Star: KUALA LUMPUR: The mushrooming of private nursing colleges will soon be a thing of the past. Applications to set up new institutions will not be accepted from July.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said a moratorium was necessary to prevent an oversupply of nurses and other problems arising from graduate unemployment.
“The move will also prohibit the launch of new diploma programmes in nursing as the ministry wants existing providers to concentrate more on degree courses.
“There will be no more private institutions providing nursing courses as we are already on the right track to achieve the recommended World Health Organisation nurse to population ratio of 1:200,” he said in a press conference at Hotel Istana yesterday.
“The moratorium will be in place as long as the supply of nurses meets market demand.”
Malaysia’s current nurse to population ratio is 1:490.
Speaking after launching Masterskill Education Group Sdn Bhd’s prospectus in conjunction with its proposed listing on the main market of Bursa Malaysia, Mohamed Khaled said Malaysia had enough institutions to achieve the ideal ratio.
“There are 106 higher education institutions that train nurses in the country and we (the ministry) want them to concentrate on improving quality,” he said.
“Currently, most programmes in nursing and the allied health sciences are at diploma level and Malaysia requires more trainers and students at degree levels in these fields,” he added.
Of the 106 institutions, 66 are private providers, 11 are public institutions and the rest are run by the Health Ministry.
He added that established private higher education providers like Masterskill could contribute to Malaysia’s aspiration of becoming the region’s education hub by recruiting more international students.
Malaysian Medical News: keeping you up to date with news sourced from various online sites, put in one place for your convenience, with a searchable archive
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Docs not keen to return home
Star: PUTRAJAYA: Efforts to lure home several hundred Malaysian doctors working overseas have met with lukewarm success, said Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Abd Rashid Shirlin.
The ministry had contacted the doctors but only a small number had responded to the call to return home.
“We will not lose heart. We have come up with several policies aimed at making the return offers more attractive.
“At the same time, we are working on ways to keep future doctors here,” Rosnah said at a press conference here yesterday.
She had earlier witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the ministry and Newcastle University of Medicine here for the utilisation of the Health Ministry’s facilities.
Rosnah said one way to keep future doctors here was to provide more places at local institutions of higher learning.
On the doctor-patient ratio, she said the figure last year stood at 1:905 compared to the 1:600 yardstick set by the United Nations.
She added that the ratio now was a vast improvement from the 1:1,400 in 2000.
However, Rosnah said it was not balanced as a majority of the doctors worked in big cities like Kuala Lumpur, where the ratio was 1:513; while other states such as Kelantan has a ratio of 1:2,003.
“It is even worse in Sabah where the ratio is 1:2,248, but we are working to balance it by posting new doctors to these areas.
“We have decided to implement a rotation system that requires doctors to serve there for a year,” she said.
“Unless there is a need to extend the posting, they can return after their term is up,” Rosnah added.
The ministry had contacted the doctors but only a small number had responded to the call to return home.
“We will not lose heart. We have come up with several policies aimed at making the return offers more attractive.
“At the same time, we are working on ways to keep future doctors here,” Rosnah said at a press conference here yesterday.
She had earlier witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the ministry and Newcastle University of Medicine here for the utilisation of the Health Ministry’s facilities.
Rosnah said one way to keep future doctors here was to provide more places at local institutions of higher learning.
On the doctor-patient ratio, she said the figure last year stood at 1:905 compared to the 1:600 yardstick set by the United Nations.
She added that the ratio now was a vast improvement from the 1:1,400 in 2000.
However, Rosnah said it was not balanced as a majority of the doctors worked in big cities like Kuala Lumpur, where the ratio was 1:513; while other states such as Kelantan has a ratio of 1:2,003.
“It is even worse in Sabah where the ratio is 1:2,248, but we are working to balance it by posting new doctors to these areas.
“We have decided to implement a rotation system that requires doctors to serve there for a year,” she said.
“Unless there is a need to extend the posting, they can return after their term is up,” Rosnah added.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Compulsory service for doctors reduced to two years
Star: KUALA KUBU BARU: The compulsory government service period for doctors has been reduced from three to two years with immediate effect, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
He said this was in accordance with the increased internship training period from one year to two years.
"The move to shorten the compulsory service will encourage them to remain in the country and provide their expertise in Malaysia," he said, adding that it will indirectly discourage brain drain.
Liow was speaking at the launch of a healthy lifestyle campaign here Thursday.
He had announced earlier that Malaysian doctors working overseas for more than 10 years and who had funded their own medical studies would be exempted from compulsory service if they returned to the country.
Previously, he had also announced that doctors above 45 years, whether they had postgraduate degrees or otherwise, would be given total exemption.
He said this was in accordance with the increased internship training period from one year to two years.
"The move to shorten the compulsory service will encourage them to remain in the country and provide their expertise in Malaysia," he said, adding that it will indirectly discourage brain drain.
Liow was speaking at the launch of a healthy lifestyle campaign here Thursday.
He had announced earlier that Malaysian doctors working overseas for more than 10 years and who had funded their own medical studies would be exempted from compulsory service if they returned to the country.
Previously, he had also announced that doctors above 45 years, whether they had postgraduate degrees or otherwise, would be given total exemption.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Universiti Malaya launches RM10mil tropical diseases facility
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Malaya’s new RM10mil Modular Biosafety Level 3 (BSL3) Research Facility has been launched, enhancing Malaysia’s ability to combat tropical diseases like the Nipah virus and dengue.
Recognised as the most advanced facility in its class by the French government, the facility was installed by the university’s Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC) at the Faculty of Medicine.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said that with the appropriate biosafety facilities to conduct research on disease samples, the centre is expected to cut local dependence on foreign research labs.
At the same time, collaborative links with local and foreign research institutions could be forged.
Previously, disease samples had to be sent to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, United States, for further study.
Mohamed Khaled said that the facility would enhance TIDREC’s role in the study and prevention of infectious tropical diseases.
“We hope that this lab will produce results through the development of vaccines and the commercialisation of research findings,” he said in a press conference.
“I also expect that this facility will also strengthen the country’s national bio-security defences, and help in our measures against biological weapons threats.”
It is learnt that TIDREC is collaborating with researchers from the Defence Ministry. The centre will also develop vaccines and diagnostics to minimise the impact of biological warfare.
The cost of setting up the facility was borne entirely by the ministry.
Also present at the event was French ambassador to Malaysia, Marc Baréty.
Under biocontainment classification, BSL1 labs focus on well-characterised agents not known to consistently cause disease in healthy adult humans while BSL2 facilities cater to pathogens that pose moderate potential hazard to personnel and the environment like hepatitis, dengue fever and influenza A, among others.
BSL3 labs are applicable for indigenous or exotic agents that may cause serious or potentially lethal disease after inhalation like yellow fever and the SARS coronavirus.
Meanwhile, BSL4 facilities are required for work with agents which cause severe to fatal diseases in humans for which vaccines or other treatments are unavailable such as Lassa fever and the Ebola virus.
Mohamed Khaled added that the university’s search for the right person to head its Indian Studies Department was ongoing and a suitable candidate should be identified by June or July.
Recognised as the most advanced facility in its class by the French government, the facility was installed by the university’s Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC) at the Faculty of Medicine.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said that with the appropriate biosafety facilities to conduct research on disease samples, the centre is expected to cut local dependence on foreign research labs.
At the same time, collaborative links with local and foreign research institutions could be forged.
Previously, disease samples had to be sent to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, United States, for further study.
Mohamed Khaled said that the facility would enhance TIDREC’s role in the study and prevention of infectious tropical diseases.
“We hope that this lab will produce results through the development of vaccines and the commercialisation of research findings,” he said in a press conference.
“I also expect that this facility will also strengthen the country’s national bio-security defences, and help in our measures against biological weapons threats.”
It is learnt that TIDREC is collaborating with researchers from the Defence Ministry. The centre will also develop vaccines and diagnostics to minimise the impact of biological warfare.
The cost of setting up the facility was borne entirely by the ministry.
Also present at the event was French ambassador to Malaysia, Marc Baréty.
Under biocontainment classification, BSL1 labs focus on well-characterised agents not known to consistently cause disease in healthy adult humans while BSL2 facilities cater to pathogens that pose moderate potential hazard to personnel and the environment like hepatitis, dengue fever and influenza A, among others.
BSL3 labs are applicable for indigenous or exotic agents that may cause serious or potentially lethal disease after inhalation like yellow fever and the SARS coronavirus.
Meanwhile, BSL4 facilities are required for work with agents which cause severe to fatal diseases in humans for which vaccines or other treatments are unavailable such as Lassa fever and the Ebola virus.
Mohamed Khaled added that the university’s search for the right person to head its Indian Studies Department was ongoing and a suitable candidate should be identified by June or July.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Malaysians getting obese - by eating too heavily at night
Star: PETALING JAYA: More Malaysians are keeping awake till late to indulge in what is becoming a top national pastime – tucking it in at 24-hour eating joints.
Yes, we are practically eating round-the-clock. If you are still not convinced, take a look at the goings-on at mamak shops close to and way past midnight.
These shops have sprouted up all over the country to satisfy the cravings of Malaysians who are gorging on calorie-packed late night meals with hardly a care – and getting obese in the process.
Statistics show that the prevalence of obesity among Malaysian adults increased by a staggering 250% over a 10-year period from 1996 while the number of overweight has increased by 70%.
The National Health and Morbidity Survey in 2006 showed that two out of every five adults or 43%, were either overweight or obese and an alarming situation where the number of obese adults had more than tripled over a decade, from 4% in 1996 to 14% in 2006.
Besides that, about 38% of youngsters aged between 12 and 18 were classified as overweight.
A recent survey involving 10,000 students showed that 24% of those aged between six and 12 were either overweight or obese.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai is obviously a very worried man, with more Malaysians at risk of being seriously ill due to uncontrollable eating.
“It has to change ... an unbalanced diet and eating late at night,’’ he cautioned. “In the past, we used to have two meals. These days, we are eating five to six times daily with late-night suppers at mamak stalls,’’ he said after launching the Malaysian Council for Obesity Prevention (MCOM) here yesterday.
MCOM, which comprises 13 professional bodies and NGOs, was set up to help the government counter the problem of obesity in the country.
The minister, an avowed vegetarian, spoke of another worrying trend – meat is fast becoming a staple-diet here. A diet rich in red meat causes high cholesterol which leads to cardio-vascular disease.
“Available data on the prevalence of overweight and obesity indicates that the problem we face may be more serious than those in other countries of the region,” he added.
Being overweight and obese, he said, would lead to chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and even cancer.
According to statistics, 14.9% and 43% of Malaysians aged above 30 suffer from diabetes and hypertension respectively, with 20.7% of adults over 18 suffering from high cholesterol.
Liow said 300 nutritionists would be employed to serve at government clinics nationwide to help tackle obesity problems by creating awareness on the dangers of unhealthy eating.
Malaysian Council for Obesity Prevention (MCOM) president Jong Koi Chong echoed the minister’s concerns, saying the unhealthy eating trend was becoming a major problem.
“Our metabolic rate is very low at night making it easy for fat to accumulate in the body.
"Most 24-hour restaurants serve food that is high in fat, calories and cholesterol. Sadly, more of our young are picking up bad eating habits from adults,’’ he added.
Yes, we are practically eating round-the-clock. If you are still not convinced, take a look at the goings-on at mamak shops close to and way past midnight.
These shops have sprouted up all over the country to satisfy the cravings of Malaysians who are gorging on calorie-packed late night meals with hardly a care – and getting obese in the process.
Statistics show that the prevalence of obesity among Malaysian adults increased by a staggering 250% over a 10-year period from 1996 while the number of overweight has increased by 70%.
The National Health and Morbidity Survey in 2006 showed that two out of every five adults or 43%, were either overweight or obese and an alarming situation where the number of obese adults had more than tripled over a decade, from 4% in 1996 to 14% in 2006.
Besides that, about 38% of youngsters aged between 12 and 18 were classified as overweight.
A recent survey involving 10,000 students showed that 24% of those aged between six and 12 were either overweight or obese.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai is obviously a very worried man, with more Malaysians at risk of being seriously ill due to uncontrollable eating.
“It has to change ... an unbalanced diet and eating late at night,’’ he cautioned. “In the past, we used to have two meals. These days, we are eating five to six times daily with late-night suppers at mamak stalls,’’ he said after launching the Malaysian Council for Obesity Prevention (MCOM) here yesterday.
MCOM, which comprises 13 professional bodies and NGOs, was set up to help the government counter the problem of obesity in the country.
The minister, an avowed vegetarian, spoke of another worrying trend – meat is fast becoming a staple-diet here. A diet rich in red meat causes high cholesterol which leads to cardio-vascular disease.
“Available data on the prevalence of overweight and obesity indicates that the problem we face may be more serious than those in other countries of the region,” he added.
Being overweight and obese, he said, would lead to chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and even cancer.
According to statistics, 14.9% and 43% of Malaysians aged above 30 suffer from diabetes and hypertension respectively, with 20.7% of adults over 18 suffering from high cholesterol.
Liow said 300 nutritionists would be employed to serve at government clinics nationwide to help tackle obesity problems by creating awareness on the dangers of unhealthy eating.
Malaysian Council for Obesity Prevention (MCOM) president Jong Koi Chong echoed the minister’s concerns, saying the unhealthy eating trend was becoming a major problem.
“Our metabolic rate is very low at night making it easy for fat to accumulate in the body.
"Most 24-hour restaurants serve food that is high in fat, calories and cholesterol. Sadly, more of our young are picking up bad eating habits from adults,’’ he added.
Friday, April 09, 2010
60 H1N1 cases in hospitals now
Star: PETALING JAYA: A total of 60 confirmed Influenza A(H1N1) cases are in hospitals, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said.
He said that as of 8am yesterday, there were 554 cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) in the country and the patients were currently being warded in hospitals.
“From that total, 55 cases have been confirmed as influenza A(H1N1) cases while five more cases are being treated in the Intensive Care Unit,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Dr Ismail said that going by reports on cluster cases, influenza A(H1N1) was still active.
“The public must be vigilant and take preventive steps to control it,” he said.
He said six clusters had been reported in Malacca, Perlis, Terengganu and Kedah.
He said 16 students from Kolej Yayasan Saad in Ayer Keroh, Malacca and its college staff; 11 trainees from Lagenda National Service Camp in Asahan, Jasin, Malacca; and six trainees from the Tassoh NS camp in Perlis have received outpatient treatment.
“Laboratory test results for the clusters had not been received,” he said.
He added that 15 students from Sekolah Pondok Darul Iman in Kuala Berang, Terengganu; 35 students from SMK Kelibang in Langkawi and 84 students SMK Kedawang in Langkawi received outpatient treatment.
Laboratory test results showed that they do not have ILI symptoms, he said.
Dr Ismail said the public could obtain further information by visiting the Health ministry’s website h1n1.moh.gov.my or call the hotline at 03-888 10200/300 from 8am to 8pm.
He said that as of 8am yesterday, there were 554 cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) in the country and the patients were currently being warded in hospitals.
“From that total, 55 cases have been confirmed as influenza A(H1N1) cases while five more cases are being treated in the Intensive Care Unit,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Dr Ismail said that going by reports on cluster cases, influenza A(H1N1) was still active.
“The public must be vigilant and take preventive steps to control it,” he said.
He said six clusters had been reported in Malacca, Perlis, Terengganu and Kedah.
He said 16 students from Kolej Yayasan Saad in Ayer Keroh, Malacca and its college staff; 11 trainees from Lagenda National Service Camp in Asahan, Jasin, Malacca; and six trainees from the Tassoh NS camp in Perlis have received outpatient treatment.
“Laboratory test results for the clusters had not been received,” he said.
He added that 15 students from Sekolah Pondok Darul Iman in Kuala Berang, Terengganu; 35 students from SMK Kelibang in Langkawi and 84 students SMK Kedawang in Langkawi received outpatient treatment.
Laboratory test results showed that they do not have ILI symptoms, he said.
Dr Ismail said the public could obtain further information by visiting the Health ministry’s website h1n1.moh.gov.my or call the hotline at 03-888 10200/300 from 8am to 8pm.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Part-time jobs in govt hospitals
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry is calling on private doctors around the country to take up 144 part-time vacancies in government clinics nationwide.
These vacancies are being offered to doctors in the private practice to serve on a locum basis.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, who extended the invitation yesterday, said the ministry had received only 18 applications in March.
“We hope more doctors will help fill this shortage,” he said during a working visit to Hospital Ampang.
Liow announced that the doctors would be paid RM80 an hour.
Sessional shift in the clinics are from 8am to 5pm on weekdays while locum consultation is from 5pm to 9.30pm on weekdays and 8am to noon on Saturdays.
Liow said the ministry had allocated RM31mil for this initiative.
He also said the ministry had been opening its doors to doctors from the private sector to serve in government clinics and hospitals since 2002. According to Liow, there were about 10,000 doctors in private practice in the country.
Another 15,000 are in government service. The offer is also open to specialists to serve in government hospitals.
“They will be paid RM100 an hour for consultation and RM120 an hour if they need to perform surgery,” Liow said.
“Currently, there are only 20 specialists providing their services on a sessional basis,” he added.
Doctors interested in applying must be registered with the Malaysian Medical Council and can register online at http://www.moh.gov.my/MohPortal/formDetails.jsp?action=load&id=55
These vacancies are being offered to doctors in the private practice to serve on a locum basis.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, who extended the invitation yesterday, said the ministry had received only 18 applications in March.
“We hope more doctors will help fill this shortage,” he said during a working visit to Hospital Ampang.
Liow announced that the doctors would be paid RM80 an hour.
Sessional shift in the clinics are from 8am to 5pm on weekdays while locum consultation is from 5pm to 9.30pm on weekdays and 8am to noon on Saturdays.
Liow said the ministry had allocated RM31mil for this initiative.
He also said the ministry had been opening its doors to doctors from the private sector to serve in government clinics and hospitals since 2002. According to Liow, there were about 10,000 doctors in private practice in the country.
Another 15,000 are in government service. The offer is also open to specialists to serve in government hospitals.
“They will be paid RM100 an hour for consultation and RM120 an hour if they need to perform surgery,” Liow said.
“Currently, there are only 20 specialists providing their services on a sessional basis,” he added.
Doctors interested in applying must be registered with the Malaysian Medical Council and can register online at http://www.moh.gov.my/MohPortal/formDetails.jsp?action=load&id=55
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
95% of govt dispensaries serve patients within 30 minutes
Star: PETALING JAYA: Almost 95.4% of the 39.4 million prescriptions for outpatients at government hospitals and clinics last year were dispensed in less than 30 minutes, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said yesterday.
He said 93% of government hospitals and clinics achieved the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) set by the Health Ministry to ensure that waiting times at pharmacies be under 30 minutes.
Dr Ismail also said that pharmacy services were now more patient-oriented to ensure medicines dispensed were safe, of quality and effective.
This, he said, was done through special services like clinical pharmacokinetics, nutritional support, oncology pharmacy and nuclear pharmacy.
“Medicine prescribed through these special services are based on individual needs which could improve the quality of treatment and reduce any side-effect,” he said in a statement.
Dr Ismail also said that 74 main hospitals, 62 specialist hospitals, 14 district hospitals and 37 health clinics nationwide had implemented the Medication Therapy Adherence Clinic programme.
The programme allows for optimum compliance on medication dispensing to avert complications in patients.
The pharmacy services had also implemented new methods for drug dispensing such as the Integrated Drug Dispensing System, drive-through pharmacy, SMS alerts and appointment cards to make it easier for patients to get their medicine supply.
He said 87 hospitals and 38 clinics were now offering these services to their patients.
Dr Ismail said the SMS alert service had received good response from patients, whereby they were only required to send a text message to a government pharmacy before picking up their medication.
Last year, the Integrated Drug Dispensing System handled 115,086 prescriptions.
“The system enables patients to obtain their medicines from any hospital or clinic of their choice,” he said.
He said 93% of government hospitals and clinics achieved the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) set by the Health Ministry to ensure that waiting times at pharmacies be under 30 minutes.
Dr Ismail also said that pharmacy services were now more patient-oriented to ensure medicines dispensed were safe, of quality and effective.
This, he said, was done through special services like clinical pharmacokinetics, nutritional support, oncology pharmacy and nuclear pharmacy.
“Medicine prescribed through these special services are based on individual needs which could improve the quality of treatment and reduce any side-effect,” he said in a statement.
Dr Ismail also said that 74 main hospitals, 62 specialist hospitals, 14 district hospitals and 37 health clinics nationwide had implemented the Medication Therapy Adherence Clinic programme.
The programme allows for optimum compliance on medication dispensing to avert complications in patients.
The pharmacy services had also implemented new methods for drug dispensing such as the Integrated Drug Dispensing System, drive-through pharmacy, SMS alerts and appointment cards to make it easier for patients to get their medicine supply.
He said 87 hospitals and 38 clinics were now offering these services to their patients.
Dr Ismail said the SMS alert service had received good response from patients, whereby they were only required to send a text message to a government pharmacy before picking up their medication.
Last year, the Integrated Drug Dispensing System handled 115,086 prescriptions.
“The system enables patients to obtain their medicines from any hospital or clinic of their choice,” he said.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
All hospitals must report medication errors, says D-G
Star: PETALING JAYA: To ensure that patients are exposed to minimal risk when seeking medical treatment, all health organisations are now required to report medication errors and hospital-acquired infections, to allow remedial programmes to be instituted.
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said the ministry remained dissatisfied with the reporting system practised by certain private health organisations.
“Some already have the mechanism while others do it for their internal consumption.
“We are very concerned about patient safety but things do not seem to be moving in the private sector,” he said yesterday.
A total of 2,572 medication errors were received by the Malaysian Medication Error Reporting System which started last year.
The Patient Safety Council, which seeks to enhance the safety of the healthcare system, recently drew up more measures to be implemented from this year.
He added that several of these measures would eventually be included in the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act.
Dr Ismail, who chairs the council, added all hospitals in the country must implement the safe surgery programme, which is being practised in major state hospitals.
“The director-general and his top management team will initiate a programme for regular, random inspection of healthcare facilities in government hospitals, including university hospitals as well as the private sector to identify opportunities for improvement,” he added.
He said that in order to protect healthcare workers, all stakeholders were encouraged to plan for the implementation of “needle-less sytems” in their clinical operations.
Such systems, he said have been shown to reduce the risk of communicable diseases being transmitted, besides reducing the cost of having to treat infected healthcare workers and patients.
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said the ministry remained dissatisfied with the reporting system practised by certain private health organisations.
“Some already have the mechanism while others do it for their internal consumption.
“We are very concerned about patient safety but things do not seem to be moving in the private sector,” he said yesterday.
A total of 2,572 medication errors were received by the Malaysian Medication Error Reporting System which started last year.
The Patient Safety Council, which seeks to enhance the safety of the healthcare system, recently drew up more measures to be implemented from this year.
He added that several of these measures would eventually be included in the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act.
Dr Ismail, who chairs the council, added all hospitals in the country must implement the safe surgery programme, which is being practised in major state hospitals.
“The director-general and his top management team will initiate a programme for regular, random inspection of healthcare facilities in government hospitals, including university hospitals as well as the private sector to identify opportunities for improvement,” he added.
He said that in order to protect healthcare workers, all stakeholders were encouraged to plan for the implementation of “needle-less sytems” in their clinical operations.
Such systems, he said have been shown to reduce the risk of communicable diseases being transmitted, besides reducing the cost of having to treat infected healthcare workers and patients.
Friday, March 12, 2010
9,698 health officers promoted under career advancement plan
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 9,698 health officers were promoted from Grade 44 up to Grade 54 following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s announcement on Tuesday on a comprehensive career advancement plan for the three services under the Health Ministry.
Chief secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan said they comprised 8,521 clinical/administrative medical officers, 650 dentists and 527 pharmacists.
For a start, 2,554 doctors on Grade UD44 were promoted to Grade UD48 right up to Grade UD54 effective Tuesday, he said in a statement on Friday.
For specialist doctors, 12 were promoted from Grade UD44 to UD48, 68 to UD52, and 321 to UD54. Of the non-specialist doctors on Grade UD44, 1,751 will be promoted to UD48, 312 to UD52 and 90 to UD54.
“The promotion of all Grade UD44 medical officers to the grade that they are eligible for will be implemented before March 31, 2010,” he said.
Sidek said that under this new career path, the promotion of medical, dental and pharmaceutical officers up to Grade 54 in the ministry would be based on the length of service and no longer on vacancies.
“The promotion of medical officers on Grade UD48 and UD52 as well as that of all eligible dental and pharmaceutical officers will be implemented in stages based on this career advancement plan,” he aded.
He said the medical officers concerned could check the plan via the ministry’s website at www.moh.gov.my
He said the government’s decision was in recognition of the contributions of the medical officers in raising the country’s health service level and to motivate them to continue providing quality service as well as to maintain their interest to serve longer in the public sector.
Najib, when announcing the plan, said it was aimed at providing opportunities for more attractive career advancement in a shorter period.
For example, he had said, a medical specialist could rise to Grade UD54 in nine years compared with 11 years now while for a clinical/administrative medical officer, it would take 12 years instead of 17.
Chief secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan said they comprised 8,521 clinical/administrative medical officers, 650 dentists and 527 pharmacists.
For a start, 2,554 doctors on Grade UD44 were promoted to Grade UD48 right up to Grade UD54 effective Tuesday, he said in a statement on Friday.
For specialist doctors, 12 were promoted from Grade UD44 to UD48, 68 to UD52, and 321 to UD54. Of the non-specialist doctors on Grade UD44, 1,751 will be promoted to UD48, 312 to UD52 and 90 to UD54.
“The promotion of all Grade UD44 medical officers to the grade that they are eligible for will be implemented before March 31, 2010,” he said.
Sidek said that under this new career path, the promotion of medical, dental and pharmaceutical officers up to Grade 54 in the ministry would be based on the length of service and no longer on vacancies.
“The promotion of medical officers on Grade UD48 and UD52 as well as that of all eligible dental and pharmaceutical officers will be implemented in stages based on this career advancement plan,” he aded.
He said the medical officers concerned could check the plan via the ministry’s website at www.moh.gov.my
He said the government’s decision was in recognition of the contributions of the medical officers in raising the country’s health service level and to motivate them to continue providing quality service as well as to maintain their interest to serve longer in the public sector.
Najib, when announcing the plan, said it was aimed at providing opportunities for more attractive career advancement in a shorter period.
For example, he had said, a medical specialist could rise to Grade UD54 in nine years compared with 11 years now while for a clinical/administrative medical officer, it would take 12 years instead of 17.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Career Advancement Plan Will Help Retain Doctors In Public Sector
Bernama: KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), the country's premier organisation representing doctors, believes that the newly-announced comprehensive career advancement plan for doctors, dentists and pharmacists will help retain the doctors in the public sector.
Its president, Dr David Quek said this was also a vital move to maintain the number of doctors in the public sector, which currently was declining.
"It would certainly encourage more doctors working in the government hospitals and clinics to remain in the service rather than consider venturing out into private practice," he said in a statement here, on Wednesday.
The comprehensive career advancement plan was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday.
The initiative, which involved an additional annual expenditure of RM200 million, was aimed at improving career advancement by giving them the opportunity to move up to Grade 54 within two to five years.
Dr Quek said MMA had been working closely with the government to improve the service, training opportunity, salary, allowance and other perks and benefits for the doctors in the public sector.
"Over the past many years, we have, through our Schomos (Section Concerning House Officers, Medical Officers and Specialists), liaised closely with the Health Ministry and the Public Service Department to improve the conditions of service.
"We are therefore very delighted that most of our requests have now been answered, and that so many doctors would now benefit from such upgrading service," he said.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Dental Association (MDA) president Dr Lee Soon Boon also agreed that the plan would stop the exodus of dentists from the public to the private sector.
Besides, he said, the initiative was also deemed appropriate due to the current situation where most doctors were also entrusted with heavier responsibilities.
At present, he said there were 3,606 dentists in the country, 53 per cent of whom were in the government service, while the rest were in the private sector.
Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society president Datuk Nancy Ho, on the other hand, said that the initiative clearly showed that the prime minister was serious in promoting the 1Malaysia concept.
"We appreciate the recognition from the government to pharmacists for doing a professional job. This also shows that they are concerned about the people and the professionals," she explained.
She also believed that the initiative would encourage pharmacists nationwide to discharge their duties to the best of their ability.
Meanwhile, Cuepacs president, Omar Osman said Cuepacs lauded the career advancement plan for the medical and education sector, but believed that the government should consider similar initiative for other sectors too, especially for workers of lower grade and those in the rural areas.
"Attention should also be given to those working in the rural areas because they are closer to the people," he said.
Its president, Dr David Quek said this was also a vital move to maintain the number of doctors in the public sector, which currently was declining.
"It would certainly encourage more doctors working in the government hospitals and clinics to remain in the service rather than consider venturing out into private practice," he said in a statement here, on Wednesday.
The comprehensive career advancement plan was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday.
The initiative, which involved an additional annual expenditure of RM200 million, was aimed at improving career advancement by giving them the opportunity to move up to Grade 54 within two to five years.
Dr Quek said MMA had been working closely with the government to improve the service, training opportunity, salary, allowance and other perks and benefits for the doctors in the public sector.
"Over the past many years, we have, through our Schomos (Section Concerning House Officers, Medical Officers and Specialists), liaised closely with the Health Ministry and the Public Service Department to improve the conditions of service.
"We are therefore very delighted that most of our requests have now been answered, and that so many doctors would now benefit from such upgrading service," he said.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Dental Association (MDA) president Dr Lee Soon Boon also agreed that the plan would stop the exodus of dentists from the public to the private sector.
Besides, he said, the initiative was also deemed appropriate due to the current situation where most doctors were also entrusted with heavier responsibilities.
At present, he said there were 3,606 dentists in the country, 53 per cent of whom were in the government service, while the rest were in the private sector.
Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society president Datuk Nancy Ho, on the other hand, said that the initiative clearly showed that the prime minister was serious in promoting the 1Malaysia concept.
"We appreciate the recognition from the government to pharmacists for doing a professional job. This also shows that they are concerned about the people and the professionals," she explained.
She also believed that the initiative would encourage pharmacists nationwide to discharge their duties to the best of their ability.
Meanwhile, Cuepacs president, Omar Osman said Cuepacs lauded the career advancement plan for the medical and education sector, but believed that the government should consider similar initiative for other sectors too, especially for workers of lower grade and those in the rural areas.
"Attention should also be given to those working in the rural areas because they are closer to the people," he said.
Faster Promotion For Doctors, Dentists And Pharmacists To Grade 54
Bernama: KUALA LUMPUR, March 9 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak Tuesday announced a comprehensive career advancement plan for public doctors, dentists and pharmacists, which expedites their promotion to Grade 54 by between two and five years.
He said the initiative, which involved an additional annual expenditure of RM200 million, was aimed at improving career advancement by giving them the opportunity to move up to Grade 54 within a more reasonable time frame.
For example, a medical specialist can progress to Grade 54 in nine years compared to 11 years now, and a (clinical/administrative) medical officer can move up in 12 years compared to 17 years now.
"Following this improvement in the career advancement plan, the government hopes that doctors, dentists and pharmacists in the Health Ministry will continue to provide excellent service to the people," he said in a statement.
Najib also said that the Public Service Department (PSD) and the Health Ministry were working out the promotion of eligible Grade UD44 medical officers to Grade UD48, and the majority of them were expected to be enjoy the benefit before the end of this month.
Najib said the improvement was in recognition of the role and contribution of those providing healthcare to the people, and it was felt that this would enhance their commitment and determination to fulfill the desire to raise the level of service at government hospitals.
Elaborating, the prime minister said that on Dec 5, 2007, the government agreed to promote directly to Grade UD44 all medical officers appointed from Jan 1, 2008 onwards, soon after completing their two-year housemanship and having registered with the Malaysian Medical Council.
To ensure that medical officers appointed prior to Jan 1, 2008 were unaffected by the decision, it was decided to promote these officers to Grade UD44, he said, adding that this involved promoting 9,871 medical officers in 2009.
The career advancement plan is as follows:
* Promotion to Grade 44 for dentists who have been on Grade 41 for two years, and for pharmacists after three years.
* Promotion to Grade 48 for doctors and dentists who have been on Grade 44 for three years or up to the date of gazetting as specialists, whichever is earlier; and for pharmacists who have been on Grade 44 for four years.
* Promotion to Grade 52 for (clinical/administrative) doctors and dentists who have been on Grade 48 for four years or subject to availability of vacant positions, whichever is earlier; also for medical specialists and dental specialists who have been on Grade 48 for two years or subject to availability of vacant positions, whichever is earlier, and subject to recommendation of the Specialists Evaluation Panel of the Health Ministry, and pharmacists who have been on Grade 48 for four years or subject to availability of vacant positions, whichever is earlier.
* Promotion to Grade 54 for (clinical/administrative) doctors and dentists who have been on Grade 52 for three years or subject to availability of vacant positions, whichever is earlier.
For medical specialists and dental specialists who have been on Grade 52 for two years or subject to availability of vacant positions, whichever is earlier, and subject to the recommendation of the Specialists Evaluation Panel.
For pharmacists who have been on Grade 52 for three years or subject to availability of vacant positions, whichever is earlier.
For medical specialists and dental specialists, the promotion from Grade 54 to Special Grade C and higher is subject to the recommendation of the ministry's Specialists Evaluation Panel.
For medical officers (clinical/administrative), dental officers (clinical/administrative) and pharmacists, the promotion from Grade 54 to Special Grade C and higher is subjection to availability of vacant positions.
Najib said that based on the career advancement plan, the maximum period for doctors, dentists and pharmacists eligible to be promoted up to Grade 54 had been shortened.
The average period for promotion to Grade 54 is as follows:
* Medical officers (Specialist) - nine years (now 11 years)
* Dental officers (Specialist) - nine years (now 11 years)
* Medical officers (Clinical/Administrative) - 12 years (now 17 years)
* Dental officers (Clinical/Administrative) - 12 years (now 17 years)
* Pharmacists - 14 years (now 17 years)
He said the initiative, which involved an additional annual expenditure of RM200 million, was aimed at improving career advancement by giving them the opportunity to move up to Grade 54 within a more reasonable time frame.
For example, a medical specialist can progress to Grade 54 in nine years compared to 11 years now, and a (clinical/administrative) medical officer can move up in 12 years compared to 17 years now.
"Following this improvement in the career advancement plan, the government hopes that doctors, dentists and pharmacists in the Health Ministry will continue to provide excellent service to the people," he said in a statement.
Najib also said that the Public Service Department (PSD) and the Health Ministry were working out the promotion of eligible Grade UD44 medical officers to Grade UD48, and the majority of them were expected to be enjoy the benefit before the end of this month.
Najib said the improvement was in recognition of the role and contribution of those providing healthcare to the people, and it was felt that this would enhance their commitment and determination to fulfill the desire to raise the level of service at government hospitals.
Elaborating, the prime minister said that on Dec 5, 2007, the government agreed to promote directly to Grade UD44 all medical officers appointed from Jan 1, 2008 onwards, soon after completing their two-year housemanship and having registered with the Malaysian Medical Council.
To ensure that medical officers appointed prior to Jan 1, 2008 were unaffected by the decision, it was decided to promote these officers to Grade UD44, he said, adding that this involved promoting 9,871 medical officers in 2009.
The career advancement plan is as follows:
* Promotion to Grade 44 for dentists who have been on Grade 41 for two years, and for pharmacists after three years.
* Promotion to Grade 48 for doctors and dentists who have been on Grade 44 for three years or up to the date of gazetting as specialists, whichever is earlier; and for pharmacists who have been on Grade 44 for four years.
* Promotion to Grade 52 for (clinical/administrative) doctors and dentists who have been on Grade 48 for four years or subject to availability of vacant positions, whichever is earlier; also for medical specialists and dental specialists who have been on Grade 48 for two years or subject to availability of vacant positions, whichever is earlier, and subject to recommendation of the Specialists Evaluation Panel of the Health Ministry, and pharmacists who have been on Grade 48 for four years or subject to availability of vacant positions, whichever is earlier.
* Promotion to Grade 54 for (clinical/administrative) doctors and dentists who have been on Grade 52 for three years or subject to availability of vacant positions, whichever is earlier.
For medical specialists and dental specialists who have been on Grade 52 for two years or subject to availability of vacant positions, whichever is earlier, and subject to the recommendation of the Specialists Evaluation Panel.
For pharmacists who have been on Grade 52 for three years or subject to availability of vacant positions, whichever is earlier.
For medical specialists and dental specialists, the promotion from Grade 54 to Special Grade C and higher is subject to the recommendation of the ministry's Specialists Evaluation Panel.
For medical officers (clinical/administrative), dental officers (clinical/administrative) and pharmacists, the promotion from Grade 54 to Special Grade C and higher is subjection to availability of vacant positions.
Najib said that based on the career advancement plan, the maximum period for doctors, dentists and pharmacists eligible to be promoted up to Grade 54 had been shortened.
The average period for promotion to Grade 54 is as follows:
* Medical officers (Specialist) - nine years (now 11 years)
* Dental officers (Specialist) - nine years (now 11 years)
* Medical officers (Clinical/Administrative) - 12 years (now 17 years)
* Dental officers (Clinical/Administrative) - 12 years (now 17 years)
* Pharmacists - 14 years (now 17 years)
Monday, March 08, 2010
A bitter pill for GPs from MMA
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: General practitioners should re-engineer themselves in light of stiff competition from government and private hospitals and rapid medical science development, the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) said.
Its president Dr David Quek, in his column in the latest MMA bulletin, said the role of general practitioners was increasingly depreciated and marginalised and they were “a marked and endangered species teetering on the brink of extinction.”
Doctors, he said, should realise that times and medical practice had changed and they should look within themselves to re-engineer their modus operandi.
“General practitioners have to emerge from their cocooned complacency that simply serving quietly and earnestly behind long hours of general practice would suffice. It will not,” he added.
Dr Quek said the MMA would assist general practitioners by organising a summit where all issues and their future challenges could be debated to prepare a comprehensive policy.
He said he hoped doctors in the public sector would also come forward to provide input for the betterment of the profession.
In the same bulletin, MMA member Dr H. Krishna Kumar said 4,000 new doctors were joining the profession every year and this posed great competition to private practitioners.
Another source of competition was the improvement of services provided by government hospitals, where there were now more locums to man the accident and emergency departments, thus reducing waiting time, he said.
Its president Dr David Quek, in his column in the latest MMA bulletin, said the role of general practitioners was increasingly depreciated and marginalised and they were “a marked and endangered species teetering on the brink of extinction.”
Doctors, he said, should realise that times and medical practice had changed and they should look within themselves to re-engineer their modus operandi.
“General practitioners have to emerge from their cocooned complacency that simply serving quietly and earnestly behind long hours of general practice would suffice. It will not,” he added.
Dr Quek said the MMA would assist general practitioners by organising a summit where all issues and their future challenges could be debated to prepare a comprehensive policy.
He said he hoped doctors in the public sector would also come forward to provide input for the betterment of the profession.
In the same bulletin, MMA member Dr H. Krishna Kumar said 4,000 new doctors were joining the profession every year and this posed great competition to private practitioners.
Another source of competition was the improvement of services provided by government hospitals, where there were now more locums to man the accident and emergency departments, thus reducing waiting time, he said.
Thursday, March 04, 2010
Doctors wanted at 162 health clinics
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry invites application from private doctors who are registered with the Malaysian Medical Council and fulfil the service requirement to serve at the 162 government health clinics nationwide.
Its director-general Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said they could work at the clinics on “sessional” or “locum” basis and be paid RM80 per hour.
The working hours is from 8am to 5pm on normal working days (sessional), while the extended time is from 5pm to 9.30pm on Monday to Friday and 8am to noon on Saturday (locum), he said in a statement.
Those keen to apply can obtain further information and the application form by surfing the ministry’s website www.moh.gov.my/MohPortal/categoryView.jsp
Its director-general Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said they could work at the clinics on “sessional” or “locum” basis and be paid RM80 per hour.
The working hours is from 8am to 5pm on normal working days (sessional), while the extended time is from 5pm to 9.30pm on Monday to Friday and 8am to noon on Saturday (locum), he said in a statement.
Those keen to apply can obtain further information and the application form by surfing the ministry’s website www.moh.gov.my/MohPortal/categoryView.jsp
Monday, January 25, 2010
Increase in dengue cases
Star: PETALING JAYA: The dengue situation in the country is at an alarming level with 11 deaths recorded in the first three weeks of the month.
As of Saturday, 3,002 dengue cases were reported all over the country.
According to the Health Ministry’s Disease Control Division (national dengue operations room), Selangor recorded the highest number with 1,370 cases between Jan 1 and 23.
This was followed by Sarawak (645 cases), Kuala Lumpur/Putrajaya (246), Johor (166) and Sabah (106).
Seven out of the deaths were from Selangor.
As of yesterday, there were 31 hotspots throughout the country, of which 20 were in Selangor.
The ministry has issued a dengue alert to all states on Nov 26, last year.
Its deputy director-general Datuk Dr Hassan Abdul Rahman urged the people to ensure their homes, schools and workplaces were free of mosquito breeding grounds.
He said fogging was a temporary measure.
“As long as mosquito breeding grounds still exist, new adult mosquitoes will emerge and the infection will continue,” he said in an interview.
Of the 77,818 premises inspected the previous week, Dr Hassan said 1,549 (2%) were found to breed Aedes mosquitoes — an increase of 33% compared to the previous week.
Dr Xavier Jeyakumar, who is Selangor health, estate workers affairs, poverty eradication and caring government committee chairman, said dirty neighbourhoods contributed to the high number of dengue cases.
“High incidences of dengue in Selangor is nothing new. This is because of the large population living in places that are not clean,” he said.
“There is a dengue outbreak in the state every year,” he added.
In GEORGE TOWN, three residents in Jalan Pintasan Bahagia, Bayan Baru, contracted dengue fever while seven others in the same area have been suspected to have come down with the disease.
“The south-west health authorities had started fogging the affected area twice a day since the first case was confirmed last week,” Pantai Jerejak assemblyman Sim Tze Tzin said during a gotong-royong in Kampung Jawa yesterday.
Under the law, those found to be breeding Aedes mosquitoes will be slapped with a RM500 compound per breeding site, besides a possible fine or even a jail term under the Destruction of Disease Bearing Insects Act.
As of Saturday, 3,002 dengue cases were reported all over the country.
According to the Health Ministry’s Disease Control Division (national dengue operations room), Selangor recorded the highest number with 1,370 cases between Jan 1 and 23.
This was followed by Sarawak (645 cases), Kuala Lumpur/Putrajaya (246), Johor (166) and Sabah (106).
Seven out of the deaths were from Selangor.
As of yesterday, there were 31 hotspots throughout the country, of which 20 were in Selangor.
The ministry has issued a dengue alert to all states on Nov 26, last year.
Its deputy director-general Datuk Dr Hassan Abdul Rahman urged the people to ensure their homes, schools and workplaces were free of mosquito breeding grounds.
He said fogging was a temporary measure.
“As long as mosquito breeding grounds still exist, new adult mosquitoes will emerge and the infection will continue,” he said in an interview.
Of the 77,818 premises inspected the previous week, Dr Hassan said 1,549 (2%) were found to breed Aedes mosquitoes — an increase of 33% compared to the previous week.
Dr Xavier Jeyakumar, who is Selangor health, estate workers affairs, poverty eradication and caring government committee chairman, said dirty neighbourhoods contributed to the high number of dengue cases.
“High incidences of dengue in Selangor is nothing new. This is because of the large population living in places that are not clean,” he said.
“There is a dengue outbreak in the state every year,” he added.
In GEORGE TOWN, three residents in Jalan Pintasan Bahagia, Bayan Baru, contracted dengue fever while seven others in the same area have been suspected to have come down with the disease.
“The south-west health authorities had started fogging the affected area twice a day since the first case was confirmed last week,” Pantai Jerejak assemblyman Sim Tze Tzin said during a gotong-royong in Kampung Jawa yesterday.
Under the law, those found to be breeding Aedes mosquitoes will be slapped with a RM500 compound per breeding site, besides a possible fine or even a jail term under the Destruction of Disease Bearing Insects Act.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Utar set to produce doctors
Star: PETALING JAYA: There is now a new and affordable avenue for Malaysians to study medicine locally.
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rah-man’s (Utar) new Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences will start its first intake in May for a course which will cost about RM50,000 a year, a fraction of what parents would have to pay for medical courses in other local private universities.
The Higher Education Ministry has approved the faculty’s Bache-lor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme. The faculty will accept an initial batch of 50 students this year.
Housed at the varsity’s Sg Long campus in Selangor, the MBBS programme will cost about RM250,000 for the entire five-year course. The amount is far smaller than similar programmes in traditional countries.
A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was also signed with the Health Ministry yesterday, formalising the placement of Utar medical and health sciences students at government hospitals.
With the MoA, Utar students will undergo their practicum, industrial training or clinical studies at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Ampang Hospital, Sultan Ismail Hospital in Johor Baru and Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh.
Commending Utar for its initiative, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said that his ministry was excited to accept Utar into its pool of collaborating universities.
There are currently 25 universities’ training doctors in Malaysia.
Ten of them are public universities while private universities and university colleges make up the rest. “This is a historical event for Utar,” said Liow in a press conference after the signing ceremony.
“Based on Utar’s track record in producing quality graduates and commitment in promoting lifelong learning, I have no doubt that the university will attain the same level of excellence in their new venture.”
Established on Nov 16, last year, Utar’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences also plans to offer three more degree programmes in Nursing, Physiotherapy and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
The application process for Utar’s MBBS course is open until the end of March and selected applicants will be interviewed in early April.
Utar president and chief executive officer Prof Datuk Dr Chuah Hean Teik told The Star that the interview process would test applicants’ maturity, passion, commitment and attitude.
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rah-man’s (Utar) new Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences will start its first intake in May for a course which will cost about RM50,000 a year, a fraction of what parents would have to pay for medical courses in other local private universities.
The Higher Education Ministry has approved the faculty’s Bache-lor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme. The faculty will accept an initial batch of 50 students this year.
Housed at the varsity’s Sg Long campus in Selangor, the MBBS programme will cost about RM250,000 for the entire five-year course. The amount is far smaller than similar programmes in traditional countries.
A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was also signed with the Health Ministry yesterday, formalising the placement of Utar medical and health sciences students at government hospitals.
With the MoA, Utar students will undergo their practicum, industrial training or clinical studies at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Ampang Hospital, Sultan Ismail Hospital in Johor Baru and Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh.
Commending Utar for its initiative, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said that his ministry was excited to accept Utar into its pool of collaborating universities.
There are currently 25 universities’ training doctors in Malaysia.
Ten of them are public universities while private universities and university colleges make up the rest. “This is a historical event for Utar,” said Liow in a press conference after the signing ceremony.
“Based on Utar’s track record in producing quality graduates and commitment in promoting lifelong learning, I have no doubt that the university will attain the same level of excellence in their new venture.”
Established on Nov 16, last year, Utar’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences also plans to offer three more degree programmes in Nursing, Physiotherapy and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
The application process for Utar’s MBBS course is open until the end of March and selected applicants will be interviewed in early April.
Utar president and chief executive officer Prof Datuk Dr Chuah Hean Teik told The Star that the interview process would test applicants’ maturity, passion, commitment and attitude.
More bite from March for national dental health care
Star: PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry will launch a nationwide dental health awareness campaign in March.
Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said a survey by the ministry found that 60% of 12-year-olds had dental caries (tooth decay or cavities), with the number rising to 75% among those aged 16 and 90% in adults.
He said this was despite the fact that Malaysia boasted comprehensive dental care services, including preventive efforts like free screening and educational programmes in pre-schools and schools.
He said the ministry had similar preventive programmes for the elderly and special children.
“The high number of people with dental problems is a cause for concern.
“Checks among children as young as six have found that 70% of them have dental caries.
“At that age, it is not too worrisome because their permanent teeth have not grown yet, but the lack of care continues as they grow older and we want to change this,” he said, adding that the campaign would be carried out in collaboration with the Malay-sian Dental Association (MDA).
Liow was speaking at a press conference after receiving a courtesy call from the Chinese Stomatological Association (CSA) delegation here yesterday.
He also said Malaysia was looking to increase the number of dentists it produced annually, from the current 250 to 800 over the next few years.
The aim, he said, was to change the current dentist-to-population ratio by 2018 from the current 1:7,840 to the World Health Organisation standard of 1:4,000.
On the CSA visit, he said it was to enhance collaboration between Malaysia and China in dental care.
CSA president Prof Dr Wang Xing led the delegation, which is in Malaysia to attend the International Dental Federation (FDI)-MDA Scientific Convention and Trade Exhibition starting tomorrow.
Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said a survey by the ministry found that 60% of 12-year-olds had dental caries (tooth decay or cavities), with the number rising to 75% among those aged 16 and 90% in adults.
He said this was despite the fact that Malaysia boasted comprehensive dental care services, including preventive efforts like free screening and educational programmes in pre-schools and schools.
He said the ministry had similar preventive programmes for the elderly and special children.
“The high number of people with dental problems is a cause for concern.
“Checks among children as young as six have found that 70% of them have dental caries.
“At that age, it is not too worrisome because their permanent teeth have not grown yet, but the lack of care continues as they grow older and we want to change this,” he said, adding that the campaign would be carried out in collaboration with the Malay-sian Dental Association (MDA).
Liow was speaking at a press conference after receiving a courtesy call from the Chinese Stomatological Association (CSA) delegation here yesterday.
He also said Malaysia was looking to increase the number of dentists it produced annually, from the current 250 to 800 over the next few years.
The aim, he said, was to change the current dentist-to-population ratio by 2018 from the current 1:7,840 to the World Health Organisation standard of 1:4,000.
On the CSA visit, he said it was to enhance collaboration between Malaysia and China in dental care.
CSA president Prof Dr Wang Xing led the delegation, which is in Malaysia to attend the International Dental Federation (FDI)-MDA Scientific Convention and Trade Exhibition starting tomorrow.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
1Malaysia clinics to go ahead without docs
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: The 1Malaysia clinics will operate without doctors, and patients with serious illnesses would be referred to polyclinics and government hospitals.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said although he understood the concerns of the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), the country was facing a shortage of doctors.
“It is our intention to have doctors at all clinics. But we do not even have enough doctors in hospitals. This does not mean the people should be deprived of medical services. Medical assistants and nurses can help out here,” he said.
MMA president Dr David Quek had expressed concern over the 1Malaysia clinics.
He said they should be manned by registered medical doctors, as clinics run by medical assistants and nurses could lead to a poorer standard of healthcare.
Liow said he met with MMA representatives on Jan 8 to address their concerns.
“The MMA and the Government have the same objective, which is to improve the standard of health services,” he added.
“We are short of doctors, even in hospitals and the big clinics. So doctors, and also locums, will be posted there. 1Malaysia clinics are only for illnesses such as coughs and colds.
“Patients with more serious illnesses should go to hospitals and polyclinics.
“We will stick with the first 50 and evaluate their performance. Forty-four have begun operating, and the remaining six will be opened by the end of the month,” he said, adding that the delay was due to renovation work.
Liow was speaking to reporters after handing out RM2mil each to the Tung Shin Hospital and the Chinese Maternity Hospital yesterday.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said although he understood the concerns of the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), the country was facing a shortage of doctors.
“It is our intention to have doctors at all clinics. But we do not even have enough doctors in hospitals. This does not mean the people should be deprived of medical services. Medical assistants and nurses can help out here,” he said.
MMA president Dr David Quek had expressed concern over the 1Malaysia clinics.
He said they should be manned by registered medical doctors, as clinics run by medical assistants and nurses could lead to a poorer standard of healthcare.
Liow said he met with MMA representatives on Jan 8 to address their concerns.
“The MMA and the Government have the same objective, which is to improve the standard of health services,” he added.
“We are short of doctors, even in hospitals and the big clinics. So doctors, and also locums, will be posted there. 1Malaysia clinics are only for illnesses such as coughs and colds.
“Patients with more serious illnesses should go to hospitals and polyclinics.
“We will stick with the first 50 and evaluate their performance. Forty-four have begun operating, and the remaining six will be opened by the end of the month,” he said, adding that the delay was due to renovation work.
Liow was speaking to reporters after handing out RM2mil each to the Tung Shin Hospital and the Chinese Maternity Hospital yesterday.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
SMS to cut hospital wait
Star: JOHOR BARU: The Health Ministry is introducing an SMS-based system to notify patients of their appointments to reduce queues at hospitals.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the pilot project had been implemented at the Mamodiah Outpatient Clinic here.
The queue management and appointment reminder would also send out an SMS when there are five patients before their turn.
“We are still fine tuning the system and once the kinks are ironed out, we will start implementing it at medical facilities with high patient rates,” he said, adding that the project was carried out in collaboration with Celcom.
“This system will also allow for updated statistics for hospital services in the country. Through the system, we will be able to monitor the number of patients, the illnesses they are being treated for, and even the duration at the various departments within the hospital and clinics.”
Liow said at present only 70% of local hospitals had achieved the 30-minute waiting limit set by the ministry last year.
“Although there has been progress, we hope that technology can help us further reduce patients’ waiting time,” he said after a briefing on the system here yesterday.
At another event, during the groundbreaking for a new block of the Southern College in Skudai, Liow said the ministry would propose a new Act to govern traditional and complementary medication (T&CM) at the next parliamentary seating.
“The Act would help to ensure the safety and quality of T&CM and help the industry to grow locally,” he said.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the pilot project had been implemented at the Mamodiah Outpatient Clinic here.
The queue management and appointment reminder would also send out an SMS when there are five patients before their turn.
“We are still fine tuning the system and once the kinks are ironed out, we will start implementing it at medical facilities with high patient rates,” he said, adding that the project was carried out in collaboration with Celcom.
“This system will also allow for updated statistics for hospital services in the country. Through the system, we will be able to monitor the number of patients, the illnesses they are being treated for, and even the duration at the various departments within the hospital and clinics.”
Liow said at present only 70% of local hospitals had achieved the 30-minute waiting limit set by the ministry last year.
“Although there has been progress, we hope that technology can help us further reduce patients’ waiting time,” he said after a briefing on the system here yesterday.
At another event, during the groundbreaking for a new block of the Southern College in Skudai, Liow said the ministry would propose a new Act to govern traditional and complementary medication (T&CM) at the next parliamentary seating.
“The Act would help to ensure the safety and quality of T&CM and help the industry to grow locally,” he said.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
11,000 waiting for kidney transplants
Star: KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 11,000 patients are still waiting for kidney transplants while 29 others need livers, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
He said another eight patients needed heart transplant surgery while 12 others had to undergo lung transplants and heart and lung transplants for two other patients.
“Up until Friday (Dec 11), we obtained 36 cadavers, 32 kidneys, four livers, 23 pairs of corneas, 19 heart valves tissues, seven bones and three skin.
“However, the number of patients waiting for organ transplants are far more than what we have obtained,” he told reporters at a press conference after the launch of the 3rd Global Bio-Herbs Economic Forum here Saturday.
Last year, he said, 56 kidney and five liver transplant surgeries had been carried out but there was no transplant of heart and lung.
He said by the end of last year, the cumulative organ transplant operations were kidney (1,264), liver (86), heart (19), lung (three) and heart and lung (one).
“The number of pledges for organ donation for this year is 13,546 while the accumulated pledges since 1997 is 135,847.
“We need more people to come forward to make the pledge so that we can save more lives,” he said, adding that 45% of them were male.
Liow said his ministry would send a thank you note to the parents of a 17-year-old boy from Kampar who consented to donate their son’s organs, including the heart, after the teenager was declared brain-dead after a road accident.
“We are sad over his demise but we also want to express our gratitude to his parents for making the decision to donate his organs,” he said.
He said another eight patients needed heart transplant surgery while 12 others had to undergo lung transplants and heart and lung transplants for two other patients.
“Up until Friday (Dec 11), we obtained 36 cadavers, 32 kidneys, four livers, 23 pairs of corneas, 19 heart valves tissues, seven bones and three skin.
“However, the number of patients waiting for organ transplants are far more than what we have obtained,” he told reporters at a press conference after the launch of the 3rd Global Bio-Herbs Economic Forum here Saturday.
Last year, he said, 56 kidney and five liver transplant surgeries had been carried out but there was no transplant of heart and lung.
He said by the end of last year, the cumulative organ transplant operations were kidney (1,264), liver (86), heart (19), lung (three) and heart and lung (one).
“The number of pledges for organ donation for this year is 13,546 while the accumulated pledges since 1997 is 135,847.
“We need more people to come forward to make the pledge so that we can save more lives,” he said, adding that 45% of them were male.
Liow said his ministry would send a thank you note to the parents of a 17-year-old boy from Kampar who consented to donate their son’s organs, including the heart, after the teenager was declared brain-dead after a road accident.
“We are sad over his demise but we also want to express our gratitude to his parents for making the decision to donate his organs,” he said.
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