Rise In Fatalities Due To Dengue A Cause For Concern - Dr Subramaniam

SJ Echo

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 27 (Bernama) -- Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam today expressed concern over the rising number of fatalities due to dengue fever with 29 deaths recorded from January till Feb 22. Dr Subramaniam said the figure was a 263 percent increase or eight fatalities more when compared with the same period last year. He said 16,383 dengue cases were reported from January to Feb 22, marking a 316 percent increase when compared with the same period last year.

 "For the eighth week (Feb 16 - Feb 22) of the year, four deaths were recorded, involving two women aged 34 and 37 plus two men aged 21 and 35 respectively, due to dengue fever complications," he said in a statement. Of the 580 localities identified as still active in 12 states, 354 localities were from Selangor followed by Negeri Sembilan with 66, Kuala Lumpur & Putrajaya (48), Johor (30), Perak (25) and Kelantan (23). Seven states registered an increase in the number of cases, namely Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Perak, Sabah, Melaka, Kelantan and Sarawak, he said.

 "We intend to carry out gotong-royong after fogging but public cooperation is also important to help reduce the Aedes mosquito-breeding grounds. The public must cooperate with the authorities to destroy all possible Aedes breeding grounds," he said. -- BERNAMA

Foreigners taking up big share of medical subsidy

The Star Online

PUTRAJAYA: Foreigners are taking about 30% to 40% of the country’s entire allocation for medical treatment meant for Malaysians, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subra­maniam said.

“They are eating up our medical subsidy,” he said, adding that in most countries in Europe, foreigners were required to pay the actual cost.

The minister touched on the issue at a press conference after addressing the ministry’s monthly assembly here yesterday.

Last December, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya announced a plan to get foreigners, including students, to pay for their actual cost of medical treatment in government hospitals, not at a subsidised rate.

Dr Subramaniam said the plan was at the final stage, adding that it required some amendments to the Fees Act (Medical) 1951 for Foreigners.

“We are ironing out that part. I think we should be able to list down the new charges in the next few months,” he said.

The charges for foreigners seeking medical treatment in government hospitals was last reviewed in 2003.

Presently, foreign workers given outpatient specialist treatment are charged RM60 while for accident and emergency cases, the charge is RM50.

Those seeking outpatient follow-up treatment are charged RM60 while the charge for general outpatient treatment is RM15.

The charges are paid as registration fees.

Dr Subramaniam was not able to say what the new charges are.

“That is what we are trying to determine because it is the actual cost of the treatment,” he said.

MMA Suggests Government Provide Free Abate To Prevent Dengue

BERNAMA 

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 16 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) today suggested that the government provide abate free to all clinics, even those in the private sector, for distribution to the people as a means of preventing dengue.

MMA president Datuk Dr N.K.S. Tharmaseelan said the abate must be given out to all households and should be available at all health clinics.

"The government is giving out so many handouts and aid to Malaysians. This is one thing they should be doing and, if funds are enough, it should be made available in all government departments, especially post offices," he said in a statement.

Abate is a potent larvicide based on the active ingredient temephos that effectively manages a broad spectrum of nuisance and disease-causing insects, such as mosquitoes.

Dr Tharmaseelan pointed out that the government also should provide incentives and funds to non-governmental organisations to encourage them to organise 'gotong-royong' (self-help) clean-up on monthly basis, especially in dengue-prone areas.

He said the people also must assist the district councils and the state governments in playing a major role in the prevention of dengue, which could cause a big loss financially in health costs in addition to loss of precious lives.

"The community must spur clean-up activities in dengue-prone areas to reduce the increasing number of dengue cases in Malaysia annually," he said.

Malaysia reports nearly 10,000 dengue cases in first month of 2014 prompting use of biological agent BTI

The Global Dispatch

The mosquito borne virus, dengue has started strong in Malaysia during the first month or so of 2014, with health officials reporting 9,453 and 17 deaths since Jan. 1, according to a recent Sun Daily report.

This compares to  2,559 cases and five deaths during the same time frame in 2013.

Image/CDC

Deputy Director-General of Health (Public Health) Datuk Dr Lokman Hakim Sulaiman said the ministry has identified 594 denguehotspots in the country, with 115 in Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.

The severe outbreak of dengue fever, at approximately 2,000 cases a week,  has prompted health officials to attempt to integrate the biological agent Bacillus thurin­giensis israelensis (BTI) into themosquito control strategy (See video report).

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subra­maniam said of BTI, “Instead of using just insecticide to kill the (adult) Aedes, we are now also fogging with a biological agent.”

According to a report in The Star Online:

BTI is a bacterium found naturally in soils, and has been used worldwide as a biological control agent to combat mosquitoes and black flies since 1982.

During the spore-forming stage of its life cycle, the bacterium produces a protein crystal which is toxic only to mosquito and black fly larvae.

These protein crystals will be lodged in the larvae’s digestive system when they are feeding.

When the crystals dissolve, they will liberate toxic protein molecules that start to attack the larvae’s stomach lining, causing the creature to die within days.

Several years ago, researchers used BTI in Malaysia during a severe dengue outbreak where they concluded, “a wide application of VectoBac WG at target larval habitats is able to provide control of dengue mosquito vectors”.

Dengue fever is an infectious disease carried by mosquitoes and caused by any of four related dengue viruses. This disease used to be called “break-bone fever” because it sometimes causes severe joint andmuscle pain that feels like bones are breaking.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates there may be 50–100 million dengue infectionsworldwide every year. However, new research from the University of Oxford and the Wellcome Trust, using cartographic approaches, estimate there to be 390 million dengue infections per year worldwide.

There are three types of dengue fever in order of less severe to most: the typical uncomplicated dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHS) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS).

There is not a vaccine for dengue fever. There is no treatment for dengue, just treat the symptoms.

Malaysia reports first H7N9 case outside China |

CIDRAP

Health officials announced an H7N9 avian flu infection in Malaysia today, the first case detected outside of China, along with eight other newly confirmed cases—one in Hong Kong and seven more from the mainland.

The patients who are sick with H7N9 infections in Hong Kong and Malaysia had travel links to China's Guangdong province, one of the main hotspots of disease activity in the outbreak's second wave.

Today's new cases lift the number of H7N9 cases reported in the second wave, which began in October, to 211, compared with 136 reported during the first wave last spring. For both waves, the total is 347, according to a list of confirmed cases kept by FluTrackers. The unofficial death count remains at 72.

CDC: Malaysia case underscores surveillance priority

Malaysia's patient is a 67-year-old woman who was part of a tour group from Guangdong province, according to a report today from Bernama, Malaysia's national news agency. The group was visiting Sabah. The woman is being treated in the intensive care unit at a private hospital in Kota Kinabalu.

The country's health minister, Datuk Seri Dr. S. Subramaniam said it was the first H7N9 case reported in the country and that health officials are taking steps to limit contact with the patient.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today issued a statement on the Malaysian H7N9 case, which said the agency has been expecting the detection of H7N9 cases exported from China, including the scenario of an infected traveler. It said the illness in a traveler to Malaysia doesn't change its risk assessment for the H7N9 virus.

The CDC said the most important element in gauging the public health threat is transmissibility, and so far there is no evidence of sustained, ongoing person-to-person spread of H7N9. It emphasized, however, that the case underscores how important international surveillance is for H7N9 and other viruses that have pandemic potential.

Human infections in China linked to poultry exposure are likely to continue, the CDC said, and the virus could spread to neighboring countries, where it could infect people who are exposed to poultry. The most worrisome development would be if the virus gained the ability to spread easily among people, a possibility that the CDC said it and other international health partners are closely monitoring.

Public Needs To Stay Indoors If Sumatra's Volcanic Ashes Hit Malaysia - Health Ministry

BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 11 (Bernama) -- The public is advised to stay indoors with all doors and windows closed if ashes from the volcanic eruption of Mount Sinabung in North Sumatea are carried by winds towards Malaysia.

Director-General of Health Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah also advised Malaysians to wear masks or using a cloth or a wet handkerchief as a respiratory protective device if the air is polluted.

"Children, elderly people and those who have medical problems should avoid or reduce outdoor activities during this time.

"People are also advised to drink plenty of water, frequently wash the face and other parts of the body that are exposed," he said in a statement here, today.

He also advised the public to refrain from driving in ashy conditions since it may be difficult due to poor visibility resulting in motor vehicle accidents.

Mount Sinabung has been in an eruptive state since Sept 15 and the latest eruption started on Jan 30 resulted in the release of hot ash in the air of the height of 5km.

Although the possibility of people in Malaysia to be exposed to the ash is low but it is likely to involve Malaysia, especially areas on the west coast and southern part of the peninsula.

Dr Noor Hisham said those who are exposed to the ash will experience various eye, nose, throat and skin symptoms.

He said people usually experience eye discomfort or irritation during and after ash fall, especially those using contact lenses.

He added that the ministry will continue to monitor the situation of the volcanic dust and advise those who suffer medical illnesses related to the ash to seek medical treatment from the nearest clinic or hospital.

-- BERNAMA

Dengue deaths soar in Malaysia

The Malaysian Insider

Deaths from dengue fever have nearly tripled in Malaysia this year compared with the same period in 2013, sparking a stepped-up campaign to control the mosquitos that spread the virus.

As of this week, 22 people had died from dengue in 2014, compared to eight deaths over the same stretch last year, Health Minister S. Subramaniam told AFP yesterday.

While still early in the year, at the current pace the numbers would surpass 2010, the deadliest year on record, when 134 people died from an illness that the World Health Organisation calls one of the fastest-growing viral threats globally, especially in the tropics.

A total of 11,879 cases had been reported as of Monday, up nearly four-fold from the same period in 2013.

"I think the number of cases will increase," Subramaniam said.

"We urge the public to play their role. The spike in cases is putting a strain on our medical services," he said, calling on Malaysians to eliminate mosquito breeding sites such as standing water and garbage piles.

More than 43,000 cases were reported in 2013, with 92 deaths, up from 35 dead the year before.

"Every three to four years, we witness a peak in the cycle," Subramaniam said.

Dengue fever is a flu-like illness marked by symptoms including nausea, headache, and severe muscle and joint pain that gives rise to its nickname "break-bone fever".

In severe cases, it can cause internal bleeding, organ impairment, respiratory distress and death.

Dengue is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which can pick up the virus from an infected human and transmit it to the next person it bites.

According to the World Health Organisation, the disease may be infecting up to 50-100 million people each year.

There is no vaccine, so prevention focuses on mosquito control.

Malaysian authorities have stepped up a nationwide campaign to fumigate or eliminate mosquito breeding hotbeds in standing water, garbage dumps and construction sites.

This includes what authorities have called the first large-scale use in Malaysia of the biological agent bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, or BTI, a naturally-occurring bacterium used in insect control.

The government also has ordered local clinics in dengue "hot spot" areas – which have been concentrated in and around the capital Kuala Lumpur – to extend their operating hours to accommodate the roughly 2,000 new cases emerging weekly.

"Hot spot" residents also are being advised to wear long sleeves and use mosquito repellent.

Researchers estimate around three billion people live in regions of the world susceptible to dengue. – AFP, February 12, 2014.

Malaysians state of health worrying: Dr Hilmi

New Straits Times

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya today expressed worry over the state of health of Malaysians, saying both government and private hospitals in the country recorded three million warded patients last year.

He said the figure was huge because it was more than 10 per cent of the total 27 million population of the country. 

"It is quite high and worrying and should be taken seriously by all the people.

Every individual must take steps to maintain his or her health because preventive care is cheaper than treatment," he said. 

Hilmi spoke to reporters after officiating at the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Orion Healthcare Management Services Sdn Bhd and Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan Malaysia Berhad (Angkasa), here.  

Also present were Orion Healthcare Management chairman Datuk Dr Ma'amor Osman, Orion Healthcare Management CEO Kho Brandon and Angkasa president Datuk Abdul

Fattah Abdullah. Kho and Abdul Fattah signed the MoU, witnessed by Hilmi and Ma'amor.

Hilmi said good health not only contributed to national development but also helped the government save costs in terms of medical treatment. 

"The deteriorating health of the people had raised the government's medical treatment expenditure, from RM20 billion in 2013 to RM22 billion this year," he said. 

On the MoU, Hilmi said it was a collaboration between Orion Healthcare Management and Angkasa in creating awareness on the importance of medical examination for all members of cooperatives. 

Ma'amor said the collaboration enabled Orion Healthcare Management to provide information and health checks to about eight million members of cooperatives. - BERNAMA

46,000 medical images wiped out in UMMC

theSundaily

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 4, 2014): Some 46,000 electronic images of X-rays and scans of patients at University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) have been lost during a migration process from the old computer system to a new one.

As a result, some patients may be left in the lurch as their old medical information dating back to 2000 are unavailable.

The problem arose over the last two years when an American multi-national company, given the task of migrating a few million images of patients to the new system, lost the 46,000 images.

In an immediate reaction, the Health Ministry has asked UMMC to conduct an internal investigation to determine the cause of the computer foul-up.

However, UMMC director Professor Datuk Dr Ikram Shah Ismail said millions of images taken between 2000 and 2010 were safe and that the images lost were only a small fraction of the total.

He said the hospital is identifying other possible sources where the information could have been saved.

"It is very unfortunate that the problem arose as the back-up hard disc overworked and failed. The company had to copy the images in a temporary hard disc and then convert them to the new format. It was during this migration that we lost the images," he told theSun.

He said the images did not involve patients who came for the first time after 2010.

"Till today, we have not received any complaints from doctors or patients on the issue. I believe the doctors use recent or current images to do comparisons and treat patients."

Meanwhile, Deputy Director-General of Health (Medical) Datuk Dr Jeyaindran Sinnadurai said the loss is worrying as any form of electronic record- keeping must have sufficient safeguards to ensure a secure back-up.

The back-up, he said, was important to counter any form of hacking or records being accidentally deleted. He said medical records are vital for doctors to manage and treat their patients efficiently and effectively.

On the next course of action, he said UMMC should try its best to recover the lost images while conducting its internal investigation.

"This is important so as to give patients a valid explanation," he added.

‘We are a very sick nation’

Free Malaysia Today

KUALA LUMPUR: The nation’s state of health deteriorating. Last year alone 3 million people were warded in private and government hospitals.

And the government’s medical bill shot up from RM20 billion in 2013 to RM22 billion this year.

Deputy Health Minister  Dr Hilmi Yahaya said people being warded was huge because it was more than 10 per cent of the total 27 million population of the country.

“It is quite high and worrying and should be taken seriously by all the people.

” Every individual must take steps to maintain his or her health because preventive care is cheaper than treatment,” he said.

Hilmi said good health not only contributed to national development but also helped the government save costs in terms of medical treatment.

Hilmi spoke to reporters after officiating at the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Orion Healthcare Management Services Sdn Bhd and Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan Malaysia Berhad (Angkasa), here.

On the MoU, Hilmi said it was a collaboration between Orion Healthcare Management and Angkasa in creating awareness on the importance of medical examination for all members of cooperatives.

The collaboration will enable Orion Healthcare Management to provide information and health checks to about eight million members of cooperatives.

-Bernama

Diabetes to hit 1 in 5 Malaysian adults by 2020

The Malay Mail Online

PETALING JAYA, Feb 3 — If the disturbing increase in the number of non-communicable diseases (NCDs, including diabetes, hypertension and heart disease) is left uncontrolled, Malaysia is likely to be burdened with an unhealthy population, according to a health ministry expert.

The ministry’s public health specialist Dr Feisul Idzwan Mustapha said this burden will affect productivity and would have a negative impact on the country’s socio-economic development, which can possibly delay the progress in achieving developed country status by year 2020.

“Based on the results of the National health and Morbidity Surveys the prevalence of diabetes could be 21.6 per cent for adults by 2020,” he said.

Dr Feisul, who is from the Ministry’s NCD section, said the impact can be seen now, as an increasing number of patients with diabetes are seeking treatment at government clinics.

Meanwhile, there is an increase hospital admissions due to complications from diabetes, heart attacks and strokes.

Dr Feisul said individuals and communities need to take responsibility for their health.

“Excess food intake and a decrease in physical activity has caused the increasing trend of obesity among Malaysians,” he said.

Dr Feisul said the local governments and the Ministry of Youth and Sports would have to look into promoting the use of available and accessible facilities for exercise to increase the level of physical activity among Malaysians.

“The police department will also take part in personal safety for protection from personal harm, while people are out exercising,” he said.

Though Dr Feisul said behavioural change does not come easily, “pro-health” policies are needed to create a supportive living environment to achieve positive changes.

“Many policies and regulations on promoting a healthy environment lie outside the responsibility of the ministry.

“Therefore, we want the support of other ministries and stakeholders outside of the health sector in changing communities’ behaviour,” he said.

Dengue forces city-based clinics to open longer

The Malay Mail Online

PETALING JAYA, Jan 30 — Clinics located primarily within major cities could soon be open later at night due to the increase of dengue cases.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said longer clinic operating hours are currently being discussed but will be finalised next week.

“This effort of extra operating hours for clinics will lessen the burden (on accident and emergency departments).

“Not all dengue cases require patients to be admitted into hospitals, so depending on the severity (of the case), clinics can also provide appropriate healthcare,” he said.

There were 2,229 reported dengue cases in week four (Jan 20 — 26), making a total of up to 7,370 cases and nine deaths so far this year.

Subramaniam said the ministry had decided to increase the ‘Dengue Prevention Programme’ primarily within the Petaling district. 
He believed the cause of dengue was primarily from within homes, not just outdoors.

“Mosquitoes can breed anywhere and in places we do not expect.

“We are currently dealing with a different kind of dengue mosquito.

“They have a stronger ability to infect people. They can even breed on a leaf. The government is doing its best,” he added.

Subramaniam stressed that the government would require the cooperation of the public in order to overcome this problem.

Meanwhile, Subramaniam also stressed on the importance of information technology with healthcare. He said that with technological advancements today, people can easily monitor and acquire health information from various sources and detect illnesses at early stages.

Dengue cases skyrocket

The Star Online

KAJANG: There has been an alarming rise in dengue cases in the country – more than three times the number recorded over the same period last year.

As of Wednesday, a total of 6,155 cases were reported, an increase of 243% over the same period in 2013.

The number of deaths has also doubled, with 10 reported so far compared with only five in January last year.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subra­maniam said Selangor had the most number of dengue cases with 3,168, making up 51% of the total number of cases.

“Two of the 10 deaths were in the Hulu Langat district,” he told reporters after a visit to dengue hotspots here yesterday.

Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya recorded 666 and 502 cases respectively. There were 333 cases in Negri Sembilan, Malacca (241), Kelantan (173), Penang (166), Sabah (110), Terengganu (100), Sarawak (85), Kedah (66), Pahang (53) and Perlis (20).

He said the sharp increase of cases was worrying and urged the public to be more vigilant in ensuring homes and surroundings were not breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitos.

“Generally, people are highly aware of the dangers of dengue but they tend to overlook places that may turn out to be Aedes breeding grounds,” he said.

The latest figures indicate that the rise in dengue infections might be worse this year, if efforts to destroy the Aedes mosquitoes were not intensified,

A total of 43,346 cases were recorded last year, with 92 deaths.

“Selangor had the highest number of cases with 23,852 or 55% with 25 deaths,” Dr Subramaniam said, adding that Petaling, Hulu Langat and Gombak districts had been categorised as dengue hotspots.

More than four million premises were checked nationwide and about 15,000 compounds were issued amounting to RM7.7mil.

“The ministry will step up its efforts, particularly in dengue hotspots through its on-going Ops Gempur Aedes, to destroy mosquito breeding grounds,” said Dr Subramaniam.

“From Jan 1 to 22, about 168,000 premises were checked nationwide and 411 compounds were issued with the fines amounting to RM205,500,” he said.

the measures being taken to address the dengue menace includes biological control using Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (a type of bacteria) spray to kill mosquito larvae.

“We will use more temephos spray (a pesticide) to kill larvae and adult mosquitos, and autocidal traps (a new method to trap and kill larvae and mosquitos),” he said.

The ministry’s Vector Borne Disease Sector head Dr Rose Nani Mudin told The Starthat the increase in dengue cases was due to various factors.

“Of late, there have been more cases globally and the disease is being spread faster because of human mobility.

“Another factor is the weather. Rainwater collected in rubbish bins, even as little as one teaspoonful, is enough for Aedes mosquito to breed,” she said.

Dr Rose said about 70% of Aedes breeding grounds were in residential areas as the mosquitos were attracted to highly populated areas.

Socso baffled

the Sun Daily

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 22, 2014): An overwhelming majority of the 1.9 million workers registered with the Social Security Organisation (Socso) appear uninterested in using the organisation's free health screening facility.

"This is appalling. It is an opportunity given to workers to be screened for free but only a fraction, or 326,690, took up the offer," Socso deputy chief executive (operations) Datuk Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed told theSun.

Azman said 65% of those who used the voucher for the health screening did so for the first time in their life – with startling results: 222 women who had a mammogram for the first time found suspicious-looking lumps, 37.9% were overweight, 18% obese, 16.1% diabetic, 39.9% had high blood pressure and 58.9% high cholesterol.

"If these people had not gone for the health screening, they would not have known that they were victims of these non-communicable diseases (NCDs)," he said, adding that the vouchers were given to workers aged above 40.

Socso allocated RM200 million to finance the one-off health screening of workers at 3,068 clinics nationwide under their Health Screening Programme (HSP) for early detection of NCDs.

"The validity of the voucher was until Dec 31 last year but with the very poor take-up rate, we have decided to extend the period to June this year," said Azman, adding that workers must be serious in using the free voucher especially with the number of NCDs going up alarmingly in the working population due to unhealthy lifestyle habits.

Last year, Socso also took the initiative to go to 112 companies under a joint programme with them to do health screening for the workers.

The objective of the HSP is to promote health awareness of NCDs, ensure early detection of NCDs, prevent disability and death due to NCDs, prevent the loss of income due to NCDs and improve human capital resource and productivity through a vibrant business environment besides stimulating nation's economy.

This year another 257,000 workers who attained the age of 40 years were issued the vouchers.

"Our biggest challenge is to get the workers to participate in the HSP and I strongly urge all those who have not done the health screening to do so immediately as probably it could either save your life or your quality of life," said Azman.

He also urged employers to play a proactive role by getting employees who received the vouchers to go for the health screening as they too would benefit in the long run.

Health Ministry formulates policy to control diabetes

New Straits Times

PUTRAJAYA : The Health Ministry is to publish policy briefs outlining current issues, challenges, opportunities for improvement and action to be taken to empower the diabetes control programme in Malaysia.

Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said the policy was important and must be published to boost the knowledge and spirit of diabetics as it could better clarify steps that could be taken to control the disease. 

"Diabetic patients play an important role in making a positive behavioural change towards achieving the target of treatment, reducing the risks of complication from diabetes and ensuring a good quality of life," he told a media conference after attending a Diabetes Policy Round Table Series Meeting at the ministry, here, today. 

The inaugural meeting was organised by the ministry and the Danish Embassy in Malaysia. It was opened by Princess Benedikte of Denmark who was on an official visit to Malaysia from Jan 11 to today.  

Subramaniam said the main objective of the meeting was to get the views and inputs from the participants, who comprised doctors, nurses, dietitians and specialists, to seek the best method to boost the diabetes control programme in Malaysia. 

"Until to date, the ministry has recorded 2.6 million diabetics in Malaysia and the number is expected to go up. 

"There is a possibility that some of diabetics do not get complete and proper treatment and so this policy will be important for them," he said. 

Among the factors contributing towards diabetes is food intake, and in this regard, the people of Malaysia must adopt a healthy intake of food, especially by reducing consumption of sweet foods for optimum healthcare, he said.-- BERNAMA

Entry requirements for medical school may be tightened, says Subramaniam

The Malay Mail Online

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 17 — The government may tighten the minimum entry requirement for students who want to pursue higher education in medicine, in future.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam(picture) said a study and discussion with the Education Ministry had been carried out on this matter.

He said the proposal was to ensure that only truly qualified students would take up medicine and in the long-run, would control the number of new medical graduates entering the job market.

“Now it’s (minimum entry requirement) 4Bs. We may raise it because a lot of students are getting A’s now. We will also make this mandatory for students who are taking up medicine overseas,” he told reporters after the Thaipusam celebration at Batu Caves, near here, today.

There are currently 33 medical schools in the country which produce about 5,000 new medical graduates each year and causing an influx of new doctors in the job market.

“Our ratio has almost reached one doctor per 600 population and as far as training is concerned, the Health Ministry ensures that everybody will get adequate amount of training. We won’t compromise on the level of training and exposure,” he said.

Dr Subramaniam said the government had also frozen the registration of new medical schools in the country and applications to increase the student intake into their medical programmes.

Earlier, Dr Subramaniam who is also MIC deputy president, said Thaipusam at Batu Caves this year had attracted some one million visitors over the past 10 days.

He said a medical team from the ministry, assisted by members of the Red Crescent Society and St. John Ambulance as well as the Fire and Rescue Department, had been on duty at the site to provide medical help to those in need.

Up to today, the medical camp had registered 85 cases of visitors seeking medical help, he added. — Bernama

School-in-hospital expanded

New Straits Times

KUALA LUMPUR: The "Hati Nuraini" committee plans to extend its school-in-hospital (SDH) initiative to three more hospitals this year following good response.

Its patron, Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman, who is the wife of Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, said two of the schools would be set up in East Malaysia.

"We plan to introduce the programme at Sarawak General Hospital in Kuching and Children and Women Hospital (Hospital Likas) in Sabah. Both hospitals will house the first SDH in East Malaysia.

"We also plan to introduce another SDH at Tuanku Jaafar Hospital in Negri Sembilan," she said after visiting University Malaya Medical Centre's SDH, which began its first schooling session here yesterday.

Noorainee hoped the three schools could be set up before the end of this year to ensure that children who were hospitalised would not be left out in their education.

At present, she said, 10 hospitals ran the SDH programme, which had 19,240 participants since it was introduced in July 2011. Serdang Hospital recorded the highest number of student enrolment with 3,173 pupils.

Besides the UMMC and Serdang Hospital, other hospitals offering the SDH programme are Selayang Hospital, Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Ampang Hospital, Sultanah Aminah Johor Hospital, Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital in Kubang Krian, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Hospital in Temerloh and Sultanah Fatimah Specialist Hospital in Muar.

"The response to the programme has been encouraging. The SDH programme offers a fun learning concept," Noorainee said.

"Children can attend class, gain knowledge and participate in fun activities during their stay at the hospital."

"Hati Nurani" is under the Nurul Yaqeen Foundation, which is collaborating with the Education and Health Ministries to realise the SDH goal.

Selangor to Health Ministry: Review cleaner’s contract

The Malay Mail Online

PETALING JAYA, Jan 10 — The Selangor government has asked the Health Ministry to review its contract with Radicare (M) Sdn Bhd.

Selangor executive councillor for health, entrepreneurship development, science and innovation for health Dr Daroyah Alwi said it was time for the ministry to review the contract, given the recent decision by Radicare to terminate its contract with a sanitation service sub-contractor had resulted in five hospitals in the state facing major hygiene issues.

“If Radicare said it terminated Alam Bersih Sdn Bhd’s contract because the company was not able to carry out its job, then it goes to show that Radicare has been negligent,” she said.

“They (Radicare) should have carried out proper background checks on Alam Bersih before hiring them. 

“The company has put public health at risk as a result of its negligence.”

Dr Daroyah said the ministry should review Radicare’s contract and allow other companies to bid for the work to avoid a monopoly. 

“Hospital operators should have their own sanitation department or be able to engage small companies to carry out the job,” she added.

Selangor health department director Dr Azman Abu Bakar said five out of 10 hospitals were affected by Radicare’s decision to terminate its agreement with the sub-contractor, leaving medical staff in the affected hospitals to take over cleaning duties. 

“It’s ridiculous as my medical staff were forced to sweep the floor, clean toilets and discard thrash, among other things,” he said.

“Banting Hospital was the worst hit as there was only one worker on duty instead of the usual 35.”

Dr Azman said the department will not hesitate to take action against Radicare for the fiasco. 

Government hospital cleaning contractor Radicare Sdn Bhd moved yesterday to assure the public the situation at hospitals in Selangor would be back to normal today.

A spokesman said it had re-appointed its former sub-contractor Harta Maintenance Sdn Bhd to carry out cleaning services.

“As of now, Harta Maintenance will take up its former responsibilities and operate according to the ministry’s health and safety regulations.

“Alam Bersih lacked the manpower to deal with the demand and workload at certain hospitals. They also lack the skills to dispose of clinical waste.”

The spokesman, however, decline to comment on why the company had appointed Alam Bersih to carry out the job in the first place. 

Radicare began offering sanitation and waste disposal services to hospitals nationwide in 1996.