NST: KUALA LUMPUR: It’s not the quantity that matters. It’s the quality.
This may be the Malaysian man’s credo when it comes to sex. How else can anyone explain their last placing in the Asia Pacific region, in terms of monthly sexual relations?
Malaysian men have sex about 2.6 times a month compared to the global frequency of 6.5 times.
Eighty-one per cent of Malaysians surveyed in the Global Better Sex Survey by Pfizer, said they were satisfied with their sex lives.
Consultant urologist Dr Peter Ng Eng Pin felt that Malaysian men wanted quality sex. "It doesn’t matter how many times they do it."
He was speaking at the Men’s Health Forum 2006 entitled, "Exploring Intimacy: The Key to a Successful Relationship", yesterday.
According to the survey, 93 per cent men said that sex was a necessary component of life compared to 83 per cent of women surveyed.
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
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Monday, June 19, 2006
New HFM cases dropping
Star: KUCHING: The number of new hand, foot and mouth (HFM) disease cases dipped to one of the lowest since the outbreak sparked four months ago.
There were only 22 new cases yesterday, down from 31 on Saturday and 38 on Friday.
Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam said in a statement that six of the new cases were reported in Samarahan division, five in Miri and four in Limbang.
Kuching and Sibu divisions had two new cases each while Sri Aman, Sarikei and Bintulu had one each.
Dr Chan said the total number of cases in the state to date was 10,632 with 10 deaths.
He added that the number of children warded for HFM had dropped to 13. These included five new admissions yesterday.
Last week, Dr Chan said the HFM outbreak could be declared over by this week because fewer new cases had been reported.
There were only 22 new cases yesterday, down from 31 on Saturday and 38 on Friday.
Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam said in a statement that six of the new cases were reported in Samarahan division, five in Miri and four in Limbang.
Kuching and Sibu divisions had two new cases each while Sri Aman, Sarikei and Bintulu had one each.
Dr Chan said the total number of cases in the state to date was 10,632 with 10 deaths.
He added that the number of children warded for HFM had dropped to 13. These included five new admissions yesterday.
Last week, Dr Chan said the HFM outbreak could be declared over by this week because fewer new cases had been reported.
Docs: New law is criminal
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Doctors opposing a new law, that provides, among other things, hefty fines for offences, said it made them appear like criminals.
Said one doctor about the recently-introduced Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 and Regulations (2006): “Even the Companies Act does not punish anyone this badly.”
Under the new law, doctors are liable to fines of up to RM300,000 or a jail term of up to six years, or both, if they fail to license or register their clinics.
There was also a provision for private medical clinics and private dental clinics to have a system to deal with basic emergency services.
The doctors also said the precise requirements for the size of a clinic, its doors, ceiling height and matters relating to the design of the clinic were troublesome.
They fear that they would face huge penalties for falling short of even a few centimetres on the measurements.
The doctors voiced their grouses about the Act at a forum, organised by the Federation of Private Medical Practitioners Associations Malaysia (FPMPAM) here yesterday.
More than 100 doctors attended the event.
FPMPAM president Dr Steven Chow said the regulation was dangerous in its current form, as it opened the door for widespread litigation in the future.
“We cannot expect a doctor who has not practised emergency care to be reasonably competent in dealing with patients requiring such care. It would be akin to asking a skin doctor to read an electro-cardiogram.”
He said the association has gotten the Health Ministry to agree to give all clinics a one-year grace period from November this year to carry out the provisions of the Act.
Dr Chow added that the ministry had also accepted the association’s proposal that the basic emergency services provision would only apply to clinics providing primary care and voluntary clinics accredited by the ministry.
The ministry’s Medical Practice Division director Dr Mohd Khairi Yakub said the precise physical requirements was to provide for good patient flow and ventilation.
Regarding concerns of doctors being dragged to court, he said the ministry’s law enforcers would look at the matter on a case-by-case basis.
Said one doctor about the recently-introduced Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 and Regulations (2006): “Even the Companies Act does not punish anyone this badly.”
Under the new law, doctors are liable to fines of up to RM300,000 or a jail term of up to six years, or both, if they fail to license or register their clinics.
There was also a provision for private medical clinics and private dental clinics to have a system to deal with basic emergency services.
The doctors also said the precise requirements for the size of a clinic, its doors, ceiling height and matters relating to the design of the clinic were troublesome.
They fear that they would face huge penalties for falling short of even a few centimetres on the measurements.
The doctors voiced their grouses about the Act at a forum, organised by the Federation of Private Medical Practitioners Associations Malaysia (FPMPAM) here yesterday.
More than 100 doctors attended the event.
FPMPAM president Dr Steven Chow said the regulation was dangerous in its current form, as it opened the door for widespread litigation in the future.
“We cannot expect a doctor who has not practised emergency care to be reasonably competent in dealing with patients requiring such care. It would be akin to asking a skin doctor to read an electro-cardiogram.”
He said the association has gotten the Health Ministry to agree to give all clinics a one-year grace period from November this year to carry out the provisions of the Act.
Dr Chow added that the ministry had also accepted the association’s proposal that the basic emergency services provision would only apply to clinics providing primary care and voluntary clinics accredited by the ministry.
The ministry’s Medical Practice Division director Dr Mohd Khairi Yakub said the precise physical requirements was to provide for good patient flow and ventilation.
Regarding concerns of doctors being dragged to court, he said the ministry’s law enforcers would look at the matter on a case-by-case basis.
Saturday, June 17, 2006
M'sia Needs More Medical Personnel
KUALA LUMPUR, June 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysia, as a developing nation, needs to further enhance its human resources in the health sector with a higher ratio of physicians, nurses, dentists and pharmacists serving the population, says Deputy Minister of Finance 1, Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen Saturday.
"We need to do something to reinforce our health industry. Most of our healthcare professionals have migrated to other countries for better pay," she said at the Allianz General Insurance Malaysia Blood Donation Campaign here today,
Currently, almost 46 percent of local doctors, 54 percent of dentists and 76 percent of pharmacists are in the private sector.
Dr Ng said the government has allocated RM1.5 billion to the training of healthcare personnel in the Ninth Malaysia Plan, a five-fold increase from the previous plan.
"Greater efforts will be put towards ensuring accessibility and affordability of health care for the population, with the emphasis on mothers, children and other vulnerable groups," she said.
On the other hand, she said the private sector should take a more leading role in partnership with the government to promote the advancement of well-being of the population.
The National Blood Centre has estimated that some 85 percent of blood donations happen during blood campaigns and through mobile clinics.
Only 15 percent of blood is collected from donors who go to hospitals and clinics.
"We need to do something to reinforce our health industry. Most of our healthcare professionals have migrated to other countries for better pay," she said at the Allianz General Insurance Malaysia Blood Donation Campaign here today,
Currently, almost 46 percent of local doctors, 54 percent of dentists and 76 percent of pharmacists are in the private sector.
Dr Ng said the government has allocated RM1.5 billion to the training of healthcare personnel in the Ninth Malaysia Plan, a five-fold increase from the previous plan.
"Greater efforts will be put towards ensuring accessibility and affordability of health care for the population, with the emphasis on mothers, children and other vulnerable groups," she said.
On the other hand, she said the private sector should take a more leading role in partnership with the government to promote the advancement of well-being of the population.
The National Blood Centre has estimated that some 85 percent of blood donations happen during blood campaigns and through mobile clinics.
Only 15 percent of blood is collected from donors who go to hospitals and clinics.
M'sia To Play Bigger Role In Infectious Diseases Eradication
KUALA LUMPUR, June 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will play a bigger role in combating the spread of infectious diseases by sharing its know-how with other countries to curb the world's biggest cause of human deaths, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad said.
"Since infectious diseases remain the world's leading cause of death, accounting for 33 per cent of all human deaths every year, countries should put bigger emphasis in sharing and learning from those countries with endemic diseases. This is the best route to fast-track its control and eradication.
"We are proud Malaysia is seen as a model country in combating infectious diseases. Our success comes from having a strong political will, structured strategic planning and a strong commitment from our medical professionals," he said.
Dr Latiff said this in his keynote address at the High Level Ministerial Meeting on Health Research for Control of Endemic Diseases in Accra, Ghana. The text of his speech was faxed to Bernama Saturday.
He said the World Health Organisation (WHO) had formally invited Malaysia to assist and present real life successes in combating and organising research on infectious diseases.
Apart from those who die, up to half of the world's population of some six billion people were now at risk from many endemic infectious diseases, he said.
"By applying existing technology and expertise, many infectious diseases can be controlled, eliminated and completely eradicated. This must be followed by commitment, financial obligation and sustained disease control measures that are well planned and cost-effective," he said.
Dr Latiff pointed out that in Malaysia, research and development into infectious diseases had recently been given an 800 per cent boost in funding allocation from US$7.92 million to US$68.46 million.
He said this makes up to 2.4 per cent of the overall Malaysian Ministry of Health development allocation under the current Ninth Malaysia Plan.
Malaysia had achieved remarkable improvement in the health status of its population since independence in 1957, with the maternal mortality rate reaching 0.3 per 1,000 live births and life expectancy of 70.6 and 76.4 years for males and females, respectively.
World's leading cause of death is infectious diseases, accounting for 33 per cent of all human deaths every year.
The High Level Ministerial Meeting on Health Research for Control of Endemic Diseases was convened to develop a framework for better partnership and utilisation of research to enhance the control of diseases in developing countries.
Malaysia was given the honour to lead a session on "Health Research for Development: Moving Forward Agenda" at the meet.
The conference was attended by 18 ministers from Disease Endemic Countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America.
"Since infectious diseases remain the world's leading cause of death, accounting for 33 per cent of all human deaths every year, countries should put bigger emphasis in sharing and learning from those countries with endemic diseases. This is the best route to fast-track its control and eradication.
"We are proud Malaysia is seen as a model country in combating infectious diseases. Our success comes from having a strong political will, structured strategic planning and a strong commitment from our medical professionals," he said.
Dr Latiff said this in his keynote address at the High Level Ministerial Meeting on Health Research for Control of Endemic Diseases in Accra, Ghana. The text of his speech was faxed to Bernama Saturday.
He said the World Health Organisation (WHO) had formally invited Malaysia to assist and present real life successes in combating and organising research on infectious diseases.
Apart from those who die, up to half of the world's population of some six billion people were now at risk from many endemic infectious diseases, he said.
"By applying existing technology and expertise, many infectious diseases can be controlled, eliminated and completely eradicated. This must be followed by commitment, financial obligation and sustained disease control measures that are well planned and cost-effective," he said.
Dr Latiff pointed out that in Malaysia, research and development into infectious diseases had recently been given an 800 per cent boost in funding allocation from US$7.92 million to US$68.46 million.
He said this makes up to 2.4 per cent of the overall Malaysian Ministry of Health development allocation under the current Ninth Malaysia Plan.
Malaysia had achieved remarkable improvement in the health status of its population since independence in 1957, with the maternal mortality rate reaching 0.3 per 1,000 live births and life expectancy of 70.6 and 76.4 years for males and females, respectively.
World's leading cause of death is infectious diseases, accounting for 33 per cent of all human deaths every year.
The High Level Ministerial Meeting on Health Research for Control of Endemic Diseases was convened to develop a framework for better partnership and utilisation of research to enhance the control of diseases in developing countries.
Malaysia was given the honour to lead a session on "Health Research for Development: Moving Forward Agenda" at the meet.
The conference was attended by 18 ministers from Disease Endemic Countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Accidents, drugs killing young men
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: Road accidents and dadah are the bane of young men nationwide.
They rank second and fourth respectively on the list of factors leading to mortality in younger men with disease being the primary contributor.
Many of the 6,118 road fatalities nationwide last year involved young men while the 5,000 Malaysians who die every year of dadah dependency are also young men.
These facts emerged yesterday after the opening of the Second National Men’s Health and Aging conference at the KL Hilton yesterday.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek told reporters that premature deaths among young men was robbing the nation of their potential.
"This also indicates that we are giving very low importance to the health of young men and their problems," he said.
The conference is being held in conjunction with the First Japan-Asean Men’s Health and Aging conference.
Expressing concern with the findings by the Public Health Institute, he said there was an urgent need to address problems affecting men.
"There is a need to develop gender-sensitive and gender-specific health intervention," he added.
He attributed the lack of interest among men in taking care of their health to health policies which traditionally focused on target groups considered vulnerable and disadvantaged in terms of risk to mortality.
Dr Chua also blamed it on the attitude of men who were usually less likely to see a doctor than women.
Generally, men’s health was often focused on the urology aspect, he said, adding that protection and promotion of men’s health should be throughout their life-span.
He said the effect of accidents and dadah dependency on men was also reflected in terms of "healthy" years lost to disability.
The ministry will be addressing these issues under the Ninth Malaysia Plan following the setting up of the Men’s Health Unit.
They rank second and fourth respectively on the list of factors leading to mortality in younger men with disease being the primary contributor.
Many of the 6,118 road fatalities nationwide last year involved young men while the 5,000 Malaysians who die every year of dadah dependency are also young men.
These facts emerged yesterday after the opening of the Second National Men’s Health and Aging conference at the KL Hilton yesterday.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek told reporters that premature deaths among young men was robbing the nation of their potential.
"This also indicates that we are giving very low importance to the health of young men and their problems," he said.
The conference is being held in conjunction with the First Japan-Asean Men’s Health and Aging conference.
Expressing concern with the findings by the Public Health Institute, he said there was an urgent need to address problems affecting men.
"There is a need to develop gender-sensitive and gender-specific health intervention," he added.
He attributed the lack of interest among men in taking care of their health to health policies which traditionally focused on target groups considered vulnerable and disadvantaged in terms of risk to mortality.
Dr Chua also blamed it on the attitude of men who were usually less likely to see a doctor than women.
Generally, men’s health was often focused on the urology aspect, he said, adding that protection and promotion of men’s health should be throughout their life-span.
He said the effect of accidents and dadah dependency on men was also reflected in terms of "healthy" years lost to disability.
The ministry will be addressing these issues under the Ninth Malaysia Plan following the setting up of the Men’s Health Unit.
HIV convention a real letdown
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is disappointed with the recent United Nations HIV convention in New York for not taking the issue of preventive measures seriously.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said no concrete steps were taken on the matter even though many topics were discussed at the convention.
Although the event was deemed a success because more than 90 countries made commitments, he said the commitments were only political ones.
“We are disappointed because there was not much discussion on education, on how to prevent HIV.
“How can we prevent it effectively if it is not discussed thoroughly?” he told a press conference after launching the second national Men's Health and Ageing Conference here yesterday.
Dr Chua said the disease had become an epidemic in many countries and there was a need to find ways to reduce the social stigma of the disease.
“There were no positive steps. They were only mentioned in passing.”
Dr Chua said there were no thorough discussions on the accessibility to expensive anti-retroviral drugs.
“Although the World Health Organisation has made a commitment that three million victims were to be treated by 2005, only 1.4 million victims received treatment last year,” he said.
“So how will the UN help the countries that cannot afford the treatment?”
Dr Chua said Malaysia, however, was able to afford the treatment because the country had broken the patent of the drug for non-commercial purposes.
“We are proud that we have broken the patent and that was why we could reduce the price of the drug from RM1,200 to RM150,” he said.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said no concrete steps were taken on the matter even though many topics were discussed at the convention.
Although the event was deemed a success because more than 90 countries made commitments, he said the commitments were only political ones.
“We are disappointed because there was not much discussion on education, on how to prevent HIV.
“How can we prevent it effectively if it is not discussed thoroughly?” he told a press conference after launching the second national Men's Health and Ageing Conference here yesterday.
Dr Chua said the disease had become an epidemic in many countries and there was a need to find ways to reduce the social stigma of the disease.
“There were no positive steps. They were only mentioned in passing.”
Dr Chua said there were no thorough discussions on the accessibility to expensive anti-retroviral drugs.
“Although the World Health Organisation has made a commitment that three million victims were to be treated by 2005, only 1.4 million victims received treatment last year,” he said.
“So how will the UN help the countries that cannot afford the treatment?”
Dr Chua said Malaysia, however, was able to afford the treatment because the country had broken the patent of the drug for non-commercial purposes.
“We are proud that we have broken the patent and that was why we could reduce the price of the drug from RM1,200 to RM150,” he said.
Friday, June 16, 2006
Palliative Care To Be Available In Six Govt Hospitals
KOTA KINABALU, June 15 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry plans to provide palliative care for terminally-ill patients at six of its hospitals under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP).
Director-general of Health Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said the six were the Penang Hospital, Selayang Hospital, Sultanah Aminah Hospital, Kota Bharu Hospital, Kuching Hospital and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, here.
"Terminally-ill patients also deserve the best professional care available," said Ismail in his speech, the text of which was delivered by Sabah Health Department principal assistant director Dr Awang Setia Musleh, at the opening of the 7th Malaysia Hospice Congress here.
Ismail said the ministry was in the process of recruiting the needed people to run the service.
Director-general of Health Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said the six were the Penang Hospital, Selayang Hospital, Sultanah Aminah Hospital, Kota Bharu Hospital, Kuching Hospital and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, here.
"Terminally-ill patients also deserve the best professional care available," said Ismail in his speech, the text of which was delivered by Sabah Health Department principal assistant director Dr Awang Setia Musleh, at the opening of the 7th Malaysia Hospice Congress here.
Ismail said the ministry was in the process of recruiting the needed people to run the service.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Hospital’s emergency unit opens to public
NST: THE once fungus-infested Sultan Ismail Hospital (SIH) in Pandan has entered its second phase of development with the opening of its emergency unit.
State Local Government and Health Committee chairman Datuk Halimah Sadique said five of the hospital’s 22 wards and three of its 18 operation theatres were open.
She said the units in operation were the specialist clinic, surgery department, orthopaedics, obstetrics and gynaecology, X-ray and laboratory.
"Fungal control was completed last August and the company assigned the task, Germ Squad Sdn Bhd, will maintain the building for three years from that date.
"During this period, the company will monitor the hospital surroundings by collecting air samples on a monthly basis," Halimah said in reply to Maulizan Bujang (BN-Tiram).
SIH, which was infested by Aspergillus and Penicilium fungi, was closed down in 2004 for cleaning work costing RM14.6 million.
It is expected to be fully operational by the end of this year.
State Local Government and Health Committee chairman Datuk Halimah Sadique said five of the hospital’s 22 wards and three of its 18 operation theatres were open.
She said the units in operation were the specialist clinic, surgery department, orthopaedics, obstetrics and gynaecology, X-ray and laboratory.
"Fungal control was completed last August and the company assigned the task, Germ Squad Sdn Bhd, will maintain the building for three years from that date.
"During this period, the company will monitor the hospital surroundings by collecting air samples on a monthly basis," Halimah said in reply to Maulizan Bujang (BN-Tiram).
SIH, which was infested by Aspergillus and Penicilium fungi, was closed down in 2004 for cleaning work costing RM14.6 million.
It is expected to be fully operational by the end of this year.
Chua: NS girl died of brain infection
Star: PUTRAJAYA: Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek has confirmed that 17-year-old national service trainee S. Theresa Paulin died of viral meningoencephalitis (brain infection) with secondary pneumonia (lung infection).
“This is unfortunate and it’s not common. But she was given all the necessary treatment,” he said.
Dr Chua said Theresa, who was at Kem Karisma in Kuala Pilah, fell ill on May 23.
She had epileptic fits at the camp and was sent to Kuala Pilah Hospital that day. At the hospital, medical examination showed that she was anaemic but otherwise normal.
“She was given medicine for her fits and warded till May 25. On May 26, doctors advised that she be transferred to Malacca Hospital for more tests,” he told a press conference at his ministry yesterday.
“She was discharged on May 27, but had another bout of fits at home on May 28. She was rushed to Malacca Hospital and admitted to the intensive care unit.”
According to the first scan done in Kuala Pilah Hospital, her brain was normal, but the second scan in Malacca Hospital indicated meningitis, he added.
Dr Chua said doctors diagnosed her as having status epilepticus with aspiration pneumonia.
On June 6, Theresa developed other complications and had pneumothorax (air in the chest outside the lungs), and on June 11, died of viral meningoencephalitis with secondary pneumonia.
“It’s a very serious disease,” Dr Chua said, adding that the explanation for Theresa’s cause of death was to assure the people that there was no cover-up.
To questions, he said health officials could not ascertain where and how Theresa contracted the virus.
“This is unfortunate and it’s not common. But she was given all the necessary treatment,” he said.
Dr Chua said Theresa, who was at Kem Karisma in Kuala Pilah, fell ill on May 23.
She had epileptic fits at the camp and was sent to Kuala Pilah Hospital that day. At the hospital, medical examination showed that she was anaemic but otherwise normal.
“She was given medicine for her fits and warded till May 25. On May 26, doctors advised that she be transferred to Malacca Hospital for more tests,” he told a press conference at his ministry yesterday.
“She was discharged on May 27, but had another bout of fits at home on May 28. She was rushed to Malacca Hospital and admitted to the intensive care unit.”
According to the first scan done in Kuala Pilah Hospital, her brain was normal, but the second scan in Malacca Hospital indicated meningitis, he added.
Dr Chua said doctors diagnosed her as having status epilepticus with aspiration pneumonia.
On June 6, Theresa developed other complications and had pneumothorax (air in the chest outside the lungs), and on June 11, died of viral meningoencephalitis with secondary pneumonia.
“It’s a very serious disease,” Dr Chua said, adding that the explanation for Theresa’s cause of death was to assure the people that there was no cover-up.
To questions, he said health officials could not ascertain where and how Theresa contracted the virus.
HFM cases on the decline
Star: KUCHING: The hand, foot and mouth (HFM) disease outbreak in Sarawak may be declared over by next week.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said there had been no dramatic increase in the number of new cases during and after the Gawai holidays (June 1-2), despite fears that new cases could spike when families return home to their villages and longhouses for the festival.
“The number of new cases is hovering between 30 and 50 daily, so we are not too worried now; and we’re happy that there was no peaking during Gawai,” he told a press conference at his office here yesterday.
“Hopefully, by next week, we will seek the advice of the Health Ministry to declare the outbreak over.”
Since the outbreak began in February, some 10,504 children were infected and more than 2,100 hospitalised.
The disease has claimed 10 lives so far, with the latest victim a six-year-old girl who died in Miri on May 6.
Dr Chan also said the state planned to convene a forum with world experts on HFM to learn how to better manage such outbreaks.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said there had been no dramatic increase in the number of new cases during and after the Gawai holidays (June 1-2), despite fears that new cases could spike when families return home to their villages and longhouses for the festival.
“The number of new cases is hovering between 30 and 50 daily, so we are not too worried now; and we’re happy that there was no peaking during Gawai,” he told a press conference at his office here yesterday.
“Hopefully, by next week, we will seek the advice of the Health Ministry to declare the outbreak over.”
Since the outbreak began in February, some 10,504 children were infected and more than 2,100 hospitalised.
The disease has claimed 10 lives so far, with the latest victim a six-year-old girl who died in Miri on May 6.
Dr Chan also said the state planned to convene a forum with world experts on HFM to learn how to better manage such outbreaks.
Man donates blood 72 times just for fun
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: This man can put many Malaysians to shame – he has donated blood 72 times since 1975.
His motivation is simple.
“It’s fun!” grinned Abdul Jalil Idris, 56, a senior administrative assistant at the University Malaya Medical Centre’s (UMMC) Human Resource Department.
The father of three said he donated blood 41 times at UMMC in the past six years, and he would keep on doing so until his blood donation book was filled up.
Another frequent donor is 26-year-old lab technologist Koh Chun Haw who has donated 27 times since 2000.
“I first donated blood for my friend when he got into an accident. Now I donate because I want to save more lives,” he said.
His colleague Tan Say Koon, who had donated blood eight times, said his aim was to help people.
Their generous donations were celebrated at the World Blood Donor Day ceremony at UMMC yesterday.
UMMC director Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Amin Jalaludin said: “We at UMMC are grateful to donors who donate without expecting anything in return.”
Transfusion medicine department senior manager Dr Cynthia Gladys Lopez, who was at the ceremony, said that UMMC does not have to rely on the National Blood Bank.
“We also encourage more voluntary altruistic donors than replacement donors (family members), as blood from replacement donors are not considered the safest,” she added.
Gifts and certificates of appreciation were presented to those who had donated blood six times or more.
His motivation is simple.
“It’s fun!” grinned Abdul Jalil Idris, 56, a senior administrative assistant at the University Malaya Medical Centre’s (UMMC) Human Resource Department.
The father of three said he donated blood 41 times at UMMC in the past six years, and he would keep on doing so until his blood donation book was filled up.
Another frequent donor is 26-year-old lab technologist Koh Chun Haw who has donated 27 times since 2000.
“I first donated blood for my friend when he got into an accident. Now I donate because I want to save more lives,” he said.
His colleague Tan Say Koon, who had donated blood eight times, said his aim was to help people.
Their generous donations were celebrated at the World Blood Donor Day ceremony at UMMC yesterday.
UMMC director Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Amin Jalaludin said: “We at UMMC are grateful to donors who donate without expecting anything in return.”
Transfusion medicine department senior manager Dr Cynthia Gladys Lopez, who was at the ceremony, said that UMMC does not have to rely on the National Blood Bank.
“We also encourage more voluntary altruistic donors than replacement donors (family members), as blood from replacement donors are not considered the safest,” she added.
Gifts and certificates of appreciation were presented to those who had donated blood six times or more.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
49 New HFMD Cases Detected In Sarawak, 11 Hospitalised
KUCHING, June 13 (Bernama) -- Eleven children were hospitalised as at 10am Tuesday after the health authorities detected 49 new cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in Sarawak.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said none of the cases was serious.
He said 13 cases were reported in Miri, followed by Sibu with seven and Kuching and Limbang with six each while Bintulu had four.
With the latest figures, the HFMD infections since the outbreak in Sibu in February had increased to 10,454, with Sibu recording the highest number at 2,526, followed by Miri (1,919), Kuching (1,353), Bintulu (1,299), Sarikei (913), and Mukah (757), he said in a statement here.
Twenty-six children were being treated in hospitals, he added.
He said the number of children warded since the outbreak was 2,096, with Sibu recording 649, Bintulu (295), Miri (264), Sarikei (238), Kapit (150), and Mukah (128).
The disease had claimed 10 lives so far.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said none of the cases was serious.
He said 13 cases were reported in Miri, followed by Sibu with seven and Kuching and Limbang with six each while Bintulu had four.
With the latest figures, the HFMD infections since the outbreak in Sibu in February had increased to 10,454, with Sibu recording the highest number at 2,526, followed by Miri (1,919), Kuching (1,353), Bintulu (1,299), Sarikei (913), and Mukah (757), he said in a statement here.
Twenty-six children were being treated in hospitals, he added.
He said the number of children warded since the outbreak was 2,096, with Sibu recording 649, Bintulu (295), Miri (264), Sarikei (238), Kapit (150), and Mukah (128).
The disease had claimed 10 lives so far.
Health Ministry To Relocate Mental Patients To Ordinary Hospitals
PUTRAJAYA, June 13 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry will relocate patients from mental hospitals to ordinary district and state hospitals where improved treatment facilities are now available.
"This is also to remove the social stigma society casts on patients at mental institutions," Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said Tuesday.
As such, he added, the development of treatment facilities would be intensified and more nurses be trained to serve as counsellors at the district and state hospitals.
"We (the ministry) will strive as far as possible to keep these patients away from the mental hospitals. They can be sent to the district or state hospitals instead," he told reporters after opening a seminar on mental health organised by Puspanita, the civil service association of women employees and wives of male employees, here.
Dr Chua said the question of mental health had been given prominence in the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP), and that the RM600 million allocated for human capital development under the 9MP would also be used to train hospital staff, particularly nurses as counsellors and medical specialists in the relevant disciplines.
He said the ministry would also establish a committee on the development of treatment for mental disorders to help the ministry provide adequate medical officers and staff and in determining quality treatment of mental illnesses.
The committee would be headed by director-general of Health Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican, and it would have four sub-committees, he said, adding that the committee would also take charge of developing training programmes for the counsellors.
Dr Chua also said the ministry would conduct a study on the legal aspects to ensure that outdated laws were amended.
"The ministry would also encourage efforts to educate society about mental disorders, as is being undertaken now by non-governmental organisations.
"Studies conducted in the country and abroad show an uptrend in the number of cases of mental disorders," he said.
"This is also to remove the social stigma society casts on patients at mental institutions," Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said Tuesday.
As such, he added, the development of treatment facilities would be intensified and more nurses be trained to serve as counsellors at the district and state hospitals.
"We (the ministry) will strive as far as possible to keep these patients away from the mental hospitals. They can be sent to the district or state hospitals instead," he told reporters after opening a seminar on mental health organised by Puspanita, the civil service association of women employees and wives of male employees, here.
Dr Chua said the question of mental health had been given prominence in the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP), and that the RM600 million allocated for human capital development under the 9MP would also be used to train hospital staff, particularly nurses as counsellors and medical specialists in the relevant disciplines.
He said the ministry would also establish a committee on the development of treatment for mental disorders to help the ministry provide adequate medical officers and staff and in determining quality treatment of mental illnesses.
The committee would be headed by director-general of Health Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican, and it would have four sub-committees, he said, adding that the committee would also take charge of developing training programmes for the counsellors.
Dr Chua also said the ministry would conduct a study on the legal aspects to ensure that outdated laws were amended.
"The ministry would also encourage efforts to educate society about mental disorders, as is being undertaken now by non-governmental organisations.
"Studies conducted in the country and abroad show an uptrend in the number of cases of mental disorders," he said.
Brothers died of pesticide poisoning
NST: ALOR STAR: Pesticide poisoning has been identified as the cause of death of two brothers in Kampung Kota Bukit near Jeneri in Sik District, about 90km from here, 10 days ago.
Sik District police chief Deputy Superintendent Zaidong Mustaffa said traces of the pesticide "carbofuran" were found in the urinary tracts of Edi Emizan Azimi, 22, and his brother Faizal, 21. "Chemical tests also showed traces of the pesticide in the jug of coffee the boys drank from. We have ruled out foul play, but we are investigating how the pesticide found its way into the jug," he said.
An Internet search showed carbofuran has the highest acute toxicity to humans of any insecticide. Widely used on field crops, a quarter teaspoon of carbofuran (about one millilitre) can be fatal.
In the United States, carbofuran is applied by commercial applicators using closed systems with engineered controls, so there is no exposure to the chemical through pouring or measuring. Prolonged exposure to the pesticide results in headache, sweating, nausea, diarrhoea, chest pain, blurred vision, anxiety and general muscular weakness.
The boys were reported to have suffered from headache, nausea and chest pains after drinking some coffee which they had prepared in the jug.
Initially, police believed the boys may have died of food poisoning after eating nasi lemak and ikan kering tamban before drinking the coffee.
Their father, rubber tapper Azimi Ahmad, 45, shared the meal and had some of the coffee but he survived.
He was warded for two days at Sik Hospital. Zaidong said Azimi survived because he had put some ice in his coffee.
"The boys’ coffee had a stronger concentration of the pesticide," he said.
He said tests on the rice and fish showed no signs of carbofuran.
The boys’ youngest brother, Mohd Alif Asraf, 12, said his family had not been informed of the cause of death.
"We are still sad. My parents are away visiting relatives and won’t be back until later tonight," he said when New Straits Times rang up the family home.
Sik District police chief Deputy Superintendent Zaidong Mustaffa said traces of the pesticide "carbofuran" were found in the urinary tracts of Edi Emizan Azimi, 22, and his brother Faizal, 21. "Chemical tests also showed traces of the pesticide in the jug of coffee the boys drank from. We have ruled out foul play, but we are investigating how the pesticide found its way into the jug," he said.
An Internet search showed carbofuran has the highest acute toxicity to humans of any insecticide. Widely used on field crops, a quarter teaspoon of carbofuran (about one millilitre) can be fatal.
In the United States, carbofuran is applied by commercial applicators using closed systems with engineered controls, so there is no exposure to the chemical through pouring or measuring. Prolonged exposure to the pesticide results in headache, sweating, nausea, diarrhoea, chest pain, blurred vision, anxiety and general muscular weakness.
The boys were reported to have suffered from headache, nausea and chest pains after drinking some coffee which they had prepared in the jug.
Initially, police believed the boys may have died of food poisoning after eating nasi lemak and ikan kering tamban before drinking the coffee.
Their father, rubber tapper Azimi Ahmad, 45, shared the meal and had some of the coffee but he survived.
He was warded for two days at Sik Hospital. Zaidong said Azimi survived because he had put some ice in his coffee.
"The boys’ coffee had a stronger concentration of the pesticide," he said.
He said tests on the rice and fish showed no signs of carbofuran.
The boys’ youngest brother, Mohd Alif Asraf, 12, said his family had not been informed of the cause of death.
"We are still sad. My parents are away visiting relatives and won’t be back until later tonight," he said when New Straits Times rang up the family home.
Malaysia leads the way in blood donation practices
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: While the world is making slow progress towards 100% free and voluntary blood donation, Malaysia achieved one of the highest percentage increases in this area, according to the World Health Organisation's global survey on blood collection and blood testing practices.
The survey, released in conjunction with World Blood Donor Day today, revealed that 50% of blood in Malaysia in 2002 were free and given voluntarily, rising to 99% in 2004.
Most developing countries still depend on paid donors or family member donors.
The survey also showed that 56 countries did not screen all of their donated blood for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, and syphilis, because of scarcity of or unaffordable test kits, lack of infrastructure and shortage of trained staff.
A spokesman for the National Blood Bank said Malaysia had never paid donors, while replacement blood donors (family members) constitute less than 1% of all donors.
“Although we have seasonal drop in blood supply, it is generally sustainable,” she said, adding that Malaysia has one of the best screening systems in the world.
The survey, released in conjunction with World Blood Donor Day today, revealed that 50% of blood in Malaysia in 2002 were free and given voluntarily, rising to 99% in 2004.
Most developing countries still depend on paid donors or family member donors.
The survey also showed that 56 countries did not screen all of their donated blood for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, and syphilis, because of scarcity of or unaffordable test kits, lack of infrastructure and shortage of trained staff.
A spokesman for the National Blood Bank said Malaysia had never paid donors, while replacement blood donors (family members) constitute less than 1% of all donors.
“Although we have seasonal drop in blood supply, it is generally sustainable,” she said, adding that Malaysia has one of the best screening systems in the world.
Few mental health experts
Star: PUTRAJAYA: The lack of interest in mental health has caused a great shortage of professionals in the field in Malaysia.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said local doctors mostly wanted to specialise in heart ailments.
Describing this as a serious problem, he said the number of people suffering from mental disorder had increased and the lack of specialists in the field did not help the situation.
“The Government has now allocated to the ministry RM600mil for manpower training under the Ninth Malaysia Plan,'' he told reporters after opening Puspanita's health seminar on mental illness here yesterday.
Dr Chua said the allocation would be used to train more nurses and medical assistants to become counsellors.
This will ensure that there are enough experts who could be sent to district and state hospitals to treat patients early instead of getting them to seek treatment at mental institutions.
He said this was the ministry's ongoing decentralisation plan.
He said Malaysians did not like seeking treatment at mental institutions because it had a social stigma and that had resulted in many not getting treatment until the illness had become more serious.
“World Health Organisation statistics show that mental illness is increasing and is expected to contribute to 15% of the total number of illnesses by 2020.
“Depression, which is the eighth most recorded illness, is expected to become number two by then,” he added.
Dr Chua said mental illnesses included depression, anxiety, sleep disorder and schizophrenia.
He added that drug addiction could also be considered a form of mental illness.
He hoped that non-governmental organisations such as Puspanita would educate people on mental illnesses and encourage them to go for early treatment.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said local doctors mostly wanted to specialise in heart ailments.
Describing this as a serious problem, he said the number of people suffering from mental disorder had increased and the lack of specialists in the field did not help the situation.
“The Government has now allocated to the ministry RM600mil for manpower training under the Ninth Malaysia Plan,'' he told reporters after opening Puspanita's health seminar on mental illness here yesterday.
Dr Chua said the allocation would be used to train more nurses and medical assistants to become counsellors.
This will ensure that there are enough experts who could be sent to district and state hospitals to treat patients early instead of getting them to seek treatment at mental institutions.
He said this was the ministry's ongoing decentralisation plan.
He said Malaysians did not like seeking treatment at mental institutions because it had a social stigma and that had resulted in many not getting treatment until the illness had become more serious.
“World Health Organisation statistics show that mental illness is increasing and is expected to contribute to 15% of the total number of illnesses by 2020.
“Depression, which is the eighth most recorded illness, is expected to become number two by then,” he added.
Dr Chua said mental illnesses included depression, anxiety, sleep disorder and schizophrenia.
He added that drug addiction could also be considered a form of mental illness.
He hoped that non-governmental organisations such as Puspanita would educate people on mental illnesses and encourage them to go for early treatment.
Malaysians consume 2½ times the ideal sugar intake
Star: PUTRAJAYA: Malaysians consume two-and-a-half times the ideal daily intake of sugar.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said Malaysians consumed an average of 125mg of sugar daily while the ideal intake was 50mg.
He said the Cabinet had decided to encourage Malaysians to consume less sugar.
Speaking to reporters after opening Puspanita’s health seminar on mental health here yesterday, Dr Chua said Malaysian culture was such that it was not good to offer guests and visitors drinks which were not sweet.
“Malaysians are aware of the health hazards of consuming too much sugar. They just need to change their attitude now,” he said.
On a proposal that coffeeshops and restaurants should reduce sugar in drinks and food sold, Dr Chua said whether that could happen would depend on the preference of consumers.
On an unrelated matter, Dr Chua said the tradition where the Prime Minister and Health Minister held the posts of chairman and deputy chairman of St John Ambulance, respectively, should be changed.
He said both did not know what happened in the management of the body but were asked to approve the appointment of state-level commanders based on the recommendation of the national commander.
“Maybe I will speak to the Prime Minister about this. We are too busy to be involved in any internal squabbles,” he said when asked about the organisation's procedure of appointing state commanders.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said Malaysians consumed an average of 125mg of sugar daily while the ideal intake was 50mg.
He said the Cabinet had decided to encourage Malaysians to consume less sugar.
Speaking to reporters after opening Puspanita’s health seminar on mental health here yesterday, Dr Chua said Malaysian culture was such that it was not good to offer guests and visitors drinks which were not sweet.
“Malaysians are aware of the health hazards of consuming too much sugar. They just need to change their attitude now,” he said.
On a proposal that coffeeshops and restaurants should reduce sugar in drinks and food sold, Dr Chua said whether that could happen would depend on the preference of consumers.
On an unrelated matter, Dr Chua said the tradition where the Prime Minister and Health Minister held the posts of chairman and deputy chairman of St John Ambulance, respectively, should be changed.
He said both did not know what happened in the management of the body but were asked to approve the appointment of state-level commanders based on the recommendation of the national commander.
“Maybe I will speak to the Prime Minister about this. We are too busy to be involved in any internal squabbles,” he said when asked about the organisation's procedure of appointing state commanders.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Malaysia’s high worker death rate cause for concern
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: Despite working conditions that are the envy of many abroad, Malaysia has failed to keep occupational fatalities low.
In fact, the seven deaths per 100,000 Malaysian workers is more than double the International Labour Organisation’s ratio of three per 100,000.
This places it almost at the centre of the spectrum, with high-end countries like Japan and the United States at 4.1 deaths per 100,000 and 4.6 deaths per 100,000 respectively, and low-end countries like Philippines and Thailand with 14 deaths per 100,000.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn, clearly unhappy with the statistics, wants to reduce the death rate to 3.5 per 100,000 workers by 2010.
"I further want Malaysia to become one of the safest places to work in the second decade of the 21st century," he said.
He hopes to do this by ensuring that employers and employees stick strictly to the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) regulatory framework based on ILO guidelines.
"The current figures are unacceptable. Our figure is double the ILO ratio. We need to bring our worker death rate down by half by 2010."
Dr Fong said the focus would be on vulnerable sectors, including wood, construction, explosives, gas and chemicals.
"We will also implement this in other sectors where workers are exposed to hazardous waste and chemicals."
The 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognises the right of all people to just and favourable conditions of work.
Yet, it is estimated that workers suffer 250 million accidents every year, with 330,000 fatalities, 160 million cases of occupational diseases and an even higher number of threats to workers’ physical and mental well-being, causing further suffering.
An occupational fatality is any fatal event that occurs at work with the victim being either an employer, employee, self-employed person, farmer or family member helping with business.
Dr Fong said the Government wanted to make OSH a mandatory expenditure in contracts and awards to further reduce the ratio.
He said Employment Strategies for Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) was the best concept and approach to be undertaken by countries to overcome challenges facing the country and the global economy.
He said Malaysia noted that OSH had become a core element of the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda in recent years.
"Malaysia supports this as Malaysian workers and their families, like all others around the world, deserve a safe working environment."
In fact, the seven deaths per 100,000 Malaysian workers is more than double the International Labour Organisation’s ratio of three per 100,000.
This places it almost at the centre of the spectrum, with high-end countries like Japan and the United States at 4.1 deaths per 100,000 and 4.6 deaths per 100,000 respectively, and low-end countries like Philippines and Thailand with 14 deaths per 100,000.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn, clearly unhappy with the statistics, wants to reduce the death rate to 3.5 per 100,000 workers by 2010.
"I further want Malaysia to become one of the safest places to work in the second decade of the 21st century," he said.
He hopes to do this by ensuring that employers and employees stick strictly to the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) regulatory framework based on ILO guidelines.
"The current figures are unacceptable. Our figure is double the ILO ratio. We need to bring our worker death rate down by half by 2010."
Dr Fong said the focus would be on vulnerable sectors, including wood, construction, explosives, gas and chemicals.
"We will also implement this in other sectors where workers are exposed to hazardous waste and chemicals."
The 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognises the right of all people to just and favourable conditions of work.
Yet, it is estimated that workers suffer 250 million accidents every year, with 330,000 fatalities, 160 million cases of occupational diseases and an even higher number of threats to workers’ physical and mental well-being, causing further suffering.
An occupational fatality is any fatal event that occurs at work with the victim being either an employer, employee, self-employed person, farmer or family member helping with business.
Dr Fong said the Government wanted to make OSH a mandatory expenditure in contracts and awards to further reduce the ratio.
He said Employment Strategies for Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) was the best concept and approach to be undertaken by countries to overcome challenges facing the country and the global economy.
He said Malaysia noted that OSH had become a core element of the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda in recent years.
"Malaysia supports this as Malaysian workers and their families, like all others around the world, deserve a safe working environment."
Fish safe to eat despite presence of formaldehyde
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Fish sold in our markets is safe for consumption.
The assurance came from Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad yesterday following media reports that the fish contained high levels of formaldehyde, which could cause cancer.
"Analysis showed that the formaldehyde content is at a ‘permissible level’. There is no need for the public to be alarmed," he said.
Commenting on the presence of the substance, Dr Abdul Latiff said formaldehyde was produced naturally by certain types of fish.
"The amount varies according to the species," he said.
Dr Abdul Latiff said the ministry’s Safety and Food Quality Department had conducted joint research with the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia and the Fishermen’s Association, which confirmed the natural presence of the substance.
It was reported that the amount of formaldehyde found in fresh fish was between 0.02 and 0.1 mg/kg.
Dr Abdul Latiff said the current permissible level was not more than 5mg/kg under the Food Regulations 1985.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency Reference Dose, the oral intake of 0.2mg/kg per day of formaldehyde was deemed safe.
The assurance came from Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad yesterday following media reports that the fish contained high levels of formaldehyde, which could cause cancer.
"Analysis showed that the formaldehyde content is at a ‘permissible level’. There is no need for the public to be alarmed," he said.
Commenting on the presence of the substance, Dr Abdul Latiff said formaldehyde was produced naturally by certain types of fish.
"The amount varies according to the species," he said.
Dr Abdul Latiff said the ministry’s Safety and Food Quality Department had conducted joint research with the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia and the Fishermen’s Association, which confirmed the natural presence of the substance.
It was reported that the amount of formaldehyde found in fresh fish was between 0.02 and 0.1 mg/kg.
Dr Abdul Latiff said the current permissible level was not more than 5mg/kg under the Food Regulations 1985.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency Reference Dose, the oral intake of 0.2mg/kg per day of formaldehyde was deemed safe.
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