SIBU, Nov 22 (Bernama) -- The government is concerned that non-communicable diseases and obesity are now the main health scourge affecting the people.
As a matter of fact, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said, the diseases were preventable if the people had the committment and discipline to lead a healthy lifestyle.
"Non-communicable diseases are diabetes, hypertension, heart problem and high chlorestrol.
"About 60 per cent of patients in our hospitals nationwide died of heart attack or diabetes, beside cancer," he said, adding that more than half of the country's population, aged over 18, suffered from hypertension.
He said this at a media conference after declaring open the Rajang Park 1Malaysia clinic here Tuesday.
According to statistics from the World Health Organisation, about 36 million people worldwide died of these diseases annually, and the figure was expected to increase by 17 per cent in the next decade.
On obesity, Liow said Malaysia had the highest obesity rate among its population in South East Asia and ranked sixth in Asia.
He said the ministry was currently launching a nationwide campaign to alert the people of the dangers of the diseases and how to prevent them.
"We have also called for a meeting with food producers on how to cut down on sugar and fat contents in their products."
On another issue, Liow said it was a cause for concern for the government that between 2008 and August this year, 1,441 doctors had left the government service, mainly to take up private practice.
Nevertheless, he noted, what was important was that the country was currently able to train between 3,500 to 4,000 doctor annually, as compared to only 1,000 in 2005.
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
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Six-month rural stint for doctors
Star: SARIKEI: The Government had approved in a recent Cabinet meeting to shorten the minimum period for doctors posting to rural areas from one year to six months.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said this was to encourage more doctors, especially specialists to serve in rural areas particularly in Sarawak and Sabah.
“We acknowledge there is still a shortage of doctors in Sarawak and Sabah. This decision to shorten the previous require- ment of doctors to serve at least a full year when they are posted to rural areas is one way to overcome the shortage problem,” Liow said at a press conference after launching a health carnival at the Sarikei Hospital.
The 12-day health carnival themed “Closer to You” was the first to be held in the state. During the event, a team of 10 specialist doctors from Peninsular Malaysia will conduct 285 elective surgeries, which are non-emergency surgical procedures to clear backlogged cases.
Other activities included a health aware- ness campaign, health screening for breast cancer, cervical cancer, eye checks, blood and organ donation campaign, health talks, seminars and a mass circumcision for boys.
Liow said the hospital had been elevated to a “Minor Specialist Hospital” status with the posting of two resident specialists – Dr Lim Wooi Kok (Paediatrics) and Dr Tan Tze Ling (Obstetrics and Gynaecology) from Peninsular Malaysia.
“One more surgeon who is now undergoing training in Kuching will be posted to Sarikei next year,” Liow said.
He added that every year the Government sent specialist doctors to Sarawak and in 2011, more than 20 had been posted to serve in various hospitals in the state.
Rural hospitals such as Kapit Hospital and Limbang Hospital would also have specialist doctors, he said.
He said the country now produced between 3,500 and 4,000 doctors yearly and this year alone, 800 doctors were given scholarship to undergo specialist training within the country and also abroad.
He said Sarawak was still lagging far behind in term of doctor-population ratio.
“In major cities in Peninsular Malaysia, the ratio is 1-600 people while in Sarawak it is 1-2,000 people,” Liow disclosed, stressing that the Government was com- mitted to reducing the large disparity gra- dually.
Liow also proposed to the state government to convert the old hospital in Sarikei into a clinic.
“The existing clinic has limited space. I hope the state government would agree to my proposal so that more people would benefit from it,” Liow said.
He reiterated that the BN government was serious in upgrading the living standard, economic and social well-being of the people through the transformation of the government, the economy and politics.
“This is not just empty talk. We are fully committed to make it happen,” Liow stressed.
He urged all hospital and health ministry staff to focus on their work as a team so that they could serve the people more effectively.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said this was to encourage more doctors, especially specialists to serve in rural areas particularly in Sarawak and Sabah.
“We acknowledge there is still a shortage of doctors in Sarawak and Sabah. This decision to shorten the previous require- ment of doctors to serve at least a full year when they are posted to rural areas is one way to overcome the shortage problem,” Liow said at a press conference after launching a health carnival at the Sarikei Hospital.
The 12-day health carnival themed “Closer to You” was the first to be held in the state. During the event, a team of 10 specialist doctors from Peninsular Malaysia will conduct 285 elective surgeries, which are non-emergency surgical procedures to clear backlogged cases.
Other activities included a health aware- ness campaign, health screening for breast cancer, cervical cancer, eye checks, blood and organ donation campaign, health talks, seminars and a mass circumcision for boys.
Liow said the hospital had been elevated to a “Minor Specialist Hospital” status with the posting of two resident specialists – Dr Lim Wooi Kok (Paediatrics) and Dr Tan Tze Ling (Obstetrics and Gynaecology) from Peninsular Malaysia.
“One more surgeon who is now undergoing training in Kuching will be posted to Sarikei next year,” Liow said.
He added that every year the Government sent specialist doctors to Sarawak and in 2011, more than 20 had been posted to serve in various hospitals in the state.
Rural hospitals such as Kapit Hospital and Limbang Hospital would also have specialist doctors, he said.
He said the country now produced between 3,500 and 4,000 doctors yearly and this year alone, 800 doctors were given scholarship to undergo specialist training within the country and also abroad.
He said Sarawak was still lagging far behind in term of doctor-population ratio.
“In major cities in Peninsular Malaysia, the ratio is 1-600 people while in Sarawak it is 1-2,000 people,” Liow disclosed, stressing that the Government was com- mitted to reducing the large disparity gra- dually.
Liow also proposed to the state government to convert the old hospital in Sarikei into a clinic.
“The existing clinic has limited space. I hope the state government would agree to my proposal so that more people would benefit from it,” Liow said.
He reiterated that the BN government was serious in upgrading the living standard, economic and social well-being of the people through the transformation of the government, the economy and politics.
“This is not just empty talk. We are fully committed to make it happen,” Liow stressed.
He urged all hospital and health ministry staff to focus on their work as a team so that they could serve the people more effectively.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Thumbs up for new beauty procedure guidelines
SunDaily: PETALING JAYA (Nov 20, 2011): The guidelines to regulate the booming beauty industry announced by the Ministry of Health are a much needed step towards safer aesthetic procedures, says the Society for Anti-Aging, Aesthetic and Regenerative Medicine Malaysia.
Its president Prof Dr Selvaraj Subramaniam told theSun recently that proper medical knowledge was needed as all medical procedures come with risks, and patients have no recourse if they are treated by unqualified people.
"The patient's safety and medical ethics play an important role in the decision to go ahead with the procedure or not, and risks and adverse effects need to be explained to patients.
"Sterility issues and whether the products used are expired or contaminated can lead to infection and deformity when things go wrong, and can even be fatal," he said.
The new guidelines, which are to be ready next month, will allow authorities to clamp down on beauty salons offering medical procedures that only trained practitioners are allowed to perform.
All procedures that require medical and dental practitioners to be present will be listed out and unregistered practitioners will be prohibited from performing any injective or laser procedures.
"With the new guidelines, it will be clearer for local governments and the authorities to know which kind of procedures beauty salons are not allowed to perform," Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said.
Under the new guidelines, action will be taken against beauty salons offering unauthorised procedures and the Health Ministry will also carry out random checks.
Selvaraj said patient education was the key to solving the problem of beauty quacks and ensuring those who seek treatment are provided proper services.
"Educating the patients together with the legislation set in place is the key to eliminating abuses that may arise from unqualified and untrained persons.
"Someone untrained performing an aesthetic procedure can be likened to one who reads about and watches an appendix surgery, and then does it.
"Only by training and experience do doctors become competent, otherwise, it's like playing with fire," he said.
Its president Prof Dr Selvaraj Subramaniam told theSun recently that proper medical knowledge was needed as all medical procedures come with risks, and patients have no recourse if they are treated by unqualified people.
"The patient's safety and medical ethics play an important role in the decision to go ahead with the procedure or not, and risks and adverse effects need to be explained to patients.
"Sterility issues and whether the products used are expired or contaminated can lead to infection and deformity when things go wrong, and can even be fatal," he said.
The new guidelines, which are to be ready next month, will allow authorities to clamp down on beauty salons offering medical procedures that only trained practitioners are allowed to perform.
All procedures that require medical and dental practitioners to be present will be listed out and unregistered practitioners will be prohibited from performing any injective or laser procedures.
"With the new guidelines, it will be clearer for local governments and the authorities to know which kind of procedures beauty salons are not allowed to perform," Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said.
Under the new guidelines, action will be taken against beauty salons offering unauthorised procedures and the Health Ministry will also carry out random checks.
Selvaraj said patient education was the key to solving the problem of beauty quacks and ensuring those who seek treatment are provided proper services.
"Educating the patients together with the legislation set in place is the key to eliminating abuses that may arise from unqualified and untrained persons.
"Someone untrained performing an aesthetic procedure can be likened to one who reads about and watches an appendix surgery, and then does it.
"Only by training and experience do doctors become competent, otherwise, it's like playing with fire," he said.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Health Ministry freezing staff leave ahead of floods
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry will be freezing the leave applications for staff in certain states ahead of expected floods.
Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said Saturday that public health personnel from flood prone states in Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis, Kedah, Pahang and Johor would be barred from taking holidays in December and January.
“We have received reports from the Malaysian Meteorological Department that there may be 40% more rainfall this year-end as compared to the same period last year.
“We have prepared our early mapping on which areas will see more rain and which areas are flood prone.
“We also have to move our clinics early so that there won't be too much damage when the floods hit,” he told reporters after the convocation ceremony at Tunku Abdul Rahman College here.
Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said Saturday that public health personnel from flood prone states in Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis, Kedah, Pahang and Johor would be barred from taking holidays in December and January.
“We have received reports from the Malaysian Meteorological Department that there may be 40% more rainfall this year-end as compared to the same period last year.
“We have prepared our early mapping on which areas will see more rain and which areas are flood prone.
“We also have to move our clinics early so that there won't be too much damage when the floods hit,” he told reporters after the convocation ceremony at Tunku Abdul Rahman College here.
Scarcity of manpower resulted in long waiting lists for surgery Read more: Scarcity of manpower resulted in long waiting lists for surgery
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: The scarcity of manpower in the healthcare sector, especially where healthcare is publicly funded, has resulted in long waiting lists for surgery, said Raja Muda of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah.
Not only was there a shortage of surgeons, there was also a worrying mal-distribution of resources, he said in his address at the 14th Annual Meeting of The Malaysian Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (MATCVS) here today.
"The reluctance of doctors to operate in the less lucrative public sector or more remote locations, despite increased perks, have left thousands of patients without the means to obtain the treatment they need, needless to say surgeons are extremely overworked," he said.
Raja Nazrin said furthermore, surgeons were reported to experience a decrease in their autonomy because of greater external influences on their decisions, and as society became more discerning and educated, there was a far more equal relationship between patients and surgeons.
"Paternalism is becoming less and less of a norm and surgeons are often pressured by the high expectations of patients and their relatives that may even exceed a surgeon's ability.
"Sometimes, surgeons feel pressed by patients and their relatives to perform highly complex and high-risk procedures with unpredictable outcomes. On the other hand, the fear of being sued can lead surgeons to be on the defensive," he said.
He said he felt very heartened to note that hospitals such as the National Heart Institute (IJN), Universiti Malaya Medical Centre and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre had been playing a much needed role in making cardiothoracic surgery more accesible to the general public, while at the same time, enhancing human capital in the field.
Meanwhile, Raja Nazrin said research indicated that chronic illness such as cardio-pulmonary diseases were largely a consequence of lifestyle with behavioural risk factors such as unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol which were responsible for about 80 per cent of coronary heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the country.
Raja Nazrin said in Malaysia, the forces of urbanisation was turning people increasingly towards sedentary lifestyles and towards conveniently-available, unhealty, processed and high fat foods.
"The Third National Health and Morbidity Survey conducted in 2006 revealed that the national obesity rate has rapidly increased over the decade from 4.4 percent in 1996 to 12.7 percent in 2002 and to 14.2 percent in 2006.
"Despite government efforts to curb smoking, the national prevalence of smokers remained virtually unaffected at 21.5 percent of the population and among the male population, the smoking rate was at a startling 46.4 percent," he said.
He said these trends indicated that there would be no shortage in the demand for healthcare with the number of cardio-thoracic surgeries performed having increased exponentially over the past four decades.
"Bypass surgery and catheterization have become routine procedures. Now surgeons are operating on patients that none would have dared to operate in the past and all these are made possible because of modern scientific discoveries and the continuous ugrading of knowledge, hardware and techniques," he said.
About the meeting, Raja Nazrin said with this year's theme "Back to Basics and Beyond" a proactive mutual commitment by the surgical fraternity, academic and research institutions was vital in renewing a focus on the powerful fundamentals that are unique to surgeons.
"Surgeons are able to test their hypotheses and see rapid, graphic results of their actions on their patients. This I imagine can be extremely rewarding and should not be lost sight of," he added.
Not only was there a shortage of surgeons, there was also a worrying mal-distribution of resources, he said in his address at the 14th Annual Meeting of The Malaysian Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (MATCVS) here today.
"The reluctance of doctors to operate in the less lucrative public sector or more remote locations, despite increased perks, have left thousands of patients without the means to obtain the treatment they need, needless to say surgeons are extremely overworked," he said.
Raja Nazrin said furthermore, surgeons were reported to experience a decrease in their autonomy because of greater external influences on their decisions, and as society became more discerning and educated, there was a far more equal relationship between patients and surgeons.
"Paternalism is becoming less and less of a norm and surgeons are often pressured by the high expectations of patients and their relatives that may even exceed a surgeon's ability.
"Sometimes, surgeons feel pressed by patients and their relatives to perform highly complex and high-risk procedures with unpredictable outcomes. On the other hand, the fear of being sued can lead surgeons to be on the defensive," he said.
He said he felt very heartened to note that hospitals such as the National Heart Institute (IJN), Universiti Malaya Medical Centre and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre had been playing a much needed role in making cardiothoracic surgery more accesible to the general public, while at the same time, enhancing human capital in the field.
Meanwhile, Raja Nazrin said research indicated that chronic illness such as cardio-pulmonary diseases were largely a consequence of lifestyle with behavioural risk factors such as unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol which were responsible for about 80 per cent of coronary heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the country.
Raja Nazrin said in Malaysia, the forces of urbanisation was turning people increasingly towards sedentary lifestyles and towards conveniently-available, unhealty, processed and high fat foods.
"The Third National Health and Morbidity Survey conducted in 2006 revealed that the national obesity rate has rapidly increased over the decade from 4.4 percent in 1996 to 12.7 percent in 2002 and to 14.2 percent in 2006.
"Despite government efforts to curb smoking, the national prevalence of smokers remained virtually unaffected at 21.5 percent of the population and among the male population, the smoking rate was at a startling 46.4 percent," he said.
He said these trends indicated that there would be no shortage in the demand for healthcare with the number of cardio-thoracic surgeries performed having increased exponentially over the past four decades.
"Bypass surgery and catheterization have become routine procedures. Now surgeons are operating on patients that none would have dared to operate in the past and all these are made possible because of modern scientific discoveries and the continuous ugrading of knowledge, hardware and techniques," he said.
About the meeting, Raja Nazrin said with this year's theme "Back to Basics and Beyond" a proactive mutual commitment by the surgical fraternity, academic and research institutions was vital in renewing a focus on the powerful fundamentals that are unique to surgeons.
"Surgeons are able to test their hypotheses and see rapid, graphic results of their actions on their patients. This I imagine can be extremely rewarding and should not be lost sight of," he added.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Housemen in govt hospitals to get RM100 for weekday OT
Star: AN additional RM100 will be given to housemen working in government hospitals for overtime shifts during weekdays, said the Health Ministry.
Its deputy minister Datuk Ros-nah Abdul Rashid Shirlin told the Dewan Rakyat the ministry had received numerous feedback re-garding the long working hours of housemen in government hospitals.
“As an incentive, we will provide an additional RM100 to those working on normal days, while RM110 will be given to those recalled on weekends or public holidays,” she told Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud (PAS-Kota Raja) during question time.
Dr Siti had asked for the rate of allowances paid to interns or housemen who were “on call” to compensate for working extra shifts in government hospitals.
Rosnah noted that previously, the housemen were asked to work at least 90 hours a week compared with other civil servants.
“The long hours had made the job unattractive and created an unhealthy working lifestyle,” she said.
The ministry then introduced the flexi-hour working scheme, where housemen were only required to work a maximum of 60 hours per week, including spending time with the specialist, she added.
“They only need to work five days a week with two days off,” she said.
The housemen were also given a special incentive allowance worth RM600 per month as tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in his Budget last month.
Its deputy minister Datuk Ros-nah Abdul Rashid Shirlin told the Dewan Rakyat the ministry had received numerous feedback re-garding the long working hours of housemen in government hospitals.
“As an incentive, we will provide an additional RM100 to those working on normal days, while RM110 will be given to those recalled on weekends or public holidays,” she told Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud (PAS-Kota Raja) during question time.
Dr Siti had asked for the rate of allowances paid to interns or housemen who were “on call” to compensate for working extra shifts in government hospitals.
Rosnah noted that previously, the housemen were asked to work at least 90 hours a week compared with other civil servants.
“The long hours had made the job unattractive and created an unhealthy working lifestyle,” she said.
The ministry then introduced the flexi-hour working scheme, where housemen were only required to work a maximum of 60 hours per week, including spending time with the specialist, she added.
“They only need to work five days a week with two days off,” she said.
The housemen were also given a special incentive allowance worth RM600 per month as tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in his Budget last month.
Leading experts in design and health to meet in Malaysia in 2012
ITCM: Representing the many cultures of Asia in a safe and politically stable environment in the heart of South East Asia, Malaysia provides a compelling setting for the 8th Design & Health World Congress & Exhibition (WCDH) in 2012. The five-day congress to be held at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre will explore the latest research findings on the relationship between the built environment and human health, wellbeing and quality of life with a focus on the Asian, African and Middle Eastern emerging economies.
Organised by the International Academy for Design and Health (IADH) headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, the Congress is a first for Malaysia. It is expected to attract 1,000 delegates and generate an estimated RM11.2 million (USD3.5 million, EUR2.6 million, AUD3.6 million) in economic impact.
Led by the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition of Bureau (MyCEB), the competitive bid was supported by Malaysia’s Ministry of Health and Public Works Department (Jabatan Kerja Raya). The Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM), Public Health Physician Association of Malaysia and the International Islamic University Malaysia have also committed their support as event partners.
Announcing the country’s bid success, Deputy Health Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin said, “The selection of Malaysia as the destination for the congress was based on the government’s commitment to improve health of its people and the country’s health facilities. With much emphasis on transforming the people’s mindset to adopt healthy lifestyle habits and not just paying attention to physical health aspects, this is what the country needs to move forward and compete in the world stage in any fields.”
Professor Alan Dilani, Director-general, IADH said, “Asian countries such as Malaysia, which is targeting to become a developed nation by year 2020 has recognised that progressive societies aiming to achieve strong and sustainable economic growth must also be healthy societies. Growing awareness of the importance of health promotion and the need to invest in healthy and sustainable public, social, institutional and domestic infrastructure is placing the country at the forefront of opportunity and the leading edge of change.”
Mr Marc Sansom, Director of Corporate Development & Communications, IADH said, “Malaysia offers a gateway to South East Asia and China as economic and social power balance shifts east more rapidly. The country offers a cultural richness and diversity in a stable political climate, understandable structures of governance and an open market economy that creates a unique environment and experience for delegates and corporate partners.”
Mr Zulkefli Hj Sharif, Chief Executive Officer, MyCEB said, “Malaysia’s growing success in attracting international congresses can be attributed to our excellent value for money proposition, a testament to our accolade – ‘3rd Most Price Competitive Country in the World for Travel 2011’ by World Economic Forum. Malaysia offers incredible value for money when it comes to five-star experiences for a diverse range of quality venues, accommodation and services.
“This means Malaysia often attracts record attendance for international meetings held here. This includes the 18th World Congress of Accountants 2010 (6,000 delegates) and the 70th Institute of Internal Auditors International Conference 2011 with 2,200 delegates – which scored the highest attendance for a conference held outside the USA,” continued Mr Zulkefli.
With Malaysia’s blend of the vibrant cultures of Asia’s three major races: Malay, Chinese and Indian plus 47 ethnic groups, meeting planners and delegates can truly experience Asia in Malaysia. This diversity is reflected in its cuisines, art and heritage, traditions, lifestyle and year-end round festivals.
Ranked as the world’s top 10 friendliest destinations according to a HSBC survey (2011), Malaysia also boasts an English speaking yet multilingual nation. It was rated the fourth safest country in the Asia Pacific behind New Zealand, Japan and Australia by the Global Peace Index 2011.
Organised by the International Academy for Design and Health (IADH) headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, the Congress is a first for Malaysia. It is expected to attract 1,000 delegates and generate an estimated RM11.2 million (USD3.5 million, EUR2.6 million, AUD3.6 million) in economic impact.
Led by the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition of Bureau (MyCEB), the competitive bid was supported by Malaysia’s Ministry of Health and Public Works Department (Jabatan Kerja Raya). The Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM), Public Health Physician Association of Malaysia and the International Islamic University Malaysia have also committed their support as event partners.
Announcing the country’s bid success, Deputy Health Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin said, “The selection of Malaysia as the destination for the congress was based on the government’s commitment to improve health of its people and the country’s health facilities. With much emphasis on transforming the people’s mindset to adopt healthy lifestyle habits and not just paying attention to physical health aspects, this is what the country needs to move forward and compete in the world stage in any fields.”
Professor Alan Dilani, Director-general, IADH said, “Asian countries such as Malaysia, which is targeting to become a developed nation by year 2020 has recognised that progressive societies aiming to achieve strong and sustainable economic growth must also be healthy societies. Growing awareness of the importance of health promotion and the need to invest in healthy and sustainable public, social, institutional and domestic infrastructure is placing the country at the forefront of opportunity and the leading edge of change.”
Mr Marc Sansom, Director of Corporate Development & Communications, IADH said, “Malaysia offers a gateway to South East Asia and China as economic and social power balance shifts east more rapidly. The country offers a cultural richness and diversity in a stable political climate, understandable structures of governance and an open market economy that creates a unique environment and experience for delegates and corporate partners.”
Mr Zulkefli Hj Sharif, Chief Executive Officer, MyCEB said, “Malaysia’s growing success in attracting international congresses can be attributed to our excellent value for money proposition, a testament to our accolade – ‘3rd Most Price Competitive Country in the World for Travel 2011’ by World Economic Forum. Malaysia offers incredible value for money when it comes to five-star experiences for a diverse range of quality venues, accommodation and services.
“This means Malaysia often attracts record attendance for international meetings held here. This includes the 18th World Congress of Accountants 2010 (6,000 delegates) and the 70th Institute of Internal Auditors International Conference 2011 with 2,200 delegates – which scored the highest attendance for a conference held outside the USA,” continued Mr Zulkefli.
With Malaysia’s blend of the vibrant cultures of Asia’s three major races: Malay, Chinese and Indian plus 47 ethnic groups, meeting planners and delegates can truly experience Asia in Malaysia. This diversity is reflected in its cuisines, art and heritage, traditions, lifestyle and year-end round festivals.
Ranked as the world’s top 10 friendliest destinations according to a HSBC survey (2011), Malaysia also boasts an English speaking yet multilingual nation. It was rated the fourth safest country in the Asia Pacific behind New Zealand, Japan and Australia by the Global Peace Index 2011.
Malaysia To Fund RM20 Million Palm Tocotrienols Trials
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 16 (Bernama)-- Malaysia will invest close to RM20 million in six clinical trials seeking medical breakthroughs by using tocotrienols in palm oil.
Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok said the RM20 million investment is in line with Malaysia's aim to expedite growth in the food and health-based downstream segment under the Palm Oil National Key Economic Area.
The medical trials will be conducted by medical experts in the US, Singapore and Malaysia to determine whether tocotrienols are able to prevent the recurrence of stroke, breast cancer tumour progression and colorectal cancer; and prolong the survival of patients with prostate cancer.
"Oil palm fruits contain one of the highest amounts of tocotrienols, up to 800 mg per fruit. This makes palm oil tocotrienols ideal for medical research," he said at a media briefing.
Medical experts from Ohio State University Medical Centre, Universiti Malaya, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Singapore-based Davos Life Science, Penang Medical College and MD Anderson Centre of the University of Texas as well as the Malaysian Palm Oil Board will participate in the clinical research on tocotrienols.
Dompok said the researchers will also conduct clinical trials on diabetes mellitus and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD).
"We want these trials to produce supplements that will be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as well as the European Medicines Agency and have the widest possible impact on patients globally," he said.
Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok said the RM20 million investment is in line with Malaysia's aim to expedite growth in the food and health-based downstream segment under the Palm Oil National Key Economic Area.
The medical trials will be conducted by medical experts in the US, Singapore and Malaysia to determine whether tocotrienols are able to prevent the recurrence of stroke, breast cancer tumour progression and colorectal cancer; and prolong the survival of patients with prostate cancer.
"Oil palm fruits contain one of the highest amounts of tocotrienols, up to 800 mg per fruit. This makes palm oil tocotrienols ideal for medical research," he said at a media briefing.
Medical experts from Ohio State University Medical Centre, Universiti Malaya, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Singapore-based Davos Life Science, Penang Medical College and MD Anderson Centre of the University of Texas as well as the Malaysian Palm Oil Board will participate in the clinical research on tocotrienols.
Dompok said the researchers will also conduct clinical trials on diabetes mellitus and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD).
"We want these trials to produce supplements that will be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as well as the European Medicines Agency and have the widest possible impact on patients globally," he said.
MMA struck off for flouting laws
Star: SEREMBAN: The move by the Registrar of Societies to de-register the Malaysian Medical Association has stunned some 10,000 doctors in the country who are its members.
“The MMA has clearly violated certain laws and that is why they have been de-registered,” said ROS senior assistant director Desmond Das Michael Das.
“But all is not lost as they can file an appeal with the Home Ministry within 30 days,” he said.
Early this month, The Star reported that the ROS had issued a show cause letter to the association as to why it should not be de-registered following alleged irregularities in the running of the organisation as well as in the election of its office bearers in May.
The four charges preferred against it were:
> Its failure to send out the list of candidates vying for positions within the specified period prior to the AGM
> Sending out an incomplete agenda
> Enforcing certain provisions that were not approved by the ROS, and
> Calling for nominations for certain positions well before the AGM.
Desmond said he would be meeting MMA office bearers on Monday as they had indicated their desire to appeal the decision.
The ROS decision came as a shock to members of the influential MMA, which is represented in various government agencies and boards and often consulted whenever amendments or new provisions are added to the country's health-related laws or policies.
The body has an ethics committee that monitors those in the profession and publishes an internationally recognised indexed journal which carries research articles.
When contacted, former MMA president and secretary-general Datuk Dr P. Krishnan expressed his disappointment with the MMA committee for not listening to the advice of its former leaders to declare the May election null and void.
This, he said, could have saved the association from being de-registered.
“It is sad that an influential organisation like the MMA has to go through this episode. They could have clearly prevented this,” he said.
MMA president Dr Mary Suma Cardosa had confirmed early this month the association had been issued a show cause letter and the MMA had given its reply.
She said there was no issue as it concerned only internal matters.
She was not available for comment yesterday.
“The MMA has clearly violated certain laws and that is why they have been de-registered,” said ROS senior assistant director Desmond Das Michael Das.
“But all is not lost as they can file an appeal with the Home Ministry within 30 days,” he said.
Early this month, The Star reported that the ROS had issued a show cause letter to the association as to why it should not be de-registered following alleged irregularities in the running of the organisation as well as in the election of its office bearers in May.
The four charges preferred against it were:
> Its failure to send out the list of candidates vying for positions within the specified period prior to the AGM
> Sending out an incomplete agenda
> Enforcing certain provisions that were not approved by the ROS, and
> Calling for nominations for certain positions well before the AGM.
Desmond said he would be meeting MMA office bearers on Monday as they had indicated their desire to appeal the decision.
The ROS decision came as a shock to members of the influential MMA, which is represented in various government agencies and boards and often consulted whenever amendments or new provisions are added to the country's health-related laws or policies.
The body has an ethics committee that monitors those in the profession and publishes an internationally recognised indexed journal which carries research articles.
When contacted, former MMA president and secretary-general Datuk Dr P. Krishnan expressed his disappointment with the MMA committee for not listening to the advice of its former leaders to declare the May election null and void.
This, he said, could have saved the association from being de-registered.
“It is sad that an influential organisation like the MMA has to go through this episode. They could have clearly prevented this,” he said.
MMA president Dr Mary Suma Cardosa had confirmed early this month the association had been issued a show cause letter and the MMA had given its reply.
She said there was no issue as it concerned only internal matters.
She was not available for comment yesterday.
Liow: Health officers checking on inferior goods claim
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry is looking into allegations of inferior quality products sold at the Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia (KR1M).
Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said health officers have taken 27 samples of products that have been in dispute including the 1Malaysia brand of fresh milk.
He said his officers would also look into the most recent claim by the Opposition that baby formula sold at KR1M contravened limits set by the Food Regulations Act 1985.
"We will definitely move in. Just wait for the report," he told reporters after launching a new school block of SJKC Serdang Baru 1 here.
On Monday, Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua claimed that the 1Malaysia Growing Up Milk' had eight times the permitted amount of Vitamin A and that it lacked key nutrients.
Before this, Pua claimed that the 1Malaysia fresh milk was contaminated with E coli bacteria as shown in a laboratory test.
Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said health officers have taken 27 samples of products that have been in dispute including the 1Malaysia brand of fresh milk.
He said his officers would also look into the most recent claim by the Opposition that baby formula sold at KR1M contravened limits set by the Food Regulations Act 1985.
"We will definitely move in. Just wait for the report," he told reporters after launching a new school block of SJKC Serdang Baru 1 here.
On Monday, Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua claimed that the 1Malaysia Growing Up Milk' had eight times the permitted amount of Vitamin A and that it lacked key nutrients.
Before this, Pua claimed that the 1Malaysia fresh milk was contaminated with E coli bacteria as shown in a laboratory test.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
M’sians think obesity not a disease – that’s the big problem
Star: PETALING JAYA: What really makes Malaysians fat is the perception that obesity is not a disease, said National Heart Institute chief dietitian Mary Easaw-John.
“I realised that it is not just the food or the sedentary lifestyle Malaysians have. Of course, that may have contributed to obesity issues but the main problem is that we do not look at obesity as a problem,” she said in response to the recent World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics that Malaysia had the highest percentage of obese people in South-East Asia.
She said it might be this perception that led many Malaysians to stick to their ways despite the Government's awareness campaigns and its efforts to encourage healthy lifestyles.
“The Government has built parks around residential areas to encourage people to exercise but they cannot actually force people to exercise,” said Easaw-John.
“Often, when I talk to patients who are obese, they give me excuses like my whole family is fat but nothing has happened to them' or my friend said if I lose too much weight I will not look nice'.”
She said the fact that being obese did not directly cost a person money also contributed to the problem.
“It's not like diabetes, heart disease or cancer, where you have to fork out money to pay for medication. If you are okay with being obese, you don't need to spend money,” she said.
Easaw-John said parents were often the ones to blame when their children became obese as “it is their duty to discipline their children and instil good lifestyle habits”.
“There is a need to change Malaysians' attitude towards obesity. We must make them understand the impact of obesity fully,” she said.
Some Malaysians want organisers of functions to cut down on the kuih, which is often abundantly served to participants.
“We are very hospitable and we want our guests well fed,” a media consultant said.
“But this is very unhealthy. We take a break to eat every half hour or so and it doesn't help that at every function, the delicious kuih or nasi lemak is right in front of you,” he added.
“I realised that it is not just the food or the sedentary lifestyle Malaysians have. Of course, that may have contributed to obesity issues but the main problem is that we do not look at obesity as a problem,” she said in response to the recent World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics that Malaysia had the highest percentage of obese people in South-East Asia.
She said it might be this perception that led many Malaysians to stick to their ways despite the Government's awareness campaigns and its efforts to encourage healthy lifestyles.
“The Government has built parks around residential areas to encourage people to exercise but they cannot actually force people to exercise,” said Easaw-John.
“Often, when I talk to patients who are obese, they give me excuses like my whole family is fat but nothing has happened to them' or my friend said if I lose too much weight I will not look nice'.”
She said the fact that being obese did not directly cost a person money also contributed to the problem.
“It's not like diabetes, heart disease or cancer, where you have to fork out money to pay for medication. If you are okay with being obese, you don't need to spend money,” she said.
Easaw-John said parents were often the ones to blame when their children became obese as “it is their duty to discipline their children and instil good lifestyle habits”.
“There is a need to change Malaysians' attitude towards obesity. We must make them understand the impact of obesity fully,” she said.
Some Malaysians want organisers of functions to cut down on the kuih, which is often abundantly served to participants.
“We are very hospitable and we want our guests well fed,” a media consultant said.
“But this is very unhealthy. We take a break to eat every half hour or so and it doesn't help that at every function, the delicious kuih or nasi lemak is right in front of you,” he added.
Malaysians have most obesity-related woes in South-East Asia
Star: MALAYSIA is first among South-East Asian countries with problems pertaining to obesity – Malaysians take in too much sugar and sweetener.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin told the Dewan Rakyat that a survey revealed on average each Malaysian consumed seven tablespoons of artificial sweeteners, four teaspoons of sugar and three teaspoons of condensed milk with their drinks daily.
“At 51g, the intake is too high – above recommendations by the World Health Organisation (WHO),” she replied Dr Tan Seng Giaw (DAP–Kepong).
“WHO’s recommendation is that a person consumes only 10% of sugar a day from their daily calories.”
Rosnah, quoting the National Health and Morbidity Survey, said the number of Malaysians diagnosed with diabetes had increased two-fold to three million in the past five years.
“In 2006, the number stood at 1.5 million,” she told Salahuddin Ayub (PAS–Kubang Kerian) during Question Time.
Rosnah noted that Malaysia ranked sixth in the Asia-Pacific region and first in South-East Asia.
“We are concerned that many have yet to go for an early diagnosis test to detect any diabetic-related health problems,” she said.
“We estimate about two million people have not received any treatment for diabetes.”
According to WHO, 346 million people worldwide have diabetes and it is projected that death caused by it would double by 2030.
Rosnah said the ministry had analysed 1,226 food samples in 2009 of which 92 (7.3%) had chemicals harmful to consumers.
She said the Government would take errant food producers who did not adhere to the Food Regulations 1985 to court.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin told the Dewan Rakyat that a survey revealed on average each Malaysian consumed seven tablespoons of artificial sweeteners, four teaspoons of sugar and three teaspoons of condensed milk with their drinks daily.
“At 51g, the intake is too high – above recommendations by the World Health Organisation (WHO),” she replied Dr Tan Seng Giaw (DAP–Kepong).
“WHO’s recommendation is that a person consumes only 10% of sugar a day from their daily calories.”
Rosnah, quoting the National Health and Morbidity Survey, said the number of Malaysians diagnosed with diabetes had increased two-fold to three million in the past five years.
“In 2006, the number stood at 1.5 million,” she told Salahuddin Ayub (PAS–Kubang Kerian) during Question Time.
Rosnah noted that Malaysia ranked sixth in the Asia-Pacific region and first in South-East Asia.
“We are concerned that many have yet to go for an early diagnosis test to detect any diabetic-related health problems,” she said.
“We estimate about two million people have not received any treatment for diabetes.”
According to WHO, 346 million people worldwide have diabetes and it is projected that death caused by it would double by 2030.
Rosnah said the ministry had analysed 1,226 food samples in 2009 of which 92 (7.3%) had chemicals harmful to consumers.
She said the Government would take errant food producers who did not adhere to the Food Regulations 1985 to court.
Beauty sector to be regulated
Star: PETALING JAYA: The proposed Health Ministry guidelines to regulate the beauty industry will make it easier for the ministry to clamp down on beauty salons offering procedures that are out of their scope of expertise.
The guidelines will list the procedures that are only allowed to be performed by registered medical doctors trained in aesthetic procedures, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
“At the moment, it is still unclear what a beautician can or cannot do. But with these new guidelines, it will be clearer and local governments or the police will know that beauty salons are not supposed to perform certain procedures,” said Liow.
He added that if the ministry found out about a beauty salon offering services that were not allowed, it could take immediate action and work with the appropriate licensing body to withdraw their licences and stop their operations.
Liow was responding to The Star's front-page report yesterday on the increase in complaints against beauty salons.
“We have always had this problem with beauty salons. We have told them that they should not perform any invasive treatments, like botox injections or thermal (heat) treatments, (but they still do it),” he told reporters after opening the third Asia Pacific Conference of Public Health here yesterday.
“With stricter rules in the new guidelines, even doctors must go through a specific course to be allowed to carry out beauty treatments in the future,” Liow said.
He said the ministry was working with the Malaysian Society of Aesthetic Medicine on a compulsory syllabus for doctors who wished to perform such procedures.
At the moment, the beauty industry is largely unregulated as there is no specific Act or guideline that spells out the do's and don'ts.
“We can only regulate doctors who perform beauty procedures under the Medical Act 1971.
“But if a beautician performs them, the ministry cannot take action against them under this Act as he or she is not a medical doctor unless there is a complaint,” said Liow.
He also said that with the new guidelines, the ministry could also do random checks on beauty salons, even when there were no complaints.
The guidelines will list the procedures that are only allowed to be performed by registered medical doctors trained in aesthetic procedures, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
“At the moment, it is still unclear what a beautician can or cannot do. But with these new guidelines, it will be clearer and local governments or the police will know that beauty salons are not supposed to perform certain procedures,” said Liow.
He added that if the ministry found out about a beauty salon offering services that were not allowed, it could take immediate action and work with the appropriate licensing body to withdraw their licences and stop their operations.
Liow was responding to The Star's front-page report yesterday on the increase in complaints against beauty salons.
“We have always had this problem with beauty salons. We have told them that they should not perform any invasive treatments, like botox injections or thermal (heat) treatments, (but they still do it),” he told reporters after opening the third Asia Pacific Conference of Public Health here yesterday.
“With stricter rules in the new guidelines, even doctors must go through a specific course to be allowed to carry out beauty treatments in the future,” Liow said.
He said the ministry was working with the Malaysian Society of Aesthetic Medicine on a compulsory syllabus for doctors who wished to perform such procedures.
At the moment, the beauty industry is largely unregulated as there is no specific Act or guideline that spells out the do's and don'ts.
“We can only regulate doctors who perform beauty procedures under the Medical Act 1971.
“But if a beautician performs them, the ministry cannot take action against them under this Act as he or she is not a medical doctor unless there is a complaint,” said Liow.
He also said that with the new guidelines, the ministry could also do random checks on beauty salons, even when there were no complaints.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Liow: NCD rate to increase
Star: BENTONG: Do not have a nonchalant attitude towards non-communicable diseases (NCD) as community participation is vital in ensuring a successful fight against it, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said.
“According to the World Health Organisation, the NCD rate will go up by 17% worldwide in the next decade without public and government intervention. This is a very high percentage.
“We have to create a level of urgency and ensure the community is equipped with necessary knowledge and skills to be healthy,” he said after attending the Bentong Health Carnival and screening at SJK (C) Manchis here.
Almost 4.8 million Malaysians suffer from NCD which includes hypertension, heart ailments, cancer and diabetes.
The ministry, Liow said, was working with WHO to determine the target reduction rate for NCD and to reduce it effectively.
Early detection and prevention, he added, could sharply reduce the risks.
“For example, most cases of breast cancer which is the most common cancer among women are identified very late.
“It is easier to treat if identified early,” he said, adding that breast cancer made up about 35% of cancers affecting women.
Liow, who also presented 179 students with free prescription glasses courtesy of Yayasan Tun Rahah said health carnivals, mobile clinics and target screening for high-risk groups were being carried out to help prevent NCD. Traditional and complementary medicine, he added, could also help prevent NCD.
High-risk groups include obese people, the elderly and those suffering from diabetes and heart ailments.
“According to the World Health Organisation, the NCD rate will go up by 17% worldwide in the next decade without public and government intervention. This is a very high percentage.
“We have to create a level of urgency and ensure the community is equipped with necessary knowledge and skills to be healthy,” he said after attending the Bentong Health Carnival and screening at SJK (C) Manchis here.
Almost 4.8 million Malaysians suffer from NCD which includes hypertension, heart ailments, cancer and diabetes.
The ministry, Liow said, was working with WHO to determine the target reduction rate for NCD and to reduce it effectively.
Early detection and prevention, he added, could sharply reduce the risks.
“For example, most cases of breast cancer which is the most common cancer among women are identified very late.
“It is easier to treat if identified early,” he said, adding that breast cancer made up about 35% of cancers affecting women.
Liow, who also presented 179 students with free prescription glasses courtesy of Yayasan Tun Rahah said health carnivals, mobile clinics and target screening for high-risk groups were being carried out to help prevent NCD. Traditional and complementary medicine, he added, could also help prevent NCD.
High-risk groups include obese people, the elderly and those suffering from diabetes and heart ailments.
Report errant beauty salons to ministry, consumers urged
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Victims of botched beauty treatment jobs or cheating by unscrupulous beauty houses should not hide behind their shame but instead join the Health Ministry in weeding out the errant ones from the multi-billion ringgit industry.
The ministry, acknowledging loopholes in regulations, wants to tighten the laws governing the industry, and is working closely with other stakeholders to make beauty procedures safer for the consumers, said Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin.
“Consumers have a role to play in identifying errant establishments as checks on beauty salons by the Health Ministry are based on complaints,” she said.
Malaysian Beauty Therapy Association president Datin Dr Clara Chee said beauty salons had mushroomed in the last few years.
The association estimates that the wellness industry is worth RM8bil annually, and at least one in three adults in Malaysia uses beauty services.
“Unfortunately, many of the new salons are small players desperate to make a quick buck.
“As a result, they resort to quick-fix solutions which can end up damaging the client's skin irreversibly in the long run,” she said.
While customers can terminate the services of a beauty centre and seek refunds under the Consumer Protection Act 1999, Chee said there was currently no law to specifically govern the industry.
Housewife M. Choo, 45, is a victim who fell for the ploy often employed by beauty houses to “milk” their customers.
Not only did she end up paying for unplanned treatments, Choo also ended up with a scarred face.
When she went to a skin care centre in Johor earlier this year, she had only planned to have a normal facial.
But she was persuaded to sign up for a laser package treatment that cost RM4,500 to remove dead skin and black spots from her face.
“After five sessions, my skin became badly burnt. I complained. The centre offered me two free sessions, but it only made my face worse,” she said.
When she sought the help of MCA Public Services and Complaints Bureau head Datuk Michael Chong recently, she realised that she was not alone.
Last year, Chong received eight similar complaints in which the victims had paid a total of RM25,100 for various beauty treatments.
This year, he has received four complaints so far but the amount involved was higher as the victims had paid a total of RM25,300.
Consumer Claims Tribunal statistics show that claims from consumers against beauty centres have increased by almost 60% from 253 claims last year to 401 so far this year.
The ministry, acknowledging loopholes in regulations, wants to tighten the laws governing the industry, and is working closely with other stakeholders to make beauty procedures safer for the consumers, said Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin.
“Consumers have a role to play in identifying errant establishments as checks on beauty salons by the Health Ministry are based on complaints,” she said.
Malaysian Beauty Therapy Association president Datin Dr Clara Chee said beauty salons had mushroomed in the last few years.
The association estimates that the wellness industry is worth RM8bil annually, and at least one in three adults in Malaysia uses beauty services.
“Unfortunately, many of the new salons are small players desperate to make a quick buck.
“As a result, they resort to quick-fix solutions which can end up damaging the client's skin irreversibly in the long run,” she said.
While customers can terminate the services of a beauty centre and seek refunds under the Consumer Protection Act 1999, Chee said there was currently no law to specifically govern the industry.
Housewife M. Choo, 45, is a victim who fell for the ploy often employed by beauty houses to “milk” their customers.
Not only did she end up paying for unplanned treatments, Choo also ended up with a scarred face.
When she went to a skin care centre in Johor earlier this year, she had only planned to have a normal facial.
But she was persuaded to sign up for a laser package treatment that cost RM4,500 to remove dead skin and black spots from her face.
“After five sessions, my skin became badly burnt. I complained. The centre offered me two free sessions, but it only made my face worse,” she said.
When she sought the help of MCA Public Services and Complaints Bureau head Datuk Michael Chong recently, she realised that she was not alone.
Last year, Chong received eight similar complaints in which the victims had paid a total of RM25,100 for various beauty treatments.
This year, he has received four complaints so far but the amount involved was higher as the victims had paid a total of RM25,300.
Consumer Claims Tribunal statistics show that claims from consumers against beauty centres have increased by almost 60% from 253 claims last year to 401 so far this year.
New guidelines to regulate beauty industry to be ready next month
Star: PETALING JAYA: The new guidelines to regulate the beauty industry involving invasive procedures will be ready next month.
The rules will cover all invasive beauty procedures and treatment that require the attendance of registered medical and dental practitioners.
The guidelines will spell out the do's and don'ts, particularly in prohibiting non-registered medical or dental practitioners from carrying out procedures involving injection and laser procedures.
Once the guidelines are implemented, the public, medical practitioners and those in the industry can report beauty salons or those offering such treatment without authorisation.
The guidelines are sorely needed to govern the burgeoning billion-ringgit beauty industry in Malaysia, said Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin.
She said although there was an ethical guideline by the Malaysian Medical Council on aesthetic medical practice, there were no specific guidelines by the Health Ministry.
She said the ministry would cooperate with authorities like the Companies Commission of Malaysia, Domestic Trade Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry and the police to regulate the beauty industry and keep tabs on errant beauty salons.
“Currently we do not have direct control on the operating licences of these beauty centres since they are registered and licensed as business premises with the local authorities,” said Rosnah.
However, she said monitoring and enforcement by the ministry could be carried out under the Private Health-care Facilities and Services Act 1998 as well as the Medical Act 1971.
She said following complaints, several beauty salons which did not have a medical practitioner in at-tendance had been sealed for providing prescription drugs to their customers.
Rosnah said beauty salons that provided services that misled the public, used medical equipment and operated as though they were a healthcare facility could face action under the Private Healthcare Faci-lities and Services Act.
Malaysian Beauty Therapy Asso-ciation president Datin Dr Clara Chee gave the thumbs up to the proposed guidelines, saying it would help weed out the bad hats.
The rules will cover all invasive beauty procedures and treatment that require the attendance of registered medical and dental practitioners.
The guidelines will spell out the do's and don'ts, particularly in prohibiting non-registered medical or dental practitioners from carrying out procedures involving injection and laser procedures.
Once the guidelines are implemented, the public, medical practitioners and those in the industry can report beauty salons or those offering such treatment without authorisation.
The guidelines are sorely needed to govern the burgeoning billion-ringgit beauty industry in Malaysia, said Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin.
She said although there was an ethical guideline by the Malaysian Medical Council on aesthetic medical practice, there were no specific guidelines by the Health Ministry.
She said the ministry would cooperate with authorities like the Companies Commission of Malaysia, Domestic Trade Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry and the police to regulate the beauty industry and keep tabs on errant beauty salons.
“Currently we do not have direct control on the operating licences of these beauty centres since they are registered and licensed as business premises with the local authorities,” said Rosnah.
However, she said monitoring and enforcement by the ministry could be carried out under the Private Health-care Facilities and Services Act 1998 as well as the Medical Act 1971.
She said following complaints, several beauty salons which did not have a medical practitioner in at-tendance had been sealed for providing prescription drugs to their customers.
Rosnah said beauty salons that provided services that misled the public, used medical equipment and operated as though they were a healthcare facility could face action under the Private Healthcare Faci-lities and Services Act.
Malaysian Beauty Therapy Asso-ciation president Datin Dr Clara Chee gave the thumbs up to the proposed guidelines, saying it would help weed out the bad hats.
Serious mortality risk at home
AsiaOne: The Health Ministry does not support or encourage women to give birth at home, on their own, because the risk of complications is high. It may cause serious morbidity or even mortality to a mother, her newborn, or both.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin said the ministry acknowledged that women had the right to choose how and where to deliver, "but they don't have the right to put their baby at risk".
"Every pregnancy is a risk and the complications peak during labour and the immediate period after delivery," said Rosnah.
"Uncomplicated births can still potentially become a medical emergency without warning.
But the ministry is aware that there are women, who would prefer more natural, gentle, birthing methods, as opposed to what has benn perceived as an over-medicalised one in a hospital setting.
"We are aware and respect such preferences. We are continuously trying to accommodate such patients and their families' request," said Rosnah.
But such pregnant women are required to have had regular antenatal care and to have been fit throughout their pregnancy. A trained birth attendant would need to be present to assist.
The place of delivery would need to be safe and clean, with a reliable supply of clean water, electricity, good lighting and ventilation.
"The mother must inform her health-care provider (of her decision), who will then assess the safety of the home environment and advise the mother and her spouse or family, on things to prepare for the delivery," said Rosnah.
During the early stages of labour, the spouse or family must call the trained birth attendant to be present, who will then assist in the delivery.
"The trained birth attendant will be able to identify early warning signs of complications. The mother, spouse and family must understand and accept that if complications were to arise -- she will be transferred to a hospital."
In Malaysia, there is a law -- (Part V of the Midwives Act 1966 (revised - 1990) -- to ensure the safety of a mother during childbirth: a trained birth attendant must be in attendance during the delivery.
In Malaysia, this means registered midwives as they are the ones allowed to attend to births here.
Rosnah also pointed out that Malaysia's statistics showed that the risk of dying was much higher for a pregnant woman and her newborn if she were to deliver at home, rather than at a hospital.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin said the ministry acknowledged that women had the right to choose how and where to deliver, "but they don't have the right to put their baby at risk".
"Every pregnancy is a risk and the complications peak during labour and the immediate period after delivery," said Rosnah.
"Uncomplicated births can still potentially become a medical emergency without warning.
But the ministry is aware that there are women, who would prefer more natural, gentle, birthing methods, as opposed to what has benn perceived as an over-medicalised one in a hospital setting.
"We are aware and respect such preferences. We are continuously trying to accommodate such patients and their families' request," said Rosnah.
But such pregnant women are required to have had regular antenatal care and to have been fit throughout their pregnancy. A trained birth attendant would need to be present to assist.
The place of delivery would need to be safe and clean, with a reliable supply of clean water, electricity, good lighting and ventilation.
"The mother must inform her health-care provider (of her decision), who will then assess the safety of the home environment and advise the mother and her spouse or family, on things to prepare for the delivery," said Rosnah.
During the early stages of labour, the spouse or family must call the trained birth attendant to be present, who will then assist in the delivery.
"The trained birth attendant will be able to identify early warning signs of complications. The mother, spouse and family must understand and accept that if complications were to arise -- she will be transferred to a hospital."
In Malaysia, there is a law -- (Part V of the Midwives Act 1966 (revised - 1990) -- to ensure the safety of a mother during childbirth: a trained birth attendant must be in attendance during the delivery.
In Malaysia, this means registered midwives as they are the ones allowed to attend to births here.
Rosnah also pointed out that Malaysia's statistics showed that the risk of dying was much higher for a pregnant woman and her newborn if she were to deliver at home, rather than at a hospital.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Breakthrough in melioidosis cure?
NST: Researchers at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia may have found a possible cure for melioidosis by uncovering the workings of the bacteria that causes the deadly infectious disease.
Revealing this in the university's news portal, UKM Research and Innovation Affairs Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Rahmah Mohamed said the discovery, described as a major breakthrough, could lead to prevention and treatment of the disease.
"We have discovered a potent toxin, Burkholderia Lethal factor 1-BLF1, which prevents cells from breaking down protein in an infected body," she said.
"The outcome is that cells begin to die, leading to eventual organ failure and finally death."
She said the finding was a major breakthrough in discovering how the bacteria works and causes death in its infected hosts.
"Given the number of people wanting to understand the disease, this discovery is going to have a huge impact on our handling of future outbreaks."
Rahmah said there was currently no available vaccine for the life-threatening disease that has become a major health challenge in Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries.
UKM Vice-Chancellor Professor Tan Sri Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hasan said the breakthrough was significant not only because of its scientific value but also because of the international collaboration.
"It serves to show the importance of international collaboration and UKM is very proud of the team," she added.
The UKM researchers had worked closely with the Malaysian Genome Institute, laboratories from the United Kingdom and also researchers from Singapore.
The disease gained notoriety as the cause of death of several men who were involved in a search-and-rescue operation of a drowning victim at the Lubuk Yu recreational area in Maran, Pahang, in July last year.
In Sarawak, 343 cases of melioidosis were reported last year, 17 of which were fatal.
Melioidosis is caused by a Gram-negative bacterium, Burkholderia pseudomallei, found in soil and water.
Symptoms may include pain in the chest, bones or joints; cough; skin infections, lung nodules and pneumonia.
Revealing this in the university's news portal, UKM Research and Innovation Affairs Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Rahmah Mohamed said the discovery, described as a major breakthrough, could lead to prevention and treatment of the disease.
"We have discovered a potent toxin, Burkholderia Lethal factor 1-BLF1, which prevents cells from breaking down protein in an infected body," she said.
"The outcome is that cells begin to die, leading to eventual organ failure and finally death."
She said the finding was a major breakthrough in discovering how the bacteria works and causes death in its infected hosts.
"Given the number of people wanting to understand the disease, this discovery is going to have a huge impact on our handling of future outbreaks."
Rahmah said there was currently no available vaccine for the life-threatening disease that has become a major health challenge in Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries.
UKM Vice-Chancellor Professor Tan Sri Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hasan said the breakthrough was significant not only because of its scientific value but also because of the international collaboration.
"It serves to show the importance of international collaboration and UKM is very proud of the team," she added.
The UKM researchers had worked closely with the Malaysian Genome Institute, laboratories from the United Kingdom and also researchers from Singapore.
The disease gained notoriety as the cause of death of several men who were involved in a search-and-rescue operation of a drowning victim at the Lubuk Yu recreational area in Maran, Pahang, in July last year.
In Sarawak, 343 cases of melioidosis were reported last year, 17 of which were fatal.
Melioidosis is caused by a Gram-negative bacterium, Burkholderia pseudomallei, found in soil and water.
Symptoms may include pain in the chest, bones or joints; cough; skin infections, lung nodules and pneumonia.
A shield for our young
Star: Pneumonia is, in fact, the number one killer of young children in many countries.
IN 2008, an estimated 8.8 million children died before their fifth birthday. One in five of the deaths was due to pneumonia. Pneumonia kills an estimated 1.4 million children under the age of five years annually – more than deaths from AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined.
In effect, one child dies from pneumonia every 20 seconds. Most of these pneumonia deaths occur in developing countries.
In Malaysia, the prevalence of pneumonia in children under five is between 28% and 39%. It is the fifth highest cause of death in Malaysian children, contributing 4% of deaths under the age of five years.
This global tragedy becomes even more depressing if you look at the universal finding that only one in five caregivers could recognise the danger signs of pneumonia, and only one in five children with pneumonia actually received lifesaving antibiotics!
Pneumonia often mimics the common cold, starting with a fever and cough, and parents may not realise that the condition may be much more serious.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF in their 2008 document outlined the Global Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Pneumonia (GAPP). In summary, this child survival strategy embraced the following three key elements:
·Protection by handwashing, exclusive breastfeeding, improved nutrition, avoidance of indoor pollution (smoking, stove fires) and reducing risk factors (eg HIV).
·Treatment by improving access to healthcare and appropriate management at health facilities.
·Prevention of pneumonia by immunising against germs that are responsible, eg measles, pertussis, Haemophilus influenza B (Hib) and pneumococcus.
The implementation of the GAPP interventions to protect (breastfeeding), prevent (vaccinations) and treat (case management) in the 68 high child mortality countries would potentially avert up to 1.2 million post-neonatal pneumonia deaths annually by 2015.
The prevention strategy with “pneumonia vaccines” have been shown to substantially reduce pneumonia morbidity and mortality in children.
Malaysia introduced the pertussis, measles and Hib vaccines in 1960, 1982 and 2002 respectively. However, the pneumococcal vaccine is still not in the Health Ministry’s (MOH) National Immunisation Programme (NIP).
And unfortunately, the pneumococcus is the number one cause of pneumonia deaths. More than 50% of pneumonia deaths are due to the pneumococcus.
Apart from pneumonia, the pneumococcus can cause other serious diseases, namely meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the spine and brain), bacteraemia (germs in the blood), and other less invasive but nonetheless very burdensome medical conditions in terms of volume of morbidity and complications – otitis media (inflammation of the middle ear) and sinusitis (infection of the sinuses).
For every case of pneumococcal meningitis each year, there are probably 1,000 cases of pneumococcal otitis media. The two cases below illustrate the spectrum of diseases caused by the penumococcus.
Case 1: A three-year-old girl presented with a three week history of coughing and six days of high grade fever. She did not respond to oral antibiotics and was referred to hospital.
On admission she was febrile, breathing rapidly and was grunting. Her chest x-ray showed pneumonia of the entire right lung, with fluid collection. The lung fluid was drained and it grew the pneumococcus.
She required respiratory support in the intensive care unit (ICU) for five days, and oxygen support for another five days. Her repeat chest x-ray showed residual lung damage and she was in hospital for a total of four weeks.
Case 2: The second case a five-month-old girl was less fortunate. She had fever 36 hours prior to admission, was feeding poorly and vomited twice. She was noted to be more sleepy. Both her blood and cerebrospinal fluid grew pneumococcus.
Despite ventilation in the ICU, intravenous antibiotics, and close monitoring, she died within 10 hours.
Thus, vaccination against invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is a pivotal life saving strategy and reduces morbidity because:
·It may prevent children from ever being infected.
·It reduces the transmission of the bacteria in the community, thus reducing IPD in other age groups (herd immunity),
·It reduces the need for antibiotics, resulting in lower rates of resistant bacteria.
The pneumococcal vaccine first introduced in the US in 2000 has since been shown to be highly efficacious in a wide variety of populations studied in the US, Gambia and South Africa.
The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) is the first vaccine in 20 years to show a significant reduction in all-cause child mortality in a major randomised, controlled clinical trial in Gambia, where seven deaths were prevented for every 1,000 children vaccinated.
The WHO, in a position statement in 2007, declared: “Recognising the heavy burden of pneumococcal disease in children and the safety and efficacy of PCV7 in this age group, WHO considers the inclusion of this vaccine in national immunisation programmes as a priority.”
Looking at the annual world birth cohort in 2008, only 7% have been immunised with the PCV, and most of these were in developed countries. More than 50 countries have incorporated the PCV in their NIP. In Asia, only Singapore, Macau and Hong Kong have included PCV in their NIP.
Since the arrival of the PCV in Malaysia, only a meagre 10% of our birth cohort have been vaccinated against the pneumococcus, and virtually all of these were in the private health sector. The vaccine is not available to the 70-80% of Malaysian children who attend government health centres for their scheduled immunisations since the PCV is not in the nation’s NIP.
The Asian Strategic Alliance for Pneumococcal disease prevention (ASAP) has been at the forefront in the advocacy for the inclusion of PCV in the NIP of countries in the Asia Pacific. With her Malaysian partner, the Malaysian Paediatric Association, they were part of the Global Coalition against Child Pneumonia established in 2009, to advocate for global action to protect against, effectively treat and help prevent pneumonia.
IN 2008, an estimated 8.8 million children died before their fifth birthday. One in five of the deaths was due to pneumonia. Pneumonia kills an estimated 1.4 million children under the age of five years annually – more than deaths from AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined.
In effect, one child dies from pneumonia every 20 seconds. Most of these pneumonia deaths occur in developing countries.
In Malaysia, the prevalence of pneumonia in children under five is between 28% and 39%. It is the fifth highest cause of death in Malaysian children, contributing 4% of deaths under the age of five years.
This global tragedy becomes even more depressing if you look at the universal finding that only one in five caregivers could recognise the danger signs of pneumonia, and only one in five children with pneumonia actually received lifesaving antibiotics!
Pneumonia often mimics the common cold, starting with a fever and cough, and parents may not realise that the condition may be much more serious.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF in their 2008 document outlined the Global Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Pneumonia (GAPP). In summary, this child survival strategy embraced the following three key elements:
·Protection by handwashing, exclusive breastfeeding, improved nutrition, avoidance of indoor pollution (smoking, stove fires) and reducing risk factors (eg HIV).
·Treatment by improving access to healthcare and appropriate management at health facilities.
·Prevention of pneumonia by immunising against germs that are responsible, eg measles, pertussis, Haemophilus influenza B (Hib) and pneumococcus.
The implementation of the GAPP interventions to protect (breastfeeding), prevent (vaccinations) and treat (case management) in the 68 high child mortality countries would potentially avert up to 1.2 million post-neonatal pneumonia deaths annually by 2015.
The prevention strategy with “pneumonia vaccines” have been shown to substantially reduce pneumonia morbidity and mortality in children.
Malaysia introduced the pertussis, measles and Hib vaccines in 1960, 1982 and 2002 respectively. However, the pneumococcal vaccine is still not in the Health Ministry’s (MOH) National Immunisation Programme (NIP).
And unfortunately, the pneumococcus is the number one cause of pneumonia deaths. More than 50% of pneumonia deaths are due to the pneumococcus.
Apart from pneumonia, the pneumococcus can cause other serious diseases, namely meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the spine and brain), bacteraemia (germs in the blood), and other less invasive but nonetheless very burdensome medical conditions in terms of volume of morbidity and complications – otitis media (inflammation of the middle ear) and sinusitis (infection of the sinuses).
For every case of pneumococcal meningitis each year, there are probably 1,000 cases of pneumococcal otitis media. The two cases below illustrate the spectrum of diseases caused by the penumococcus.
Case 1: A three-year-old girl presented with a three week history of coughing and six days of high grade fever. She did not respond to oral antibiotics and was referred to hospital.
On admission she was febrile, breathing rapidly and was grunting. Her chest x-ray showed pneumonia of the entire right lung, with fluid collection. The lung fluid was drained and it grew the pneumococcus.
She required respiratory support in the intensive care unit (ICU) for five days, and oxygen support for another five days. Her repeat chest x-ray showed residual lung damage and she was in hospital for a total of four weeks.
Case 2: The second case a five-month-old girl was less fortunate. She had fever 36 hours prior to admission, was feeding poorly and vomited twice. She was noted to be more sleepy. Both her blood and cerebrospinal fluid grew pneumococcus.
Despite ventilation in the ICU, intravenous antibiotics, and close monitoring, she died within 10 hours.
Thus, vaccination against invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is a pivotal life saving strategy and reduces morbidity because:
·It may prevent children from ever being infected.
·It reduces the transmission of the bacteria in the community, thus reducing IPD in other age groups (herd immunity),
·It reduces the need for antibiotics, resulting in lower rates of resistant bacteria.
The pneumococcal vaccine first introduced in the US in 2000 has since been shown to be highly efficacious in a wide variety of populations studied in the US, Gambia and South Africa.
The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) is the first vaccine in 20 years to show a significant reduction in all-cause child mortality in a major randomised, controlled clinical trial in Gambia, where seven deaths were prevented for every 1,000 children vaccinated.
The WHO, in a position statement in 2007, declared: “Recognising the heavy burden of pneumococcal disease in children and the safety and efficacy of PCV7 in this age group, WHO considers the inclusion of this vaccine in national immunisation programmes as a priority.”
Looking at the annual world birth cohort in 2008, only 7% have been immunised with the PCV, and most of these were in developed countries. More than 50 countries have incorporated the PCV in their NIP. In Asia, only Singapore, Macau and Hong Kong have included PCV in their NIP.
Since the arrival of the PCV in Malaysia, only a meagre 10% of our birth cohort have been vaccinated against the pneumococcus, and virtually all of these were in the private health sector. The vaccine is not available to the 70-80% of Malaysian children who attend government health centres for their scheduled immunisations since the PCV is not in the nation’s NIP.
The Asian Strategic Alliance for Pneumococcal disease prevention (ASAP) has been at the forefront in the advocacy for the inclusion of PCV in the NIP of countries in the Asia Pacific. With her Malaysian partner, the Malaysian Paediatric Association, they were part of the Global Coalition against Child Pneumonia established in 2009, to advocate for global action to protect against, effectively treat and help prevent pneumonia.
Number Of Mental Patients Increases In Parallel With WHO's Projection
KOTA KINABALU, Nov 12 (Bernama) -- The number of mental patients in Malaysia has been seen to be increased in parallel with the World Health Organisation's (WHO) projection that the global burden of mental disorders would increase by 16 per cent by 2020.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin said 400,227 mental patients had sought treatment at government hospitals last year and the number was an increase of 15.6 per cent from the previous year.
"We have identified depression as the most worrying type of mental disorder and it is expected to be the second largest disease suffered by Malaysians after heart disease," she told reporters after opening the Physical and Mental Health and Fitness Campaign at Queen Elizabeth Hospital here today.
Rosnah also said the ministry was giving extra focus on promoting mental health care, including by organising a six-month stress management activities for students in several schools nationwide.
The schools involved are SMK St Michael in Penampang Sabah, SMK Datuk Haji Ahmad Badawi (Seberang Perai, Penang), SMK Simpang Bekoh (Jasin, Melaka), SM Sains Teluk Intan (Perak), MRSM Gemencheh (Negeri Sembilan) and SMJK Catholic (Petaling Jaya, Selangor).
Rosnah said the activities, which aimed at improving the students' skills and abilities to manage stress, also saw participations of parents and school management.
Hence, she said such activities would be expanded to all schools soon.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin said 400,227 mental patients had sought treatment at government hospitals last year and the number was an increase of 15.6 per cent from the previous year.
"We have identified depression as the most worrying type of mental disorder and it is expected to be the second largest disease suffered by Malaysians after heart disease," she told reporters after opening the Physical and Mental Health and Fitness Campaign at Queen Elizabeth Hospital here today.
Rosnah also said the ministry was giving extra focus on promoting mental health care, including by organising a six-month stress management activities for students in several schools nationwide.
The schools involved are SMK St Michael in Penampang Sabah, SMK Datuk Haji Ahmad Badawi (Seberang Perai, Penang), SMK Simpang Bekoh (Jasin, Melaka), SM Sains Teluk Intan (Perak), MRSM Gemencheh (Negeri Sembilan) and SMJK Catholic (Petaling Jaya, Selangor).
Rosnah said the activities, which aimed at improving the students' skills and abilities to manage stress, also saw participations of parents and school management.
Hence, she said such activities would be expanded to all schools soon.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Ministry wants an increase in health services for orang asli
Star: PETALING JAYA: The Health Ministry wants to see more orang asli providing health services to their community.
“We would like to encourage orang asli with relevant qualifications to apply to become nurses, medical assistants, radiographers as well as doctors and pharmacists.
“Those who qualify will certainly be given priority for employment to serve their community,” said Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Shirlin via an email interview.
The ministry will take over health and medical services run by the Orang Asli Development Department (JHEOA) effective Jan 1, next year.
At present, JHEOA operates a hospital in Gombak, Selangor, three family clinics in Pahang, Kelantan and Perak, 16 transit centres for families of hospitalised patients, and 108 halls to provide health services using the department's mobile clinic programme, mobile dental clinics and an airborne doctor service.
“The orang asli will be able to obtain health services at any ministry facility and not just those operated by JHEOA.
“We will also ensure that the traditional practices such as family admission is honoured,” she said.
She added that a dedicated unit under the Public Health programme will be established to monitor the implementation of services and to plan for future development.
A doctor at the orang asli hospital in Gombak had highlighted alleged mistreatment of patients, medical negligence and abuse of power at the facility.
The hospital reportedly underwent some cosmetic changes in June last year to stave off further criticism.
An orang asli hospital staff member, who declined to be named, said that she looked forward to the changes.
“For many years I have longed to see more orang asli employed to serve our people,” she said.
“We would like to encourage orang asli with relevant qualifications to apply to become nurses, medical assistants, radiographers as well as doctors and pharmacists.
“Those who qualify will certainly be given priority for employment to serve their community,” said Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Shirlin via an email interview.
The ministry will take over health and medical services run by the Orang Asli Development Department (JHEOA) effective Jan 1, next year.
At present, JHEOA operates a hospital in Gombak, Selangor, three family clinics in Pahang, Kelantan and Perak, 16 transit centres for families of hospitalised patients, and 108 halls to provide health services using the department's mobile clinic programme, mobile dental clinics and an airborne doctor service.
“The orang asli will be able to obtain health services at any ministry facility and not just those operated by JHEOA.
“We will also ensure that the traditional practices such as family admission is honoured,” she said.
She added that a dedicated unit under the Public Health programme will be established to monitor the implementation of services and to plan for future development.
A doctor at the orang asli hospital in Gombak had highlighted alleged mistreatment of patients, medical negligence and abuse of power at the facility.
The hospital reportedly underwent some cosmetic changes in June last year to stave off further criticism.
An orang asli hospital staff member, who declined to be named, said that she looked forward to the changes.
“For many years I have longed to see more orang asli employed to serve our people,” she said.
S'pore billionaire to buy 10ha from Johor royal family
Star: PETALING JAYA: Singapore billionaire Peter Lim, dubbed the “Remisier King”, has signed a deal with the Johor royal family to acquire 10ha in Johor for the development of a medical hub and a marina city.
The joint venture company behind the development is Best Blend Sdn Bhd, which Lim owns 70%, and the royal family owns 30%. Lim is ranked by Forbes business magazine as Singapore's eighth wealthiest individual with a fortune of S$1.8bil.
“The cost of the medical hub is estimated at S$200mil and the total development cost could range from S$1bil to S$2bil. The medical hub will be funded through a mixture of debt and equity,” said Koh Kim Huat, a director of Best Blend.
The hospital, when completed, will be managed by Thomson International Health Services, the consultancy and management division of Thomson Medical Pte Ltd.
Singapore-listed Thomson Medical was taken private by Lim last year. It is described as a leading healthcare service provider in Singapore for obstetrics, gynaecology and paediatric service.
The site of this hub is located at Bandar Johor Baru, and is within close proximity to Johor's new royal customs, immigration and quarantine complex as well as Singapore's Woodlands checkpoint.
The first phase of the project will see the construction of a medical hub which will include a private hospital and healthcare-related facilities and also supporting facilities including serviced apartments, a mega shopping mall and a mega fully secured car park. A special feature of the complex is a state-of-the-art security deterrence and detection systems.
The 200-bed general hospital will house centres of excellence for diabetes, orthopaedics, ophthalmology, women's health, and a state-of-the-art day surgery centre.
“The medical hub will provide quality private healthcare at affordable prices to Singaporeans and Malaysians,” said Koh.
When asked whether TMC Life Sciences would be involved in the medical hub, Koh said there were no plans at this point.
Lim made headlines in Malaysia last year when he bought a substantial stake in TMC Life Sciences Bhd, a private healthcare group which is popular for its fertility treatments. Lim is now the largest shareholder of TMC with 32.59% stake.
Koh said fertility would be one of the key focus segments of the hospital. Among others, the focus for the hub will be the treatment of chronic and lifestyle diseases associated with growing affluence and which afflicts increasing numbers of Malaysians. The hub aims to provide a one-stop centre for chronic disease management of diabetic patients. A training school will be set up for nurses and medical technicians.
The joint venture company behind the development is Best Blend Sdn Bhd, which Lim owns 70%, and the royal family owns 30%. Lim is ranked by Forbes business magazine as Singapore's eighth wealthiest individual with a fortune of S$1.8bil.
“The cost of the medical hub is estimated at S$200mil and the total development cost could range from S$1bil to S$2bil. The medical hub will be funded through a mixture of debt and equity,” said Koh Kim Huat, a director of Best Blend.
The hospital, when completed, will be managed by Thomson International Health Services, the consultancy and management division of Thomson Medical Pte Ltd.
Singapore-listed Thomson Medical was taken private by Lim last year. It is described as a leading healthcare service provider in Singapore for obstetrics, gynaecology and paediatric service.
The site of this hub is located at Bandar Johor Baru, and is within close proximity to Johor's new royal customs, immigration and quarantine complex as well as Singapore's Woodlands checkpoint.
The first phase of the project will see the construction of a medical hub which will include a private hospital and healthcare-related facilities and also supporting facilities including serviced apartments, a mega shopping mall and a mega fully secured car park. A special feature of the complex is a state-of-the-art security deterrence and detection systems.
The 200-bed general hospital will house centres of excellence for diabetes, orthopaedics, ophthalmology, women's health, and a state-of-the-art day surgery centre.
“The medical hub will provide quality private healthcare at affordable prices to Singaporeans and Malaysians,” said Koh.
When asked whether TMC Life Sciences would be involved in the medical hub, Koh said there were no plans at this point.
Lim made headlines in Malaysia last year when he bought a substantial stake in TMC Life Sciences Bhd, a private healthcare group which is popular for its fertility treatments. Lim is now the largest shareholder of TMC with 32.59% stake.
Koh said fertility would be one of the key focus segments of the hospital. Among others, the focus for the hub will be the treatment of chronic and lifestyle diseases associated with growing affluence and which afflicts increasing numbers of Malaysians. The hub aims to provide a one-stop centre for chronic disease management of diabetic patients. A training school will be set up for nurses and medical technicians.
Powertek aids kidney foundation
NST: Every year, more than 4,000 Malaysians are diagnosed with kidney failure. Some 22,000 are on dialysis and the number continues to rise.
Concerned about these alarming statistics, Powertek Bhd (Powertek) recently joined the National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia (NKF) to help save lives through education and early detection of kidney disease.
Powertek presented RM100,000 to NKF in support of its public education outreach programme.
The sponsorship will enable the NKF to conduct free health screenings at Felda settlements, smaller towns and rural areas in Malaysia, especially in the east coast and East Malaysia.
The funding commitment is for one year, till June next year, covering 34 screening sessions.
Powertek executive director and chief executive officer Dr Ong Peng Su said: "As part of our corporate social responsibility initiative, we are pleased to work with NKF to provide free screenings to ensure that needy communities receive the support and assistance required for good health."
NKF chief executive officer Chua Hong Wee said: "There is no cure for kidney disease. The only way to reduce the number of dialysis patients is through regular check-ups and educating the public on how they can prevent kidney disease."
NKF has conducted 10 sessions in rural areas such as Hulu Selangor, Kampung Kundur Tengah in Negri Sembilan, Felda settlements in Terengganu and Kuching, Sarawak.
The NKF LifeCheck Mobile Health screening programme was launched in 2008. It has screened more than 100,000 participants.
NKF has over 1,400 dialysis patients receiving subsidised treatments in 24 dialysis centres nationwide.
Concerned about these alarming statistics, Powertek Bhd (Powertek) recently joined the National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia (NKF) to help save lives through education and early detection of kidney disease.
Powertek presented RM100,000 to NKF in support of its public education outreach programme.
The sponsorship will enable the NKF to conduct free health screenings at Felda settlements, smaller towns and rural areas in Malaysia, especially in the east coast and East Malaysia.
The funding commitment is for one year, till June next year, covering 34 screening sessions.
Powertek executive director and chief executive officer Dr Ong Peng Su said: "As part of our corporate social responsibility initiative, we are pleased to work with NKF to provide free screenings to ensure that needy communities receive the support and assistance required for good health."
NKF chief executive officer Chua Hong Wee said: "There is no cure for kidney disease. The only way to reduce the number of dialysis patients is through regular check-ups and educating the public on how they can prevent kidney disease."
NKF has conducted 10 sessions in rural areas such as Hulu Selangor, Kampung Kundur Tengah in Negri Sembilan, Felda settlements in Terengganu and Kuching, Sarawak.
The NKF LifeCheck Mobile Health screening programme was launched in 2008. It has screened more than 100,000 participants.
NKF has over 1,400 dialysis patients receiving subsidised treatments in 24 dialysis centres nationwide.
Malaysian healthcare shines at Jakarta Hospital Expo
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian healthcare companies participating at the Hospital Expo 2011 in Jakarta, last month, received strong interest from Indonesian hospitals and laboratories for medical devices, equipment and services.
The 14 participating companies, led by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), also received numerous trade enquiries for spinal implants, urine bags, hospital beds, health screening services, cancer treatment, fertility treatment and orthopaedic surgery.
MATRADE Deputy Director of Corporate Communications Unit, Khairul Annuar Abdul Halim said the Hospital Expo 2011, is one of the largest health care related trade events in Indonesia.
He said with a population of over 220 million people, 80 per cent of the medical devices utilised in Indonesia, is imported.
Thus, the hospital show was a strategic platform to promote and foster business and networking opportunities between Malaysian healthcare device manufacturers, their potential distributors, agents and end-users throughout Indonesia, he added.
The 14 participating companies, led by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), also received numerous trade enquiries for spinal implants, urine bags, hospital beds, health screening services, cancer treatment, fertility treatment and orthopaedic surgery.
MATRADE Deputy Director of Corporate Communications Unit, Khairul Annuar Abdul Halim said the Hospital Expo 2011, is one of the largest health care related trade events in Indonesia.
He said with a population of over 220 million people, 80 per cent of the medical devices utilised in Indonesia, is imported.
Thus, the hospital show was a strategic platform to promote and foster business and networking opportunities between Malaysian healthcare device manufacturers, their potential distributors, agents and end-users throughout Indonesia, he added.
Tuesday, November 08, 2011
Specialists to learn TCM in China
Star: BEIJING: Specialists from hospitals and medical centres in Malaysia will soon be able to work with Chinese traditional medicine practitioners to develop methods of treating illnesses under a new cooperation agreement between both countries.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the cooperation would benefit Malaysia as some of the traditional practices adopted by the Chinese physicians could be good reference for Malaysian doctors.
“This is a very important development in our medical field. There are some cancer conditions in Malaysia that are hard for our specialists to treat,” he said.
“China invited our specialists to visit the country and learn from their practitioners specialising in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM),” he said after signing a memorandum of understanding on policy regulation and promotion of traditional medicine with Chinese deputy health minister Wang Guoqiang here yesterday.
He said both countries had agreed to start developing more software programmes such as training, research and development and clinical management for their doctors while waiting for the construction of a centre of excellence for TCM in Malaysia.
It is learnt that the Malaysian Government had offered a 20.2ha land in Salak Tinggi, Selangor, for the project which is estimated to cost RM200mil to RM300mil. The Chinese side will provide the technical expertise to build the centre.
Federation of Chinese Physicians and Medicine Dealers Associations president Ting Ka Hua said Malaysia was one of the few countries in South-East Asia which had kept the rich TCM tradition from generation to generation.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the cooperation would benefit Malaysia as some of the traditional practices adopted by the Chinese physicians could be good reference for Malaysian doctors.
“This is a very important development in our medical field. There are some cancer conditions in Malaysia that are hard for our specialists to treat,” he said.
“China invited our specialists to visit the country and learn from their practitioners specialising in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM),” he said after signing a memorandum of understanding on policy regulation and promotion of traditional medicine with Chinese deputy health minister Wang Guoqiang here yesterday.
He said both countries had agreed to start developing more software programmes such as training, research and development and clinical management for their doctors while waiting for the construction of a centre of excellence for TCM in Malaysia.
It is learnt that the Malaysian Government had offered a 20.2ha land in Salak Tinggi, Selangor, for the project which is estimated to cost RM200mil to RM300mil. The Chinese side will provide the technical expertise to build the centre.
Federation of Chinese Physicians and Medicine Dealers Associations president Ting Ka Hua said Malaysia was one of the few countries in South-East Asia which had kept the rich TCM tradition from generation to generation.
Scrapping MQE plan will "open floodgates" to foreign doctors
SunDaily: PETALING JAYA (Nov 6, 2011): The government's decision to scrap the plan to make the Medical Qualifying Exam (MQE) compulsory for all foreign medical graduates may have negative consequences come 2014, when Malaysia opens its doors to foreign medical practitioners under the World Trade Organisation agreement.
A source close to the situation said the decision of the Cabinet recently had obviously not taken into account the consequences of the WTO when the floodgates will be open to medical practitioners from the world over.
He said Malaysia had signed the WTO General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) in 2005 and the agreement on allowing foreign medical practitioners into Malaysia to practice will come into effect in the next one to two years.
"In two years' time, Malaysia may be flooded with foreign doctors who may not be fit to practise here," said the source, who is a Health Ministry consultant, adding it will exacerbate public fears over the quality of doctors in the country.
He said many of the healthcare professionals who were consulted for the process of amending the Medical Act 1971 had been all for making it compulsory for everyone to pass the MQE before practising medicine here.
Earlier this year, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai had announced that the current list of 365 recognised overseas foreign universities may be abolished in favour of making it compulsory to pass the MQE before practising medicine here.
However, the idea was recently quashed by the Cabinet which decided instead that the universities are only to be reviewed more frequently and the list shortened.
The source was however skeptical, saying the move will not resolve fears of poor quality medical graduates and low standards -- both of which are very much the realities of the medical profession now.
"Some of these universities have not been reviewed in 10 years, while some, the ministry is not even sure still exists," he said.
"Some even "put on" a show for the review, because they know the evaluation team is coming," he said, adding that it is a huge burden to review universities regularly, as each visit would take at least a week.
"How is it possible to review 365 universities in a year? Even if you review one university a week it is not possible," he said.
He cautioned that the ministry has yet to have a proper mechanism in place to ensure that local doctors will not lose out, and that foreign doctors would be tested for fitness before allowing to practise here.
"In Indonesia, all medical graduates regardless from which university or country must pass the certificate of fitness of practise before becoming doctors. Indeed, any medical practitioner wishing to be a doctor in indonesia must also sit for this certificate," he said, adding that Malaysia has yet to put in place a system like that.
"All this was brought up to the minister, but it was rejected. Many of those consulted, myself included, was in favour of making the MQE compulsory," he said.
He lamented that as more opportunities to study medicine both locally and overseas emerge, standards to studying medicine is lowered.
"The bar gets lower and lower each time, and so candidates get used to having it easy. By the time they come out to practice as housemen, they find it all too much because they are not used to hard work," he said.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Medical Association president Dr Mary Suma Cardosa described the cabinet decision as "an example of political interference in professional matters."
"The task of monitoring the quality of these universities is a massive task, which is why the Malaysian Medical Council wanted the exam to be compulsory initially," she said.
She nevertheless welcomed with caution the proposal by the Health Ministry to reduce the number of recognised overseas medical universities, though she said existing programmes may become more slipshod due to high demand.
"The emphasis should be on teaching modules, quality and caliber of the lecturers," she added .
A source close to the situation said the decision of the Cabinet recently had obviously not taken into account the consequences of the WTO when the floodgates will be open to medical practitioners from the world over.
He said Malaysia had signed the WTO General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) in 2005 and the agreement on allowing foreign medical practitioners into Malaysia to practice will come into effect in the next one to two years.
"In two years' time, Malaysia may be flooded with foreign doctors who may not be fit to practise here," said the source, who is a Health Ministry consultant, adding it will exacerbate public fears over the quality of doctors in the country.
He said many of the healthcare professionals who were consulted for the process of amending the Medical Act 1971 had been all for making it compulsory for everyone to pass the MQE before practising medicine here.
Earlier this year, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai had announced that the current list of 365 recognised overseas foreign universities may be abolished in favour of making it compulsory to pass the MQE before practising medicine here.
However, the idea was recently quashed by the Cabinet which decided instead that the universities are only to be reviewed more frequently and the list shortened.
The source was however skeptical, saying the move will not resolve fears of poor quality medical graduates and low standards -- both of which are very much the realities of the medical profession now.
"Some of these universities have not been reviewed in 10 years, while some, the ministry is not even sure still exists," he said.
"Some even "put on" a show for the review, because they know the evaluation team is coming," he said, adding that it is a huge burden to review universities regularly, as each visit would take at least a week.
"How is it possible to review 365 universities in a year? Even if you review one university a week it is not possible," he said.
He cautioned that the ministry has yet to have a proper mechanism in place to ensure that local doctors will not lose out, and that foreign doctors would be tested for fitness before allowing to practise here.
"In Indonesia, all medical graduates regardless from which university or country must pass the certificate of fitness of practise before becoming doctors. Indeed, any medical practitioner wishing to be a doctor in indonesia must also sit for this certificate," he said, adding that Malaysia has yet to put in place a system like that.
"All this was brought up to the minister, but it was rejected. Many of those consulted, myself included, was in favour of making the MQE compulsory," he said.
He lamented that as more opportunities to study medicine both locally and overseas emerge, standards to studying medicine is lowered.
"The bar gets lower and lower each time, and so candidates get used to having it easy. By the time they come out to practice as housemen, they find it all too much because they are not used to hard work," he said.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Medical Association president Dr Mary Suma Cardosa described the cabinet decision as "an example of political interference in professional matters."
"The task of monitoring the quality of these universities is a massive task, which is why the Malaysian Medical Council wanted the exam to be compulsory initially," she said.
She nevertheless welcomed with caution the proposal by the Health Ministry to reduce the number of recognised overseas medical universities, though she said existing programmes may become more slipshod due to high demand.
"The emphasis should be on teaching modules, quality and caliber of the lecturers," she added .
Thursday, November 03, 2011
Malaysia to host talks on female health
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Every year, about 350,000 girls and women die from pregnancy-related causes and almost all of these deaths occur in developing countries.
But there is some good news; the numbers are decreasing across Asia, and Malaysia is helping to lead the way, making huge strides in reducing maternal deaths.
Between 2000 and 2011, Malaysia reduced maternal mortality rates from 63.6 per 100,000 live births to 48.2 per 100,000. That is one of the lowest maternal mortality ratios in Asia.
But that is not saying much, for Asia-Pacific still bears the brunt of birth-related deaths; 44% of maternal deaths and 56% of newborn deaths worldwide occur in the region.
This information was shared by Women Deliver, an international organisation that brings together voices from around the world to call for improved health and well-being for girls and women.
Launched in 2007, it works globally to generate political commitment and financial investment for fulfilling Millennium Development Goal 5 — to reduce maternal mortality and achieve universal access to reproductive health.
The organisation’s founder, Jill Sheffield, said Malaysia managed to reduce maternal deaths through simple interventions, such as improvement in access to maternal health services and investment in obstetric care in district hospitals.
This is one of the reasons that Women Deliver has chosen Malaysia as host for its third conference, scheduled for May 2013. The first conference was held in London in 2007 and the second in Washington (2010).
“This global conference will draw advocates, activists, civil society leaders from around the world to Asia to discuss the most pressing issues facing women and girls,” Sheffield said.
“A joint report will be released by Women Deliver and the World Bank that shows data on why investing in women is a smart thing to do.
“In 2010, more than 3,400 people came together at the Women Deliver conference to stand behind one message: invest in women – it pays.
“Women Deliver 2013 will build on these commitments, and it will launch a new era of engagement among all partners working together to improve maternal health and deliver for girls and women everywhere.”
The 2013 conference will focus on accelerating progress towards Millennium Development Goal 5 (MDG5) so that it can be achieved by 2015.
“Women Deliver 2013 will be an opportunity for the world to reassess our progress on MDG5 and set ambitious but realistic goals for impacting maternal mortality and reproductive health access for 2015 and beyond,” Sheffield said.
Women Deliver 2013 aims to build on the commitments and investments made in 2010, including the Muskoka Initiative launched by the leaders of the G8, the resigning of the Maputo Plan of Action by the African Union, and the United Nations’ Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health.
But there is some good news; the numbers are decreasing across Asia, and Malaysia is helping to lead the way, making huge strides in reducing maternal deaths.
Between 2000 and 2011, Malaysia reduced maternal mortality rates from 63.6 per 100,000 live births to 48.2 per 100,000. That is one of the lowest maternal mortality ratios in Asia.
But that is not saying much, for Asia-Pacific still bears the brunt of birth-related deaths; 44% of maternal deaths and 56% of newborn deaths worldwide occur in the region.
This information was shared by Women Deliver, an international organisation that brings together voices from around the world to call for improved health and well-being for girls and women.
Launched in 2007, it works globally to generate political commitment and financial investment for fulfilling Millennium Development Goal 5 — to reduce maternal mortality and achieve universal access to reproductive health.
The organisation’s founder, Jill Sheffield, said Malaysia managed to reduce maternal deaths through simple interventions, such as improvement in access to maternal health services and investment in obstetric care in district hospitals.
This is one of the reasons that Women Deliver has chosen Malaysia as host for its third conference, scheduled for May 2013. The first conference was held in London in 2007 and the second in Washington (2010).
“This global conference will draw advocates, activists, civil society leaders from around the world to Asia to discuss the most pressing issues facing women and girls,” Sheffield said.
“A joint report will be released by Women Deliver and the World Bank that shows data on why investing in women is a smart thing to do.
“In 2010, more than 3,400 people came together at the Women Deliver conference to stand behind one message: invest in women – it pays.
“Women Deliver 2013 will build on these commitments, and it will launch a new era of engagement among all partners working together to improve maternal health and deliver for girls and women everywhere.”
The 2013 conference will focus on accelerating progress towards Millennium Development Goal 5 (MDG5) so that it can be achieved by 2015.
“Women Deliver 2013 will be an opportunity for the world to reassess our progress on MDG5 and set ambitious but realistic goals for impacting maternal mortality and reproductive health access for 2015 and beyond,” Sheffield said.
Women Deliver 2013 aims to build on the commitments and investments made in 2010, including the Muskoka Initiative launched by the leaders of the G8, the resigning of the Maputo Plan of Action by the African Union, and the United Nations’ Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
4.8 Million Malaysians Suffer From NCD
KUALA TERENGGANU, Oct 28 (Bernama) -- Almost 4.8 million Malaysians are suffering from non-communicable diseases (NCD), which include hypertension and heart-related illnesses, according to Health deputy minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin.
Launching the 1Malaysia East Zone University Students Programme 2011 at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu here today, she said studies done at government health clinics in the country found 70 per cent of patients receiving treatment were at risk of NCD.
"The percentage is very worrying for the ministry as NCD is a predisposing factor to mortality, debilities and lifelong agony.
"In this respect the ministry wants to encourage the younger generation especially university students to make healthy living a culture," she said.
Also present at the function was UMT Assistant Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Prof Dr Norhayati Mohd Tahir.
The joint programme between the Health Ministry and UMT is the third after Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) respectively, since it was launched on Sept 23.
Rosnah cited the practice of walking 10,000 steps a day and reducing the intake of fats in the daily diet as among the initiatives to ward off NCD.
In another development, Rosnah said the ministry planned to hold a convention for university students who participated in the 'Kumpulan M10' programme after the completion of its last edition at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) before the end of this year.
She said the convention would deliberate on the results of the 'Cabaran Siswa Sihat' an intervention project carried out by students at the four universities.
Launching the 1Malaysia East Zone University Students Programme 2011 at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu here today, she said studies done at government health clinics in the country found 70 per cent of patients receiving treatment were at risk of NCD.
"The percentage is very worrying for the ministry as NCD is a predisposing factor to mortality, debilities and lifelong agony.
"In this respect the ministry wants to encourage the younger generation especially university students to make healthy living a culture," she said.
Also present at the function was UMT Assistant Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Prof Dr Norhayati Mohd Tahir.
The joint programme between the Health Ministry and UMT is the third after Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) respectively, since it was launched on Sept 23.
Rosnah cited the practice of walking 10,000 steps a day and reducing the intake of fats in the daily diet as among the initiatives to ward off NCD.
In another development, Rosnah said the ministry planned to hold a convention for university students who participated in the 'Kumpulan M10' programme after the completion of its last edition at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) before the end of this year.
She said the convention would deliberate on the results of the 'Cabaran Siswa Sihat' an intervention project carried out by students at the four universities.
Breast cancer the top threat
Star: PETALING JAYA: Breast cancer continues to be the most common type of ailment among women.
The latest Health Ministry report, which gave statistics up to 2007, said 29 out of every 100,000 Malaysian women had breast cancer.
In comparison, eight out of 100,000 suffered cervical cancer, the third most common cancer affecting women.
The other most frequent cancers among women were colorectal cancer (10%), ovary (6.5%) and lung (5.4%).
Worldwide, breast cancer was also the most frequent among women.
Nineteen to 86 cases per 100,000 women were diagnosed with the ailment in various countries, corresponding to 10.9% of all cancer cases.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin, who revealed this at a press conference after the official launch of the Softlan Breast Cancer Charity Campaign here yesterday, said this type of cancer accounted for six to 19 out of every 100,000 deaths worldwide.
She said the latest statistics showed that breast cancer represented almost a third (32%) of all new cancers affecting women.
“Women tend to put their family first, rather than themselves.
“But, they must put a priority on their health too and examine their breasts monthly as well as go for screenings.
“It would be difficult for women to take care of their family if they are suffering themselves,” she said, urging all women, especially those aged 40 and above, to go for annual clinical breast examinations.
Rosnah said while more women were coming forward with early Stage 1 and Stage 2 breast cancers, there were still patients turning up at the later Stage 3 and Stage 4 phases.
“Most breast cancer cases are detected at age 45 and above,” she said, adding that early detection provided higher chances of survival.
Giving a racial breakdown of cancer sufferers, Rosnah said the incidence among the Chinese was 38.1% per 100,000; while among the Indians it was 33.7% and the Malays at 25.4%.
Among men, the most frequent cancers were lung (16.3%), colorectal (14.6%) nasopharynx (8.3%), prostate (6.2%) and lymphoma (5.5%).
Rosnah said the most frequent cancers for both genders combined were breast (18.1%), colorectal (12.3%), lung (10.2%), nasopharynx (5.2%) and cervix (4.6%).
The latest Health Ministry report, which gave statistics up to 2007, said 29 out of every 100,000 Malaysian women had breast cancer.
In comparison, eight out of 100,000 suffered cervical cancer, the third most common cancer affecting women.
The other most frequent cancers among women were colorectal cancer (10%), ovary (6.5%) and lung (5.4%).
Worldwide, breast cancer was also the most frequent among women.
Nineteen to 86 cases per 100,000 women were diagnosed with the ailment in various countries, corresponding to 10.9% of all cancer cases.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin, who revealed this at a press conference after the official launch of the Softlan Breast Cancer Charity Campaign here yesterday, said this type of cancer accounted for six to 19 out of every 100,000 deaths worldwide.
She said the latest statistics showed that breast cancer represented almost a third (32%) of all new cancers affecting women.
“Women tend to put their family first, rather than themselves.
“But, they must put a priority on their health too and examine their breasts monthly as well as go for screenings.
“It would be difficult for women to take care of their family if they are suffering themselves,” she said, urging all women, especially those aged 40 and above, to go for annual clinical breast examinations.
Rosnah said while more women were coming forward with early Stage 1 and Stage 2 breast cancers, there were still patients turning up at the later Stage 3 and Stage 4 phases.
“Most breast cancer cases are detected at age 45 and above,” she said, adding that early detection provided higher chances of survival.
Giving a racial breakdown of cancer sufferers, Rosnah said the incidence among the Chinese was 38.1% per 100,000; while among the Indians it was 33.7% and the Malays at 25.4%.
Among men, the most frequent cancers were lung (16.3%), colorectal (14.6%) nasopharynx (8.3%), prostate (6.2%) and lymphoma (5.5%).
Rosnah said the most frequent cancers for both genders combined were breast (18.1%), colorectal (12.3%), lung (10.2%), nasopharynx (5.2%) and cervix (4.6%).
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Rosnah: We have highest number of obese people in region
Star: HULU TERENGGANU: Malaysians are the fattest in Southeast Asia and the Health Ministry is determined to lose that “honour”.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid said Malaysia had the highest number of obese citizens in the region.
“This is very worrying as the country is also ranked sixth among Asian countries,” she said after launching the Cakna Kesihatan programme at Kampung Pasir Nering here yesterday.
“One of the main contributors is our inactive lifestyle, whereby 43.7% of those above 18 years of age are not exercising.”
Rosnah said her ministry had set a target to reduce 30% of the weight for those classified as obese nationwide.
“We'll do this through efforts such as introducing a calorie guideline in schools as well as instilling healthy lifestyle habits among university students.
“Studies conducted have revealed obesity is common among urban people, given the high number of fast food outlets located in towns and cities.
“We are also organising various health checkups through the respective health departments nationwide to ensure that the people can gauge their health levels,” she said.
Rosnah said 60% of deaths worldwide were due to non-communicable disease and obesity was a type of NCD.
“Such deaths can be prevented if only people would take charge of their lives,” she said.
“It is not hard to exercise, thus the ministry has introduced the 10,000 steps a day programme.”
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid said Malaysia had the highest number of obese citizens in the region.
“This is very worrying as the country is also ranked sixth among Asian countries,” she said after launching the Cakna Kesihatan programme at Kampung Pasir Nering here yesterday.
“One of the main contributors is our inactive lifestyle, whereby 43.7% of those above 18 years of age are not exercising.”
Rosnah said her ministry had set a target to reduce 30% of the weight for those classified as obese nationwide.
“We'll do this through efforts such as introducing a calorie guideline in schools as well as instilling healthy lifestyle habits among university students.
“Studies conducted have revealed obesity is common among urban people, given the high number of fast food outlets located in towns and cities.
“We are also organising various health checkups through the respective health departments nationwide to ensure that the people can gauge their health levels,” she said.
Rosnah said 60% of deaths worldwide were due to non-communicable disease and obesity was a type of NCD.
“Such deaths can be prevented if only people would take charge of their lives,” she said.
“It is not hard to exercise, thus the ministry has introduced the 10,000 steps a day programme.”
Friday, October 28, 2011
Ambulance crash sends more patients to hospital
Star: GEORGE TOWN: It took two ambulances to send an asthma patient to the Penang Hospital as the first one had crashed in an accident, injuring the patient and six others.
A 47-year-old man, who had suffered a heart attack at around 5am yesterday, was picked up by an ambulance from the Penang Hospital. Half an hour later, at a junction in Jalan Sg Pinang, the ambulance collided with an oncoming car.
The man and two female relatives, who had accompanied him, as well as the driver of the car, in his 30s, suffered light injuries.
The ambulance driver and two attendants were also hurt.
All seven were later picked up by two ambulances and admitted to the Penang Hospital.
There have been several accidents involving ambulances in just under four months.
On Sept 10, an ambulance heading to an accident scene collided with a car, injuring four people near Kuantan.
On Sept 5, a woman accompanying her husband died when the ambulance skidded into a ditch in Sabah.
On Aug 31, Norizah Bujang, 62, was accompanying her daughter Moriem Tam Suhana Ahmah, 30, when the ambulance crashed into a ditch in Gemencheh, Negri Sembilan. Norizah was killed in the crash.
A 47-year-old man, who had suffered a heart attack at around 5am yesterday, was picked up by an ambulance from the Penang Hospital. Half an hour later, at a junction in Jalan Sg Pinang, the ambulance collided with an oncoming car.
The man and two female relatives, who had accompanied him, as well as the driver of the car, in his 30s, suffered light injuries.
The ambulance driver and two attendants were also hurt.
All seven were later picked up by two ambulances and admitted to the Penang Hospital.
There have been several accidents involving ambulances in just under four months.
On Sept 10, an ambulance heading to an accident scene collided with a car, injuring four people near Kuantan.
On Sept 5, a woman accompanying her husband died when the ambulance skidded into a ditch in Sabah.
On Aug 31, Norizah Bujang, 62, was accompanying her daughter Moriem Tam Suhana Ahmah, 30, when the ambulance crashed into a ditch in Gemencheh, Negri Sembilan. Norizah was killed in the crash.
MMC to review and shorten list of recognised foreign medical schools
Star: PETALING JAYA: The current list of recognised foreign medical schools is expected to be reviewed and shortened to ensure that Malaysian medical students who graduate from these schools are of a satisfactory standard.
The Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) is planning on shortening the list of recognised foreign medical schools and carrying out re-accreditation exercises every three to five years.
A source who revealed this said since the proposed amendment to the Medical Act 1971 that compelled all foreign medical graduates to sit for a medical qualifying was rejected by the Government in June, the MMC was now looking at other ways to ensure that medical graduates were of satisfactory standard.
“Colleges that fall short of the standards will be reviewed,” he told The Star.
According to the health deputy director-general (medical) Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, there are currently 366 recognised medical degrees in 14 countries.
“We are trying to reduce that figure,” he said, citing quality concerns.
“The recognition (for foreign degrees) was given years ago and we don’t know if the quality has gone up or down.
“If the quality has gone down, we obviously have to ask if they still comply to our standard of nurses, doctors and allied health professionals,” he said.
After rejecting the qualifying exam for all foreign medical graduates, the Government imposed a five-year moratorium on new medical courses and decided to increase the housemanship period.
Meanwhile, Dr Noor Hisham witnessed a signing of a memorandum of understanding between the ministry and several private colleges and universities here yesterday.
With the memorandum, the ministry will allow the higher learning institutions to train their medical, pharmaceutical, nursing and allied health sciences students in various government hospitals.
The source said MMC had discussed steps be taken to identify the number of foreign universities in the Second Schedule of the Medical Act that were still actively teaching Malaysian students so they could be retained.
Currently, only graduates from unrecognised universities are required to sit for a medical qualifying examination.
Last November, The Star carried a front page and subsequent reports on the lack of training hospitals to meet the influx of housemen and doctors’ concern over housemen from some countries who lacked core medical knowledge.
Since the re-accreditation would be an extensive undertaking, the source said they hoped to negotiate with the medical schools concerned to bear the cost of the accreditation process.
The Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) is planning on shortening the list of recognised foreign medical schools and carrying out re-accreditation exercises every three to five years.
A source who revealed this said since the proposed amendment to the Medical Act 1971 that compelled all foreign medical graduates to sit for a medical qualifying was rejected by the Government in June, the MMC was now looking at other ways to ensure that medical graduates were of satisfactory standard.
“Colleges that fall short of the standards will be reviewed,” he told The Star.
According to the health deputy director-general (medical) Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, there are currently 366 recognised medical degrees in 14 countries.
“We are trying to reduce that figure,” he said, citing quality concerns.
“The recognition (for foreign degrees) was given years ago and we don’t know if the quality has gone up or down.
“If the quality has gone down, we obviously have to ask if they still comply to our standard of nurses, doctors and allied health professionals,” he said.
After rejecting the qualifying exam for all foreign medical graduates, the Government imposed a five-year moratorium on new medical courses and decided to increase the housemanship period.
Meanwhile, Dr Noor Hisham witnessed a signing of a memorandum of understanding between the ministry and several private colleges and universities here yesterday.
With the memorandum, the ministry will allow the higher learning institutions to train their medical, pharmaceutical, nursing and allied health sciences students in various government hospitals.
The source said MMC had discussed steps be taken to identify the number of foreign universities in the Second Schedule of the Medical Act that were still actively teaching Malaysian students so they could be retained.
Currently, only graduates from unrecognised universities are required to sit for a medical qualifying examination.
Last November, The Star carried a front page and subsequent reports on the lack of training hospitals to meet the influx of housemen and doctors’ concern over housemen from some countries who lacked core medical knowledge.
Since the re-accreditation would be an extensive undertaking, the source said they hoped to negotiate with the medical schools concerned to bear the cost of the accreditation process.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Malaysia promotes healthcare travel with a bang in China
Borneopost: NANNING: Malaysia has gone into promoting healthcare travel with a bang in China, a market with about a 1.4 billion population.
Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) Deputy chief executive officer Wong Toon Keng said the campaign was launched in Hong Kong by Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai two months ago.
“Hong Kong was selected because it’s a trend-setter,” he said at the ongoing 8th China-Asean Expo (CAEXPO 2011) here.
Last week, he said, MHTC chief executive officer Dr Mary Wong Lai Lin attended a forum in Shanghai, where she spoke on the Malaysian healthcare travel industry.
The MHTC has also received approval to bring media practitioners from five Chinese provinces to visit the various healthcare facilities in Malaysia next month.
The main objective of the publicity drive is create awareness among the Chinese public, as the number of healthcare travelers from China to Malaysia, has not seen a significant increase over the years, Wong said.
“Malaysia is a late starter, unlike Singapore.
“At present, about 70 per cent of healthcare travelers in Malaysia are Indonesians, with their main destinations being Penang and Melaka,” he added.
For the six-day CAEXPO 2011 that ends on Wednesday, the MHTC has a cluster alongside KPJ Healthcare Bhd (KPJ) and Sunway Medical Centre Bhd (Sunway), in the Malaysia Pavilion hosted by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade).
“We have received a lot of enquiries,” Wong said.
The MHTC was established under the Health Ministry in 2009 as the primary agency to develop and promote the healthcare travel industry.
It also serves to position Malaysia as the healthcare destination of choice in the region.
On October 8 this year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced in his 2012 Budget speech that the Council would be corporatised.
Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) Deputy chief executive officer Wong Toon Keng said the campaign was launched in Hong Kong by Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai two months ago.
“Hong Kong was selected because it’s a trend-setter,” he said at the ongoing 8th China-Asean Expo (CAEXPO 2011) here.
Last week, he said, MHTC chief executive officer Dr Mary Wong Lai Lin attended a forum in Shanghai, where she spoke on the Malaysian healthcare travel industry.
The MHTC has also received approval to bring media practitioners from five Chinese provinces to visit the various healthcare facilities in Malaysia next month.
The main objective of the publicity drive is create awareness among the Chinese public, as the number of healthcare travelers from China to Malaysia, has not seen a significant increase over the years, Wong said.
“Malaysia is a late starter, unlike Singapore.
“At present, about 70 per cent of healthcare travelers in Malaysia are Indonesians, with their main destinations being Penang and Melaka,” he added.
For the six-day CAEXPO 2011 that ends on Wednesday, the MHTC has a cluster alongside KPJ Healthcare Bhd (KPJ) and Sunway Medical Centre Bhd (Sunway), in the Malaysia Pavilion hosted by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade).
“We have received a lot of enquiries,” Wong said.
The MHTC was established under the Health Ministry in 2009 as the primary agency to develop and promote the healthcare travel industry.
It also serves to position Malaysia as the healthcare destination of choice in the region.
On October 8 this year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced in his 2012 Budget speech that the Council would be corporatised.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
A strain on the pocket
Star: Healthcare cost is expected to escalate in line with the rising cost of living and the Health Ministry is taking steps to raise public awareness on non-communicable diseases.
OF late, the Health Ministry has been raising public awareness on non-communicable diseases (NCD) chronic respiratory diseases, heart diseases, cancer and diabetes.
According to Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, the recent United Nations' high-level meeting on NCD in New York revealed that there would be a 17% rise in global prevalence of NCDs by 2025 if nothing is done to control it.
Recent statistics already show that 60% of premature deaths (below 60 years) in Malaysia were caused by NCD, he has said.
The focus is warranted not only because of the need to keep the population healthy and productive but also to keep healthcare cost, which is expected to escalate in line with the rising cost of living, manageable.
A World Economic Forum (WEF) study carried out with the Harvard School of Public Health shows that the cumulative costs of treating NCDs are expected to be US$7tril (RM21.9tril) from this year to 2025.
Mental health (which is not included in the list of NCDs but which the study found, along with heart diseases, to be responsible for nearly 70% of lost output) will account for US$16tril (RM50tril).
In Malaysia, the Government currently provides highly subsidised healthcare services to the general population while the poor are exempted from paying.
Liow says the current healthcare system offers a safety net from “catastrophic health expenditure” for those seeking treatment at government hospitals.
But Malaysia, like many other countries, is apprehensive that the present system of financing may not be sustainable in the long term due to rising health expenditure and the high out-of-pocket spending by the population, he reveals.
To ensure that people continue to get access and coverage to healthcare, the ministry is planning the 1Care programme, which seeks to address the issues and challenges of the current system.
“In 1Care, it is proposed that the health financing mechanism will keep healthcare inflation under control and reduce out-of-pocket expenditure at the point of seeking care,” Liow explains.
Under 1Care, it is envisaged that the population would have greater choice to seek care either at public or private health facilities. This could happen through mandatory contributions into a consolidated fund managed by the Government, Liow says.
“Healthcare providers will also be better motivated to practise in more rural areas, thus improving access and coverage of the population,” he adds.
“Primary healthcare providers will become family doctors responsible for providing long-term personalised services to their registered patients.”
1Care also envisages the use of a prepayment mechanism, implemented through enrolment in a Social Health Insurance (SHI) scheme, which will reduce high out-of-pocket payments at the point of seeking care when a person is already seriously ill.
SHI premiums, Liow explains, are community-rated and contributions will be based on a percentage of income. The Government will pay the premiums for the poor and vulnerable.
“SHI promotes equity in financing and access, where the amount contributed is based on the level of income and no one is denied access to healthcare due to their inability to pay. The scheme will deploy continuous monitoring and evaluation to ensure the goals of the health system transformation are achieved,” he says.
But there are challenges in implementing the scheme, he admits, citing as examples the recruitment of those in the informal job sector and determination of those eligible for government funding.
“Defining the benefits package and estimating the true cost of health services will also be challenging. Drawbacks include additional administrative costs compared to a public healthcare system funded adequately by general taxes, but the administrative cost is still lower than for privately managed systems,” he says.
Looking at private health insurance (PHI) companies, Liow says premium rates will increase if there are pre-existing conditions such as NCDs and mental illness. Those who buy PHI will have the option to purchase insurance packages specifically tailored to them but they need to be willing to pay higher premiums, he adds.
He assures that when the SHI is introduced, such issues will not arise as people cannot be excluded from joining the scheme because of any pre-existing conditions, age or ability to pay.
Universal coverage
Prof Dr Daniel Reidpath, professor of population health at the Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Sunway campus, says managing the future burden of NCDs requires both a prevention strategy and a care and disease management strategy.
“Both strategies need to target the whole population and should be seen as part of universal coverage. People sometimes, mistakenly, think about direct healthcare as the only concern of universal coverage,” he adds.
“The financial and health savings from successful prevention strategies, however, are so substantial that the two arms of prevention and care need to be considered simultaneously. The focus is healthcare, not sick' care.”
Universal coverage, he explains, is a concept based on “the need for all individuals to be able to access adequate healthcare with a focus on efficiency, which is the equitable delivery of relevant, high quality care at the lowest cost”.
Malaysia, he says, would need to consider not only types of preventive services to implement but how they are financed.
He adds that besides prevention delivered through clinical practice, there are also “enormous” opportunities to engage in prevention work through community-based programmes that encourage health and wellness, and structural and policy reform around policies on tobacco, transportation, food and agriculture.
Managing NCDs requires regular monitoring and ongoing treatment, which translates into clear guidance on what is considered “essential” healthcare and the types of services provided under universal coverage such as entitlement for regular kidney dialysis, chemotherapy or statins, he says.
Dr Reidpath says there is always a cost associated with universal coverage.
“The danger here is that knee-jerk responses to possible increases in healthcare costs may ignore the much greater economic cost associated with a loss of economic productivity.”
On Malaysia's healthcare system, he says there is a need to restructure the system, which previously focused on primary healthcare, to one which can deal with current health priorities such as NCDs.
“The great advantage for Malaysia is its network of primary healthcare centres. Appropriately restructured, the centres could become an integral part of any universal healthcare scheme delivering prevention and direct care for NCDs,” he says.
He also points out the misconception that Malaysians are over-dependent on the Government. Governments of the 10 nearest gross domestic product (GDP), including Turkey, Argentina, Mauritius and Mexico, spend on average twice as much, he says.
Dr Reidpath says that if universal coverage is to be seriously considered for Malaysia, especially for strategies to manage NCDs, the Government would have a significant role.
The role could also include direct financing, legislative and regulatory management of healthcare financing to ensure appropriate risk-pooling mechanisms that will protect the health of Malaysians.
He adds that the Government is also “well-placed” to support prevention strategies.
“Lack of good prevention and adequate healthcare cover for the whole population will ultimately be a far greater burden on Malaysia than any modest economic burdens that could occur now in order to ensure universal coverage,” he says.
On healthcare cover for employees, the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) executive director Shamsuddin Bardan says most major organisations have a cap on medical entitlement for their employees.
“It is according to the capability of the company to do this,” he says.
OF late, the Health Ministry has been raising public awareness on non-communicable diseases (NCD) chronic respiratory diseases, heart diseases, cancer and diabetes.
According to Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, the recent United Nations' high-level meeting on NCD in New York revealed that there would be a 17% rise in global prevalence of NCDs by 2025 if nothing is done to control it.
Recent statistics already show that 60% of premature deaths (below 60 years) in Malaysia were caused by NCD, he has said.
The focus is warranted not only because of the need to keep the population healthy and productive but also to keep healthcare cost, which is expected to escalate in line with the rising cost of living, manageable.
A World Economic Forum (WEF) study carried out with the Harvard School of Public Health shows that the cumulative costs of treating NCDs are expected to be US$7tril (RM21.9tril) from this year to 2025.
Mental health (which is not included in the list of NCDs but which the study found, along with heart diseases, to be responsible for nearly 70% of lost output) will account for US$16tril (RM50tril).
In Malaysia, the Government currently provides highly subsidised healthcare services to the general population while the poor are exempted from paying.
Liow says the current healthcare system offers a safety net from “catastrophic health expenditure” for those seeking treatment at government hospitals.
But Malaysia, like many other countries, is apprehensive that the present system of financing may not be sustainable in the long term due to rising health expenditure and the high out-of-pocket spending by the population, he reveals.
To ensure that people continue to get access and coverage to healthcare, the ministry is planning the 1Care programme, which seeks to address the issues and challenges of the current system.
“In 1Care, it is proposed that the health financing mechanism will keep healthcare inflation under control and reduce out-of-pocket expenditure at the point of seeking care,” Liow explains.
Under 1Care, it is envisaged that the population would have greater choice to seek care either at public or private health facilities. This could happen through mandatory contributions into a consolidated fund managed by the Government, Liow says.
“Healthcare providers will also be better motivated to practise in more rural areas, thus improving access and coverage of the population,” he adds.
“Primary healthcare providers will become family doctors responsible for providing long-term personalised services to their registered patients.”
1Care also envisages the use of a prepayment mechanism, implemented through enrolment in a Social Health Insurance (SHI) scheme, which will reduce high out-of-pocket payments at the point of seeking care when a person is already seriously ill.
SHI premiums, Liow explains, are community-rated and contributions will be based on a percentage of income. The Government will pay the premiums for the poor and vulnerable.
“SHI promotes equity in financing and access, where the amount contributed is based on the level of income and no one is denied access to healthcare due to their inability to pay. The scheme will deploy continuous monitoring and evaluation to ensure the goals of the health system transformation are achieved,” he says.
But there are challenges in implementing the scheme, he admits, citing as examples the recruitment of those in the informal job sector and determination of those eligible for government funding.
“Defining the benefits package and estimating the true cost of health services will also be challenging. Drawbacks include additional administrative costs compared to a public healthcare system funded adequately by general taxes, but the administrative cost is still lower than for privately managed systems,” he says.
Looking at private health insurance (PHI) companies, Liow says premium rates will increase if there are pre-existing conditions such as NCDs and mental illness. Those who buy PHI will have the option to purchase insurance packages specifically tailored to them but they need to be willing to pay higher premiums, he adds.
He assures that when the SHI is introduced, such issues will not arise as people cannot be excluded from joining the scheme because of any pre-existing conditions, age or ability to pay.
Universal coverage
Prof Dr Daniel Reidpath, professor of population health at the Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Sunway campus, says managing the future burden of NCDs requires both a prevention strategy and a care and disease management strategy.
“Both strategies need to target the whole population and should be seen as part of universal coverage. People sometimes, mistakenly, think about direct healthcare as the only concern of universal coverage,” he adds.
“The financial and health savings from successful prevention strategies, however, are so substantial that the two arms of prevention and care need to be considered simultaneously. The focus is healthcare, not sick' care.”
Universal coverage, he explains, is a concept based on “the need for all individuals to be able to access adequate healthcare with a focus on efficiency, which is the equitable delivery of relevant, high quality care at the lowest cost”.
Malaysia, he says, would need to consider not only types of preventive services to implement but how they are financed.
He adds that besides prevention delivered through clinical practice, there are also “enormous” opportunities to engage in prevention work through community-based programmes that encourage health and wellness, and structural and policy reform around policies on tobacco, transportation, food and agriculture.
Managing NCDs requires regular monitoring and ongoing treatment, which translates into clear guidance on what is considered “essential” healthcare and the types of services provided under universal coverage such as entitlement for regular kidney dialysis, chemotherapy or statins, he says.
Dr Reidpath says there is always a cost associated with universal coverage.
“The danger here is that knee-jerk responses to possible increases in healthcare costs may ignore the much greater economic cost associated with a loss of economic productivity.”
On Malaysia's healthcare system, he says there is a need to restructure the system, which previously focused on primary healthcare, to one which can deal with current health priorities such as NCDs.
“The great advantage for Malaysia is its network of primary healthcare centres. Appropriately restructured, the centres could become an integral part of any universal healthcare scheme delivering prevention and direct care for NCDs,” he says.
He also points out the misconception that Malaysians are over-dependent on the Government. Governments of the 10 nearest gross domestic product (GDP), including Turkey, Argentina, Mauritius and Mexico, spend on average twice as much, he says.
Dr Reidpath says that if universal coverage is to be seriously considered for Malaysia, especially for strategies to manage NCDs, the Government would have a significant role.
The role could also include direct financing, legislative and regulatory management of healthcare financing to ensure appropriate risk-pooling mechanisms that will protect the health of Malaysians.
He adds that the Government is also “well-placed” to support prevention strategies.
“Lack of good prevention and adequate healthcare cover for the whole population will ultimately be a far greater burden on Malaysia than any modest economic burdens that could occur now in order to ensure universal coverage,” he says.
On healthcare cover for employees, the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) executive director Shamsuddin Bardan says most major organisations have a cap on medical entitlement for their employees.
“It is according to the capability of the company to do this,” he says.
Government hospitals and clinics to issue itemised receipts by next year
Star: MUAR: Government hospitals and clinics will issue itemised bills to patients to show the cost of treatment and medicine from next year.
“Although patients only pay RM1, they should know the cost of their treatment and medicine,” Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said.
He said he would submit the proposal for itemised bills to the Cabinet soon.
“After the Cabinet approves it, we will issue itemised bills to patients at hospitals as well as clinics.
“We want the people to know how much the Government is spending to subsidise medical treatment for them,” Liow said at the launch of the National Oral Health Clinical Information System (OHCIS) at Klinik Maharani here yesterday.
Liow said the Government had also provided huge subsidies in offering dental care.
The ministry, he said, wanted to reduce the waiting time for denture replacement from the present three to four months to two weeks.
One way to achieve this was to increase the number of dental technologists at dental clinics, he said, adding that in Muar, for example, there was only one dental technologist.
He said the ministry wanted water treatment plants in the states to carry out water fluoridation to reduce tooth decay among the people.
This, he said, was important to ensure healthy teeth.
On the OHCIS, he said the system was aimed at speeding up efforts in providing dental care services.
He said the target was to reduce the waiting time for patients seeking dental treatment at the clinics from two hours at present to 30 minutes.
“Although patients only pay RM1, they should know the cost of their treatment and medicine,” Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said.
He said he would submit the proposal for itemised bills to the Cabinet soon.
“After the Cabinet approves it, we will issue itemised bills to patients at hospitals as well as clinics.
“We want the people to know how much the Government is spending to subsidise medical treatment for them,” Liow said at the launch of the National Oral Health Clinical Information System (OHCIS) at Klinik Maharani here yesterday.
Liow said the Government had also provided huge subsidies in offering dental care.
The ministry, he said, wanted to reduce the waiting time for denture replacement from the present three to four months to two weeks.
One way to achieve this was to increase the number of dental technologists at dental clinics, he said, adding that in Muar, for example, there was only one dental technologist.
He said the ministry wanted water treatment plants in the states to carry out water fluoridation to reduce tooth decay among the people.
This, he said, was important to ensure healthy teeth.
On the OHCIS, he said the system was aimed at speeding up efforts in providing dental care services.
He said the target was to reduce the waiting time for patients seeking dental treatment at the clinics from two hours at present to 30 minutes.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Increase in families consenting to donate organs of dead relatives
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: More than half of families approached by doctors to donate organs of their deceased loved ones consented.
National Transplant Resource Centre chief national donor coordinator and procurement manager Datin Dr Lela Yasmin Mansor told The Star that this was a two-fold increase from 2000, when only about 25% families said yes.
“Last year, we had 151 cases (of potential donors) referred to us, and out of that, there were discussions with the family in 113 cases. 58 families (51.3%) consented to organ donation,” said Dr Lela.
“Almost one-third of these discussions are also initiated by the family,” she added.
Dr Lela noted that this indicated an increase in awareness about organ donation.
“The problem is that we are not approaching (potential donors’ families) enough,” she said.
Dr Lela also explained that doctors and medical staff often found it difficult to bring up the subject.
“That is why we need to give them training,” she said.
If the potential donor is already brain dead, doctors could also maintain his or her organs so that they will be in good condition for donation, Dr Lela added.
Last year, 22,835 people had pledged their organs, bringing the total number of organ dona-tion pledges recorded in the National Transplant Registry to 181,534.
Currently there are 14,013 people waiting for kidneys, 17 waiting for livers, two waiting for hearts, three waiting for lungs, and two waiting for both a heart and lung.
“The reason why there are so many people on the waiting list for kidneys is that there is an alternative treatment, which is dialysis,” Dr Lela said.
People who are waiting for other organs may not survive if they do not receive their organs in time, she added.
National Transplant Resource Centre chief national donor coordinator and procurement manager Datin Dr Lela Yasmin Mansor told The Star that this was a two-fold increase from 2000, when only about 25% families said yes.
“Last year, we had 151 cases (of potential donors) referred to us, and out of that, there were discussions with the family in 113 cases. 58 families (51.3%) consented to organ donation,” said Dr Lela.
“Almost one-third of these discussions are also initiated by the family,” she added.
Dr Lela noted that this indicated an increase in awareness about organ donation.
“The problem is that we are not approaching (potential donors’ families) enough,” she said.
Dr Lela also explained that doctors and medical staff often found it difficult to bring up the subject.
“That is why we need to give them training,” she said.
If the potential donor is already brain dead, doctors could also maintain his or her organs so that they will be in good condition for donation, Dr Lela added.
Last year, 22,835 people had pledged their organs, bringing the total number of organ dona-tion pledges recorded in the National Transplant Registry to 181,534.
Currently there are 14,013 people waiting for kidneys, 17 waiting for livers, two waiting for hearts, three waiting for lungs, and two waiting for both a heart and lung.
“The reason why there are so many people on the waiting list for kidneys is that there is an alternative treatment, which is dialysis,” Dr Lela said.
People who are waiting for other organs may not survive if they do not receive their organs in time, she added.
Monday, October 17, 2011
No meds for unapproved ops
Star: BANGI: Malaysians who travel abroad for organ transplants provided on commercial basis will not be allowed to get free supply of immunosuppressant drugs from Government hospitals, which costs between RM800 and RM1,000 per patient per month.
These drugs are used to inhibit or prevent activity of the immune system and to prevent the rejection of transplanted organs and tissues.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the move, which takes effect from January, is to stop people from going overseas to get such treatment from unrecognised hospitals without the ministry's approval or knowledge.
He said many patients go for organ transplants at hospitals in foreign countries that are not recognised.
“They end up with complications while the Government still provides them with free medication for life,” he said here yesterday.
He had earlier launched the National Organ Donation Awareness Week at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia stadium here yesterday.
“We have many experts and hospitals with advanced medical technology that are able to perform successful operations.
“We do not condone organ trafficking. So we have decided to stop supporting these illegal operations by discouraging Malaysians from going abroad to gain organs commercially without the knowledge of the ministry,” said Liow.
According to the Malaysian Trans-plant Registry, between 2001 and last year, transplantations mainly involving the kidney, were largely done in China (834) and India (57).
Fifty-three surgeries were also carried out in countries like Australia, Spain and Russia while 10 were performed in unidentified countries.
Asked about patients who prefer to seek experts from abroad to perform the operation, he said: “They would have to first consult with the ministry, which will allow the operation if it is suitable.”
On an allegation that a local hospital was involved in commercial organ transplants, Liow said the Government does not support any international organ trafficking syndicate.
“The Government views the allegations seriously and would leave it to the police to investigate since police reports have been lodged,” he said, adding that there has been no evidence of this so far.
He said that Malaysia was committed to abiding by the WHO Guiding Principles on Human Cell Tissue and Organ Transplantation.
Public Awareness Action Commit-tee on Organ Donation chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye has proposed for the Road Transport Department to include in its driving licence application forms, a column to indicate whether the applicant was interested to sign up as an organ donor.
He added donors must inform family members to avoid complications.
These drugs are used to inhibit or prevent activity of the immune system and to prevent the rejection of transplanted organs and tissues.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the move, which takes effect from January, is to stop people from going overseas to get such treatment from unrecognised hospitals without the ministry's approval or knowledge.
He said many patients go for organ transplants at hospitals in foreign countries that are not recognised.
“They end up with complications while the Government still provides them with free medication for life,” he said here yesterday.
He had earlier launched the National Organ Donation Awareness Week at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia stadium here yesterday.
“We have many experts and hospitals with advanced medical technology that are able to perform successful operations.
“We do not condone organ trafficking. So we have decided to stop supporting these illegal operations by discouraging Malaysians from going abroad to gain organs commercially without the knowledge of the ministry,” said Liow.
According to the Malaysian Trans-plant Registry, between 2001 and last year, transplantations mainly involving the kidney, were largely done in China (834) and India (57).
Fifty-three surgeries were also carried out in countries like Australia, Spain and Russia while 10 were performed in unidentified countries.
Asked about patients who prefer to seek experts from abroad to perform the operation, he said: “They would have to first consult with the ministry, which will allow the operation if it is suitable.”
On an allegation that a local hospital was involved in commercial organ transplants, Liow said the Government does not support any international organ trafficking syndicate.
“The Government views the allegations seriously and would leave it to the police to investigate since police reports have been lodged,” he said, adding that there has been no evidence of this so far.
He said that Malaysia was committed to abiding by the WHO Guiding Principles on Human Cell Tissue and Organ Transplantation.
Public Awareness Action Commit-tee on Organ Donation chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye has proposed for the Road Transport Department to include in its driving licence application forms, a column to indicate whether the applicant was interested to sign up as an organ donor.
He added donors must inform family members to avoid complications.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Malaysia is part of UN health body’s executive wing after 26 years
Star: BENTONG: Malaysia has been elected as a member in the World Health Organisation (WHO) executive board after a lapse of 26 years, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said.
“All of us from the ministry are elated over this great news.
“Being selected to the WHO executive board will enable Malaysia to enhance its image globally.
“At the same time, Malaysia can play an active role in health diplomacy and ensure efficient health policies are implemented,” he said at the “10,000 Langkah Sehari” event here yesterday.
Malaysia was last elected to the WHO executive board for the 1983-1985 term and had also previously served from 1963 to 1965.
Together with Australia, Malaysia was elected at the 62nd session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific, which was held from Oct 10-14 in Manila, the Philippines.
This was to fill the two vacant seats representing the WHO Western Pacific region at the board for the 2012-2014 term.
Liow said there were only five seats allocated for WHO Western Pacific Region in the board.
The WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific is an annual meeting attended by health ministers from the Western Pacific region, where public health issues and challenges are deliberated.
There are 37 countries and areas in the region.
Liow said the WHO executive board comprised 34 members.
“The main functions of the board are to give effect to the decisions and policies of the World Health Assembly, to advise it and to facilitate its work,” he said.
On another matter, Liow said it was important to raise awareness on non-communicable diseases such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and heart problems.
“Not only do we need to observe healthy eating habits, we also need to exercise regularly to prevent ourselves from becoming overweight or obese,” he said.
He added that according to the ministry's survey in 2006, 14.2% of Malaysians were obese while another 29.1% were overweight.
Liow said school programmes such as measuring students' body mass index, teaching students how to count their calories and promoting healthy diets were some of the initiatives taken by the Government to prevent non-communicable diseases.
He said many Malaysians were still not aware of the danger of being diagnosed with these diseases as they were silent killers that did not show many symptoms.
“All of us from the ministry are elated over this great news.
“Being selected to the WHO executive board will enable Malaysia to enhance its image globally.
“At the same time, Malaysia can play an active role in health diplomacy and ensure efficient health policies are implemented,” he said at the “10,000 Langkah Sehari” event here yesterday.
Malaysia was last elected to the WHO executive board for the 1983-1985 term and had also previously served from 1963 to 1965.
Together with Australia, Malaysia was elected at the 62nd session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific, which was held from Oct 10-14 in Manila, the Philippines.
This was to fill the two vacant seats representing the WHO Western Pacific region at the board for the 2012-2014 term.
Liow said there were only five seats allocated for WHO Western Pacific Region in the board.
The WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific is an annual meeting attended by health ministers from the Western Pacific region, where public health issues and challenges are deliberated.
There are 37 countries and areas in the region.
Liow said the WHO executive board comprised 34 members.
“The main functions of the board are to give effect to the decisions and policies of the World Health Assembly, to advise it and to facilitate its work,” he said.
On another matter, Liow said it was important to raise awareness on non-communicable diseases such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and heart problems.
“Not only do we need to observe healthy eating habits, we also need to exercise regularly to prevent ourselves from becoming overweight or obese,” he said.
He added that according to the ministry's survey in 2006, 14.2% of Malaysians were obese while another 29.1% were overweight.
Liow said school programmes such as measuring students' body mass index, teaching students how to count their calories and promoting healthy diets were some of the initiatives taken by the Government to prevent non-communicable diseases.
He said many Malaysians were still not aware of the danger of being diagnosed with these diseases as they were silent killers that did not show many symptoms.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Only 20% of women in menopausal age consult doctors over symptoms
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Only 20% of 2.3 million Malaysian women of menopausal age sought professional healthcare advice on managing the symptoms of menopause last year.
This, according to Malaysian Menopause Society (MMS) president Dr Liew Fah Onn, means that as many as 60% of them might be suffering in silence when their quality of life could be much improved by proper assistance from healthcare professionals.
“The average age of menopause is 50 to 51, and women are expected to live for another 25 years after they reach menopause.
“It means an entire third of their life is spent in the pre-menopausal and post-menopausal years.
“Thus, it is more important than ever to ensure that all women can live their golden years in optimal health and ease,” he told a news conference in conjunction with the annual World Menopause Day celebration here, yesterday.
Dr Liew said the consultation should be focusing on the basics of menopause treatment for high-quality life matching with women's individual needs.
“Only 10% of doctors could explain menopause.
“This is because many women are ashamed to tell the doctor of their condition.
“Surveys have reported that more than half of all women do not know that menopause is associated with increased risk of heart diseases.
“Yet, cardiovascular diseases, mainly heart attacks and strokes, are the leading causes of death in Malaysia and in the world today,” he said. - Bernama
This, according to Malaysian Menopause Society (MMS) president Dr Liew Fah Onn, means that as many as 60% of them might be suffering in silence when their quality of life could be much improved by proper assistance from healthcare professionals.
“The average age of menopause is 50 to 51, and women are expected to live for another 25 years after they reach menopause.
“It means an entire third of their life is spent in the pre-menopausal and post-menopausal years.
“Thus, it is more important than ever to ensure that all women can live their golden years in optimal health and ease,” he told a news conference in conjunction with the annual World Menopause Day celebration here, yesterday.
Dr Liew said the consultation should be focusing on the basics of menopause treatment for high-quality life matching with women's individual needs.
“Only 10% of doctors could explain menopause.
“This is because many women are ashamed to tell the doctor of their condition.
“Surveys have reported that more than half of all women do not know that menopause is associated with increased risk of heart diseases.
“Yet, cardiovascular diseases, mainly heart attacks and strokes, are the leading causes of death in Malaysia and in the world today,” he said. - Bernama
Shift work may affect housemen’s training, says Abdul Hamid
Star: PETALING JAYA: The creation of shift duties to ease the long working hours of housemen in public hospitals may affect their training.
Physicians for Social Responsibility vice-president Datuk Dr Abdul Hamid Abdul Kadir voiced concern that training and supervision would be affected for those on the night shift because senior doctors only come when on call.
“New graduates require special attention and the shift system will not help train new house officers (HOs),” he said in an interview.
In his Budget 2012 speech on Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said that the Government had introduced a flexible schedule with an average of 60 working hours per week for housemen to ease the workload of doctors who had to work for up to 120 hours per week.
He said that they would be paid a Special Flexible Working Allowance of RM600 a month effective Sept 1 this year, replacing the on-call allowance.
Dr Abdul Hamid said the over-crowding of housemen in most government hospitals had led to a lack of supervision and the night shift would only make the situation worse.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said they would still be taught during overlapping shifts when housemen from both shifts would be present.
“We will make sure they get the exposure they need,” he said.
Liow said shifts and reduced hours were needed to prevent on-calls that were extended for long without rest.
Physicians for Social Responsibility vice-president Datuk Dr Abdul Hamid Abdul Kadir voiced concern that training and supervision would be affected for those on the night shift because senior doctors only come when on call.
“New graduates require special attention and the shift system will not help train new house officers (HOs),” he said in an interview.
In his Budget 2012 speech on Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said that the Government had introduced a flexible schedule with an average of 60 working hours per week for housemen to ease the workload of doctors who had to work for up to 120 hours per week.
He said that they would be paid a Special Flexible Working Allowance of RM600 a month effective Sept 1 this year, replacing the on-call allowance.
Dr Abdul Hamid said the over-crowding of housemen in most government hospitals had led to a lack of supervision and the night shift would only make the situation worse.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said they would still be taught during overlapping shifts when housemen from both shifts would be present.
“We will make sure they get the exposure they need,” he said.
Liow said shifts and reduced hours were needed to prevent on-calls that were extended for long without rest.
Liow: We only accept qualified specialists
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: The Government will be strict in allowing specialists from overseas to practise here to ensure quality, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
The Malaysian Medical Council would only allow qualified and trained specialists to serve in local hospitals, he added.
Liow was responding to Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), which questioned the Government's move to liberalise the healthcare sector.
The MMA had warned that the administration was taking a huge gamble with public healthcare as liberalising the sector could also see unqualified doctors treating patients.
The Prime Minister, during his Budget speech on Friday, had announced that 17 services sub-sectors, including private hospital services and medical and dental specialist services, would be liberalised in phases in 2012 to accelerate investment.
The initiative will allow up to 100% foreign equity participation in the selected sub-sectors.
“The move will attract top medical specialists from other countries and enable Malaysians to enjoy better healthcare services,” Liow said during a press conference after the National Anaesthesia Day celebration here yesterday.
The event, organised by Kuala Lumpur Hospital, saw 650 people participating in a five kilometre run to raise awareness about the anaesthetic services provided in the country.
The Malaysian Medical Council would only allow qualified and trained specialists to serve in local hospitals, he added.
Liow was responding to Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), which questioned the Government's move to liberalise the healthcare sector.
The MMA had warned that the administration was taking a huge gamble with public healthcare as liberalising the sector could also see unqualified doctors treating patients.
The Prime Minister, during his Budget speech on Friday, had announced that 17 services sub-sectors, including private hospital services and medical and dental specialist services, would be liberalised in phases in 2012 to accelerate investment.
The initiative will allow up to 100% foreign equity participation in the selected sub-sectors.
“The move will attract top medical specialists from other countries and enable Malaysians to enjoy better healthcare services,” Liow said during a press conference after the National Anaesthesia Day celebration here yesterday.
The event, organised by Kuala Lumpur Hospital, saw 650 people participating in a five kilometre run to raise awareness about the anaesthetic services provided in the country.
Conducting mass elective surgery an uphill task, says MMA
Star: PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has welcomed the Government's initiative to reduce the backlog of elective surgery cases but said ensuring its success may prove difficult.
One of the main challenges is to gather so many surgeons from the various disciplines together at one time.
“While it may not be a problem to get anaesthetists, it will be difficult to get the surgeons,” said its president Dr Mary Suma Cardosa.
Although it was a good idea, she said, a lot of preparation was needed before such an exercise could be implemented.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai announced yesterday that the Government would embark on a nationwide “Health Carnival” to reduce the backlog of cases at public hospitals and cut the waiting time from the current average of 32 weeks to 12 weeks.
He said the ministry would pool available surgeons and anaesthetists in the country to conduct mass elective surgery, which would begin next month in Sarawak.
Dr Cardosa said it would be more practical to address only selected elective surgery cases.
“It would also be better to do simpler procedures like cataract surgery which does not need as much postoperative care,” she said yesterday.
Dr Cardosa added that the waiting time for patients requiring elective surgery varied according to the type of procedure. “Cancer surgery is usually given priority over other types,” she said, adding that it also depended on the skills required.
A heart patient from Seremban, Jagadeeswaran Muthu, 51, said he had been put on the waiting list for four months for a heart procedure despite suffering from pains due to complications from a previous surgery in August.
“I can't afford to go to a private hospital so I do not have much choice but to wait,” said Jagadeeswaran, adding that he had lost his job as a driver due to his condition.
He welcomed the Government's initiative to shorten the waiting time for elective surgeries saying that it would benefit many others like himself.
One of the main challenges is to gather so many surgeons from the various disciplines together at one time.
“While it may not be a problem to get anaesthetists, it will be difficult to get the surgeons,” said its president Dr Mary Suma Cardosa.
Although it was a good idea, she said, a lot of preparation was needed before such an exercise could be implemented.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai announced yesterday that the Government would embark on a nationwide “Health Carnival” to reduce the backlog of cases at public hospitals and cut the waiting time from the current average of 32 weeks to 12 weeks.
He said the ministry would pool available surgeons and anaesthetists in the country to conduct mass elective surgery, which would begin next month in Sarawak.
Dr Cardosa said it would be more practical to address only selected elective surgery cases.
“It would also be better to do simpler procedures like cataract surgery which does not need as much postoperative care,” she said yesterday.
Dr Cardosa added that the waiting time for patients requiring elective surgery varied according to the type of procedure. “Cancer surgery is usually given priority over other types,” she said, adding that it also depended on the skills required.
A heart patient from Seremban, Jagadeeswaran Muthu, 51, said he had been put on the waiting list for four months for a heart procedure despite suffering from pains due to complications from a previous surgery in August.
“I can't afford to go to a private hospital so I do not have much choice but to wait,” said Jagadeeswaran, adding that he had lost his job as a driver due to his condition.
He welcomed the Government's initiative to shorten the waiting time for elective surgeries saying that it would benefit many others like himself.
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