The Sun Daily PUTRAJAYA (Jan 24, 2012): The government will soon table an amendment to the Medical Act 1971 to corporatise the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) – a move aimed at addressing concerns of declining medical standards in the country.
Health Deputy Director General (Medical) Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah told theSun recently that once the amendment is passed, the MMC will be a professional body responsible for maintaining medical standards in the country, and more significantly, for performance monitoring of doctors.
The amendment is expected to be tabled when the Dewan Rakyat reconvenes in March.
"The corporatisation of MMC is to emulate the General Medical Council (GMC) in the United Kingdom, where it functions not only to set and monitor standards of the medical profession, but also the competency of doctors registered with it," said Noor Hisham.
GMC is a fee-based registered charity which maintains a register of its medical practitioners, and functions to protect public interests by ensuring compliance to medical standards.
Noor Hisham said the monitoring of doctor's performance is the way forward for quality healthcare.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai told theSun that the move is to make the council more efficient in its daily administrative work, as well as free it from government bureaucracy.
"MMC is growing by leaps and bounds, it has registered around 35,000 doctors now, so we have to look into making MMC more efficient and not tie it down with government bureaucracy or circular," said Liow.
He added that corporatising the council will ensure that it operates as a stand-alone, independent professional body, akin to the Malaysian Institute of Accountants, the Bar Council and the Institute of Engineers Malaysia.
Under the purview of the Health Ministry, the MMC currently functions under the same principles as the GMC, and also acts as a disciplinary body for the medical profession.
A long serving member of the council, who is also a senior doctor in a public hospital, told theSun the move will resolve the occasional conflict between the functions of the council as the 'whip' of the medical profession, and its role as advisors to the Health Ministry.
"The very fact that the council is funded and run by the ministry, there will be some conflict of interest between the two," the doctor, who declined to be named, said.
He said there were also occasionally some difficulties for the MMC to exercise its disciplinary roles, especially when involving ministry-employed doctors, though he did not give specific examples.
"The move has of course been welcomed by the MMC, and hopefully with its corporatisation it will receive more funding, be more efficient, and able to function independently and with professionalism," he said.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian Medical Association also welcomed the move, although it admits that it was not consulted on the matter.
"However, the move is a good as it will make the MMC an independent body and there will be no potential conflict of interest, since currently the Health Ministry director general is also the chairman of the MMC," said MMA president Dr Mary Cardosa.
She added that in the interest of good governance, the MMC must have representatives from all stakeholders who will be responsible for the registration of doctors and maintenance of standards of practice and ethics among doctors.
However, Cardosa disagreed that there may be an increase in fees paid for annual practising certificates (APC) with the corporatisation, and that it may be passed down to patients. Doctors in private practice currently pay RM50 per annum.
"Currently government doctors have their APC fees waived, but even if the APC fees are increased, it will not burden the patients as the fees are not high, and doctors' fees are closely regulated by the law," she said.
The medical standards in the country have come under scrutiny of late, as claims of poorly-qualified housemen, dipping standards in medical education and overcrowded hospitals flood the media.
TheSun, last November, front-paged concerns by senior doctors over the poor quality of some housemen, due to the proliferation of medical schools which produce sub-standard graduates.
Sources had said the situation may be worsened by the government's decision to quash a proposal to abolish the list of 365 recognised overseas foreign universities, and make it compulsory to pass the Medical Qualifying Exam before practising medicine here.
The government instead directed that the list of recognised universities be shortened and reviewed more frequently, and Health Director General Datuk Seri Hasan Abdul Rahman told theSun last month that the list may be slashed by as much as half to maintain standards.
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, January 25, 2012
Infants did not die of infections, says ministry
Star: PETALING JAYA: The deaths of the two infants at a childcare centre in Taman Permata Ampang were not caused by infections, said the Health Ministry.
Health director-general Datuk Seri Dr Hasan Abdul Rahman said preliminary lab tests on tissue samples from both infants' lungs and other organs showed that infections were not the main causes of their sudden death.
However, he noted that the ministry had yet to exclude the possibility of milk aspiration as the main cause of death.
“The final conclusion can only be made after all laboratory results, currently being conducted by the Chemistry Department, are received in about two to three weeks time,” said Dr Hasan in a statement.
The final report on the matter will be handed over to the police for further action as a police report as been made.
On Jan 19, three-and-a-halfmonth old Muzaffar Mohd Faizal and seven-month-old Hariz died under the care of their minders at a childcare centre.
Both infants were reported to experience symptoms of cough and cold before their death.
No signs of any serious infectious disease were detected at the childcare centre.
Dr Hasan said health officers had conducted repeated checks at the centre and educated its caretakers on personal hygiene of children.
Health director-general Datuk Seri Dr Hasan Abdul Rahman said preliminary lab tests on tissue samples from both infants' lungs and other organs showed that infections were not the main causes of their sudden death.
However, he noted that the ministry had yet to exclude the possibility of milk aspiration as the main cause of death.
“The final conclusion can only be made after all laboratory results, currently being conducted by the Chemistry Department, are received in about two to three weeks time,” said Dr Hasan in a statement.
The final report on the matter will be handed over to the police for further action as a police report as been made.
On Jan 19, three-and-a-halfmonth old Muzaffar Mohd Faizal and seven-month-old Hariz died under the care of their minders at a childcare centre.
Both infants were reported to experience symptoms of cough and cold before their death.
No signs of any serious infectious disease were detected at the childcare centre.
Dr Hasan said health officers had conducted repeated checks at the centre and educated its caretakers on personal hygiene of children.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Docs who don’t report dengue cases face action, Liow warns
The Star KUALA LUMPUR: Medical practitioners who fail to report dengue cases treated at their respective facilities will face action under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said.
Under the Act, medical practitioners are required to report dengue cases to the health office within 24 hours.
"The ministry regards this as a serious matter because failure to report such cases will hamper the effort to control the disease, and contribute to an outbreak," he said in a statement.
He said last year, six medical officers of a private hospital in Petaling Jaya were fined RM1,000 each for failing to report dengue cases that were treated in their facility.
"The ministry found 213 dengue cases treated by the hospital and of the total, six were not reported to any health office," he said, adding that the ministry would carry out continuous monitoring on private and government clinics and hospital to ensure all dengue cases are reported.
Dengue claimed two lives during the first week of this year, he said.
There are 921 dengue cases so far this year. - Bernama
Under the Act, medical practitioners are required to report dengue cases to the health office within 24 hours.
"The ministry regards this as a serious matter because failure to report such cases will hamper the effort to control the disease, and contribute to an outbreak," he said in a statement.
He said last year, six medical officers of a private hospital in Petaling Jaya were fined RM1,000 each for failing to report dengue cases that were treated in their facility.
"The ministry found 213 dengue cases treated by the hospital and of the total, six were not reported to any health office," he said, adding that the ministry would carry out continuous monitoring on private and government clinics and hospital to ensure all dengue cases are reported.
Dengue claimed two lives during the first week of this year, he said.
There are 921 dengue cases so far this year. - Bernama
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Liow: Don’t let germs ‘hitch a ride’ during festive break
Star: BENTONG: Take care of your personal hygiene or risk having “uninvited guests” for Chinese New Year.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai warned that germs could be “hitching a ride” over the Chinese New Year break.
“We find there is usually an increase in infectious disease outbreaks, such as the hand, foot and mouth disease, during and after festivities with so many people going back to their hometowns or attending gatherings.
“Take care of cleanliness and make sure that your hands, especially, are clean,” he said after launching the MTD Group’s road safety campaign at the Bentong toll plaza.
Liow said food safety was important because of the increase in food poisoning cases during festivals.
Earlier, Liow said dengue cases had doubled in recent times, from 200 to 300 cases per week between December and this month.
“Last week, there were 481 cases and the increase could be due to the rainy season,” he said at another function in Rawang.
He urged the public to clean their homes before leaving for their festive breaks to ensure there was no stagnant water that would allow mosquitoes to breed.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai warned that germs could be “hitching a ride” over the Chinese New Year break.
“We find there is usually an increase in infectious disease outbreaks, such as the hand, foot and mouth disease, during and after festivities with so many people going back to their hometowns or attending gatherings.
“Take care of cleanliness and make sure that your hands, especially, are clean,” he said after launching the MTD Group’s road safety campaign at the Bentong toll plaza.
Liow said food safety was important because of the increase in food poisoning cases during festivals.
Earlier, Liow said dengue cases had doubled in recent times, from 200 to 300 cases per week between December and this month.
“Last week, there were 481 cases and the increase could be due to the rainy season,” he said at another function in Rawang.
He urged the public to clean their homes before leaving for their festive breaks to ensure there was no stagnant water that would allow mosquitoes to breed.
M'sia inks MoU with British educational institutions
NST: PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia today signed a memorandum of understanding with two British educational institutions to help develop world-class medical education in the country.
The signing of the MoU with the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) London and University of Newcastle-upon-Thyne was witnessed by Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
Liow said the first batch of 30 senior doctors and medical specialists will begin their training in March, in this effort to develop excellent medical educators.
"The course is important because they need to give guidance to the medical graduates employed by the ministry to undergo housemanship.
"This is the beginning. We will train more in the future. We would like the public to know that we are very concerned about continuous upgrading of the ministry's quality of services," he told reporters after the signing ceremony.
At the signing, Newcastle University was represented by its chief executive officer and provost Prof Reginald Keniston Jordan, RCP by its chief executive Martin Else and the ministry by secretary-general Datuk Kamarul Zaman Md Isa.
Liow said the MoU will provide for both countries to work together more closely to achieve the common goal of ensuring that Malaysia has medical specialists of the highest quality to deliver healthcare to its population as well as to be recognised as a centre of excellence internationally.
The collaboration will also work towards developing a complementary and parallel suite of academic programmes at certificate, diploma and masters levels for the present and future leaders of medical education and the country's health services, he added.
The signing of the MoU with the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) London and University of Newcastle-upon-Thyne was witnessed by Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
Liow said the first batch of 30 senior doctors and medical specialists will begin their training in March, in this effort to develop excellent medical educators.
"The course is important because they need to give guidance to the medical graduates employed by the ministry to undergo housemanship.
"This is the beginning. We will train more in the future. We would like the public to know that we are very concerned about continuous upgrading of the ministry's quality of services," he told reporters after the signing ceremony.
At the signing, Newcastle University was represented by its chief executive officer and provost Prof Reginald Keniston Jordan, RCP by its chief executive Martin Else and the ministry by secretary-general Datuk Kamarul Zaman Md Isa.
Liow said the MoU will provide for both countries to work together more closely to achieve the common goal of ensuring that Malaysia has medical specialists of the highest quality to deliver healthcare to its population as well as to be recognised as a centre of excellence internationally.
The collaboration will also work towards developing a complementary and parallel suite of academic programmes at certificate, diploma and masters levels for the present and future leaders of medical education and the country's health services, he added.
High rate of nose cancer
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has among the highest incidence of nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) in the world but early detection is hampered by poor awareness of its symptoms.
Malaysian Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgeons president Dr Yap Yoke Yeow said NPC was one of the most treatable cancers.
“If they come to us at the early stages of the cancer, most patients respond well to radiotherapy and chemotherapy and have good outcomes,” he told The Star.
Dr Yap said 70% of NPC patients were diagnosed only six months after the first symptom was noticed and treatment was delayed due to lack of awareness of its early symptoms.
For this reason, the society and the Health Ministry recently started a nationwide campaign to increase the awareness level on NPC and other head and neck cancers such as oral, laryngeal and pharyngeal.
The 2006 National Cancer Registry showed NPC was the fifth most common cancer in Malaysia, but grouped under head and neck cancer, and 2,884 cases were reported in the peninsula the highest number after female breast cancer (3,525) and higher than colorectal (2,866) and lung (2,048) cancer cases.
Dr Yap said people with immediate family members suffering from NPC and middle-aged Chinese, Malay or those from indigenous groups in Sabah and Sarawak should go for screenings while general practitioners should refer patients with neck lumps to ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists for further investigation.
A neck lump is the most common NPC symptom, followed by hearing loss or ringing or buzzing in the ear, blood-stained saliva or nasal discharge and double vision.
Dr Yap said a study in Sarawak revealed that the Bidayuhs had 26 NPC cases per 100,000 people compared with one per 100,000 worldwide.
There were 5.4 cases per 100,000 in the peninsula and 13.5 per 100,000 in Sarawak.
NPC is caused by many factors and is linked to genes, preserved food such as salted fish and vegetables which contain carcinogenic nitrosamines and the Epstein-Barr viral infection.
The cancer was common in the Guangdong province in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the South-East Asia region, indicating a possible genetic link, he said.
The Malaysian 2008 Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Database showed that carpenters were a high risk group and pesticides and formaldehyde used in the timber industry were possible causes.
Another ENT surgeon, Dr Yeo Sek Wee said the lower income group tended to seek treatment at a late stage of cancer.
He said he was also seeing more cases of tongue cancer.
He urged those with prolonged mouth ulcers to seek treatment and people should visit dentists on a regular basis.
Dr Yeo said the prognosis for all head and neck cancers were good if treated at the early stages.
Malaysian Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgeons president Dr Yap Yoke Yeow said NPC was one of the most treatable cancers.
“If they come to us at the early stages of the cancer, most patients respond well to radiotherapy and chemotherapy and have good outcomes,” he told The Star.
Dr Yap said 70% of NPC patients were diagnosed only six months after the first symptom was noticed and treatment was delayed due to lack of awareness of its early symptoms.
For this reason, the society and the Health Ministry recently started a nationwide campaign to increase the awareness level on NPC and other head and neck cancers such as oral, laryngeal and pharyngeal.
The 2006 National Cancer Registry showed NPC was the fifth most common cancer in Malaysia, but grouped under head and neck cancer, and 2,884 cases were reported in the peninsula the highest number after female breast cancer (3,525) and higher than colorectal (2,866) and lung (2,048) cancer cases.
Dr Yap said people with immediate family members suffering from NPC and middle-aged Chinese, Malay or those from indigenous groups in Sabah and Sarawak should go for screenings while general practitioners should refer patients with neck lumps to ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists for further investigation.
A neck lump is the most common NPC symptom, followed by hearing loss or ringing or buzzing in the ear, blood-stained saliva or nasal discharge and double vision.
Dr Yap said a study in Sarawak revealed that the Bidayuhs had 26 NPC cases per 100,000 people compared with one per 100,000 worldwide.
There were 5.4 cases per 100,000 in the peninsula and 13.5 per 100,000 in Sarawak.
NPC is caused by many factors and is linked to genes, preserved food such as salted fish and vegetables which contain carcinogenic nitrosamines and the Epstein-Barr viral infection.
The cancer was common in the Guangdong province in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the South-East Asia region, indicating a possible genetic link, he said.
The Malaysian 2008 Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Database showed that carpenters were a high risk group and pesticides and formaldehyde used in the timber industry were possible causes.
Another ENT surgeon, Dr Yeo Sek Wee said the lower income group tended to seek treatment at a late stage of cancer.
He said he was also seeing more cases of tongue cancer.
He urged those with prolonged mouth ulcers to seek treatment and people should visit dentists on a regular basis.
Dr Yeo said the prognosis for all head and neck cancers were good if treated at the early stages.
Friday, January 20, 2012
KL to drop some medical schools
AsiaNewsNet: The Malaysian government is looking to slash its list of approved overseas medical schools in an effort to address complaints that too many under-qualified doctors are joining its hospitals.
How many of the 375 recognised overseas medical schools will be dropped is not clear but Datuk Dr Hasan Abdul Rahman, the Health Ministry's director-general, has said the list will be "substantially shortened".
Some Malaysian doctors say as many as half the number of schools may be dropped.
The cuts will affect thousands of aspiring medical students who flock to cheap universities that made it to the approved list in the past decade such as some in South Asia and eastern Europe.
At that time, Malaysia faced a severe shortage of doctors and came under intense pressure from parents to increase the intake for medical students, especially in Malaysian universities.
The issue even took a political turn: When students with top results in the school-leaving examination (equivalent to Singapore's O levels) failed to make the cut in medicine, some non-Malay parents blamed it on racial discrimination.
As a result, the government quickly opened more medical schools in Malaysia, boosting the number from 10 to 24 between 2001 and 2010. And overseas medical schools recognised by the government grew from 210 in the 1970s to 375 today. The list includes the National University of Singapore.
About 4,000 to 5,000 Malaysians now become doctors every year.
This has given rise to a whole new set of problems. Hospitals complain they cannot cope with the deluge of trainee doctors, or housemen, while standards have reportedly dropped.
"There are so many people wanting to do medicine for the wrong reasons and attitudes," said Dr Mary Cardosa, head of the Malaysian Medical Association which groups the country's doctors. "Lots of young doctors may not know what they're getting into."
The 39 training hospitals nationwide have struggled to cope with the numbers, leaving many of these new graduates without adequate supervision or opportunity to learn.
The number of house officers soared 272 per cent from 2,297 in 2008 to more than 6,200 in 2010, according to the Health Ministry.
The accreditation process of overseas schools will also be made be more stringent, Dr Hasan told The Sun daily earlier this month.
"If a university is given full accreditation, we will visit the university every five years," he said. "If there are any discrepancies or doubts as to its quality, the frequency will be increased to once in two years."
Without naming any specific overseas universities, several local doctors told The Straits Times that some medical graduates from Russia, Ukraine, Indonesia and India lacked core knowledge.
In 2005, the Malaysian Medical Council ended its recognition of the Crimea State Medical University in Ukraine for accepting even students with an arts background. The move caused an uproar among parents, students and the opposition because the university had already taken in 1,100 Malaysians.
A head of infectious diseases in a government hospital said the quality of housemen had dropped.
"Yes, in my experience, I can tell you that the average houseman today is not as good as those 15 years ago," he said on condition of anonymity.
Many medical students study in these lesser-known universities because they are often much cheaper and easier to enter than those in Britain, the United States and Australia.
Compared to the US, where a medical course can cost about RM700,000 (US$184,000), it costs only about RM100,000 to study in some of the cheaper overseas colleges.
But Dr Parameswaran Ramasamy, a clinical psychologist with his own practice, does not think dropping the number of recognised overseas universities en masse is the answer. He said it would remove educational opportunities for aspiring doctors here.
"Whether they recognise these universities or not is not the right answer," he said. "They need to put in stricter criteria for entry and look at the graduates' soft skills training."
Malaysia is still short of the World Health Organisation recommendation of one doctor to 600 Malaysians, and aims to reach that goal by 2015. It now has one doctor for every 900 people. In the remote areas of Sabah and Sarawak, there is only one doctor per 2,000 people.
How many of the 375 recognised overseas medical schools will be dropped is not clear but Datuk Dr Hasan Abdul Rahman, the Health Ministry's director-general, has said the list will be "substantially shortened".
Some Malaysian doctors say as many as half the number of schools may be dropped.
The cuts will affect thousands of aspiring medical students who flock to cheap universities that made it to the approved list in the past decade such as some in South Asia and eastern Europe.
At that time, Malaysia faced a severe shortage of doctors and came under intense pressure from parents to increase the intake for medical students, especially in Malaysian universities.
The issue even took a political turn: When students with top results in the school-leaving examination (equivalent to Singapore's O levels) failed to make the cut in medicine, some non-Malay parents blamed it on racial discrimination.
As a result, the government quickly opened more medical schools in Malaysia, boosting the number from 10 to 24 between 2001 and 2010. And overseas medical schools recognised by the government grew from 210 in the 1970s to 375 today. The list includes the National University of Singapore.
About 4,000 to 5,000 Malaysians now become doctors every year.
This has given rise to a whole new set of problems. Hospitals complain they cannot cope with the deluge of trainee doctors, or housemen, while standards have reportedly dropped.
"There are so many people wanting to do medicine for the wrong reasons and attitudes," said Dr Mary Cardosa, head of the Malaysian Medical Association which groups the country's doctors. "Lots of young doctors may not know what they're getting into."
The 39 training hospitals nationwide have struggled to cope with the numbers, leaving many of these new graduates without adequate supervision or opportunity to learn.
The number of house officers soared 272 per cent from 2,297 in 2008 to more than 6,200 in 2010, according to the Health Ministry.
The accreditation process of overseas schools will also be made be more stringent, Dr Hasan told The Sun daily earlier this month.
"If a university is given full accreditation, we will visit the university every five years," he said. "If there are any discrepancies or doubts as to its quality, the frequency will be increased to once in two years."
Without naming any specific overseas universities, several local doctors told The Straits Times that some medical graduates from Russia, Ukraine, Indonesia and India lacked core knowledge.
In 2005, the Malaysian Medical Council ended its recognition of the Crimea State Medical University in Ukraine for accepting even students with an arts background. The move caused an uproar among parents, students and the opposition because the university had already taken in 1,100 Malaysians.
A head of infectious diseases in a government hospital said the quality of housemen had dropped.
"Yes, in my experience, I can tell you that the average houseman today is not as good as those 15 years ago," he said on condition of anonymity.
Many medical students study in these lesser-known universities because they are often much cheaper and easier to enter than those in Britain, the United States and Australia.
Compared to the US, where a medical course can cost about RM700,000 (US$184,000), it costs only about RM100,000 to study in some of the cheaper overseas colleges.
But Dr Parameswaran Ramasamy, a clinical psychologist with his own practice, does not think dropping the number of recognised overseas universities en masse is the answer. He said it would remove educational opportunities for aspiring doctors here.
"Whether they recognise these universities or not is not the right answer," he said. "They need to put in stricter criteria for entry and look at the graduates' soft skills training."
Malaysia is still short of the World Health Organisation recommendation of one doctor to 600 Malaysians, and aims to reach that goal by 2015. It now has one doctor for every 900 people. In the remote areas of Sabah and Sarawak, there is only one doctor per 2,000 people.
Hooked on Facebook
Star: PETALING JAYA: If you prefer to interact on Facebook rather than have a normal conversation, you could be suffering from a psychological disorder, an expert warned.
Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur neuro-psychologist Dr Nivashinie Mohan said that Facebook Addiction Disorder (FAD) continues to go undetected because most addicts do not realise or want to admit that they have a problem.
With Malaysians spending more hours and having the most number of friends on Facebook, many had become addicted to it, she said.
“A lot of people do not see it as a real problem because they don't think it is as harmful as addiction to tobacco or drugs.
“But it is a problem that needs to be treated like any other addiction that prevents you from going on with your daily activities,” she said, adding that the disorder could cause anxiety and depression.
The disorder term FAD was coined by American psychologists to describe the addiction to Facebook.
Dr Nivashinie said that Facebook addicts had dificulty carrying on a normal conversation with people as they preferred to “poke”, “like” or comment on what their friends posted on the website.
She said the addicts felt the need to be connected to their Facebook friends all the time. “They fear that they may miss out on something important if they don't constantly check the website,” she added.
On average, Dr Nivashinie said people spent about an hour each day on the website. “But if you are cancelling plans with friends and family so you can spend the time on Facebook, it is a clear sign that you are addicted.”
She added that addicts usually lost interest in school or were not productive at work because they were constantly on the website.
Stressing that the problem could be very serious, she said: “Sometimes these addicts don't even enjoy logging on to Facebook. They just feel they have to. Some people even break into a cold sweat at the thought of not going on Facebook for a day or two. And they feel depressed when nobody communicates with them or responds to something they posted on the website.”
To overcome the disorder, she said, addicts must first acknowledge that they have a problem.
“It may not be possible for them to quit Facebook instantly or completely,” Dr Nivashinie said. “They can begin by reducing and limiting the hours they spend on the website daily.”
Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur neuro-psychologist Dr Nivashinie Mohan said that Facebook Addiction Disorder (FAD) continues to go undetected because most addicts do not realise or want to admit that they have a problem.
With Malaysians spending more hours and having the most number of friends on Facebook, many had become addicted to it, she said.
“A lot of people do not see it as a real problem because they don't think it is as harmful as addiction to tobacco or drugs.
“But it is a problem that needs to be treated like any other addiction that prevents you from going on with your daily activities,” she said, adding that the disorder could cause anxiety and depression.
The disorder term FAD was coined by American psychologists to describe the addiction to Facebook.
Dr Nivashinie said that Facebook addicts had dificulty carrying on a normal conversation with people as they preferred to “poke”, “like” or comment on what their friends posted on the website.
She said the addicts felt the need to be connected to their Facebook friends all the time. “They fear that they may miss out on something important if they don't constantly check the website,” she added.
On average, Dr Nivashinie said people spent about an hour each day on the website. “But if you are cancelling plans with friends and family so you can spend the time on Facebook, it is a clear sign that you are addicted.”
She added that addicts usually lost interest in school or were not productive at work because they were constantly on the website.
Stressing that the problem could be very serious, she said: “Sometimes these addicts don't even enjoy logging on to Facebook. They just feel they have to. Some people even break into a cold sweat at the thought of not going on Facebook for a day or two. And they feel depressed when nobody communicates with them or responds to something they posted on the website.”
To overcome the disorder, she said, addicts must first acknowledge that they have a problem.
“It may not be possible for them to quit Facebook instantly or completely,” Dr Nivashinie said. “They can begin by reducing and limiting the hours they spend on the website daily.”
Move to help obese school kids lead healthy lifestyle
Star: PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry is taking steps to help overweight children, especially the obese, to lose weight and adopt a healthy diet.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the Health and Education ministries would promote healthy eating among school children.
“We do not want overweight children to be teased or taunted by their peers. When children get their body mass index (BMI) checked, we will also send our officers to schools to promote the importance of healthy eating and lifestyle,” he said after witnessing the signing of an MoU between the Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMed Malaysia), The Royal College of Physicians and the Health Ministry here yesterday.
Currently, about 26.5% of school children are overweight.
The Education Ministry has come up with new guidelines aimed at inculcating healthy eating habits among students.
Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong recently announced that students with weight problems would be referred to the nearest clinic for counselling. Their parents would also be informed.
He said BMI checks would be conducted twice a year.
On another topic, Liow said 30 doctors with high leadership qualities would attend a three-day Train-the-Trainers workshop in March aimed at providing them with skills and knowledge to help them train housemen effectively.
The workshop will be jointly administered by NUMed Malaysia and the Royal College of Physici-ans.
“They may be good specialists but not necessarily good educators. We need to expose them to such structured training programme as we believe in continuous improvement and hope they can impart knowledge to the younger generation,” he said.
On another matter, Liow said he would respect any decision made by MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek whether to contest in the next general elections.
“If the president chooses not to contest in the next general election because of age or other reasons, I will respect his decision,” he said.
Dr Chua had said he was not keen on contesting during the next general elections.
He was quoted as saying that he was not young, and that the young people should be given a chance.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the Health and Education ministries would promote healthy eating among school children.
“We do not want overweight children to be teased or taunted by their peers. When children get their body mass index (BMI) checked, we will also send our officers to schools to promote the importance of healthy eating and lifestyle,” he said after witnessing the signing of an MoU between the Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMed Malaysia), The Royal College of Physicians and the Health Ministry here yesterday.
Currently, about 26.5% of school children are overweight.
The Education Ministry has come up with new guidelines aimed at inculcating healthy eating habits among students.
Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong recently announced that students with weight problems would be referred to the nearest clinic for counselling. Their parents would also be informed.
He said BMI checks would be conducted twice a year.
On another topic, Liow said 30 doctors with high leadership qualities would attend a three-day Train-the-Trainers workshop in March aimed at providing them with skills and knowledge to help them train housemen effectively.
The workshop will be jointly administered by NUMed Malaysia and the Royal College of Physici-ans.
“They may be good specialists but not necessarily good educators. We need to expose them to such structured training programme as we believe in continuous improvement and hope they can impart knowledge to the younger generation,” he said.
On another matter, Liow said he would respect any decision made by MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek whether to contest in the next general elections.
“If the president chooses not to contest in the next general election because of age or other reasons, I will respect his decision,” he said.
Dr Chua had said he was not keen on contesting during the next general elections.
He was quoted as saying that he was not young, and that the young people should be given a chance.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Seeking a better healthcare system — TK Khong
MalaysianInsider: JAN 19 — Having worked in various parts of the NHS for over 30 years, I know it in virtually every detail. As a health and social concept, the NHS is an unimpeachable undertaking.
However, the NHS in England today is facing severe difficulties caused not merely by demographic changes and medical advances but by the crippling cost of its administration and the inefficiencies of a dominant tax-funded system.
Despite the common belief that it is equitable and efficient, the reality is often the opposite. Although there have been huge increases in health spending over the past two decades, there has been little or no improvement in outcomes across a wide range of specialties, and even a worsening in patient experience in many areas.
The latest reform, with its montage of internal market and private providers, aims to restore some semblance of cost-effectiveness and improved efficiency through delegating the financial decision processes to the medical profession and delivery redesigns targeted at the main causes of ill-health.
The 1Care for 1 Malaysia plan to introduce a nationalised health service in Malaysia partially along the lines of the NHS is a laudable move. Although the per capita income may be rising, the reality is a widening gap between high- and low-income sections of society with poverty on the increase.
Indeed, Datuk Dr Hassan Abdul Rahman, Health director-general, expressed concern that “greater private health sector development would widen the gap of access to healthcare services for the rural population compared to the urban population and between those who can and cannot afford to pay” (The Star, December 3, 2011).
Social Health Insurance (SHI), devised to supplement the amount allocated to healthcare from Government General Revenue, is promoted as an attempt to address income inequalities which are considered as obstacles to accessing healthcare.
However, if as Dr Hassan says, “private investments and the continuous contribution of the private sector are encouraged”, then SHI represents an additional levy on many who are just able to afford their own healthcare but who would under the new regime be financially penalised and who would therefore migrate wholly to the public sector. This in turn will increase the burden on public sector healthcare provisions.
Another key feature of 1Care for 1 Malaysia is that primary care is at the heart of the reform with the GP as its focal point. This transformation is sensible, if only to increase the power of rationing, but co-payment for prescriptions and certain appliances lacks precision over the amount of money that is required from patients. Similarly, there is no clarity over what is within the defined benefits package of hospital care that is free of additional payment.
While commendable in principle, SHI contributions are dependent upon financial ability. Means testing is fraught with difficulties, while the thresholds and variations for additional levy on the rich and healthy have not been defined, nor has the quantification of the “cross-subsidy” been finalised.
Most importantly, it is unclear how much administration of the SHI “organisation” will cost and where the funding for this will come from. Only if the consolidated fund is ring-fenced for healthcare will the public be able to enjoy the full benefit of a properly constructed SHI.
Otherwise, there will be a major adverse impact on the amount of money available for healthcare as management costs will divert significant amounts of funding. Furthermore, there are no indications about commissioning and provision of services. For example, there are no statements on whether the SHI would develop its own provider wing or commission services from external private sector providers, and on the governance of cost and quality issues.
To achieve the success it deserves, 1Care for 1 Malaysia should not be unduly concerned about the ratio of government-to-private spending in healthcare being 55:45 and use it as a starting point for the financial reform of healthcare.
Indeed, the current growth in the private healthcare sector should be recognised as reflective of demand and competition, both of which are natural drivers of quality and restrainers on costs. Instead, the health inequality gap should be dealt with differently cognisant of disease prevalence, and 1Care for 1 Malaysia should focus its attention on detailed analyses and taxonomy of various diseases as causes of morbidity, mortality, emotional distress and economic burden.
The Malaysian government must demonstrate strong stewardship in public health and social care in such areas as care of the vulnerable, the frail and the elderly, those with learning disabilities and the physically handicapped. It should ensure a comprehensive strategy for major killers, such as infectious illnesses and cardiovascular diseases. Health education to promote healthy lifestyles should be a consistent feature in schools and at places of work.
With a safety net in place, Malaysians are then best served in health by reinforcing their financial autonomy and empowerment of individual choice. Rather than follow the path of the NHS and release a money-guzzling genie, the far better approach is for the Malaysian government to craft a robust public health and social care policy that provides for the needs of all Malaysians.
1 Care for 1 Malaysia must not become a wasted opportunity. Its success or failure is critical to the health and welfare of all Malaysians.
* Dr TK Khong, who is a Malaysian GP and a forensic physician in the UK, also serves as a board member of a clinical commissioning group and advises on health and social care policies.
However, the NHS in England today is facing severe difficulties caused not merely by demographic changes and medical advances but by the crippling cost of its administration and the inefficiencies of a dominant tax-funded system.
Despite the common belief that it is equitable and efficient, the reality is often the opposite. Although there have been huge increases in health spending over the past two decades, there has been little or no improvement in outcomes across a wide range of specialties, and even a worsening in patient experience in many areas.
The latest reform, with its montage of internal market and private providers, aims to restore some semblance of cost-effectiveness and improved efficiency through delegating the financial decision processes to the medical profession and delivery redesigns targeted at the main causes of ill-health.
The 1Care for 1 Malaysia plan to introduce a nationalised health service in Malaysia partially along the lines of the NHS is a laudable move. Although the per capita income may be rising, the reality is a widening gap between high- and low-income sections of society with poverty on the increase.
Indeed, Datuk Dr Hassan Abdul Rahman, Health director-general, expressed concern that “greater private health sector development would widen the gap of access to healthcare services for the rural population compared to the urban population and between those who can and cannot afford to pay” (The Star, December 3, 2011).
Social Health Insurance (SHI), devised to supplement the amount allocated to healthcare from Government General Revenue, is promoted as an attempt to address income inequalities which are considered as obstacles to accessing healthcare.
However, if as Dr Hassan says, “private investments and the continuous contribution of the private sector are encouraged”, then SHI represents an additional levy on many who are just able to afford their own healthcare but who would under the new regime be financially penalised and who would therefore migrate wholly to the public sector. This in turn will increase the burden on public sector healthcare provisions.
Another key feature of 1Care for 1 Malaysia is that primary care is at the heart of the reform with the GP as its focal point. This transformation is sensible, if only to increase the power of rationing, but co-payment for prescriptions and certain appliances lacks precision over the amount of money that is required from patients. Similarly, there is no clarity over what is within the defined benefits package of hospital care that is free of additional payment.
While commendable in principle, SHI contributions are dependent upon financial ability. Means testing is fraught with difficulties, while the thresholds and variations for additional levy on the rich and healthy have not been defined, nor has the quantification of the “cross-subsidy” been finalised.
Most importantly, it is unclear how much administration of the SHI “organisation” will cost and where the funding for this will come from. Only if the consolidated fund is ring-fenced for healthcare will the public be able to enjoy the full benefit of a properly constructed SHI.
Otherwise, there will be a major adverse impact on the amount of money available for healthcare as management costs will divert significant amounts of funding. Furthermore, there are no indications about commissioning and provision of services. For example, there are no statements on whether the SHI would develop its own provider wing or commission services from external private sector providers, and on the governance of cost and quality issues.
To achieve the success it deserves, 1Care for 1 Malaysia should not be unduly concerned about the ratio of government-to-private spending in healthcare being 55:45 and use it as a starting point for the financial reform of healthcare.
Indeed, the current growth in the private healthcare sector should be recognised as reflective of demand and competition, both of which are natural drivers of quality and restrainers on costs. Instead, the health inequality gap should be dealt with differently cognisant of disease prevalence, and 1Care for 1 Malaysia should focus its attention on detailed analyses and taxonomy of various diseases as causes of morbidity, mortality, emotional distress and economic burden.
The Malaysian government must demonstrate strong stewardship in public health and social care in such areas as care of the vulnerable, the frail and the elderly, those with learning disabilities and the physically handicapped. It should ensure a comprehensive strategy for major killers, such as infectious illnesses and cardiovascular diseases. Health education to promote healthy lifestyles should be a consistent feature in schools and at places of work.
With a safety net in place, Malaysians are then best served in health by reinforcing their financial autonomy and empowerment of individual choice. Rather than follow the path of the NHS and release a money-guzzling genie, the far better approach is for the Malaysian government to craft a robust public health and social care policy that provides for the needs of all Malaysians.
1 Care for 1 Malaysia must not become a wasted opportunity. Its success or failure is critical to the health and welfare of all Malaysians.
* Dr TK Khong, who is a Malaysian GP and a forensic physician in the UK, also serves as a board member of a clinical commissioning group and advises on health and social care policies.
Health, Education ministries to work together to curb obesity
Star: PUTRAJAYA: The Health and Education Ministries will work together to help curb obesity among school children.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said here Thursday that he did not want children to be teased by their peers for being overweight.
“When students get their BMI index recorderd, Health Ministry officers will also go to schools and promote the importance of healthy eating and lifestyle,” he added.
Liow also told reporters that 30 doctors would attend a training programme by the Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia and Royal College of Physicians in March so that they could help train housemen.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said here Thursday that he did not want children to be teased by their peers for being overweight.
“When students get their BMI index recorderd, Health Ministry officers will also go to schools and promote the importance of healthy eating and lifestyle,” he added.
Liow also told reporters that 30 doctors would attend a training programme by the Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia and Royal College of Physicians in March so that they could help train housemen.
Weight woes in diabetes
Star: UNIVERSITI Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) recently conducted a survey amongst its diabetes patients to determine their level of understanding of the disease.
Diabetes remains one of the greatest health challenges today, and its incidence is on an upward trajectory globally.
In response to this worrying trend, the UKMMC survey was initiated to gain better insights on the management of the disease, with the purpose of helping diabetes patients control the disease more effectively.
The survey was conducted amongst diabetes patients from the hospital over a period of two months. The UKMMC specialist diabetes clinic currently treats 100 patients with type 1 diabetes and 1,200 patients with type 2 diabetes on a monthly basis.
Throughout September and October 2011, UKMMC diabetes patients were polled, and in most cases, it was done with face-to-face interviews with the help of UKMMC diabetic educator nurses.
Prof Nor Azmi Kamaruddin, head of diabetes & endocrinology, UKMMC, who led this initiative, said: “Diabetes prevalence in Malaysia has almost doubled in the last decade in parallel with the doubling of overweight/obesity amongst the population. Through this survey, we hope to find out more about the knowledge level amongst our diabetes patients, and stressing to them the importance of weight management in controlling diabetes.
“With one in seven Malaysian adults having diabetes, it is crucial to create better understanding about this disease.”
Patients with diabetes are at increased risk for complications involving the eye, heart, kidney and various other organs. Associated risk factors that can further increase the risk of complications among diabetics include excess body weight, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels, amongst others.
Being overweight or obese can hasten the onset of diabetes complications.
The UKMMC survey results showed that 62% of participants were overweight when first diagnosed with diabetes.
While over 85% of participants polled understood that weight loss was helpful in managing type 2 diabetes, only 31% of participants have been successful in managing their weight.
In addition, over 70% of participants consider being overweight as a contributing factor to developing type 2 diabetes, and nearly 60% were dissatisfied about their current weight.
Diabetes cases in Malaysia are predominantly type 2 diabetes. According to the third National Health and Morbidity Survey 2006, there was a 41% increase in the prevalence of individuals with abdominal obesity.
Figures show 1.8 million Malaysians were diagnosed with diabetes in 2010, a significant increase from 1.4 million in 2006.
In 2010, diabetes was responsible for more than 23,800 deaths in Malaysia.
Prof Dr Nor Azmi Kamaruddin said: “One key finding that we were able to conclude was that 75% of the participants polled snacked to prevent hypoglycemia.
“Hypoglycemia associated with current medications can lead to increased snacking and are deterring diabetes patients from controlling their weight effectively.
“The majority are aware of the importance of weight and maintaining a healthy lifestyle in managing their diabetes, but a high percentage of them are still unsuccessful in controlling their blood sugar levels and weight to an optimum level.”
The age group with the highest prevalence of diabetes is those between 60 and 64 years old, although there is a sharp increase in the prevalence of diabetes among those aged 30 and above as revealed in the third National Health and Morbidity Survey 2006.
With two in five Malaysians obese or overweight, the association between obesity and diabetes is one that should be highlighted more aggressively to encourage Malaysians to maintain an active and balanced lifestyle.
A strong genetic predisposition to diabetes should also encourage a healthier lifestyle and preventive action to keep this disease at bay.
The World Health Organization has estimated that in the year 2030, Malaysia would have a total of 2.48 million people with diabetes.
In conclusion to the survey, it is evident that a majority of obese or overweight people struggle to reduce their weight and control their diabetes, but with proper counseling and lifestyle intervention, these may be overcome.
Some newer medications that reduce blood sugar and weight may be the answer to helping patients manage their diabetes and weight more effectively.
Diabetes remains one of the greatest health challenges today, and its incidence is on an upward trajectory globally.
In response to this worrying trend, the UKMMC survey was initiated to gain better insights on the management of the disease, with the purpose of helping diabetes patients control the disease more effectively.
The survey was conducted amongst diabetes patients from the hospital over a period of two months. The UKMMC specialist diabetes clinic currently treats 100 patients with type 1 diabetes and 1,200 patients with type 2 diabetes on a monthly basis.
Throughout September and October 2011, UKMMC diabetes patients were polled, and in most cases, it was done with face-to-face interviews with the help of UKMMC diabetic educator nurses.
Prof Nor Azmi Kamaruddin, head of diabetes & endocrinology, UKMMC, who led this initiative, said: “Diabetes prevalence in Malaysia has almost doubled in the last decade in parallel with the doubling of overweight/obesity amongst the population. Through this survey, we hope to find out more about the knowledge level amongst our diabetes patients, and stressing to them the importance of weight management in controlling diabetes.
“With one in seven Malaysian adults having diabetes, it is crucial to create better understanding about this disease.”
Patients with diabetes are at increased risk for complications involving the eye, heart, kidney and various other organs. Associated risk factors that can further increase the risk of complications among diabetics include excess body weight, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels, amongst others.
Being overweight or obese can hasten the onset of diabetes complications.
The UKMMC survey results showed that 62% of participants were overweight when first diagnosed with diabetes.
While over 85% of participants polled understood that weight loss was helpful in managing type 2 diabetes, only 31% of participants have been successful in managing their weight.
In addition, over 70% of participants consider being overweight as a contributing factor to developing type 2 diabetes, and nearly 60% were dissatisfied about their current weight.
Diabetes cases in Malaysia are predominantly type 2 diabetes. According to the third National Health and Morbidity Survey 2006, there was a 41% increase in the prevalence of individuals with abdominal obesity.
Figures show 1.8 million Malaysians were diagnosed with diabetes in 2010, a significant increase from 1.4 million in 2006.
In 2010, diabetes was responsible for more than 23,800 deaths in Malaysia.
Prof Dr Nor Azmi Kamaruddin said: “One key finding that we were able to conclude was that 75% of the participants polled snacked to prevent hypoglycemia.
“Hypoglycemia associated with current medications can lead to increased snacking and are deterring diabetes patients from controlling their weight effectively.
“The majority are aware of the importance of weight and maintaining a healthy lifestyle in managing their diabetes, but a high percentage of them are still unsuccessful in controlling their blood sugar levels and weight to an optimum level.”
The age group with the highest prevalence of diabetes is those between 60 and 64 years old, although there is a sharp increase in the prevalence of diabetes among those aged 30 and above as revealed in the third National Health and Morbidity Survey 2006.
With two in five Malaysians obese or overweight, the association between obesity and diabetes is one that should be highlighted more aggressively to encourage Malaysians to maintain an active and balanced lifestyle.
A strong genetic predisposition to diabetes should also encourage a healthier lifestyle and preventive action to keep this disease at bay.
The World Health Organization has estimated that in the year 2030, Malaysia would have a total of 2.48 million people with diabetes.
In conclusion to the survey, it is evident that a majority of obese or overweight people struggle to reduce their weight and control their diabetes, but with proper counseling and lifestyle intervention, these may be overcome.
Some newer medications that reduce blood sugar and weight may be the answer to helping patients manage their diabetes and weight more effectively.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
‘88888’ rule to good health
Star: PUTRAJAYA: The Government wants the public to be “prosperous” in health this Chinese New Year by following the “88888” rule of living.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the “88888” rules meant that they should avoid overindulging and practise healthy eating during this festive season when they were likely to be tempted by delicacies like yee sang and nian gao.
“The 88888' rules mean that you stop eating 80% before you are full, have dinner before 8pm, drink eight glasses of water per day, sleep at least eight hours and walk at least 80,000 steps daily,” he told reporters at the launch of the Eat Healthy During Chinese New Year campaign here yesterday.
Malaysians, he added, should also insist on taking smaller portions and quantity of food during this holiday.
“If they continue to consume an extra 500kcal daily for a week, they will gain some half kilo to one kilo.
“It is easier if they control themselves from taking rich, calorie-laden food like peanut puffs. Five puffs are equivalent to 500kcal.
“It will take about an hour for an adult to burn 500kcal through cycling. By watching the exact amount of calorie intake, you will lose weight much faster,” he said.
Liow added that the Government was increasing its efforts in combating and reducing the number of cases relating to non-communicable diseases like obesity and diabetes.
“Factors contributing to obesity can be easily controlled by simply taking care of a person's diet,” he said.
Liow also said the public could get health and nutritional advice from the ministry's nutrition information centres nationwide.
“We have published booklets in Chinese, English and Bahasa Malaysia to promote healthy eating and an active lifestyle during the Chinese New Year celebration,” he added.
The booklet can also be downloaded from these websites www.moh.gov.my, www.myhealth.gov.my, www.infosihat.gov.my, blogmoh.moh.gov.my and btmk.moh.gov.my/BlogICT
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the “88888” rules meant that they should avoid overindulging and practise healthy eating during this festive season when they were likely to be tempted by delicacies like yee sang and nian gao.
“The 88888' rules mean that you stop eating 80% before you are full, have dinner before 8pm, drink eight glasses of water per day, sleep at least eight hours and walk at least 80,000 steps daily,” he told reporters at the launch of the Eat Healthy During Chinese New Year campaign here yesterday.
Malaysians, he added, should also insist on taking smaller portions and quantity of food during this holiday.
“If they continue to consume an extra 500kcal daily for a week, they will gain some half kilo to one kilo.
“It is easier if they control themselves from taking rich, calorie-laden food like peanut puffs. Five puffs are equivalent to 500kcal.
“It will take about an hour for an adult to burn 500kcal through cycling. By watching the exact amount of calorie intake, you will lose weight much faster,” he said.
Liow added that the Government was increasing its efforts in combating and reducing the number of cases relating to non-communicable diseases like obesity and diabetes.
“Factors contributing to obesity can be easily controlled by simply taking care of a person's diet,” he said.
Liow also said the public could get health and nutritional advice from the ministry's nutrition information centres nationwide.
“We have published booklets in Chinese, English and Bahasa Malaysia to promote healthy eating and an active lifestyle during the Chinese New Year celebration,” he added.
The booklet can also be downloaded from these websites www.moh.gov.my, www.myhealth.gov.my, www.infosihat.gov.my, blogmoh.moh.gov.my and btmk.moh.gov.my/BlogICT
Despite Its Huge Area, Sarawak Has Very Comprehensive Health Service: Wong
SIBU, Jan 17 (Bernama) -- Despite its huge area as big as the whole of Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak has a very comprehensive health service in all categories provided for by the government, Minister of Local Government and Community Development Datuk Sri Wong Soon Koh said.
For instance, it has 22 hospitals and 13 outpatient centres, he said.
"In addition, it has 226 health centres, eight special dental centres, 26 main dental centres, 129 primary school dental clinics, 24 in secondary schools and 74 mobile health teams serving statewide," he said.
Wong was speaking when launching the 64 Multislices CT Scanner, Digital Mammogram and Cardiology services at the Rejang Medical Centre (RMC), a private medical specialist centre here today.
He also said that the state had mobile dental teams while people in deep interiors were frequently served by the "flying doctor" Service.
"We also have seven 1Malaysia clinics while another one will be built this year. But we must admit we have not adequately provide the specialist service as expected by the people," he said.
In this regard, the private sector could play its role to complement the government effort, he said.
With the new facilities costing about RM3 million now available at the RMC, Sarawakians from the central region need not go to Kuching or Singapore for heart problem or cancer screening tests.
Wong believed the facilities would attract Indonesians across the border, thus boosting the state's effort to promote its health tourism.
RMC managing director of RMC Dr John Tang said the nine-year-old centre was now one of the most advanced private specialist medical centres in the state and the largest in the central region.
He also announced the appointment of Dr Annuar Rapaiee who is also the Nangka assemblyman here as its visiting consultant cardiologist.
For instance, it has 22 hospitals and 13 outpatient centres, he said.
"In addition, it has 226 health centres, eight special dental centres, 26 main dental centres, 129 primary school dental clinics, 24 in secondary schools and 74 mobile health teams serving statewide," he said.
Wong was speaking when launching the 64 Multislices CT Scanner, Digital Mammogram and Cardiology services at the Rejang Medical Centre (RMC), a private medical specialist centre here today.
He also said that the state had mobile dental teams while people in deep interiors were frequently served by the "flying doctor" Service.
"We also have seven 1Malaysia clinics while another one will be built this year. But we must admit we have not adequately provide the specialist service as expected by the people," he said.
In this regard, the private sector could play its role to complement the government effort, he said.
With the new facilities costing about RM3 million now available at the RMC, Sarawakians from the central region need not go to Kuching or Singapore for heart problem or cancer screening tests.
Wong believed the facilities would attract Indonesians across the border, thus boosting the state's effort to promote its health tourism.
RMC managing director of RMC Dr John Tang said the nine-year-old centre was now one of the most advanced private specialist medical centres in the state and the largest in the central region.
He also announced the appointment of Dr Annuar Rapaiee who is also the Nangka assemblyman here as its visiting consultant cardiologist.
Big issue on little ones
NST: IT’S no secret. In a recent study by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Faculty of Health Sciences and Nestle Products Sdn Bhd, more children are becoming obese.
The study, Nutritional Status And Dietary Habits Of Primary School Children In Malaysia 2007/2008, looked at 11,000 primary pupils nationwide over a one-year period. It measured their weight, height and body mass index and examined their eating habits and physical activities. It found that 12.8 per cent were overweight and 13.7 per cent were obese.
This was a follow-up to a similar study by UKM and Nestle in 2001, which focused only on children in Peninsular Malaysia. At that time, there were 11 per cent overweight children and 9.7 per cent obese children.
HEAVIER GIRLS
The study found that more girls (13.0 per cent) were overweight compared to boys (12.1 per cent), but more boys (17.5 per cent) were obese compared to girls (9.6 per cent). In terms of racial demographics, Chinese boys (34 per cent) and Bumiputra girls in Sarawak (29.3 per cent) were more likely to be overweight and obese.
UKM School Of Healthcare Sciences chair Professor Dr Norimah A. Karim said the study confirmed that children are eating more fast food, do not have balanced meals and are less involved in physical activities.
“We already know children today have a poor diet and lead a sedentary lifestyle. We hope this study will encourage parents to monitor their children’s eating habits.
“At the end of the day, parents must be accountable for what their children eat. They can control their children’s trips to fast food restaurants, make sure they eat fruit and vegetables, and encourage them to take part in some form of physical activity.”
The study revealed that children are indulging in fast food more frequently. The three favourites are burgers, fried chicken and pizza.
In the 2001 study, nine per cent of the children said they ate fast food more than twice a week. In 2007, that figure shot up to 20 per cent. Those who ate fast food weekly also increased to 31 per cent in 2007, compared to 22 per cent in 2001.
The fact that children are eating fast food more than twice a week, said Norimah, is a concern as this could mean they are having their fill four or five times a week. If they’re not engaged in any physical activity, that may explain the increasing rate of obesity among children.
DON’T SKIP BREAKFAST
The study also found that many of the children skipped breakfast. “The risk of obesity is higher if we don’t have breakfast,” said Norimah.
Only two-thirds of the children had breakfast every day, with those who didn’t giving excuses such as “no time”, “not hungry” and “no appetite”.
Most also didn’t eat a balanced meal, with 28.5 per cent saying they ate rice with meat and vegetables plus fruit during lunch and 21.2 per cent during dinner.
In terms of physical activity, only 27.3 per cent of the children said they spent time playing badminton, football, cycling or running.
TEACHING KIDS ABOUT NUTRITION
Nestle started its Healthy Kids Programme last year in five schools to educate children aged 7-12 about nutrition and the benefits of physical activities. It chose 40 children from each school for the three-year programme.
Nestle Products corporate wellness manager Chia Wee Leng said: “We will monitor their understanding of nutrition and eating right. Lack of knowledge and understanding may lead them to becoming obese. We believe if children are informed, they will know how to take care of themselves.
“We are also working with parents, teachers and canteen operators on improving their knowledge on nutrition and physical activities among children.”
Nestle has also taken the initiative to ensure its food products are healthier by coming up with breakfast cereals made from whole grains, reducing the sugar content in its Milo UHT drinks by 25 per cent, increasing its range of low-fat milk and offering real fruit juices.
Norimah thinks the reason it’s difficult to curb obesity among children is because it’s not identified as a disease. Many people don’t realise that obesity can be a contributing factor to serious conditions such as diabetes, cancer, renal failure and stroke.
“I believe more in prevention than treatment. Having a healthy lifestyle can help prevent obesity, which, in turn, can help prevent diseases related to it.”
Norimah is optimistic that with education and proper implementation, the rate of obesity among children can be reduced in the next three to five years. “We won’t see a reduction immediately. If we can maintain the rate, it’s good enough for now.”
The study, Nutritional Status And Dietary Habits Of Primary School Children In Malaysia 2007/2008, looked at 11,000 primary pupils nationwide over a one-year period. It measured their weight, height and body mass index and examined their eating habits and physical activities. It found that 12.8 per cent were overweight and 13.7 per cent were obese.
This was a follow-up to a similar study by UKM and Nestle in 2001, which focused only on children in Peninsular Malaysia. At that time, there were 11 per cent overweight children and 9.7 per cent obese children.
HEAVIER GIRLS
The study found that more girls (13.0 per cent) were overweight compared to boys (12.1 per cent), but more boys (17.5 per cent) were obese compared to girls (9.6 per cent). In terms of racial demographics, Chinese boys (34 per cent) and Bumiputra girls in Sarawak (29.3 per cent) were more likely to be overweight and obese.
UKM School Of Healthcare Sciences chair Professor Dr Norimah A. Karim said the study confirmed that children are eating more fast food, do not have balanced meals and are less involved in physical activities.
“We already know children today have a poor diet and lead a sedentary lifestyle. We hope this study will encourage parents to monitor their children’s eating habits.
“At the end of the day, parents must be accountable for what their children eat. They can control their children’s trips to fast food restaurants, make sure they eat fruit and vegetables, and encourage them to take part in some form of physical activity.”
The study revealed that children are indulging in fast food more frequently. The three favourites are burgers, fried chicken and pizza.
In the 2001 study, nine per cent of the children said they ate fast food more than twice a week. In 2007, that figure shot up to 20 per cent. Those who ate fast food weekly also increased to 31 per cent in 2007, compared to 22 per cent in 2001.
The fact that children are eating fast food more than twice a week, said Norimah, is a concern as this could mean they are having their fill four or five times a week. If they’re not engaged in any physical activity, that may explain the increasing rate of obesity among children.
DON’T SKIP BREAKFAST
The study also found that many of the children skipped breakfast. “The risk of obesity is higher if we don’t have breakfast,” said Norimah.
Only two-thirds of the children had breakfast every day, with those who didn’t giving excuses such as “no time”, “not hungry” and “no appetite”.
Most also didn’t eat a balanced meal, with 28.5 per cent saying they ate rice with meat and vegetables plus fruit during lunch and 21.2 per cent during dinner.
In terms of physical activity, only 27.3 per cent of the children said they spent time playing badminton, football, cycling or running.
TEACHING KIDS ABOUT NUTRITION
Nestle started its Healthy Kids Programme last year in five schools to educate children aged 7-12 about nutrition and the benefits of physical activities. It chose 40 children from each school for the three-year programme.
Nestle Products corporate wellness manager Chia Wee Leng said: “We will monitor their understanding of nutrition and eating right. Lack of knowledge and understanding may lead them to becoming obese. We believe if children are informed, they will know how to take care of themselves.
“We are also working with parents, teachers and canteen operators on improving their knowledge on nutrition and physical activities among children.”
Nestle has also taken the initiative to ensure its food products are healthier by coming up with breakfast cereals made from whole grains, reducing the sugar content in its Milo UHT drinks by 25 per cent, increasing its range of low-fat milk and offering real fruit juices.
Norimah thinks the reason it’s difficult to curb obesity among children is because it’s not identified as a disease. Many people don’t realise that obesity can be a contributing factor to serious conditions such as diabetes, cancer, renal failure and stroke.
“I believe more in prevention than treatment. Having a healthy lifestyle can help prevent obesity, which, in turn, can help prevent diseases related to it.”
Norimah is optimistic that with education and proper implementation, the rate of obesity among children can be reduced in the next three to five years. “We won’t see a reduction immediately. If we can maintain the rate, it’s good enough for now.”
Monday, January 16, 2012
Health Ministry Monitoring Orange Juice From Brazil
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 14 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Health will ensure that orange juice imported from Brazil is not contaminated with carbendazim residue, a type of fungicide.
Its deputy minister, Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin based on Schedule 16, Rule 41 of the Food Regulations 1985, carbendazim is not allowed in orange juice in the country.
"However, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, carbendazim residue in orange juice up to the level of 80 parts perbilion does not pose public health risk," she said in a statement here Saturday.
She was commenting on a report yesterday that Coca-Cola Co. had alerted U.S. federal regulators about low levels of fungicide in its own orange juice and in competitors' juice, prompting increased government testing for the residue.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Coca-Cola found levels up to 35 parts per billion of the fungicide, far below the European Union's maximum residue level of 200 parts per billion.
Most orange juice products made by Coke and other companies in the U.S contain a blend of juice from different sources including Brazil.
Carbendazim is used to combat mould on orange trees in Brazil.
Rosnah said Malaysia imported 2.775 tonnes of orange juice worth about RM15 million from Brazil since 2010 but did not import oranges from the country during the period.
Its deputy minister, Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin based on Schedule 16, Rule 41 of the Food Regulations 1985, carbendazim is not allowed in orange juice in the country.
"However, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, carbendazim residue in orange juice up to the level of 80 parts perbilion does not pose public health risk," she said in a statement here Saturday.
She was commenting on a report yesterday that Coca-Cola Co. had alerted U.S. federal regulators about low levels of fungicide in its own orange juice and in competitors' juice, prompting increased government testing for the residue.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Coca-Cola found levels up to 35 parts per billion of the fungicide, far below the European Union's maximum residue level of 200 parts per billion.
Most orange juice products made by Coke and other companies in the U.S contain a blend of juice from different sources including Brazil.
Carbendazim is used to combat mould on orange trees in Brazil.
Rosnah said Malaysia imported 2.775 tonnes of orange juice worth about RM15 million from Brazil since 2010 but did not import oranges from the country during the period.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Placenta jabs not allowed for beauty treatment, says Liow
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Beauty treatments using injectable placenta extracts are not allowed in Malaysia.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, in cautioning the public against going for such treatments, said the ministry’s National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau had not approved the use of any injectable placenta products.
Liow was responding to news reports yesterday about a botched beauty treatment that allegedly involved placenta injections.
“Currently, there are only two types of placenta products that are approved and registered to be used.
“As of today, only 31 health supplement products that contain placenta (three from deer and 28 from sheep) and 300 cosmetic products are registered with the bureau,” said Liow after a Chinese New Year charity luncheon here yesterday.
He emphasised that all the registered health supplements were oral supplements, and the cosmetic products were only supposed to be applied topically.
“None of them are injectable,” said Liow.
Registered health supplements should have a registration number (that starts with MAL) printed on their packaging, and registered cosmetic products should also come with a notification number (that starts with NOT).
Liow also reminded the public that beauticians are not allowed to administer injections or perform any invasive procedures.
He urged those who want to seek beauty treatments or procedures to consult qualified practitioners.
“The public should make a police report if healthcare services that are supposed to be done only by registered doctors are being provided by unqualified or bogus doctors,” he added.
This includes injections, invasive procedures like surgery, and the prescription of drugs.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, in cautioning the public against going for such treatments, said the ministry’s National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau had not approved the use of any injectable placenta products.
Liow was responding to news reports yesterday about a botched beauty treatment that allegedly involved placenta injections.
“Currently, there are only two types of placenta products that are approved and registered to be used.
“As of today, only 31 health supplement products that contain placenta (three from deer and 28 from sheep) and 300 cosmetic products are registered with the bureau,” said Liow after a Chinese New Year charity luncheon here yesterday.
He emphasised that all the registered health supplements were oral supplements, and the cosmetic products were only supposed to be applied topically.
“None of them are injectable,” said Liow.
Registered health supplements should have a registration number (that starts with MAL) printed on their packaging, and registered cosmetic products should also come with a notification number (that starts with NOT).
Liow also reminded the public that beauticians are not allowed to administer injections or perform any invasive procedures.
He urged those who want to seek beauty treatments or procedures to consult qualified practitioners.
“The public should make a police report if healthcare services that are supposed to be done only by registered doctors are being provided by unqualified or bogus doctors,” he added.
This includes injections, invasive procedures like surgery, and the prescription of drugs.
Sign up, disabled urged
Star: IPOH: A six-month campaign by the Welfare Department early last year to register more disabled Malaysians received lukewarm response.
Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Senator Datuk Heng Seai Kie said as of November last year, only 331,606 disabled people were registered in the department's records, an increase of 48,402 from the 283,204 people registered as of December 2009.
She said the number was a far cry from the forecast by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that the disabled make up 15% of a country's population.
“Malaysia has a population of about 28.6 million. Based on the figures and projection made by WHO, I am convinced that there are many more people with disabilities who are not registered with the Welfare Department,” she told reporters after opening Perak's Disability Day here yesterday.
Heng said there might be a misunderstanding among the public that only the disabled who wished to apply for assistance were required to register with the department.
She said the notion was wrong as all disabled persons must register with the department.
“I want to state here that accurate statistics is important to help the Government formulate an appropriate budget and programmes for the disabled,” she said.
Among the benefits, disabled students are entitled to a monthly allowance of RM150 while disabled workers earning less than RM1,200 monthly are entitled to RM300 each month.
Those who wish to register their disabled friends and family members, can obtain the form at all district Welfare, Health and Labour departments or online via www.jkm.gov.my
Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Senator Datuk Heng Seai Kie said as of November last year, only 331,606 disabled people were registered in the department's records, an increase of 48,402 from the 283,204 people registered as of December 2009.
She said the number was a far cry from the forecast by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that the disabled make up 15% of a country's population.
“Malaysia has a population of about 28.6 million. Based on the figures and projection made by WHO, I am convinced that there are many more people with disabilities who are not registered with the Welfare Department,” she told reporters after opening Perak's Disability Day here yesterday.
Heng said there might be a misunderstanding among the public that only the disabled who wished to apply for assistance were required to register with the department.
She said the notion was wrong as all disabled persons must register with the department.
“I want to state here that accurate statistics is important to help the Government formulate an appropriate budget and programmes for the disabled,” she said.
Among the benefits, disabled students are entitled to a monthly allowance of RM150 while disabled workers earning less than RM1,200 monthly are entitled to RM300 each month.
Those who wish to register their disabled friends and family members, can obtain the form at all district Welfare, Health and Labour departments or online via www.jkm.gov.my
Heatlh Ministry to launch 1Malaysia mobile dental clinics Read more: Heatlh Ministry to launch 1Malaysia mobile dental clinics - Latest - New Straits
NST: SUBANG JAYA: The Health Ministry will launch the 1Malaysia mobile dental clinic soon to serve the public in rural areas.
It director general Datuk Seri Dr Hasan Abdul Rahman said the project will kick start in Pahang soon.
“Such an effort by the ministry is important as many still did not give attention to proper dental care,” he said after launching the 19th International Scientific Convention and Trade Exhibition yesterday.
He said improper attention of oral healthcare would cause cavity which may lead to bacteria infection to the brain through the blood stream.
The mobile clinics, Dr Hasan said would visit remote villages regularly, operating with a dentist and fully equipped facilities to treat dental patients for free.
He added that the attitude of the public has to change.
“Most only seek treatment when illness get severe, the same goes for dental care which should not be the case,” he said.
Dr Hasan said the 1Malaysia mobile dental clinic would access remote villages without public transports or a dental clinic close by.
“If they can’t access our clinics then we will go to them,” he said.
He added that certain areas in Pahang such as the Felda and orang asli settlement had roads but did not have public transportation.
“If the responds is good, we would cover more remote areas in other states,” he added.
The mobile dental clinic, he said would be station at the villages for about two weeks and provide patients with follow up treatment advice when needed.
Dr Hasan said the clinic was an extension of the ministry’s services after a success of the five 1Malaysia mobile clinics.
The five mobile clinics were currently operating in Perak, Hulu Selangor, Pahang, and Segamat while there were two boats in operating Sarawak.
Dr Hasan also expressed his support towards the Malaysian Dental Association’s suggestion to amend the Dentist Act 1971, to lift the dental clinic partnership limitation.
On the 1Malaysia clinics, Dr Hasan said there were currently 96 and the ministry would open another three this month.
“This year, we plan to set up an addition of 50 1Malaysia clinics to provide easier access to the public in residential areas in the city,” he said.
The clinics, opened daily on weekdays have so far treated 3.2 million patients
Meanwhile, Dr Hasan advised the public not to purchase medicines unlicensed medicines or health supplements randomly online as the drugs could be fake or have side effects.
He was responding to the case of a Singaporean female who succumbed to her death due to complications after consuming slimming pills bought online.
“It is important for the public to be well informed as not all the information of the drugs bought online are true,” he said.
He added that the ministry was aware of the challenge of monitoring medicines online but will do the necessary and look at laws to safe guard the public.
“The ministry is looking at how we can impose a tighter control over medicines bought online,” he said.
He added that currently there were co-operation with Post Malaysia and customs, allowing only individuals or parties with permit to bring drugs in.
It director general Datuk Seri Dr Hasan Abdul Rahman said the project will kick start in Pahang soon.
“Such an effort by the ministry is important as many still did not give attention to proper dental care,” he said after launching the 19th International Scientific Convention and Trade Exhibition yesterday.
He said improper attention of oral healthcare would cause cavity which may lead to bacteria infection to the brain through the blood stream.
The mobile clinics, Dr Hasan said would visit remote villages regularly, operating with a dentist and fully equipped facilities to treat dental patients for free.
He added that the attitude of the public has to change.
“Most only seek treatment when illness get severe, the same goes for dental care which should not be the case,” he said.
Dr Hasan said the 1Malaysia mobile dental clinic would access remote villages without public transports or a dental clinic close by.
“If they can’t access our clinics then we will go to them,” he said.
He added that certain areas in Pahang such as the Felda and orang asli settlement had roads but did not have public transportation.
“If the responds is good, we would cover more remote areas in other states,” he added.
The mobile dental clinic, he said would be station at the villages for about two weeks and provide patients with follow up treatment advice when needed.
Dr Hasan said the clinic was an extension of the ministry’s services after a success of the five 1Malaysia mobile clinics.
The five mobile clinics were currently operating in Perak, Hulu Selangor, Pahang, and Segamat while there were two boats in operating Sarawak.
Dr Hasan also expressed his support towards the Malaysian Dental Association’s suggestion to amend the Dentist Act 1971, to lift the dental clinic partnership limitation.
On the 1Malaysia clinics, Dr Hasan said there were currently 96 and the ministry would open another three this month.
“This year, we plan to set up an addition of 50 1Malaysia clinics to provide easier access to the public in residential areas in the city,” he said.
The clinics, opened daily on weekdays have so far treated 3.2 million patients
Meanwhile, Dr Hasan advised the public not to purchase medicines unlicensed medicines or health supplements randomly online as the drugs could be fake or have side effects.
He was responding to the case of a Singaporean female who succumbed to her death due to complications after consuming slimming pills bought online.
“It is important for the public to be well informed as not all the information of the drugs bought online are true,” he said.
He added that the ministry was aware of the challenge of monitoring medicines online but will do the necessary and look at laws to safe guard the public.
“The ministry is looking at how we can impose a tighter control over medicines bought online,” he said.
He added that currently there were co-operation with Post Malaysia and customs, allowing only individuals or parties with permit to bring drugs in.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Easy To Start, Difficult To Stop
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 12 (Bernama) -- It usually begins when youngsters try out smoking after seeing their peers do it.
Some may feel that if they don't smoke, they may be ridiculed, or that smoking supposedly shows that you are an adult. Peer pressure is a formidable reason why youngsters try smoking.
A civil servant who wants to be known as "DJ" reveals that he started to smoke when he was an undergraduate in university.
"I only smoked for two days, as I remembered my father's words telling me not to smoke," he told Bernama.
DJ's father is a hard-core smoker who puffed some 40 cigarettes a day. He suffered lung damage and had a stroke when he reached his late 60s.
TEENAGE SMOKERS
Some youths start to smoke in their early teenage years, after they begin secondary school. Usually, they will not stop after taking their first puff and this will turn out to a habit -- a grave one.
Smoking is addictive. According to the Health Ministry's "Info Sihat" website, tobacco contains nicotine that initiates a chemical reaction in the body similar to that caused by drugs such as cocaine or heroin.
Many school-age teenagers, after being trapped in the clutches of smoking, resort to paying for cigarettes using their pocket money and, worse, start to play truant in order to smoke, as the habit is prohibited in schools.
If the pocket money is gone, some start to ask for more from their parents, giving false reasons, or resort to stealing from their parents.
DELINQUENT JUVENILES
These juveniles have no qualms about smoking at cybercafes, bus stops, shopping complexes, or food stalls. Many take the plunge into criminal activities and drug abuse.
A former delinquent juvenile, Paul, admits that smoking made him wild and a truant.
Paul's dark episode began when he was in lower secondary school, where he was influenced by his peers to try smoking.
At first, he tried only a few puffs. When smoking became a habit, he started to play truant and cheated his parents before finally ending in jail after being convicted of drug pushing.
He spent five years in prison and this made him vow to return to the correct path after his release.
STATISTICS
The website states that there are some 1.15 billion smokers worldwide. Some 15 billion cigarettes are sold daily. This translates into 10 million cigarettes a minute.
According to "Info Sihat," it is estimated that one out of five youths aged 13 to 15 years smokes. Some 60,000 to 100,000 children start smoking every day, and half of those are in Asia.
"Info Sihat" quotes a study in the United States that shows a smoking child has 13 times more inclination to become a drug addict than a non-smoking child.
MALAYSIAN SMOKERS
The website also states that almost half of the men in Malaysia smoke. Around 45-50 youths under the age of 18 start smoking everyday.
Statistics concerning young women are also alarming.
Studies held in 2000 and 2004 showed that smoking among young women increased from 4.0 to 8.0 per cent. The 2004 showed that one out of five youths was a smoker.
Lung cancer in Malaysia is reported to be on the rise at the rate of 17 per cent a year, and smoking is believed to cause close to half a million coronary cases.
The website also states that, based on the 2nd National Health and Morbidity Study in 1996, smoking causes the death of some 10,000 people in a year. Hardcore smokers spend RM15 million a day to buy cigarettes.
TOBACCO
According to Info "Sihat," the World Health Organisation (WHO) states that tobacco is the number one killer worldwide, with some 1.0 billion people expected to die from smoking during this century.
There are more than 4,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke, 2,000 of them toxic, and 63 are carcinogenic (can cause cancer).
About half of long-term smokers are at risk of lung cancer, chronic lung diseases and other possibly fatal complications.
On average, a smoker's life is shortened by five minutes for every cigarette the person smokes.
"Info Sihat" points out that 30 per cent of cancer-related deaths are due to smoking, as are 90 per cent of deaths caused by lung cancer.
CAMPAIGN
The health hazards of smoking have been so widely discussed that some may regard the issue as nothing new.
The government has spent hundreds of millions of Ringgit to inculcate the anti-smoking message among the society, via the "Tak Nak Merokok" (Say No To Smoking) campaign. In such campaigns, gory snapshots are depicted on cigarette packs in an effort to deter the public from smoking.
What has Fomca (Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations) got to say?
"Such anti-smoking efforts from the authorities have yet to achieve success in curbing smoking.
"However, I hope that the Health Ministry will continue with such campaigns despite the failure to achieve the desired outcome," says Fomca's Communications Director Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman.
He calls for the anti-smoking campaign to be continued, particularly when cigarette companies are aggressively campaigning to promote their products.
"This is in evidence with the participation of cigarette companies in programmes involving youth," he said, adding that the authorities should enforce no-smoking zones in stipulated public locations.
So far, there are 21 premises named as "No Smoking" spots, among them hospitals/clinics, airports, education institutions, public lifts and toilets, air-conditioned restaurants, public transport vehicles, shopping centres and any premises with centralised air-conditioning.
JOINT RESPONSIBILITY
Mohd Yusof said the task of reminding the public of the dangers of smoking lies not only on the shoulders of the government but with all parties.
He said Fomca carried out such a programme in the 1990s.
"Even though we no longer hold such campaigns, we still call for healthy-living practices and this includes saying no to smoking," he said.
He called for schools to monitor students outside school hours with the help of local authorities and enforcement agencies, apart from the government imposing stringent rules on the permissible age of those who can smoke.
Some may feel that if they don't smoke, they may be ridiculed, or that smoking supposedly shows that you are an adult. Peer pressure is a formidable reason why youngsters try smoking.
A civil servant who wants to be known as "DJ" reveals that he started to smoke when he was an undergraduate in university.
"I only smoked for two days, as I remembered my father's words telling me not to smoke," he told Bernama.
DJ's father is a hard-core smoker who puffed some 40 cigarettes a day. He suffered lung damage and had a stroke when he reached his late 60s.
TEENAGE SMOKERS
Some youths start to smoke in their early teenage years, after they begin secondary school. Usually, they will not stop after taking their first puff and this will turn out to a habit -- a grave one.
Smoking is addictive. According to the Health Ministry's "Info Sihat" website, tobacco contains nicotine that initiates a chemical reaction in the body similar to that caused by drugs such as cocaine or heroin.
Many school-age teenagers, after being trapped in the clutches of smoking, resort to paying for cigarettes using their pocket money and, worse, start to play truant in order to smoke, as the habit is prohibited in schools.
If the pocket money is gone, some start to ask for more from their parents, giving false reasons, or resort to stealing from their parents.
DELINQUENT JUVENILES
These juveniles have no qualms about smoking at cybercafes, bus stops, shopping complexes, or food stalls. Many take the plunge into criminal activities and drug abuse.
A former delinquent juvenile, Paul, admits that smoking made him wild and a truant.
Paul's dark episode began when he was in lower secondary school, where he was influenced by his peers to try smoking.
At first, he tried only a few puffs. When smoking became a habit, he started to play truant and cheated his parents before finally ending in jail after being convicted of drug pushing.
He spent five years in prison and this made him vow to return to the correct path after his release.
STATISTICS
The website states that there are some 1.15 billion smokers worldwide. Some 15 billion cigarettes are sold daily. This translates into 10 million cigarettes a minute.
According to "Info Sihat," it is estimated that one out of five youths aged 13 to 15 years smokes. Some 60,000 to 100,000 children start smoking every day, and half of those are in Asia.
"Info Sihat" quotes a study in the United States that shows a smoking child has 13 times more inclination to become a drug addict than a non-smoking child.
MALAYSIAN SMOKERS
The website also states that almost half of the men in Malaysia smoke. Around 45-50 youths under the age of 18 start smoking everyday.
Statistics concerning young women are also alarming.
Studies held in 2000 and 2004 showed that smoking among young women increased from 4.0 to 8.0 per cent. The 2004 showed that one out of five youths was a smoker.
Lung cancer in Malaysia is reported to be on the rise at the rate of 17 per cent a year, and smoking is believed to cause close to half a million coronary cases.
The website also states that, based on the 2nd National Health and Morbidity Study in 1996, smoking causes the death of some 10,000 people in a year. Hardcore smokers spend RM15 million a day to buy cigarettes.
TOBACCO
According to Info "Sihat," the World Health Organisation (WHO) states that tobacco is the number one killer worldwide, with some 1.0 billion people expected to die from smoking during this century.
There are more than 4,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke, 2,000 of them toxic, and 63 are carcinogenic (can cause cancer).
About half of long-term smokers are at risk of lung cancer, chronic lung diseases and other possibly fatal complications.
On average, a smoker's life is shortened by five minutes for every cigarette the person smokes.
"Info Sihat" points out that 30 per cent of cancer-related deaths are due to smoking, as are 90 per cent of deaths caused by lung cancer.
CAMPAIGN
The health hazards of smoking have been so widely discussed that some may regard the issue as nothing new.
The government has spent hundreds of millions of Ringgit to inculcate the anti-smoking message among the society, via the "Tak Nak Merokok" (Say No To Smoking) campaign. In such campaigns, gory snapshots are depicted on cigarette packs in an effort to deter the public from smoking.
What has Fomca (Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations) got to say?
"Such anti-smoking efforts from the authorities have yet to achieve success in curbing smoking.
"However, I hope that the Health Ministry will continue with such campaigns despite the failure to achieve the desired outcome," says Fomca's Communications Director Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman.
He calls for the anti-smoking campaign to be continued, particularly when cigarette companies are aggressively campaigning to promote their products.
"This is in evidence with the participation of cigarette companies in programmes involving youth," he said, adding that the authorities should enforce no-smoking zones in stipulated public locations.
So far, there are 21 premises named as "No Smoking" spots, among them hospitals/clinics, airports, education institutions, public lifts and toilets, air-conditioned restaurants, public transport vehicles, shopping centres and any premises with centralised air-conditioning.
JOINT RESPONSIBILITY
Mohd Yusof said the task of reminding the public of the dangers of smoking lies not only on the shoulders of the government but with all parties.
He said Fomca carried out such a programme in the 1990s.
"Even though we no longer hold such campaigns, we still call for healthy-living practices and this includes saying no to smoking," he said.
He called for schools to monitor students outside school hours with the help of local authorities and enforcement agencies, apart from the government imposing stringent rules on the permissible age of those who can smoke.
Industrial accidents down, commuting accidents up
BorneoPost: KOTA KINABALU: The rate of industrial accidents in Malaysia dropped by 48 per cent while commuting accidents increased by 30 per cent from 17,170 to 22,040 cases in the past 10 years, according to National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
He said the increase in commuting accidents should be given attention by employers as it could affect productivity and result in losses.
“Commuting accidents include workers who are on the way to work or going back home from office. It shows that employers should create safety awareness among motorists and drivers in the workplace,” he said.
Lee said there were a total of 85,926 industrial and commuting accidents in 2001 and 57,656 accidents in 2010.
He said NIOSH Sabah will continue its effort to raise safety and health awareness in both the private and public sectors with various seminars throughout the year.
He said three areas, namely Agriculture and Plantation Division (APD), Occupational Health and Hospitality Division (OHH) and Occupational Safety and Management (OSM) Division, will be prioritised.
“There will be 14 scheduled courses, 18 in-house training and three seminars under the APD with an estimated number of participants at 1,000, while the first Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) – Basic Water Safety course will be organized under the same division.
“As for OHH, NIOSH will be having 18 scheduled courses and 13 in-house trainings on the health in workplace with estimated 600 participants.
“Another course under OHH with 500 female participants will be organized by Socso in Tawau to increase the awareness among women,” he told a press conference at Hyatt Regency Kinabalu yesterday.
Lee said NIOSH will also conduct manual handling and ergonomics training here and in Kudat, Keningau, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Semporna and Tawau.
Under the OMS, 18 scheduled courses, 23 in-house training and 70 passport security safety courses will be conducted with estimated 2,600 participants.
He said this year’s programmes will be carried out in collaboration with the Road Safety Department (JKJR), oil and gas industry and also manufacturing and construction industry in Sabah.
Lee said NIOSH Labuan and Sabah trained 6,218 participants in 2011.
NIOSH was established on 24 June 1992 as a Company Limited by Guarantee, under the Malaysian Companies Act 1965. As a company, NIOSH is expected to operate efficiently and with minimal administrative bureaucracy.
During the event yesterday, Lee introduced the newly appointed Sabah and Labuan NIOSH manager, Mohd Hussin Abd Salam as the person in charge of the state level training and courses.
He said the increase in commuting accidents should be given attention by employers as it could affect productivity and result in losses.
“Commuting accidents include workers who are on the way to work or going back home from office. It shows that employers should create safety awareness among motorists and drivers in the workplace,” he said.
Lee said there were a total of 85,926 industrial and commuting accidents in 2001 and 57,656 accidents in 2010.
He said NIOSH Sabah will continue its effort to raise safety and health awareness in both the private and public sectors with various seminars throughout the year.
He said three areas, namely Agriculture and Plantation Division (APD), Occupational Health and Hospitality Division (OHH) and Occupational Safety and Management (OSM) Division, will be prioritised.
“There will be 14 scheduled courses, 18 in-house training and three seminars under the APD with an estimated number of participants at 1,000, while the first Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) – Basic Water Safety course will be organized under the same division.
“As for OHH, NIOSH will be having 18 scheduled courses and 13 in-house trainings on the health in workplace with estimated 600 participants.
“Another course under OHH with 500 female participants will be organized by Socso in Tawau to increase the awareness among women,” he told a press conference at Hyatt Regency Kinabalu yesterday.
Lee said NIOSH will also conduct manual handling and ergonomics training here and in Kudat, Keningau, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Semporna and Tawau.
Under the OMS, 18 scheduled courses, 23 in-house training and 70 passport security safety courses will be conducted with estimated 2,600 participants.
He said this year’s programmes will be carried out in collaboration with the Road Safety Department (JKJR), oil and gas industry and also manufacturing and construction industry in Sabah.
Lee said NIOSH Labuan and Sabah trained 6,218 participants in 2011.
NIOSH was established on 24 June 1992 as a Company Limited by Guarantee, under the Malaysian Companies Act 1965. As a company, NIOSH is expected to operate efficiently and with minimal administrative bureaucracy.
During the event yesterday, Lee introduced the newly appointed Sabah and Labuan NIOSH manager, Mohd Hussin Abd Salam as the person in charge of the state level training and courses.
Traditional cure at more clinics
NST: THE Health Ministry will expand the practice of traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) to more government hospitals and clinics.
Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said alternative medicine should be made available to the public to encourage its development.
"By expanding the services to government hospitals and clinics, more people in residential areas can try out TCM," he said after visiting the TCM Department here yesterday.
Currently, 10 government hospitals are offering TCM services. However, Liow said some clinics were too small to offer the service.
"We may have to think of mobile services if there is space constraint in clinics."
Liow said the World Health Organisation had identified TCM as an important alternative treatment to improve healthcare.
"This will also help Malaysia, which is rich in herbal plants, as a favourite TCM destination when it comes to health tourism."
Liow said the ministry planned to open two integrated hospitals every year that offer TCM.
"This year, a TCM unit will be opened at the Cheras Rehabilitation Centre, offering Malay massage and acupuncture," he said, adding that another would follow in Malacca.
The treatment also includes traditional Malay post-natal care.
A memorandum of understanding was signed with China last November and a meeting will follow in March to discuss plans for the establishment of a traditional Chinese medicine centre in Malaysia.
Liow said Malaysia would host the fourth Conference on Traditional Medicine in Asean Countries this year.
"The ministry hopes to increase collaboration among Asean countries and make Malaysia a recognised destination for traditional and complementary medicine."
Liow urged TCM practitioners to register online as only 4,900 out of 8,000 had done so nationwide.
"Many herbal products are not registered. We urge them to register with the pharmaceutical Department. Bogus practitioners will spoil the image of the country and we do not want this to happen."
A survey by the department showed 12 per cent of TCM practitioners were supplying unregistered products in the market.
TCM practitioners can register at http://tcmonline.moh.gov.my
Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said alternative medicine should be made available to the public to encourage its development.
"By expanding the services to government hospitals and clinics, more people in residential areas can try out TCM," he said after visiting the TCM Department here yesterday.
Currently, 10 government hospitals are offering TCM services. However, Liow said some clinics were too small to offer the service.
"We may have to think of mobile services if there is space constraint in clinics."
Liow said the World Health Organisation had identified TCM as an important alternative treatment to improve healthcare.
"This will also help Malaysia, which is rich in herbal plants, as a favourite TCM destination when it comes to health tourism."
Liow said the ministry planned to open two integrated hospitals every year that offer TCM.
"This year, a TCM unit will be opened at the Cheras Rehabilitation Centre, offering Malay massage and acupuncture," he said, adding that another would follow in Malacca.
The treatment also includes traditional Malay post-natal care.
A memorandum of understanding was signed with China last November and a meeting will follow in March to discuss plans for the establishment of a traditional Chinese medicine centre in Malaysia.
Liow said Malaysia would host the fourth Conference on Traditional Medicine in Asean Countries this year.
"The ministry hopes to increase collaboration among Asean countries and make Malaysia a recognised destination for traditional and complementary medicine."
Liow urged TCM practitioners to register online as only 4,900 out of 8,000 had done so nationwide.
"Many herbal products are not registered. We urge them to register with the pharmaceutical Department. Bogus practitioners will spoil the image of the country and we do not want this to happen."
A survey by the department showed 12 per cent of TCM practitioners were supplying unregistered products in the market.
TCM practitioners can register at http://tcmonline.moh.gov.my
Rules for TCM practitioners after Bill tabled
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: A minimum set of requirements will be outlined for traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) practitioners before they are allowed to practise after the TCM Bill is passed, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
He said a TCM Council, which would be formed under the Act, would decide on the qualifications required of a practitioner.
“The bodies which the practitioners are attached to will also help us to assess their skills and qualifications.
“We will also take their experience into consideration,” he told reporters after visiting the Health Ministry's Traditional and Complementary Medicine Division here yesterday.
He said those who did not meet the minimum requirement would be given time to further their studies and get the required recognition.
The ministry, he said, was aiming to table the Bill in Parliament in March.
He said the proposed Act would put a stop to common problems faced by the industry, such as the use of unregistered drugs by practitioners, and practitioners with unrecognised qualifications.
The ministry, was also planning to expand TCM services at the primary health care level, which were the government clinics.
“This is in line with the World Health Organisation's call to all its member to promote TCM.
“For the initial stage, we plan to offer traditional Malay treatment for mothers who have just given birth, traditional massages and acupuncture for those suffering chronic pain.
“This will also improve the accessibility and affordability of such services,” he added.
Currently, TCM services are only available at 10 government hospitals Hospital Kepala Batas (Penang), Hospital Sultan Ismail (Johor), Hospital Putrajaya, Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah (Terengganu) and Hospital Duchess of Kent (Sabah).
The other five hospitals are Hospital Umum Sarawak, Hospital Port Dickson (Negri Sembilan), Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah (Kedah), Hospital Sultanah Hajjah Kalsom (Pahang) and Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II (Kelantan).
On another matter, Liow urged all elected representatives to undergo health examinations on a yearly basis to ensure that they were healthy to serve the people during their term.
“All political parties from both divides should also make it compulsory for all their candidates to be screened before they are nominated for the MP and state assemblyman seats,” he said.
Liow, who is MCA deputy president, said all candidates from the party were required to submit a report on their health condition before they were nominated.
However, he said, the ministry would not make it mandatory for MPs and state assemblymen to undergo health screening.
On Tuesday, Election Commission deputy chairman Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar said it would not impose a ruling to ensure that candidates for the general election were physically fit to avoid having by-elections in the event of the death of MPs or assemblymen.
He said a TCM Council, which would be formed under the Act, would decide on the qualifications required of a practitioner.
“The bodies which the practitioners are attached to will also help us to assess their skills and qualifications.
“We will also take their experience into consideration,” he told reporters after visiting the Health Ministry's Traditional and Complementary Medicine Division here yesterday.
He said those who did not meet the minimum requirement would be given time to further their studies and get the required recognition.
The ministry, he said, was aiming to table the Bill in Parliament in March.
He said the proposed Act would put a stop to common problems faced by the industry, such as the use of unregistered drugs by practitioners, and practitioners with unrecognised qualifications.
The ministry, was also planning to expand TCM services at the primary health care level, which were the government clinics.
“This is in line with the World Health Organisation's call to all its member to promote TCM.
“For the initial stage, we plan to offer traditional Malay treatment for mothers who have just given birth, traditional massages and acupuncture for those suffering chronic pain.
“This will also improve the accessibility and affordability of such services,” he added.
Currently, TCM services are only available at 10 government hospitals Hospital Kepala Batas (Penang), Hospital Sultan Ismail (Johor), Hospital Putrajaya, Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah (Terengganu) and Hospital Duchess of Kent (Sabah).
The other five hospitals are Hospital Umum Sarawak, Hospital Port Dickson (Negri Sembilan), Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah (Kedah), Hospital Sultanah Hajjah Kalsom (Pahang) and Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II (Kelantan).
On another matter, Liow urged all elected representatives to undergo health examinations on a yearly basis to ensure that they were healthy to serve the people during their term.
“All political parties from both divides should also make it compulsory for all their candidates to be screened before they are nominated for the MP and state assemblyman seats,” he said.
Liow, who is MCA deputy president, said all candidates from the party were required to submit a report on their health condition before they were nominated.
However, he said, the ministry would not make it mandatory for MPs and state assemblymen to undergo health screening.
On Tuesday, Election Commission deputy chairman Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar said it would not impose a ruling to ensure that candidates for the general election were physically fit to avoid having by-elections in the event of the death of MPs or assemblymen.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Mercy develops new project for Somali children
NST: The Malaysian Medical Relief Society (Mercy Malaysia) is to develop a new project for Somali children, called "the Children Friendly Space programme," to ensure their well-being is safeguarded against the currently hostile and difficult situation in the country.
The non-governmental organisation also plans to develop and expand its ongoing humanitarian projects in Somalia, and has sent a two-man team to look into it last Monday, said a statement issued by Mercy Malaysia here today.
The two-week mission, headed by Head of Relief Operations Hew Cheong Yew and joined by paediatrician Dr Wan Ariffin Abdullah, was a follow-up to last year's medical and humanitarian response following the alarming rise in the famine situation and such complications as malnutrition in Somalia, the statement said.
It said that the two-man team, expected to arrive in Mogadishu, Somalia, today, will join the Malaysian Mercy team stationed there.
Following last year’s drought and famine, the situation in the country remains critical. At least 250,000 Somalis are in immediate danger of malnutrition, ill-health and starvation, with many more in great need of humanitarian aid.
"In view of such developments, Mercy Malaysia implemented medical relief assistance projects in Somalia, which include the setting up of mobile clinics, a supplementary feeding programme and hygiene promotion," the statement said.
It said Mercy Malaysia’s Somalia Relief Fund needs donations. The public can donate through Mercy's Maybank account, "Mercy Humanitarian Fund," account number 5621-7950-4126, or through the CIMB Bank account "Mercy Malaysia," account number 1424-000-6561053.
For more information or to donate online, the public can visit www.mercy.org.my
The non-governmental organisation also plans to develop and expand its ongoing humanitarian projects in Somalia, and has sent a two-man team to look into it last Monday, said a statement issued by Mercy Malaysia here today.
The two-week mission, headed by Head of Relief Operations Hew Cheong Yew and joined by paediatrician Dr Wan Ariffin Abdullah, was a follow-up to last year's medical and humanitarian response following the alarming rise in the famine situation and such complications as malnutrition in Somalia, the statement said.
It said that the two-man team, expected to arrive in Mogadishu, Somalia, today, will join the Malaysian Mercy team stationed there.
Following last year’s drought and famine, the situation in the country remains critical. At least 250,000 Somalis are in immediate danger of malnutrition, ill-health and starvation, with many more in great need of humanitarian aid.
"In view of such developments, Mercy Malaysia implemented medical relief assistance projects in Somalia, which include the setting up of mobile clinics, a supplementary feeding programme and hygiene promotion," the statement said.
It said Mercy Malaysia’s Somalia Relief Fund needs donations. The public can donate through Mercy's Maybank account, "Mercy Humanitarian Fund," account number 5621-7950-4126, or through the CIMB Bank account "Mercy Malaysia," account number 1424-000-6561053.
For more information or to donate online, the public can visit www.mercy.org.my
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Only three per cent donated blood
BorneoPost: KUALA LUMPUR: Statistics provided by the National Blood Centre have indicated that only three per cent of the Malaysian population donated blood in the past two years.
The figure is a far cry from the targeted 10 per cent, said its medical officer, Dr Ombala Shanmuga.
However, he said, it showed a slight increase as compared to the blood donation records in 2007 and 2008.
Nevertheless, he noted, there were still many campaigns to be carried out to increase public awareness to achieve the desired target.
“Countries like the United States have 30 per cent of its people who are blood donors while in Malaysia, we have yet to achieve the 10 per cent target,” he told Bernama when met at a blood donation campaign jointly organised by the centre and Bernama Centre of Exellence at Wisma Bernama here yesterday.
According to Dr Ombala, the centre would organise campaigns at five locations on weekdays and up to eight locations on weekends to increase awareness among people on the importance of donating blood.
“We only took about 450ml blood from each donor. Blood from one person could save three lives which required blood transfusions,” he said.
Among those who donated blood today was Bernama Economic News Service Deputy Editor-in-Chief Datuk Zakaria Abdul Wahab.
Since his first donation in 2001, Zakaria has been frequently donating blood.
“I would do it at least once a year to help those in need of blood. I also donate for health reasons as donating blood allows the production of new red blood cells more quickly,” he said.
Special Assistant to Bernama International News Service Editor, Rodziah Idris, who donated blood for the first time yesterday, said she decided to do so because she was impressed with the commitment of regular blood donors.
“I have a friend who was once a regular blood donor. However, she ceased being a donor due to health reasons.”
“That made me sad and I decided to donate blood,” she said.
The blood donation campaign from 10am to 3pm at Wisma Bernama involved eight staff from the blood centre, including a doctor.
The figure is a far cry from the targeted 10 per cent, said its medical officer, Dr Ombala Shanmuga.
However, he said, it showed a slight increase as compared to the blood donation records in 2007 and 2008.
Nevertheless, he noted, there were still many campaigns to be carried out to increase public awareness to achieve the desired target.
“Countries like the United States have 30 per cent of its people who are blood donors while in Malaysia, we have yet to achieve the 10 per cent target,” he told Bernama when met at a blood donation campaign jointly organised by the centre and Bernama Centre of Exellence at Wisma Bernama here yesterday.
According to Dr Ombala, the centre would organise campaigns at five locations on weekdays and up to eight locations on weekends to increase awareness among people on the importance of donating blood.
“We only took about 450ml blood from each donor. Blood from one person could save three lives which required blood transfusions,” he said.
Among those who donated blood today was Bernama Economic News Service Deputy Editor-in-Chief Datuk Zakaria Abdul Wahab.
Since his first donation in 2001, Zakaria has been frequently donating blood.
“I would do it at least once a year to help those in need of blood. I also donate for health reasons as donating blood allows the production of new red blood cells more quickly,” he said.
Special Assistant to Bernama International News Service Editor, Rodziah Idris, who donated blood for the first time yesterday, said she decided to do so because she was impressed with the commitment of regular blood donors.
“I have a friend who was once a regular blood donor. However, she ceased being a donor due to health reasons.”
“That made me sad and I decided to donate blood,” she said.
The blood donation campaign from 10am to 3pm at Wisma Bernama involved eight staff from the blood centre, including a doctor.
Monday, January 09, 2012
Liow: Heavy snorers may have sleep disorder
Star: BENTONG: Heavy snorers who experience insufficient sleep may be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the snoring might be a sign of OSA, which was associated with higher risks of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes.
“Many patients with OSA have high blood pressure, which is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
“It is also a leading cause for other health problems like diabetes and depression,” he told reporters after attending the Bentong Health Carnival here yesterday.
He said the condition, which was common among middle-aged men and young children with enlarged tonsils, was especially dangerous for occupational drivers as it could cause daytime lethargy and sleepiness.
Liow said currently, sleep laboratories had been set up in five hospitals in Malaysia — Putrajaya Hospital and Respiratory Medical Institute in the central region, Penang Hospital (northern region), Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital (East Coast) and Queen Elizabeth Hospital (Sabah).
Malaysian Society of Otorhino-laryngologists president Dr Yap Yoke Yeow said the laboratories would use a machine to monitor the sleeping pattern of patients.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the snoring might be a sign of OSA, which was associated with higher risks of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes.
“Many patients with OSA have high blood pressure, which is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
“It is also a leading cause for other health problems like diabetes and depression,” he told reporters after attending the Bentong Health Carnival here yesterday.
He said the condition, which was common among middle-aged men and young children with enlarged tonsils, was especially dangerous for occupational drivers as it could cause daytime lethargy and sleepiness.
Liow said currently, sleep laboratories had been set up in five hospitals in Malaysia — Putrajaya Hospital and Respiratory Medical Institute in the central region, Penang Hospital (northern region), Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital (East Coast) and Queen Elizabeth Hospital (Sabah).
Malaysian Society of Otorhino-laryngologists president Dr Yap Yoke Yeow said the laboratories would use a machine to monitor the sleeping pattern of patients.
Shot in the arm for Chinese traditional medicine practitioners
AsiaOne: KUALA LUMPUR - Chinese traditional medicine practitioners who are just starting their practice will receive a shot in the arm under the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry's 1Azam fund.
Deputy Minister Datuk Heng Seai Kie said the Federation of Chinese Physicians and Acupuncturists Associations of Malaysia (FCPAAM) would recommend the physicians with a family income of below RM2,000 (S$822) to the ministry.
"The ministry will then help by giving them equipment, but it must cost below RM5,000," Heng told reporters yesterday after opening the FCPAAM's first traditional Chinese medicine treatment centre here.
She added that a total of RM247mil had been allocated for the 1Azam fund last year.
However, she said the offer was only open to those aged below 60.
Heng also said the FCPAAM has agreed to help the less fortunate by getting 1Azam physicians to treat Welfare Department financial aid recipients at half price.
The 1Azam programme, under the GTP's Low-Income Households NKRA, provides job opportunities through four avenues of Azam Tani (agriculture), Azam Niaga (entrepreneurial), Azam Khidmat (services) and Azam Kerja (job placements).
"Traditional Chinese medicine was previously not recognised by modern medicine but we cannot deny that the knowledge of practitioners has been proven and treatment is recognised by all groups in Malaysia.
"Records by FCPAAM show that the non-Chinese communities have increasingly visited traditional Chinese medicine centres," she added.
FCPAAM president Ng Po Kok said it had a membership of about 3,000 physicians and therapists from 23 associations nationwide.
"We are still in the middle of discussions with the Health Ministry on the Traditional Chinese Medicine Bill. We would like the ministry to better educate the public about what traditional Chinese medicine is by conducting roadshows," he said.
Deputy Minister Datuk Heng Seai Kie said the Federation of Chinese Physicians and Acupuncturists Associations of Malaysia (FCPAAM) would recommend the physicians with a family income of below RM2,000 (S$822) to the ministry.
"The ministry will then help by giving them equipment, but it must cost below RM5,000," Heng told reporters yesterday after opening the FCPAAM's first traditional Chinese medicine treatment centre here.
She added that a total of RM247mil had been allocated for the 1Azam fund last year.
However, she said the offer was only open to those aged below 60.
Heng also said the FCPAAM has agreed to help the less fortunate by getting 1Azam physicians to treat Welfare Department financial aid recipients at half price.
The 1Azam programme, under the GTP's Low-Income Households NKRA, provides job opportunities through four avenues of Azam Tani (agriculture), Azam Niaga (entrepreneurial), Azam Khidmat (services) and Azam Kerja (job placements).
"Traditional Chinese medicine was previously not recognised by modern medicine but we cannot deny that the knowledge of practitioners has been proven and treatment is recognised by all groups in Malaysia.
"Records by FCPAAM show that the non-Chinese communities have increasingly visited traditional Chinese medicine centres," she added.
FCPAAM president Ng Po Kok said it had a membership of about 3,000 physicians and therapists from 23 associations nationwide.
"We are still in the middle of discussions with the Health Ministry on the Traditional Chinese Medicine Bill. We would like the ministry to better educate the public about what traditional Chinese medicine is by conducting roadshows," he said.
Friday, January 06, 2012
IKN To Become Cancer Reference Centre And Centre Of Excellence - Liow
PUTRAJAYA, Jan 5 (Bernama) -- The National Cancer Institute (IKN) slated for completion in Aug next year will be the reference centre and centre of excellence for treatment and management of cancer in Malaysia and the region.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said IKN will function as coordinator in the provision of services by establishing policies and guidelines for cancer care.
"IKN will have comprehensive and latest facilities for cancer treatment and management to provide comprehensive services including promote curative, palliative and research related to cancer," he told a press conference after visiting the IKN site here today.
Costing RM690mil, IKN located adjacent to Putrajaya Hospital, about 200m away, on a ??10.65 acre site and will have 252 beds.
Liow said until Dec 21 last year, the actual physical progress of the project was 22.84 percent (compared to 16 percent) or 97 days in advance.
IKN will provide comfort to patients and accommodate the rising number of cancer patients nationwide.
"We will train more cancer specialists in the country to be placed at IKN."
Main facilities include general operating room, brachytherapy operating room, day oncology, radiotherapy and oncology, medical nuclear, oncology clinic, multidisciplinary clinic, traditional and complementary medicine, national cancer registry and cytotoxic drug reconstitution (CDR).
Liow said the percentage of death caused by cancer has increased from 7.37 percent in 1975 to 11.87 percent in 2010.
"Cancer has become the country's second killer after heart diseases. Based on the National Cancer Registry 2007, the five types of cancer most common in Malaysia (men and women) are breast cancer (18.1%), colorectal (12.3%), lung/trachea/bronchus (10.2%), nasopharynx (5.2%) and cervical (4.6%)."
The five most common cancer among Malaysian men are lung, colorectal, nasopharynx, prostate and lymphoma, while Malaysian women are breast, colorectal, cervical, ovary and lungs.
"The increase in cancer cases in Malaysia is due to the aging population, unhealthy lifestyle, exposure to carcinogen agents due to modernisation.
"One third of cancer cases can be prevented, another third can be detected early and one third can be improved by palliative treatment care."
The government via the Health Ministry established the National Cancer Control Blueprint in 2008 to address and control cancer including the establishment of IKN.
Liow said key prorities proposed in the blueprint are screening and early detection programmes for certain types of cancer and healthcare to increase public awareness.
"We will will develop human capital, provide accessible and affordable treatment for the public, upgrade and set up facilities in selected hospitals (treatment modalities, palliative care service).
"The ministry will also develop national standards, guidelines, codes of practice on cancer management."
It plans to start colorectal cancer screening programmes in the near future on top of screening for cancer of the cervix, breast and oral.
"Early detection and early screening will increase the rate of cancer detected at early stage and increase the chance of recovery," he added.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said IKN will function as coordinator in the provision of services by establishing policies and guidelines for cancer care.
"IKN will have comprehensive and latest facilities for cancer treatment and management to provide comprehensive services including promote curative, palliative and research related to cancer," he told a press conference after visiting the IKN site here today.
Costing RM690mil, IKN located adjacent to Putrajaya Hospital, about 200m away, on a ??10.65 acre site and will have 252 beds.
Liow said until Dec 21 last year, the actual physical progress of the project was 22.84 percent (compared to 16 percent) or 97 days in advance.
IKN will provide comfort to patients and accommodate the rising number of cancer patients nationwide.
"We will train more cancer specialists in the country to be placed at IKN."
Main facilities include general operating room, brachytherapy operating room, day oncology, radiotherapy and oncology, medical nuclear, oncology clinic, multidisciplinary clinic, traditional and complementary medicine, national cancer registry and cytotoxic drug reconstitution (CDR).
Liow said the percentage of death caused by cancer has increased from 7.37 percent in 1975 to 11.87 percent in 2010.
"Cancer has become the country's second killer after heart diseases. Based on the National Cancer Registry 2007, the five types of cancer most common in Malaysia (men and women) are breast cancer (18.1%), colorectal (12.3%), lung/trachea/bronchus (10.2%), nasopharynx (5.2%) and cervical (4.6%)."
The five most common cancer among Malaysian men are lung, colorectal, nasopharynx, prostate and lymphoma, while Malaysian women are breast, colorectal, cervical, ovary and lungs.
"The increase in cancer cases in Malaysia is due to the aging population, unhealthy lifestyle, exposure to carcinogen agents due to modernisation.
"One third of cancer cases can be prevented, another third can be detected early and one third can be improved by palliative treatment care."
The government via the Health Ministry established the National Cancer Control Blueprint in 2008 to address and control cancer including the establishment of IKN.
Liow said key prorities proposed in the blueprint are screening and early detection programmes for certain types of cancer and healthcare to increase public awareness.
"We will will develop human capital, provide accessible and affordable treatment for the public, upgrade and set up facilities in selected hospitals (treatment modalities, palliative care service).
"The ministry will also develop national standards, guidelines, codes of practice on cancer management."
It plans to start colorectal cancer screening programmes in the near future on top of screening for cancer of the cervix, breast and oral.
"Early detection and early screening will increase the rate of cancer detected at early stage and increase the chance of recovery," he added.
Wednesday, January 04, 2012
Overcoming cigarette addiction
Star: GLAXOSMITHKLINE Consumer Healthcare Sdn Bhd (GSK) recently brought the Quit Smoking Challenge to a successful close, with 13 of the 15 participants of the smoking cessation campaign reporting that they have successfully quit smoking.
Meanwhile, the other two participants greatly cut down on their cigarette intake, reducing their cigarette consumption to a maximum of two sticks daily and two sticks weekly, respectively.
“Seeing the results of the Quit Smoking Challenge, I’m very proud and delighted that so many of the participants have successfully quit smoking, far beyond my expectations, even though they faced tremendous and unexpected pressures in their personal lives.
“This shows that many Malaysians are keen to quit, but have been unaware of the comprehensive methods of quitting.
“Indeed we are hoping that we can take this programme further and help more smokers next year, using this year’s participants as ambassadors for the Quit Smoking Challenge,” said Victor Cheong, head of marketing for Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) for Malaysia and Singapore at GSK.
At the closing ceremony, certificates of participation and prizes for the best-liked weekly blog post were presented to the participants. The event was attended by the participants and their family and friends, and representatives of GSK and the agencies that organised the Quit Smoking Challenge. Some of the participants and their family members also briefly shared their thoughts on the conclusion of the Quit Smoking Challenge.
“I have failed to quit many times, but the Quit Smoking Challenge’s comprehensive combination of counselling and nicotine replacement therapy made quitting smoking a real possibility and not just an impossible dream. Now that I am cigarette-free, I no longer live in shame and try to avoid my family just to hide my smoking addiction, which I did in the past.
“I am also glad that I look fresher and younger, which is good for my modelling career,” said Mark Khor, 31, who had been a smoker for the past eight years.
“Having kicked an unhealthy addiction to smoking that has been with me for almost 30 years, I now feel motivated to take on new challenges,” said Chandrakant Gokalbhai, 48, who used to smoke two to three packs of cigarettes a day before quitting.
“Everyone tells me I look younger and I feel more energetic and younger than my age, inside and outside! I know it won’t always be smooth sailing from now on, but I will always think of my late brother when facing temptation. I did not manage to get him to quit smoking with me during his lifetime, but he was nevertheless very proud of my effort and gave me his full support. I am sad that he cannot be here to celebrate with me as he passed away recently,” Chandrakant added.
“The participants may have completed the Quit Smoking Challenge, but they now face the challenge of avoiding a relapse, and staying cigarette-free for the rest of their lives. Temptations will always be there, so I encourage everyone not to hesitate to consult the Certified Smoking Cessation Service Providers (CSCSP), who will be happy to assist. Now that everyone has achieved better fitness levels living without cigarettes, we’re looking forward to arranging a sporty get-together soon,” Cheong noted.
At the end of the ceremony, the participants revealed a surprise of their own as they presented a tarpaulin banner thanking the organisers of the Quit Smoking Challenge for the opportunity to quit smoking in a systematic programme with full pharmacist and NRT support.
The Quit Smoking Challenge
The Quit Smoking Challenge was launched on May 30, 2011, officiated by Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar, Deputy Director of the Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia.
Following a call for applications, briefing sessions for shortlisted participants were held. After this, the final 15 participants were then selected from the 1,074 initial applicants.
To increase public knowledge on quitting smoking, GSK arranged a talk on ways to quit smoking by smoking cessation expert Dr Mohamed Haniki Nik Mohamed, associate professor and head of the Pharmacy Practice Department, Kuliyyah of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology, International Islamic University of Malaysia.
During Ramadan, the participants enjoyed getting together for a buka puasa dinner on August 23, 2011, where everyone shared their personal journey from their beginning as a smoker to their struggles to quit smoking.
The Quit Smoking Challenge closed on October 16, 2011.
The Quit Smoking Challenge is a campaign that highlights the comprehensive methods proven to help smokers kick their cigarette addiction, including aids such as nicotine replacement therapy and behavioural counselling provided by pharmacists who are CSCSPs.
Organised with the support of the Ministry of Health Malaysia, the programme lets the public share the real-life experiences of the 15 participants in their journey to quit smoking.
The participants shared their journey towards a smoke-free life via their weekly blog posts on the official Quit Smoking Challenge website, while selected participants also shared weekly radio testimonials on Era FM and My FM.
The public were invited to follow the participants’ journey towards quitting smoking and post messages of encouragement on their official blog pages, and also “like” their favourite participant via the same blog page.
Every week, both the best message of encouragement and the participant with the most likes won attractive mystery prizes.
For detailed information on the Quit Smoking Challenge, visit quit.com.my
Meanwhile, the other two participants greatly cut down on their cigarette intake, reducing their cigarette consumption to a maximum of two sticks daily and two sticks weekly, respectively.
“Seeing the results of the Quit Smoking Challenge, I’m very proud and delighted that so many of the participants have successfully quit smoking, far beyond my expectations, even though they faced tremendous and unexpected pressures in their personal lives.
“This shows that many Malaysians are keen to quit, but have been unaware of the comprehensive methods of quitting.
“Indeed we are hoping that we can take this programme further and help more smokers next year, using this year’s participants as ambassadors for the Quit Smoking Challenge,” said Victor Cheong, head of marketing for Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) for Malaysia and Singapore at GSK.
At the closing ceremony, certificates of participation and prizes for the best-liked weekly blog post were presented to the participants. The event was attended by the participants and their family and friends, and representatives of GSK and the agencies that organised the Quit Smoking Challenge. Some of the participants and their family members also briefly shared their thoughts on the conclusion of the Quit Smoking Challenge.
“I have failed to quit many times, but the Quit Smoking Challenge’s comprehensive combination of counselling and nicotine replacement therapy made quitting smoking a real possibility and not just an impossible dream. Now that I am cigarette-free, I no longer live in shame and try to avoid my family just to hide my smoking addiction, which I did in the past.
“I am also glad that I look fresher and younger, which is good for my modelling career,” said Mark Khor, 31, who had been a smoker for the past eight years.
“Having kicked an unhealthy addiction to smoking that has been with me for almost 30 years, I now feel motivated to take on new challenges,” said Chandrakant Gokalbhai, 48, who used to smoke two to three packs of cigarettes a day before quitting.
“Everyone tells me I look younger and I feel more energetic and younger than my age, inside and outside! I know it won’t always be smooth sailing from now on, but I will always think of my late brother when facing temptation. I did not manage to get him to quit smoking with me during his lifetime, but he was nevertheless very proud of my effort and gave me his full support. I am sad that he cannot be here to celebrate with me as he passed away recently,” Chandrakant added.
“The participants may have completed the Quit Smoking Challenge, but they now face the challenge of avoiding a relapse, and staying cigarette-free for the rest of their lives. Temptations will always be there, so I encourage everyone not to hesitate to consult the Certified Smoking Cessation Service Providers (CSCSP), who will be happy to assist. Now that everyone has achieved better fitness levels living without cigarettes, we’re looking forward to arranging a sporty get-together soon,” Cheong noted.
At the end of the ceremony, the participants revealed a surprise of their own as they presented a tarpaulin banner thanking the organisers of the Quit Smoking Challenge for the opportunity to quit smoking in a systematic programme with full pharmacist and NRT support.
The Quit Smoking Challenge
The Quit Smoking Challenge was launched on May 30, 2011, officiated by Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar, Deputy Director of the Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia.
Following a call for applications, briefing sessions for shortlisted participants were held. After this, the final 15 participants were then selected from the 1,074 initial applicants.
To increase public knowledge on quitting smoking, GSK arranged a talk on ways to quit smoking by smoking cessation expert Dr Mohamed Haniki Nik Mohamed, associate professor and head of the Pharmacy Practice Department, Kuliyyah of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology, International Islamic University of Malaysia.
During Ramadan, the participants enjoyed getting together for a buka puasa dinner on August 23, 2011, where everyone shared their personal journey from their beginning as a smoker to their struggles to quit smoking.
The Quit Smoking Challenge closed on October 16, 2011.
The Quit Smoking Challenge is a campaign that highlights the comprehensive methods proven to help smokers kick their cigarette addiction, including aids such as nicotine replacement therapy and behavioural counselling provided by pharmacists who are CSCSPs.
Organised with the support of the Ministry of Health Malaysia, the programme lets the public share the real-life experiences of the 15 participants in their journey to quit smoking.
The participants shared their journey towards a smoke-free life via their weekly blog posts on the official Quit Smoking Challenge website, while selected participants also shared weekly radio testimonials on Era FM and My FM.
The public were invited to follow the participants’ journey towards quitting smoking and post messages of encouragement on their official blog pages, and also “like” their favourite participant via the same blog page.
Every week, both the best message of encouragement and the participant with the most likes won attractive mystery prizes.
For detailed information on the Quit Smoking Challenge, visit quit.com.my
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
Orang asli clinics in new hands
Star: PETALING JAYA: The orang asli community is set to enjoy better medical treatment as the Health Ministry will be taking over all of its health clinics and services beginning this month.
This includes the Gombak Orang Asli Hospital which had been embroiled in controversy in the past for allegedly catering to a large number of non-orang asli patients, including foreign workers, and for its alleged sub-standard treatment of orang asli patients.
Things have improved over the past year following a complaint and exposure by one of its doctors, who was transferred to another state not long after.
However, the call for the Health Ministry to take over the services did not diminish.
The problem-plagued hospital became the centre of attention in early 2010 after Dr Selvaa Vathany Pillai claimed that its alleged mismanagement and abuse of power had resulted in the poor treatment and care of orang asli patients.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said his ministry would take over orang asli health clinics and services, which had been under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, from this month.
“The Cabinet has approved it. We will be providing services similar to other government hospitals.”
An orang asli linked to the hospital expressed hope that the takeover would be permanent, claiming that some quarters had threatened not to support the change.
“We hope it is never given back to Jakoa (the Orang Asli Development Department under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry).
“Previously, there had been many complaints on the treatment and care of orang asli patients.
“Our healthcare should come under the Health Ministry,” he said.
Dr Selvaa had also highlighted the high incidence of malnutrition and the absence of standard operating procedures to record, monitor and treat under-nourished children, as practised by hospitals under the Health Ministry.
The department, which was then known as the Orang Asli Affairs Department, had denied all allegations and said Dr Selvaa's transfer to Kedah in March 2010 was a Health Ministry directive.
This includes the Gombak Orang Asli Hospital which had been embroiled in controversy in the past for allegedly catering to a large number of non-orang asli patients, including foreign workers, and for its alleged sub-standard treatment of orang asli patients.
Things have improved over the past year following a complaint and exposure by one of its doctors, who was transferred to another state not long after.
However, the call for the Health Ministry to take over the services did not diminish.
The problem-plagued hospital became the centre of attention in early 2010 after Dr Selvaa Vathany Pillai claimed that its alleged mismanagement and abuse of power had resulted in the poor treatment and care of orang asli patients.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said his ministry would take over orang asli health clinics and services, which had been under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, from this month.
“The Cabinet has approved it. We will be providing services similar to other government hospitals.”
An orang asli linked to the hospital expressed hope that the takeover would be permanent, claiming that some quarters had threatened not to support the change.
“We hope it is never given back to Jakoa (the Orang Asli Development Department under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry).
“Previously, there had been many complaints on the treatment and care of orang asli patients.
“Our healthcare should come under the Health Ministry,” he said.
Dr Selvaa had also highlighted the high incidence of malnutrition and the absence of standard operating procedures to record, monitor and treat under-nourished children, as practised by hospitals under the Health Ministry.
The department, which was then known as the Orang Asli Affairs Department, had denied all allegations and said Dr Selvaa's transfer to Kedah in March 2010 was a Health Ministry directive.
Red alert over bird flu
Star: PETALING JAYA: The Health Ministry is working closely with its Chinese counterpart in monitoring the development of the H5N1 avian influenza virus which killed a man in Shenzhen, China.
Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said there was still no report of transmission of the virus, which recorded a fatality rate of 60% between human beings, and urged Malaysians to remain calm.
“What happened to the man in China is an isolated case,” he said at the opening ceremony of Chempaka Medical Services Centre here.
However, he said Malaysians still needed to be cautious to ensure that they did not contract the virus.
“They must refrain from visiting chicken farms and immediately consult the doctor if they catch the flu or fever,” he said.
Liow said the ministry would continue to screen the temperature of passengers at all airports.
“Anyone coming from the affected countries like China, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Indonesia who show high temperature during the screening will be sent to the hospital for quarantine,” he said, adding that no such patient had been sent to hospital so far.
The 39-year-old man, surnamed Chen, died on Saturday in Shenzhen, a city that borders Hong Kong, where thousands of chickens have already been culled after three birds tested positive for the H5N1 virus last month.
He developed a fever on Dec 21 and was taken to hospital four days later diagnosed with severe pneumonia, according to the health department in Shenzhen, a city of more than 10 million people.
The department said the man had no direct contact with poultry in the month before he was taken ill, nor had he left the city.
On another matter, Liow said the five most common serious ailments among senior citizens were hypertension, diabetes and problems related to the eye, lungs and joints.
“The five most common risks among older persons are high blood pressure, physical inactivity, cigarette or tobacco smoking, abnormal blood glucose level and obesity.”
Liow added that nine hospitals in the country had geriatric units with 13 geriatricians and eight psycho-geriatricians serving patients aged above 60.
Malaysians above 60 years old are now entitled to free healthcare, which covers medical examination, treatment, counselling and rehabilitation, at all government hospitals and clinics.
Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said there was still no report of transmission of the virus, which recorded a fatality rate of 60% between human beings, and urged Malaysians to remain calm.
“What happened to the man in China is an isolated case,” he said at the opening ceremony of Chempaka Medical Services Centre here.
However, he said Malaysians still needed to be cautious to ensure that they did not contract the virus.
“They must refrain from visiting chicken farms and immediately consult the doctor if they catch the flu or fever,” he said.
Liow said the ministry would continue to screen the temperature of passengers at all airports.
“Anyone coming from the affected countries like China, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Indonesia who show high temperature during the screening will be sent to the hospital for quarantine,” he said, adding that no such patient had been sent to hospital so far.
The 39-year-old man, surnamed Chen, died on Saturday in Shenzhen, a city that borders Hong Kong, where thousands of chickens have already been culled after three birds tested positive for the H5N1 virus last month.
He developed a fever on Dec 21 and was taken to hospital four days later diagnosed with severe pneumonia, according to the health department in Shenzhen, a city of more than 10 million people.
The department said the man had no direct contact with poultry in the month before he was taken ill, nor had he left the city.
On another matter, Liow said the five most common serious ailments among senior citizens were hypertension, diabetes and problems related to the eye, lungs and joints.
“The five most common risks among older persons are high blood pressure, physical inactivity, cigarette or tobacco smoking, abnormal blood glucose level and obesity.”
Liow added that nine hospitals in the country had geriatric units with 13 geriatricians and eight psycho-geriatricians serving patients aged above 60.
Malaysians above 60 years old are now entitled to free healthcare, which covers medical examination, treatment, counselling and rehabilitation, at all government hospitals and clinics.
Society Calls For More Details On Proposed TCM Act
SHAH ALAM, Jan 2 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Society for Complementary Medicine (MSCM) has urged the Health Ministry to provide a clear explanation of the proposed Traditional and Complementary Medicine (TCM) Act to ensure that it will truly benefit more than 15,000 practitioners in the country.
Society president Lee Chee Pheng said many practitioners have voiced concern over the ambiguity of the act, saying it should not restrict and weaken TCM as an alternative medicine.
"The practitioners want to know whether specific rules will be created to ensure that the TCM remains competitive. Who's going to instruct and train new practitioners, or decide who's scientific and who's not?
"These issues should be addressed in the act and must be explained continuously to the relevant stakeholders before it comes into force," he told Bernama.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the ministry has submitted the TCM Bill to the Attorney-General, and hopes to table it in parliament early this year.
The main objective of the act is to provide guidelines to better regulate TCM practices in Malaysia. Once implemented, all TCM practitioners will have to register with the ministry before they can offer their services.
Lee said the government should not delay enforcing the TCM Act as it is necessary to instill confidence in traditional medicine among the public.
He said the ministry should assist practitioners in getting their practices documented before the act is enforced.
Lee pointed out that proper organisation is needed in TCM as it involves many different schools of thought, practice and belief.
"This is to ensure that any rules and guidelines set forth will not be seen as a burden to practitioners," Lee said.
Lee said the government should look into establishing Traditional Indian Medicine research centres in collaboration with local and foreign bodies, as well as such facilities for Traditional Chinese Medicine.
He said the government has accepted TCM as an alternative to conventional medicine, with more than 17 hospitals in Malaysia equipped with TCM facilities and practitioners.
Lee, who is chairman of the International, Scientific and Research Council for Complementary Medicine, also said that he is working hard to set up the council's head office in Malaysia this year.
Society president Lee Chee Pheng said many practitioners have voiced concern over the ambiguity of the act, saying it should not restrict and weaken TCM as an alternative medicine.
"The practitioners want to know whether specific rules will be created to ensure that the TCM remains competitive. Who's going to instruct and train new practitioners, or decide who's scientific and who's not?
"These issues should be addressed in the act and must be explained continuously to the relevant stakeholders before it comes into force," he told Bernama.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the ministry has submitted the TCM Bill to the Attorney-General, and hopes to table it in parliament early this year.
The main objective of the act is to provide guidelines to better regulate TCM practices in Malaysia. Once implemented, all TCM practitioners will have to register with the ministry before they can offer their services.
Lee said the government should not delay enforcing the TCM Act as it is necessary to instill confidence in traditional medicine among the public.
He said the ministry should assist practitioners in getting their practices documented before the act is enforced.
Lee pointed out that proper organisation is needed in TCM as it involves many different schools of thought, practice and belief.
"This is to ensure that any rules and guidelines set forth will not be seen as a burden to practitioners," Lee said.
Lee said the government should look into establishing Traditional Indian Medicine research centres in collaboration with local and foreign bodies, as well as such facilities for Traditional Chinese Medicine.
He said the government has accepted TCM as an alternative to conventional medicine, with more than 17 hospitals in Malaysia equipped with TCM facilities and practitioners.
Lee, who is chairman of the International, Scientific and Research Council for Complementary Medicine, also said that he is working hard to set up the council's head office in Malaysia this year.
Monday, January 02, 2012
Dept on alert over bird flu death
NST KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry is closely monitoring developments after a man died on Saturday of bird flu (Influenza A HN51 virus) in Shenzhen, China -- the country's first reported human case in 18 months.
Health director-general Datuk Seri Dr Hasan Abdul Rahman said yesterday it was not yet known how the 39-year-old man contracted the disease. But he said the public need not worry as the death was considered an isolated case, with no reports of infection among 120 of the man's closest contacts so far.
"So far, no cases of human-to-human transmission (of bird flu) has been detected. The Chinese authorities have also taken steps to contain its spread."
He said the last case of bird flu in China among humans was reported in June 2010, involving a woman who had close contact with live poultry infected with the H5N1 virus.
He urged the public not to touch dead poultry without protective equipment and to report all unusual cases of poultry deaths to their nearest veterinary office.
He said as of Dec 15 last year, the World Health Organisation had recorded 57 cases (and 30 deaths) among humans in four countries, namely: Egypt (36 cases, 13 deaths), Cambodia (8 cases, 8 deaths), Indonesia (11 cases, 9 deaths) and Bangladesh (2 cases, no death).
He added that all 1,600 H5N1 tests on poultry samples nationwide throughout the past year had produced a negative result.
HKL told to tighten security
NST HEALTH Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai yesterday directed the Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) to launch a probe into the breach of security in their pharmacy leading to the theft of RM1 million worth of medicines, including cough syrup, antibiotics and fever medicines.
HEALTH Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai yesterday directed the Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) to launch a probe into the breach of security in their pharmacy leading to the theft of RM1 million worth of medicines, including cough syrup, antibiotics and fever medicines.
Liow was quoted by a TV3 report saying that the hospital should review its security measures to prevent a recurrence.
A hospital spokesman said the theft had not affected their ability to dispense medicine to patients. He said the pharmacy in each department had adequate quantity of medicine to cater to their patients.
"The medicines are stockpiled to ensure that the supply will not run out," he said yesterday.
Meanwhile, police raided and recovered a quantity of drugs stolen by two HKL staff at a premises near Jalan Duta on Saturday morning. Federal Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Zinin said the estimated market value of the drugs amounted to more than RM1 million. "We busted the place at about 5am. Although no new arrest has been made, there's a possibility that they might work in a group. "We also don't discount the fact that they could be involved in a syndicate." Police also believed that the two suspects, who were caught, were involved in selling medicines on the black market. It is learnt that the two male suspects, in their 20s and 30s, had been working with the hospital for more than two years. It was also believed that the duo, who were held under remand until today, had been gradually stealing drugs from the hospital's pharmacy to avoid being caught. However, their activity was detected when another hospital staff conducted a stock count on Dec 28 and a police report was lodged the next day. It is also learnt the medicines were stolen from the hospital's neurology department pharmacy
Free outpatient treatment for senior citizens at govt hospitals and clinics
The Star PETALING JAYA: Senior citizens can look forward to a healthy start to the new year - they can seek outpatient treatment at government hospitals and clinics without having to fork out a single sen.
Effective yesterday, the Government abolished the token RM1 payment senior citizens needed to pay each time they sought such treatment.The Health Ministry announced in its latest circular that patients aged 60 and above would be exempted from making any payment for outpatient treatment at government hospitals and clinics.This means that these patients will enjoy medical consultation, check-ups and medication at no charge at all.The circular, issued by ministry's finance division secretary Wong Foong Lai, stated that the exemption was in appreciation of the contributions made by senior citizens.
Senior citizens would only have to pay a nominal fee if they required specialist care, treatment or hospitalisation.Civil service retirees under the Employees Provident Fund pension scheme already enjoy free medical facilities at government medical establishments.Health director-general Datuk Seri Dr Hasan Abdul Rahman said yesterday many senior citizens had chronic diseases that required regular hospital visits.“If a senior citizen needs to see his doctor once a month or fortnightly, he could still make some savings. We must also bear in mind that X-rays, medication and several tests are already provided free for them,'' he toldThe Star.Asked whether the ministry was considering a blanket waiver of hospital fees for the elderly, Dr Hasan said those who could not afford the hospital fees were already eligible for free medical care.He said the latest exemption could cost the ministry an estimated RM2mil in revenue annually.
“Government hospitals and clinics receive an average of 40 million visits from patients every year and about 5% of these comprise senior citizens,'' he added.
Fomca president Datuk N. Marimuthu welcomed the Government's latest initiative. Society of Active Generation of Elders (Sage) president Chin Sek Ham, 71, said the body had called for the RM1 exemption a long time ago. According to the latest census report (2010), 1.5 million Malaysians (5.1% of the population) are over the age of 65.
Sunday, January 01, 2012
No Fear Of H5N1 Spreading From China - Health D-G
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 1 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry has allayed any fear of the spread of bird flu from China where a man has died of the disease.
Director-General of Health Datuk Dr Hasan Abdul Rahman said today Malaysia is ready to tackle any case of the Influenza A (H5N1) on humans under the National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan activated in 2006.
The ministry is monitoring the situation in Shenzhen, he said in a statement.
A 39-year-old bus driver died of H5N1 in Shenzhen after he was admitted to hospital with pneumonia but tested positive for the bird flu virus.
Dr Hasan said the China case is an isolated one and there has been no spread of the disease among the 120 nearest contacts of the dead man.
He also said that there has been no case of Influenza A (H5N1) among humans in Malaysia and monitoring by the Veterinary Services Department showed no positive samples of the disease in birds in the country since 2007.
Dr Hasan said that up to Dec 15, the World Health Organisation has confirmed 57 H5N1 cases involving 30 deaths in four countries, namely Egypt (36 cases, 13 deaths), Indonesia (11 cases, nine deaths), Cambodia (eight cases, eight deaths) and Bangladesh (two cases).
He advised Malaysians against going to markets selling birds during their visits to countries where H5N1 has been detected.
Director-General of Health Datuk Dr Hasan Abdul Rahman said today Malaysia is ready to tackle any case of the Influenza A (H5N1) on humans under the National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan activated in 2006.
The ministry is monitoring the situation in Shenzhen, he said in a statement.
A 39-year-old bus driver died of H5N1 in Shenzhen after he was admitted to hospital with pneumonia but tested positive for the bird flu virus.
Dr Hasan said the China case is an isolated one and there has been no spread of the disease among the 120 nearest contacts of the dead man.
He also said that there has been no case of Influenza A (H5N1) among humans in Malaysia and monitoring by the Veterinary Services Department showed no positive samples of the disease in birds in the country since 2007.
Dr Hasan said that up to Dec 15, the World Health Organisation has confirmed 57 H5N1 cases involving 30 deaths in four countries, namely Egypt (36 cases, 13 deaths), Indonesia (11 cases, nine deaths), Cambodia (eight cases, eight deaths) and Bangladesh (two cases).
He advised Malaysians against going to markets selling birds during their visits to countries where H5N1 has been detected.
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