the latest study in Malaysia showed that "up to 50 per cent of the wild type female mosquitoes chose to mate with Oxitec's RIDL male mosquitoes".
The paper added that Oxitec had received regulatory and import permits for confined evaluation in the US, France and Malaysia.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Ministry awaits starfruit case report
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry is still waiting for the report from a hospital in Shenzhen, China, to find out why a retired assistant headmaster suffered a seizure after eating starfruit and slipped into a coma.
Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said the ministry was just as anxious as the media and public to know the reason for Tang Gon Seang's coma and the current condition of his health.
Some health experts, nutritionists and starfruit industry players feel that pesticide residue on the fruit is the reason why Tang, 66, had to be hospitalised.
However, when commenting on Tang's case at a press conference on Tuesday, Professor Dr Tan Si Yen of the University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) said some medical experts think the fruit is dangerous to renal failure patients.
This is because it contains a particular neurotoxin and has a high level of oxalic acid.
MCA public service and complaints bureau chief Datuk Michael Chong, when contacted, said that Tang was still comatose and had shown no improvement.
He said Tang's family was making arrangements to bring him back by the end of the month so that he could be admitted at the UMMC.
Meanwhile, Wisma Putra said that it had been in touch with Chong and Malaysia's consulate-general in Guangzhou to get updates on Tang's condition and to help Tang's family, if they request it, to fly him back.
"There are procedures to be adhered to, including obtaining letters from the relevant parties, to fly him back to Malaysia.
"There is a need to ensure that nothing happens to him during the flight," said a spokesman from Wisma Putra.
Tang, a former assistant headmaster of SRJK (C) Kwong Hwa in Butterworth, went to China on Feb 18 with his wife, Teoh Hui Fong, 58, to visit their son, who works there as an engineer.
Tang fell unconscious there on March 29 and slipped into a coma soon after being admitted to hospital.
A specialist diagnosed his condition as being caused by the starfruit he had eaten.
More than 10 patients at the Shenzhen hospital also suffered similar symptoms after eating starfruit.
Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said the ministry was just as anxious as the media and public to know the reason for Tang Gon Seang's coma and the current condition of his health.
Some health experts, nutritionists and starfruit industry players feel that pesticide residue on the fruit is the reason why Tang, 66, had to be hospitalised.
However, when commenting on Tang's case at a press conference on Tuesday, Professor Dr Tan Si Yen of the University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) said some medical experts think the fruit is dangerous to renal failure patients.
This is because it contains a particular neurotoxin and has a high level of oxalic acid.
MCA public service and complaints bureau chief Datuk Michael Chong, when contacted, said that Tang was still comatose and had shown no improvement.
He said Tang's family was making arrangements to bring him back by the end of the month so that he could be admitted at the UMMC.
Meanwhile, Wisma Putra said that it had been in touch with Chong and Malaysia's consulate-general in Guangzhou to get updates on Tang's condition and to help Tang's family, if they request it, to fly him back.
"There are procedures to be adhered to, including obtaining letters from the relevant parties, to fly him back to Malaysia.
"There is a need to ensure that nothing happens to him during the flight," said a spokesman from Wisma Putra.
Tang, a former assistant headmaster of SRJK (C) Kwong Hwa in Butterworth, went to China on Feb 18 with his wife, Teoh Hui Fong, 58, to visit their son, who works there as an engineer.
Tang fell unconscious there on March 29 and slipped into a coma soon after being admitted to hospital.
A specialist diagnosed his condition as being caused by the starfruit he had eaten.
More than 10 patients at the Shenzhen hospital also suffered similar symptoms after eating starfruit.
Docs can’t register ‘excessive’ number
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: It is unacceptable for doctors to register an “excessive” number of clinics under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act.
“If you say you have got three clinics and you are at one clinic in the morning, another in the afternoon and another at night, it is reasonable. But you cannot register five or six or even 10 clinics. That is unacceptable. It is impossible,” Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai told reporters Thursday after launching World Glaucoma Day.
“We want to ensure that for every clinic, there is a doctor responsible for it.”
He was asked to comment on a Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) statement where president Datuk Dr Khoo Kah Lin warned private clinic doctors of legal action if they failed to register their establishments under the Act.
Dr Khoo had said more than 6,000 or 96% of doctors had already registered with the ministry.
Liow added that doctors should self regulate where the registration allowed them to practice and treat patients.
He also said the ministry was setting up a “structured” mechanism where the public could complain if they were charged exorbitant fees by private medical establishments.
The mechanism would be placed under the ministry’s medical practices division where investigations could be carried out swiftly.
Discussions would also be held with relevant parties such as the MMA and the Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia.
On 66-year-old Malaysian, Tang Gon Seang, who is among more than a dozen people in a coma after eating star fruits in Shenzhen province in China, Liow said the ministry was waiting for a report from their Chinese counterparts.
In a bid to help to prevent eye diseases among Malaysians, Liow said ophthalmologists would visit rural areas more frequently to carry out checks on residents there.
The visits could range from weekly to monthly ones, he said.
He also asked for the more than 700 optometrists to help in carrying out eye checks, as the number of qualified ophthalmologists within the ministry was only about 140.
The leading cause of blindness in Malaysia was still cataracts while glaucoma caused 1.8% of the 78,000 blindness cases.
Among the risk factors for glaucoma are having family members who suffered from the disease, diabetes, high eye pressure or intraocular pressure, short sightedness, and prolonged and frequent usage of steroids. Those aged 45 years and above are also at risk.
Symptoms include blurred vision, red eye, problem focussing in darkness and loss of peripheral sight.
“If you say you have got three clinics and you are at one clinic in the morning, another in the afternoon and another at night, it is reasonable. But you cannot register five or six or even 10 clinics. That is unacceptable. It is impossible,” Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai told reporters Thursday after launching World Glaucoma Day.
“We want to ensure that for every clinic, there is a doctor responsible for it.”
He was asked to comment on a Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) statement where president Datuk Dr Khoo Kah Lin warned private clinic doctors of legal action if they failed to register their establishments under the Act.
Dr Khoo had said more than 6,000 or 96% of doctors had already registered with the ministry.
Liow added that doctors should self regulate where the registration allowed them to practice and treat patients.
He also said the ministry was setting up a “structured” mechanism where the public could complain if they were charged exorbitant fees by private medical establishments.
The mechanism would be placed under the ministry’s medical practices division where investigations could be carried out swiftly.
Discussions would also be held with relevant parties such as the MMA and the Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia.
On 66-year-old Malaysian, Tang Gon Seang, who is among more than a dozen people in a coma after eating star fruits in Shenzhen province in China, Liow said the ministry was waiting for a report from their Chinese counterparts.
In a bid to help to prevent eye diseases among Malaysians, Liow said ophthalmologists would visit rural areas more frequently to carry out checks on residents there.
The visits could range from weekly to monthly ones, he said.
He also asked for the more than 700 optometrists to help in carrying out eye checks, as the number of qualified ophthalmologists within the ministry was only about 140.
The leading cause of blindness in Malaysia was still cataracts while glaucoma caused 1.8% of the 78,000 blindness cases.
Among the risk factors for glaucoma are having family members who suffered from the disease, diabetes, high eye pressure or intraocular pressure, short sightedness, and prolonged and frequent usage of steroids. Those aged 45 years and above are also at risk.
Symptoms include blurred vision, red eye, problem focussing in darkness and loss of peripheral sight.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Dystonia patient gets life back after surgery
NST: KOTA BARU: Three years ago, Zakaria Taib's life was turned upside down when he was diagnosed with a movement disorder called Dystonia.
Since then, the 62-year-old retired teacher suffered continuous pain with severe cramps that often left him bedridden. He even had difficulty talking.
But after undergoing a corrective surgery called Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) therapy treatment at Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital (HUSM) in Kubang Kerian on Jan 31, the father of nine is now able to walk, talk and even drive.
Zakaria was a picture of happiness when met at a press conference in HUSM yesterday.
He was accompanied by his wife Khadijah Hassan, 53, and the team of doctors who treated him, led by HUSM neurosurgeon and neuroscience department head, Professor Dr Jafri Malim Abdullah.
"I am the happiest man alive as I got my life back. Before this, I couldn't walk and talk or do simple tasks. After undergoing the DSB treatment, I can drive my car and read newspaper everyday."
He said that his wife had to quit her teaching job to take care of him.
"My wife and family had to help carry me around. I required help even for basic tasks like eating and bathing. It was very hard on them and I am grateful that they were there for me.
"Although I have not recovered 100 per cent, my condition is now much better, thanks to the doctors," he said.
Dr Jafri said Dystonia patients can undergo treatment at the hospital at less than the cost charged by private hospitals.
Since performing its first operation last year, he said they had two more patients including Zakaria.
The procedure involved inserting two electrical wires in their brain that would be connected to a battery implanted in their chest. The battery can last for five years and can be replaced.
While private practice charges around RM200,000 for the treatment, he said HUSM charged up to RM140,000 including the battery that costs RM20,000.
"So far, only HUSM offers an alternative for patients, especially from the lower income group, to get their treatment at a reasonable cost," he said.
Since then, the 62-year-old retired teacher suffered continuous pain with severe cramps that often left him bedridden. He even had difficulty talking.
But after undergoing a corrective surgery called Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) therapy treatment at Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital (HUSM) in Kubang Kerian on Jan 31, the father of nine is now able to walk, talk and even drive.
Zakaria was a picture of happiness when met at a press conference in HUSM yesterday.
He was accompanied by his wife Khadijah Hassan, 53, and the team of doctors who treated him, led by HUSM neurosurgeon and neuroscience department head, Professor Dr Jafri Malim Abdullah.
"I am the happiest man alive as I got my life back. Before this, I couldn't walk and talk or do simple tasks. After undergoing the DSB treatment, I can drive my car and read newspaper everyday."
He said that his wife had to quit her teaching job to take care of him.
"My wife and family had to help carry me around. I required help even for basic tasks like eating and bathing. It was very hard on them and I am grateful that they were there for me.
"Although I have not recovered 100 per cent, my condition is now much better, thanks to the doctors," he said.
Dr Jafri said Dystonia patients can undergo treatment at the hospital at less than the cost charged by private hospitals.
Since performing its first operation last year, he said they had two more patients including Zakaria.
The procedure involved inserting two electrical wires in their brain that would be connected to a battery implanted in their chest. The battery can last for five years and can be replaced.
While private practice charges around RM200,000 for the treatment, he said HUSM charged up to RM140,000 including the battery that costs RM20,000.
"So far, only HUSM offers an alternative for patients, especially from the lower income group, to get their treatment at a reasonable cost," he said.
Dept mulls check-ups for NS trainees
NST: KUANTAN: The death of a National Service (NS) trainee and the case of a female participant giving birth may see trainees undergoing medical checkups before joining the camp.
At present, trainee are only required to make a declaration on their health status when registering at the respective camps.
NS Training Department director-general Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang Kechil said the department would get feedback from the Health Ministry and NS Training Council before making a proposal for the compulsory medical checkup.
"I will bring this matter up in the next meeting with ministry officials and council chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye," he said after opening a motivational talk by NS icon Mej Dr Faiz Khalid at the Cahaya Gemilang NS camp in Cherating near here yesterday.
Abdul Hadi said in the two recent cases, the trainees did not know or declare their health status as required. "Both had indicated in the declaration forms that they were fit to join the programme."
He said the student who delivered her baby after joining the programme in Kemaman had only asked for exemption from physical training as she claimed that she had piles.
As for the trainee from the Tapah camp, he was given proper treatment before he died of "pulmonary haemorrhage" due to infection at the Teluk Intan Hospital.
At present, trainee are only required to make a declaration on their health status when registering at the respective camps.
NS Training Department director-general Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang Kechil said the department would get feedback from the Health Ministry and NS Training Council before making a proposal for the compulsory medical checkup.
"I will bring this matter up in the next meeting with ministry officials and council chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye," he said after opening a motivational talk by NS icon Mej Dr Faiz Khalid at the Cahaya Gemilang NS camp in Cherating near here yesterday.
Abdul Hadi said in the two recent cases, the trainees did not know or declare their health status as required. "Both had indicated in the declaration forms that they were fit to join the programme."
He said the student who delivered her baby after joining the programme in Kemaman had only asked for exemption from physical training as she claimed that she had piles.
As for the trainee from the Tapah camp, he was given proper treatment before he died of "pulmonary haemorrhage" due to infection at the Teluk Intan Hospital.
Doctors or pharmacists?
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: Complement each other, not fight. This is the advice given by Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai to doctors and pharmacists who have been arguing over the right to dispense medicines.
"We are talking about two professional bodies. They should complement each other and not be competing with each other."
He said it could not be denied that both were specialised in their respective fields of work.
Right now, Liow said, the system was such that doctors handled all the functions.
On the issue of separation of duties in the dispensing of medicine, he said: "I had a meeting with the Malaysian Medical Council last week and I will be meeting representatives from the Malaysian Medical Association tomorrow. I will meet representatives from the pharmaceutical industry next week."
Liow said he would decide on the matter after the meetings.
For almost 20 years, pharmacists have been fighting for the return of their right to dispense medications but have been unsuccessful for various reasons.
The ministry had planned to conduct a pilot project on the separation of functions between clinics and pharmacies in selected major towns before implementing it nationwide.
However, even before the pilot project could kick off, there have been protests by doctors.
"We are talking about two professional bodies. They should complement each other and not be competing with each other."
He said it could not be denied that both were specialised in their respective fields of work.
Right now, Liow said, the system was such that doctors handled all the functions.
On the issue of separation of duties in the dispensing of medicine, he said: "I had a meeting with the Malaysian Medical Council last week and I will be meeting representatives from the Malaysian Medical Association tomorrow. I will meet representatives from the pharmaceutical industry next week."
Liow said he would decide on the matter after the meetings.
For almost 20 years, pharmacists have been fighting for the return of their right to dispense medications but have been unsuccessful for various reasons.
The ministry had planned to conduct a pilot project on the separation of functions between clinics and pharmacies in selected major towns before implementing it nationwide.
However, even before the pilot project could kick off, there have been protests by doctors.
Patients want their pills from clinics
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: The number of patients who visit private clinics may drop if doctors are not allowed to dispense medication, said the Dermatological Society of Malaysia.
Its president, Dr Allan K.C. Yee, said Malaysians usually see a doctor to get medicines.
"Malaysians generally do not believe in paying consultation fee for nothing, if they know they are not going to get medicines from the doctor," he said.
This is one of the reasons why the 70-plus member society is against the idea of separation of functions of doctors and pharmacists which would also apply to dermatologists, who are medical doctors by profession, said Yee.
He added that dermatologists are more qualified than pharmacists in advising patients in applying topical medicines which is frequently the common treatment for skin problems.
"Dermatologists are better qualified to show the patients how to apply the medicine to the affected skin, how much of the medicine to use and how to store them," he said.
The patients might also be shy to ask the pharmacists how to use the medicine in a pharmacy, especially if the problem is around the private parts, he said.
Yee admitted that dermatologists' profits will drop if the separation takes place but said the consultation rate will not change.
He also said the condition of the topical drugs is compromised when drugs are sold in bulk packaging and then repacked by pharmacists.
"Customers are the ones who lose out because they would not be able to keep the medicine for long as it would be either spoilt or become ineffective," he said.
Its president, Dr Allan K.C. Yee, said Malaysians usually see a doctor to get medicines.
"Malaysians generally do not believe in paying consultation fee for nothing, if they know they are not going to get medicines from the doctor," he said.
This is one of the reasons why the 70-plus member society is against the idea of separation of functions of doctors and pharmacists which would also apply to dermatologists, who are medical doctors by profession, said Yee.
He added that dermatologists are more qualified than pharmacists in advising patients in applying topical medicines which is frequently the common treatment for skin problems.
"Dermatologists are better qualified to show the patients how to apply the medicine to the affected skin, how much of the medicine to use and how to store them," he said.
The patients might also be shy to ask the pharmacists how to use the medicine in a pharmacy, especially if the problem is around the private parts, he said.
Yee admitted that dermatologists' profits will drop if the separation takes place but said the consultation rate will not change.
He also said the condition of the topical drugs is compromised when drugs are sold in bulk packaging and then repacked by pharmacists.
"Customers are the ones who lose out because they would not be able to keep the medicine for long as it would be either spoilt or become ineffective," he said.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Aedes breeding in 80pc of project sites
NST: SHAH ALAM: Eighty per cent of construction sites and abandoned projects inspected in Selangor were found to be breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes.
State Health director Dr Rosnah Hadis said this was one of the main factors contributing to the high number of dengue cases in the state.
Aedes larvae were found in polystyrene containers left by workers, wheelbarrows and even in puddles of water on the floors of unfinished buildings.
Dr Rosnah said many construction sites, especially in Shah Alam, had been issued compound notices and stop-work orders for ignoring the Health Department's notices.
"Eight out of 10 places inspected were found to be breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes. My strategy now is to target these sites," she told the New Straits Times at an exhibition and talk on dengue prevention organised by the state Health Department with the co-operation of Shah Alam Municipal Council (MBSA) yesterday.
Dr Rosnah said previously, fogging was carried out only at construction and abandoned sites which were near reported cases of dengue.
As of April 12, a total of 4,389 cases of dengue have been reported in Selangor, with areas under MBSA's jurisdiction recording the highest number, at 332 cases.
From April 6 to 12, 326 new cases were reported in the state.
State Health, Estate Workers, Poverty and Caring Government Committee chairman Dr A. Xavier Jayakumar, who was present at the event, said all involved parties should sit together to map new strategies to combat dengue.
Commenting on an NST article yesterday on the lack of funding for dengue research, Dr Xavier said funds should be channelled to the relevant parties for new studies to be undertaken.
"Funding should be increased. Currently, the Institute for Medical Research is carrying out research on dengue and Aedes mosquitoes."
He added that with more funds, manpower could be expanded and there would be more people working on fighting dengue.
State Health director Dr Rosnah Hadis said this was one of the main factors contributing to the high number of dengue cases in the state.
Aedes larvae were found in polystyrene containers left by workers, wheelbarrows and even in puddles of water on the floors of unfinished buildings.
Dr Rosnah said many construction sites, especially in Shah Alam, had been issued compound notices and stop-work orders for ignoring the Health Department's notices.
"Eight out of 10 places inspected were found to be breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes. My strategy now is to target these sites," she told the New Straits Times at an exhibition and talk on dengue prevention organised by the state Health Department with the co-operation of Shah Alam Municipal Council (MBSA) yesterday.
Dr Rosnah said previously, fogging was carried out only at construction and abandoned sites which were near reported cases of dengue.
As of April 12, a total of 4,389 cases of dengue have been reported in Selangor, with areas under MBSA's jurisdiction recording the highest number, at 332 cases.
From April 6 to 12, 326 new cases were reported in the state.
State Health, Estate Workers, Poverty and Caring Government Committee chairman Dr A. Xavier Jayakumar, who was present at the event, said all involved parties should sit together to map new strategies to combat dengue.
Commenting on an NST article yesterday on the lack of funding for dengue research, Dr Xavier said funds should be channelled to the relevant parties for new studies to be undertaken.
"Funding should be increased. Currently, the Institute for Medical Research is carrying out research on dengue and Aedes mosquitoes."
He added that with more funds, manpower could be expanded and there would be more people working on fighting dengue.
Proposal to avoid serious health issues among NS trainees
Star: AYER HITAM (Johor): More stringent medical checks at national service camps nationwide are among the proposed measures to address health problems among trainees.
National Service Council chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said every camp was equipped with qualified medical assistants to conduct such checks.
“I have brought up the matter with the programme’s director-general Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang Kechil and he will look into ways to avoid serious health problems among trainees.
“Besides that, I want all the trainees to be honest in declaring the state of their health before entering the camps,” he told a press conference after launching the Sembrong NS Camp open day here yesterday.
He was commenting on reports of a female trainee in Kemaman, Terengganu, who recently gave birth after complaining of stomach pains.
Lee said Abdul Hadi would discuss these issues with the Health Ministry.
He said that at present, compulsory medical checks for every trainee prior to entering camp was not possible as the Health Ministry did not have enough manpower.
“The Health Ministry could not agree with the proposal for a compulsory check-up when the matter was discussed in 2004.
“However, we will revisit the matter if the need arises in the future,” he said.
On another matter, Lee said the NS committee would go to schools to explain and promote the programme to future trainees, but it would be done on a request basis.
“The future trainees, mainly Form Four and Form Five students will be better prepared mentally after attending these sessions.
“We welcome SMK and Chinese independent schools to request for such talks but we cannot accommodate all schools as we do not have enough manpower,” he said.
At the open day yesterday, Angkasawan Mejar Dr Faiz Khalid, who earlier this year was appointed as the NS programme icon, held a dialogue with the trainees.
National Service Council chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said every camp was equipped with qualified medical assistants to conduct such checks.
“I have brought up the matter with the programme’s director-general Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang Kechil and he will look into ways to avoid serious health problems among trainees.
“Besides that, I want all the trainees to be honest in declaring the state of their health before entering the camps,” he told a press conference after launching the Sembrong NS Camp open day here yesterday.
He was commenting on reports of a female trainee in Kemaman, Terengganu, who recently gave birth after complaining of stomach pains.
Lee said Abdul Hadi would discuss these issues with the Health Ministry.
He said that at present, compulsory medical checks for every trainee prior to entering camp was not possible as the Health Ministry did not have enough manpower.
“The Health Ministry could not agree with the proposal for a compulsory check-up when the matter was discussed in 2004.
“However, we will revisit the matter if the need arises in the future,” he said.
On another matter, Lee said the NS committee would go to schools to explain and promote the programme to future trainees, but it would be done on a request basis.
“The future trainees, mainly Form Four and Form Five students will be better prepared mentally after attending these sessions.
“We welcome SMK and Chinese independent schools to request for such talks but we cannot accommodate all schools as we do not have enough manpower,” he said.
At the open day yesterday, Angkasawan Mejar Dr Faiz Khalid, who earlier this year was appointed as the NS programme icon, held a dialogue with the trainees.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Medical grads snub ministry programme
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: Most of the medical graduates from unrecognised universities appear to have snubbed the special programme offered by the Health Ministry.
Just a dozen of the 220 graduates may opt for the programme said P. Chitrakala Vasu, chief executive officer of Maju Institute of Educational Development which is registering students for the programme at its Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology University. She said the figure is based on the number of the graduates who took the registration forms at Tuesday's dialogue with MIED chairman Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.
Chitrakala said the programme comprised one-year pre-clinical studies at a medical institution and two years of practical clinical work at appointed hospitals. The affected graduates, 70 per cent of whom are Indians, attended last Tuesday's dialogue session. However, a spokesperson for the graduates, claimed that none of the graduates were interested in the three-year programme.
The programme costs RM150,000 and there is no guarantee of a pass.
"These graduates will have to spend an additional five years, which includes the compulsory two years housemanship, before they can practise," said the spokesperson. She added that many of them had decided to sit for the equivalent qualifying exam overseas.
The affected medical graduates obtained their degrees from the Philippines, China, Japan, Pakistan, Romania, India, Armenia, Indonesia and the British Virgin Islands.
The spokesperson said the graduates' degrees were recognised by the World Health Organisation.
She said many chose to pursue degrees that are unrecognised in Malaysia as the graduates failed to get a place in local universities.
The cost of pursuing a medical degree in a recognised foreign university can be as low as RM150,000 or as high as RM1 million, according to Pathmavathy Suresh, the managing director of Nugrahan Sdn Bhd, a representative of recognised foreign universities The cost of getting a medical degree at an unrecognised university is between RM70,000 and RM150,000, she said.
Just a dozen of the 220 graduates may opt for the programme said P. Chitrakala Vasu, chief executive officer of Maju Institute of Educational Development which is registering students for the programme at its Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology University. She said the figure is based on the number of the graduates who took the registration forms at Tuesday's dialogue with MIED chairman Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.
Chitrakala said the programme comprised one-year pre-clinical studies at a medical institution and two years of practical clinical work at appointed hospitals. The affected graduates, 70 per cent of whom are Indians, attended last Tuesday's dialogue session. However, a spokesperson for the graduates, claimed that none of the graduates were interested in the three-year programme.
The programme costs RM150,000 and there is no guarantee of a pass.
"These graduates will have to spend an additional five years, which includes the compulsory two years housemanship, before they can practise," said the spokesperson. She added that many of them had decided to sit for the equivalent qualifying exam overseas.
The affected medical graduates obtained their degrees from the Philippines, China, Japan, Pakistan, Romania, India, Armenia, Indonesia and the British Virgin Islands.
The spokesperson said the graduates' degrees were recognised by the World Health Organisation.
She said many chose to pursue degrees that are unrecognised in Malaysia as the graduates failed to get a place in local universities.
The cost of pursuing a medical degree in a recognised foreign university can be as low as RM150,000 or as high as RM1 million, according to Pathmavathy Suresh, the managing director of Nugrahan Sdn Bhd, a representative of recognised foreign universities The cost of getting a medical degree at an unrecognised university is between RM70,000 and RM150,000, she said.
Health Ministry to study hospital charges
Star: PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) and Fomca support the Health Ministry’s plan to review private hospital charges for room, equipment and medicine.
MMA said the charges should be uniform while Fomca proposed the ministry use existing mechanism within its purview to address the issue.
However, the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) merely expressed its willingness to listen to Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai’s recommendations but doubted that it would be easy to regulate the charges.
MMA president Datuk Dr Khoo Kah Lin said currently, such charges were not totally uniform as private hospitals set their own billing standard.
“We support the call to look into such charges so that we will see a more streamlined, affordable and equitable and uniform rates at the private hospitals,” he said yesterday.
“If the government regulates doctors’ fees, but does not regulate hospital charges, it is not going to be able to make medical treatment in the private sector affordable to consumers. Doctors’ fees form a very small fraction of the hospital bills,” he said.
Dr Khoo was commenting on the Health Minister’s remark that a committee would be set up to conduct a study on the issue of private hospital fees.
Liow said the ministry had a mechanism to control charges under the Private Hospital Act.
However, Dr Khoo said there must be a reasonable control of private hospital charges in view of the rising prices of medical equipment and drugs.
“While the minister’s call for a review of costs in private hospitals is a good idea, I would like to caution the people that there are various pricing depending on what type of surgery, equipment, facilities and medicine used.
“We can’t push to say that everybody must reduce prices because private hospitals providing five-star quality services and those with three-star quality services are not the same,” he added.
APHM vice-president Datuk Teddric Jon Mohr said the association would listen to the minister’s recommendations and share its concerns and ideas to come up with a solution.
“We are willing to sit down with the minister but private hospitals have to spend millions of ringgit on hidden costs. There are a lot of issues private hospitals have to deal with to maintain their standard.”
Pressed further if it was possible to make uniform charges of room, equipment and medicine at private hospitals, he said:
“It will be very difficult. For instance, I don’t think we could say that every private hospital can charge RM200 for in-house patients because different hospitals have different things.”
Fomca vice-president K. Koris said the association welcomed the minister’s concern but questioned the need to set up a committee to conduct a study on the matter.
He proposed that Liow use the mechanism within his ministry such as the National Patient Safety Council to look into the issue.
MMA said the charges should be uniform while Fomca proposed the ministry use existing mechanism within its purview to address the issue.
However, the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) merely expressed its willingness to listen to Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai’s recommendations but doubted that it would be easy to regulate the charges.
MMA president Datuk Dr Khoo Kah Lin said currently, such charges were not totally uniform as private hospitals set their own billing standard.
“We support the call to look into such charges so that we will see a more streamlined, affordable and equitable and uniform rates at the private hospitals,” he said yesterday.
“If the government regulates doctors’ fees, but does not regulate hospital charges, it is not going to be able to make medical treatment in the private sector affordable to consumers. Doctors’ fees form a very small fraction of the hospital bills,” he said.
Dr Khoo was commenting on the Health Minister’s remark that a committee would be set up to conduct a study on the issue of private hospital fees.
Liow said the ministry had a mechanism to control charges under the Private Hospital Act.
However, Dr Khoo said there must be a reasonable control of private hospital charges in view of the rising prices of medical equipment and drugs.
“While the minister’s call for a review of costs in private hospitals is a good idea, I would like to caution the people that there are various pricing depending on what type of surgery, equipment, facilities and medicine used.
“We can’t push to say that everybody must reduce prices because private hospitals providing five-star quality services and those with three-star quality services are not the same,” he added.
APHM vice-president Datuk Teddric Jon Mohr said the association would listen to the minister’s recommendations and share its concerns and ideas to come up with a solution.
“We are willing to sit down with the minister but private hospitals have to spend millions of ringgit on hidden costs. There are a lot of issues private hospitals have to deal with to maintain their standard.”
Pressed further if it was possible to make uniform charges of room, equipment and medicine at private hospitals, he said:
“It will be very difficult. For instance, I don’t think we could say that every private hospital can charge RM200 for in-house patients because different hospitals have different things.”
Fomca vice-president K. Koris said the association welcomed the minister’s concern but questioned the need to set up a committee to conduct a study on the matter.
He proposed that Liow use the mechanism within his ministry such as the National Patient Safety Council to look into the issue.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Health ministry to check on private hospital charges deemed excessive
Star: PETALING JAYA: The Health Ministry will review private hospitals' charges for room, equipment and medicine, which many have said are excessive.
Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said he would instruct the director-general to set up a committee to conduct a thorough study on the issue of private hospitals' fees.
He said the ministry had a mechanism to control the charges under the Private Hospital Act and that currently only doctors’ fees were regulated.
He also said he would meet the Malaysian Medical Association, Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia and consumers associations to get their feedback.
“When I say that the ministry will review the fees, it does not mean that we want to limit the hospital fees,” Liow said.
“Don’t get me wrong, but there are some hospitals that are reasonable with their charges because of their five-star-quality services, but some are exorbitant.”
Liow also said the Government only regulated certain charges and that it would not be easy to regulate all the charges as some patients preferred to stay in luxurious rooms.
He urged the public to complain to the ministry if they were not satisfied with their hospital bills.
“I will set up an avenue for the public to lodge complaints and I will make sure that there is a proper mechanism to address the problem,” he said.
MCA Public Services and Complaints Department chief Datuk Michael Chong said he often received requests from patients for his help to appeal to hospitals to reduce charges.
He said some of the cases involved RM20,000 to RM50,000, especially surgery cases.
“I advise patients to demand itemised billing from hospitals, so they can dispute the charges if they feel that they are unreasonable,” he said.
However, he said patients who requested for extra services such as deluxe rooms should not complain about the extra charges.
National Consumer Complaints Centre director Darshan Singh said the review was a timely move as medical bills have been escalating.
“The prices are inflating and this is also probably because of involvement of insurance companies,” he said.
Muslim Consumers Association project director Noor Nirwandy Mat Noordin lauded the ministry’s plan and said private hospitals should have some social obligations.
“Some of their profit must go back to society through discounts,” he said.
Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said he would instruct the director-general to set up a committee to conduct a thorough study on the issue of private hospitals' fees.
He said the ministry had a mechanism to control the charges under the Private Hospital Act and that currently only doctors’ fees were regulated.
He also said he would meet the Malaysian Medical Association, Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia and consumers associations to get their feedback.
“When I say that the ministry will review the fees, it does not mean that we want to limit the hospital fees,” Liow said.
“Don’t get me wrong, but there are some hospitals that are reasonable with their charges because of their five-star-quality services, but some are exorbitant.”
Liow also said the Government only regulated certain charges and that it would not be easy to regulate all the charges as some patients preferred to stay in luxurious rooms.
He urged the public to complain to the ministry if they were not satisfied with their hospital bills.
“I will set up an avenue for the public to lodge complaints and I will make sure that there is a proper mechanism to address the problem,” he said.
MCA Public Services and Complaints Department chief Datuk Michael Chong said he often received requests from patients for his help to appeal to hospitals to reduce charges.
He said some of the cases involved RM20,000 to RM50,000, especially surgery cases.
“I advise patients to demand itemised billing from hospitals, so they can dispute the charges if they feel that they are unreasonable,” he said.
However, he said patients who requested for extra services such as deluxe rooms should not complain about the extra charges.
National Consumer Complaints Centre director Darshan Singh said the review was a timely move as medical bills have been escalating.
“The prices are inflating and this is also probably because of involvement of insurance companies,” he said.
Muslim Consumers Association project director Noor Nirwandy Mat Noordin lauded the ministry’s plan and said private hospitals should have some social obligations.
“Some of their profit must go back to society through discounts,” he said.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Grads prefer to stay on overseas
Star: PUTRAJAYA: More and more medical students sent abroad to study on government scholarships, many costing more than a million ringgit each, are breaking their 10-year bond by refusing to return and serve in public hospitals.
“This is a sore point with us. In 2006, 21 medical students in Britain did not return. Last year, the number was 63. For those studying in Ireland, three students did not come back in 2006 while last year, 27 did not return,” said Human Capital Development division director Datin Madinah Mohamad.
She said these students cost the Government up to RM1.1mil each in funding for the five-year course.
“The number has been steadily increasing each year since 2003. The excuse these undergraduates often give is that they want to do their two-year housemanship over there and continue with sub-specialisation courses.
“But when they do so, they may then get employed and become eligible for registration in Britain. With the pay they are getting there, it’s highly unlikely they will come back and serve here,” she said in an interview here yesterday.
Since 2003, 145 students from Britain and 85 from Ireland have not come back. However, only three from Russia, two from Jordan and one from Japan failed to return.
Another reason many students chose to stay back could have been due to PSD’s perceived lenient treatment of such students in the past and a paltry penalty of RM160,000 each before 2003, she said.
“It encouraged undergraduates, who have seen many of their seniors being let off, to follow suit,” she said.
Although the department had officers in Britain and Ireland to track down errant medical students, some in the last year of studies ignored notices and others did not bother to show up when called for interviews.
She said tougher measures were needed to make them come back and serve or pay their bond.
The department was now seriously considering suggestions to make errant students repay twice or thrice the sum of their scholarships as punishment.
“We need to study this recommendation,” she said, adding the department had also handed 30 such cases since 1989 to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for legal action and had even declared one former student bankrupt.
But legal action was slow and guarantors would be taken to court only as the last resort, she said.
Since PSD’s Overseas Scholarship Programme started in 2000, RM2.15bil in scholarships had been given to 10,485 students up to the end of last year.
“This is a sore point with us. In 2006, 21 medical students in Britain did not return. Last year, the number was 63. For those studying in Ireland, three students did not come back in 2006 while last year, 27 did not return,” said Human Capital Development division director Datin Madinah Mohamad.
She said these students cost the Government up to RM1.1mil each in funding for the five-year course.
“The number has been steadily increasing each year since 2003. The excuse these undergraduates often give is that they want to do their two-year housemanship over there and continue with sub-specialisation courses.
“But when they do so, they may then get employed and become eligible for registration in Britain. With the pay they are getting there, it’s highly unlikely they will come back and serve here,” she said in an interview here yesterday.
Since 2003, 145 students from Britain and 85 from Ireland have not come back. However, only three from Russia, two from Jordan and one from Japan failed to return.
Another reason many students chose to stay back could have been due to PSD’s perceived lenient treatment of such students in the past and a paltry penalty of RM160,000 each before 2003, she said.
“It encouraged undergraduates, who have seen many of their seniors being let off, to follow suit,” she said.
Although the department had officers in Britain and Ireland to track down errant medical students, some in the last year of studies ignored notices and others did not bother to show up when called for interviews.
She said tougher measures were needed to make them come back and serve or pay their bond.
The department was now seriously considering suggestions to make errant students repay twice or thrice the sum of their scholarships as punishment.
“We need to study this recommendation,” she said, adding the department had also handed 30 such cases since 1989 to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for legal action and had even declared one former student bankrupt.
But legal action was slow and guarantors would be taken to court only as the last resort, she said.
Since PSD’s Overseas Scholarship Programme started in 2000, RM2.15bil in scholarships had been given to 10,485 students up to the end of last year.
Number of obese growing bigger, says Liow
Star: PETALING JAYA: About 50% of 13 million Malaysian adults could be overweight or obese, a worrying trend that seems to be on the rise.
Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said while the National Health and Morbidity Survey in 2006 revealed that 43.1% of Malaysian adults were overweight or obese, which was double the figure from a decade ago, the numbers could have already increased since then.
Liow blamed the disturbing situation on the lack of proper health knowledge, adding that Malaysians needed to be better informed and motivated to stay healthy, in terms of diet, physical activity, stress management and disease prevention.
He said Malaysians had also grown accustomed to an affluent lifestyle, and were more comfortable sitting at home and watching television or being in front of the computer, instead of enjoying the outdoors.
“For example, how many people know that losing even a modest five to 10% of their weight can result in better health?” he said in his speech yesterday when launching Nutrition Month Malaysia 2008.
Saying he himself was overweight, Liow said Malaysians took “eating right” lightly as they did not know what to eat, when to do so and how much they should consume.
“There is plenty to eat but unfortunately, many of us are not making wise decisions on what and how much to eat. Instead, we act on impulse,” he added.
“With our busy lifestyles, we would rather eat out than at home, opt for fast food rather than cook at home.
“And too often, we spare little thought about health and the nutritional value of what we put into our tummies.”
Malaysian Association for the Study of Obesity president Prof Dr Mohd Ismail Noor later said that about 90% of overweight and obese adults in the country were “very likely” to develop diabetes.
“What is worrying are younger people who have diabetes and are also overweight.
“You do not have to wait until you are 40 to have this disease. They are now as young as 25,” he said.
He also said if one of a person’s parents was overweight or obese, the chances of his being in a similar situation was 40%.
The chances increased to 80% if both parents were either overweight or obese, he added.
Genetic predisposition, he said, contributed to between 10% and 15% of those who faced the weight problems.
Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said while the National Health and Morbidity Survey in 2006 revealed that 43.1% of Malaysian adults were overweight or obese, which was double the figure from a decade ago, the numbers could have already increased since then.
Liow blamed the disturbing situation on the lack of proper health knowledge, adding that Malaysians needed to be better informed and motivated to stay healthy, in terms of diet, physical activity, stress management and disease prevention.
He said Malaysians had also grown accustomed to an affluent lifestyle, and were more comfortable sitting at home and watching television or being in front of the computer, instead of enjoying the outdoors.
“For example, how many people know that losing even a modest five to 10% of their weight can result in better health?” he said in his speech yesterday when launching Nutrition Month Malaysia 2008.
Saying he himself was overweight, Liow said Malaysians took “eating right” lightly as they did not know what to eat, when to do so and how much they should consume.
“There is plenty to eat but unfortunately, many of us are not making wise decisions on what and how much to eat. Instead, we act on impulse,” he added.
“With our busy lifestyles, we would rather eat out than at home, opt for fast food rather than cook at home.
“And too often, we spare little thought about health and the nutritional value of what we put into our tummies.”
Malaysian Association for the Study of Obesity president Prof Dr Mohd Ismail Noor later said that about 90% of overweight and obese adults in the country were “very likely” to develop diabetes.
“What is worrying are younger people who have diabetes and are also overweight.
“You do not have to wait until you are 40 to have this disease. They are now as young as 25,” he said.
He also said if one of a person’s parents was overweight or obese, the chances of his being in a similar situation was 40%.
The chances increased to 80% if both parents were either overweight or obese, he added.
Genetic predisposition, he said, contributed to between 10% and 15% of those who faced the weight problems.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Dental grad offers kids renewed hope
NST: MELBOURNE: When Malaysian dentist Asilah Yusof graduates from the University of Adelaide today, she will give hope to thousands of young Malay children affected by craniofacial abnormalities.
The PhD candidate will use her newly acquired postgraduate degree to help treat children with cleft lip and palate deformities, the most common form of facial abnormalities found among children in Malaysia.
Her thesis findings will provide dental surgeons with a new set of measurements to help diagnose, treat and also improve the post-operative care of children with craniofacial abnormalities.
"Malays tend to have a shorter anterior cranial base, which may set up a wider palate and maxillary arch," Asilah told the university's monthly magazine Adelaiden.
"My PhD involved developing reference data of Malay children based on three-dimensional computed topography, comparing facial variables between males and females and also comparing the results with Caucasian populations."
Asilah's postgraduate studies were sponsored by her employer, Universiti Sains Malaysia, where she is teaching dental students and furthering her research into craniofacial morphology.
She completed her Graduate Diploma in Clinical Dentistry at the University of Adelaide in 2000 after finishing an undergraduate degree at the University of Otago in New Zealand.
Born and raised in Kota Baru, Kelantan, Asilah is the daughter of two health workers.
She was inspired to study dentistry as a child after visits to the hospital clinic.
"I worked with Malaysia's Ministry of Health as a dentist after graduating in 1996 and spent a year working in a remote rural area, which opened my eyes to the facial deformities that affect many of our young children," Asilah said.
Asilah joined Universiti Sains Malaysia in 1999 as a trainee lecturer and was encouraged to return to Adelaide to study for her PhD in 2001.
"The dental school in Adelaide has an outstanding reputation because of the excellent supervision provided by Professor Grant Townsend and Dr David Netherway," she said.
Asilah intends to use her PhD to continue her research into software development for craniofacial analysis and post-operative implant placements at the Universiti Sains Malaysia hospital.
She will graduate at an offshore ceremony at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Hongkong today with 70 other students.
This year, the university is holding offshore graduation ceremonies in Singapore and Hong Kong.
The PhD candidate will use her newly acquired postgraduate degree to help treat children with cleft lip and palate deformities, the most common form of facial abnormalities found among children in Malaysia.
Her thesis findings will provide dental surgeons with a new set of measurements to help diagnose, treat and also improve the post-operative care of children with craniofacial abnormalities.
"Malays tend to have a shorter anterior cranial base, which may set up a wider palate and maxillary arch," Asilah told the university's monthly magazine Adelaiden.
"My PhD involved developing reference data of Malay children based on three-dimensional computed topography, comparing facial variables between males and females and also comparing the results with Caucasian populations."
Asilah's postgraduate studies were sponsored by her employer, Universiti Sains Malaysia, where she is teaching dental students and furthering her research into craniofacial morphology.
She completed her Graduate Diploma in Clinical Dentistry at the University of Adelaide in 2000 after finishing an undergraduate degree at the University of Otago in New Zealand.
Born and raised in Kota Baru, Kelantan, Asilah is the daughter of two health workers.
She was inspired to study dentistry as a child after visits to the hospital clinic.
"I worked with Malaysia's Ministry of Health as a dentist after graduating in 1996 and spent a year working in a remote rural area, which opened my eyes to the facial deformities that affect many of our young children," Asilah said.
Asilah joined Universiti Sains Malaysia in 1999 as a trainee lecturer and was encouraged to return to Adelaide to study for her PhD in 2001.
"The dental school in Adelaide has an outstanding reputation because of the excellent supervision provided by Professor Grant Townsend and Dr David Netherway," she said.
Asilah intends to use her PhD to continue her research into software development for craniofacial analysis and post-operative implant placements at the Universiti Sains Malaysia hospital.
She will graduate at an offshore ceremony at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Hongkong today with 70 other students.
This year, the university is holding offshore graduation ceremonies in Singapore and Hong Kong.
Liow set to pep up Health Ministry
Star: PUTRAJAYA: Health Ministry staff members who are not prepared to serve the people with the right attitude have no place in the organisation and are free to leave.
Its minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said he did not want them hindering the progress of the ministry and would act immediately against those who were irresponsible.
He said the ministry’s 200,000 strong staff, especially front-liners such as specialists, doctors and nurses, needed to be professional and caring, and practise teamwork.
“If you cannot live up to the expectations of the ministry, then you can leave,” he said.
He said action that could be taken against non-performers included transferring them out of their existing department, adding that the ministry would introduce more key performance indicators, such as the number of patients specialists treated daily, to ensure staff carried out their job efficiently.
“They want gaji lebih (more salary), I can fight for them. I can fight in the Cabinet to get more money for them. But they must work for the people. The right attitude is to work for the rakyat,” he said.
Clearly dissatisfied and unhappy over the level of services being delivered by frontline staff, Liow said he wanted to push hard for good services.
He added that it was important to hold staff members accountable for their actions.
“We want to tackle the waiting time, rude and incompetent staff, and staff who are uncaring and do not work as a team. There must also be a sense of urgency,” he said, adding that his sentiments were based on public complaints.
Its minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said he did not want them hindering the progress of the ministry and would act immediately against those who were irresponsible.
He said the ministry’s 200,000 strong staff, especially front-liners such as specialists, doctors and nurses, needed to be professional and caring, and practise teamwork.
“If you cannot live up to the expectations of the ministry, then you can leave,” he said.
He said action that could be taken against non-performers included transferring them out of their existing department, adding that the ministry would introduce more key performance indicators, such as the number of patients specialists treated daily, to ensure staff carried out their job efficiently.
“They want gaji lebih (more salary), I can fight for them. I can fight in the Cabinet to get more money for them. But they must work for the people. The right attitude is to work for the rakyat,” he said.
Clearly dissatisfied and unhappy over the level of services being delivered by frontline staff, Liow said he wanted to push hard for good services.
He added that it was important to hold staff members accountable for their actions.
“We want to tackle the waiting time, rude and incompetent staff, and staff who are uncaring and do not work as a team. There must also be a sense of urgency,” he said, adding that his sentiments were based on public complaints.
Safety audit for NS training camps
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: The National Service Training Department will relook the safety standards of the facilities and equipment at all its 84 training camps nationwide.
Its department director-general Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang Kechil said this was to ensure the camps adhered to the best safety standards.
“The department has enlisted the services of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) to conduct an audit on the safety of the facilities and equipment,” he said.
“If there is a need to make changes, then the camp operators will be notified to do the needful,” he said after the signing of the RM1mil agreement between Niosh and the department yesterday.
Among others, the agreement would allow Niosh to conduct an audit to ensure the safety of facilities and equipment in the camps for 18 months.
Abdul Hadi said the department wanted to be doubly sure with regards to safety although private firms engaged by the camp operators had certified that the facilities and equipment were safe.
“We want to provide a form of assurance to parents that their children are in a safe environment,” he said.
Abdul Hadi signed the agreement on behalf of the department while Niosh was represented by its executive director Amir Yahya.
Present was NS Training Council chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, who is also the Niosh chairman.
Its department director-general Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang Kechil said this was to ensure the camps adhered to the best safety standards.
“The department has enlisted the services of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) to conduct an audit on the safety of the facilities and equipment,” he said.
“If there is a need to make changes, then the camp operators will be notified to do the needful,” he said after the signing of the RM1mil agreement between Niosh and the department yesterday.
Among others, the agreement would allow Niosh to conduct an audit to ensure the safety of facilities and equipment in the camps for 18 months.
Abdul Hadi said the department wanted to be doubly sure with regards to safety although private firms engaged by the camp operators had certified that the facilities and equipment were safe.
“We want to provide a form of assurance to parents that their children are in a safe environment,” he said.
Abdul Hadi signed the agreement on behalf of the department while Niosh was represented by its executive director Amir Yahya.
Present was NS Training Council chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, who is also the Niosh chairman.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Hospital negligent, Liow says sorry
Star: PENANG: The Health Ministry has apologised to the family of a rubber tapper in Pahang after a post-mortem report confirmed that his death was due to negligence.
Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said yesterday that disciplinary action would be taken against the negligent Bentong Hospital staff member who caused 31-year-old Ng Hong Chuan’s death recently.
“On behalf of the Health Ministry, I want to apologise to the family of the victim. We will hold a meeting soon to discuss ex-gratia payment for the family, said Liow, who is also the Bentong MP.
Hospital staff allegedly refused treatment to the heart attack patient, resulting in his death.
Earlier, the minister officially handed over the site of the Penang Hospital Phase One project to developer Lejadi Infra Sdn Bhd.
He said Penang Hospital patients could expect better care when upgrading works are completed by February next year.
“Under Phase One, the general intensive care (GICU), high dependency (HDU) and nuclear medicine units will be upgraded and a second invasive cardiovascular laboratory and 540-bay multi-storey car park built.
“The upcoming radioactive iodine ward to treat thyroid cancer and other nuclear medicine therapeutic services will be the first in the northern region, so patients here need not be referred to Hospital Kuala Lumpur any more,” he said.
Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said yesterday that disciplinary action would be taken against the negligent Bentong Hospital staff member who caused 31-year-old Ng Hong Chuan’s death recently.
“On behalf of the Health Ministry, I want to apologise to the family of the victim. We will hold a meeting soon to discuss ex-gratia payment for the family, said Liow, who is also the Bentong MP.
Hospital staff allegedly refused treatment to the heart attack patient, resulting in his death.
Earlier, the minister officially handed over the site of the Penang Hospital Phase One project to developer Lejadi Infra Sdn Bhd.
He said Penang Hospital patients could expect better care when upgrading works are completed by February next year.
“Under Phase One, the general intensive care (GICU), high dependency (HDU) and nuclear medicine units will be upgraded and a second invasive cardiovascular laboratory and 540-bay multi-storey car park built.
“The upcoming radioactive iodine ward to treat thyroid cancer and other nuclear medicine therapeutic services will be the first in the northern region, so patients here need not be referred to Hospital Kuala Lumpur any more,” he said.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Hope yet for med grads
Star: PUTRAJAYA: Medical graduates from overseas universities not recognised by the Government now have the option of transferring their credits to recognised local establishments to pursue their goal of becoming doctors.
This option is being given on a one-off basis instead of them sitting for a competency examination.
Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said yesterday that this was useful for those who had failed the examination for a maximum of three times.
He said the easing of the rule was until Dec 31 this year for graduates who completed their studies by Dec 31 last year.
“The Cabinet has agreed that graduates from unrecognised institutions, especially those who have exhausted all chances of sitting for the exam, be given the chance to continue their studies via credit transfer to recognised institutions,” he told reporters yesterday.
Under the Medical Act, only medical graduates from recognised institutions are allowed to register with the Malaysian Medical Council to practise legally.
Those who graduated from unrecognised institutions are required to pass a competency examination under the Medical (Setting Examination for Provisional Registration) Regulations before they can register.
He said that under the new arrangement they would have to undergo one year of pre-clinical studies and two years' clinical studies, adding that this period depended on courses they had taken previously.
Liow added that the students could transfer their credits to institutions like the Asian Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology.
A group of about 200 students, most of whom had sat for the examination three times, had recently appealed to him to be allowed such credit transfers, he said.
Once they are accepted for the credit transfer, the students will be absorbed into the recognised institutions, sit for examinations as usual and become housemen at hospitals.
This option is being given on a one-off basis instead of them sitting for a competency examination.
Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said yesterday that this was useful for those who had failed the examination for a maximum of three times.
He said the easing of the rule was until Dec 31 this year for graduates who completed their studies by Dec 31 last year.
“The Cabinet has agreed that graduates from unrecognised institutions, especially those who have exhausted all chances of sitting for the exam, be given the chance to continue their studies via credit transfer to recognised institutions,” he told reporters yesterday.
Under the Medical Act, only medical graduates from recognised institutions are allowed to register with the Malaysian Medical Council to practise legally.
Those who graduated from unrecognised institutions are required to pass a competency examination under the Medical (Setting Examination for Provisional Registration) Regulations before they can register.
He said that under the new arrangement they would have to undergo one year of pre-clinical studies and two years' clinical studies, adding that this period depended on courses they had taken previously.
Liow added that the students could transfer their credits to institutions like the Asian Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology.
A group of about 200 students, most of whom had sat for the examination three times, had recently appealed to him to be allowed such credit transfers, he said.
Once they are accepted for the credit transfer, the students will be absorbed into the recognised institutions, sit for examinations as usual and become housemen at hospitals.
Medical students who fail test get another shot
NST: PUTRAJAYA: Students from unrecognised medical colleges abroad who failed a local examination to qualify for housemenship here before Dec 31 last year have been given a reprieve.
The cabinet has allowed them to transfer credit hours from their universities to a local public or private university to complete their medical course.
"If they pass, they can do their housemanship at public hospitals," Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said before chairing the ministry's post-cabinet meeting.
The decision comes in the wake of an appeal from Liow to the cabinet to allow the students to continue their studies here.
He said the number of years they would have to study here depended on the number of credit hours transferred to the university.
It is learnt that at least 200 students had failed three attempts at the local examination.
Normally, when medical students from unrecognised medical colleges return to Malaysia, they are attached to University of Malaya, Universiti Sains Malaysia or Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia for six months before sitting an examination under the Medical (Setting of Examination for Provisional Registration) Regulations 1993.
Medical students who want to take up the offer should apply to the Malaysian Medical Council on or before Dec 31 with proof of acceptance to a local university.
The applicant must obtain written approval from the MMC before pursuing the course. The MMC has the right to reject incomplete applications.
Liow said the course pursued should not be less than a year for non-clinical studies and two years for clinical studies.
The Asian Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology, which received recognition from the MMC on Aug 17 last year, has offered to accept these students.
On another issue, Liow said the cabinet had approved RM12.9 billion to subsidise treatment and drugs at government hospitals.
"The government will subside 98 per cent of medical expenses with patients paying only two per cent, that is, RM1 as outpatient and RM5 as inpatient patients," he added.
He said the government spent RM52.7 billion in subsidies from 2003 to last year to provide medical treatment to Malaysians.
The cabinet has allowed them to transfer credit hours from their universities to a local public or private university to complete their medical course.
"If they pass, they can do their housemanship at public hospitals," Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said before chairing the ministry's post-cabinet meeting.
The decision comes in the wake of an appeal from Liow to the cabinet to allow the students to continue their studies here.
He said the number of years they would have to study here depended on the number of credit hours transferred to the university.
It is learnt that at least 200 students had failed three attempts at the local examination.
Normally, when medical students from unrecognised medical colleges return to Malaysia, they are attached to University of Malaya, Universiti Sains Malaysia or Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia for six months before sitting an examination under the Medical (Setting of Examination for Provisional Registration) Regulations 1993.
Medical students who want to take up the offer should apply to the Malaysian Medical Council on or before Dec 31 with proof of acceptance to a local university.
The applicant must obtain written approval from the MMC before pursuing the course. The MMC has the right to reject incomplete applications.
Liow said the course pursued should not be less than a year for non-clinical studies and two years for clinical studies.
The Asian Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology, which received recognition from the MMC on Aug 17 last year, has offered to accept these students.
On another issue, Liow said the cabinet had approved RM12.9 billion to subsidise treatment and drugs at government hospitals.
"The government will subside 98 per cent of medical expenses with patients paying only two per cent, that is, RM1 as outpatient and RM5 as inpatient patients," he added.
He said the government spent RM52.7 billion in subsidies from 2003 to last year to provide medical treatment to Malaysians.
Understand TB to check its spread
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: The number of tuberculosis patients is increasing due to a lack of awareness of the disease.
Last year, the Health Ministry recorded 16,825 cases, with 1,472 deaths nationwide compared to 16,665 cases and 1,431 deaths in 2006.
Respiratory Medical Institute director Datin Dr Aziah Ahmad Mahayiddin said the disease had been overshadowed by greater health threats like HIV, dengue and diabetes.
"People tend to overlook TB because it has been around for 3,000 years and they think it is an old disease. But there's a need to increase awareness as TB still exists," she said at the launch of World TB Day at the medical institute yesterday.
She said doctors and medical officers should understand TB and its symptoms to avoid patients from spreading the disease.
"The easiest and cheapest way to check if a person is infected with TB is to take a sample of the patient's phlegm."
TB is an air-borne disease which spreads through coughing and sneezing.
Malaysian Association for Prevention of Tuberculosis president Datuk Seri Yeop Junior Yeop Adlan said the health ministry should increase the Treatment Allowance Scheme for poor TB patients.
"For the past 50 years, the maximum monthly allowance per person has been RM100. We hope the ministry will approve the maximum amount of RM400 as the cost of living has gone up," he said.
Last year, the Health Ministry recorded 16,825 cases, with 1,472 deaths nationwide compared to 16,665 cases and 1,431 deaths in 2006.
Respiratory Medical Institute director Datin Dr Aziah Ahmad Mahayiddin said the disease had been overshadowed by greater health threats like HIV, dengue and diabetes.
"People tend to overlook TB because it has been around for 3,000 years and they think it is an old disease. But there's a need to increase awareness as TB still exists," she said at the launch of World TB Day at the medical institute yesterday.
She said doctors and medical officers should understand TB and its symptoms to avoid patients from spreading the disease.
"The easiest and cheapest way to check if a person is infected with TB is to take a sample of the patient's phlegm."
TB is an air-borne disease which spreads through coughing and sneezing.
Malaysian Association for Prevention of Tuberculosis president Datuk Seri Yeop Junior Yeop Adlan said the health ministry should increase the Treatment Allowance Scheme for poor TB patients.
"For the past 50 years, the maximum monthly allowance per person has been RM100. We hope the ministry will approve the maximum amount of RM400 as the cost of living has gone up," he said.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
50pc drop in hand, foot and mouth disease cases
NST: KUCHING: There has been a 50 per cent drop in the number of hand, foot and mouth disease cases (HFMD) in Sarawak since the beginning of this year, Assistant Minister of Public Health Datuk Dr Soon Choon Teck said yesterday.
He said there were 1,355 cases reported for the January to March period, down 1,228 cases or about 50 per cent from 2,583 for the same period last year.
In a statement, he said there was no report of death during the period under review.
"The main concern previously was fatality among children, but this year there is none so far which is a good sign," Dr Soon said.
He cautioned the public, particularly children, to continue to practise good hygiene and to wash their hands before eating.
He added that the hygiene and preventive measures undertaken by nurseries had been effective in curbing the incidence of HFMD outbreak among pupils.
"This is partly due to improved consciousness among the nursery operators and administrators."
He advised parents not to send their children to school if they showed signs of HFMD, but to take them to hospital for treatment.
In 1997, the HFMD outbreak in Sarawak killed 31 children under the age of 6.
He said there were 1,355 cases reported for the January to March period, down 1,228 cases or about 50 per cent from 2,583 for the same period last year.
In a statement, he said there was no report of death during the period under review.
"The main concern previously was fatality among children, but this year there is none so far which is a good sign," Dr Soon said.
He cautioned the public, particularly children, to continue to practise good hygiene and to wash their hands before eating.
He added that the hygiene and preventive measures undertaken by nurseries had been effective in curbing the incidence of HFMD outbreak among pupils.
"This is partly due to improved consciousness among the nursery operators and administrators."
He advised parents not to send their children to school if they showed signs of HFMD, but to take them to hospital for treatment.
In 1997, the HFMD outbreak in Sarawak killed 31 children under the age of 6.
Rear seat belts a must soon
Star: PUTRAJAYA: The Road Safety Department will propose to the Government to allow a short grace period for motorists to get rear seatbelts installed and be “prepared mentally” before its implementation.
Department director-general Datuk Suret Singh said the rear seatbelt ruling would be enforced around the third quarter of this year.
“I feel we have given the public enough time to get ready,” he said, adding that the move for compulsory wearing of rear seatbelts did not need to be tabled in Parliament.
He said promotional activities encouraging the use of rear seatbelts had already taken place in the past year and it was time to move forward.
Previously, the Malaysian Institute for Road Safety Research said that more than 80% of cars had rear seatbelts installed.
Suret Singh also spoke about the department’s plans for the rest of the year and said emphasis would be on community-based programmes, such as the helmet-wearing initiatives, that were successfully implemented in 20 districts.
“This particular programme has been well documented and there is already a standard operating procedure so that we can implement it in any district in the country.”
Suret Singh said road safety education was taking off well in schools and now even included security personnel being trained as traffic wardens.
“It is an understanding we have with the company that the Education Ministry hires. They provide the security personnel and we train them as traffic wardens so that there is no need to hire extra people.”
Suret Singh said that by 2011, road safety education would have worked its way up to Form 4 students and that a whole new breed of motorists who took safety seriously would emerge as a result.
Department director-general Datuk Suret Singh said the rear seatbelt ruling would be enforced around the third quarter of this year.
“I feel we have given the public enough time to get ready,” he said, adding that the move for compulsory wearing of rear seatbelts did not need to be tabled in Parliament.
He said promotional activities encouraging the use of rear seatbelts had already taken place in the past year and it was time to move forward.
Previously, the Malaysian Institute for Road Safety Research said that more than 80% of cars had rear seatbelts installed.
Suret Singh also spoke about the department’s plans for the rest of the year and said emphasis would be on community-based programmes, such as the helmet-wearing initiatives, that were successfully implemented in 20 districts.
“This particular programme has been well documented and there is already a standard operating procedure so that we can implement it in any district in the country.”
Suret Singh said road safety education was taking off well in schools and now even included security personnel being trained as traffic wardens.
“It is an understanding we have with the company that the Education Ministry hires. They provide the security personnel and we train them as traffic wardens so that there is no need to hire extra people.”
Suret Singh said that by 2011, road safety education would have worked its way up to Form 4 students and that a whole new breed of motorists who took safety seriously would emerge as a result.
Liow: Open forum to discuss health scheme
Star: PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry is keen to have a public debate on the National Health Financing Scheme.
Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said a public forum would be the “best way” to address issues and problems on the implementation of the scheme.
“I would like to have a public debate. Let us talk about it,” Liow said in an interview on Monday.
“This is something which will help the people and the Government have better health services in the country.”
When the idea was first mooted 25 years ago, certain parties raised concerns about how the scheme would be implemented.
The proposals included having it modelled after the EPF and Socso schemes where “eligible” employees make monthly payments through a deduction from their salary and both the scheme and the National Health Financing Authority overseeing it would be non-profit and not privatised.
Former Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek announced in 2004 that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had given approval and the “general principles” had been agreed upon.
Consultants were also appointed to look into the details of the mechanism and there were even calls for a Royal Commission to be set up to get broad feedback before it was introduced.
Liow admitted that it was not going to be easy for the Government to have such a scheme because it might not be a popular decision.
However, he said the Government “did not have much choice” where the present system has left it subsidising almost 98% of healthcare in the country.
He, however, said it would take about three to four years before the scheme could be implemented.
A plus point of having the scheme was that the people would be able to get treatment either in the private or public sector where the Government would be able to use all existing doctors instead of the current system, he said.
“One way to solve this problem is to have an insurance scheme. It does not matter whether you go to the government or the private sector. The doctor will treat you and the insurance will pay,” he said.
A minus point, however, would be the risk of the government or insurance company going bankrupt because the public had developed a “buffet mentality”.
Asked who was likely to take charge of the scheme, he said it did not matter because the most important thing was for the people to enjoy the benefits.
Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said a public forum would be the “best way” to address issues and problems on the implementation of the scheme.
“I would like to have a public debate. Let us talk about it,” Liow said in an interview on Monday.
“This is something which will help the people and the Government have better health services in the country.”
When the idea was first mooted 25 years ago, certain parties raised concerns about how the scheme would be implemented.
The proposals included having it modelled after the EPF and Socso schemes where “eligible” employees make monthly payments through a deduction from their salary and both the scheme and the National Health Financing Authority overseeing it would be non-profit and not privatised.
Former Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek announced in 2004 that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had given approval and the “general principles” had been agreed upon.
Consultants were also appointed to look into the details of the mechanism and there were even calls for a Royal Commission to be set up to get broad feedback before it was introduced.
Liow admitted that it was not going to be easy for the Government to have such a scheme because it might not be a popular decision.
However, he said the Government “did not have much choice” where the present system has left it subsidising almost 98% of healthcare in the country.
He, however, said it would take about three to four years before the scheme could be implemented.
A plus point of having the scheme was that the people would be able to get treatment either in the private or public sector where the Government would be able to use all existing doctors instead of the current system, he said.
“One way to solve this problem is to have an insurance scheme. It does not matter whether you go to the government or the private sector. The doctor will treat you and the insurance will pay,” he said.
A minus point, however, would be the risk of the government or insurance company going bankrupt because the public had developed a “buffet mentality”.
Asked who was likely to take charge of the scheme, he said it did not matter because the most important thing was for the people to enjoy the benefits.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Clinical Trials To Treat Lung Cancer
KUALA LUMPUR, April 7 (Bernama) -- Soon, Cuba will not only be world famous for its cigars but also for a very promising vaccine meant to treat lung cancer and possibly other solid cancers.
Cuban Centre of Molecular Immunology Project Manager Dr Gisela Gonzalez Marinello stated that around 200-350 patients have been treated in Cuba with the vaccine during its clinical trial period and this has proven successful.
"The vaccine helps prolong the life of the patient. Sixty percent of the patients treated with the vaccine have a continued lifespan of 12 months in comparison to only six to seven months with only chemotherapy.
"Another 30 per cent of the patients treated have survived up to an amazing 22 months to two years while an astounding 10 per cent have managed to continue living a good life for five to six years.
"Best of all, there are very minimal side effects unlike chemotherapy. There have been no reports of hair loss or organ damage. However, since it is still in the clinical trial stage, we are still treating our patients together with chemotherapy," said Dr Marinello in an interview with Bernama here Monday.
To top it off, Malaysia has become the next clinical testing ground after Cuba, United Kingdom and Canada since September last year.
Bioven Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Dr W. Shermal Perera and Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir were instrumental in bringing the vaccine down for Malaysia's very first clinical trial organised by a Malaysian biotech company.
"We are currently testing the vaccine on 10 hospitals throughout the country. We hope we are able to find more patients willing to test the vaccine because the more patients we have, the faster will the vaccine go out to the market," said Dr Perera.
"We are also very excited because this is the first time Malaysia will go through a clinical trial period organised by a Malaysian company. We also have Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir and Cuban Ambassador, His Excellency Signor Carlos A Ramores to thank for because they've helped us bring this product down.
"Should we succeed with Malaysia and the clinical trials are approved by the regulatory bodies, our next plan is to go into Europe to conduct the trials there," he added.
Dr Perera has also confirmed that Bioven would absorb all costs for the treatment of patients using the vaccine which amounted to seven to eight million Ringgit during the clinical trial period.
Hermanus Ameijeiras Hospital (Cuba) Clinical Oncologist Dr Elia Neninger, who has been treating patients with the vaccine, reported that many patients and their respective families have responded very positively and have high hopes on the vaccine's application.
"You can see hope again in their faces. They know they will have a better and longer lifestyle. The vaccine creates an immune response in preventing the growth of cancer cells by blocking the epidermal growth factor.
"The immune response is the main factor for the very minimal side effects because the human body naturally blocks the cancer growth," stated Dr Neninger.
As to the vaccine's effectiveness in becoming a preventive medicine for cancer, Dr Neninger explained that no test had been done to evaluate its effects.
"First of all, we do not want to tamper with the human body. The epidermal growth factor is normal in human beings. Cancer patients, however, have an excessive epidermal growth, thus we put a stop to it to ensure their longevity," explained a very stern Dr Neninger with the concurrence of her colleagues, Dr Marinello and Dr Perera.
Ambassador Ramores, who attended the interview, added that this clinical trial period that Malaysia had undergone would be extremely good in strengthening ties between the two countries.
"We are very happy to have been able to help Malaysia in conducting its first clinical trials. This signifies that Malaysia and Cuba can correlate and work together.
"We hope this relationship will continue for the mutual benefit of both countries," said Ramores.
According to Dr Perera, local experts who are administering the vaccine on their patients were very enthusiastic with the results.
He then added that any lung cancer patients willing to try this vaccine can contact the call centre at 1-800-88-7007 and ask for Dr Veronica Chelia.
"However, please remember, this is still a test drug. It is still in its testing phase. It has not been registered in this country yet though it has been registered in Cuba," reminded Dr Perera.
The vaccine was developed by Cuban scientists since 1992.
Cuban Centre of Molecular Immunology Project Manager Dr Gisela Gonzalez Marinello stated that around 200-350 patients have been treated in Cuba with the vaccine during its clinical trial period and this has proven successful.
"The vaccine helps prolong the life of the patient. Sixty percent of the patients treated with the vaccine have a continued lifespan of 12 months in comparison to only six to seven months with only chemotherapy.
"Another 30 per cent of the patients treated have survived up to an amazing 22 months to two years while an astounding 10 per cent have managed to continue living a good life for five to six years.
"Best of all, there are very minimal side effects unlike chemotherapy. There have been no reports of hair loss or organ damage. However, since it is still in the clinical trial stage, we are still treating our patients together with chemotherapy," said Dr Marinello in an interview with Bernama here Monday.
To top it off, Malaysia has become the next clinical testing ground after Cuba, United Kingdom and Canada since September last year.
Bioven Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Dr W. Shermal Perera and Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir were instrumental in bringing the vaccine down for Malaysia's very first clinical trial organised by a Malaysian biotech company.
"We are currently testing the vaccine on 10 hospitals throughout the country. We hope we are able to find more patients willing to test the vaccine because the more patients we have, the faster will the vaccine go out to the market," said Dr Perera.
"We are also very excited because this is the first time Malaysia will go through a clinical trial period organised by a Malaysian company. We also have Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir and Cuban Ambassador, His Excellency Signor Carlos A Ramores to thank for because they've helped us bring this product down.
"Should we succeed with Malaysia and the clinical trials are approved by the regulatory bodies, our next plan is to go into Europe to conduct the trials there," he added.
Dr Perera has also confirmed that Bioven would absorb all costs for the treatment of patients using the vaccine which amounted to seven to eight million Ringgit during the clinical trial period.
Hermanus Ameijeiras Hospital (Cuba) Clinical Oncologist Dr Elia Neninger, who has been treating patients with the vaccine, reported that many patients and their respective families have responded very positively and have high hopes on the vaccine's application.
"You can see hope again in their faces. They know they will have a better and longer lifestyle. The vaccine creates an immune response in preventing the growth of cancer cells by blocking the epidermal growth factor.
"The immune response is the main factor for the very minimal side effects because the human body naturally blocks the cancer growth," stated Dr Neninger.
As to the vaccine's effectiveness in becoming a preventive medicine for cancer, Dr Neninger explained that no test had been done to evaluate its effects.
"First of all, we do not want to tamper with the human body. The epidermal growth factor is normal in human beings. Cancer patients, however, have an excessive epidermal growth, thus we put a stop to it to ensure their longevity," explained a very stern Dr Neninger with the concurrence of her colleagues, Dr Marinello and Dr Perera.
Ambassador Ramores, who attended the interview, added that this clinical trial period that Malaysia had undergone would be extremely good in strengthening ties between the two countries.
"We are very happy to have been able to help Malaysia in conducting its first clinical trials. This signifies that Malaysia and Cuba can correlate and work together.
"We hope this relationship will continue for the mutual benefit of both countries," said Ramores.
According to Dr Perera, local experts who are administering the vaccine on their patients were very enthusiastic with the results.
He then added that any lung cancer patients willing to try this vaccine can contact the call centre at 1-800-88-7007 and ask for Dr Veronica Chelia.
"However, please remember, this is still a test drug. It is still in its testing phase. It has not been registered in this country yet though it has been registered in Cuba," reminded Dr Perera.
The vaccine was developed by Cuban scientists since 1992.
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