Bitter pill to swallow for health supplement users: PETALING JAYA: Consumers do not stand to gain big discounts with the abolishment of import duty on health supplements as not all prices of products will be reduced, said Malaysian Dietary Supplementary Association (Madsa) pro tem president Jagdev Singh.

“The products include vitamins, minerals and other locally-manufactured health supplements which do not have import tax,” he said.

He said the 10% tax reduction did not mean consumers would enjoy a 10% reduction in prices of products on shop shelves.

“Take cigarette prices, for example. They are not up by 20% since tax on tobacco products was raised by that amount. The same rule applies to health supplements, and there will not be any drastic changes in prices,” he added.

It was announced in Budget 2004 that the 10% import duty on health supplements would be abolished.

Jagdev Singh said that Madsa, which includes major players in the health supplement market, welcomed the Government’s move to “encourage the public to prevent illness rather than go for cures.”

“Madsa members are committed to spending in research and development and develop markets in other countries in line with the Government’s aspiration to become a global trading nation,” he added.

The association, he said, urged health supplement importers to pass on saving to consumers who should benefit from the tax cut.

He said that consumers could expect revised prices in the next few weeks.

Sabah plays host to International Nursing Conference: "An International Nursing Conference was held from September 11-14 at Shangrila's Tanjung Aru Resort in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. This is the first time that Sabah played host to such a conference.
Over 750 delegates from Sabah, Sarawak, Peninsula Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, Australia, Iran, Indonesia and South Africa participated in this conference.
The Deputy Director General of Health (Hospital Division), Datuk Haji Ahmad Tajuddin was pleased on the huge turn-out of the nursing conference and congratulated the nurse leaders and health professionals for their efforts and initiatives in organising a successful conference."

Daily Express, Sabah, Malaysia -- News Headlines: "The Health Ministry objects to nurses leaving for jobs in Saudi Arabia if they are still in service with the Malaysian Government.
Health Director-General, Datuk Dr Mohamad Taha Arif said normally, the ministry will not allow people to go and work outside the country, not to the Government�s knowledge, and then come back and re-join the service.
We don't allow such practice unless they go on a no pay leave basis for whatever reason, or they take optional retirement if they have two or three more years to go before calling it a day, he told Daily Express Saturday. "

Utusan Malaysia Online - Home News: "BEIJING Sept 15 - Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Monday stressed the importance of Malaysia forging closer cooperation with China in the area of biotechnology and information and communication technology (ICT).
Abdullah who is now on an official visit to China Monday toured the Peking University Biocity which is managed by China Bioway Biotech Group Co Ltd, a biotechnology firm and the Huawei Telecommunications Corporation.
Speaking to the Malaysian press corps accompanying him, Abdullah said he had invited Bioway to Malaysia and help in the development of the BioValley programme.
Abdullah said that he also proposed that the company locate its operations in Malaysia or Southeast Asia.
The company had expressed its agreement and Science, Technology and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Law Heing Ding would head a delegation here for follow-up discussions on the proposal.
Abdullah said China's approach to research and biotechnology was appropriate for Malaysia and would be very beneficial.
The Bioway company was founded in 1992 and over a period of 10 years had expanded its research centre which now covered 30,000 square metres of floor area in a building here and boasts sophisticated facilities. The centre now produces vaccines for Hepatitis A and also insulin.
On the Huawei company, Abdullah said it already had its regional office in Kuala Lumpur.
He said the company recorded rapid progress through research and development and now produced quality products on par with that of developed countries but at much lower price."

Doctors need a health minister, not a lawyer: "I am disturbed by the recent call from Health Minister Chua Jui Ming for the Malaysian public to take legal action against doctors suspected of abusing antibiotics. Although I agree that the increased resistance of bacteria to antibiotics is a concern, his drastic move is unbefitting of a health minister.
The duty of a health minister is to ensure that the Malaysian public is provided the best standard of medical care. Proper prescription of antibiotics is thus an important issue that ought to be tackled. He must ensure that continuing education of doctors, in particular, general practitioners, be emphasised. He may want to look into ways of monitoring prescription practices or even penalties for violation of certain codes, in particular relating to antibiotic prescription. He should also stress on educating the public on the use of antibiotics for bacterial infections and the importance of its judicial use.
He should not however, confuse law with medicine. As health minister, he should not encourage the public into taking legal action against doctors suspected of abusing antibiotics. This may lead to upward spiralling of medical costs. He should not make statements that will damage the credibility of the medical profession and thus erode the trust of the public in their very own doctors. He should not base his statements on hearsay but on concrete facts.
How bad is the situation? What are the resistance patterns of bacteria in Malaysia? How is the public able to discern when an antibiotic has been appropriately prescribed?
From the viewpoint of a government medical officer, I do agree that antibiotic resistance is a growing problem that needs to be addressed urgently. Although general practitioners are being targeted as the bad apples, they are unfortunately not the sole prescriber of antibiotics.
Medical assistants and pharmacists have the authority to prescribe these drugs without a doctor's prescription. Most medical assistants are employed in government clinics, and antibiotic abuse is rampant. Should legal action be taken against them or the doctor in charge of the clinic? Even pharmacists prescribe these drugs to willing and asking customers. What is the government's opinion on this?

Even the public should the chastised for the problem of antibiotic abuse. I once covered as a locum in a private clinic. A father brought his child complaining of fever and cough. After the necessary assessment, I mentioned that it is a viral fever for which only symptomatic treatment is warranted. The father then demanded that his child be given antibiotics. I stressed again that there is no need for antibiotics and mentioned the rationale behind it. At this point he became annoyed and rudely asked for the antibiotics. I had to comply with a paying customer.

The point is that the medical profession needs a health minister, and not a lawyer, to represent, advise, listen and most importantly to defend them if necessary. We are, after all, imperfect mortals.

(above is a letter to Malaysikini )

Prescription for well-being: "THE Government will allocate RM20mil to expedite the setting up of the Centre for Disease Control to combat the spread of diseases.
Though the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak has ended, the Government will continue to be vigilant and put in place measures to prevent such diseases, in case of recurrence. The Government also accorded its appreciation to all medical staff who had sacrificed and took risks during the screening of visitors and treating SARS patients.
To improve healthcare, the import duty of 10% on health supplements would be abolished and pensioners would be able to enjoy discounts on selected medicines.
Under the allocation of RM9bil, which is an increase of 20.5% from last year, the healthcare system would be upgraded to provide essential medical services such as dialysis, intensive care and programmes to reduce morbidity and mortality among children.
Surveillance, with an allocation of RM3mil, would be continued on infectious diseases such as SARS, tuberculosis, leprosy and dengue.
However, to reduce the increasing financial burden of healthcare for the Government, the health insurance industry was encouraged to widen its coverage by providing lower premiums affordable to a majority of Malaysians.
To attract more medical specialists, the Government would set up private commercial wings in government hospitals to enable serving doctors to enjoy better remuneration and provide treatment at reasonable charges.
With the specialists serving in government hospitals, these medical facilities would then be promoted abroad as part of health tourism.
When contacted, Hospital Kuala Lumpur infectious disease unit head and senior consultant physician Dr Christopher Lee said it was “money put in the right place” especially where surveillance of illnesses was concerned.

“Due to the recent SARS outbreak, it is important to strengthen our surveillance networks not only within the country but throughout Asean nations and the rest of the world,” he said.

He said early detection and rapid response was vital to fight new emerging diseases and the extra allocation would boost these networks.

On cheaper medicine for pensioners, National Council of Senior Citizens Organisations Malaysia (Nacscom) president Lum Kin Tuck said although it was a good thing, the Government should consider providing free medication for those aged 60 and above because they might not have enough to pay for the medication.
Fomca president Prof Datuk Hamdan Adnan said the RM9bil allocation was an excellent move as it showed the Government cared and this year’s budget was mature, similar to those presented in advanced countries.

“For health supplements, the Health Ministry and the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry must ensure that the buck is not passed on to the consumers as manufacturers may want to eat up the profit,” he said.
However, CAP president S. M. Mohd Idris said the move to encourage more people to take health supplements would only benefit large corporations.

“There are many local and traditional herbs that can be used,” he added.

thestar.com.my: Business News: "THE Life Insurance of Malaysia (LIAM) has welcomed the government's proposal for employers to provide medical and health insurance to employees.
But LIAM said it hoped the government would seriously consider its proposal to increase the personal tax relief for life insurance premiums to RM5,000 (from the current relief of up to RM3,000 for education and medical policies) as it would encourage more Malaysians to take up their own medical and health insurance.
It noted that only 35% of Malaysians were currently insured.
LIAM also said it was “deeply concerned” that the government had not considered the importance of setting up a private pension fund for Malaysians.
“We strongly believe that this is critical to help Malaysians enjoy a reasonably comfortable lifestyle after they have retired,” it added.
As good corporate citizens, LIAM said, insurers would ensure that insurance premiums were affordable to the public.
It added that premiums for medical insurance products were priced according to claims experience and that medical charges were imposed by doctors and hospitals.
Malaysian National Insurance Bhd (MNI) said the Budget 2004 reflects the government pro-growth commitment, while working towards a balance budget.
The government's priority was to sustain growth with higher involvement from the private sector, it said, adding that the domestic-led growth theme in this budget was timely to reduce dependence on foreign direct investment. "

Malaysia file - SEPT 13, 2003: "MALAYSIAN nurses will soon have to take English as a compulsory subject, Health Minister Chua Jui Meng said yesterday.
Advertisement

The move will be implemented in stages, beginning with an 'English week'. -- New Straits Times"

New Straits Times Online :: National: "KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 10: Malaysia is safe from any re-emergence of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome from Singapore as the recent case there has been classified as non-SARS.


Health Minister Datuk Chua Jui Meng said, however, that the ministry would continue its surveillance for a possible outbreak here through its clinics and hospitals nationwide.

Routine testing of samples from hospital patients is being conducted to keep watch should the virus re-appear locally.

The ministry is also on the look-out for global outbreak patterns through the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the media, he said at a Press conference after the ministry’s post-Cabinet meeting today.

“Since July 7, there have been no new SARS cases in the world. The chain of transmission in humans has been stopped.

“I briefed the Cabinet today and they have been assured that Malaysia continues to be SARS-free and faces no threat from Singapore,” he said.

Johor and Sarawak, meanwhile, have reactivated precautionary mea-sures at their entry points and in healthcare facilities.

On the 27-year-old Singaporean who tested positive for the coronavi-rus, Chua said he did not meet WHO’s criteria to qualify as a SARS case.

Although the patient had the virus and fever, he did not have respiratory problems and his three chest X-rays were found clear of infection.

WHO’s definition now states that a SARS case must fulfil both laboratory testing (for the virus) and all clinical criteria (fever, shortness of breath, respiratory problems and signs of pneumonia in chest X-rays).

With these criteria, the WHO has dropped the use of the words “sus-pected” and “probable” in classifying SARS cases.

Cases are now either SARS or non-SARS. The new defi-nition was issued after the end of the epidemic earlier this year.

“Malaysia agrees with WHO’s defi-nition of the case in Singapore and as such, we have no cause for alarm.”

He said WHO adopted the new definition because the virus had been isolated and was now identifiable.

He added that he spoke to the republic’s Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan today and cleared up the mis-conception that the Singaporean patient was a “confirmed” SARS case as initially reported.

On why the patient had the coronavirus but was not classified as having SARS, Chua said it was similar to the way certain bacteria resided in people’s bodies but did not infect them.

He said the patient was now recovering at the Tan Tock Seng Hos-pital’s Communicable Disease Centre.

Malaysia was also keen to find out how the patient contracted the virus, since it was not a human-to-human transmission.

The patient, a post-doctoral stu-dent, had been working in a laboratory environment doing research on the West Nile virus and was not known to have had access to any SARS virus samples.

Asked if there was a need for the ministry to revive its SARS operations room, impose travel bans, and use thermal scanners at national entry points, Chua said it was not necessary.

He said the ministry had confidence in Singapore’s stringent measures and that bilateral co-operation on preven-ting the disease’s spread was strong.

Meanwhile, a statement from the Consumers Association of Penang said the ministry should act swiftly and not adopt a wait-and-see approach.

CAP president S.M. Mohamed Idris said the ministry should be prepared to order specific actions such as screen-ing Singaporeans who enter Malaysia.

Jail for unhygienic food handlers

SEPANG, Sept 9: The 2.2 million food operators in the country must abide by cleanliness rules or face closure when the amended Food Hygiene Regulation comes into force at the end of the year.


They also face a RM10,000 fine or two years jail if convicted in court.

Health Minister Datuk Chua Jui Meng said the amendment would make it compulsory for all food handlers and operators — from five-star hotels, restaurants, stalls to mobile hawkers — to be registered with the ministry.

They must also attend a one-day course on hygiene and cleanliness, he said after presenting an A-grade award to Projek Lebuhraya UtaraSelatan Berhad (PLUS) for overall cleanliness in food preparation and handling practised by food operators at all PLUS rest and service areas here today.

"When the amended regulation is implemented, food handlers will have to follow specific guidelines on per-sonal and environmental hygiene to ensure the food is safe for consumption." All State and district health departments will conduct regular inspections to ensure compliance.

Chua said the ministry was concerned about food safety and cleanliness as it did not want people to come down with food poisoning or die of it.

In 1999, there were 8,640 cases of food poisoning with three deaths. There were 4,733 cases with no deaths last year due to strict enforcement by the authorities.

Chua said the number of people suffering from typhoid and cholera also fell from 1,304 cases with 19 deaths in 1998 to 365 cases and seven deaths last year.

In 2001, 54,042 premises were issued with temporary closure orders and last year, 63,354.

Only 150,000 food handlers attended the one-day hygiene course, although the ministry had emphasised the importance of attending it before handing issuing business licences.

"Now we will make it compulsory. If they do not fulfil our criteria, the licence will not be issued." The ministry was also taking into account the Code of Practice for Food Hygiene under the "Codex Alimentarius" when amending the regulation which will be submitted to the Cabinet soon and gazetted by yearend.

Chua commended PLUS for taking proactive measures in ensuring that all its 128 food stalls, 103 drink stalls and 22 restaurants along the NorthSouth Expressway adhered to high standard of food safety and cleanliness.

PLUS executive vice-chairman Abdul Wahid Omar said the award would enhance PLUS's reputation as one of the leading highway operators not only in Malaysia but also the world.

"Highway users can be rest assured of the high level of hygiene and cleanliness practised by the food and beverage operators at our rest and service areas." Wahid said 1,699 stall operators from the North-South Expressway attended the Food Preparation and Safety Courses at approved institutions under the Health Ministry between September last year and July this year.

SARS mechanism will not be up just yet, says Pak Lah

BANGKOK: Malaysia will only activate its mechanism to prevent the spread of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) if the situation in Singapore warrants such action, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said yesterday.

He said one SARS case had been confirmed on the island but Malaysia would not reinstate screenings and thermal scanners at entry and immigration points yet.

“We do not want to take actions that will imply that the situation is so serious as it will affect tourism and economic activities,” he told Malaysian journalists here.

Abdullah, who concluded his two-day working visit to Thailand with a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, said, however, Malaysia was closely monitoring the case in Singapore with Health Minister Datuk Chua Jui Meng in close contact with his counterpart in the republic.

“Our anti-SARS mechanism can be activated at very short notice,” he said, adding that he expected to get a detailed report from Chua soon.

In Putrajaya, SA’ODAH ELIAS reports that Chua had directed all state health departments, especially Johor, to be on the alert.

He said the ministry was told by its Singapore counterpart that the patient, a 27-year-old Singaporean medical student, did not show any lower respiratory problem and his chest X-ray was also clear.

”The ministry will wait for confirmation from the World Health Organisation on the status of the man before deciding on its next course of action,'' he told reporters, after presenting the A-grade certification for overall cleanliness to food operators at all Projek Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan rest areas along the North-South Expressway.

“We have already verified with Singapore that all the people that the patient had come into contact with after Aug 26 have been identified and none of them is showing any SARS symptom,” he said, adding that the patient had since been isolated at the island's Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

In Singapore, NELSON BENJAMIN reports that the island's Health Ministry had confirmed that the patient who worked in a hospital laboratory had been tested positive for the SARS virus; making him the first case in the republic after the SARS outbreak which killed 32 people several months ago.

Its acting health minister Khaw Boon Wan said the situation had been contained and did not pose a serious public health risk, as the patient was isolated early.

”We have also sent another sample to the Centre for Disease Control in the United States for further verification,” he said, adding that the test results were expected to be known next week.

Khaw said the ministry had formed a team to track down the source of the virus and it was still too early to say whether the student contracted it from the laboratory.

He said the student, who was researching West Nile virus at a microbiology laboratory in National University of Singapore (NUS), developed fever on Aug 26 and was treated with antibiotics but when his fever persisted, sought treatment at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) on Aug 29.

“As his chest X-ray was normal, he was diagnosed as having viral fever and allowed to go home,” Khaw said, adding that on Sept 3 the man was hospitalised when he returned to SGH.

Khaw said his ministry had already informed the WHO of the latest case but, according to them, it did not fulfil the case definition for SARS under the new WHO post-SARS guidelines.

He said the patient, who was “clinically” doing well and had no fever since Sept 5, had not visited any SARS-affected country or travelled outside Singapore in recent weeks.

Director-general of public health Daniel Wang said all 23 laboratory staff had been tested negative for the virus.

KL to recognise China medical degrees - SEPT 8, 2003: "Aim to address shortage of doctors and improve relations with China in bid to boost share of Malaysian Chinese vote
By Leslie Lau

MALAYSIA plans to recognise medical and dental degrees from universities in China, in a move designed to enhance bilateral ties and help remedy a shortage of doctors.
Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will also discuss student exchange programmes with Chinese officials when he visits Beijing this week.
The move will strengthen the position of the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, which is courting the Chinese community for crucial votes as it prepares to face the opposition Parti Islam SeMalaysia in a general election likely to be called by next year.
With Malay votes split between the government and the opposition, the Chinese community's support is important for BN's electoral strategy.
Any move to strengthen relations with China is usually greeted with approval.
Datuk Seri Abdullah is heading to Beijing on Saturday with eight Cabinet members, for talks on the recognition of Chinese universities, the entry of foreign workers from China into Malaysia and other issues.
The Malaysian delegation will also take part in talks on enhancing student exchange programmes, to encourage more Malaysian students to study in China's universities.
About 1,500 Malaysian university students are studying in China but more than 10,000 China students are enrolled in Malaysian universities and colleges, representing the country's biggest group of foreign students.
Education Minister Musa Mohamad, who will accompany the Deputy Prime Minister for the Beijing talks, said the government wanted Malaysian students to have more choice, especially if they wanted to take up medicine or dentistry. "

Doctors: Be more aware of child health: "PUTRAJAYA: New parents will be less confused about their children�s health problems if they are equipped with the right knowledge, according to the Malaysian Paediatric Association (MPA).
MPA president Dr Nazeli Hamzah said many health problems among children could have been avoided if parents were more aware of the importance of preventive healthcare.
Towards this end, MPA has published The Total Child, a parenting guidebook, which will be available from Oct 1.
The book was launched by the Prime Minister�s wife, Datin Seri Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamed Ali, at MPA�s 25th anniversary celebrations and annual scientific congress at the JW Marriott here last week.
Dr Nazeli said the book, made possible with support from Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Selangor Medical Centre and the Nutrition Society of Malaysia, would clear up the many myths and misleading information that have confused parents.
Dr Siti Hasmah congratulated MPA for its efforts in looking into the welfare of adolescents as a special group with special needs, adding that adolescent health might soon be a subspecialty by itself.
She said MPA had taken a strong stand on health and social issues related to children and adolescents, such as drug and substance abuse, tobacco-related advertisements targeted at youths, child abuse and neglect, breastfeeding issues and children�s rights.
Dr Siti Hasmah noted that the association had fought to be heard, especially in shaping national policies.
She also commended MPA for making a difference by reaching out to all levels of the community, particularly underprivileged families. The 146-page parenting guidebook will be sold at RM15 through paediatric and dietetic departments of major hospitals and select clinics. For details, call 03-5637 8588.

Prescribe high-end medication rationally, advises ministry: "KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry has cautioned medical practitioners in the country against randomly prescribing high-end antibiotics to patients and reminded them to adhere to guidelines on their use.
Health deputy director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Merican urged doctors and specialists to use such antibiotics “rationally” to prevent anti-microbial resistance occurring in patients – a situation where microbes become resistant to specific medicines and develop ways of surviving the use of medications meant to kill or weaken them.
Speaking to reporters yesterday after opening the Infection Control Seminar at Pantai Medical Centre, he said an antibiotic audit carried out by him on local hospitals showed that “quite a lot” of doctors, especially those in the “higher structure,” did not adhere to guidelines on the use of antibiotics provided by the ministry and Malaysian Medical Academy.
Hospital Kuala Lumpur infectious disease unit head and senior consultant physician Dr Christopher Lee said that as opposed to first generation antibiotics such as penicillin, bactrim and tetracycline, high-end antibiotics were those which worked against a broad spectrum of organisms such as carbatenems, third and fourth generation cethalostorin and quinolones.
“When you have such a wide spectrum, there is collateral damage when fairly friendly organisms are also killed. "

New Straits Times Online :: National: "PUTRAJAYA, Sept 5: The Government may soon establish adolescent wards at government hospitals
for those aged between 13 and 19.



Malaysian Paediatric Association president Dr Nazeli Hamzah said the Health Ministry had agreed in principle to look into establishing such wards. 'In Malaysia, those aged 13 and above are admitted to adult wards, where they are not able to receive specific care. They are adolescents and do not belong there and neither are they children,' she said, adding that teenagers were emotionally and mentally different from children and adults.

She said this at a Press conference after the opening of MPA's 25th Annual Congress and launch of a parental guide to child health and nutrition, called The Total Child.

Datuk Seri Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali opened both events.

'We are very pleased that the Health Ministry has agreed in principle, but the execution is still in its infancy and we hope the process will be speedier,' Dr Nazeli said.

The idea for separate wards for adolescent boys and girls was mooted by the association at a dialogue with the Health Minister in July.

Australia and the United States are among the countries that have adolescent wards.

Dr Nazeli said it was difficult for sick teenagers to move to adult wards and be counselled by different doctors after growing up with their paediatricians.

'We are suggesting that the same paediatrician look after the adolescent. When the patient is an adult, he or she can move on to the adult ward,' she said.

She said paediatricians would need to be trained to sub-specialise in adolescent health, which is a threeyear course.

At present, there is only one Malaysian who is studying adolescent h"

Lahad Datu folk can expect better healthcare soon

Lahad Datu: Healthcare and medical services in the district will be upgraded with more doctors, specialists and nurses expected to arrive by next month.

Health Minister Datuk Chua Jui Ming said with the filling of these vacancies, the RM2 billion district hospital would be able to conduct nesprocopic and cancer surgeries and ear-nose-throat (ENT) treatment as well as breast cancer treatment.

Described as among the largest and sophisticated hospitals in the State, he said about 102 nurses would also be posted there by October.

“With this number of workforce, the hospital will be able to open another two outpatient treatment units,” he said when officiating at the 13th Anniversary of the Moral Uplifting Society here on Thursday night.

According to Chua, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is expected to officiate at the opening of the district hospital once the workforce is in place.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry has allocated RM10,000 to the society for the implementation of its welfare activities, that is to provide Western and Chinese medical services to residents here.

At the same time, Chua called on the society to continue with its work to promote moral virtues among the people.

“Rape, murder, corruption, robbery and other serious crimes are happening every day in our nation and the good deed of the establishment in instilling good values will help reduce social problems,” he said.

More than 1,000 people attended the dinner despite bad weather.

Chua, who is a MCA Vice President, also assured that he would convey the Chinese community’s request here for a candidate from the community to stand in the forthcoming election in the constituency.

Check on foreign workers' medical status: "KUALA LUMPUR: The Cabinet has decided to set up private companies to monitor the medical examinations of foreign workers in their home countries following complaints of falsification of health certificates, said Health Minister Datuk Chua Jui Meng.
He said the companies were required to ensure that the workers underwent the mandatory medical checks, including X-rays and laboratory tests, required by the Malaysian Government.
�The companies will be set up before the year end in consultations with the Home Ministry,� he told reporters yesterday after receiving a RM100,000 contribution from Pharmaniaga Bhd for sponsorship of the SMI Phoenix Award.
Pharmaniaga managing director Azhar Hussain handed over the mock cheque to Chua for the award, to be bestowed on companies that had staged dramatic recoveries following the 1997 financial crisis at the SMI Recognition Award ceremony on Oct 3.
Chua said the ministry was implementing the new system to prevent unhealthy workers from coming into the country.
He was commenting on a private television report on Tuesday that 90% of the foreigners in Malaysia identified with diseases were legal workers who were in the country for the first time.
The network quoted Fomema�s chief executive officer Dr Mohamed Haniffa Abdullah as saying that the workers� health problems were only discovered when they were sent for health examinations after one year.
Chua said the ministry had received reports that some of the foreign workers had obtained health certificates from clinics in their home countries without undergoing the mandatory checks while some had obtained false certificates.
Chua said 235,362 foreign workers came into the country last year, of whom 13,000 were chosen for random medical screening on arrival.
"

Another health check for EPF staff: "PETALING JAYA: Staff at the Employees Provident Fund�s (EPF) microfilm unit will undergo another round of medical check-ups following reports that two of its employees at the unit have developed cancer.
EPF deputy chief executive officer (management and organisation development) Rusma Ibrahim said the staff would be sent to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) panel of doctors as additional precaution.
�The safety and health of our employees at the workplace is our first priority,� she said in a statement yesterday.
Rusma said the management received reports in October last year that a few employees of the unit were suspected to be ill and sent all staff in the unit to its panel of doctors.
�Two were diagnosed to be suffering from cancer. However, it could not be ascertained whether the ailment was work-related,� she said.
Rusma said Niosh conducted a health risk assessment of the unit on April 1 and June 13.
�The preliminary findings have been presented to the management and we are now waiting for the detailed report,� she added.
EPF discontinued all microfilming related activities in July as part of its plans to switch to newer technologies to manage and store records, she said.
A recent MTUC newsletter said most of the chemicals used in the unit were hazardous and employees were not provided proper protective equipment.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr Fong Chan Onn said on Tuesday that Niosh had been told to investigate and would submit a report within a week. "

thestar.com.my: Business News

Medical Defence Malaysia Bhd has appointed Tan Sri Dr Abu Bakar Suleiman as chairman effective June26. .

He succeeds Dr Eddie Soo Fook Mun who has been appointed executive director with effect from the same date while Dr Richard Veerapen continues as deputy chairman.

Abu Bakar obtained his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from Monash University, Australia in 1968 and a Master of Medicine from University of Singapore in 1974.

A member of The Royal Australian College of Physicians, and an honorary fellow of the American College of Physicians, he began his career as a medical officer with the Health Ministry in 1969 and subsequently completed his training in Internal Medicine before becoming a consultant physician with the Department of Nephrology of Hospital Kuala Lumpur.

In 1975, he was visiting fellow to the Division of Nephrology of Georgetown University Hospital, Washington DC as well as Prince Henry's Hospital of Melbourne, Australia.

The following year, he returned to be the head of the Department of Nephrology of Hospital Kuala Lumpur.

Abu Bakar was the director general of health from 1991 to 2001.

Source of suspected meningitis being traced: "MALACCA: The state health authorities are monitoring the condition of 14 illegal immigrants admitted to the Malacca Hospital on Thursday night for suspected meningitis.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Ali Rustam said health department officials were trying to trace the origin of the suspected meningitis outbreak, which affected the inmates who were from the Machap Umboo immigration camp in Alor Gajah.
“The health authorities are carrying out checks to determine the source of infection. Round-the-clock monitoring is being held and the patients are in an isolation ward,” he said after launching the National Day celebration at the Malacca Nursing College here today.
He said the 14 immigrants were admitted to the hospital as they were in contact with an Indonesian, Mohrani Mislan, 29, who was hospitalised on Aug 23 for meningitis.
Those warded are eight Indonesians, one Indian, one Pakistani, one Cambodian, two Bangladeshis and an unidentified national. – Bernama "