Medical volunteers head for the interior
A long and hazardous journey to get medical help two years ago resulted in the death of a pregnant woman.
She had complications and was advised to seek medical assistance at the nearest clinic, the Penampang Polyclinic, which is about 30km away.
To get there, it was 15km by foot and another 15km by road. She died while walking along the 15km footpath from Kampung Terian to the nearest road in Kampung Timpangoh here.
Since then, Malaysian Medical Relief Society (Mercy) Sabah chairman Dr Helen Lasimbang has made it a point to provide whatever medical assistance she could in remote villages such as Terian — even if it means walking 15km up the Crocker Range to reach them.
Today, Dr Lasimbang is leading a team of about 20 volunteers from Mercy Sabah and the Penampang Rotary Club to carry out medical check-ups and conduct health care lessons and computer classes during a four-day mission.
They will set camp in two of the five villages, Tiku and Terian, and expect to serve some 400 people.
The other villages are Kalanggaan, Kionob and Longkogungan.
"We will set off on foot from Timpangoh to Tiku where we will spend two nights, followed by another night at Terian.
"We will return on a route that will lead us to Kibambangan, which is another point where there is a road link, by Tuesday."
Dr Helen said the villagers needed help and the volunteers included four doctors.
Leading the Rotarians is Dr Helen’s sister, Jennifer, and their task is to teach children dental care and service several computers that were donated to the Terian community.
"We also have five students from institutions of higher learning to conduct computer classes besides doing some repair work."
The computers are powered by solar energy.
Dr Lasimbang, who is with the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu, said the mission was Mercy's seventh medical relief project in Sabah this year.
The volunteers had earlier reached out to people in remote villages in Pitas, Kudat, Kota Marudu, Kiau and Tinangol as well as the islands of Mantanani and Bambangan.
Dr Lasimbang’s brother, Phillip, who is Moyog Assemblyman, said it took about three to four hours to walk to either Tiku or Terian from Timpangoh.
There were more than 1,000 people in the five remote villages which were connected by a footpath, he said.
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
Monday, November 15, 2004
RM8mil to treat hospital fungus problem
KUALA LUMPUR: Rehabilitation work to treat the fungus-infested Sultan Ismail Hospital in Johor Baru will cost RM8mil, Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said.
He said he would ask for the allocation from Cabinet next week.
“We have finalised the treatment programme needed to overcome the fungus problem,” he told reporters at the Cabinet Hari Raya open house at Putra World Trade Centre on Sunday.
He said the amount would cover the complete treatment at the hospital before it could be reopened by Jan 1 next year.
The cost would also include a three-month "stabilisation period" to ensure that the problem would not recur, he added.
“After that, we will sign a maintenance contract with the same contractor,” he said.
The brand new RM500mil specialist hospital was closed in September, barely after two months in operation following the discovery of fungus on the walls and in some of the clinical equipment.
KUALA LUMPUR: Rehabilitation work to treat the fungus-infested Sultan Ismail Hospital in Johor Baru will cost RM8mil, Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said.
He said he would ask for the allocation from Cabinet next week.
“We have finalised the treatment programme needed to overcome the fungus problem,” he told reporters at the Cabinet Hari Raya open house at Putra World Trade Centre on Sunday.
He said the amount would cover the complete treatment at the hospital before it could be reopened by Jan 1 next year.
The cost would also include a three-month "stabilisation period" to ensure that the problem would not recur, he added.
“After that, we will sign a maintenance contract with the same contractor,” he said.
The brand new RM500mil specialist hospital was closed in September, barely after two months in operation following the discovery of fungus on the walls and in some of the clinical equipment.
Friday, November 12, 2004
Critical shortage of forensic pathologists
Malaysia needs at least 50 forensic pathologists but has only 19. Five States have none, said a health official.
When a forensic pathologist is required, one of the four on the Kuala Lumpur Hospital's staff is flown out, the official told the New Straits Times. The shortage has reached a critical stage, due to growing workloads and the need for more detailed examinations of bodies, said the official, who declined to be named.
This situation reflects Ipoh High Court judge Datuk V.T. Singham's recent comment that he had dealt with three murder cases where a pathologist had not been available to conduct post- mortems on the victims.
In the latest case, decided on Wednesday, of a mother accused of strangling her five-year-old daughter, the time of death could not be determined because there was no forensic pathologist at the Ipoh Hospital.
Yesterday, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad said there were enough forensic pathologists, and each State had a chief pathologist who was assisted by pathologists from other disciplines.
Forensic pathologists are specialists trained to examine bodies for trauma and to determine cause, manner or mechanism of death.
The health official said there were no forensic pathologists in Perlis, Kelantan, Terengganu, Sarawak and Negri Sembilan. Of the four on KLH's staff, one is on long leave.
Pahang's forensic pathologist is overseas; Sabah, the second largest State, has only one.
In Sarawak, the largest State, a haematologist, who specialises in blood examinations, is sometimes roped in for forensic work.
Selangor, the most populated State, has three forensic pathologists, while the other three States have one each.
The official said Malaysia also needed more lecturers in forensic pathology.
Aside from handling post-mortem, criminal investigations and court appearances, forensic pathologists serving in hospitals also teach in universities.
Malaysia should have at least one pathologist for every 75,000 people, or about 330 pathologists of all disciplines, according to the Malaysian Academy of Medicine's College of Pathologists.
It has just 217, both working in government hospitals and teaching, said its president, Professor Lai-Meng Looi.
Australia, with a population of 20 million, has 1,290 pathologists.
"We are short of pathologists and overloaded with work," contended Dr Looi.
Most of the country's 217 pathologists are involved in diagnostics, and most of them were histopathologists who analyse tissue from living patients.
"Forensic pathologists are the smallest group," she added.
Malaysia needs at least 50 forensic pathologists but has only 19. Five States have none, said a health official.
When a forensic pathologist is required, one of the four on the Kuala Lumpur Hospital's staff is flown out, the official told the New Straits Times. The shortage has reached a critical stage, due to growing workloads and the need for more detailed examinations of bodies, said the official, who declined to be named.
This situation reflects Ipoh High Court judge Datuk V.T. Singham's recent comment that he had dealt with three murder cases where a pathologist had not been available to conduct post- mortems on the victims.
In the latest case, decided on Wednesday, of a mother accused of strangling her five-year-old daughter, the time of death could not be determined because there was no forensic pathologist at the Ipoh Hospital.
Yesterday, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad said there were enough forensic pathologists, and each State had a chief pathologist who was assisted by pathologists from other disciplines.
Forensic pathologists are specialists trained to examine bodies for trauma and to determine cause, manner or mechanism of death.
The health official said there were no forensic pathologists in Perlis, Kelantan, Terengganu, Sarawak and Negri Sembilan. Of the four on KLH's staff, one is on long leave.
Pahang's forensic pathologist is overseas; Sabah, the second largest State, has only one.
In Sarawak, the largest State, a haematologist, who specialises in blood examinations, is sometimes roped in for forensic work.
Selangor, the most populated State, has three forensic pathologists, while the other three States have one each.
The official said Malaysia also needed more lecturers in forensic pathology.
Aside from handling post-mortem, criminal investigations and court appearances, forensic pathologists serving in hospitals also teach in universities.
Malaysia should have at least one pathologist for every 75,000 people, or about 330 pathologists of all disciplines, according to the Malaysian Academy of Medicine's College of Pathologists.
It has just 217, both working in government hospitals and teaching, said its president, Professor Lai-Meng Looi.
Australia, with a population of 20 million, has 1,290 pathologists.
"We are short of pathologists and overloaded with work," contended Dr Looi.
Most of the country's 217 pathologists are involved in diagnostics, and most of them were histopathologists who analyse tissue from living patients.
"Forensic pathologists are the smallest group," she added.
Action against medical students refusing to serve the country
PUTRAJAYA: Legal action will be taken against government-sponsored medical students who refuse to return and serve in the country.
In a statement posted on its website on Wednesday, the Public Services Department (JPA) said it would refer such cases to the Attorney-General's Chambers for further action.
For medical students furthering their studies abroad, they had to sign the Akujanji (a pledge to serve) before they were allowed to do so, it said.
“JPA will consider each application according to the merit of each course and approval is not automatic,” it added.
PUTRAJAYA: Legal action will be taken against government-sponsored medical students who refuse to return and serve in the country.
In a statement posted on its website on Wednesday, the Public Services Department (JPA) said it would refer such cases to the Attorney-General's Chambers for further action.
For medical students furthering their studies abroad, they had to sign the Akujanji (a pledge to serve) before they were allowed to do so, it said.
“JPA will consider each application according to the merit of each course and approval is not automatic,” it added.
Thursday, November 11, 2004
The Launch of HV-7 Rapid Test Kit
TH Koid Foundation, a private and independent foundation incorporated in Malaysia, today confirmed the date of the launch for the HV-7, an enhanced version of Home Rapid Test Kit for HIV-Antibodies 1 & 2 on November 29, 2004. The Minister of Health, Malaysia, YB Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek will officiate the event on Monday November 29, 2004, at The Legend Hotel, KL at 3.00pm. This event is held two days before the World's AIDS Day on December 01, 2004. This will follow by a talk on The Next Level - Challenging Mindset.
The introduction of the latest generation of HIV rapid test kit, HV-7, said to be in the seventh (7th) generation marks a success for Malaysia in the areas of Research & Development. The HV-7 would be a very meaningful product for Malaysia and humanity. The problems of HIV/AIDS and its rampant spread are threatening and we have yet to arrest it to a desired parameter.
TH Koid Foundation, a private and independent foundation incorporated in Malaysia, today confirmed the date of the launch for the HV-7, an enhanced version of Home Rapid Test Kit for HIV-Antibodies 1 & 2 on November 29, 2004. The Minister of Health, Malaysia, YB Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek will officiate the event on Monday November 29, 2004, at The Legend Hotel, KL at 3.00pm. This event is held two days before the World's AIDS Day on December 01, 2004. This will follow by a talk on The Next Level - Challenging Mindset.
The introduction of the latest generation of HIV rapid test kit, HV-7, said to be in the seventh (7th) generation marks a success for Malaysia in the areas of Research & Development. The HV-7 would be a very meaningful product for Malaysia and humanity. The problems of HIV/AIDS and its rampant spread are threatening and we have yet to arrest it to a desired parameter.
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
New ways to tackle ‘ballooning’ problem
KOTA BELUD: Faced with a literally ballooning problem of more overweight Malaysians, the Health Ministry is taking a different approach in getting people to lead healthy lives.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said current campaigns were largely targeting the “converted,” who were already practising healthy lifestyles.
“The programmes that we have been doing have not been really effective. We are going to reach out to schoolchildren and we will also use television more to send out the message,” he said yesterday after opening a RM500,000 haemodialysis centre at the district hospital here.
He also said there were about 2,500 new end-stage renal failure patients in the country every year, who would require haemodialysis treatments thrice a week. This health problem was brought about by diabetes, hypertension and infection.
“We need to send the message home that the people must take the responsibility for their own bodies and not leave it to God and their doctors only,” Dr Chua said, adding that 25% of Malaysians were overweight.
He said three out of every 10 Malaysians were suffering from hypertension while 8% were diabetic.
“It would be more prudent for the Government to effectively promote a healthy lifestyle among the people instead of building more and more dialysis centres,” Dr Chua said.
He added that of the 10,000 people nationwide, who needed to go for dialysis, 40% did so at hospitals, 35% at centres run by NGOs and 25% at centres operated by the private sector.
He said the Government was spending as much as RM20,000 per patient to provide haemodialysis treatments at hospitals and subsidised RM8,000 for every person seeking treatment at NGOs centres.
He revealed that 45 district hospitals in the country would be equipped with at least four dialysis machines each by the middle of next year at a cost of RM30mil.
KOTA BELUD: Faced with a literally ballooning problem of more overweight Malaysians, the Health Ministry is taking a different approach in getting people to lead healthy lives.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said current campaigns were largely targeting the “converted,” who were already practising healthy lifestyles.
“The programmes that we have been doing have not been really effective. We are going to reach out to schoolchildren and we will also use television more to send out the message,” he said yesterday after opening a RM500,000 haemodialysis centre at the district hospital here.
He also said there were about 2,500 new end-stage renal failure patients in the country every year, who would require haemodialysis treatments thrice a week. This health problem was brought about by diabetes, hypertension and infection.
“We need to send the message home that the people must take the responsibility for their own bodies and not leave it to God and their doctors only,” Dr Chua said, adding that 25% of Malaysians were overweight.
He said three out of every 10 Malaysians were suffering from hypertension while 8% were diabetic.
“It would be more prudent for the Government to effectively promote a healthy lifestyle among the people instead of building more and more dialysis centres,” Dr Chua said.
He added that of the 10,000 people nationwide, who needed to go for dialysis, 40% did so at hospitals, 35% at centres run by NGOs and 25% at centres operated by the private sector.
He said the Government was spending as much as RM20,000 per patient to provide haemodialysis treatments at hospitals and subsidised RM8,000 for every person seeking treatment at NGOs centres.
He revealed that 45 district hospitals in the country would be equipped with at least four dialysis machines each by the middle of next year at a cost of RM30mil.
Tests indicate e.coli in water
TANAH RATA: Tap water in Cameron Highlands has been found to be contaminated with the e. coli bacteria normally found in the faeces of animals and humans.
Tests carried out by the Health Ministry and the Regional Environmental Awareness Cameron Highlands (REACH) over two years indicated the presence of “bacteria too numerous to count” in the water.
REACH president R. Ramakrishnan said 12 treated water samples showed high counts of e. coli in residential and commercial properties in Brinchang, Tanah Rata and Ringlet.
“Our tests showed a 46 count per 100ml at certain points. Our drinking water should not even have e. coli.
“We have been complaining to the authorities about this for almost two years now,” he said.
It is understood that the bacteria is of the H0157 strain, found in the intestines of animals and humans.
Ramakrishnan said there had been a higher number of diarrhoea cases reported at private clinics in the highland resort.
He said authorities narrowed down the source of the contamination to improperly processed chicken fertilisers and human faeces.
“Chicken fertiliser for use in vegetable farms are getting into our river system.
“Even human faeces, as a result of improper sanitation, are getting into the rivers, some of which are used by the Waterworks Department to extract water,” he added.
A check in Kampung Raja and Kuala Terla showed sacks of chicken fertiliser stacked along the roadsides and next to streams, with many exposed to rain.
Cameron Highlands MP S.K. Devamany said the matter had been brought to the attention of the local development committee three months ago.
“I am still awaiting their recommendations on the next course of action.
“We need to get to the source of the contamination,” he said.
A Department of Environment spokesman said the department’s river water quality monitors showed high counts of e. coli.
“Tests showed a high 12,000 counts per ml of e. coli in Sungai Terla which is where the Public Works Department water intake point is located,'' he said.
The permissible level for e. coli in rivers is 100 counts per ml in a Class II river. Water extracted from Class II rivers requires conventional treatment – using lime and chlorine only.
TANAH RATA: Tap water in Cameron Highlands has been found to be contaminated with the e. coli bacteria normally found in the faeces of animals and humans.
Tests carried out by the Health Ministry and the Regional Environmental Awareness Cameron Highlands (REACH) over two years indicated the presence of “bacteria too numerous to count” in the water.
REACH president R. Ramakrishnan said 12 treated water samples showed high counts of e. coli in residential and commercial properties in Brinchang, Tanah Rata and Ringlet.
“Our tests showed a 46 count per 100ml at certain points. Our drinking water should not even have e. coli.
“We have been complaining to the authorities about this for almost two years now,” he said.
It is understood that the bacteria is of the H0157 strain, found in the intestines of animals and humans.
Ramakrishnan said there had been a higher number of diarrhoea cases reported at private clinics in the highland resort.
He said authorities narrowed down the source of the contamination to improperly processed chicken fertilisers and human faeces.
“Chicken fertiliser for use in vegetable farms are getting into our river system.
“Even human faeces, as a result of improper sanitation, are getting into the rivers, some of which are used by the Waterworks Department to extract water,” he added.
A check in Kampung Raja and Kuala Terla showed sacks of chicken fertiliser stacked along the roadsides and next to streams, with many exposed to rain.
Cameron Highlands MP S.K. Devamany said the matter had been brought to the attention of the local development committee three months ago.
“I am still awaiting their recommendations on the next course of action.
“We need to get to the source of the contamination,” he said.
A Department of Environment spokesman said the department’s river water quality monitors showed high counts of e. coli.
“Tests showed a high 12,000 counts per ml of e. coli in Sungai Terla which is where the Public Works Department water intake point is located,'' he said.
The permissible level for e. coli in rivers is 100 counts per ml in a Class II river. Water extracted from Class II rivers requires conventional treatment – using lime and chlorine only.
Ministry to crack down on errant beauty salons
KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry will crack down on beauty salons nationwide following numerous complaints on the use of unregistered products and the handling of equipment by unqualified personnel.
Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek revealed that in the first raid in Penang on Nov 4, seven out of 13 salons were found to be using unregistered products.
“We have confiscated products, including syringes, capsules and cream valued at between RM20,000 and RM30,000.
“The owners of the premises and individuals involved will be charged in court,” he said at Wisma MCA here yesterday.
Dr Chua said the ministry's enforcement team would conduct the next raid before Hari Raya but did not reveal which state.
He said the ministry would also come up with a Medical Device Act to control the use of medical devices as many unqualified people were using them to carry out beauty treatments.
“Beauty salons are mushrooming all over the country.
“Some people claim they are plastic surgeons. There are also others who use equipment like laser machines and inject stem cells and botox into patients, claiming that such treatment will make them young again,” Dr Chua said.
He urged those wanting to seek beauty treatment to check with the ministry's National Pharmaceutical Bureau whether the products which would be used were registered.
He said they should also consult their family doctors.
Anyone found guilty under the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1984 could be fined up to RM25,000 or jailed not more than three years or both for the first offence.
“Those convicted the second time can be fined not more than RM50,000 or jailed not more than five years or both.
“As for companies, they can be fined up to RM50,000 for the first offence and up to RM100,000 for the second,” he said.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry will crack down on beauty salons nationwide following numerous complaints on the use of unregistered products and the handling of equipment by unqualified personnel.
Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek revealed that in the first raid in Penang on Nov 4, seven out of 13 salons were found to be using unregistered products.
“We have confiscated products, including syringes, capsules and cream valued at between RM20,000 and RM30,000.
“The owners of the premises and individuals involved will be charged in court,” he said at Wisma MCA here yesterday.
Dr Chua said the ministry's enforcement team would conduct the next raid before Hari Raya but did not reveal which state.
He said the ministry would also come up with a Medical Device Act to control the use of medical devices as many unqualified people were using them to carry out beauty treatments.
“Beauty salons are mushrooming all over the country.
“Some people claim they are plastic surgeons. There are also others who use equipment like laser machines and inject stem cells and botox into patients, claiming that such treatment will make them young again,” Dr Chua said.
He urged those wanting to seek beauty treatment to check with the ministry's National Pharmaceutical Bureau whether the products which would be used were registered.
He said they should also consult their family doctors.
Anyone found guilty under the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1984 could be fined up to RM25,000 or jailed not more than three years or both for the first offence.
“Those convicted the second time can be fined not more than RM50,000 or jailed not more than five years or both.
“As for companies, they can be fined up to RM50,000 for the first offence and up to RM100,000 for the second,” he said.
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
Two more haemodialysis machines for S'kan hospital: Chua
Sandakan: The Health Ministry is committed to providing various types of healthcare facilities as among the Government's efforts to improve service quality, apart from upgrading hospitals in the country including Sabah.
Its Minister, Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek, said provision of systematic and sophisticated medical facilities would continue to cater for the needs of patients.
He said this after visiting the Duchess of Kent Hospital here Saturday, accompanied by Infrastructure Minister DatuK Raymond Tan Shu Kiah, Batu Sapi MP Edmund Chung, Beluran MP Datuk Ronald Kiandee, Elopura Assemblyman Au Kam Wah and State Health Director Dr Zainol Hamzah.
Under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP), Chua said the Ministry would provide two more haemodialysis machines, apart from installing a CT Scan worth RM2.4 million at the hospital here.
He said construction of 48 units of quarters for the hospital's personnel was expected to commence next year.
According to him, he was making visits to hospitals in the country to gain first-hand knowledge on the development, equipment as well as services provided by his Ministry.
"At the same time, the visits will enable us to identify and resolve problems as well as gather feedback for the 9MP," he said.
Chua, who was given a briefing by the hospital Director, Dr Zorina Khalid, assured that he would look into the proposals by the director.
Among the proposals approved by Chua were construction of a staircase to connect the parking area at the specialist clinic to the ward building, creating an ENT and ophthalmology ward, a roofed walkway from the gate to the car park at the specialist clinic and a radiology specialist room. ' In a related development, Chua urged all hospitals to provide people-friendly and efficient services, in line with the call by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
"We hope all hospitals in the country, including those in Sabah, will interact with the international bodies to enhance knowledge in medical technology.
"This has been done by the hospitals in Kota Baru, which have been interacting with those in Britain and France. It is a success that directly fulfils the aspirations of the people," he said.
Sandakan: The Health Ministry is committed to providing various types of healthcare facilities as among the Government's efforts to improve service quality, apart from upgrading hospitals in the country including Sabah.
Its Minister, Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek, said provision of systematic and sophisticated medical facilities would continue to cater for the needs of patients.
He said this after visiting the Duchess of Kent Hospital here Saturday, accompanied by Infrastructure Minister DatuK Raymond Tan Shu Kiah, Batu Sapi MP Edmund Chung, Beluran MP Datuk Ronald Kiandee, Elopura Assemblyman Au Kam Wah and State Health Director Dr Zainol Hamzah.
Under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP), Chua said the Ministry would provide two more haemodialysis machines, apart from installing a CT Scan worth RM2.4 million at the hospital here.
He said construction of 48 units of quarters for the hospital's personnel was expected to commence next year.
According to him, he was making visits to hospitals in the country to gain first-hand knowledge on the development, equipment as well as services provided by his Ministry.
"At the same time, the visits will enable us to identify and resolve problems as well as gather feedback for the 9MP," he said.
Chua, who was given a briefing by the hospital Director, Dr Zorina Khalid, assured that he would look into the proposals by the director.
Among the proposals approved by Chua were construction of a staircase to connect the parking area at the specialist clinic to the ward building, creating an ENT and ophthalmology ward, a roofed walkway from the gate to the car park at the specialist clinic and a radiology specialist room. ' In a related development, Chua urged all hospitals to provide people-friendly and efficient services, in line with the call by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
"We hope all hospitals in the country, including those in Sabah, will interact with the international bodies to enhance knowledge in medical technology.
"This has been done by the hospitals in Kota Baru, which have been interacting with those in Britain and France. It is a success that directly fulfils the aspirations of the people," he said.
Monday, November 08, 2004
Govt To Relaunch Nationwide Health Awareness Campaign
KOTA BELUD, Nov 8 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry will relaunch a nationwide health awareness campaign, this time targeting a wider section of society including those at the grassroots level, Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said Monday.
The previous campaign had not been very effective because it was more like "preaching to the converted", he said.
"The previous campaign seemed to be targeted at those who already understood the importance of taking care of their health," he told reporters after launching the Kota Belud Hospital's haemodialysis unit here.
"We need to promote healthy living among the population so that they too would do their part in taking care of their body, and not merely depend on doctors to treat them when problems arise," he said.
Dr Chua said the new campaign would be more informative for the people, including details such as the food they need to take or avoid, the amount of exercise they had to undergo each week, how much rest the body needs as well as ways to handle stress.
"There are many people who take things for granted, thinking that all these things would come automatically and they need not be informed about it," he said.
Dr Chua said the government could not go on providing healthcare and treatment facilities without care for its prevention.
"That is why we need to promote healthy living among the people," he said.
Dr Chua also spoke of the need to install more dialysis machines in rural areas as compared to towns or cities.
"As we see it, in towns or cities there are many non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that are helpful enough and set up haemodialysis centres of their own. We seldom see this type of initiative in the rural areas," he said.
There are about 10,000 kidney patients in the country, of whom 40 per cent receive dialysis treatment in government hospitals, 35 per cent in centres set up by the NGOs and another 25 per cent from the private sector.
In his speech, Dr Chua said more haemodialysis units would be set up in governments hospital in the country.
"We plan to equip 45 government hospitals with haemodialysis centres by next year. Of these, 35 are already completed while the remaining 10 units would be ready by the middle of next year," he said.
The RM500,000 unit for the Kota Belud Hospital is equipped with four dialysis machines for use by 22 kidney patients in the district.
KOTA BELUD, Nov 8 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry will relaunch a nationwide health awareness campaign, this time targeting a wider section of society including those at the grassroots level, Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said Monday.
The previous campaign had not been very effective because it was more like "preaching to the converted", he said.
"The previous campaign seemed to be targeted at those who already understood the importance of taking care of their health," he told reporters after launching the Kota Belud Hospital's haemodialysis unit here.
"We need to promote healthy living among the population so that they too would do their part in taking care of their body, and not merely depend on doctors to treat them when problems arise," he said.
Dr Chua said the new campaign would be more informative for the people, including details such as the food they need to take or avoid, the amount of exercise they had to undergo each week, how much rest the body needs as well as ways to handle stress.
"There are many people who take things for granted, thinking that all these things would come automatically and they need not be informed about it," he said.
Dr Chua said the government could not go on providing healthcare and treatment facilities without care for its prevention.
"That is why we need to promote healthy living among the people," he said.
Dr Chua also spoke of the need to install more dialysis machines in rural areas as compared to towns or cities.
"As we see it, in towns or cities there are many non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that are helpful enough and set up haemodialysis centres of their own. We seldom see this type of initiative in the rural areas," he said.
There are about 10,000 kidney patients in the country, of whom 40 per cent receive dialysis treatment in government hospitals, 35 per cent in centres set up by the NGOs and another 25 per cent from the private sector.
In his speech, Dr Chua said more haemodialysis units would be set up in governments hospital in the country.
"We plan to equip 45 government hospitals with haemodialysis centres by next year. Of these, 35 are already completed while the remaining 10 units would be ready by the middle of next year," he said.
The RM500,000 unit for the Kota Belud Hospital is equipped with four dialysis machines for use by 22 kidney patients in the district.
Mercy better able to help Darfur children now
PETALING JAYA: Efforts by Malaysia Medical Relief Society (Mercy Malaysia) to help the children of Darfur will proceed smoothly because of the tremendous support from Malaysians in the past six weeks.
“You (the public) together with The Star have helped us realise one of our biggest dreams and we are very grateful for the support,” said Mercy Malaysia president Dr Jemilah Mahmood.
“Sudan was one of the greatest humanitarian challenges for us because of the lack of basic infrastructure, but our task has been eased because we have almost reached the targeted amount of money,” she added.
Dr Jemilah will be heading a team to West Darfur, Sudan, on Nov 19. Their job will be to oversee Mercy Malaysia’s operations there such as the start of the school and nutritional feeding programme, and the continuation of specialist medical care.
An educationist and a psychologist from Mercy Malaysia were sent to Darfur late last month and, together with the Sudanese ministry of education, they have successfully trained teachers in the Kerinding Two camp for internally displaced people in El-Geneina.
About 400 five- and six-year-old children will begin school on Nov 26.
The feeding programme will also involve the children of the school. They will be given milk and special nutritional biscuits during their meals.
Dr Jemilah is a specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology and there is a paediatrician in the team that is leaving on Nov 19.
Chief operating officer Shareen Shariza said they would be based at the El-Geneina hospital and would handle cases that cannot be handled by the general practitioners in the camps.
Shareen added that the World Health Organisation had recognised Mercy Malaysia as the only non-governmental organisation in Darfur to offer specialist care.
Mercy Malaysia also stressed that there was a need for volunteers who are specialists in gynaecology, obstetrics and the administering of tropical medicine, as they expected to be in Darfur for at least a year.
Thank you for caring and giving so generously
PETALING JAYA: Efforts by Malaysia Medical Relief Society (Mercy Malaysia) to help the children of Darfur will proceed smoothly because of the tremendous support from Malaysians in the past six weeks.
“You (the public) together with The Star have helped us realise one of our biggest dreams and we are very grateful for the support,” said Mercy Malaysia president Dr Jemilah Mahmood.
“Sudan was one of the greatest humanitarian challenges for us because of the lack of basic infrastructure, but our task has been eased because we have almost reached the targeted amount of money,” she added.
Dr Jemilah will be heading a team to West Darfur, Sudan, on Nov 19. Their job will be to oversee Mercy Malaysia’s operations there such as the start of the school and nutritional feeding programme, and the continuation of specialist medical care.
An educationist and a psychologist from Mercy Malaysia were sent to Darfur late last month and, together with the Sudanese ministry of education, they have successfully trained teachers in the Kerinding Two camp for internally displaced people in El-Geneina.
About 400 five- and six-year-old children will begin school on Nov 26.
The feeding programme will also involve the children of the school. They will be given milk and special nutritional biscuits during their meals.
Dr Jemilah is a specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology and there is a paediatrician in the team that is leaving on Nov 19.
Chief operating officer Shareen Shariza said they would be based at the El-Geneina hospital and would handle cases that cannot be handled by the general practitioners in the camps.
Shareen added that the World Health Organisation had recognised Mercy Malaysia as the only non-governmental organisation in Darfur to offer specialist care.
Mercy Malaysia also stressed that there was a need for volunteers who are specialists in gynaecology, obstetrics and the administering of tropical medicine, as they expected to be in Darfur for at least a year.
Thank you for caring and giving so generously
Sunday, November 07, 2004
Sandakan hospital to be upgraded
SANDAKAN: The Health Ministry has identified several critical facilities for upgrading next year at the Duchess of Kent Hospital here to further improve its services.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the ministry had approved a plan to furnish the hospital with a CT scan unit at a cost of RM2.4mil and to build 48 units of staff quarters next year.
Dr Chua, who visited the hospital yesterday, said the ministry had also given the green light for the hospital to buy two haemodialysis machines.
He said four of the 12 projects listed in the Ninth Malaysia Plan to be implemented next year had also been approved.
Among the projects are the setting up of a daily treatment centre and an ear, nose and throat (ENT) and ophthalmology ward that will cost a total of RM100,000.
He said the hospital would also have a radiology specialist's room and a waiting area.
Dr Chua also called on the hospital staff to provide good service to those seeking treatment so as to complement the Government’s efforts in equipping the hospital with the latest facilities.
He said while his ministry spent about RM6.8bil a year, its revenue was only RM125mil.
“About 79% of the health cost is subsidised by the Government,” said Dr Chua, who will be visiting the Tawau and Kota Belud hospitals over the next two days.
SANDAKAN: The Health Ministry has identified several critical facilities for upgrading next year at the Duchess of Kent Hospital here to further improve its services.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the ministry had approved a plan to furnish the hospital with a CT scan unit at a cost of RM2.4mil and to build 48 units of staff quarters next year.
Dr Chua, who visited the hospital yesterday, said the ministry had also given the green light for the hospital to buy two haemodialysis machines.
He said four of the 12 projects listed in the Ninth Malaysia Plan to be implemented next year had also been approved.
Among the projects are the setting up of a daily treatment centre and an ear, nose and throat (ENT) and ophthalmology ward that will cost a total of RM100,000.
He said the hospital would also have a radiology specialist's room and a waiting area.
Dr Chua also called on the hospital staff to provide good service to those seeking treatment so as to complement the Government’s efforts in equipping the hospital with the latest facilities.
He said while his ministry spent about RM6.8bil a year, its revenue was only RM125mil.
“About 79% of the health cost is subsidised by the Government,” said Dr Chua, who will be visiting the Tawau and Kota Belud hospitals over the next two days.
Saturday, November 06, 2004
Enough forensic pathologists in the country
There are enough forensic pathologists in the country, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad said today.
He said there was one chief pathologist in every State, supported by other pathologists specialising in different medical disciplines.
"We are not suffering from any major shortage. In fact, we have enough pathologists nationwide," he said during a visit to the Balik Pulau Hospital here.
"The ministry is also training new pathologists to meet future demands."
Dr Abdul Latiff, however, could not provide the exact number of pathologists in the country.
He was asked to comment on a statement by Ipoh High Court judge Datuk V.T. Singham, who said there was an acute shortage of forensic pathologists at the Ipoh Hospital.
Singham said this after acquitting a 42-year-old mother accused of fatally strangling her five-year-old daughter. He did not even call for her defence because of the failure of the prosecution to provide any evidence, direct or circumstantial, linking the mother to the crime.
In his judgment, Singham had said future murder investigations in the State would suffer if the hospital did not address the shortage.
He had said there was no forensic pathologist available to conduct a post-mortem on the dead child, Winnie Chew, in December last year. The child’s body had to be stored in a freezer for 24 hours while waiting for a pathologist from Alor Star Hospital to arrive.
As a result, the time of death could not be ascertained.
Dr Abdul Latiff said the case was an "isolated" one.
"We have to understand that pathologists are human beings too," he said. "There are occasions when they need to go on leave or attend conferences.
"But I can assure you during those times, we do have people on standby. Whatever it is, we have ample pathologists to serve the whole nation."
Earlier, he presented more than 40 hampers to patients at the hospital.
Dr Abdul Latiff also said he would consider proposals to upgrade the Balik Pulau Hospital as and when the need arose.
"At present, I am satisfied with the hospital’s performance," he added.
There are enough forensic pathologists in the country, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad said today.
He said there was one chief pathologist in every State, supported by other pathologists specialising in different medical disciplines.
"We are not suffering from any major shortage. In fact, we have enough pathologists nationwide," he said during a visit to the Balik Pulau Hospital here.
"The ministry is also training new pathologists to meet future demands."
Dr Abdul Latiff, however, could not provide the exact number of pathologists in the country.
He was asked to comment on a statement by Ipoh High Court judge Datuk V.T. Singham, who said there was an acute shortage of forensic pathologists at the Ipoh Hospital.
Singham said this after acquitting a 42-year-old mother accused of fatally strangling her five-year-old daughter. He did not even call for her defence because of the failure of the prosecution to provide any evidence, direct or circumstantial, linking the mother to the crime.
In his judgment, Singham had said future murder investigations in the State would suffer if the hospital did not address the shortage.
He had said there was no forensic pathologist available to conduct a post-mortem on the dead child, Winnie Chew, in December last year. The child’s body had to be stored in a freezer for 24 hours while waiting for a pathologist from Alor Star Hospital to arrive.
As a result, the time of death could not be ascertained.
Dr Abdul Latiff said the case was an "isolated" one.
"We have to understand that pathologists are human beings too," he said. "There are occasions when they need to go on leave or attend conferences.
"But I can assure you during those times, we do have people on standby. Whatever it is, we have ample pathologists to serve the whole nation."
Earlier, he presented more than 40 hampers to patients at the hospital.
Dr Abdul Latiff also said he would consider proposals to upgrade the Balik Pulau Hospital as and when the need arose.
"At present, I am satisfied with the hospital’s performance," he added.
Private Hospitals Say Their Blood Costly To Cover Test Expenses
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- Private hospitals charge up to RM200 per bag for blood to cover the costs of testing the blood for diseases, the Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia said.
"The RM100 to RM200 includes the costs of tests that need to be done to ensure that donated blood is safe from diseases such as HIV, venereal disease and Hepatitis A, B and C," it said in a statement faxed to Bernama Friday.
"The consequence of giving blood which may carry the diseases is obvious. Hence, for the protection of the public, it is necessary," the statement said.
The association was responding to newspaper reports quoting Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek as saying that some private hospitals charged between RM100 and RM200 for a bag of blood which they had bought for only RM20 from government hospitals.
The association also said that blood stocks purchased from public sector healthcare institutions other than the National Blood Bank were priced at RM80 per bag.
Meanwhile, Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) president N. Marimuthu said it was unfair for private hospitals to charge such a high price.
"Most of blood (stocks) are donated by caring Malaysians and it is totally unacceptable if private hospitals are selling the blood to patients at an exorbitant price," he told Bernama.
"The public donated the blood free of charge and NGOs (non-governmental organisations) and the ministry are helping to carry out blood donation campaigns. It is a shame if private hospitals are doing this," he added.
-- BERNAMA
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- Private hospitals charge up to RM200 per bag for blood to cover the costs of testing the blood for diseases, the Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia said.
"The RM100 to RM200 includes the costs of tests that need to be done to ensure that donated blood is safe from diseases such as HIV, venereal disease and Hepatitis A, B and C," it said in a statement faxed to Bernama Friday.
"The consequence of giving blood which may carry the diseases is obvious. Hence, for the protection of the public, it is necessary," the statement said.
The association was responding to newspaper reports quoting Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek as saying that some private hospitals charged between RM100 and RM200 for a bag of blood which they had bought for only RM20 from government hospitals.
The association also said that blood stocks purchased from public sector healthcare institutions other than the National Blood Bank were priced at RM80 per bag.
Meanwhile, Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) president N. Marimuthu said it was unfair for private hospitals to charge such a high price.
"Most of blood (stocks) are donated by caring Malaysians and it is totally unacceptable if private hospitals are selling the blood to patients at an exorbitant price," he told Bernama.
"The public donated the blood free of charge and NGOs (non-governmental organisations) and the ministry are helping to carry out blood donation campaigns. It is a shame if private hospitals are doing this," he added.
-- BERNAMA
Some private hospitals overcharging for blood
KUALA LUMPUR: Patients at some private hospitals are paying up to 10 times more for blood supplied from government blood banks.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said that certain private hospitals were charging up between RM100 and RM200 per unit of blood, which costs them only RM20.
“We hope private hospitals who are getting blood from government hospitals should not become profiteers and we understand this is happening even though we are charging the minimum to private hospitals. The Government and ministry consider it a humanitarian service and necessity.
He said the RM20 was to cover storage and testing charges at the 112 government run bloodbanks in the country.
“When private hospitals require blood, we give it to them. There is no profit orientation. But some hospitals charge highly after they get it from us,” he told reporters yesterday after launching the Tunku Abdul Rahman College blood donation campaign.
He said, however, that such incidents were not rampant.
To a question, he said : “We cannot take action because there is no law. It is a free market.”
Dr Chua also said blood supply were sufficient for the coming holiday period but urged the public to continue donating as plasma (a blood component) could only last five days.
He said Malaysia was ranked among the top countries in the region in terms of voluntary blood donation and had surpassed the World Health Organisation requirement that 40% of donors should be voluntary.
“Some 98% of blood donors in Malaysia are volunteers.” During the press conference, he said that the ministry would investigate the case of a body which was stored in a freezer for 24 hours at the Ipoh Hospital while waiting for a forensic pathologist to arrive from Alor Star last December.
He also said that there was no shortage of forensic pathologists but clinical pathologists were insufficient with only 90 of the 150 vacancies in the government service filled.
KUALA LUMPUR: Patients at some private hospitals are paying up to 10 times more for blood supplied from government blood banks.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said that certain private hospitals were charging up between RM100 and RM200 per unit of blood, which costs them only RM20.
“We hope private hospitals who are getting blood from government hospitals should not become profiteers and we understand this is happening even though we are charging the minimum to private hospitals. The Government and ministry consider it a humanitarian service and necessity.
He said the RM20 was to cover storage and testing charges at the 112 government run bloodbanks in the country.
“When private hospitals require blood, we give it to them. There is no profit orientation. But some hospitals charge highly after they get it from us,” he told reporters yesterday after launching the Tunku Abdul Rahman College blood donation campaign.
He said, however, that such incidents were not rampant.
To a question, he said : “We cannot take action because there is no law. It is a free market.”
Dr Chua also said blood supply were sufficient for the coming holiday period but urged the public to continue donating as plasma (a blood component) could only last five days.
He said Malaysia was ranked among the top countries in the region in terms of voluntary blood donation and had surpassed the World Health Organisation requirement that 40% of donors should be voluntary.
“Some 98% of blood donors in Malaysia are volunteers.” During the press conference, he said that the ministry would investigate the case of a body which was stored in a freezer for 24 hours at the Ipoh Hospital while waiting for a forensic pathologist to arrive from Alor Star last December.
He also said that there was no shortage of forensic pathologists but clinical pathologists were insufficient with only 90 of the 150 vacancies in the government service filled.
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
Pregnancy test included in free NS health screening
PETALING JAYA: Pregnancy tests will be part of the free health screening for youths selected for national service (NS) from now on.
“To prevent untoward incidents, such as miscarriage, we offer deferment of training to pregnant trainees and will send them home right away,” said NS Training Department deputy director-general Omar Abdul Rahman.
Married female trainees are, therefore, advised to take the pregnancy test ahead of the three-month NS training as previously, some pregnant female trainees had unknowingly enrolled themselves, he said.
“Some pregnant trainees became unwell in the camps or some used pregnancy as an excuse to stay away from certain activities.”
All NS trainees are required to go through the health screening at appointed public hospitals before reporting for training.
Those certified with health complications will be exempted from the programme or have their training deferred to a later date depending on the seriousness of their illnesses.
Omar said trainees due to undergo NS training in December should receive the list of government and military hospitals for the free health screening next week.
Notices to inform trainees about which camps they were assigned to, locations of the pick-up points and preparation instructions for NS training would be sent out by Friday, he said.
“The notices will include advice on the dos and don’ts at NS training camps, a list of things to bring and prohibited items at camps.
“For trainees scheduled to begin training in December, they can call up the NS Training Department from late next week onwards if they have yet to receive the notices, “ he said.
The second year of NS programme will see 85,000 youths born in 1987 undergo training in three batches.
The first batch of about 28,000 will begin training from Dec 13, the second from March 14, and the third from July 10.
PETALING JAYA: Pregnancy tests will be part of the free health screening for youths selected for national service (NS) from now on.
“To prevent untoward incidents, such as miscarriage, we offer deferment of training to pregnant trainees and will send them home right away,” said NS Training Department deputy director-general Omar Abdul Rahman.
Married female trainees are, therefore, advised to take the pregnancy test ahead of the three-month NS training as previously, some pregnant female trainees had unknowingly enrolled themselves, he said.
“Some pregnant trainees became unwell in the camps or some used pregnancy as an excuse to stay away from certain activities.”
All NS trainees are required to go through the health screening at appointed public hospitals before reporting for training.
Those certified with health complications will be exempted from the programme or have their training deferred to a later date depending on the seriousness of their illnesses.
Omar said trainees due to undergo NS training in December should receive the list of government and military hospitals for the free health screening next week.
Notices to inform trainees about which camps they were assigned to, locations of the pick-up points and preparation instructions for NS training would be sent out by Friday, he said.
“The notices will include advice on the dos and don’ts at NS training camps, a list of things to bring and prohibited items at camps.
“For trainees scheduled to begin training in December, they can call up the NS Training Department from late next week onwards if they have yet to receive the notices, “ he said.
The second year of NS programme will see 85,000 youths born in 1987 undergo training in three batches.
The first batch of about 28,000 will begin training from Dec 13, the second from March 14, and the third from July 10.
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
Plan for private wings in hospitals scrapped
The plan to build private wings in public hospitals has been scrapped, due to the high cost and space constraints, said Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek.
Instead, he is banking on the recently-approved locum scheme to keep government doctors from leaving for private practice.
Allowing full-fee patients, another recent decision, will also help the Government keep its healthcare bill down, he said.
When he first announced the plan in May, Dr Chua had said private wings would have separate facilities from public hospitals.
"The (alternatives) are suitable, and easier to implement than the private wing concept," he said in an interview with the New Straits Times.
Dr Chua said that these moves are addressed at reducing the ministry's operating budget which has risen more than four times from RM1.6 billion in 1990 to RM6.8 billion this year.
Full-fee patients would be charged according to the scheduled rates of the Malaysian Medical Association, he said. Some minor changes are expected to be made to the schedule, as the Government's motive was to complement, and not compete with, private sector services.
Dr Chua said he expected more people would seek treatment at government hospitals, in light of rising private health care costs.
Meanwhile, doctors would be allowed to take 20 hours of locum, or substitute, work a month, standing in for doctors who were off or on leave.
Locum work, currently allowed for emergency units, will also be allowed at outpatient departments. The current rate is RM30 an hour, the same as in private practice.
Four sub-committees, headed by Health secretary-general Datuk Ismail Adam have four months to draw up clear guidelines and a fee structure for doctors taking locum work.
Aside from hours and payments to both doctors and support staff, issues such as monitoring mechanisms were still outstanding. Close monitoring was necessary to ensure treatment was based on clinical factors, not fees, and there was no abuse of the system, he said.
Dr Chua said eventually patients would end up using both private and government hospitals, especially when the Government outsourced more treatment like radiotherapy, nurses' training and laboratory work.
"We even allow private doctors to come and work in government hospitals with payment of RM40 per hour for doctors and RM100 to RM120 for specialists," he added.
The plan to build private wings in public hospitals has been scrapped, due to the high cost and space constraints, said Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek.
Instead, he is banking on the recently-approved locum scheme to keep government doctors from leaving for private practice.
Allowing full-fee patients, another recent decision, will also help the Government keep its healthcare bill down, he said.
When he first announced the plan in May, Dr Chua had said private wings would have separate facilities from public hospitals.
"The (alternatives) are suitable, and easier to implement than the private wing concept," he said in an interview with the New Straits Times.
Dr Chua said that these moves are addressed at reducing the ministry's operating budget which has risen more than four times from RM1.6 billion in 1990 to RM6.8 billion this year.
Full-fee patients would be charged according to the scheduled rates of the Malaysian Medical Association, he said. Some minor changes are expected to be made to the schedule, as the Government's motive was to complement, and not compete with, private sector services.
Dr Chua said he expected more people would seek treatment at government hospitals, in light of rising private health care costs.
Meanwhile, doctors would be allowed to take 20 hours of locum, or substitute, work a month, standing in for doctors who were off or on leave.
Locum work, currently allowed for emergency units, will also be allowed at outpatient departments. The current rate is RM30 an hour, the same as in private practice.
Four sub-committees, headed by Health secretary-general Datuk Ismail Adam have four months to draw up clear guidelines and a fee structure for doctors taking locum work.
Aside from hours and payments to both doctors and support staff, issues such as monitoring mechanisms were still outstanding. Close monitoring was necessary to ensure treatment was based on clinical factors, not fees, and there was no abuse of the system, he said.
Dr Chua said eventually patients would end up using both private and government hospitals, especially when the Government outsourced more treatment like radiotherapy, nurses' training and laboratory work.
"We even allow private doctors to come and work in government hospitals with payment of RM40 per hour for doctors and RM100 to RM120 for specialists," he added.
Endon To Help Cancer Patients Through Penyayang
PUTRAJAYA, Nov 1 (Bernama) -- Datin Seri Endon Mahmood, wife of the prime minister, has agreed to be included in a cancer support group called "Penyayang Pesakit Kanser" (PPK) that was formed to provide much-needed moral and counselling support for cancer patients.
She said it had always been her aspiration to be part of an effective cancer support group.
"As a cancer patient myself, I fully understand the importance of the support group for patients and family members alike," she said here when handing over a van donated to PPK, a sector under Penyayang, of which she is the patron and chairman.
The RM91,000 Mitsubishi Delica van, donated by the DRB-Hicom Group, will be used to ferry cancer patients from the half-way house to the cancer treatment centre in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan.
Endon said counselling was very important for a cancer patient, especially during the post-operation/treatment period.
On the formation of PPK, she said Hospital Putrajaya director Dr Naginder Singh had agreed to serve as its chairman. PPK's task is to man and support the activities of the cancer support group.
Endon said Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) would also be part of the PPK when two of its academic staff, Dr Mazanah Muhamad and Dr Othman Omar, agreed to participate as consultants.
"With the inclusion of UPM as a partner, I am sure there will be meaningful programmes (undertaken by PPK)," she said.
Endon also said that the PPK would bring over to Malaysia in early December a physiotherapist whose services she had used for her breast cancer in Los Angeles.
"She (the physiotherapist) and her husband will be an asset to our support group (PPK)," she said.
Later, at a press conference, Endon said the physiotherapist would be in Malaysia for two years to share her expertise and knowledge with PPK in handling cancer patients.
-- BERNAMA
PUTRAJAYA, Nov 1 (Bernama) -- Datin Seri Endon Mahmood, wife of the prime minister, has agreed to be included in a cancer support group called "Penyayang Pesakit Kanser" (PPK) that was formed to provide much-needed moral and counselling support for cancer patients.
She said it had always been her aspiration to be part of an effective cancer support group.
"As a cancer patient myself, I fully understand the importance of the support group for patients and family members alike," she said here when handing over a van donated to PPK, a sector under Penyayang, of which she is the patron and chairman.
The RM91,000 Mitsubishi Delica van, donated by the DRB-Hicom Group, will be used to ferry cancer patients from the half-way house to the cancer treatment centre in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan.
Endon said counselling was very important for a cancer patient, especially during the post-operation/treatment period.
On the formation of PPK, she said Hospital Putrajaya director Dr Naginder Singh had agreed to serve as its chairman. PPK's task is to man and support the activities of the cancer support group.
Endon said Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) would also be part of the PPK when two of its academic staff, Dr Mazanah Muhamad and Dr Othman Omar, agreed to participate as consultants.
"With the inclusion of UPM as a partner, I am sure there will be meaningful programmes (undertaken by PPK)," she said.
Endon also said that the PPK would bring over to Malaysia in early December a physiotherapist whose services she had used for her breast cancer in Los Angeles.
"She (the physiotherapist) and her husband will be an asset to our support group (PPK)," she said.
Later, at a press conference, Endon said the physiotherapist would be in Malaysia for two years to share her expertise and knowledge with PPK in handling cancer patients.
-- BERNAMA
80% cancer diagnosed at a late stage
PUTRAJAYA: Eighty per cent of cancer cases in Malaysia were diagnosed only at the advanced stage due to lack of awareness, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said.
He said the patients had sought treatment from unprofessional medical practitioners such as bomoh and sinseh (traditional Chinese medical practitioners) during the initial stages of cancer.
“Forty thousand cancer cases were reported last year, which is a serious issue, and about 80% of them were diagnosed at a late stage.
“Most of the patients also feel too embarrassed to go to the hospital and would rather seek traditional treatment,” he said.
Dr Chua said the number of cases was rising due to factors such as family history, ageing, food and polluted environment.
“Among the common cancers are breast, cervix, uterus, tongue and nasopharyngeal cancers,” he said at the Putrajaya Hospital after witnessing the handing over of a van by DRB-Hicom Bhd to Penyayang Pesakit Kanser yesterday.
DRB-Hicom donated a Mitsubishi Delica van costing RM91,000 for Penyayang to ferry patients from the Putrajaya Hospital halfway house – a place for patients and family members to stay during treatment – to the Nilai Cancer Centre.
Present were Penyayang chairman Datin Seri Endon Mahmood and DRB-Hicom group chairman Tan Sri Saleh Sulong.
Dr Chua said creating public awareness about the disease would help to prevent the increasing number of cases.
“Educating the public is an important step to help prevent late-stage diagnosis and moral support from family members and non-governmental organisations is also important for the patients.
“Studies done in the United States have shown that cancer patients who receive counselling and moral support from family members have a higher survival rate,” he said.
Under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, Dr Chua said, the ministry would place a Positron Emission Tomography Computer Tomography scanner at the Putrajaya and Penang Hospitals to emphasise hygienic treatment.
He said the scanner, which uses the latest technology in functional and anatomical study to detect cancer, would be placed at the Penang Hospital by January and at the Putrajaya Hospital by August.
PUTRAJAYA: Eighty per cent of cancer cases in Malaysia were diagnosed only at the advanced stage due to lack of awareness, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said.
He said the patients had sought treatment from unprofessional medical practitioners such as bomoh and sinseh (traditional Chinese medical practitioners) during the initial stages of cancer.
“Forty thousand cancer cases were reported last year, which is a serious issue, and about 80% of them were diagnosed at a late stage.
“Most of the patients also feel too embarrassed to go to the hospital and would rather seek traditional treatment,” he said.
Dr Chua said the number of cases was rising due to factors such as family history, ageing, food and polluted environment.
“Among the common cancers are breast, cervix, uterus, tongue and nasopharyngeal cancers,” he said at the Putrajaya Hospital after witnessing the handing over of a van by DRB-Hicom Bhd to Penyayang Pesakit Kanser yesterday.
DRB-Hicom donated a Mitsubishi Delica van costing RM91,000 for Penyayang to ferry patients from the Putrajaya Hospital halfway house – a place for patients and family members to stay during treatment – to the Nilai Cancer Centre.
Present were Penyayang chairman Datin Seri Endon Mahmood and DRB-Hicom group chairman Tan Sri Saleh Sulong.
Dr Chua said creating public awareness about the disease would help to prevent the increasing number of cases.
“Educating the public is an important step to help prevent late-stage diagnosis and moral support from family members and non-governmental organisations is also important for the patients.
“Studies done in the United States have shown that cancer patients who receive counselling and moral support from family members have a higher survival rate,” he said.
Under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, Dr Chua said, the ministry would place a Positron Emission Tomography Computer Tomography scanner at the Putrajaya and Penang Hospitals to emphasise hygienic treatment.
He said the scanner, which uses the latest technology in functional and anatomical study to detect cancer, would be placed at the Penang Hospital by January and at the Putrajaya Hospital by August.
Arrogant medical staff top complaints against ministry
KUALA LUMPUR: Arrogant and unfriendly medical staff and nurses are the main complaints against the Health Ministry.
Health Ministry secretary-general Datuk Ismail Adam said that according to the Public Complaints Bureau Annual Report 2003, the ministry had received 135 complaints sent via letters and telephone, the fifth highest among all ministries.
“Some of the complaints involved the ineffectiveness and arrogance of certain medical staff and nurses, harsh treatment and the unfriendly attitude towards patients, long waiting time and delay in arrival of doctors who are “on-call” in rural clinics,” he added.
He was speaking to reporters after officially launching the ministry’s Quality Day at the Public Health Department yesterday on behalf of Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek.
Ismail, who presented 26 awards and certificates to public clinics and hospitals nationwide in conjunction with the event, said the ranking was unsatisfactory and that the ministry would continuously upgrade communication skills among its healthcare staff to serve patients better.
“We need to treat our patients better to make them feel comfortable. Patients who come in for treatment need to be treated well so they will feel more at ease,” he added.
Ismail said the ministry conducted training programmes and meetings on a weekly and monthly basis to constantly remind their staff on the importance of good communication.
“We also place importance on certification and accreditation, which means that our hospitals and clinics must be well-managed with proper procedures in place,” he said.
However, Ismail said, patients must understand that the government’s facilities might not be able to meet their needs at times.
“We treat all patients, foreigners and locals and our facilities are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Sometimes, demand exceeds our capabilities,” he added.
KUALA LUMPUR: Arrogant and unfriendly medical staff and nurses are the main complaints against the Health Ministry.
Health Ministry secretary-general Datuk Ismail Adam said that according to the Public Complaints Bureau Annual Report 2003, the ministry had received 135 complaints sent via letters and telephone, the fifth highest among all ministries.
“Some of the complaints involved the ineffectiveness and arrogance of certain medical staff and nurses, harsh treatment and the unfriendly attitude towards patients, long waiting time and delay in arrival of doctors who are “on-call” in rural clinics,” he added.
He was speaking to reporters after officially launching the ministry’s Quality Day at the Public Health Department yesterday on behalf of Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek.
Ismail, who presented 26 awards and certificates to public clinics and hospitals nationwide in conjunction with the event, said the ranking was unsatisfactory and that the ministry would continuously upgrade communication skills among its healthcare staff to serve patients better.
“We need to treat our patients better to make them feel comfortable. Patients who come in for treatment need to be treated well so they will feel more at ease,” he added.
Ismail said the ministry conducted training programmes and meetings on a weekly and monthly basis to constantly remind their staff on the importance of good communication.
“We also place importance on certification and accreditation, which means that our hospitals and clinics must be well-managed with proper procedures in place,” he said.
However, Ismail said, patients must understand that the government’s facilities might not be able to meet their needs at times.
“We treat all patients, foreigners and locals and our facilities are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Sometimes, demand exceeds our capabilities,” he added.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)