Star: The Government has considered the people's interest before it decided to charge foreigners more at public hospitals from next year, said Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr Fong Chan Onn.
He said the decision was also in line with Malaysia's plan to move away from becoming too dependent on foreign labour.
On Saturday, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said foreigners seeking treatment at public hospitals would be charged based on the Malaysian Medical Association’s schedule of fees for private practitioners.
Dr Fong said foreign workers should not be entitled to the comprehensive health system meant for Malaysians.
“Therefore foreign workers should bear the medical expenses at a different rate from Malaysians.
“To be fair to the Government, employers have to take that aspect into account because the Government wants to provide security to Malaysians not foreigners,” he said.
“We must move away from our total dependence on foreign workers.
“We cannot always be dependent on labour intensive industries and have to start paving our way towards a capital intensive industry,” he told reporters after giving out RM447,248.97 in benefits to 35 Social Security Organisation (Socso) recipients yesterday.
Dr Fong said Johor Baru Socso paid out RM17.59mil in benefits last year and until September this year, RM14.73mil had already been disbursed.
He reminded Socso officers to be less rigid with regulations when handling compensation cases to reduce the backlog, citing the case of a reporter in Segamat whose hand was almost severed two years ago.
“Whether or not his hand was severed in the line of duty, compensation should be paid.
“Let’s be humane and be a little bit more flexible. Loss of limb is loss of ability,” he added.
Malaysian Medical News: keeping you up to date with news sourced from various online sites, put in one place for your convenience, with a searchable archive
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Strong support for cancer plan
Star: Cancer welfare associations and surviving patients have come out in full support of Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s personal mission to seek cheaper treatment for Malaysian patients, saying reducing costs should be the first of many other steps.
The best way to counter cancer would still be prevention, early detection and early treatment, they said.
National Cancer Society of Malaysia executive director Dr Saunthari Somasundaram said the ideal long-term solution would be the formulation of a national cancer plan that addressed all cancer issues, from prevention and early detection, to treatment, supportive and palliative care.
Echoing the view were Hospis Malaysia CEO and medical director Dr Ednin Hamzah, Breast Cancer Welfare Association and Malaysian Breast Council president Ranjit Kaur and Malaysian Oncology Society president Dr Gurcharan Singh.
Dr Ednin said Pak Lah’s suggestion should be further worked on. The Prime Minister, who lost his wife Datin Seri Paduka Endon Mahmood to breast cancer last week, had vowed on Monday to work to reduce cancer treatment costs.
“What we need are more specialists to increase accessibility and more ground-level knowledge on cancer. Most of the patients are diagnosed at very late stages. Reducing costs have to be a part of a whole programme,” said Dr Ednin.
Ranjit Kaur suggested that the Government address the issue in three ways – give doctors better benefits to encourage them to serve in Government hospitals, ensure that cancer treatment is made more accessible, ensure post-treatment quality of life, and educate the public on preventive methods.
Dr Gurcharan Singh said that based on Malaysia’s population, the World Health Organisation had suggested that there be at least 100 oncologists.
Malaysia presently has 38 oncologists, with over 20 of them attached with private hospitals.
”Besides the costs of treatment, we are also lacking specialists in the field. For existing patients, we need to improve in efficacy and reduce side effects. The lesser the side effects, the more expensive the medication,” Dr Gurcharan Singh said.
Breast cancer patients Betty Ann Gomes, 43, and Jackie Soon, 53, described Abdullah’s remarks as timely.
“I have spent RM40,000 so far for my treatment, and I still need to go for follow-ups which will cost me RM600 for a three-month supply of drugs,” said Gomes, who quit her job as an operations manager after she was diagnosed with the illness in July 2003.
Soon, a businesswoman, said treatment costs were presently too expensive.
“The biopsy cost me RM1,450, and mastectomy RM4,800. I was quoted RM2,000 for each chemotherapy treatment at a private hospital,” said Soon.
According to the National Cancer Registry, about 40,000 Malaysians develop cancer every year.
The best way to counter cancer would still be prevention, early detection and early treatment, they said.
National Cancer Society of Malaysia executive director Dr Saunthari Somasundaram said the ideal long-term solution would be the formulation of a national cancer plan that addressed all cancer issues, from prevention and early detection, to treatment, supportive and palliative care.
Echoing the view were Hospis Malaysia CEO and medical director Dr Ednin Hamzah, Breast Cancer Welfare Association and Malaysian Breast Council president Ranjit Kaur and Malaysian Oncology Society president Dr Gurcharan Singh.
Dr Ednin said Pak Lah’s suggestion should be further worked on. The Prime Minister, who lost his wife Datin Seri Paduka Endon Mahmood to breast cancer last week, had vowed on Monday to work to reduce cancer treatment costs.
“What we need are more specialists to increase accessibility and more ground-level knowledge on cancer. Most of the patients are diagnosed at very late stages. Reducing costs have to be a part of a whole programme,” said Dr Ednin.
Ranjit Kaur suggested that the Government address the issue in three ways – give doctors better benefits to encourage them to serve in Government hospitals, ensure that cancer treatment is made more accessible, ensure post-treatment quality of life, and educate the public on preventive methods.
Dr Gurcharan Singh said that based on Malaysia’s population, the World Health Organisation had suggested that there be at least 100 oncologists.
Malaysia presently has 38 oncologists, with over 20 of them attached with private hospitals.
”Besides the costs of treatment, we are also lacking specialists in the field. For existing patients, we need to improve in efficacy and reduce side effects. The lesser the side effects, the more expensive the medication,” Dr Gurcharan Singh said.
Breast cancer patients Betty Ann Gomes, 43, and Jackie Soon, 53, described Abdullah’s remarks as timely.
“I have spent RM40,000 so far for my treatment, and I still need to go for follow-ups which will cost me RM600 for a three-month supply of drugs,” said Gomes, who quit her job as an operations manager after she was diagnosed with the illness in July 2003.
Soon, a businesswoman, said treatment costs were presently too expensive.
“The biopsy cost me RM1,450, and mastectomy RM4,800. I was quoted RM2,000 for each chemotherapy treatment at a private hospital,” said Soon.
According to the National Cancer Registry, about 40,000 Malaysians develop cancer every year.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Selangor Gets Another RM20 Million To Fight Dengue
SHAH ALAM, Oct 25 (Bernama) -- The Selangor government approved an additional allocation of RM20 million in the middle of this year for dengue prevention programmes, state Tourism, Health and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Dr Lim Thuang Seng said Tuesday.
He said the allocation was in addition to the RM20 million provided for the purpose this year which had been disbursed to all districts in the state in the fight against dengue.
The additional allocation, among others, was meant repairing drains, roads and upgrading old facilities besides cleaning work, he told a news conference after launching a school-level programme on dengue prevention here.
Dr Lim said that under the programme, all schools would be required to ensure that their premises and compound were free of aedes mosquitoes.
This was because schools had been identified as being among the places prone to breeding the aedes mosquito besides construction sites.
"Before the holidays, we want the school administrators to ensure that their compounds and premises are free of containers and aedes mosquito breeding grounds like vases, tyres, toilets and ponds," he added.
Dr Lim said that based on the number of dengue cases reported in the second and third weeks of this month, the number had dropped from 385 to 286 cases.
Among the areas which recorded a high number of cases were Shah Alam, Subang Jaya and Petaling Jaya.
Despite the fall in the number of dengue cases, he said, everyone should step up preventive measures and awareness on the disease, especially with the coming of the school and festive holidays.
Citing statistics for last year, he said there was a rise in dengue cases between November and February, which was the time of the festive and school holidays.
He said the allocation was in addition to the RM20 million provided for the purpose this year which had been disbursed to all districts in the state in the fight against dengue.
The additional allocation, among others, was meant repairing drains, roads and upgrading old facilities besides cleaning work, he told a news conference after launching a school-level programme on dengue prevention here.
Dr Lim said that under the programme, all schools would be required to ensure that their premises and compound were free of aedes mosquitoes.
This was because schools had been identified as being among the places prone to breeding the aedes mosquito besides construction sites.
"Before the holidays, we want the school administrators to ensure that their compounds and premises are free of containers and aedes mosquito breeding grounds like vases, tyres, toilets and ponds," he added.
Dr Lim said that based on the number of dengue cases reported in the second and third weeks of this month, the number had dropped from 385 to 286 cases.
Among the areas which recorded a high number of cases were Shah Alam, Subang Jaya and Petaling Jaya.
Despite the fall in the number of dengue cases, he said, everyone should step up preventive measures and awareness on the disease, especially with the coming of the school and festive holidays.
Citing statistics for last year, he said there was a rise in dengue cases between November and February, which was the time of the festive and school holidays.
Two more people die from haemorrhagic dengue fever
Star: Two more people – a four-year-old boy and a 31-year-old woman – have died from haemorrhagic dengue fever last week, bringing the death toll in the country to 81.
However, the Health Ministry said that the overall trend of dengue cases in the country seemed to be declining in week 42.
“We have 1,064 unconfirmed dengue cases this week as compared to 1,132 cases previously. This is a good sign as even the area worst hit in Penang, the south-westerly district, seems to have recorded lesser cases.
“However, for those who are going back for their Deepavali and Hari Raya holidays, they should take whatever precautions by covering up any water container during their absence to any to prevent mosquitoes from breeding within their housing compound,” said disease control division director Dr Ramlee Rahmat here Tuesday.
However, the Health Ministry said that the overall trend of dengue cases in the country seemed to be declining in week 42.
“We have 1,064 unconfirmed dengue cases this week as compared to 1,132 cases previously. This is a good sign as even the area worst hit in Penang, the south-westerly district, seems to have recorded lesser cases.
“However, for those who are going back for their Deepavali and Hari Raya holidays, they should take whatever precautions by covering up any water container during their absence to any to prevent mosquitoes from breeding within their housing compound,” said disease control division director Dr Ramlee Rahmat here Tuesday.
More than a beer belly
NST: Six per cent of adult Malaysians are obese, with their body mass index (BMI) ofbetween 23 and 27.4.
BMI is a relationship between the weight and the height.
Using the waist circumference is another way of measuring obesity. The size of the waist is related to the amount of fat in the abdomen.
“The waist circumference can be a very sensitive indicator of heart disease. It is the surrogate marker of visceral fat,” says Datuk Dr Khoo Kah Lin, consultant cardiologist and physician at Pantai Medical Centre and Sentosa Hospital.
Visceral fat is different from subcutaneous fat, which is fat under the skin.
“Subcutaneous fat is not dangerous. Visceral fat is,” explains Dr Khoo.
“People with fat around their intestines have a higher risk of developing heart problems and an increase in early mortality.”
It is common knowledge that obesity is the first step to chronic disease.
Obesity, the development of Type 2 diabetes mellitus and vascular risk are inextricably linked.
Dr Khoo, who has co-authored several medical books, says that a waist circumference of over 90 cm for men and over 80 cm for women is not only associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease but also high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Seventy per cent of all case fatalities with Type 2 diabetes mellitus are a net result of cardiovascular complication.
There is ample epidemiological evidence that the majority of cases of type 2 diabetesmellitus are related to obesity, physical inactivity and other lifestyle factors.
The vast majority of new cases over the next 20 years are predicted to emerge in developing countries.
If that is not bad enough, diabetes, which is characterised by insulin resistance and progressive beta cell failure, is also associated with a host of other abnormalities which comprise the metabolic syndrome.
Metabolic syndrome — which is also known as Syndrome X, insulin resistance syndrome, and dysmetabolic syndrome — is a collection of health risks that increases your chance of developing heart diseases, stroke, and diabetes.
In 2003, Malaysia’s metabolic syndrome stands at 18.5 per cent while it is 13.3 per cent in China and 12.4 per cent in India.
Moderate weight loss, in the range of five per cent to 10 per cent of body weight, can help restore your body’s ability to recognise insulin and greatly reduce the chance that the syndrome will evolve into a more serious illness.
Most studies indicate that co-morbidities are improved by a weight loss of fiveto 10 per cent and has proven to be the most important causal measure to prevent Type 2 diabetes.
The Royal College of Physicians in Britain has suggested that a weight loss of five per cent after three months of therapy indicates the treatment is successful.
Weight loss strategies include healthy lifestyle changes.
“This incorporates dieting, exercise, behaviour modification and education,” says Dr Khoo.
Pharmacotherapy, surgery, psychological and social support are also forms of weight loss strategies.
Surgery such as gastric bypass or vertical banded gastroplasty are for those with a BMI of more than 40 with serious co-morbid conditions and for those who have failed medical therapy.
Drug therapy is advisable for those with a BMI of more than 30 (without additional risk factors such as hypertension Type 2 diabetes mellitus or coronary heart disease) or a BMI more than 27 with more than two risk factors.
“The therapy is an addition to diet, exercise, behaviour modification and a lifestyle treatment which hasn’t succeeded in a weight loss of 10 per cent after trying it out for at least six months,” says Dr Khoo.
Three drugs are generally prescribed by doctors. One of these, which acts to suppress appetite, can be additive with side-effects such as depression, hallucinations as well as an increased risk of primary pulmonary hypertension.
Another has to be taken with caution as it may increase heart rate and blood pressure and should not be used in patients with heart failure, coronary heart disease, previous stroke or renal impairment.
According to one study, the third, which is a gastrointestinal lipase inhibitor is the most effective weight loss drug.
“Drug therapy is not for people seeking a quick fix for obesity. Neither is it for those who are non-obese and have contraindications to drugs.”
Drugs in obesity management which produce side-effects such as amphetamine can cause addiction. Dinitrophenol, meanwhile, can result in cataracts and neuropathy.
BMI is a relationship between the weight and the height.
Using the waist circumference is another way of measuring obesity. The size of the waist is related to the amount of fat in the abdomen.
“The waist circumference can be a very sensitive indicator of heart disease. It is the surrogate marker of visceral fat,” says Datuk Dr Khoo Kah Lin, consultant cardiologist and physician at Pantai Medical Centre and Sentosa Hospital.
Visceral fat is different from subcutaneous fat, which is fat under the skin.
“Subcutaneous fat is not dangerous. Visceral fat is,” explains Dr Khoo.
“People with fat around their intestines have a higher risk of developing heart problems and an increase in early mortality.”
It is common knowledge that obesity is the first step to chronic disease.
Obesity, the development of Type 2 diabetes mellitus and vascular risk are inextricably linked.
Dr Khoo, who has co-authored several medical books, says that a waist circumference of over 90 cm for men and over 80 cm for women is not only associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease but also high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Seventy per cent of all case fatalities with Type 2 diabetes mellitus are a net result of cardiovascular complication.
There is ample epidemiological evidence that the majority of cases of type 2 diabetesmellitus are related to obesity, physical inactivity and other lifestyle factors.
The vast majority of new cases over the next 20 years are predicted to emerge in developing countries.
If that is not bad enough, diabetes, which is characterised by insulin resistance and progressive beta cell failure, is also associated with a host of other abnormalities which comprise the metabolic syndrome.
Metabolic syndrome — which is also known as Syndrome X, insulin resistance syndrome, and dysmetabolic syndrome — is a collection of health risks that increases your chance of developing heart diseases, stroke, and diabetes.
In 2003, Malaysia’s metabolic syndrome stands at 18.5 per cent while it is 13.3 per cent in China and 12.4 per cent in India.
Moderate weight loss, in the range of five per cent to 10 per cent of body weight, can help restore your body’s ability to recognise insulin and greatly reduce the chance that the syndrome will evolve into a more serious illness.
Most studies indicate that co-morbidities are improved by a weight loss of fiveto 10 per cent and has proven to be the most important causal measure to prevent Type 2 diabetes.
The Royal College of Physicians in Britain has suggested that a weight loss of five per cent after three months of therapy indicates the treatment is successful.
Weight loss strategies include healthy lifestyle changes.
“This incorporates dieting, exercise, behaviour modification and education,” says Dr Khoo.
Pharmacotherapy, surgery, psychological and social support are also forms of weight loss strategies.
Surgery such as gastric bypass or vertical banded gastroplasty are for those with a BMI of more than 40 with serious co-morbid conditions and for those who have failed medical therapy.
Drug therapy is advisable for those with a BMI of more than 30 (without additional risk factors such as hypertension Type 2 diabetes mellitus or coronary heart disease) or a BMI more than 27 with more than two risk factors.
“The therapy is an addition to diet, exercise, behaviour modification and a lifestyle treatment which hasn’t succeeded in a weight loss of 10 per cent after trying it out for at least six months,” says Dr Khoo.
Three drugs are generally prescribed by doctors. One of these, which acts to suppress appetite, can be additive with side-effects such as depression, hallucinations as well as an increased risk of primary pulmonary hypertension.
Another has to be taken with caution as it may increase heart rate and blood pressure and should not be used in patients with heart failure, coronary heart disease, previous stroke or renal impairment.
According to one study, the third, which is a gastrointestinal lipase inhibitor is the most effective weight loss drug.
“Drug therapy is not for people seeking a quick fix for obesity. Neither is it for those who are non-obese and have contraindications to drugs.”
Drugs in obesity management which produce side-effects such as amphetamine can cause addiction. Dinitrophenol, meanwhile, can result in cataracts and neuropathy.
Stroke now the number three killer in Malaysia
Star: Stroke has become Malaysia's number three killer after heart disease and cancer, with an average of 110 people dying of it every day, reported China Press.
Prof Dr Tan Chong Tin, senior consultant at the Neurology Clinic of the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre, said that according to the centre’s statistics on stroke in 1994, 59% of the patients were male and the patients' average age was 62.
He said the majority of the patients were Chinese, followed by 29% of Malays and 21% of Indians.
Dr Tan said 70% of stroke patients who recovered stopped taking part in social activities, 30% needed assistance in coping with daily life and 15% died within a month.
People from developing nations were at greater risk of suffering from stroke than those from developed nations like Japan who have better lifestyles and knowledge of health risks, he said, adding that the number of stroke patients was rising in developing nations.
Dr Tan said stroke could be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle and diet and being aware that the major causes of stroke were high blood pressure and diabetes.
He also said that it was medically proven that 70% of stroke cases were preventable.
Prof Dr Tan Chong Tin, senior consultant at the Neurology Clinic of the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre, said that according to the centre’s statistics on stroke in 1994, 59% of the patients were male and the patients' average age was 62.
He said the majority of the patients were Chinese, followed by 29% of Malays and 21% of Indians.
Dr Tan said 70% of stroke patients who recovered stopped taking part in social activities, 30% needed assistance in coping with daily life and 15% died within a month.
People from developing nations were at greater risk of suffering from stroke than those from developed nations like Japan who have better lifestyles and knowledge of health risks, he said, adding that the number of stroke patients was rising in developing nations.
Dr Tan said stroke could be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle and diet and being aware that the major causes of stroke were high blood pressure and diabetes.
He also said that it was medically proven that 70% of stroke cases were preventable.
Town mosquitoes easier to kill than their country cousins
Star: What works against Aedes in urban areas does not apply in rural zones.
The Sarawak authorities have found that conventional methods and formulas used to fight the mosquitoes in urban centres have little effect in tackling the dengue scourge in rural areas.
According to Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam, this is due to the vast difference in environmental settings and the nature of breeding grounds.
“It is going to be very difficult to control the dengue situation now that it has spread into the rural areas of Sarawak.
“In urban centres, fogging using different kinds of chemicals has been effective in killing mosquitoes, but this method will not work in rural places because the areas involved are too huge for fogging to take effect.
“In jungles, the breeding grounds for these mosquitoes are very vast. They can live and multiply everywhere, from treetops to leaves and crevices in any part of the jungle.
“We will have to devise new strategies to deal with the dengue situation there,” he said yesterday.
Dr Chan, who is state Disaster Relief Committee chairman, was commenting on the recent 260 confirmed dengue cases in rural Sarawak, which included those working in timber camps and oil palm plantations in the jungle interior.
Seven people in the state have died of dengue this year, of which six were from rural communities.
“In the rural settlements, dengue can spread very fast. I need to meet all the relevant authorities on how to stop the spread,” he said.
Dr Chan said the authorities were not ready to tackle dengue in rural zones because all this while, the Aedes menace was mainly an urban problem.
The Sarawak authorities have found that conventional methods and formulas used to fight the mosquitoes in urban centres have little effect in tackling the dengue scourge in rural areas.
According to Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam, this is due to the vast difference in environmental settings and the nature of breeding grounds.
“It is going to be very difficult to control the dengue situation now that it has spread into the rural areas of Sarawak.
“In urban centres, fogging using different kinds of chemicals has been effective in killing mosquitoes, but this method will not work in rural places because the areas involved are too huge for fogging to take effect.
“In jungles, the breeding grounds for these mosquitoes are very vast. They can live and multiply everywhere, from treetops to leaves and crevices in any part of the jungle.
“We will have to devise new strategies to deal with the dengue situation there,” he said yesterday.
Dr Chan, who is state Disaster Relief Committee chairman, was commenting on the recent 260 confirmed dengue cases in rural Sarawak, which included those working in timber camps and oil palm plantations in the jungle interior.
Seven people in the state have died of dengue this year, of which six were from rural communities.
“In the rural settlements, dengue can spread very fast. I need to meet all the relevant authorities on how to stop the spread,” he said.
Dr Chan said the authorities were not ready to tackle dengue in rural zones because all this while, the Aedes menace was mainly an urban problem.
Deadly dengue strain to dominate
NST: A more virulent and deadly strain of dengue is set to take its toll on Malaysians next year.
Den-2, a dengue virus serotype, has infected a few Malaysians since the start of the year.
University Malaya Medical Centre medical microbiology head Prof Dr Suzaly Abu Bakar said the Den-2 virus was making its presence felt.
"Although there is also the Den-3 virus, it will be the Den-2 which will be predominant next year.
"Malaysians must protect themselves against the Aedes mosquitoes. Search and destroy all breeding grounds," Dr Suzaly said.
Those with the highest risk of getting the disease are the obese, diabetic, aged 60 years and older, and children below one.
Dr Suzaly said the most challenging area for doctors was to treat women in their late pregnancies.
"There is no drug to treat them," he said, adding that Malaysia should work towards developing an anti-viral drug and an anti-dengue drug rather than vaccines.
He was unsure, however, whether it would work for nations like Malaysia where dengue was endemic as the viruses could mutate and there were sub-strains.
"Those creating the vaccines should take into consideration all the pitfalls," he said.
He said two major Den-2 outbreaks in the 1990s were the result of a slight mutation of the virus.
In Malaysia, he said, the Den-2 virus was different from that prevalent in Thailand.
"We need to find out if the virus is in Thailand and how severe and virulent it is," he said.
Den-4 used to be a predominant virus in the 1960s and 1970s but is now disappearing.
Den-2, a dengue virus serotype, has infected a few Malaysians since the start of the year.
University Malaya Medical Centre medical microbiology head Prof Dr Suzaly Abu Bakar said the Den-2 virus was making its presence felt.
"Although there is also the Den-3 virus, it will be the Den-2 which will be predominant next year.
"Malaysians must protect themselves against the Aedes mosquitoes. Search and destroy all breeding grounds," Dr Suzaly said.
Those with the highest risk of getting the disease are the obese, diabetic, aged 60 years and older, and children below one.
Dr Suzaly said the most challenging area for doctors was to treat women in their late pregnancies.
"There is no drug to treat them," he said, adding that Malaysia should work towards developing an anti-viral drug and an anti-dengue drug rather than vaccines.
He was unsure, however, whether it would work for nations like Malaysia where dengue was endemic as the viruses could mutate and there were sub-strains.
"Those creating the vaccines should take into consideration all the pitfalls," he said.
He said two major Den-2 outbreaks in the 1990s were the result of a slight mutation of the virus.
In Malaysia, he said, the Den-2 virus was different from that prevalent in Thailand.
"We need to find out if the virus is in Thailand and how severe and virulent it is," he said.
Den-4 used to be a predominant virus in the 1960s and 1970s but is now disappearing.
Pak Lah wants cheaper cancer treatment available
Sun2Surf: KUALA LUMPUR: In memory of his late wife Datin Seri Endon Mahmood, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday pledged to ensure cancer treatment is affordable to all.
"This is now my aim and intention ...that cancer treatment should not only be affordable to those with money but also those who earn less. We will work on this.God willing, I will work on this," he told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
Recalling his ordeal when Endon underwent cancer treatment abroad, Abdullah said: "She told me her illness was too serious and painful to bear (sakitnya amat kuat dan terlalu berat untuk ditanggung) and perhaps there was a lesson to learn for herself, her family and others. The illness had really weakened her.
"But the lesson, I believe, is a stronger feeling among all on the need to fight cancer with greater effort, whether through education, prevention, or having more treatment and types of medicine which we hope can be cheaper or more reasonably priced."
He said Endon told him of several projects that she had initiated and hoped the Prime Minister would ensure such projects would be completed.
"God willing, I, together with the children, will help to ensure the success of the projects," he said.
He also appealed to those involved to continue with their efforts and responsibilities that would benefit the people.
Abdullah said this in response to a motion of condolence tabled in the house by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.
Abdullah also said he will continue to dedicate himself to his task and duty as Prime Minister.
"I believe this is the hope of my late wife."
The motion of condolence tabled by Najib was supported by the 13 BN component parties, three Opposition parties and a sole independent MP.
Abdullah said Endon had asked him to extend her apperciation to all who had helped her in carrying out her duties, especially in BAKTI, with particular mention of the Deputy Prime Minister's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.
"If there were any mistakes and shortcomings, or any act she did or anything she had uttered that had hurt the feelings of her friends or caused difficulty to her friends, then let me on behalf of Endon apologise to them."
Najib, who is also BN Chief Whip, said one of the foremost things contributed by the late Endon was creating public awareness of the dreaded cancer.
"She was the inspiration to other cancer patients due to her strong fighting spirit and her courage in battling the disease," he added.
MIC president Datuk seri S.Samy Vellu seconded the motion and said he would support any move to set up cancer treatment centres in rural areas.
MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy, who apologised on behalf of his president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting for not being present because of the demise of Ong's mother on Sunday, said: "Endon's spirited and brave fight against cancer will always be a source of insipration to others facing similar battles."
Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang said the best way for all Malaysians to remember Endon was to emulate her humility, kindness, grace and quiet courage to stand up for what is right, true and noble.
"As I said to the grieving Prime Minister when I paid my last respects to Endon at Sri Perdana on Thursday morning: Be strong, Endon will want you to be strong. You have my full support."
Rounding up the debate on the motion, BN Backbenchers Club chairman Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said: "I urge the government to help volunteers providing nursing care to cancer patients."
"This is now my aim and intention ...that cancer treatment should not only be affordable to those with money but also those who earn less. We will work on this.God willing, I will work on this," he told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
Recalling his ordeal when Endon underwent cancer treatment abroad, Abdullah said: "She told me her illness was too serious and painful to bear (sakitnya amat kuat dan terlalu berat untuk ditanggung) and perhaps there was a lesson to learn for herself, her family and others. The illness had really weakened her.
"But the lesson, I believe, is a stronger feeling among all on the need to fight cancer with greater effort, whether through education, prevention, or having more treatment and types of medicine which we hope can be cheaper or more reasonably priced."
He said Endon told him of several projects that she had initiated and hoped the Prime Minister would ensure such projects would be completed.
"God willing, I, together with the children, will help to ensure the success of the projects," he said.
He also appealed to those involved to continue with their efforts and responsibilities that would benefit the people.
Abdullah said this in response to a motion of condolence tabled in the house by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.
Abdullah also said he will continue to dedicate himself to his task and duty as Prime Minister.
"I believe this is the hope of my late wife."
The motion of condolence tabled by Najib was supported by the 13 BN component parties, three Opposition parties and a sole independent MP.
Abdullah said Endon had asked him to extend her apperciation to all who had helped her in carrying out her duties, especially in BAKTI, with particular mention of the Deputy Prime Minister's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.
"If there were any mistakes and shortcomings, or any act she did or anything she had uttered that had hurt the feelings of her friends or caused difficulty to her friends, then let me on behalf of Endon apologise to them."
Najib, who is also BN Chief Whip, said one of the foremost things contributed by the late Endon was creating public awareness of the dreaded cancer.
"She was the inspiration to other cancer patients due to her strong fighting spirit and her courage in battling the disease," he added.
MIC president Datuk seri S.Samy Vellu seconded the motion and said he would support any move to set up cancer treatment centres in rural areas.
MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy, who apologised on behalf of his president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting for not being present because of the demise of Ong's mother on Sunday, said: "Endon's spirited and brave fight against cancer will always be a source of insipration to others facing similar battles."
Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang said the best way for all Malaysians to remember Endon was to emulate her humility, kindness, grace and quiet courage to stand up for what is right, true and noble.
"As I said to the grieving Prime Minister when I paid my last respects to Endon at Sri Perdana on Thursday morning: Be strong, Endon will want you to be strong. You have my full support."
Rounding up the debate on the motion, BN Backbenchers Club chairman Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said: "I urge the government to help volunteers providing nursing care to cancer patients."
Monday, October 24, 2005
Worrying drop in organ donors
Star: There have been only seven deceased organ and tissue donors so far this year. But there are far more patients waiting desperately in line to receive the organs and tissues.
National Transplant Resource Centre coordinator Dr Lela Yasmin Mansor is seriously worried.
Among the seven donors this year, only one donated organs.
The other six donated tissues such as cornea and bones.
“All of us (doctors) are worried,” she said in a phone interview yesterday.
To make matters worse, the number of deceased donors or cadaveric donors has dropped sharply after recording a steady increase in the past.
This has dashed expectations among the doctors that the setting up of the resource centre in 1997 and the National Procurement Management Unit in 2001 would lead to more donors.
Last year, there were 16 donors, down from 25 donors in 2003 and 30 donors in 2002.
“We don't understand why we don't get donors as the accidental deaths are high compared to other countries,” Dr Lela Yasmin said.
“This is also demoralising for doctors, nurses and others who are involved in organ transplant,” she said.
The National Heart Institute (IJN) has not been able to carry out any heart transplant for the past two years as there has not been any heart donor, she said.
“One of the worries is that the transplant team's skills may become rusty since it does not get to perform tranplants regularly and new staff are also not familiar with the process.
“It’s like a breakdown in the chain and the momentum has dropped,” she said.
There are eight patients on the waiting list for heart transplants at IJN.
National Transplant Resource Centre coordinator Dr Lela Yasmin Mansor is seriously worried.
Among the seven donors this year, only one donated organs.
The other six donated tissues such as cornea and bones.
“All of us (doctors) are worried,” she said in a phone interview yesterday.
To make matters worse, the number of deceased donors or cadaveric donors has dropped sharply after recording a steady increase in the past.
This has dashed expectations among the doctors that the setting up of the resource centre in 1997 and the National Procurement Management Unit in 2001 would lead to more donors.
Last year, there were 16 donors, down from 25 donors in 2003 and 30 donors in 2002.
“We don't understand why we don't get donors as the accidental deaths are high compared to other countries,” Dr Lela Yasmin said.
“This is also demoralising for doctors, nurses and others who are involved in organ transplant,” she said.
The National Heart Institute (IJN) has not been able to carry out any heart transplant for the past two years as there has not been any heart donor, she said.
“One of the worries is that the transplant team's skills may become rusty since it does not get to perform tranplants regularly and new staff are also not familiar with the process.
“It’s like a breakdown in the chain and the momentum has dropped,” she said.
There are eight patients on the waiting list for heart transplants at IJN.
Bosses against higher medical fees for foreigners
Star: A resounding “no” – that is the response from employers to the move to charge foreigners more at public hospitals from next year.
The Government, they said, should reconsider its decision or risk scaring off investors and foreign workers.
Malaysian Employers Federation executive director Shamsuddin Bardan said this move would make Malaysia unpopular and was not good for the country.
“When foreign workers are involved, higher medical fees translate into an increase in business costs, which means reducing Malaysia’s competitiveness,” he said yesterday.
On Saturday, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek made the announcement, which will lead to charges for foreigners at public hospitals being increased based on the Malaysian Medical Association’s (MMA) schedule of fees for private practitioners.
Foreigners now pay first-class rates at public hospitals.
The Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners Association said the move would scare off foreign workers.
President Datuk R. Ramalingam said foreign workers also paid levies when they entered the country and the Government had a responsibility to look after them.
“Where would this country be without the large number of foreign workers that has helped it progress?” he asked.
Malaysian Trade Union Congress president Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud said: “It is the employers who should be footing the bill.”
However, MMA president Datuk Dr Teoh Siang Chin said the body supported the move, which would result in some cost-recovery for the Government.
“The MMA’s schedule of fees is a set of fees that is the closest to cost-recovery for a hospital,” he said.
Dr Teoh added that the announcement was fair, as Malaysians should not have to subsidise foreigners.
The Government, they said, should reconsider its decision or risk scaring off investors and foreign workers.
Malaysian Employers Federation executive director Shamsuddin Bardan said this move would make Malaysia unpopular and was not good for the country.
“When foreign workers are involved, higher medical fees translate into an increase in business costs, which means reducing Malaysia’s competitiveness,” he said yesterday.
On Saturday, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek made the announcement, which will lead to charges for foreigners at public hospitals being increased based on the Malaysian Medical Association’s (MMA) schedule of fees for private practitioners.
Foreigners now pay first-class rates at public hospitals.
The Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners Association said the move would scare off foreign workers.
President Datuk R. Ramalingam said foreign workers also paid levies when they entered the country and the Government had a responsibility to look after them.
“Where would this country be without the large number of foreign workers that has helped it progress?” he asked.
Malaysian Trade Union Congress president Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud said: “It is the employers who should be footing the bill.”
However, MMA president Datuk Dr Teoh Siang Chin said the body supported the move, which would result in some cost-recovery for the Government.
“The MMA’s schedule of fees is a set of fees that is the closest to cost-recovery for a hospital,” he said.
Dr Teoh added that the announcement was fair, as Malaysians should not have to subsidise foreigners.
Staying alert in flu country
NST: For the 200 families in Kampung Belian, Sungai Pinang here, the news of the avian flu rearing its head has sent shudders down their spine.
They have become more vigilant keeping an eye on fellow villagers and strangers who bring in chickens and other birds.
It was just a year ago when Kampung Belian made the headlines as one of the two villages in Kelantan where thousands of chickens and birds were culled after scores were infected with the lethal H5N1 avian influenza strain.
Just weeks before that, the country’s first outbreak was discovered among fighting cocks in Kampung Baru, Pasir Pekan, here.
A 10km quarantine was imposed and six people were hospitalised but none tested positive for the flu.
The disease had come through fighting cocks smuggled from neighbouring Thailand.
In Kampung Belian, the situation turned nightmarish as the village was swarmed and guarded round the clock by health and veterinary authorities.
All their poultry and pet birds were culled.
Some lost their prized singing birds, others lost chickens that gave them eggs and a business that kept their families fed.
"It was an expensive lesson for poor people like us as chickens and ducks were our livelihood," said Dollah Yusof, 56.
Dollah said he lost 30 chickens during the culling and only got compensated months later.
"I rear chickens and keep a lookout for strays or strangers bringing fowl into the village," he said.
Malaysia declared itself free of bird flu in January this year.
But the State Veterinary Department has been monitoring the situation here.
"We have seen their vehicles making their rounds every three days," said shopkeeper Ahmad Kais, 44.
Surveillance at the Malay- sia-Thailand border has been stepped up following the death of a 48-year-old man who was infected by the avian flu virus in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, on Wednesday.
Villager Minah Abdullah, 53, said she stopped buying chicken from across the border after the disease surfaced early this year.
They have become more vigilant keeping an eye on fellow villagers and strangers who bring in chickens and other birds.
It was just a year ago when Kampung Belian made the headlines as one of the two villages in Kelantan where thousands of chickens and birds were culled after scores were infected with the lethal H5N1 avian influenza strain.
Just weeks before that, the country’s first outbreak was discovered among fighting cocks in Kampung Baru, Pasir Pekan, here.
A 10km quarantine was imposed and six people were hospitalised but none tested positive for the flu.
The disease had come through fighting cocks smuggled from neighbouring Thailand.
In Kampung Belian, the situation turned nightmarish as the village was swarmed and guarded round the clock by health and veterinary authorities.
All their poultry and pet birds were culled.
Some lost their prized singing birds, others lost chickens that gave them eggs and a business that kept their families fed.
"It was an expensive lesson for poor people like us as chickens and ducks were our livelihood," said Dollah Yusof, 56.
Dollah said he lost 30 chickens during the culling and only got compensated months later.
"I rear chickens and keep a lookout for strays or strangers bringing fowl into the village," he said.
Malaysia declared itself free of bird flu in January this year.
But the State Veterinary Department has been monitoring the situation here.
"We have seen their vehicles making their rounds every three days," said shopkeeper Ahmad Kais, 44.
Surveillance at the Malay- sia-Thailand border has been stepped up following the death of a 48-year-old man who was infected by the avian flu virus in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, on Wednesday.
Villager Minah Abdullah, 53, said she stopped buying chicken from across the border after the disease surfaced early this year.
Koh: Keep it clean to avoid outbreak
NST: The worst of the dengue outbreak in Penang is over.
However, Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon reminded the people not to take things for granted and continue to keep places clean. "Bear in mind that the war against dengue is still on. Let us work together and continue with present efforts to destroy all mosquito breeding grounds.
"If we relax now, there will certainly be a relapse," he told reporters after presenting hampers in conjunction with the forthcoming Deepa- raya celebrations to more than 50 children at the Penang Hospital's pediatric ward today.
Others present were State Health Committee chairman P.K. Subbaiyah and hospital director Dr Zaininah Mohd Zain.
Koh said although he was happy that people were beginning to be more conscious of the dangers of dengue, there were still others who "take things easy".
"Everyone has a role to play. While the authorities ensure cleanliness in open areas, the onus is on the people to ensure the cleanliness of their own homes," he said.
Subbaiyah said there was still one dengue victim warded at the hospital's intensive care unit (ICU).
The 51-year-old salesman is from Jalan Ru, Lebuhraya Thean Teik in Air Itam. "He is in stable condition and his health is improving."
There are a total of 41 suspected dengue patients warded in several government hospitals in the State, with another 51 in private hospitals.
However, Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon reminded the people not to take things for granted and continue to keep places clean. "Bear in mind that the war against dengue is still on. Let us work together and continue with present efforts to destroy all mosquito breeding grounds.
"If we relax now, there will certainly be a relapse," he told reporters after presenting hampers in conjunction with the forthcoming Deepa- raya celebrations to more than 50 children at the Penang Hospital's pediatric ward today.
Others present were State Health Committee chairman P.K. Subbaiyah and hospital director Dr Zaininah Mohd Zain.
Koh said although he was happy that people were beginning to be more conscious of the dangers of dengue, there were still others who "take things easy".
"Everyone has a role to play. While the authorities ensure cleanliness in open areas, the onus is on the people to ensure the cleanliness of their own homes," he said.
Subbaiyah said there was still one dengue victim warded at the hospital's intensive care unit (ICU).
The 51-year-old salesman is from Jalan Ru, Lebuhraya Thean Teik in Air Itam. "He is in stable condition and his health is improving."
There are a total of 41 suspected dengue patients warded in several government hospitals in the State, with another 51 in private hospitals.
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Antidote For Dengue By 2012?
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 (Bernama) -- The first antidote for dengue, the killer disease which until now has no known cure, will only probably be produced by 2012, though many pharmaceutical companies are carrying out intense research on it.
University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) Medical Microbiology head of department (HOD), Prof Dr Sazaly Abu Bakar said so far only one company was showing signs that it might be able to produce an anti-dengue vaccine by 2012.
"Many companies are racing to produce a vaccine, but they can't say when it will be available in the market," he told reporters at a seminar on dengue held at UMMC here Sunday.
He said the vaccine, even if it was successfuly produced, would have to be clinically tested before it could be marketed.
"A lot of anti-dengue medicines underwent clinical tests in Western countries where there are less dengue cases. For dengue cure in endemic countries such as Malaysia and Thailand, there should be a detailed studies in these countries to determine the medicines are effective," he said.
Dr Sazaly, who is also Universiti Malaya's Microbiology Department head, said now there were seven or eight antibiotics which could help reduce infection but more detailed studies were still needed to test their effectiveness.
He said medication used in Thailand might not work for patients in Malaysia because of mutation in virus strains.
Meanwhile, when delivering his lecture at the seminar, Dr Sazaly said a study had found that dengue epidemics in Malaysia were cyclical and the next one is expected to recur within three years.
"Dengue is now a global threat, it has entered urban areas from the rurals previously, and it is estimated that 50 million to 100 million people worldwide contract it every year," he added.
University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) Medical Microbiology head of department (HOD), Prof Dr Sazaly Abu Bakar said so far only one company was showing signs that it might be able to produce an anti-dengue vaccine by 2012.
"Many companies are racing to produce a vaccine, but they can't say when it will be available in the market," he told reporters at a seminar on dengue held at UMMC here Sunday.
He said the vaccine, even if it was successfuly produced, would have to be clinically tested before it could be marketed.
"A lot of anti-dengue medicines underwent clinical tests in Western countries where there are less dengue cases. For dengue cure in endemic countries such as Malaysia and Thailand, there should be a detailed studies in these countries to determine the medicines are effective," he said.
Dr Sazaly, who is also Universiti Malaya's Microbiology Department head, said now there were seven or eight antibiotics which could help reduce infection but more detailed studies were still needed to test their effectiveness.
He said medication used in Thailand might not work for patients in Malaysia because of mutation in virus strains.
Meanwhile, when delivering his lecture at the seminar, Dr Sazaly said a study had found that dengue epidemics in Malaysia were cyclical and the next one is expected to recur within three years.
"Dengue is now a global threat, it has entered urban areas from the rurals previously, and it is estimated that 50 million to 100 million people worldwide contract it every year," he added.
Tamiflu stockpile not enough for country
Star: Malaysia only has 1% of the quantity for Tamiflu – a drug considered a first line of defence against a potential avian flu pandemic – recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad said the antiviral drug available in the country was only enough for 60,000 people instead of 30% of the population as recommended.
“Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek has asked the Cabinet to provide more allocations for national stockpiles in order to meet the WHO recommendation,” he said when breaking fast with orphans and the needy at Masjid Jamek Kampung Baru here yesterday.
He said a tablet of the drug cost RM7.80 and one person would have to take at least five, which would cost about RM40 per head.
Earlier at the event, Dr Abdul Latiff presented hampers and cash totalling RM140,000, contributed by the mosque and Titiwangsa MP Datuk Astaman Abdul Aziz, to the orphans and the needy.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad said the antiviral drug available in the country was only enough for 60,000 people instead of 30% of the population as recommended.
“Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek has asked the Cabinet to provide more allocations for national stockpiles in order to meet the WHO recommendation,” he said when breaking fast with orphans and the needy at Masjid Jamek Kampung Baru here yesterday.
He said a tablet of the drug cost RM7.80 and one person would have to take at least five, which would cost about RM40 per head.
Earlier at the event, Dr Abdul Latiff presented hampers and cash totalling RM140,000, contributed by the mosque and Titiwangsa MP Datuk Astaman Abdul Aziz, to the orphans and the needy.
Dengue surge in Sarawak
Star: While the dengue situation seems to have waned in other states, Sarawak has detected a 126% increase in cases so far this year.
Seven deaths from dengue fever were reported in the state compared to none last year.
What is worrying the state government is the increase in cases in the rural areas.
And Miri, long thought to have the “antidote” to fight the aedes mosquito, is now the most dengue-prone division in the state with the most number of reported cases.
“There is the possibility of the emergence of a strain of Aedes mosquito that is even hardier and more resilient to current control techniques,” Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam told a press conference.
“We (state authorities) are declaring an all-out war on dengue. As of Thursday, there are 989 reported cases and seven deaths.
“The number of reported cases increased by 126.6% and the number of confirmed dengue fever cases rose by 86% compared to last year.
“This is a very worrying development,'' Dr Chan said.
Dr Chan, who is also Sarawak Disaster Relief Committee chairman, said even oil palm plantations and timber logging zones had reported dengue cases.
He noted that Miri Division had 233 cases.
There were four deaths in Marudi town (some 200km from Miri City).
Two people have also died in Bintulu (220km south of Miri) and one in Belaga (400km from Miri).
Next on the list of dengue hotspots in the state are Kuching (217 cases), Sarikei (136 cases) and Bintulu (109 cases).
Dr Chan said another worrying factor was that 26% of dengue cases came from the rural areas.
“We are very worried because it is much tougher to fight aedes mosquito in the jungles where there are huge breeding areas,” he added.
An urgent meeting had been called among representatives of oil palm plantations and timber firms this coming week.
The unpredictable weather pattern in northern Sarawak is also a major concern.
Dr Chan noted that the alternating hot and wet days now being experienced could favour the breeding of the aedes mosquito.
Seven deaths from dengue fever were reported in the state compared to none last year.
What is worrying the state government is the increase in cases in the rural areas.
And Miri, long thought to have the “antidote” to fight the aedes mosquito, is now the most dengue-prone division in the state with the most number of reported cases.
“There is the possibility of the emergence of a strain of Aedes mosquito that is even hardier and more resilient to current control techniques,” Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam told a press conference.
“We (state authorities) are declaring an all-out war on dengue. As of Thursday, there are 989 reported cases and seven deaths.
“The number of reported cases increased by 126.6% and the number of confirmed dengue fever cases rose by 86% compared to last year.
“This is a very worrying development,'' Dr Chan said.
Dr Chan, who is also Sarawak Disaster Relief Committee chairman, said even oil palm plantations and timber logging zones had reported dengue cases.
He noted that Miri Division had 233 cases.
There were four deaths in Marudi town (some 200km from Miri City).
Two people have also died in Bintulu (220km south of Miri) and one in Belaga (400km from Miri).
Next on the list of dengue hotspots in the state are Kuching (217 cases), Sarikei (136 cases) and Bintulu (109 cases).
Dr Chan said another worrying factor was that 26% of dengue cases came from the rural areas.
“We are very worried because it is much tougher to fight aedes mosquito in the jungles where there are huge breeding areas,” he added.
An urgent meeting had been called among representatives of oil palm plantations and timber firms this coming week.
The unpredictable weather pattern in northern Sarawak is also a major concern.
Dr Chan noted that the alternating hot and wet days now being experienced could favour the breeding of the aedes mosquito.
Foreigners to pay more at government hospitals
Star: Foreigners will have to pay much higher charges for medical treatment from next year as the Government moves to provide better healthcare for its citizens.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said foreigners would no longer enjoy health subsidies given to locals and they would be classified as full paying patients.
The new rates, he said, would be based on the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) schedule of fees for private practitioners and hospitals but said the actual charges would be fixed later.
Currently, they pay charges levied on local first class patients, which are much lower, compared to fees in the private sector. Among the first class charges imposed on them since June last year are (third class charges in brackets):
·Outpatient treatment - RM15 (RM1)
· Normal childbirth delivery - RM500 (RM10)
·Caesarean section - RM1,000 (about RM100)
Charges for normal childbirth delivery under MMA schedule is RM800 while caesarean section costs RM2,250.
Dr Chua said the decision to impose full payment was made following the discovery of foreigners cheating to get treatment and also to avoid “flooding” of foreign citizens in government hospitals.
“Last year, we implemented the first class charges for foreigners in government hospitals and the number of outpatients dropped from more than 500,000 to 337,000.
“However, the number of patients warded increased from 50,000 to 64,000 as many of them used false documents and disappeared before settling their bills, making it hard to trace them.
“As many as 26% of foreign inpatients don’t pay up compared to only 10% of our citizens,” Dr Chua said, adding that the new rates would be implemented in stages.
Dr Chua said the Government subsidised 98% of medical costs for Malaysians and it felt only the locals should enjoy the subsidy.
“We don’t want the hospitals to be flooded with foreigners as they make up 20% of patients in the maternity wards in some hospitals in Sabah.
“This is a heavy burden for the Government in terms of human resources and finances,” he told reporters before having a dialogue with Chinese community leaders here yesterday.
Dr Chua said Sabah, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Johor had the most number of foreign patients.
He said revenue collected from foreign citizens rose from RM16.9mil in 2002 to RM31.56mil last year but there was also an increase in the arrears - from RM6.1mil to RM11.33mil.
In June 2004, the Health Ministry had increased the fees for foreigners seeking outpatient treatment from third class charges to first class at government hospitals and clinics.
Dr Chua said the increase was to encourage foreigners to seek treatment at private hospitals as they constituted 3.8% or 1.8 million of the 48 million patients who sought outpatient treatment.
He said the move was also to give Malaysians priority to public healthcare services.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said foreigners would no longer enjoy health subsidies given to locals and they would be classified as full paying patients.
The new rates, he said, would be based on the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) schedule of fees for private practitioners and hospitals but said the actual charges would be fixed later.
Currently, they pay charges levied on local first class patients, which are much lower, compared to fees in the private sector. Among the first class charges imposed on them since June last year are (third class charges in brackets):
·Outpatient treatment - RM15 (RM1)
· Normal childbirth delivery - RM500 (RM10)
·Caesarean section - RM1,000 (about RM100)
Charges for normal childbirth delivery under MMA schedule is RM800 while caesarean section costs RM2,250.
Dr Chua said the decision to impose full payment was made following the discovery of foreigners cheating to get treatment and also to avoid “flooding” of foreign citizens in government hospitals.
“Last year, we implemented the first class charges for foreigners in government hospitals and the number of outpatients dropped from more than 500,000 to 337,000.
“However, the number of patients warded increased from 50,000 to 64,000 as many of them used false documents and disappeared before settling their bills, making it hard to trace them.
“As many as 26% of foreign inpatients don’t pay up compared to only 10% of our citizens,” Dr Chua said, adding that the new rates would be implemented in stages.
Dr Chua said the Government subsidised 98% of medical costs for Malaysians and it felt only the locals should enjoy the subsidy.
“We don’t want the hospitals to be flooded with foreigners as they make up 20% of patients in the maternity wards in some hospitals in Sabah.
“This is a heavy burden for the Government in terms of human resources and finances,” he told reporters before having a dialogue with Chinese community leaders here yesterday.
Dr Chua said Sabah, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Johor had the most number of foreign patients.
He said revenue collected from foreign citizens rose from RM16.9mil in 2002 to RM31.56mil last year but there was also an increase in the arrears - from RM6.1mil to RM11.33mil.
In June 2004, the Health Ministry had increased the fees for foreigners seeking outpatient treatment from third class charges to first class at government hospitals and clinics.
Dr Chua said the increase was to encourage foreigners to seek treatment at private hospitals as they constituted 3.8% or 1.8 million of the 48 million patients who sought outpatient treatment.
He said the move was also to give Malaysians priority to public healthcare services.
Medical students cry foul
NST: Fifty Malaysian students studying medicine in India want to be transferred out immediately. The reason: They claim the teaching and living conditions at the Kasturba Medical College in Mangalore are "unbearable".
They also say they are being treated like children. Any student found not paying attention is asked to stand on the bench.
The students, who are Public Service Department scholarship holders, claim the facilities at the college do not meet international standards and that the PSD has been short- changed.
Another complaint of the students, who registered at the college in August, is that lecturers are conservative in their teaching approach (see graphics).
They sent a memorandum to Higher Education Minister Datuk Shafie Salleh on Oct 13 spelling out their grouses and asking that they be immediately moved to medical colleges in Britain or other countries, or be allowed to do twinning programmes in Malaysia.
Noor Hazin Mohd Zain, the father of one of the students, who visited the college recently, said today the students' meal was rice and gravy for which the PSD paid the college RM120 monthly per student.
If the students wanted meat or fish, they had to pay extra, he added.
He said the female students' hostel was initially located above a mortuary and that the doctors-in-the-making found the stench unbearable.
After complaining for two months, and with the intervention of the PSD, they were moved to air-conditioned rooms a few blocks away.
However, he claimed, the accommodation rate was increased by the college authorities. Noor Hazin claimed the classrooms were too big and students sitting at the back of the classroom could not hear the lecturers who did not use microphones. Some 300 students were in each classroom, he said.
The PSD spends between RM300,000 and RM500,000 on each student for five years. The 50 students are among Ma- laysia's top A-level students. This is the first time Malaysian students have been sent there by the PSD.
Another parent, A. Aziz Maarof, claimed chalk and blackboards were still being used in the classrooms.
"We are in an era where whiteboards are widely used even in primary and secondary schools. We have done away with chalk because it causes health problems."
The parents have sent an appeal to the PSD on behalf of their children.
Aziz said some of the parents met Shafie on Oct 4 and were waiting for action to be taken.
Meanwhile, a PSD spokesman said a team of PSD officers visited the college last month and had attended to some of the problems raised by the students, including being given better rooms.
He said PSD officers did not visit the college before sending the students there.
He said the college had promised to look into the food being provided to the students.
"We pay the students a living allowance which they can use to buy food," he said, adding that the students would not be transferred to another college.
They also say they are being treated like children. Any student found not paying attention is asked to stand on the bench.
The students, who are Public Service Department scholarship holders, claim the facilities at the college do not meet international standards and that the PSD has been short- changed.
Another complaint of the students, who registered at the college in August, is that lecturers are conservative in their teaching approach (see graphics).
They sent a memorandum to Higher Education Minister Datuk Shafie Salleh on Oct 13 spelling out their grouses and asking that they be immediately moved to medical colleges in Britain or other countries, or be allowed to do twinning programmes in Malaysia.
Noor Hazin Mohd Zain, the father of one of the students, who visited the college recently, said today the students' meal was rice and gravy for which the PSD paid the college RM120 monthly per student.
If the students wanted meat or fish, they had to pay extra, he added.
He said the female students' hostel was initially located above a mortuary and that the doctors-in-the-making found the stench unbearable.
After complaining for two months, and with the intervention of the PSD, they were moved to air-conditioned rooms a few blocks away.
However, he claimed, the accommodation rate was increased by the college authorities. Noor Hazin claimed the classrooms were too big and students sitting at the back of the classroom could not hear the lecturers who did not use microphones. Some 300 students were in each classroom, he said.
The PSD spends between RM300,000 and RM500,000 on each student for five years. The 50 students are among Ma- laysia's top A-level students. This is the first time Malaysian students have been sent there by the PSD.
Another parent, A. Aziz Maarof, claimed chalk and blackboards were still being used in the classrooms.
"We are in an era where whiteboards are widely used even in primary and secondary schools. We have done away with chalk because it causes health problems."
The parents have sent an appeal to the PSD on behalf of their children.
Aziz said some of the parents met Shafie on Oct 4 and were waiting for action to be taken.
Meanwhile, a PSD spokesman said a team of PSD officers visited the college last month and had attended to some of the problems raised by the students, including being given better rooms.
He said PSD officers did not visit the college before sending the students there.
He said the college had promised to look into the food being provided to the students.
"We pay the students a living allowance which they can use to buy food," he said, adding that the students would not be transferred to another college.
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Private Clinics Should Adhere To Guidelines On Methadone Prescription
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 (Bernama) -- All private clinics involved in drug rehabilitation treatment programmes using methadone should adhere to the guidelines issued by the Health Minister beginning Friday, said its minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek.
He said this was because investigations by the ministry found that 90 per cent of the private doctors involved in the programmes did not adhere to the guidelines.
"We found that there are some private doctors who only think of making profits," he told reporters after launching the National Level Drug Substitution Therapy with Methadone at Kuala Lumpur Hospital here today.
He said currently, there were 279 private clinics offering the therapy and they should adhere strictly to the guidelines of the Drug Substitution Therapy set by his ministry beginning Friday, if they wanted to continue to offer the service.
Dr Chua said those who defied the guidelines could be fined RM10,000 or face two years' imprisonment or both according to the Poison Act 1989.
The guidelines stated that only registered doctors who had undergone the Drug Substitution Therapy (DST) course could be allowed to offer the service.
Methadone could only be administered in liquid form by a doctor trained in DST and the drug addict should take the drug in front of the doctor for a duration of four to six weeks.
Besides that, the doctors involved could only provide DST treatment to not more than 20 new patients every month and should record all the patients' treatment details, including the urine sample test analysis.
"They (addicts) could not bring back methadone and should be under direct observation for three months," he said.
Hence, the private clinics offering the service are asked to contact the Health Ministry and adhere to the guidelines set by the ministry to prevent legal actions being taken against them.
On the National Level Drug Substitution Therapy with Methadone launched Friday, Dr Chua said it would be implemented in four zones (northern, eastern, central and south) nationwide, involving 1,200 addicts for six months beginning Friday.
The drug addicts would be given methadone in the liquid form in the selected government hospitals and health clinics including some private hospitals.
The government hospitals are Alor Star Hospital, Bukit Mertajam Hospital, Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Universiti Malaya Medical Centre, Melaka Hospital Permai Johor Hospital, Temerloh Hospital and Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital Kota Baharu.
The government health clinics are Pendang Health Clinic and AU2 Health Clinic, Keramat.
Among the selected private clinics included Klinik Sakinah (Alor Star), Klinik Xavier (Butterworth), Klinik Dr Khafidz (Kajang), Poliklinik Mawar (Ayer Molek, Melaka), Poliklinik Fernandez (Johor Bahru), Klinik Sulaiman (Jengka Pahang) and Klinik Rusli (Kota Baharu).
Dr Chua said the programme would be expanded to the whole country following the completion of the six-month pioneering project.
The Drug Substitution Therapy Programme with Methadone is part of the Harm Reduction Programme approach which also includes the exchange of old syringes for new syringes and free condoms distribution to selected drug addicts in efforts to curb the increasing HIV infection rate in the country.
The syringe exchange programme and free condoms distribution to the selected drug addicts would begin in January next year.
He said this was because investigations by the ministry found that 90 per cent of the private doctors involved in the programmes did not adhere to the guidelines.
"We found that there are some private doctors who only think of making profits," he told reporters after launching the National Level Drug Substitution Therapy with Methadone at Kuala Lumpur Hospital here today.
He said currently, there were 279 private clinics offering the therapy and they should adhere strictly to the guidelines of the Drug Substitution Therapy set by his ministry beginning Friday, if they wanted to continue to offer the service.
Dr Chua said those who defied the guidelines could be fined RM10,000 or face two years' imprisonment or both according to the Poison Act 1989.
The guidelines stated that only registered doctors who had undergone the Drug Substitution Therapy (DST) course could be allowed to offer the service.
Methadone could only be administered in liquid form by a doctor trained in DST and the drug addict should take the drug in front of the doctor for a duration of four to six weeks.
Besides that, the doctors involved could only provide DST treatment to not more than 20 new patients every month and should record all the patients' treatment details, including the urine sample test analysis.
"They (addicts) could not bring back methadone and should be under direct observation for three months," he said.
Hence, the private clinics offering the service are asked to contact the Health Ministry and adhere to the guidelines set by the ministry to prevent legal actions being taken against them.
On the National Level Drug Substitution Therapy with Methadone launched Friday, Dr Chua said it would be implemented in four zones (northern, eastern, central and south) nationwide, involving 1,200 addicts for six months beginning Friday.
The drug addicts would be given methadone in the liquid form in the selected government hospitals and health clinics including some private hospitals.
The government hospitals are Alor Star Hospital, Bukit Mertajam Hospital, Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Universiti Malaya Medical Centre, Melaka Hospital Permai Johor Hospital, Temerloh Hospital and Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital Kota Baharu.
The government health clinics are Pendang Health Clinic and AU2 Health Clinic, Keramat.
Among the selected private clinics included Klinik Sakinah (Alor Star), Klinik Xavier (Butterworth), Klinik Dr Khafidz (Kajang), Poliklinik Mawar (Ayer Molek, Melaka), Poliklinik Fernandez (Johor Bahru), Klinik Sulaiman (Jengka Pahang) and Klinik Rusli (Kota Baharu).
Dr Chua said the programme would be expanded to the whole country following the completion of the six-month pioneering project.
The Drug Substitution Therapy Programme with Methadone is part of the Harm Reduction Programme approach which also includes the exchange of old syringes for new syringes and free condoms distribution to selected drug addicts in efforts to curb the increasing HIV infection rate in the country.
The syringe exchange programme and free condoms distribution to the selected drug addicts would begin in January next year.
Friday, October 21, 2005
Set Up Medical Faculty At Darul Iman Varsity - Idris
JERTIH, Oct 21 (Bernama) -- The Terengganu Government will ask the Higher Education Ministry to consider setting up a medical faculty at the Darul Iman University expected to start operations in June next year, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh said Friday.
He said the move was to provide more opportunities to locals, especially Malay students, to take up medical courses as Bumiputera students were lacking in the medical field.
"In fact, it is the dream of the Terengganu people to see a medical faculty in the state with the setting up of the Darul Iman Universiti," he told reporters after giving food hampers to patients at Besut Hospital.
Idris said Terengganu needed many doctors to ensure the people received the best medical treatment.
Based on Health Department statistics, he said, Terengganu was facing 40 per shortage of doctors to be posted to government hospitals and health clinics.
Despite the shortage, Idris said he was satisfied with the standard of health services in the state.
He said the move was to provide more opportunities to locals, especially Malay students, to take up medical courses as Bumiputera students were lacking in the medical field.
"In fact, it is the dream of the Terengganu people to see a medical faculty in the state with the setting up of the Darul Iman Universiti," he told reporters after giving food hampers to patients at Besut Hospital.
Idris said Terengganu needed many doctors to ensure the people received the best medical treatment.
Based on Health Department statistics, he said, Terengganu was facing 40 per shortage of doctors to be posted to government hospitals and health clinics.
Despite the shortage, Idris said he was satisfied with the standard of health services in the state.
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