Star: KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry urged all clinical research centres in the country, including those in private hospitals and universities, to register their studies.
For this purpose, it has set up the National Medical Research Register (NMRR) that enables online registration (www.nmrr.gov.my), said director-general of Health Tan Sri Datuk Dr Ismail Merican.
Registration of their research on the NMRR helps ensure transparency and increases public trust and when fully implemented, would help reduce processing time, enable easy access, capture data on research and allow management to track progress, he said at the National Conference on Clinical Research on Friday.
A clinical trial or study is a type of research study that uses volunteers to test new methods of screening, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of a disease.
Dr Ismail said that he signed the official circular on the New National Institutes of Health Guidelines where all research from the ministry research grants be registered, reviewed and approved by the appropriate authorities.
“If Malaysia is serious about becoming a clinical trials hub, medical research ethics must be given due attention by all stakeholders involved,” said Dr Ismail, whose speech was read out by the ministry’s Clinical Research Centre director Dr Lim Tech Onn.
Meanwhile a WHO official has suggested that Asean countries set up a regional registry on clinical trials in view of the growing number of multimillion dollar lawsuits over such trials.
The world organisation's director for Research Policy and Cooperation Dr Tikki Pang said six men suffered multiple organ failure following a clinical drugs trial in London while Nigerian authorities took a criminal case on top of a US$2bil lawsuit against a United States drug company for allegedly conducting a dangerous drug experiment on nearly 200 children for meningitis treatment.
While Malaysia wanted to capitalise on the growing market of clinical trials, many of the issues begged for transparency, Dr Pang said in his talk Clinical Trial Registration.
He said for a start there could be a National Ethics Review Committee that coordinated reviews done at individual institutions.
Dr Pang said that last year, WHO launched the International Clinical Trial Registry Platform (ICTRP) to promote the registration of all clinical trials worldwide and the reporting of a minimum set of results.
“This is to strengthen public trust in clinical trials by promoting transparency and accountability,” he added.
Malaysian Medical News: keeping you up to date with news sourced from various online sites, put in one place for your convenience, with a searchable archive
Sunday, October 28, 2007
New centre to teach medicine via simulation
Star: KUANTAN: The country’s first comprehensive advanced clinical skills centre (ACSC) was officially opened yesterday in the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).
IIUM president Tan Sri Sanusi Junid launched the centre as well as the first annual Malaysian Simulation and Education Conference and Human Patient Simulation Network attended by some 90 participants worldwide yesterday.
The two-day conference is jointly organised by IIUM, Medical Education Technologies Inc (Meti) and Cybron Technology (M) Sdn Bhd.
ACSC provides simulations where practical skills can be perfected. The facilities include advanced human patient simulators (HPS), an emergency care simulator (ECS) and baby simulator.
IIUM Kuantan campus director Prof Datuk Dr Md Tahir Azhar said the simulations were about 80% close to actual emergency situations.
“Students and trainees can conduct repeated procedures to improve their skills on the mannequins.
“This is something we cannot do on real patients,” he said, adding the simulation concept was similar to what trainee pilots underwent in their flight simulators.
Meti president and chief executive officer Lou Oberdorf said it would be a valuable lesson for students on how to deal with trauma situations.
IIUM president Tan Sri Sanusi Junid launched the centre as well as the first annual Malaysian Simulation and Education Conference and Human Patient Simulation Network attended by some 90 participants worldwide yesterday.
The two-day conference is jointly organised by IIUM, Medical Education Technologies Inc (Meti) and Cybron Technology (M) Sdn Bhd.
ACSC provides simulations where practical skills can be perfected. The facilities include advanced human patient simulators (HPS), an emergency care simulator (ECS) and baby simulator.
IIUM Kuantan campus director Prof Datuk Dr Md Tahir Azhar said the simulations were about 80% close to actual emergency situations.
“Students and trainees can conduct repeated procedures to improve their skills on the mannequins.
“This is something we cannot do on real patients,” he said, adding the simulation concept was similar to what trainee pilots underwent in their flight simulators.
Meti president and chief executive officer Lou Oberdorf said it would be a valuable lesson for students on how to deal with trauma situations.
Flying docs will be back in action in Sarawak
Star: MIRI: Sarawak government-owned aviation company Hornbill Skyways has drawn up a blueprint to urgently revive the flying doctor service for the sake of the thousands of rural folks still living in remote regions of Sarawak.
The airline, wholly-owned by the state economic development corporation and related agencies, has already forwarded the plan to the Federal Government and Health Ministry, said Hornbill Skyways chief executive officer Aidan Wing.
The decision now lies with the federal authorities in Kuala Lumpur, he told The Star yesterday.
“We have recently submitted fresh proposals to the Government and the ministry on how we want to revive the flying doctor service in Sarawak.
“The flying doctor is a very important service that plays a vital role in the daily lives of the rural folks.
“We (Hornbill Skyways) are keen to revive it. It is up to the federal authorities to consider the new proposals we have tabled. We hope for an answer very soon,” he said yesterday.
The flying doctor service enables government doctors to fly by helicopters into riverine settlements and longhouses located in dense forests and highlands to provide medical aid and health checks for natives still living in these isolated communes.
The service had been stopped for more than 10 months because of some administrative and technical woes faced by Hornbill and the ministry.
Hornbill has for years been the aviation company contracted by the ministry to handle this vital service.
Wing declined to reveal further details of the new proposals his company had submitted to revive the service, saying that the details would only be announced if the federal authorities gave their approval.
Two days ago, state assemblyman for Ba’Kelalan, Nelson Balang Rining, had highlighted the plight of 10,000 folks from 30 settlements in the highlands of northern Sarawak who needed the flying doctor services to be resumed immediately.
These folks are running out of medical supplies and have not received any health checks and other medical aid since the services were stopped.
Wing urged assemblymen whose constituents were affected to bring up the matter at the state assembly.
The airline, wholly-owned by the state economic development corporation and related agencies, has already forwarded the plan to the Federal Government and Health Ministry, said Hornbill Skyways chief executive officer Aidan Wing.
The decision now lies with the federal authorities in Kuala Lumpur, he told The Star yesterday.
“We have recently submitted fresh proposals to the Government and the ministry on how we want to revive the flying doctor service in Sarawak.
“The flying doctor is a very important service that plays a vital role in the daily lives of the rural folks.
“We (Hornbill Skyways) are keen to revive it. It is up to the federal authorities to consider the new proposals we have tabled. We hope for an answer very soon,” he said yesterday.
The flying doctor service enables government doctors to fly by helicopters into riverine settlements and longhouses located in dense forests and highlands to provide medical aid and health checks for natives still living in these isolated communes.
The service had been stopped for more than 10 months because of some administrative and technical woes faced by Hornbill and the ministry.
Hornbill has for years been the aviation company contracted by the ministry to handle this vital service.
Wing declined to reveal further details of the new proposals his company had submitted to revive the service, saying that the details would only be announced if the federal authorities gave their approval.
Two days ago, state assemblyman for Ba’Kelalan, Nelson Balang Rining, had highlighted the plight of 10,000 folks from 30 settlements in the highlands of northern Sarawak who needed the flying doctor services to be resumed immediately.
These folks are running out of medical supplies and have not received any health checks and other medical aid since the services were stopped.
Wing urged assemblymen whose constituents were affected to bring up the matter at the state assembly.
Malaysia can lead in alternative medicine
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is well-placed to become a frontrunner in the increasingly popular alternative medicine industry that has a global market exceeding RM200bil, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.
The Prime Minister said Penang was already in the forefront of the country’s medical tourism industry and would be further promoted as an Asian medical tourism hub.
Langkawi, he said, could also offer complementary medicine, traditional remedies as well as therapeutic treatments and synergise aleopathic treatment provided in nearby Penang.
With the integration of the first traditional complementary medicine unit with conventional medical healthcare in Kepala Batas on Friday, he said he was confident that the industry would grow by leaps and bounds.
“We must work hard to further enhance healthcare in the country, to safeguard the well-being of Malaysians and to make Malaysia a preferred medical tourism destination,” he said.
Abdullah said he was also confident that Malaysia could achieve much more, including in the field of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, if it could draw up substantive plans and execute them effectively.
“The Government recognises the increasing prevalence of heart disease.
As with our efforts in fighting major diseases, our strategy is first to provide more comprehensive healthcare, including preventive measures for all groups and regions,” the prime minister said.
The Prime Minister said Penang was already in the forefront of the country’s medical tourism industry and would be further promoted as an Asian medical tourism hub.
Langkawi, he said, could also offer complementary medicine, traditional remedies as well as therapeutic treatments and synergise aleopathic treatment provided in nearby Penang.
With the integration of the first traditional complementary medicine unit with conventional medical healthcare in Kepala Batas on Friday, he said he was confident that the industry would grow by leaps and bounds.
“We must work hard to further enhance healthcare in the country, to safeguard the well-being of Malaysians and to make Malaysia a preferred medical tourism destination,” he said.
Abdullah said he was also confident that Malaysia could achieve much more, including in the field of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, if it could draw up substantive plans and execute them effectively.
“The Government recognises the increasing prevalence of heart disease.
As with our efforts in fighting major diseases, our strategy is first to provide more comprehensive healthcare, including preventive measures for all groups and regions,” the prime minister said.
Many Malaysians have sex before reaching 20
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian youth are involved in sexual activities before the age of 20.
A national study in 2004 involving 18,805 people (10,718 females and 8,087 males) revealed that the median age they had sex for the first time was 23.
The majority of the study group was Malay (56.4 per cent) followed by Chinese (20.6 per cent) and Indian (11.2 per cent). Out of the 18,805, the majority (72.8 per cent) was married.
Male respondents confessed to experiencing sex at the minimum age of 10 and median age of 22 and females at 12 and 24 respectively.
The overall median age of marriage was 23 — Chinese (25 years), Indians (23 years), Malays (22 years), Sabah Bumiputera (21 years) and Sarawak (20 years).
Professor Dr Lekhraj Rampal of the Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Universiti Putra Malaysia said: “What is of concern is the fact that among the 13,971 respondents who had experienced sex, 38.2 per cent said they had sex before the age of 20.”
The age factor, he said, clearly indicated that those who had sex early were college students and young workers.
“Malaysians are now becoming very open when it comes to talking about sex. The unmarried and married talk about sex and it’s time sex education be given emphasis and the public made aware of healthy sexual behaviour, including using condoms to protect against unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.”
He said as much as religion and culture encouraged sex after marriage, it could not be denied that younger people engaged in sexual activity.
Sexual behaviour, he added, was any action that allowed the expression of one’s feelings, including holding hands and kissing as well as masturbation and penetrative intercourse (per vagina or anal).
He said healthy sexual behaviours were consensual, non-exploitive and honest, and included actions that protected against unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.
Presenting a paper on “Sexual Practice in Malaysia” at the two-day conference on Sexuality in Medicine, organised by Universiti Putra Malaysia and the Malaysian Healthy Aging Society at UPM, Dr Rampal warned young Malaysians to be cautious when indulging in sex with unknown partners.
“The person, be it man or woman, may look healthy and sexy but you do not know whether he is a HIV victim or suffering from venereal disease or sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Get a blood test done to ascertain if he/she is free from STD or use a condom.”
Dr Rampal gave this warning because in a survey done to find out how much people knew about HIV and its transmission, the majority of the respondents could not give the right answers to many of the questions.
Dr Rampal also stressed that there was a need to educate the young not to fall victim to non-consensual sexual experiences.
“It covers a continuum of behaviours ranging from unwanted verbal advances and unwanted touch to assault and forced sex as well as sex in exchange for money, gifts, food or protection,” he added.
As for married couples, Dr Rampal said it was important for them to understand how the body works.
A national study in 2004 involving 18,805 people (10,718 females and 8,087 males) revealed that the median age they had sex for the first time was 23.
The majority of the study group was Malay (56.4 per cent) followed by Chinese (20.6 per cent) and Indian (11.2 per cent). Out of the 18,805, the majority (72.8 per cent) was married.
Male respondents confessed to experiencing sex at the minimum age of 10 and median age of 22 and females at 12 and 24 respectively.
The overall median age of marriage was 23 — Chinese (25 years), Indians (23 years), Malays (22 years), Sabah Bumiputera (21 years) and Sarawak (20 years).
Professor Dr Lekhraj Rampal of the Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Universiti Putra Malaysia said: “What is of concern is the fact that among the 13,971 respondents who had experienced sex, 38.2 per cent said they had sex before the age of 20.”
The age factor, he said, clearly indicated that those who had sex early were college students and young workers.
“Malaysians are now becoming very open when it comes to talking about sex. The unmarried and married talk about sex and it’s time sex education be given emphasis and the public made aware of healthy sexual behaviour, including using condoms to protect against unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.”
He said as much as religion and culture encouraged sex after marriage, it could not be denied that younger people engaged in sexual activity.
Sexual behaviour, he added, was any action that allowed the expression of one’s feelings, including holding hands and kissing as well as masturbation and penetrative intercourse (per vagina or anal).
He said healthy sexual behaviours were consensual, non-exploitive and honest, and included actions that protected against unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.
Presenting a paper on “Sexual Practice in Malaysia” at the two-day conference on Sexuality in Medicine, organised by Universiti Putra Malaysia and the Malaysian Healthy Aging Society at UPM, Dr Rampal warned young Malaysians to be cautious when indulging in sex with unknown partners.
“The person, be it man or woman, may look healthy and sexy but you do not know whether he is a HIV victim or suffering from venereal disease or sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Get a blood test done to ascertain if he/she is free from STD or use a condom.”
Dr Rampal gave this warning because in a survey done to find out how much people knew about HIV and its transmission, the majority of the respondents could not give the right answers to many of the questions.
Dr Rampal also stressed that there was a need to educate the young not to fall victim to non-consensual sexual experiences.
“It covers a continuum of behaviours ranging from unwanted verbal advances and unwanted touch to assault and forced sex as well as sex in exchange for money, gifts, food or protection,” he added.
As for married couples, Dr Rampal said it was important for them to understand how the body works.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Affordable reproductive health services for the poor
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: Better access to affordable reproductive health services for the urban poor is at the top of the list for the new director-general of the National Population and Family Development Board (NPFDB).
Aminah Abdul Rahman said she was also looking at expanding the Kafe@Teen programme to tackle teenage pregnancy, sexual and reproductive health problems faced by youngsters aged 13 to 24.
There are three drop-in centres with Internet access, television and other entertainment provided and a self-service kitchen here and in Penang.
Four more of the clinics with doctors and counsellors will be set up in Kelantan and Johor.
She said at the NPFDB headquarters yesterday that the focus was on the urban poor because the country was becoming more and more urbanised, adding that 60 per cent of the population now lived in cities.
She said NPFDB had one mobile clinic which went to low-cost housing areas and squatter areas, and there were plans to convert six more buses.
"The plan is to take our services to the people who can't otherwise afford them.
"The mobile clinic provides free reproductive health screening and other services at minimal fees to urban poor adults," said Aminah, who was appointed last month.
On the subsidised mammogram programme for women aged 40 to 69 from families with an income under RM5,000 launched in May, Aminah said 61 per cent of the 1,045 women screened were Chinese, 31 per cent Malay and eight per cent Indian.
She said this reflected the fact that women in the Chinese community were more aware of the need to screen for breast cancer while many Malay women preferred to seek traditional treatment first, to avoid "losing their breasts".
Many Malay women only come to be checked when they had end-stage breast cancer, when it was already too late, she said.
Aminah said there were 16 designated private centres for this purpose.
Aminah, who joined the board as a sociologist in 1979, replaced Datuk Fatimah Saad who retired last year.
Aminah Abdul Rahman said she was also looking at expanding the Kafe@Teen programme to tackle teenage pregnancy, sexual and reproductive health problems faced by youngsters aged 13 to 24.
There are three drop-in centres with Internet access, television and other entertainment provided and a self-service kitchen here and in Penang.
Four more of the clinics with doctors and counsellors will be set up in Kelantan and Johor.
She said at the NPFDB headquarters yesterday that the focus was on the urban poor because the country was becoming more and more urbanised, adding that 60 per cent of the population now lived in cities.
She said NPFDB had one mobile clinic which went to low-cost housing areas and squatter areas, and there were plans to convert six more buses.
"The plan is to take our services to the people who can't otherwise afford them.
"The mobile clinic provides free reproductive health screening and other services at minimal fees to urban poor adults," said Aminah, who was appointed last month.
On the subsidised mammogram programme for women aged 40 to 69 from families with an income under RM5,000 launched in May, Aminah said 61 per cent of the 1,045 women screened were Chinese, 31 per cent Malay and eight per cent Indian.
She said this reflected the fact that women in the Chinese community were more aware of the need to screen for breast cancer while many Malay women preferred to seek traditional treatment first, to avoid "losing their breasts".
Many Malay women only come to be checked when they had end-stage breast cancer, when it was already too late, she said.
Aminah said there were 16 designated private centres for this purpose.
Aminah, who joined the board as a sociologist in 1979, replaced Datuk Fatimah Saad who retired last year.
Putrajaya gets cancer centre
Star: PUTRAJAYA: Information on cancer, notably breast cancer, is now readily available at the Putrajaya Hospital with the setting-up of a resource centre.
The centre will provide knowledge and support to those stricken with the disease and family members.
The Putrajaya Hospital Cancer Resource Centre, the first of its kind in the country, has up-to-date reading material on various cancers, treatments and other vital information.
The centre also provides networking with cancer survivors offering emotional support via Cancer Network Association (KanWork).
Hospital director Dr Mohd Norzi Ghazali said the centre’s role was also to provide general information on cancer to educate the public on cancer, including treatment, medication and post-treatment care.
“What is also important is that it is a platform for those with cancer to come together and share their experience and knowledge,” he said.
“It is also an avenue for partners, family members and friends of patients to get advice and support on how to deal with a cancer patient.”
Dr Norzi said cancer was the second-highest killer in the country after road accidents, with 30,000 new cases detected annually.
Putrajaya Hospital head of breast and endocrine surgical department and consultant surgeon Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the hospital received between 150 and 200 breast cancer cases each year.
“It is important to create greater cancer awareness. According to census, 60% of cancer patients only realised they had cancer at a late stage,” he said.
The centre will provide knowledge and support to those stricken with the disease and family members.
The Putrajaya Hospital Cancer Resource Centre, the first of its kind in the country, has up-to-date reading material on various cancers, treatments and other vital information.
The centre also provides networking with cancer survivors offering emotional support via Cancer Network Association (KanWork).
Hospital director Dr Mohd Norzi Ghazali said the centre’s role was also to provide general information on cancer to educate the public on cancer, including treatment, medication and post-treatment care.
“What is also important is that it is a platform for those with cancer to come together and share their experience and knowledge,” he said.
“It is also an avenue for partners, family members and friends of patients to get advice and support on how to deal with a cancer patient.”
Dr Norzi said cancer was the second-highest killer in the country after road accidents, with 30,000 new cases detected annually.
Putrajaya Hospital head of breast and endocrine surgical department and consultant surgeon Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the hospital received between 150 and 200 breast cancer cases each year.
“It is important to create greater cancer awareness. According to census, 60% of cancer patients only realised they had cancer at a late stage,” he said.
Herbal product industry gets a boost
Star: KEPALA BATAS: The country is ready to tap the international multi-million ringgit herbal product market.
With that in mind, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi wants further research into its home-grown herbs to give the country’s herbal industry a bigger boost.
“We are blessed with rich natural herbal and marine resources that can be ideally used to produce medicines.
“Our local researchers must work harder to find out to what extent traditional medicine can effectively help cure ailments and diseases,” he said when opening the RM83mil Kepala Batas Hospital here yesterday.
The hospital is also the first in the country to have a traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) unit that offers services according to the traditional medicine practices of the Malay, Chinese and Indian communities.
Abdullah said traditional medicine that has been practised by the Malays, Chinese and Indians since the old days, can be used as an integrative medicine to modern medicine.
In the past, when hospitals were located far from rural areas, he said, traditional medicine was used as ‘first aid’ to treat patients before the arrival of the doctor.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said similar TCM units would be set up at the Putrajaya Hospital by December and at the Sultan Ismail Hospital in Johor by March.
“A few medical officers will soon attend short courses on acupuncture and TCM pharmacy in Beijing, China next year.
“We will also introduce ayurvedic medicine at the TCM units next year, followed by traditional Malay medicine through collaborations with our counterparts in Indonesia,” he said.
Chua said till last year, a total of 7,154 TCM practitioners had registered their practices with the ministry since a TCM division was formed at the ministry in 2004.
“We believe there are about 3,000 to 4,000 more who have yet to register with us,” he said, adding that they could register online via the ministry’s website at http://www. moh.gov.my
With that in mind, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi wants further research into its home-grown herbs to give the country’s herbal industry a bigger boost.
“We are blessed with rich natural herbal and marine resources that can be ideally used to produce medicines.
“Our local researchers must work harder to find out to what extent traditional medicine can effectively help cure ailments and diseases,” he said when opening the RM83mil Kepala Batas Hospital here yesterday.
The hospital is also the first in the country to have a traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) unit that offers services according to the traditional medicine practices of the Malay, Chinese and Indian communities.
Abdullah said traditional medicine that has been practised by the Malays, Chinese and Indians since the old days, can be used as an integrative medicine to modern medicine.
In the past, when hospitals were located far from rural areas, he said, traditional medicine was used as ‘first aid’ to treat patients before the arrival of the doctor.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said similar TCM units would be set up at the Putrajaya Hospital by December and at the Sultan Ismail Hospital in Johor by March.
“A few medical officers will soon attend short courses on acupuncture and TCM pharmacy in Beijing, China next year.
“We will also introduce ayurvedic medicine at the TCM units next year, followed by traditional Malay medicine through collaborations with our counterparts in Indonesia,” he said.
Chua said till last year, a total of 7,154 TCM practitioners had registered their practices with the ministry since a TCM division was formed at the ministry in 2004.
“We believe there are about 3,000 to 4,000 more who have yet to register with us,” he said, adding that they could register online via the ministry’s website at http://www. moh.gov.my
Friday, October 26, 2007
Three children down with cancer every day
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: At least three children are diagnosed with cancer every day in the country.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said some 1,200 cases of childhood cancer were reported to the National Cancer Registry each year.
What was even more worrying, he said, was that parents were often in a state of denial and this led to delays in treating the children.
Parents are often, and understandably so, in a state of denial that their children are suffering from cancer.
"As a result, they hop from doctor to doctor and seek alternative therapies.
"Many of them finally do come back, but the tumour would already be in quite an advanced stage and the child would already be in a bad state," Dr Chua said after launching the Blue Ribbon Campaign at Menara Celcom here.
The effort is aimed at raising awareness of child cancer in Malaysia and to help affected children and their families, particularly those with financial constraints.
"Based on the data collected from 2003 to 2005, the top five childhood cancers in the country are leukaemia (40 per cent), lymphomas (10 per cent), central nervous system tumours (nine per cent), germ cell tumours (six per cent) and soft tissue sarcomas (five per cent)," Dr Chua said.
He also urged paediatric oncologists to counsel parents regarding the nature and treatment of childhood cancers.
The minister said paediatric oncology services were now available in 11 centres throughout the country, six of them under the Health Ministry, three in the universities and two with the private sector.
At a press conference later, Dr Chua said there were currently 19 paediatric oncologists in the country.
"Out of this, 17 are with the government while two are with the private sector."
Dr Chua said treatment costs at public hospitals were affordable because of subsidies from the government.
"The maximum that a non-school-going child has to pay is RM500 per admission, regardless of the length of stay.
"Those attending our day-care centres for chemotheraphy are charged only RM50 per visit.
"Even so, many of them are referred to our Medical Social Welfare Services for exemption if they cannot afford it," he said.
Dr Chua added that patients could seek help from the government under the Medical Assistance Fund to buy medication and equipment such as prosthesis.
He had earlier said in his speech that the money from the fund was for long-term medical treatment of chronic diseases, including cancers.
"Since it was set up in 2005, with a total allocation of RM45 million to date, RM23.6 million had been spent for the benefit of 1,702 applicants," he said.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said some 1,200 cases of childhood cancer were reported to the National Cancer Registry each year.
What was even more worrying, he said, was that parents were often in a state of denial and this led to delays in treating the children.
Parents are often, and understandably so, in a state of denial that their children are suffering from cancer.
"As a result, they hop from doctor to doctor and seek alternative therapies.
"Many of them finally do come back, but the tumour would already be in quite an advanced stage and the child would already be in a bad state," Dr Chua said after launching the Blue Ribbon Campaign at Menara Celcom here.
The effort is aimed at raising awareness of child cancer in Malaysia and to help affected children and their families, particularly those with financial constraints.
"Based on the data collected from 2003 to 2005, the top five childhood cancers in the country are leukaemia (40 per cent), lymphomas (10 per cent), central nervous system tumours (nine per cent), germ cell tumours (six per cent) and soft tissue sarcomas (five per cent)," Dr Chua said.
He also urged paediatric oncologists to counsel parents regarding the nature and treatment of childhood cancers.
The minister said paediatric oncology services were now available in 11 centres throughout the country, six of them under the Health Ministry, three in the universities and two with the private sector.
At a press conference later, Dr Chua said there were currently 19 paediatric oncologists in the country.
"Out of this, 17 are with the government while two are with the private sector."
Dr Chua said treatment costs at public hospitals were affordable because of subsidies from the government.
"The maximum that a non-school-going child has to pay is RM500 per admission, regardless of the length of stay.
"Those attending our day-care centres for chemotheraphy are charged only RM50 per visit.
"Even so, many of them are referred to our Medical Social Welfare Services for exemption if they cannot afford it," he said.
Dr Chua added that patients could seek help from the government under the Medical Assistance Fund to buy medication and equipment such as prosthesis.
He had earlier said in his speech that the money from the fund was for long-term medical treatment of chronic diseases, including cancers.
"Since it was set up in 2005, with a total allocation of RM45 million to date, RM23.6 million had been spent for the benefit of 1,702 applicants," he said.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Clinics can help you quit smoking
NST: SERDANG: Quitting smoking but nothing seems to help?
Perhaps what you need is help from the professionals at one of the 400 government clinics listed in the Ministry of Health's website.
The health clinics are available nationwide and provide counselling and treatment for smokers who want to kick the habit.
Patients will be evaluated before a treatment is prescribed, which could include nicotine patches, nicotine gum and inhalers.
"There are facilities available for the public if they need help in quitting, all they have to do is access our website at www.infosihat.gov.my or call the hotline number at 8883 4400," said Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon at the launch of an anti-smoking video competition for private and public universities.
The launch was held at Universiti Putra Malaysia.
Lee said the government was going all out to curb the rising number of smokers in Malaysia
There are more than three million smokers in Malaysia and there are more than 25 tobacco-related diseases known today including cancer and respiratory diseases.
Tobacco also causes more than four million deaths a year.
"Tobacco, in any form, is often deadly," warned the chairman of the Action on Smoking and Health Committee Dr Lekhraj Rampal, who was also present at the event.
He said it was important for the younger generation to create awareness on the risks of smoking. He commended the students on their efforts in organising the competition.
The competition is aimed at creating awareness and educating university students on the adverse effects of tobacco consumption.
Perhaps what you need is help from the professionals at one of the 400 government clinics listed in the Ministry of Health's website.
The health clinics are available nationwide and provide counselling and treatment for smokers who want to kick the habit.
Patients will be evaluated before a treatment is prescribed, which could include nicotine patches, nicotine gum and inhalers.
"There are facilities available for the public if they need help in quitting, all they have to do is access our website at www.infosihat.gov.my or call the hotline number at 8883 4400," said Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon at the launch of an anti-smoking video competition for private and public universities.
The launch was held at Universiti Putra Malaysia.
Lee said the government was going all out to curb the rising number of smokers in Malaysia
There are more than three million smokers in Malaysia and there are more than 25 tobacco-related diseases known today including cancer and respiratory diseases.
Tobacco also causes more than four million deaths a year.
"Tobacco, in any form, is often deadly," warned the chairman of the Action on Smoking and Health Committee Dr Lekhraj Rampal, who was also present at the event.
He said it was important for the younger generation to create awareness on the risks of smoking. He commended the students on their efforts in organising the competition.
The competition is aimed at creating awareness and educating university students on the adverse effects of tobacco consumption.
More room for heart patients
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: The National Heart Institute (IJN) is expanding under a RM230 million programme to help it cater to a larger patient load.
This includes RM60 million for the latest equipment to provide better diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular and thoracic problems.
IJN chief executive officer Mohd Razif Mohd Yunus said the plans included a new five-storey building that would almost double the number of patients treated at present.
"The number of patients coming to IJN has been increasing and we are facing constraints in terms of capacity and facilities.
"Bed use is also at the maximum, especially in the Intensive Care Unit" he said.
Since its establishment in 1992, more than 1.3 million patients had sought treatment at IJN and more than 131,000 were in-patients.
Last year alone, IJN handled 149,000 patients of whom 12,000 were in-patients.
It performed 3,110 cardiothoracic surgeries including 2,100 open-heart , 827 closed-heart and 183 thoracic surgeries as well as more than 8,000 interventional cardiology procedures.
The institute also has a good record in children's cardiac medicine with 8,000 paediatric-cardiothoracic and 14,000 paediatric cardiology cases.
Razif said the workload had increased by nearly four-fold since inception when it was handling just 10,000 patients a year.
"When patients look to us for quick recovery, we have to ensure that we can provide better facilities and care," he added.
The completion of the new building next July would provide a total of 54 adult clinics, five paediatric clinics, 420 beds, 24 ICU beds, seven operating theatres, four catheterisation laboratories, a dialysis centre, a hybrid catheterisation laboratory operating theatre and 636 parking bays.
At present, it has eight general wards for cardiology and cardiothoracic cases with a selection of suites from single to six beds.
The wards are equipped with televisions, telephones, in-suite bathrooms and a nurse call system.
IJN has a staff strength of nearly 1,000 with 85 qualified cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, paediatric cardiologist and anaesthetists.
Razif said the hospital would be increasing the number of consultants from the country and abroad.
"We will also be recruiting nurses locally and from Indonesia, India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.
"Allied health staff will also be increased," he said,
He added that IJN college would provide specialised training in cardiac care for nurses and allied healthcare staff.
Razif said IJN spent RM5 million annually on staff training, which included sending them on attachment locally and abroad.
He said IJN's team of consultant physicians was also noted for using the latest and most effective techniques in the treatment of heart patients, for interventional cardiology procedures, as well as heart surgery.
He said the array of treatments at the institute included angiogram and angioplasty procedures via radial artery, implantation of AICDs, minimally invasive surgeries and implantation of mechanical heart-assist devices.
This includes RM60 million for the latest equipment to provide better diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular and thoracic problems.
IJN chief executive officer Mohd Razif Mohd Yunus said the plans included a new five-storey building that would almost double the number of patients treated at present.
"The number of patients coming to IJN has been increasing and we are facing constraints in terms of capacity and facilities.
"Bed use is also at the maximum, especially in the Intensive Care Unit" he said.
Since its establishment in 1992, more than 1.3 million patients had sought treatment at IJN and more than 131,000 were in-patients.
Last year alone, IJN handled 149,000 patients of whom 12,000 were in-patients.
It performed 3,110 cardiothoracic surgeries including 2,100 open-heart , 827 closed-heart and 183 thoracic surgeries as well as more than 8,000 interventional cardiology procedures.
The institute also has a good record in children's cardiac medicine with 8,000 paediatric-cardiothoracic and 14,000 paediatric cardiology cases.
Razif said the workload had increased by nearly four-fold since inception when it was handling just 10,000 patients a year.
"When patients look to us for quick recovery, we have to ensure that we can provide better facilities and care," he added.
The completion of the new building next July would provide a total of 54 adult clinics, five paediatric clinics, 420 beds, 24 ICU beds, seven operating theatres, four catheterisation laboratories, a dialysis centre, a hybrid catheterisation laboratory operating theatre and 636 parking bays.
At present, it has eight general wards for cardiology and cardiothoracic cases with a selection of suites from single to six beds.
The wards are equipped with televisions, telephones, in-suite bathrooms and a nurse call system.
IJN has a staff strength of nearly 1,000 with 85 qualified cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, paediatric cardiologist and anaesthetists.
Razif said the hospital would be increasing the number of consultants from the country and abroad.
"We will also be recruiting nurses locally and from Indonesia, India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.
"Allied health staff will also be increased," he said,
He added that IJN college would provide specialised training in cardiac care for nurses and allied healthcare staff.
Razif said IJN spent RM5 million annually on staff training, which included sending them on attachment locally and abroad.
He said IJN's team of consultant physicians was also noted for using the latest and most effective techniques in the treatment of heart patients, for interventional cardiology procedures, as well as heart surgery.
He said the array of treatments at the institute included angiogram and angioplasty procedures via radial artery, implantation of AICDs, minimally invasive surgeries and implantation of mechanical heart-assist devices.
Monday, October 22, 2007
More accurate diagnosis from mobile trauma unit
NST: KUALA SELANGOR: The examination of more than 220 plantation workers at the Sungei Buloh Estate yesterday was conducted at two main centres. The first was a state-of-the-art Mobile Trauma Unit, the only one of its kind in Malaysia.
It is a nearly 13-metre-long customised medical coach built by Medical Coaches Worldwide Inc in the United States.
"The RM1.2 million Mobile Trauma Unit is used to diagnose and stabilise patients before emergency help arrives. It has helped save many lives during accidents when immediate treatment is crucial," said Sam Hogg, the managing director of Safe Aim Mutual Sdn Bhd (SAM) which owns the unit.
Dr K.S. Sathananthar, the head of the state Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) department in Pahang said: "The trauma unit has the latest endoscopy device for diagnosing ENT problems. The RM150,000 device produces clearer images, making diagnosis more accurate."
It is equipped with similar medical equipment to a hospital trauma and operating unit.
Apart from the usual medical supplies and essential drugs, the unit has an electrocardiogram machine, ultrasound, a portable patient monitor for blood pressure with thermoscan, a nebuliser, elite stethoscope, mobile ventilator and defibrillator and an otoscope.
The unit is used at all Petronas Sprinta AAM Malaysian Cub Prix championships and the FIM Motorcycle Asian Grand Prix locations.
The second centre was an in-house clinic converted for the use of the ophthalmologists, paediatricians, radiologists and an orthodontist.
It is a nearly 13-metre-long customised medical coach built by Medical Coaches Worldwide Inc in the United States.
"The RM1.2 million Mobile Trauma Unit is used to diagnose and stabilise patients before emergency help arrives. It has helped save many lives during accidents when immediate treatment is crucial," said Sam Hogg, the managing director of Safe Aim Mutual Sdn Bhd (SAM) which owns the unit.
Dr K.S. Sathananthar, the head of the state Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) department in Pahang said: "The trauma unit has the latest endoscopy device for diagnosing ENT problems. The RM150,000 device produces clearer images, making diagnosis more accurate."
It is equipped with similar medical equipment to a hospital trauma and operating unit.
Apart from the usual medical supplies and essential drugs, the unit has an electrocardiogram machine, ultrasound, a portable patient monitor for blood pressure with thermoscan, a nebuliser, elite stethoscope, mobile ventilator and defibrillator and an otoscope.
The unit is used at all Petronas Sprinta AAM Malaysian Cub Prix championships and the FIM Motorcycle Asian Grand Prix locations.
The second centre was an in-house clinic converted for the use of the ophthalmologists, paediatricians, radiologists and an orthodontist.
Doctors sacrifice Sunday to do good
NST: KUALA SELANGOR: Thanks to 43 medical personnel who provided their services free of charge yesterday, many plantation workers will receive treatment for illnesses they did not know they had.
K. Pichey, of Sungei Buloh Estate, for example, was diagnosed with elephantiasis after suffering from a swollen leg for five years.
"I went to a hospital in Tanjung Karang, but I was only given painkillers," said the 48-year-old driver. "The doctor has referred me to Kuala Lumpur Hospital, and now I hope to get better."
Fifty-two-year-old P. Rajamani has been unable to move her head since she sustained burns while at work three years ago. She said she couldn't afford the specialist treatment she needed, but now she is looking forward to a "normal" life after she was referred to an orthopaedic surgeon.
T. Komathy had been suffering from shortness of breath for months and didn't know what was wrong. She was diagnosed with asthma and bronchitis. The 46-year-old also had a pap smear and checks on her blood sugar level and blood pressure.
"They also found a small swelling on my back and have referred me to the Radiology Department at Kuala Lumpur Hospital for further tests," said Komathy, who has worked on Sungei Buloh Estate for more than 20 years.
An assistant manager at the estate, Asmanisham Abu Samad, 31, has been walking around with a runny nose for the past five months. He was told it wasn't the chronic cold he thought it was, but asthma. Now he will receive proper treatment.
The voluntary community project was jointly organised by the Manipal Alumni Association of Malaysia (MAAM) with Safe Aim Mutual Sdn Bhd and facilitated by Sime Plantations Sdn Bhd.
More than 220 workers from the Sungei Buloh Estate, Tennameram Estate and Mill, Selangor River Estate and the Bukit Kloh Estate received free, comprehensive health screening. Most were diagnosed with one illness or another -- some of them serious and life-threatening.
A team of 32 specialists -- ophthalmologists, Ear, Nose and Throat doctors, paediatricians, radiologists and an orthodontist checked the workers, along with six general practitioners, a pharmacist and several medical assistants.
MAAM president Dr Koshy Thomas said: "The objective of the project was to provide health advice to communities who lack the infrastructure and facilities for proper healthcare. This is the second year we have done this for these estates and we hope to go nationwide in future."
"Our workers have benefitted since this annual community service project began last year. It has helped in our efforts to improve the quality of health of our workers," said Sime Plantations Sdn Bhd Business Unit 3 operations manager Siow Heng Kin.
K. Pichey, of Sungei Buloh Estate, for example, was diagnosed with elephantiasis after suffering from a swollen leg for five years.
"I went to a hospital in Tanjung Karang, but I was only given painkillers," said the 48-year-old driver. "The doctor has referred me to Kuala Lumpur Hospital, and now I hope to get better."
Fifty-two-year-old P. Rajamani has been unable to move her head since she sustained burns while at work three years ago. She said she couldn't afford the specialist treatment she needed, but now she is looking forward to a "normal" life after she was referred to an orthopaedic surgeon.
T. Komathy had been suffering from shortness of breath for months and didn't know what was wrong. She was diagnosed with asthma and bronchitis. The 46-year-old also had a pap smear and checks on her blood sugar level and blood pressure.
"They also found a small swelling on my back and have referred me to the Radiology Department at Kuala Lumpur Hospital for further tests," said Komathy, who has worked on Sungei Buloh Estate for more than 20 years.
An assistant manager at the estate, Asmanisham Abu Samad, 31, has been walking around with a runny nose for the past five months. He was told it wasn't the chronic cold he thought it was, but asthma. Now he will receive proper treatment.
The voluntary community project was jointly organised by the Manipal Alumni Association of Malaysia (MAAM) with Safe Aim Mutual Sdn Bhd and facilitated by Sime Plantations Sdn Bhd.
More than 220 workers from the Sungei Buloh Estate, Tennameram Estate and Mill, Selangor River Estate and the Bukit Kloh Estate received free, comprehensive health screening. Most were diagnosed with one illness or another -- some of them serious and life-threatening.
A team of 32 specialists -- ophthalmologists, Ear, Nose and Throat doctors, paediatricians, radiologists and an orthodontist checked the workers, along with six general practitioners, a pharmacist and several medical assistants.
MAAM president Dr Koshy Thomas said: "The objective of the project was to provide health advice to communities who lack the infrastructure and facilities for proper healthcare. This is the second year we have done this for these estates and we hope to go nationwide in future."
"Our workers have benefitted since this annual community service project began last year. It has helped in our efforts to improve the quality of health of our workers," said Sime Plantations Sdn Bhd Business Unit 3 operations manager Siow Heng Kin.
Making it better with fantasies
NST: KUALA LUMPUR: Senior citizens they may be, but behind closed doors older folk are no slouches when it comes to spicing things up.
According to the Durex Sexual Wellbeing Global Survey 07/08, released last month, half of Malaysians aged 55 and above act out their more intimate fantasies.
And a further 62 per cent in this age group look at naughty materials.
Consultant clinical andrologist Dr Mohd Ismail Mohd Tambi said age has nothing to do with desire and a satisfying sex life maintains intimacy.
"It is very healthy. Sex is a natural part of life at any age. We are naturally sexual beings," he said when asked to comment on the findings.
He said that acting out fantasies is important for a husband and wife.
"It is important for mental stimulation.
"Fantasy helps increase the drive," he said.
Dr Ismail explained that women who read romance novels tend to be more romantic and more amorous.
Reading and looking at titillating materials and regular intimacy are how elderly couples maintain a healthy sex life, although the older age group can face problems in this area, said Dr Ismail, who co-runs the Love Clinic at the Damai Service Hospital.
It is a multi-disciplinary clinic that treats couples with sexual problems.
Areas covered include psychiatry, psychology, gynaecology, urology and andrology.
The Durex survey's second wave of figures, entitled In The Bedroom, showed that 77 per cent of Malaysians pleasure themselves at some point. Thirty-eight per cent of men and 20 per cent of women do so weekly.
According to the Durex Sexual Wellbeing Global Survey 07/08, released last month, half of Malaysians aged 55 and above act out their more intimate fantasies.
And a further 62 per cent in this age group look at naughty materials.
Consultant clinical andrologist Dr Mohd Ismail Mohd Tambi said age has nothing to do with desire and a satisfying sex life maintains intimacy.
"It is very healthy. Sex is a natural part of life at any age. We are naturally sexual beings," he said when asked to comment on the findings.
He said that acting out fantasies is important for a husband and wife.
"It is important for mental stimulation.
"Fantasy helps increase the drive," he said.
Dr Ismail explained that women who read romance novels tend to be more romantic and more amorous.
Reading and looking at titillating materials and regular intimacy are how elderly couples maintain a healthy sex life, although the older age group can face problems in this area, said Dr Ismail, who co-runs the Love Clinic at the Damai Service Hospital.
It is a multi-disciplinary clinic that treats couples with sexual problems.
Areas covered include psychiatry, psychology, gynaecology, urology and andrology.
The Durex survey's second wave of figures, entitled In The Bedroom, showed that 77 per cent of Malaysians pleasure themselves at some point. Thirty-eight per cent of men and 20 per cent of women do so weekly.
Stop prank calls to emergency numbers
Star: PEOPLE must stop making crank calls to emergency numbers as such irresponsible behaviour could hinder genuine callers from getting the help they need, the Tamil Nesan reported.
Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Fu Ah Kiow said some Malaysians would make such calls just for fun.
He was speaking to reporters after attending a Hari Raya open house organised by the Kuantan Umno division on Saturday.
Fu said Telekom Malaysia statistics showed that 92% of 855,711 calls to the 991 number last year were crank calls while 98.9% of 15.7 million calls to the 999 number were non-genuine.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, he said, would continue in their efforts to trace the culprits.
However, Fu said that it would be an uphill battle as most calls were made from public phone booths.
Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Fu Ah Kiow said some Malaysians would make such calls just for fun.
He was speaking to reporters after attending a Hari Raya open house organised by the Kuantan Umno division on Saturday.
Fu said Telekom Malaysia statistics showed that 92% of 855,711 calls to the 991 number last year were crank calls while 98.9% of 15.7 million calls to the 999 number were non-genuine.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, he said, would continue in their efforts to trace the culprits.
However, Fu said that it would be an uphill battle as most calls were made from public phone booths.
One in five is a mental time bomb
Star: ILLNESSES related to mental health in the country are like time bombs that could explode anytime given that 20% of Malaysians suffer from chronic emotional stress, Berita Minggu reported.
University Malaya Medical Psychology Department head Prof Dr Mohamad Hussain Habil said that from the number, only 0.5% received treatment, as many feared being labelled mad, and some refused to seek treatment due to financial problems.
He said such patients, if not treated fast, could hurt themselves, or in the worst-case scenario, kill someone.
“Research conducted found that those suffering from this condition are more willing to undergo pain rather than get treatment.
“This shows that stress-related problems have ‘invaded’ the country, and if the problem is not dealt with, it can have a negative impact on the community.
“Attention must be given to the younger generation, especially children as they have the tendency to act out violent events shown on television,” he said when commenting on the case of a 15-year-old teenager who allegedly stabbed a seven-year-old boy to death in Klang.
Dr Mohamad said uncontrollable emotional pressure could lead to violence. Many murder cases do not involve those with mental problems, but those who failed to control their emotions commit such crimes, including children.
“Those suffering from emotional stress cannot be called a mental patient, this notion has to be changed.
“Don’t think that a person who visits a counsellor is mad, but it is the best way to treat emotional stress,” he added.
University Malaya Medical Psychology Department head Prof Dr Mohamad Hussain Habil said that from the number, only 0.5% received treatment, as many feared being labelled mad, and some refused to seek treatment due to financial problems.
He said such patients, if not treated fast, could hurt themselves, or in the worst-case scenario, kill someone.
“Research conducted found that those suffering from this condition are more willing to undergo pain rather than get treatment.
“This shows that stress-related problems have ‘invaded’ the country, and if the problem is not dealt with, it can have a negative impact on the community.
“Attention must be given to the younger generation, especially children as they have the tendency to act out violent events shown on television,” he said when commenting on the case of a 15-year-old teenager who allegedly stabbed a seven-year-old boy to death in Klang.
Dr Mohamad said uncontrollable emotional pressure could lead to violence. Many murder cases do not involve those with mental problems, but those who failed to control their emotions commit such crimes, including children.
“Those suffering from emotional stress cannot be called a mental patient, this notion has to be changed.
“Don’t think that a person who visits a counsellor is mad, but it is the best way to treat emotional stress,” he added.
Anti-drug campaigns not effective, says Chua
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Anti-drug campaigns have not been as effective as hoped and the Health Ministry has urged all parties concerned to ensure such campaigns have continuation and not done on a “once off” basis.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said there were about 20,000 to 30,000 drug users registering themselves with the ministry annually.
“For each drug user that registers, there are 2.5 to 3 more drug users who do not register themselves.
“This puts the total number of drug users in the country between 350,000 to 900,000 which is worrying considering we only have a population of 26 million,” he said.
Dr Chua said fighting the scourge of drugs needed the cooperation of all parties including non-governmental organisations.
“Usually they are involved, but it is usually once off. I urge that such educational programmes be done on a continual basis so that our youths are aware of the dangers and risks of drugs.”
Dr Chua added that about 75% of these drug addicts were below 39 years old, which meant they were in the most productive age group.
“It also cannot be denied that safety issues and cases of HIV, Hepatitis B and C infections are related to drug addicts because they use needles.”
Dr Chua said 70% of the 78,784 HIV carriers in the country were infected via needles.
“However, it must be noted that the number of people getting infected with HIV this year has decreased to 13 per day compared to 17 per day in 2005 because of the effectiveness of harm reduction programmes.”
Dr Chua added that RM300mil would be spent to expand programmes such as the methadone replacement therapy and the needle and syringe exchange programme.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said there were about 20,000 to 30,000 drug users registering themselves with the ministry annually.
“For each drug user that registers, there are 2.5 to 3 more drug users who do not register themselves.
“This puts the total number of drug users in the country between 350,000 to 900,000 which is worrying considering we only have a population of 26 million,” he said.
Dr Chua said fighting the scourge of drugs needed the cooperation of all parties including non-governmental organisations.
“Usually they are involved, but it is usually once off. I urge that such educational programmes be done on a continual basis so that our youths are aware of the dangers and risks of drugs.”
Dr Chua added that about 75% of these drug addicts were below 39 years old, which meant they were in the most productive age group.
“It also cannot be denied that safety issues and cases of HIV, Hepatitis B and C infections are related to drug addicts because they use needles.”
Dr Chua said 70% of the 78,784 HIV carriers in the country were infected via needles.
“However, it must be noted that the number of people getting infected with HIV this year has decreased to 13 per day compared to 17 per day in 2005 because of the effectiveness of harm reduction programmes.”
Dr Chua added that RM300mil would be spent to expand programmes such as the methadone replacement therapy and the needle and syringe exchange programme.
Accept fact and treat children with cancer fast, parents urged
Star: PUTRAJAYA: Parents often refuse to accept the possibility their child has cancer and this denial often leads to late detection of the disease.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said childhood cancer differed from that suffered by adults because of the strong “emotional” component.
“There is the perception that children should not get cancer and often doctors will tell you that parents are in a state of denial,” he said in a recent interview.
“They cannot accept the diagnosis. So, the end result is if further investigation is required the parents can be in denial and be very protective. They will not subject the child to further investigation.”
This, he said contributed to the cancer being detected at a later rather than an early stage. The prognosis for cancers like leukaemia and lymphoma is good if discovered and treated early.
There are about 1,200 childhood cancers detected in Malaysia every year. Leukaemia and lymphoma account for about half of all childhood cancers in the country.
Parents also feared treatment where surgery or chemotherapy was required. “They cast doubt on the procedure and chemotherapy,” he said.
He said side effects – weight and appetite loss, lethargy and diarrhoea – could frighten parents and some “may unilaterally decide to stop the treatment because of this fear.”
When children’s teeth bleed when they brush, it should “trigger an alarm” for parents to take them for a check up.
Six government hospitals provide oncology service including in Kuala Lumpur, Johor Baru, Penang, Ipoh and Kuching. Two private hospitals – Subang Jaya Medical Centre and Selangor Medical Centre – and university hospitals like Universiti Malaya Medical Centre have similar services.
There are only 19 paediatric oncologists in the country – eight are in public service, nine in university hospitals and two in the private sector. A further six doctors are currently undergoing training.
Dr Chua said there were plans to start up day-care centres where patients arrived for treatment and returned home after they were stabilised on the same day.
Treatment at the public hospitals ranges between RM1,000 and 2,000 while in the private sector, the cost can go up to RM60,000.
Dr Chua said aid could be given to those eligible under the ministry’s Medical Aid Fund.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said childhood cancer differed from that suffered by adults because of the strong “emotional” component.
“There is the perception that children should not get cancer and often doctors will tell you that parents are in a state of denial,” he said in a recent interview.
“They cannot accept the diagnosis. So, the end result is if further investigation is required the parents can be in denial and be very protective. They will not subject the child to further investigation.”
This, he said contributed to the cancer being detected at a later rather than an early stage. The prognosis for cancers like leukaemia and lymphoma is good if discovered and treated early.
There are about 1,200 childhood cancers detected in Malaysia every year. Leukaemia and lymphoma account for about half of all childhood cancers in the country.
Parents also feared treatment where surgery or chemotherapy was required. “They cast doubt on the procedure and chemotherapy,” he said.
He said side effects – weight and appetite loss, lethargy and diarrhoea – could frighten parents and some “may unilaterally decide to stop the treatment because of this fear.”
When children’s teeth bleed when they brush, it should “trigger an alarm” for parents to take them for a check up.
Six government hospitals provide oncology service including in Kuala Lumpur, Johor Baru, Penang, Ipoh and Kuching. Two private hospitals – Subang Jaya Medical Centre and Selangor Medical Centre – and university hospitals like Universiti Malaya Medical Centre have similar services.
There are only 19 paediatric oncologists in the country – eight are in public service, nine in university hospitals and two in the private sector. A further six doctors are currently undergoing training.
Dr Chua said there were plans to start up day-care centres where patients arrived for treatment and returned home after they were stabilised on the same day.
Treatment at the public hospitals ranges between RM1,000 and 2,000 while in the private sector, the cost can go up to RM60,000.
Dr Chua said aid could be given to those eligible under the ministry’s Medical Aid Fund.
Blue Ribbon awareness for children with cancer
Star: PUTRAJAYA: Creating awareness about childhood cancers and improving the lives of children affected by the disease are among the key elements to a new campaign expected to kick off next Thursday.
“Childhood cancers is something that needs immediate attention,” said CreatiVision D.C Sdn Bhd managing director Adelyn Lim of the Blue Ribbon Campaign (BRC).
A website, www.rolfkids.org, will be created to provide information on subjects such as names of hospitals and doctors, types of treatment and non-governmental organisations which can give aid.
CreatiVision D.C is the organiser of the campaign. BRC is one of seven campaigns under the Rainbow of Life Forces creating awareness to give hope for children.
Among its objectives are to raise funds to assist programmes for treatment, help grant wishes of terminally ill kids, enjoy quality of life and give a voice to children and their families on important issues.
Lim said a ROLF Cup would also be held where celebrities from Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia, including Hong Kong singer Alan Tam and former national soccer defender Shebby Singh, would take part in a celebrity soccer match on Nov 29.
A total of 100,000 coin boxes will be distributed to collect donations from the public. There will also be membership cards, which can be used for various purposes including discounts at participating outlets.
“Childhood cancers is something that needs immediate attention,” said CreatiVision D.C Sdn Bhd managing director Adelyn Lim of the Blue Ribbon Campaign (BRC).
A website, www.rolfkids.org, will be created to provide information on subjects such as names of hospitals and doctors, types of treatment and non-governmental organisations which can give aid.
CreatiVision D.C is the organiser of the campaign. BRC is one of seven campaigns under the Rainbow of Life Forces creating awareness to give hope for children.
Among its objectives are to raise funds to assist programmes for treatment, help grant wishes of terminally ill kids, enjoy quality of life and give a voice to children and their families on important issues.
Lim said a ROLF Cup would also be held where celebrities from Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia, including Hong Kong singer Alan Tam and former national soccer defender Shebby Singh, would take part in a celebrity soccer match on Nov 29.
A total of 100,000 coin boxes will be distributed to collect donations from the public. There will also be membership cards, which can be used for various purposes including discounts at participating outlets.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Learn how to eat healthy
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: As Malaysians become more health-conscious, they have also become more aware of the importance of good nutrition.
However, said nutritionist Chong Fat Eng, many were taking the easy way out by relying on supplementary vitamin and mineral tablets to provide them the required nutrients instead of eating properly.
“Many are eating isolated nutrients instead of whole, natural food.
“What they don’t realise is that the supplementary nutrients do not provide the human body with the energy they need to live and stay active or even healthy,” he added.
To correct the public perception on healthy eating, Chong will be conducting a few one-day workshops on Healthy Diet under the MCA’s Lifelong Learning Campaign.
As Chong explained, natural food provided the best nutrition, as human bodies were adapted for natural food intake.
“No lab can provide better nourishment for the human body,” said the remisier who took up nutrition to improve his own health after suffering from a number of health problems.
In the workshop, Chong said participants would also learn how to prepare food naturally without losing its nutrients.
Some of the major areas that will be covered include the reasons why conventional nutritional guidelines do not work, the basic causes of disease and suffering, and the fundamental essentials that build and maintain health.
Participants will also learn how to work with one’s innate healing power to promote self-healing without medicines, herbs, treatments, or therapy to overcome obesity, diabetes, digestive problems, infertility, acne and heart problems.
The workshop, which will kick-start today, is conducted in Mandarin and caters to all Malaysians who take a keen interest in their own health and like to improve their present health condition.
Another food and nutrition workshop which is being conducted under the MCA Lifelong Learning Campaign is “Cooking” which focuses on different types of dishes each month.
This months, participants are learning how to make dishes for buffets and snacks, while next month, they will be shown how to cook vegetarian dishes.
There is something for everyone under this continual learning programme – from basic computing and business English to dance mania, photography and hair styling.
For more information, visit www.lll.net.my, email info@lll.net.my
However, said nutritionist Chong Fat Eng, many were taking the easy way out by relying on supplementary vitamin and mineral tablets to provide them the required nutrients instead of eating properly.
“Many are eating isolated nutrients instead of whole, natural food.
“What they don’t realise is that the supplementary nutrients do not provide the human body with the energy they need to live and stay active or even healthy,” he added.
To correct the public perception on healthy eating, Chong will be conducting a few one-day workshops on Healthy Diet under the MCA’s Lifelong Learning Campaign.
As Chong explained, natural food provided the best nutrition, as human bodies were adapted for natural food intake.
“No lab can provide better nourishment for the human body,” said the remisier who took up nutrition to improve his own health after suffering from a number of health problems.
In the workshop, Chong said participants would also learn how to prepare food naturally without losing its nutrients.
Some of the major areas that will be covered include the reasons why conventional nutritional guidelines do not work, the basic causes of disease and suffering, and the fundamental essentials that build and maintain health.
Participants will also learn how to work with one’s innate healing power to promote self-healing without medicines, herbs, treatments, or therapy to overcome obesity, diabetes, digestive problems, infertility, acne and heart problems.
The workshop, which will kick-start today, is conducted in Mandarin and caters to all Malaysians who take a keen interest in their own health and like to improve their present health condition.
Another food and nutrition workshop which is being conducted under the MCA Lifelong Learning Campaign is “Cooking” which focuses on different types of dishes each month.
This months, participants are learning how to make dishes for buffets and snacks, while next month, they will be shown how to cook vegetarian dishes.
There is something for everyone under this continual learning programme – from basic computing and business English to dance mania, photography and hair styling.
For more information, visit www.lll.net.my, email info@lll.net.my
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