Brunei Times: WITH his quick mind and love of puzzles, the medical genius works through an unconventional medical testing and symptom elimination process, aided by his shrewd, instinctive understanding of human nature, to diagnose a patient's condition.
His success rate is high, amazingly so, although his bedside manner is practically non-existent. Meet Dr Gregory House, of the medical drama House, currently one of the most popular TV doctors around.
He is also one of the popular medical myths misleading students about the profession.
"The lack of communication skills is the biggest complaint against local doctors," says Malaysian Medical Council member Prof Dr Zabidi Azhar. "You need to like people and have a caring character, as well as be able to communicate well."
Another myth, he adds, is that to excel in medicine, one would need straight As. "It is true that you need to have some brains to be a good doctor but the fact is, a flat four CGPA (cumulative grade point average) does not make a good doctor."
However, given the growing number of students with a 4.0 CGPA, the admission process into medical school has become an annual circus. It does not help that some students even treat studying medicine as their god-given choice.
Malaysian Medical Association branch chairman Dr Kuljit Singh is another who is of the opinion that exam results may not help medical students.
"Many of those who score a 4.0 CGPA are result-oriented. But are they good when dealing with patients?
"Except for the few who are all-rounded students, many do not have interpersonal skills. To be a doctor, you are required to deal with emotions and feelings; patients are not machines."
For a final-year student who only wants to be known as David, the lesson has been slow but well-learned: "I came into the programme with the idea that all I have to do to succeed is to slog but now I've come to realise that it is only half of it.
"The most important thing is to develop good people skills. You need to communicate well. And you need to want to help people."
Students have to know what they are really interested in and why they want to do medicine, says Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia medical faculty dean Prof Datuk Dr Lokman Saim.
"For example, is it because they want to help cure people or because they like learning about diseases? If they are interested in diseases, maybe they are better suited to medical labs, not to hospitals."
For a fifth-year medical student who only wants to be known as Amira, medicine was not her first choice.
Although she has not had trouble coping with her studies, she admits that she has had to motivate herself to learn things:
"I was more interested in pharmacy but my parents advised me to take up medicine. When I first started my medical course, it was difficult because I was not that interested.
"I advise those thinking about it to really examine if they have a passion for medicine before enrolling."
Medical academics concur that interest or passion is a matter not to be taken lightly.
According to cardiologist Dr Ong Hean Teik, who wrote The Life of a Doctor, a guide for prospective students and their parents, those doing medicine for other people usually don't make good doctors and are depriving the ones who are truly interested of a place in medical school.
Universiti Putra Malaysia medical health sciences faculty dean Prof Dr Azhar Md Zain agrees: "The best doctors are those who are really keen on the vocation, not those who are in it for reasons they are imagining or not clear of.
"It is a tough job being a medical student and then a doctor. It also does not pay as well as other vocations if you compare head to head.
"So, only true believers in the profession, and those with love for the sick people with the right attitude and minds will succeed. Those who lack this will not do well. They will get through but cause heartache to themselves, their families and their patients."
Dr Leticia W, who graduated recently, advises prospective medical students to take up something else if they cannot tell themselves honestly why they want to do medicine.
"It's a calling. If you are pursuing it under another person's influence, or because of other superficial reasons, you are better off pursuing something else," she says, adding that one does not need lofty aspirations to be a doctor.
"You don't have to be driven by dreams of saving mankind or finding a cure for cancer.
"Years of medical school have taught me that you need to be grounded to be a good doctor it is hard work and sometimes unrewarding. Other times, it takes small things to make it worthwhile, like getting a relieved look, a smile or simple 'thank you' from patients after you have allayed their fears by simply talking to them or just listening to their worries."
The Star/Asia News Network
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
Friday, April 06, 2007
To Russia with hope
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: Are Malaysians flying in droves to Moscow for surgery to enlarge their penises?
A posting on a Malaysian medical blog has created ripples within the medical fraternity by announcing that such surgery has increased the length of a man’s penis from two inches to seven inches.
According to "palmdoc" who made the posting on Malaysia Medical Resources, a medical blog, "news of the pioneering surgery on a man born with genitals so small that he was unable to have sex had reached Malaysian shores".
But there is more in the posting to interest Malaysians: Apparently, the operation involved amputating the penis, growing it on the forearm and then returning the enhanced organ to its original place.
"In an 11-hour operation, plastic surgeons in Moscow removed the 28-year-old’s undersized penis and stitched it on to his left forearm, where they grafted on additional flesh and tissue taken from his inner arm," he quoted an article in the Telegraph of London as saying.
Palmdoc had said that travel agents were reportedly making brisk sales in tickets to Moscow after Malaysians came to know about the surgery.
But the posting did not explain the sudden interest among Malaysians despite the fact that the operation took place in 2005.
In a later posting, he said that while it could not be confirmed that thousands of Malaysians were travelling to Russia for the surgery, it was true that the 2005 operation had taken place.
While the fact that Malaysians are making their presence felt in Moscow may be open to debate, the operation itself is a fact.
According to the Telegraph, Professor Mikhail Sokolshchik, of the Russian National Medical Surgical Centre, hoped that the patient would eventually be able to have sexual relations and father children.
Nick Holdsworth, its correspondent in Moscow, had written that the patient had paid more than £1,000 (RM6,800) towards the cost of the operation after being warned that the operation was at his own risk.
"The bulk of the cost, however, was borne by the clinic, which hopes to market the procedure to similarly afflicted men around the world."
In an immediate reaction, Malaysian urologists advised against the operation as the risks far outweighed the gains.
University Malaya Medical Centre Faculty of Medicine Department of Surgery head Prof Dr Azad Hassan A. Razack said only very few Malaysians would need such surgery which was for people born with an abnormally small penis.
He said only one man had the surgery so far with details of the case yet to be published.
"Wait for more cases and longer term results to get full evidence to prove it works," he said.
Dr Azad, a consultant urologist, said some men felt that the penis was small due to something called the "Locker Room Syndrome" where men tended to compare sizes of the penis when undressing to go swimming.
"Men feel their penises are small when they look from the top but in actual fact they are bigger if seen from the side or front.
"That is why they always feel that the other person’s is bigger and this makes them feel anxious and inferior.
"Most of the time it is not a problem. As long as they can have a normal sexual life, it is not problem," he added.
Dr Azad advised men who felt their penis was small to seek the advice of their urologist "before undertaking expensive and risky procedures".
Asked on the risk factors, he said, the surgery could cause damage to a normal penis.
"The nerves can be affected especially transferring organs and most of the time they look at the blood vessels. The nerve sensation can decrease. If anything goes wrong, for example the blood vessels, it can result in complications."
He said interruption to the blood flow to the penis due to blood vessel narrowing or other reasons could damage the penis which could result in a person not being able to have sex.
"Worried about your penis size? See a urologist. Most of the time its psychological rather than a physical problem," said Dr Azad who is also the honorary secretary of the Malaysian Urological Association.
He said the issue would be raised in the association’s forthcoming meeting.
Dr Azad said such surgery could be performed on a patient who had a damaged penis due to self-mutilation, accidents or cancer.
UMMC Associate Prof Dr Stephen Jambunathan, a consultant psychiatrist, said people undertook such surgeries for various reasons including emphasis on sexual activity and lack of awareness of medical conditions that caused erectile dysfunction.
"They go and do an enlargement for the wrong reasons. People should do so for pure practical needs such as organ abnormality."
He advised Malaysians who wanted to go for such major operations to go for a psychological assessment so that they could be assessed as to whether they were doing it for the right reasons.
The test will also ascertain if they are prepared for the surgery and its consequences.
Dr Jambunathan said people must be made aware of the long-term physical and psychological effects of such operations.
A posting on a Malaysian medical blog has created ripples within the medical fraternity by announcing that such surgery has increased the length of a man’s penis from two inches to seven inches.
According to "palmdoc" who made the posting on Malaysia Medical Resources, a medical blog, "news of the pioneering surgery on a man born with genitals so small that he was unable to have sex had reached Malaysian shores".
But there is more in the posting to interest Malaysians: Apparently, the operation involved amputating the penis, growing it on the forearm and then returning the enhanced organ to its original place.
"In an 11-hour operation, plastic surgeons in Moscow removed the 28-year-old’s undersized penis and stitched it on to his left forearm, where they grafted on additional flesh and tissue taken from his inner arm," he quoted an article in the Telegraph of London as saying.
Palmdoc had said that travel agents were reportedly making brisk sales in tickets to Moscow after Malaysians came to know about the surgery.
But the posting did not explain the sudden interest among Malaysians despite the fact that the operation took place in 2005.
In a later posting, he said that while it could not be confirmed that thousands of Malaysians were travelling to Russia for the surgery, it was true that the 2005 operation had taken place.
While the fact that Malaysians are making their presence felt in Moscow may be open to debate, the operation itself is a fact.
According to the Telegraph, Professor Mikhail Sokolshchik, of the Russian National Medical Surgical Centre, hoped that the patient would eventually be able to have sexual relations and father children.
Nick Holdsworth, its correspondent in Moscow, had written that the patient had paid more than £1,000 (RM6,800) towards the cost of the operation after being warned that the operation was at his own risk.
"The bulk of the cost, however, was borne by the clinic, which hopes to market the procedure to similarly afflicted men around the world."
In an immediate reaction, Malaysian urologists advised against the operation as the risks far outweighed the gains.
University Malaya Medical Centre Faculty of Medicine Department of Surgery head Prof Dr Azad Hassan A. Razack said only very few Malaysians would need such surgery which was for people born with an abnormally small penis.
He said only one man had the surgery so far with details of the case yet to be published.
"Wait for more cases and longer term results to get full evidence to prove it works," he said.
Dr Azad, a consultant urologist, said some men felt that the penis was small due to something called the "Locker Room Syndrome" where men tended to compare sizes of the penis when undressing to go swimming.
"Men feel their penises are small when they look from the top but in actual fact they are bigger if seen from the side or front.
"That is why they always feel that the other person’s is bigger and this makes them feel anxious and inferior.
"Most of the time it is not a problem. As long as they can have a normal sexual life, it is not problem," he added.
Dr Azad advised men who felt their penis was small to seek the advice of their urologist "before undertaking expensive and risky procedures".
Asked on the risk factors, he said, the surgery could cause damage to a normal penis.
"The nerves can be affected especially transferring organs and most of the time they look at the blood vessels. The nerve sensation can decrease. If anything goes wrong, for example the blood vessels, it can result in complications."
He said interruption to the blood flow to the penis due to blood vessel narrowing or other reasons could damage the penis which could result in a person not being able to have sex.
"Worried about your penis size? See a urologist. Most of the time its psychological rather than a physical problem," said Dr Azad who is also the honorary secretary of the Malaysian Urological Association.
He said the issue would be raised in the association’s forthcoming meeting.
Dr Azad said such surgery could be performed on a patient who had a damaged penis due to self-mutilation, accidents or cancer.
UMMC Associate Prof Dr Stephen Jambunathan, a consultant psychiatrist, said people undertook such surgeries for various reasons including emphasis on sexual activity and lack of awareness of medical conditions that caused erectile dysfunction.
"They go and do an enlargement for the wrong reasons. People should do so for pure practical needs such as organ abnormality."
He advised Malaysians who wanted to go for such major operations to go for a psychological assessment so that they could be assessed as to whether they were doing it for the right reasons.
The test will also ascertain if they are prepared for the surgery and its consequences.
Dr Jambunathan said people must be made aware of the long-term physical and psychological effects of such operations.
Chua: Have a heart
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry is appealing to private hospitals to give affordable heart surgery – at a minimal rate – to the poor.
If they will not do it, the ministry will look at the provisions in the Private Healthcare Facilities And Services (PHFS) Act and Regulations to see if it has the power to direct the hospitals to carry out this “social responsibility.”
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the demand for heart surgery in Malaysia is high but the waiting time at government hospitals was two to six months.
“The Government has not been able to meet all the needs and understands the hardship,” he told reporters after opening a gathering of the Asia Pacific Obesity Conclave and the Malaysian Association for the Study of Obesity here yesterday.
Dr Chua, who recently visited the Narayana Hrudayalaya Institute of Cardiac Sciences in Bangalore, said each private hospital in Malaysia could do two or three surgeries in a year.
He added that the ministry had discussed with the institute's world-renowned director, Dr Devi Shetty, to accept patients from Malaysia at a minimal rate.
The hospital has treated 14 Malaysians.
“We either need to arrange for the poor to be treated in Bangalore at a minimum rate or at a private hospital that has the facilities to offer the service,” he said.
Commenting on Dr Chua's remarks, Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) vice-president Datuk Teddric Mohr said some hospitals were already providing services for the poor.
He said the APHM had been collecting data since February from member hospitals on how much medical service they had given to the poor and how much more they could give.
He hoped the data collection would be completed in a couple of months.
Asked if two or three heart surgeries a year was a reasonable number, he said they need to first compile the data before giving an opinion on this.
He added that while the ministry may be under pressure to meet the needs of the nation and wishes to apply the PHCFS Act, it has to also look into the affordability and capacity of each hospital.
Federation of Private Medical Practitioners’ Association of Malaysia president Dr Steven Chow said the federation supports the minister's call.
However, he added, acts of charity for deserving cases should be made on a voluntary basis rather than by invoking the PHCFS Act.
If they will not do it, the ministry will look at the provisions in the Private Healthcare Facilities And Services (PHFS) Act and Regulations to see if it has the power to direct the hospitals to carry out this “social responsibility.”
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the demand for heart surgery in Malaysia is high but the waiting time at government hospitals was two to six months.
“The Government has not been able to meet all the needs and understands the hardship,” he told reporters after opening a gathering of the Asia Pacific Obesity Conclave and the Malaysian Association for the Study of Obesity here yesterday.
Dr Chua, who recently visited the Narayana Hrudayalaya Institute of Cardiac Sciences in Bangalore, said each private hospital in Malaysia could do two or three surgeries in a year.
He added that the ministry had discussed with the institute's world-renowned director, Dr Devi Shetty, to accept patients from Malaysia at a minimal rate.
The hospital has treated 14 Malaysians.
“We either need to arrange for the poor to be treated in Bangalore at a minimum rate or at a private hospital that has the facilities to offer the service,” he said.
Commenting on Dr Chua's remarks, Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) vice-president Datuk Teddric Mohr said some hospitals were already providing services for the poor.
He said the APHM had been collecting data since February from member hospitals on how much medical service they had given to the poor and how much more they could give.
He hoped the data collection would be completed in a couple of months.
Asked if two or three heart surgeries a year was a reasonable number, he said they need to first compile the data before giving an opinion on this.
He added that while the ministry may be under pressure to meet the needs of the nation and wishes to apply the PHCFS Act, it has to also look into the affordability and capacity of each hospital.
Federation of Private Medical Practitioners’ Association of Malaysia president Dr Steven Chow said the federation supports the minister's call.
However, he added, acts of charity for deserving cases should be made on a voluntary basis rather than by invoking the PHCFS Act.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Students can postpone their return
NST: PUTRAJAYA: Government-sponsored students are now allowed to postpone their return upon completing their studies.
Public Service Department director-general Tan Sri Ismail Adam said stiff competition in getting jobs here prompted the decision.
He said the decision to allow students to stay and seek employment after completing their studies abroad would help them acquire specialisation in their career and broaden their knowledge and perspective.
In a circular dated March 30, Ismail said the decision affected government-sponsored students awarded scholarships who had to serve the government after completing their studies, and students given study loans who did not have to join the civil service.
"However, this does not include courses where students’ services are urgently needed, and those who are necessary to ensure the delivery service is not affected."
Medical, dentistry and pharmacy students either on scholarship or loan must return to do housemanship after completing their courses.
These students, however, could apply to postpone their return for two reasons: To pursue their studies or to wait for their spouses (also on government scholarships or loans) to complete their studies.
They also have to get the approval from the Health Ministry.
Ismail said students intending to postpone their return should apply to their respective "sponsors" before completing their studies.
"There is no such thing as blanket approval as approval would be based on case-by-case basis.
"However, they must be prepared to return any time when asked to do so.
"The government has the right to cancel any postponement and students must return," the circular said.
Once approval was given, Ismail said, the government was no longer obliged to pay for their return ticket to Malaysia or visa to stay longer in a country.
"However, students’ responsibilities as stipulated in the agreement remain."
Public Service Department director-general Tan Sri Ismail Adam said stiff competition in getting jobs here prompted the decision.
He said the decision to allow students to stay and seek employment after completing their studies abroad would help them acquire specialisation in their career and broaden their knowledge and perspective.
In a circular dated March 30, Ismail said the decision affected government-sponsored students awarded scholarships who had to serve the government after completing their studies, and students given study loans who did not have to join the civil service.
"However, this does not include courses where students’ services are urgently needed, and those who are necessary to ensure the delivery service is not affected."
Medical, dentistry and pharmacy students either on scholarship or loan must return to do housemanship after completing their courses.
These students, however, could apply to postpone their return for two reasons: To pursue their studies or to wait for their spouses (also on government scholarships or loans) to complete their studies.
They also have to get the approval from the Health Ministry.
Ismail said students intending to postpone their return should apply to their respective "sponsors" before completing their studies.
"There is no such thing as blanket approval as approval would be based on case-by-case basis.
"However, they must be prepared to return any time when asked to do so.
"The government has the right to cancel any postponement and students must return," the circular said.
Once approval was given, Ismail said, the government was no longer obliged to pay for their return ticket to Malaysia or visa to stay longer in a country.
"However, students’ responsibilities as stipulated in the agreement remain."
Fake Medicines Worth RM7.8 Million Seized Last Year
KUALA LUMPUR, April 4 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry seized fake medicines and beauty products worth RM7.8 million in 12,362 raids nationwide last year.
Its Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad said the fake products seized included traditional remedies and medicines categorised as poison.
"Some of the fake medicines seized were sold over the counter," he said in reply to an additional question from Datuk Tengku Putera Tengku Awang (BN-Hulu Terengganu) in the Dewan Rakyat here today.
To the original question from Tengku Putera, he said the government estimated that between five and eight percent of medicines in the market were fakes.
Dr Latiff said to overcome this problem, starting next month the government would implement a new meditag hologram with added safety features to identify genuine medicines.
"All pharmacies will have the equipment to ascertain whether the meditag hologram is genuine."
He said the public could also verify the registration numbers of the medicines by checking with the Pharmacy Enforcement Branch of the ministry in the states or visit its website www.bpfk.gov.my
Its Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad said the fake products seized included traditional remedies and medicines categorised as poison.
"Some of the fake medicines seized were sold over the counter," he said in reply to an additional question from Datuk Tengku Putera Tengku Awang (BN-Hulu Terengganu) in the Dewan Rakyat here today.
To the original question from Tengku Putera, he said the government estimated that between five and eight percent of medicines in the market were fakes.
Dr Latiff said to overcome this problem, starting next month the government would implement a new meditag hologram with added safety features to identify genuine medicines.
"All pharmacies will have the equipment to ascertain whether the meditag hologram is genuine."
He said the public could also verify the registration numbers of the medicines by checking with the Pharmacy Enforcement Branch of the ministry in the states or visit its website www.bpfk.gov.my
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Made-in-Malaysia medicine ‘cheapest’
NST: Are Malaysian-made generic drugs among the most expensive in the world or the cheapest?
Malaysian Organisation of Pharmaceutical Industries vice-president Jimmy Piong said they were fairly priced and affordable to all Malaysians.
"Considering their quality and reliability, Malaysian-made medicines are among the cheapest in the world."
This contradicts Universiti Sains Malaysia lecturer Dr Zaheer Ud Din Babar’s statement that doctors were marking up generic drug prices by an average of 316 per cent.
Dr Zaheer’s findings were in a 2005 survey published by the Public Library of Science (PLoS) Medicine recently.
The study was conducted by University College Sedaya International and USM in collaboration with the World Health Organisation and Health Action International.
Dr Zaheer had said that doctors were marking up prices by up to 76 per cent for patented drugs, with pharmacies upping prices by up to 140 per cent for generic drugs and 38 per cent for patented ones.
Piong said medicine prices increased with margins added in the supply chain from production to the end-user.
He said products from Malaysian manufacturers at the top of the supply chain were not overpriced. "The value added, or margins, increase towards the end of the supply chain."
He said generic medicines were always cheaper than patented medi- cines, the prices being determined by competition among the numerous generic manufacturers worldwide.
Patented medicine prices are monopolies and are determined solely by the brand or patent holder, whose interest is best served by higher prices.
Piong said healthcare professionals have an important role to play in the rational use of drugs and was crucial in ensuring, among other things, the affordability of medicines.
"If the public and healthcare professionals practice and promote the rational use of medicines, using cheaper generic versions or alternatives instead of more expensive branded or patented medicines, the cost of medication can be dramatically reduced."
He said price control or capping of medicine prices warranted careful study, considering that medicines were essential and strategic commodities.
Health Ministry pharmaceutical services division director Datuk Che Mohd Zin Che Awang said the ministry would look for new ways to cut the prices of medicines.
"We cannot say for sure whether we will control the price of essential drugs, but we are trying to get the World Health Organisation to help us figure out ways to do it," he said.
Malaysian Organisation of Pharmaceutical Industries vice-president Jimmy Piong said they were fairly priced and affordable to all Malaysians.
"Considering their quality and reliability, Malaysian-made medicines are among the cheapest in the world."
This contradicts Universiti Sains Malaysia lecturer Dr Zaheer Ud Din Babar’s statement that doctors were marking up generic drug prices by an average of 316 per cent.
Dr Zaheer’s findings were in a 2005 survey published by the Public Library of Science (PLoS) Medicine recently.
The study was conducted by University College Sedaya International and USM in collaboration with the World Health Organisation and Health Action International.
Dr Zaheer had said that doctors were marking up prices by up to 76 per cent for patented drugs, with pharmacies upping prices by up to 140 per cent for generic drugs and 38 per cent for patented ones.
Piong said medicine prices increased with margins added in the supply chain from production to the end-user.
He said products from Malaysian manufacturers at the top of the supply chain were not overpriced. "The value added, or margins, increase towards the end of the supply chain."
He said generic medicines were always cheaper than patented medi- cines, the prices being determined by competition among the numerous generic manufacturers worldwide.
Patented medicine prices are monopolies and are determined solely by the brand or patent holder, whose interest is best served by higher prices.
Piong said healthcare professionals have an important role to play in the rational use of drugs and was crucial in ensuring, among other things, the affordability of medicines.
"If the public and healthcare professionals practice and promote the rational use of medicines, using cheaper generic versions or alternatives instead of more expensive branded or patented medicines, the cost of medication can be dramatically reduced."
He said price control or capping of medicine prices warranted careful study, considering that medicines were essential and strategic commodities.
Health Ministry pharmaceutical services division director Datuk Che Mohd Zin Che Awang said the ministry would look for new ways to cut the prices of medicines.
"We cannot say for sure whether we will control the price of essential drugs, but we are trying to get the World Health Organisation to help us figure out ways to do it," he said.
Cook, food handler, woman sources of cholera outbreaks
NST: A cook, a food handler and a woman living on the bank of Sungai Tawaran were identified as the sources of the outbreaks of cholera in three districts in northern Sabah.
The cook, who had prepared food for a wedding party, was identified as the source of the outbreak in Kudat, which began on March 12.
The food handler at an eatery near a timber camp was determined as the source of the one in Pitas five days later, while an elderly woman living upriver from here, in Kampung Pampang Poring, was said to have caused the outbreak in the district on March 26.
The outbreak has since been contained as health officials launched control measures a day after the first case was detected.
Only one death has been recorded, that of a six-year-old Indonesian boy who lived in Kampung Pinggan-Pinggan, Pitas, on March 18.
Public Health Department principal assistant director Dr Jenurin Jilip said yesterday that the boy died due to dehydration, six days after showing symptoms of cholera: Vomiting and diarrhoea.
He said control measures taken by the department were to treat those who developed the symptoms, investigate the source of the outbreak and dispatching teams to villages where the suspected cholera patients came from. "The teams will disinfect areas that were dirty, advise the villagers to practise good hygiene, collect samples for tests and close down premises when necessary.
"Carriers will also be brought to the hospital for observation."
Jenurin said in the past four days, there had been no new cases in Pitas, while in Kudat and here, officials had begun identifying "healthy" carriers of the disease.
Healthy carriers are those who carry the cholera strain but do not suffer from it.
"What this means is that at this stage, where we are able to identify healthy carriers, we have the situation under control. This is because by identifying the carriers, we can prevent the spread of cholera."
In Kudat, 16 villages were affected, 10 in Pitas alone, said Jenurin.
He said the entire state had been put on alert to identify possible cases.
No cases have been reported elsewhere.
Teams of health officials were brought in from Tuaran, Kota Kinabalu and Kota Belud to help officials from the three districts over the past three weeks.
Jenurin, however, was unable to provide the exact number of cases, carriers and suspected patients pending results of tests and compilation of data from the various districts. "To determine cholera cases, we need up to five days after collecting stool samples from the patients."
The cook, who had prepared food for a wedding party, was identified as the source of the outbreak in Kudat, which began on March 12.
The food handler at an eatery near a timber camp was determined as the source of the one in Pitas five days later, while an elderly woman living upriver from here, in Kampung Pampang Poring, was said to have caused the outbreak in the district on March 26.
The outbreak has since been contained as health officials launched control measures a day after the first case was detected.
Only one death has been recorded, that of a six-year-old Indonesian boy who lived in Kampung Pinggan-Pinggan, Pitas, on March 18.
Public Health Department principal assistant director Dr Jenurin Jilip said yesterday that the boy died due to dehydration, six days after showing symptoms of cholera: Vomiting and diarrhoea.
He said control measures taken by the department were to treat those who developed the symptoms, investigate the source of the outbreak and dispatching teams to villages where the suspected cholera patients came from. "The teams will disinfect areas that were dirty, advise the villagers to practise good hygiene, collect samples for tests and close down premises when necessary.
"Carriers will also be brought to the hospital for observation."
Jenurin said in the past four days, there had been no new cases in Pitas, while in Kudat and here, officials had begun identifying "healthy" carriers of the disease.
Healthy carriers are those who carry the cholera strain but do not suffer from it.
"What this means is that at this stage, where we are able to identify healthy carriers, we have the situation under control. This is because by identifying the carriers, we can prevent the spread of cholera."
In Kudat, 16 villages were affected, 10 in Pitas alone, said Jenurin.
He said the entire state had been put on alert to identify possible cases.
No cases have been reported elsewhere.
Teams of health officials were brought in from Tuaran, Kota Kinabalu and Kota Belud to help officials from the three districts over the past three weeks.
Jenurin, however, was unable to provide the exact number of cases, carriers and suspected patients pending results of tests and compilation of data from the various districts. "To determine cholera cases, we need up to five days after collecting stool samples from the patients."
No reason for debt collectors
Star: THE Health Ministry does not agree with the move by the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Hospital (HUKM) to collect unpaid bills through a debt collection company, Sin Chew Daily said.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek told the paper the ministry could not condone the move, especially when it also affected some underprivileged patients.
He advised the hospital to first check on the background of its patients or get details of the patients from the Welfare Department, to find if they could afford the medical fees.
He was commenting on a recent press report that said the hospital had appointed a debt collection company to collect unpaid medical bills from seven women whose husbands had received treatment at the hospital.
“HUKM has no reason to do this. It is not necessary to collect unpaid bills through debt collectors,” Dr Chua said in an interview with the daily.
He said any patient who could not afford medical treatment could apply for financial aid from the ministry, urging the seven widows to contact his ministry if they needed help.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek told the paper the ministry could not condone the move, especially when it also affected some underprivileged patients.
He advised the hospital to first check on the background of its patients or get details of the patients from the Welfare Department, to find if they could afford the medical fees.
He was commenting on a recent press report that said the hospital had appointed a debt collection company to collect unpaid medical bills from seven women whose husbands had received treatment at the hospital.
“HUKM has no reason to do this. It is not necessary to collect unpaid bills through debt collectors,” Dr Chua said in an interview with the daily.
He said any patient who could not afford medical treatment could apply for financial aid from the ministry, urging the seven widows to contact his ministry if they needed help.
Suspended – sale of drug to treat IBS
Star: PETALING JAYA: The import and sale of a drug used to treat women with abdominal pain and constipation associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been suspended with immediate effect.
The medication Zelmac (tegaserod maleate), which is marketed in the United States under the brand name Zelnorm, has been found by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to cause a higher incidence of cardiovascular events, according to a press statement by the Health Ministry’s Drug Control Authority (DCA) yesterday.
Zelnorm was taken off the US market recently. The suspension would be in effect until further information was obtained, said the ministry’s director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican.
The statement also said that Novartis Corporation (M) Sdn Bhd, which has suspended the import and sale of Zelmac had advised patients being treated with the medication to seek alternative treatment for their condition.
The medication Zelmac (tegaserod maleate), which is marketed in the United States under the brand name Zelnorm, has been found by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to cause a higher incidence of cardiovascular events, according to a press statement by the Health Ministry’s Drug Control Authority (DCA) yesterday.
Zelnorm was taken off the US market recently. The suspension would be in effect until further information was obtained, said the ministry’s director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican.
The statement also said that Novartis Corporation (M) Sdn Bhd, which has suspended the import and sale of Zelmac had advised patients being treated with the medication to seek alternative treatment for their condition.
Only 6% of Malaysian adults making use of public dental services
Star: PETALING JAYA: While masses of schoolchildren are getting teeth checked by Health Ministry officers, only less than six percent of Malaysian adults are making use of public oral healthcare services.
And a survey by the ministry carried out in 2000 revealed that only 25.2% of adults had a dental check in the past year while only 15.3% had their check in the past one to two years.
"An annual oral health examination is important if promotion of wellness is our concern," said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek in his speech on Tuesday to launch the Colgate-Palmolive and Malaysian Dental Association (MDA) "Oral Health Month".
His speech was read out by the ministry's oral health director Datin Dr Norain Abu Talib.
He said that in 2005, the ministry's school dental services provided oral examinatons to 95.2% (2.9 million) of primary school children and 62.7% (1.3 million) of secondary school children.
Only an estimated 5.8% of adults used public oral healthcare services two years ago.
Dr Chua added that more needed to be done to ensure continuity of care from childhood to adult.
"We need to step up efforts for improvement in periodontal health and early detection of oral cancer in the adult and elderly population," he said.
He added that the ministry was also providing oral health training for teachers in teacher training institutions, pre-school teachers and childcare providers undergoing basic childcare provider course.
MDA president Dr Wong Foot Meow said in his speech that oral health is a necessary part of overall health although it is often neglected.
He added it had been closely linked with diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
He added that nine out of 10 Malaysians had cavities, where tooth decay was heavily influenced by one's lifestyle.
Dr Wong told a press conference later that a reason why individuals were reluctant to visit the dentist was because they associated treatment with pain even while knowing that it was good for them.
During the month, free dental check-ups are being carried out in about 430 participating dental clinics, dental stations at road show events at shopping malls.
And a survey by the ministry carried out in 2000 revealed that only 25.2% of adults had a dental check in the past year while only 15.3% had their check in the past one to two years.
"An annual oral health examination is important if promotion of wellness is our concern," said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek in his speech on Tuesday to launch the Colgate-Palmolive and Malaysian Dental Association (MDA) "Oral Health Month".
His speech was read out by the ministry's oral health director Datin Dr Norain Abu Talib.
He said that in 2005, the ministry's school dental services provided oral examinatons to 95.2% (2.9 million) of primary school children and 62.7% (1.3 million) of secondary school children.
Only an estimated 5.8% of adults used public oral healthcare services two years ago.
Dr Chua added that more needed to be done to ensure continuity of care from childhood to adult.
"We need to step up efforts for improvement in periodontal health and early detection of oral cancer in the adult and elderly population," he said.
He added that the ministry was also providing oral health training for teachers in teacher training institutions, pre-school teachers and childcare providers undergoing basic childcare provider course.
MDA president Dr Wong Foot Meow said in his speech that oral health is a necessary part of overall health although it is often neglected.
He added it had been closely linked with diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
He added that nine out of 10 Malaysians had cavities, where tooth decay was heavily influenced by one's lifestyle.
Dr Wong told a press conference later that a reason why individuals were reluctant to visit the dentist was because they associated treatment with pain even while knowing that it was good for them.
During the month, free dental check-ups are being carried out in about 430 participating dental clinics, dental stations at road show events at shopping malls.
Ten Per Cent Of Medical Students Forgo Ambition To Be Doctors
PUTRAJAYA, April 2 (Bernama) -- Ten per cent of the 1,500 medical students who graduate annually decide against pursuing medical practice as a career, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad said Monday.
This was because they had not expected the profession to demand such high commitment and come with the pressure of heavy work, he said.
He said this could be due to the age factor as they graduated when they were rather young.
"The decision was made after the students had gone for practical training at hospitals or clinics where they were exposed to the real working conditions although not yet commissioned as doctors," he told reporters.
Although the percentage involved was small, it would be better if the decision was made before they took up the course or during the course so that others could take their place, Dr Latiff said at the signing of an agreement between Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Allianze College Of Medical Science (ACMC) and the Health Ministry on the use of health facilities at the ministry's hospitals and clinics.
Dr Abdul Latiff said the ministry welcomed the measure implemented last year by the Public Service Department (PSD) to expose future medical students to the working environment of doctors for three days.
"We only want medical students who really desire to become doctors and not those who pursue the course due to pressure from others," he added.
This was because they had not expected the profession to demand such high commitment and come with the pressure of heavy work, he said.
He said this could be due to the age factor as they graduated when they were rather young.
"The decision was made after the students had gone for practical training at hospitals or clinics where they were exposed to the real working conditions although not yet commissioned as doctors," he told reporters.
Although the percentage involved was small, it would be better if the decision was made before they took up the course or during the course so that others could take their place, Dr Latiff said at the signing of an agreement between Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Allianze College Of Medical Science (ACMC) and the Health Ministry on the use of health facilities at the ministry's hospitals and clinics.
Dr Abdul Latiff said the ministry welcomed the measure implemented last year by the Public Service Department (PSD) to expose future medical students to the working environment of doctors for three days.
"We only want medical students who really desire to become doctors and not those who pursue the course due to pressure from others," he added.
Monday, April 02, 2007
Ministry mulls price control
NST: GEORGE TOWN: The Health Ministry will conduct a study on possible price control mechanisms for pharmaceutical products in the country. However, such mechanisms may not necessarily be the best solution to cheaper medicines.
Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon said yesterday the ministry would have to work out the best way to ensure Malaysians did not have to pay high prices for medicines.
"We want to see whether we can implement price control mechanisms without jeopardising the network we already have."
Lee was commenting on calls by pharmaceutical industry players for the ministry to control the prices of drugs in the country.
In the NST’s Letters To The Editor pages, they had urged the ministry to put a stop to price wars for drugs.
Lee said the ministry was monitoring the situation.
"We have an international indicator which we use to compare the prices of our drugs.
"We are constantly checking for differences."
News reports had quoted Universiti Sains Malaysia lecturer Dr Zaheer-Ud-Din Babar as saying that Malaysians may be paying the highest prices in the world for medicines, a finding the ministry dismisses as "misleading".
The 2005 study was conducted by Sedaya International University College and USM in collaboration with the World Health Organisation and Health Action International.
Zaheer had said doctors were marking up prices by up to 76 per cent for patented drugs and 316 per cent for generic drugs.
Pharmacies, the study found, marked up prices by up to 140 per cent for generic drugs and 38 per cent for patented ones.
The study was published by the Public Library of Science (PLoS) Medicine, a peer-reviewed journal.
Meanwhile, Lee expressed confidence that Zaheer’s findings would not affect Malaysia’s medical tourism.
"Our procedures and treatments are some of the best in the world and we do not compromise on our quality."
Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon said yesterday the ministry would have to work out the best way to ensure Malaysians did not have to pay high prices for medicines.
"We want to see whether we can implement price control mechanisms without jeopardising the network we already have."
Lee was commenting on calls by pharmaceutical industry players for the ministry to control the prices of drugs in the country.
In the NST’s Letters To The Editor pages, they had urged the ministry to put a stop to price wars for drugs.
Lee said the ministry was monitoring the situation.
"We have an international indicator which we use to compare the prices of our drugs.
"We are constantly checking for differences."
News reports had quoted Universiti Sains Malaysia lecturer Dr Zaheer-Ud-Din Babar as saying that Malaysians may be paying the highest prices in the world for medicines, a finding the ministry dismisses as "misleading".
The 2005 study was conducted by Sedaya International University College and USM in collaboration with the World Health Organisation and Health Action International.
Zaheer had said doctors were marking up prices by up to 76 per cent for patented drugs and 316 per cent for generic drugs.
Pharmacies, the study found, marked up prices by up to 140 per cent for generic drugs and 38 per cent for patented ones.
The study was published by the Public Library of Science (PLoS) Medicine, a peer-reviewed journal.
Meanwhile, Lee expressed confidence that Zaheer’s findings would not affect Malaysia’s medical tourism.
"Our procedures and treatments are some of the best in the world and we do not compromise on our quality."
Measures to attract and retain local doctors
Star: A BETTER working environment, better financial perks and career advancement are among measures to attract and retain local doctors, reported Sin Chew Daily.
The daily, quoting Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon, as saying that the Government had put these measures in place to prevent a shortage of healthcare professionals in the country.
Lee added that the Government was looking into ways to offer better remuneration to local medical graduates.
He, however, added that the remuneration would still be slightly lower than that offered by the private sector.
He said the Government would not simply recognise medical degrees of other countries in its efforts to address the shortage problem.
The daily, quoting Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon, as saying that the Government had put these measures in place to prevent a shortage of healthcare professionals in the country.
Lee added that the Government was looking into ways to offer better remuneration to local medical graduates.
He, however, added that the remuneration would still be slightly lower than that offered by the private sector.
He said the Government would not simply recognise medical degrees of other countries in its efforts to address the shortage problem.
Cholera outbreak in northern Sabah contained
Star: KOTA KINABALU: A cholera outbreak in three northern Sabah districts has been contained with dozens of patients suspected to be infected or carriers of the disease already being discharged from hospitals.
“The situation has settled down. There has been no new cases,” state Deputy Director of Health Dr Mohd Yusof Ibrahim said when contacted yesterday.
The outbreak that began about a month ago saw some 50 people being hospitalised in Pitas, where one person was pronounced dead on arrival at the district hospital.
Another 17 people were admitted to the Kudat hospital while 15 people were hospitalised in Kota Marudu after showing symptoms of being infected or being carriers of the disease.
Many of the patients in Kudat were from nearby villages such as Kampung Tanjung Kapor, Kampung Marabahai, squatter settlements and islands, including Kampung Mariangin.
Following the outbreak, Health Department staff in the three districts began alerting the public about the need to practice clean hygiene and consume only boiled water.
The cholera outbreak was one the most severe since last May, when the disease struck six Sabah districts. The northern Kota Belud district was the worst hit with more than 100 villagers hospitalised.
“The situation has settled down. There has been no new cases,” state Deputy Director of Health Dr Mohd Yusof Ibrahim said when contacted yesterday.
The outbreak that began about a month ago saw some 50 people being hospitalised in Pitas, where one person was pronounced dead on arrival at the district hospital.
Another 17 people were admitted to the Kudat hospital while 15 people were hospitalised in Kota Marudu after showing symptoms of being infected or being carriers of the disease.
Many of the patients in Kudat were from nearby villages such as Kampung Tanjung Kapor, Kampung Marabahai, squatter settlements and islands, including Kampung Mariangin.
Following the outbreak, Health Department staff in the three districts began alerting the public about the need to practice clean hygiene and consume only boiled water.
The cholera outbreak was one the most severe since last May, when the disease struck six Sabah districts. The northern Kota Belud district was the worst hit with more than 100 villagers hospitalised.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Rather young, and weight is their worry
NST: Too fat? Too thin?
Common questions we all ask ourselves.
But now, even children as young as seven are worrying about their figures.
Two studies of children aged four to 12 have found that up to a third of them were worried about their weight.
In her talk on the Eating Habits and Nutritional Status of Malaysian Adolescents, Dr Norimah A. Karim said mothers play the most important role in the development of the child’s self-image, followed by friends and the children’s favourite celebrities.
Teachers play the least important role.
Dr Norimah, a council member of the Nutrition Society of Malaysia, said that in a study of 220 Malay primary schools in 2004, 32 per cent of the pupils were worried about their weight.
A 2005 study of 157 Chinese schools found that 26 per cent of the primary school pupils were concerned.
The nine-year-olds were the most anxious — 40 per cent in the Chinese schools and 32 per cent in Malay schools.
Among 10-year-olds, this had dropped to 21 per cent among the Chinese and 29 per cent among the Malays.
Rokiah Don, senior assistant director of the Family Health Development Division, Ministry of Health, said in her paper on Promoting Healthy Eating Habits in Schools that a 2003 study found that one in five Malaysian adolescents was overweight or obese, and teenage obesity is a bigger problem in urban rather than rural areas.
Dr Norimah blamed snacking on junk food and skipping breakfast, while Dr Nik Shanita Safii added a sedentary lifestyle to the list.
In her talk on the Benefits of Good Nutrition, Dr Nik Shanita, the treasurer of the Malaysian Association for the Study of Obesity, said too many children spend too much time watching television and playing computer games.
She added that good eating habits started in the teenage years would be carried into adulthood.
Dr Norimah said that rice meals are the favourite among adolescents, but two per cent confessed to eating fast food every day, and nearly half eat it at least once a month.
Rokiah said the Health Ministry has faced an uphill battle introducing healthier food into school canteens.
Despite listing what may and may not be sold and trying to exclude junk food, most operators are still selling it.
Responding to a question about the hawkers who sell junk food outside the schools, she said that her department had called the local authorities, who pass them from one department to the other.
No one wants to accept the responsibility.
The seminar on Adolescents and Nutrition for secondary school teachers was held in conjunction with Nutrition Month Malaysia, which begins today.
Sponsors were the Nutrition Society of Malaysia, Malaysian Dieticians Association and Malaysian Association for the Study of Obesity.
Common questions we all ask ourselves.
But now, even children as young as seven are worrying about their figures.
Two studies of children aged four to 12 have found that up to a third of them were worried about their weight.
In her talk on the Eating Habits and Nutritional Status of Malaysian Adolescents, Dr Norimah A. Karim said mothers play the most important role in the development of the child’s self-image, followed by friends and the children’s favourite celebrities.
Teachers play the least important role.
Dr Norimah, a council member of the Nutrition Society of Malaysia, said that in a study of 220 Malay primary schools in 2004, 32 per cent of the pupils were worried about their weight.
A 2005 study of 157 Chinese schools found that 26 per cent of the primary school pupils were concerned.
The nine-year-olds were the most anxious — 40 per cent in the Chinese schools and 32 per cent in Malay schools.
Among 10-year-olds, this had dropped to 21 per cent among the Chinese and 29 per cent among the Malays.
Rokiah Don, senior assistant director of the Family Health Development Division, Ministry of Health, said in her paper on Promoting Healthy Eating Habits in Schools that a 2003 study found that one in five Malaysian adolescents was overweight or obese, and teenage obesity is a bigger problem in urban rather than rural areas.
Dr Norimah blamed snacking on junk food and skipping breakfast, while Dr Nik Shanita Safii added a sedentary lifestyle to the list.
In her talk on the Benefits of Good Nutrition, Dr Nik Shanita, the treasurer of the Malaysian Association for the Study of Obesity, said too many children spend too much time watching television and playing computer games.
She added that good eating habits started in the teenage years would be carried into adulthood.
Dr Norimah said that rice meals are the favourite among adolescents, but two per cent confessed to eating fast food every day, and nearly half eat it at least once a month.
Rokiah said the Health Ministry has faced an uphill battle introducing healthier food into school canteens.
Despite listing what may and may not be sold and trying to exclude junk food, most operators are still selling it.
Responding to a question about the hawkers who sell junk food outside the schools, she said that her department had called the local authorities, who pass them from one department to the other.
No one wants to accept the responsibility.
The seminar on Adolescents and Nutrition for secondary school teachers was held in conjunction with Nutrition Month Malaysia, which begins today.
Sponsors were the Nutrition Society of Malaysia, Malaysian Dieticians Association and Malaysian Association for the Study of Obesity.
Ministry studying circumcision plan
Star: PETALING JAYA: The Health Ministry will study the implications of a World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommendation for male circumcision to reduce the risk of HIV infection, said Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican.
“We will study it first before recommending it to non-Muslims,” he told The Star when asked if male circumcision would be recommended as part of the HIV/ AIDS Harm Reduction Programme.
“It is a matter of choice. We’ll counsel men and it is their choice. We cannot force this,” he said.
He said the correlation between male circumcision and reduced risk of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases was an accepted fact here.
Experts from WHO and UNAIDS, the UN agency that coordinates the global fight against AIDS, recommended on Thursday that male circumcision now be recognised as an additional important intervention to reduce the risk of heterosexually-acquired HIV infection in men, after strong evidence showed that it reduced their risk by 60%.
The recommendation was based on a conference in which experts discussed three trials – in Kisumu, Kenya; Rakai District, Uganda; and Orange Farm, South Africa – that produced strong evidence of the risk reduction resulting from male circumcision.
The evidence supports the findings of numerous observational studies that had suggested geographical correlation between lower HIV prevalence and high rates of male circumcision in some countries in Africa.
Currently, an estimated 665 million men, or 30% of men worldwide, are circumcised, said WHO.
“Being able to recommend an additional HIV prevention method is a significant step towards getting ahead of this epidemic,” said UNAIDS associate director Catherine Hankins.
“However, we must be clear that male circumcision does not provide complete protection against HIV. Men and women who consider male circumcision as an HIV preventive method must continue to use other forms of protection such as male and female condoms, delaying sexual debut and reducing the number of sexual partners,” she said.
“We will study it first before recommending it to non-Muslims,” he told The Star when asked if male circumcision would be recommended as part of the HIV/ AIDS Harm Reduction Programme.
“It is a matter of choice. We’ll counsel men and it is their choice. We cannot force this,” he said.
He said the correlation between male circumcision and reduced risk of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases was an accepted fact here.
Experts from WHO and UNAIDS, the UN agency that coordinates the global fight against AIDS, recommended on Thursday that male circumcision now be recognised as an additional important intervention to reduce the risk of heterosexually-acquired HIV infection in men, after strong evidence showed that it reduced their risk by 60%.
The recommendation was based on a conference in which experts discussed three trials – in Kisumu, Kenya; Rakai District, Uganda; and Orange Farm, South Africa – that produced strong evidence of the risk reduction resulting from male circumcision.
The evidence supports the findings of numerous observational studies that had suggested geographical correlation between lower HIV prevalence and high rates of male circumcision in some countries in Africa.
Currently, an estimated 665 million men, or 30% of men worldwide, are circumcised, said WHO.
“Being able to recommend an additional HIV prevention method is a significant step towards getting ahead of this epidemic,” said UNAIDS associate director Catherine Hankins.
“However, we must be clear that male circumcision does not provide complete protection against HIV. Men and women who consider male circumcision as an HIV preventive method must continue to use other forms of protection such as male and female condoms, delaying sexual debut and reducing the number of sexual partners,” she said.
Mentally ill need more perks
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: More benefits such as insurance coverage and income tax relief should be granted to the mentally ill, said National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
“People who are mentally ill are denied insurance coverage due to their condition,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Lee also called for better health services at government hospitals to mentally ill.
“Psychiatric drugs used by them should be affordable,” he said.
He urged corporations to create an employee assistance programme to help those with mental health problems.
“Some do not see that investing in staff well-being can bring beneficial returns in productivity and work performance,” he added.
Lee also wanted those who recovered from mental illnesses not to be discriminated against.
“People who are mentally ill are denied insurance coverage due to their condition,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Lee also called for better health services at government hospitals to mentally ill.
“Psychiatric drugs used by them should be affordable,” he said.
He urged corporations to create an employee assistance programme to help those with mental health problems.
“Some do not see that investing in staff well-being can bring beneficial returns in productivity and work performance,” he added.
Lee also wanted those who recovered from mental illnesses not to be discriminated against.
Nutritionists concerned over unhealthy canteen food
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Prohibited food and drinks are still being sold in school canteens and this is worrying nutritionists and dieticians.
Health Ministry Family Health Development Division principal assistant director Rokiah Don said it was important that canteen operators abide by guidelines set out in the Education Ministry’s school canteen guidebook.
According to the guidelines, canteens are not allowed to sell, among others, drinks with added colouring, titbits, sweets, and preserved fruits.
“It is important to ensure that healthy and nutritious food is prepared for the children,” she said in her talk at the Adolescents and Nutrition seminar held in conjunction with Nutrition Month Malaysia 2007.
Health Ministry dietician Noor Safiza Mohamad Nor said hawkers were normally seen peddling their products outside schools.
She said she had come across situations where a large number of students rushed out of the school compound to purchase ice-blended drinks after their co-curriculum activities.
“This is worrying. Teachers can play a role by organising interesting projects or assignments that promote healthy eating habits,” she added.
Health Ministry Family Health Development Division principal assistant director Rokiah Don said it was important that canteen operators abide by guidelines set out in the Education Ministry’s school canteen guidebook.
According to the guidelines, canteens are not allowed to sell, among others, drinks with added colouring, titbits, sweets, and preserved fruits.
“It is important to ensure that healthy and nutritious food is prepared for the children,” she said in her talk at the Adolescents and Nutrition seminar held in conjunction with Nutrition Month Malaysia 2007.
Health Ministry dietician Noor Safiza Mohamad Nor said hawkers were normally seen peddling their products outside schools.
She said she had come across situations where a large number of students rushed out of the school compound to purchase ice-blended drinks after their co-curriculum activities.
“This is worrying. Teachers can play a role by organising interesting projects or assignments that promote healthy eating habits,” she added.
UM, UKM medical grads allowed to practise in Singapore
Star: PETALING JAYA: Singapore’s gain will be Malaysia’s loss, this time over the recruitment of doctors.
This follows the decision of the Singapore Government to allow medical graduates from Universiti Malaya and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia to practise in the city-state.
UM and UKM are the first institutions within Asean to receive such approval in the republic, which was announced by Singapore's Ministry of Health on Friday.
The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), which said Singapore's move would worsen the shortage of medical specialists here, nevertheless welcomed the announcement that was also hailed by the Singapore Medical Association.
MMA president Datuk Dr Teoh Siang Chin said the decision was to do with “quality, not quantity.”
“It is a good thing for both patients and the profession. Doctors should be free to move where they want,” he said.
On the medical “brain drain” impact on Malaysia, Dr Teoh said this was bound to occur in any case.
“This is a lesson for our Health Ministry ... to appreciate the fact that Malaysian doctors, especially government doctors, are valued around the world,” he said.
Singapore Medical Association president Dr Wong Chiang Yin was reported to have described the decision as a step in the right direction, and hoped it would lead to more medical interaction on both sides.
“It is about going forward, and we welcome each other.
“There is a lot of talent, especially from those two universities (UM and UKM),” he added.
UKM greeted Singapore's decision with pride. Its medical faculty dean, Prof Datuk Dr Lokman Saim, said:
“It is a good move as it shows that the standard of our medical graduates is being recognised. Singapore's standard of care is higher and it will be a good opportunity for our local graduates to show their capabilities. This augurs well for our local education system.”
He did not think that there would be a doctor exodus as Singapore was not heavily populated.
“Our public universities produce about 1,000 doctors every year and we will have enough doctors in our country,” he said, but acknowledged that Singapore held the edge in terms of remuneration.
A senior staff of a private medical institution here revealed that private hospital groups from Singapore had been coming over in a bid to woo those with potential to be good doctors.
“Before, they were high and mighty and did not recognise medical transfer degree programmes.
“But now they're facing a shortage and need to get the manpower so their health system can function,'' he added.
Medical graduates from 18 institutions, from Canada, China, India, Pakistan, South Korea, Sri Lanka and the United States, can also practise in Singapore.
The Singapore ministry said re-cognising the additional universities would help Singapore hospitals in the republic recruit good doctors to meet rising demand.
As at the end of 2006, there were 250 positions for doctors waiting to be filled in public hospitals there.
Singapore currently has 7,611 registered doctors, including 2,286 who were trained in foreign institutions.
The Singapore Medical Council currently has 86 Malaysian doctors on its register.
This follows the decision of the Singapore Government to allow medical graduates from Universiti Malaya and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia to practise in the city-state.
UM and UKM are the first institutions within Asean to receive such approval in the republic, which was announced by Singapore's Ministry of Health on Friday.
The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), which said Singapore's move would worsen the shortage of medical specialists here, nevertheless welcomed the announcement that was also hailed by the Singapore Medical Association.
MMA president Datuk Dr Teoh Siang Chin said the decision was to do with “quality, not quantity.”
“It is a good thing for both patients and the profession. Doctors should be free to move where they want,” he said.
On the medical “brain drain” impact on Malaysia, Dr Teoh said this was bound to occur in any case.
“This is a lesson for our Health Ministry ... to appreciate the fact that Malaysian doctors, especially government doctors, are valued around the world,” he said.
Singapore Medical Association president Dr Wong Chiang Yin was reported to have described the decision as a step in the right direction, and hoped it would lead to more medical interaction on both sides.
“It is about going forward, and we welcome each other.
“There is a lot of talent, especially from those two universities (UM and UKM),” he added.
UKM greeted Singapore's decision with pride. Its medical faculty dean, Prof Datuk Dr Lokman Saim, said:
“It is a good move as it shows that the standard of our medical graduates is being recognised. Singapore's standard of care is higher and it will be a good opportunity for our local graduates to show their capabilities. This augurs well for our local education system.”
He did not think that there would be a doctor exodus as Singapore was not heavily populated.
“Our public universities produce about 1,000 doctors every year and we will have enough doctors in our country,” he said, but acknowledged that Singapore held the edge in terms of remuneration.
A senior staff of a private medical institution here revealed that private hospital groups from Singapore had been coming over in a bid to woo those with potential to be good doctors.
“Before, they were high and mighty and did not recognise medical transfer degree programmes.
“But now they're facing a shortage and need to get the manpower so their health system can function,'' he added.
Medical graduates from 18 institutions, from Canada, China, India, Pakistan, South Korea, Sri Lanka and the United States, can also practise in Singapore.
The Singapore ministry said re-cognising the additional universities would help Singapore hospitals in the republic recruit good doctors to meet rising demand.
As at the end of 2006, there were 250 positions for doctors waiting to be filled in public hospitals there.
Singapore currently has 7,611 registered doctors, including 2,286 who were trained in foreign institutions.
The Singapore Medical Council currently has 86 Malaysian doctors on its register.
Recognition soon for Polish medical degrees
The Star PUTRAJAYA: Malaysian students wishing to pursue medical studies will soon have another option.
The Malaysian Medical Council (MMC), the main body responsible for evaluating and according recognition to foreign institutes, is expected to add Poland to its list of destinations for medical studies.
It is believed that the MMC has so far conducted two visits to three institutes in the country, the first in June last year and the last one as recently as a month ago.
The three institutes are the Medical University in Lodz, the Faculty of Medicine of University of Krakow and the Medical Academy of Warsaw.
However, it is said that only one of the three – most probably, the Medical Academy of Warsaw – would be accorded recognition this year while two others would have to wait.
Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican, who is also MMC president, confirmed that the council would be according recognition to Poland’s medical degrees.
“We have visited the institutes in Poland and an approval is pending. Hopefully, it will be this year,” he said, but declined to name the institutes.
Recently, the Public Service Department had announced that it would be sending its scholars to Poland and the Czech Republic for this year’s medical study intake.
So far, Poland is not included in the list of countries under the Second Schedule of the Medical Act 1971, which currently has 333 recognised institutes in, among others, Egypt, Australia, Ireland, Russia and Indonesia.
Deputy Head of the Polish mission in Malaysia Slawomir Krakowski confirmed that the MMC had conducted visits to the three institutes mentioned.
“Our embassy has yet to receive the announcement of the Government’s final decision. But we do know there is already a first batch of students from Malaysia ready to pursue medical courses in Poland,” he said.
The three Czech Republic medical institutes recognised are the First Faculty of Medicine at Charles University in Prague, the Faculty of Medicine at Charles University in Hradec Kralove and the Faculty of Medicine, Palacky University, Olomouc.
Dr Ismail also confirmed that there were currently no universities in Romania recognised by the Government despite advertisements in newspapers.
The Malaysian Medical Council (MMC), the main body responsible for evaluating and according recognition to foreign institutes, is expected to add Poland to its list of destinations for medical studies.
It is believed that the MMC has so far conducted two visits to three institutes in the country, the first in June last year and the last one as recently as a month ago.
The three institutes are the Medical University in Lodz, the Faculty of Medicine of University of Krakow and the Medical Academy of Warsaw.
However, it is said that only one of the three – most probably, the Medical Academy of Warsaw – would be accorded recognition this year while two others would have to wait.
Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican, who is also MMC president, confirmed that the council would be according recognition to Poland’s medical degrees.
“We have visited the institutes in Poland and an approval is pending. Hopefully, it will be this year,” he said, but declined to name the institutes.
Recently, the Public Service Department had announced that it would be sending its scholars to Poland and the Czech Republic for this year’s medical study intake.
So far, Poland is not included in the list of countries under the Second Schedule of the Medical Act 1971, which currently has 333 recognised institutes in, among others, Egypt, Australia, Ireland, Russia and Indonesia.
Deputy Head of the Polish mission in Malaysia Slawomir Krakowski confirmed that the MMC had conducted visits to the three institutes mentioned.
“Our embassy has yet to receive the announcement of the Government’s final decision. But we do know there is already a first batch of students from Malaysia ready to pursue medical courses in Poland,” he said.
The three Czech Republic medical institutes recognised are the First Faculty of Medicine at Charles University in Prague, the Faculty of Medicine at Charles University in Hradec Kralove and the Faculty of Medicine, Palacky University, Olomouc.
Dr Ismail also confirmed that there were currently no universities in Romania recognised by the Government despite advertisements in newspapers.
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