Cervical swab may be enough for prenatal testing
Fri May 27, 2:13 PM ET
Researchers in Australia have worked out a way to isolate single cells from a fetus in the cervical mucus of a pregnant woman, and to use these cells to test for genetic abnormalities.
According to Dr. Mandy G. Katz-Jaffe and colleagues at Monash University in Melbourne, current methods for detecting chromosomal abnormalities in fetuses have various limitations or drawbacks. For example, amniocentesis carries a risk of miscarriage. Some screening tests give a high number of high false-positive results, while others are labor-intensive.
In the medical publication BJOG: an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the researchers describe their process for isolating fetal cells from the cervical mucus of women between 7 and 10 weeks into pregnancy.
Basically it involves using an enzyme to free up the cells, and fluorescent antibodies to tag the fetal cells.
Cells can then be checked for the number of copies of chromosome 21 -- two being normal, three indicating Down's syndrome.
Though further validation on larger sample sizes are required, the researchers say their results "are a proof of principle" that fetal cells isolated from cervical mucus can be used for genetic diagnosis.
The team has also developed other profiling systems to diagnose other chromosomal anomalies as well as single gene disorders.
A system like theirs, they write, could be used to test both high- and low-risk pregnancies during the first trimester, "resulting in earlier reassurance for the couple or the option of a first trimester termination."
---REUTERS
Monday, May 30, 2005
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Girl Who Had 2nd Head Removed Goes Home
Associated Press
Sat May 28,10:05 PM ET
A baby girl who underwent surgery to remove a second head that was sharing a blood vessel with her brain has been released from the hospital, her doctors said Saturday.
Manar Maged was born March 30, 2004, with a rare birth defect, craniopagus parasiticus, that occurs when an embryo begins to split into identical twins but fails to complete the process, leaving an undeveloped conjoined twin in the womb. Manar also has a healthy twin sister.
"God has blessed us, this is a day of happiness for us, the girl is very well and she'll be going home today," said Dr. Naseif Hefnawi, director of Benha Neonatal Hospital.
There were 10 previous cases like Manar's throughout the world when she underwent surgery on Feb. 19, and Manar was the only one to have survived the procedure, Hefnawi said.
"The important thing is, the girl is improving day by day, her eyes are focussing more, anything she needs, day or night, will be available," Hefnawi said.
Manar slept in her mother's arms as the hospital's doctors applauded the news.
Hefnawi said the 14-hour surgery, carried out in the Nile Delta town of Benha, some 25 miles north of Cairo, was the first of its kind in the Middle East.
One can see pictures of Manar here prior to her surgery. And here is her after surgery ::
Friday, May 27, 2005
Ministry Acts To Overcome Dentists Shortage
KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry is making efforts to train at least 375 dentists a year to alleviate the severe shortage of the professionals in the country, its minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said Thursday.
He said Malaysia now had 2,720 dentists, 3,780 short of the desired figure.
"At the ministry, only 890 vacancies or 57 per cent of positions available for dentists had been filled," he told a press conference after opening the 27th Asia Pacific Dental Congress at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) here.
He said the shortage was due to declining interest in dentistry.
Chua said there were 1,873 dental clinics throughout the country, 20 mobile clinics and 276 teams on the move to provide dental services to the people, including in rural areas.
He said the mobile clincs had helped provide increased oral health coverage for Malaysians, especially schoolchildren, where for primary school it was 91 per cent and secondary schools 94 per cent.
Urban areas were well covered by the private sector, he added.
More than 1,500 dental professionals from over 28 countries are attending the five-day congress.
-- BERNAMA
He said Malaysia now had 2,720 dentists, 3,780 short of the desired figure.
"At the ministry, only 890 vacancies or 57 per cent of positions available for dentists had been filled," he told a press conference after opening the 27th Asia Pacific Dental Congress at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) here.
He said the shortage was due to declining interest in dentistry.
Chua said there were 1,873 dental clinics throughout the country, 20 mobile clinics and 276 teams on the move to provide dental services to the people, including in rural areas.
He said the mobile clincs had helped provide increased oral health coverage for Malaysians, especially schoolchildren, where for primary school it was 91 per cent and secondary schools 94 per cent.
Urban areas were well covered by the private sector, he added.
More than 1,500 dental professionals from over 28 countries are attending the five-day congress.
-- BERNAMA
The country needs 6500 dentists but have only 2720, ie 41.8% of its requirements. The MOH has 1560 dental doctor positions on it sestablishment but only 890 are filled, ie there are 670 vacancies or 43% of iits establishment is unfilled. So what is our Higher Edu MINIster doing? Is he setting up more seats for dental undergraduates in our tertiary instituitions? The MOH, Datuk Dr Chua says the shortages are due to declining interest in dentistry. Of course, looking down smelly oral cavities is not a glamorous professional option but then again there are even worse places. There are so much new developments in dentistry and dental aesthetics, just look around there are so many with the pearly smiles and a show of braces! Knowing that each year there are overflowing demand made by those seeking doctoring seats in our IPTAs, the MOH and the MOE could work hand-in-hand and divert some of these students from medical doctoring to dental doctoring. So lets wait and see the MOOH will act to overcome this dentist shortage.
Govt Doctors' On-Call Allowances Raised After 20 Years
SERDANG, May 26 (Bernama) -- The government has agreed to raise on-call allowances of Health Ministry's doctors and medical specialists by 100 per cent in some cases.
The review, the first in 20 years, would take effect next month, said Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek, Thursday.
He said with the review, specialists' allowance for "active call" of over 16 hours continuously on a working day was raised from RM75 to RM150 while the allowance on a weekend and public holiday was raised from RM113 to RM170.
All categories of doctors on "passive call" and were recalled to come to work for over four hours on a working day would receive an allowance of RM90, instead of RM45 while the allowance on a weekend and public holiday would be RM100, instead of RM68, he said.
He said the allowance for "passive call" of less than four hours on a working day was raised from RM23 from RM50 while that on a weekend and public holiday was raised from RM34 to RM55.
Dr Chua said medical officers on graduate training would also receive higher overtime allowances.
Those on duty outside normal working hours of over 16 hours continuously on a working day would get RM100. The allowance on a weekend and public holiday would be RM110.
The overtime allowance previously was only RM25, he said.
He said the review was approved during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Salary chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi recently.
-- BERNAMA
The review, the first in 20 years, would take effect next month, said Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek, Thursday.
He said with the review, specialists' allowance for "active call" of over 16 hours continuously on a working day was raised from RM75 to RM150 while the allowance on a weekend and public holiday was raised from RM113 to RM170.
All categories of doctors on "passive call" and were recalled to come to work for over four hours on a working day would receive an allowance of RM90, instead of RM45 while the allowance on a weekend and public holiday would be RM100, instead of RM68, he said.
He said the allowance for "passive call" of less than four hours on a working day was raised from RM23 from RM50 while that on a weekend and public holiday was raised from RM34 to RM55.
Dr Chua said medical officers on graduate training would also receive higher overtime allowances.
Those on duty outside normal working hours of over 16 hours continuously on a working day would get RM100. The allowance on a weekend and public holiday would be RM110.
The overtime allowance previously was only RM25, he said.
He said the review was approved during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Salary chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi recently.
-- BERNAMA
The gomen continues to believe in adhoc, piecemeal, stop gap measures to deal with problems faced by its agencies. This is how it appears to many with the latest measure to deal with problems in its health delivery system. Will raising call allowances deal with the problems affecting gomen doctors? There will be some initial "elation" with the proposed increase, which for the 1,000 house officers amount to some 400%. But will it result in more doctors joining gomen service as was claimed by a house officer in this STAR report? The MMA, of course, welcomes the increase, but will this lead to a reduction in the number of gomen doctors leaving service? The answer is obviously NO to those questions. The MOH certainly does not believe that money is the root cause of doctors leaving service. There is more to it.
Only a Royal Commission can effectively deal with the problems the MOH and its employees are facing now and in the near future. There has been no major revamp of the health services for years. Its policies on staff recruitment and retention have to be look into. Better conditions of service have to be formulated. It has to look into balancing the ethnic composition of its staff and ensuring that there is merit promotions. Just raising allowances will keep some of the doctors happy for an initial short period but the larger problems prevail.
Only a Royal Commission can effectively deal with the problems the MOH and its employees are facing now and in the near future. There has been no major revamp of the health services for years. Its policies on staff recruitment and retention have to be look into. Better conditions of service have to be formulated. It has to look into balancing the ethnic composition of its staff and ensuring that there is merit promotions. Just raising allowances will keep some of the doctors happy for an initial short period but the larger problems prevail.
Serdang Hospital Begins Operations In July
KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 (Bernama) -- The Serdang Hospital near here which has been completed at a cost of RM690 million, will begin operations in July, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said.
He said the 620-bed hospital would be capable of catering to the needs of about 300,000 people from Bangi, Kajang, Puchong and Putrajaya and right up to parts of Negeri Sembilan.
The hospital, one of five planned to reduce congestion at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital(HKL), would begin its operations in stages, he said during a ceremony to mark the handing over of the hospital to his ministry by the Works Ministry at the hospital site, Thursday.
The other four are the Selayang and Putrajaya hospitals, which are already operating and the ones in Ampang and Sungai Buloh which are in the final stages of being handed over to the ministry.
Chua said his ministry had agreed to make the Serdang Hospital a referral centre for kidney ailments before specialising in cardiovascular and cardiothoracic diseases when it was fully operational later.
He said the other hospitals would also have their own areas of specialisation with the Putrajaya Hospital focussing on endocrinology and thyroid diseases, the Selayang Hospital for liver ailments, the Sungai Buloh Hospital for accident induced infections and the Ampang Hospital in immunology.
He did not expect the increase in the number of hospitals to result in a shortage of doctors or specialists.
Chua added that the new Serdang Hospital would not affect operations at the nearby Kajang Hospital which would continue to operate as normal.
-- BERNAMA
He said the 620-bed hospital would be capable of catering to the needs of about 300,000 people from Bangi, Kajang, Puchong and Putrajaya and right up to parts of Negeri Sembilan.
The hospital, one of five planned to reduce congestion at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital(HKL), would begin its operations in stages, he said during a ceremony to mark the handing over of the hospital to his ministry by the Works Ministry at the hospital site, Thursday.
The other four are the Selayang and Putrajaya hospitals, which are already operating and the ones in Ampang and Sungai Buloh which are in the final stages of being handed over to the ministry.
Chua said his ministry had agreed to make the Serdang Hospital a referral centre for kidney ailments before specialising in cardiovascular and cardiothoracic diseases when it was fully operational later.
He said the other hospitals would also have their own areas of specialisation with the Putrajaya Hospital focussing on endocrinology and thyroid diseases, the Selayang Hospital for liver ailments, the Sungai Buloh Hospital for accident induced infections and the Ampang Hospital in immunology.
He did not expect the increase in the number of hospitals to result in a shortage of doctors or specialists.
Chua added that the new Serdang Hospital would not affect operations at the nearby Kajang Hospital which would continue to operate as normal.
-- BERNAMA
Four More Hospitals To Be Completed, Says Samy
SERDANG, May 26 (Bernama) -- Four more hospitals are expected to be completed and handed over to the Health Ministry before the end of the year, Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said Thursday.
They are Ampang Hospital, Sungai Buloh Hospital, Sungai Petani Hospital and Alor Star Hospital.
The hospitals are expected to be handed over on July 15, July 31, Oct 31 and Dec 31 respectively, he said.
Samy Vellu added that the Ampang Hospital would be equipped with 562 beds, Sungai Buloh Hospital (620), Sungai Petani Hospital (498) and Alor Setar Hospital (660).
The Ampang and Sungai Buloh hospitals have been completed while the Sungai Petani and Alor Setar hospitals were in the final stages of completion, he said.
The contractors for the projects are Ahmad Zaki Sdn Bhd, Tunas Selatan Konsortium Sdn Bhd, THUB-BDB JV (joint-venture consortium between TH Universal Builders and Bina Darulaman Bhd) and MH Projects Sdn Bhd respectively, he said.
Samy Vellu said all the hospitals except Ampang were built complete with staff quarters, training colleges and nurses quarters.
On Serdang Hospital, he said that work on the RM687 project in October 2000 and was completed last year.
It was constructed on a 129,000 square-metre site and has 670 beds in 19 wards, Samy Vellu said.
He said it provides services up to "tertiary care" level including for cardiology, cardiotorasic and neurology.
It is equipped, among others with the MRI machine (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), TV scanner, mammography, hydrotherapy unit and 29 haemodialysis machines.
It has eight "gardens" on the "roof" for patients to stroll in.
He said the hospital uses the "Thermal Ice Storing system" for air-conditioning. The system is considered one of the cheapest and most effective available.
-- BERNAMA
They are Ampang Hospital, Sungai Buloh Hospital, Sungai Petani Hospital and Alor Star Hospital.
The hospitals are expected to be handed over on July 15, July 31, Oct 31 and Dec 31 respectively, he said.
Samy Vellu added that the Ampang Hospital would be equipped with 562 beds, Sungai Buloh Hospital (620), Sungai Petani Hospital (498) and Alor Setar Hospital (660).
The Ampang and Sungai Buloh hospitals have been completed while the Sungai Petani and Alor Setar hospitals were in the final stages of completion, he said.
The contractors for the projects are Ahmad Zaki Sdn Bhd, Tunas Selatan Konsortium Sdn Bhd, THUB-BDB JV (joint-venture consortium between TH Universal Builders and Bina Darulaman Bhd) and MH Projects Sdn Bhd respectively, he said.
Samy Vellu said all the hospitals except Ampang were built complete with staff quarters, training colleges and nurses quarters.
On Serdang Hospital, he said that work on the RM687 project in October 2000 and was completed last year.
It was constructed on a 129,000 square-metre site and has 670 beds in 19 wards, Samy Vellu said.
He said it provides services up to "tertiary care" level including for cardiology, cardiotorasic and neurology.
It is equipped, among others with the MRI machine (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), TV scanner, mammography, hydrotherapy unit and 29 haemodialysis machines.
It has eight "gardens" on the "roof" for patients to stroll in.
He said the hospital uses the "Thermal Ice Storing system" for air-conditioning. The system is considered one of the cheapest and most effective available.
-- BERNAMA
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Bagaimana nak melahirkan lebih ramai jururawat
LAPORAN PARLIMEN KESEBELAS
26 April 2005
Dr. Rozaidah binti Talib [Ampang] minta Menteri Pengajian Tinggi menyatakan bagaimanakah pihak kementerian dapat membantu hasrat melahirkan lebih ramai jururawat terlatih di negara ini memandangkan hanya sebahagian kecil daripada kursus kejururawatan di IPTS mendapat pengiktirafan Lembaga Akreditasi Negara.
Setiausaha Parlimen Pengajian Tinggi [Datuk Dr. Adham bin Baba]: Tuan Yang di-Pertua, berdasarkan rekod sehingga 2005 Mac, pihak kementerian telah meluluskan 20 buah permohonan kursus kejururawatan dalam pelbagai peringkat pengajian daripada 16 buah IPTS manakala 7 permohonan masih dalam proses penilaian dan pertimbangan.
Berdasarkan ketetapan semasa, satu Kursus Pengajian Kejururawatan yang telah diluluskan hanya perlu memenuhi ketetapan Akta IPTS 1996 berkait dengan pencapaian standard minimum sebelum graduan boleh diberi penganugerahan kelayakan dan keluar bekerja. Bagaimana pun, sekiranya IPTS menyasarkan graduan boleh menyertai awam adalah dinasihatkan agar IPTS untuk memohon dan mencapai perakuan Akreditasi (LAN).
Tuan Yang di-Pertua, pihak kementerian sentiasa menyokong sepenuhnya usaha kerajaan menambah bilangan jururawat terlatih dalam perkhidmatan kesihatan. Oleh itu, pihak kementerian amat mengalu-alukan mana-mana pihak swasta yang berhasrat menubuhkan kolej yang menawarkan kursus latihan kejururawatan ke peringkat tinggi.
Pihak swasta yang berminat boleh mengemukakan permohonan untuk mendaftar sebagai IPTS dan memohon mengendalikan kursus sebagaimana termaktub di bawah Akta IPTS 1996.
Dr. Rozaidah binti Talib: Terima kasih Tuan Yang di-Pertua, terima kasih Yang Berhormat Setiausaha Parlimen. Tuan Yang di-Pertua, untuk mencapai nisbah yang ideal antara seorang jururawat kepada penduduk iaitu dari .... [Gangguan sistem rakaman] kepada 200. Negara kita memerlukan untuk mengeluarkan lapan ribu jururawat setahun sedangkan sekarang kita mengeluarkan pada kadar tiga ribu
setahun.
Oleh itu apabila terkeluar berita bahawa ada 1,200 jururawat yang telah tamat kursus daripada IPTS tetapi mereka ini tidak diiktiraf oleh LAN, maka ini kita rasakan satu kerugian. Oleh itu, saya ingin mendapat sedikit penjelasan daripada Yang Berhormat Setiausaha Parlimen tentang dakwaan kolej-kolej swasta bahawa walaupun keperluan kursus, tenaga pengajar dan kelengkapan yang lain diiktiraf oleh Lembaga Jururawat Malaysia, mengapakah ianya masih tidak diiktiraf oleh LAN kerana Lembaga Jururawat Malaysia ini merupakan badan profesional yang lebih arif tentang keperluan kursus kejururawatan.
Terima kasih.
Datuk Dr. Adham bin Baba: Terima kasih Yang Berhormat. Memang betul pada waktu ini kita mempunyai nisbah 1:436 penduduk. Setakat ini sehingga Disember 2004 Jururawat Terlatih sekarang hanya ada 56,703 orang dan sekiranya sasaran 1:200 penduduk memang kita perlukan 8,000 pelatih setahun tetapi pada waktu ini hanya ada 3,000 dan di peringkat IPTA yang melatih ada 1,162 orang, di peringkat IPTS sekarang ada 2,861 dan daripadanya 1,200 adalah calon dari Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia di IPTS.
Kita memang mempunyai kapasiti yang terhad kerana setiap permohonan untuk menubuhkan IPTS perlulah mendaftar di Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi melalui JPS dan LAN. Secara prinsipnya kita harus melihat bagaimana IPTS–IPTS yang mendaftar itu mahu dan mempunyai potensi untuk mendapatkan perakuan LAN dipilih untuk meneruskan program dan yang kedua haruslah mewujudkan mekanisme penilaian dan pemantauan secara naziran yang berkesan dalam memilih dan mengesan prestasi pelajar-pelajar. Sebenarnya pihak badan-badan profesional seperti Lembaga Jururawat dan juga Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi harus ada penyelarasan yang dianggotai oleh JPA, LAN dan agensi-agensi lain yang berkaitan dan kita juga memohon supaya Majlis Akreditasi Lembaga Jururawat sendiri ditubuhkan supaya kita boleh bekerjasama dalam hal menambahkan bilangan pelajar-pelajar kejururawatan.
Dr. Junaidy bin Abdul Wahab [Batu Pahat]: Terima kasih Tuan Yang di-Pertua. Kita dapati bahawa untuk mendapat kelulusan daripada LAN nampaknya payah. Soalan saya ialah apakah kriteria yang diguna pakai oleh LAN supaya pengiktirafan kepada IPTS dalam segi kursus kejururawatan ini akan dapat diperolehi ataupun diakui dan dipercepatkan?
Terima kasih.
Datuk Dr. Adham bin Baba: Terima kasih Yang Berhormat. Pihak LAN sentiasa mengalu-alukan pihak-pihak yang ingin mengendalikan kursus ataupun membuka IPTS tetapi sebelum membentuk amalan terbaik, kita perlu ada jaminan kualiti dan ia dilaksanakan melalui tiga peringkat proses penilaian.
Yang pertama, pihak IPTS perlulah memohon penilaian kelulusan penilaian kursus pengajian dahulu yang memfokus kepada kesediaan IPTS menawarkan sesuatu kursus pengajian dipohon. Contohnya seperti kalau kita hendak melatih di peringkat Diploma, tenaga pengajarnya mestilah di peringkat Sarjana Muda. Kalau kita hendak melatih jururawat di peringkat Ijazah, mestilah tenaga pengajarnya satu tahap yang lebih tinggi daripada Program Sarjana Muda.
Yang kedua, mereka juga harus memohon untuk mencapai standard minimum yang diperlukan untuk menilai tahap pematuhan standard bagi kursus pengajian yang sedang dikendalikan.
Yang ketiga barulah untuk mencapai kecemerlangan dalam penilaian sesuatu kursus pengajian, mereka memohon pengendalian perakuan akreditasi. Peringkat-peringkat inilah yang kita lakukan untuk memastikan setiap jururawat yang merawat kita ada jaminannya supaya mereka tidaklah dikatakan tidak bermutu dalam perkhidmatan.
---From Malaysia Today
26 April 2005
Dr. Rozaidah binti Talib [Ampang] minta Menteri Pengajian Tinggi menyatakan bagaimanakah pihak kementerian dapat membantu hasrat melahirkan lebih ramai jururawat terlatih di negara ini memandangkan hanya sebahagian kecil daripada kursus kejururawatan di IPTS mendapat pengiktirafan Lembaga Akreditasi Negara.
Setiausaha Parlimen Pengajian Tinggi [Datuk Dr. Adham bin Baba]: Tuan Yang di-Pertua, berdasarkan rekod sehingga 2005 Mac, pihak kementerian telah meluluskan 20 buah permohonan kursus kejururawatan dalam pelbagai peringkat pengajian daripada 16 buah IPTS manakala 7 permohonan masih dalam proses penilaian dan pertimbangan.
Berdasarkan ketetapan semasa, satu Kursus Pengajian Kejururawatan yang telah diluluskan hanya perlu memenuhi ketetapan Akta IPTS 1996 berkait dengan pencapaian standard minimum sebelum graduan boleh diberi penganugerahan kelayakan dan keluar bekerja. Bagaimana pun, sekiranya IPTS menyasarkan graduan boleh menyertai awam adalah dinasihatkan agar IPTS untuk memohon dan mencapai perakuan Akreditasi (LAN).
Tuan Yang di-Pertua, pihak kementerian sentiasa menyokong sepenuhnya usaha kerajaan menambah bilangan jururawat terlatih dalam perkhidmatan kesihatan. Oleh itu, pihak kementerian amat mengalu-alukan mana-mana pihak swasta yang berhasrat menubuhkan kolej yang menawarkan kursus latihan kejururawatan ke peringkat tinggi.
Pihak swasta yang berminat boleh mengemukakan permohonan untuk mendaftar sebagai IPTS dan memohon mengendalikan kursus sebagaimana termaktub di bawah Akta IPTS 1996.
Dr. Rozaidah binti Talib: Terima kasih Tuan Yang di-Pertua, terima kasih Yang Berhormat Setiausaha Parlimen. Tuan Yang di-Pertua, untuk mencapai nisbah yang ideal antara seorang jururawat kepada penduduk iaitu dari .... [Gangguan sistem rakaman] kepada 200. Negara kita memerlukan untuk mengeluarkan lapan ribu jururawat setahun sedangkan sekarang kita mengeluarkan pada kadar tiga ribu
setahun.
Oleh itu apabila terkeluar berita bahawa ada 1,200 jururawat yang telah tamat kursus daripada IPTS tetapi mereka ini tidak diiktiraf oleh LAN, maka ini kita rasakan satu kerugian. Oleh itu, saya ingin mendapat sedikit penjelasan daripada Yang Berhormat Setiausaha Parlimen tentang dakwaan kolej-kolej swasta bahawa walaupun keperluan kursus, tenaga pengajar dan kelengkapan yang lain diiktiraf oleh Lembaga Jururawat Malaysia, mengapakah ianya masih tidak diiktiraf oleh LAN kerana Lembaga Jururawat Malaysia ini merupakan badan profesional yang lebih arif tentang keperluan kursus kejururawatan.
Terima kasih.
Datuk Dr. Adham bin Baba: Terima kasih Yang Berhormat. Memang betul pada waktu ini kita mempunyai nisbah 1:436 penduduk. Setakat ini sehingga Disember 2004 Jururawat Terlatih sekarang hanya ada 56,703 orang dan sekiranya sasaran 1:200 penduduk memang kita perlukan 8,000 pelatih setahun tetapi pada waktu ini hanya ada 3,000 dan di peringkat IPTA yang melatih ada 1,162 orang, di peringkat IPTS sekarang ada 2,861 dan daripadanya 1,200 adalah calon dari Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia di IPTS.
Kita memang mempunyai kapasiti yang terhad kerana setiap permohonan untuk menubuhkan IPTS perlulah mendaftar di Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi melalui JPS dan LAN. Secara prinsipnya kita harus melihat bagaimana IPTS–IPTS yang mendaftar itu mahu dan mempunyai potensi untuk mendapatkan perakuan LAN dipilih untuk meneruskan program dan yang kedua haruslah mewujudkan mekanisme penilaian dan pemantauan secara naziran yang berkesan dalam memilih dan mengesan prestasi pelajar-pelajar. Sebenarnya pihak badan-badan profesional seperti Lembaga Jururawat dan juga Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi harus ada penyelarasan yang dianggotai oleh JPA, LAN dan agensi-agensi lain yang berkaitan dan kita juga memohon supaya Majlis Akreditasi Lembaga Jururawat sendiri ditubuhkan supaya kita boleh bekerjasama dalam hal menambahkan bilangan pelajar-pelajar kejururawatan.
Dr. Junaidy bin Abdul Wahab [Batu Pahat]: Terima kasih Tuan Yang di-Pertua. Kita dapati bahawa untuk mendapat kelulusan daripada LAN nampaknya payah. Soalan saya ialah apakah kriteria yang diguna pakai oleh LAN supaya pengiktirafan kepada IPTS dalam segi kursus kejururawatan ini akan dapat diperolehi ataupun diakui dan dipercepatkan?
Terima kasih.
Datuk Dr. Adham bin Baba: Terima kasih Yang Berhormat. Pihak LAN sentiasa mengalu-alukan pihak-pihak yang ingin mengendalikan kursus ataupun membuka IPTS tetapi sebelum membentuk amalan terbaik, kita perlu ada jaminan kualiti dan ia dilaksanakan melalui tiga peringkat proses penilaian.
Yang pertama, pihak IPTS perlulah memohon penilaian kelulusan penilaian kursus pengajian dahulu yang memfokus kepada kesediaan IPTS menawarkan sesuatu kursus pengajian dipohon. Contohnya seperti kalau kita hendak melatih di peringkat Diploma, tenaga pengajarnya mestilah di peringkat Sarjana Muda. Kalau kita hendak melatih jururawat di peringkat Ijazah, mestilah tenaga pengajarnya satu tahap yang lebih tinggi daripada Program Sarjana Muda.
Yang kedua, mereka juga harus memohon untuk mencapai standard minimum yang diperlukan untuk menilai tahap pematuhan standard bagi kursus pengajian yang sedang dikendalikan.
Yang ketiga barulah untuk mencapai kecemerlangan dalam penilaian sesuatu kursus pengajian, mereka memohon pengendalian perakuan akreditasi. Peringkat-peringkat inilah yang kita lakukan untuk memastikan setiap jururawat yang merawat kita ada jaminannya supaya mereka tidaklah dikatakan tidak bermutu dalam perkhidmatan.
---From Malaysia Today
It looks like there are many problems between the Nursing Board and LAN. There are just too many steps to certification. hey, can we just go back to SRN (State Registered Nurse) for the present instead of Degreed Nureses.
The other bigger problem the hospitals and health facilities are facing is the absence of a good ethnic mix in its nurses. This is as in the polis force. As pointed out by the Royal Commission, such a senario causes problems. Too often one hears in the kopitiams that it is so hard to communicate when one is ill and in gomen health facilities. Will the MOH or whoever is responsible make attempts to ensure a healthy ethnic mix. Again from kopitiam talk, it appears that this is not due to the lack of applications by the Non-Bumis but rather that they are faced with some unspoken quota when it comes to applicant selection. A virtual mono-ethnic nursing staff leads to many problems :: communication difficulties, cultural misunderstandings, shortage of staff during festival seasons and so on. These cannot but lead to unhealthy circumstances/environment when attempting to nurse the sick back to health.
The other bigger problem the hospitals and health facilities are facing is the absence of a good ethnic mix in its nurses. This is as in the polis force. As pointed out by the Royal Commission, such a senario causes problems. Too often one hears in the kopitiams that it is so hard to communicate when one is ill and in gomen health facilities. Will the MOH or whoever is responsible make attempts to ensure a healthy ethnic mix. Again from kopitiam talk, it appears that this is not due to the lack of applications by the Non-Bumis but rather that they are faced with some unspoken quota when it comes to applicant selection. A virtual mono-ethnic nursing staff leads to many problems :: communication difficulties, cultural misunderstandings, shortage of staff during festival seasons and so on. These cannot but lead to unhealthy circumstances/environment when attempting to nurse the sick back to health.
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Security Hologram Labels
Health Ministry Will Review Security Label Usage If Ineffective
KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry will not hesitate to review the usage of security labels for products registered under the Drug Control Authority (DCA) if it is proven to be ineffective, Minister Dr Chua Soi Lek said Tuesday.
However, any change must be supported by valid claims, he told reporters after launching the Meditag Label Awareness campaign here.
Effective May 1, all registered pharmaceutical and health products must have the Meditag security hologram label to specify that the products have been approved for sale in a move to combat the increasing number of registered health products.
Mediharta Sdn Bhd, the producer of the Meditag security labels, has been given the task to distribute the labels to all manufacturers and importers of health products registered with the ministry.
However, manufacturers of health products were reported to be unhappy with the move, arguing that it was needless to implement the system as the quantum of counterfeit health and drug products in the country was minimal.
Dr Chua said the number of counterfeit products might be small but the availability of unregistered products was a major issue.
He said that in 2003, the Pharmaceutical Enforcement Division of the ministry seized RM6.5 million worth of unregistered health and drug products but the figure escalated to RM26 million last year.
"The industry should view this exercise as a social responsibility to ensure that only authentic products which have been approved by the DCA are on sale in the country," he said.
Asked why only one company was given the exclusive right to distribute the security label, he said : "If it was given to many companies, we wouldn't know which one (security label) is fake and which is not."
Queried on Mediharta Sdn Bhd's selection, he said the contract was given during the tenure of his predecessor and "you have to ask the former health minister."
-- BERNAMA
KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry will not hesitate to review the usage of security labels for products registered under the Drug Control Authority (DCA) if it is proven to be ineffective, Minister Dr Chua Soi Lek said Tuesday.
However, any change must be supported by valid claims, he told reporters after launching the Meditag Label Awareness campaign here.
Effective May 1, all registered pharmaceutical and health products must have the Meditag security hologram label to specify that the products have been approved for sale in a move to combat the increasing number of registered health products.
Mediharta Sdn Bhd, the producer of the Meditag security labels, has been given the task to distribute the labels to all manufacturers and importers of health products registered with the ministry.
However, manufacturers of health products were reported to be unhappy with the move, arguing that it was needless to implement the system as the quantum of counterfeit health and drug products in the country was minimal.
Dr Chua said the number of counterfeit products might be small but the availability of unregistered products was a major issue.
He said that in 2003, the Pharmaceutical Enforcement Division of the ministry seized RM6.5 million worth of unregistered health and drug products but the figure escalated to RM26 million last year.
"The industry should view this exercise as a social responsibility to ensure that only authentic products which have been approved by the DCA are on sale in the country," he said.
Asked why only one company was given the exclusive right to distribute the security label, he said : "If it was given to many companies, we wouldn't know which one (security label) is fake and which is not."
Queried on Mediharta Sdn Bhd's selection, he said the contract was given during the tenure of his predecessor and "you have to ask the former health minister."
-- BERNAMA
Looks like another brilliant idea going down the drain. But then someone has been given the monopoly of producing and selling the said labels. So it is very unlikely that they will be withdrawn. Obviously this is going to cause a hike in the prices of medicine. More confusion to the consumers. Consumers will have to be trained to recognise the genuine hologram labels. And of couse it's gonna give more business to the "hologram pirates" and make those fake medicine makers more innovative. Believe me, those into this business can be very innovative and very quick on he turn. After all unregistered health and drug products were said to be worth more than RM26 million last year.
Sunday, May 22, 2005
Doctors can now advertise but not oversell
Doctors can now advertise but not oversell
By Annie Freeda Cruz
Doctors and hospitals can now advertise their services. However, they cannot exaggerate their abilities and facilities or oversell themselves. The Malaysian Medical Association has decided to allow this to enable the public and the world to know what Malaysia has to offer in the field of medicine.
MMA president Datuk Dr N. Arumugam (picture) said hospitals could advertise their facilities but they were not allowed to make claims that their machines were the best or that they could cure this or that disease.
Similarly, he added, doctors could advertise their speciality, with photographs, but were not allowed to state their place of work.
Dr Arumugam warned that disciplinary action could be taken against doctors who advertised their place of work or made claims about their achievements and successes.
Talking to the New Straits Times, he said, the relaxation of the guidelines was in line with changes in the medical field and the Government’s aggressive promotion of medical tourism.
"When we go onto the Internet or read medical journals and other publications, we get a lot of information about what hospitals and specialists in other countries offer, with some even making open claims as to their achievements and successes. But, unfortunately not Malaysia."
He said many people thought other nations, including Singapore and Thailand, had better medical facilities than Malaysia.
"Now, we want the public and the world to know that we too have hospitals with similar or better facilities and services, including the latest medical equipment and machines and also specialists in various fields."
Dr Arumugam observed that those practising alternative medicine openly advertised and made claims that their products could cure illnesses.
Furthermore, Dr Arumugam said, some hospitals, including certain government hospitals, were already using various techniques to advertise their facilities and services, especially in the form of news items or product launches.
---NST
By Annie Freeda Cruz
Doctors and hospitals can now advertise their services. However, they cannot exaggerate their abilities and facilities or oversell themselves. The Malaysian Medical Association has decided to allow this to enable the public and the world to know what Malaysia has to offer in the field of medicine.
MMA president Datuk Dr N. Arumugam (picture) said hospitals could advertise their facilities but they were not allowed to make claims that their machines were the best or that they could cure this or that disease.
Similarly, he added, doctors could advertise their speciality, with photographs, but were not allowed to state their place of work.
Dr Arumugam warned that disciplinary action could be taken against doctors who advertised their place of work or made claims about their achievements and successes.
Talking to the New Straits Times, he said, the relaxation of the guidelines was in line with changes in the medical field and the Government’s aggressive promotion of medical tourism.
"When we go onto the Internet or read medical journals and other publications, we get a lot of information about what hospitals and specialists in other countries offer, with some even making open claims as to their achievements and successes. But, unfortunately not Malaysia."
He said many people thought other nations, including Singapore and Thailand, had better medical facilities than Malaysia.
"Now, we want the public and the world to know that we too have hospitals with similar or better facilities and services, including the latest medical equipment and machines and also specialists in various fields."
Dr Arumugam observed that those practising alternative medicine openly advertised and made claims that their products could cure illnesses.
Furthermore, Dr Arumugam said, some hospitals, including certain government hospitals, were already using various techniques to advertise their facilities and services, especially in the form of news items or product launches.
---NST
Friday, May 20, 2005
Pay for Your Health Scheme
In its frontpage today the NST has called the variously named NHFS/NHIF as the "Pay For Your Health" scheme. According to the NST, the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme (another name to add to the confusion) is scheduled to take off at the end of next year, with most Malaysians required to make mandatory contributions.
The NST has much more to say regarding this NHI scheme than the BERNAMA report. The NHI would be managed by the National Healthcare Financing Authority [NHFA].
Objectives of the NHI ::
1. To mobilise "risk sharing", pooling of resources (community-rated system) and better management of health expenditure.
2. To enhance efficiency and quality,
3. To have greater integration in health both in the public and private sectors
4. To have better regulation of health care providers.
For the health consumers, the NHI would provide better care, access to facilities and financial risk management in the event of ill health.
For the healthcare providers, the NHI there would be better incentives to cover the rural population, greater opportunities, improvement in the reimbursement system, increased efficiency and better use of new technologies.
For the healthcare system, there would be greater integration, efficiency and quality, besides optimal resource utilisation and focus on preventive programmes.
Sounds great the whole NHI scheme.
A consultant has been appointed to identify details under the NHI scheme. These include ::
Looks like there is a possibility for those who can afford to pay more to get more in the NHI scheme of things.
Contributions to the NHI are mandatory but there well be exemptions for the following ::
Opinions of the participants in the conference wheere the above were revealed ::
MMA :: Improve the healthcare system before implementing the NHI. MMA president had this to say :: "What we want is a good healthcare system that the people are happy with. If people are happy, then doctors will be happy."
National Council of Senior Citizens’ Organisations Malaysia president Lum Kin Tuck :: Called for a Royal Commission to look into the problems facing the Health Ministry. He also urged the Government to look into a "social" pension for the elderly.
MTUC Sec-Gen :: The Government should ensure that public healthcare services were not privatised and that it should reach the entire population.Consumers’ Association of Penang :: Said as a country became more affluent, there was a need to increase healthcare spending.
Looks like the gomen is not ready to reveal all regarding the NHFS/NHIF/NHI scheme and obviously is fine tuning it still but already it is able to say this :: "Its {NHI] implementation is viable and sustainable and in line with Vision 2020." How reassuring. So those who planning to be still alive after the end of 2006 and are considering buying health insurance policies, hold your horses, the NHI may have just the specialised package scheme for you.
The NST has much more to say regarding this NHI scheme than the BERNAMA report. The NHI would be managed by the National Healthcare Financing Authority [NHFA].
Objectives of the NHI ::
1. To mobilise "risk sharing", pooling of resources (community-rated system) and better management of health expenditure.
2. To enhance efficiency and quality,
3. To have greater integration in health both in the public and private sectors
4. To have better regulation of health care providers.
For the health consumers, the NHI would provide better care, access to facilities and financial risk management in the event of ill health.
For the healthcare providers, the NHI there would be better incentives to cover the rural population, greater opportunities, improvement in the reimbursement system, increased efficiency and better use of new technologies.
For the healthcare system, there would be greater integration, efficiency and quality, besides optimal resource utilisation and focus on preventive programmes.
Sounds great the whole NHI scheme.
A consultant has been appointed to identify details under the NHI scheme. These include ::
- the quantum of payment;
- criteria and ceiling for contributions;
- the collection mechanism;
- the nature of basic health packages; and,
- how the ministry will pay clinics and hospitals.
- preparation of specialised packages for members who want better service.
Looks like there is a possibility for those who can afford to pay more to get more in the NHI scheme of things.
Contributions to the NHI are mandatory but there well be exemptions for the following ::
- the one million civil servants,
- about 200,000 disabled,
- 1.8 million elderly,
- 435,000 pensioners,
- 250,000 hardcore poor,
- an undetermined number of unemployed,
- yet to be identified groups in the private sector for exemption.
Opinions of the participants in the conference wheere the above were revealed ::
MMA :: Improve the healthcare system before implementing the NHI. MMA president had this to say :: "What we want is a good healthcare system that the people are happy with. If people are happy, then doctors will be happy."
National Council of Senior Citizens’ Organisations Malaysia president Lum Kin Tuck :: Called for a Royal Commission to look into the problems facing the Health Ministry. He also urged the Government to look into a "social" pension for the elderly.
MTUC Sec-Gen :: The Government should ensure that public healthcare services were not privatised and that it should reach the entire population.Consumers’ Association of Penang :: Said as a country became more affluent, there was a need to increase healthcare spending.
Looks like the gomen is not ready to reveal all regarding the NHFS/NHIF/NHI scheme and obviously is fine tuning it still but already it is able to say this :: "Its {NHI] implementation is viable and sustainable and in line with Vision 2020." How reassuring. So those who planning to be still alive after the end of 2006 and are considering buying health insurance policies, hold your horses, the NHI may have just the specialised package scheme for you.
Thursday, May 19, 2005
National Health Insurance Fund
Affordable Health Care For Low Income Group Under Insurance Fund
KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 (Bernama) -- The poor and the lower income group will continue to have access to affordable health care from government hospitals even when the proposed National Health Insurance Fund is implemented under the ninth Malaysian Plan, a senior Health Ministry official said Thursday.
Its Evaluation, Planning and Formulation Unit Head Dr Rohaizat Yon said the present system where everyone pays RM1 to get treatment at government hospitals was no longer acceptable as it could be easily abused while the cost of medicine had gone up.
" We are still working on the details for the fund, but one of the founding principles for the fund is that it is based on community risk factor rather than individual risk factor which is practiced by the insurance companies," Dr Rohaizat told reporters at a conference on medical law here.
Under the community risk factor, every individual pays the same amount no matter what his health status is, unlike the individual risk factor where the insurance premium is based personally on the individual health risk, he said.
But the proposed health insurance fund came under fire at the conference attended by non-governmental organisations and medical practitioners.
Malaysian Medical Association President Datuk Dr N.Arumugam said many doctors as well as government officials were still in the dark about the proposed fund, how it would be carried out and how it would eventually benefit the people.
"The proposal should be open to discussion first and not be implemented overnight. Many people are unhappy about this," he said.
Malaysian Trades Union Congress secretary-general G. Rajasekaran said the proposed fund would only be an "additional and unnecessary burden for the workers".
"These days workers in the private sector no longer depend on the government. The private sector is already paying for the health insurance of their workers, the only difference is that different companies give different insurance coverage," he said.
Azizah Talib, an economist with the Malaysian Employers Federation, said currently 98 percent of private companies provided medical benefit for their workers.
Dr T. Jayabalan from the Consumer Association of Penang told the conference there was no reason for the government to complain about the rising cost of medical care.
"For decades, the total expenditure for health care has remained at three per cent of the Gross Domestic Product, while in other countries, the percentage has increased," he said.
Dr Jayabalan also disagreed with the government contention that the present health care system was open to abuse where the rich could also seek government hospital treatment at the expense of the poor.
"Who would want to wait the whole day just to get treated, unless those who cannot afford it," he said referring to the notorious long queues at most government hospitals.
Retired headmaster Lum Kin Tuck said that the elderly suffered the most as most government hospitals lacked doctors.
Lum, who is president of the National Council of Senior Citizens' Organisations also wondered how the unemployed elderly could fit into the proposed fund.
Dr Rohaizat welcomed the concerns expressed at the conference and said the proposed fund was still being studied and nothing had been finalised yet.
He disputed claim that most private sector employees already had insurance coverage.
He backed this up by saying that up to 80 per cent of government hospital admissions was actually not government employees.
-- BERNAMA
KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 (Bernama) -- The poor and the lower income group will continue to have access to affordable health care from government hospitals even when the proposed National Health Insurance Fund is implemented under the ninth Malaysian Plan, a senior Health Ministry official said Thursday.
Its Evaluation, Planning and Formulation Unit Head Dr Rohaizat Yon said the present system where everyone pays RM1 to get treatment at government hospitals was no longer acceptable as it could be easily abused while the cost of medicine had gone up.
" We are still working on the details for the fund, but one of the founding principles for the fund is that it is based on community risk factor rather than individual risk factor which is practiced by the insurance companies," Dr Rohaizat told reporters at a conference on medical law here.
Under the community risk factor, every individual pays the same amount no matter what his health status is, unlike the individual risk factor where the insurance premium is based personally on the individual health risk, he said.
But the proposed health insurance fund came under fire at the conference attended by non-governmental organisations and medical practitioners.
Malaysian Medical Association President Datuk Dr N.Arumugam said many doctors as well as government officials were still in the dark about the proposed fund, how it would be carried out and how it would eventually benefit the people.
"The proposal should be open to discussion first and not be implemented overnight. Many people are unhappy about this," he said.
Malaysian Trades Union Congress secretary-general G. Rajasekaran said the proposed fund would only be an "additional and unnecessary burden for the workers".
"These days workers in the private sector no longer depend on the government. The private sector is already paying for the health insurance of their workers, the only difference is that different companies give different insurance coverage," he said.
Azizah Talib, an economist with the Malaysian Employers Federation, said currently 98 percent of private companies provided medical benefit for their workers.
Dr T. Jayabalan from the Consumer Association of Penang told the conference there was no reason for the government to complain about the rising cost of medical care.
"For decades, the total expenditure for health care has remained at three per cent of the Gross Domestic Product, while in other countries, the percentage has increased," he said.
Dr Jayabalan also disagreed with the government contention that the present health care system was open to abuse where the rich could also seek government hospital treatment at the expense of the poor.
"Who would want to wait the whole day just to get treated, unless those who cannot afford it," he said referring to the notorious long queues at most government hospitals.
Retired headmaster Lum Kin Tuck said that the elderly suffered the most as most government hospitals lacked doctors.
Lum, who is president of the National Council of Senior Citizens' Organisations also wondered how the unemployed elderly could fit into the proposed fund.
Dr Rohaizat welcomed the concerns expressed at the conference and said the proposed fund was still being studied and nothing had been finalised yet.
He disputed claim that most private sector employees already had insurance coverage.
He backed this up by saying that up to 80 per cent of government hospital admissions was actually not government employees.
-- BERNAMA
It looks like we are allowed another peek at the National Health Financing Scheme [NHFS] or is it the National Health Insurance Fund [NHIF]? Or is it a National Health Financing Scheme which will be funded by a National Health Insurance Fund. What we do know from the BERNAMA report is that the NHIF will be based on community risk factor rather than individual risk factor. A senior MOH official said that under the community risk factor, every individual pays the same amount no matter what his/her health status is, unlike the individual risk factor where the insurance premium is based personally on the individual health risk. Wonder what he means by everybody paying. Those who have to pay would certainly have to be defined. What about the unemployed, the retired, those who are handicapped etc etc?
The 9th Malaysia Plan [9MP] is not far off and we are still very much in the dark regarding this NHFS/NHIF, which is it going to be. There is as yet no mentioned of the quantum those to have to contribute will have to foot out. Will the amount paid be per person or per family unit?
The gomen has kept harping that it is spending more and more on health care and will very soon not be able to do so. But is this true. The absolute figures in terms of ringgit may have gone up but all the time we are only spending about 3% of our GPD on health. For developing countries like ours, WHO recommends 5% of the GDP be spent on health care. So when is the gomen going to spend the remaining 2% or so? Hopefully, the public won't end up the loser when the NHFS/NHIF is implemented and the public is saddled with lower standards of the health services while the middlemen laugh all the way to the bank. This appears to have happened with the hospital support services which were pivatised in the recent past.
The MINIster of Health has a duty to inform us about the NHFS/NHIF in advance before it is implemented and we should be allowed to make our imputs and he should not shroud the NHFS/NHIF in secrecy. Is there something to hide?
The 9th Malaysia Plan [9MP] is not far off and we are still very much in the dark regarding this NHFS/NHIF, which is it going to be. There is as yet no mentioned of the quantum those to have to contribute will have to foot out. Will the amount paid be per person or per family unit?
The gomen has kept harping that it is spending more and more on health care and will very soon not be able to do so. But is this true. The absolute figures in terms of ringgit may have gone up but all the time we are only spending about 3% of our GPD on health. For developing countries like ours, WHO recommends 5% of the GDP be spent on health care. So when is the gomen going to spend the remaining 2% or so? Hopefully, the public won't end up the loser when the NHFS/NHIF is implemented and the public is saddled with lower standards of the health services while the middlemen laugh all the way to the bank. This appears to have happened with the hospital support services which were pivatised in the recent past.
The MINIster of Health has a duty to inform us about the NHFS/NHIF in advance before it is implemented and we should be allowed to make our imputs and he should not shroud the NHFS/NHIF in secrecy. Is there something to hide?
More Royal Commissions, No Need Lah
The PM, Pak Lah, who is presently in German, has dashed hopes of more Royal Commissions to enhance services in other areas of the gomen. Aliran has called urgently for the setting up of a Royal Commission on the Judiciary; while yours truly has suggested that there be a Royal Commission on the Health Services. The PM appears to have responded negatively.
Has the Pandora's Box opened by the Royal Commission to Enhance the Operations and Management of the PDRM proved too much of a handful for him for the present? Has what is in the Report shocked him to the core? He and his cabinet colleagues and the special taskforce (to be set up) should take swift actions and implement the recommendations as soon as possible and not wait till 2020 as has been reported. The rot needs to be stopped ASAP.
Pak Lah must be aware by now that he has inherited many gomen agencies which require more than just a spring cleaning :: the judiciary, the health service, the education sector and the list goes on. He has also inherited a gomen coffers which is near bare. His tasks are enormous. He and those who are with him will obviously have to put their shoulders to the wheel to get it moving. What he need not fear is the backing of right-minded people, they will be solidly behind him if he does not further delay in what is his mission. The 11th election has given him such a strong mandate. He should make good use of it period.
Has the Pandora's Box opened by the Royal Commission to Enhance the Operations and Management of the PDRM proved too much of a handful for him for the present? Has what is in the Report shocked him to the core? He and his cabinet colleagues and the special taskforce (to be set up) should take swift actions and implement the recommendations as soon as possible and not wait till 2020 as has been reported. The rot needs to be stopped ASAP.
Pak Lah must be aware by now that he has inherited many gomen agencies which require more than just a spring cleaning :: the judiciary, the health service, the education sector and the list goes on. He has also inherited a gomen coffers which is near bare. His tasks are enormous. He and those who are with him will obviously have to put their shoulders to the wheel to get it moving. What he need not fear is the backing of right-minded people, they will be solidly behind him if he does not further delay in what is his mission. The 11th election has given him such a strong mandate. He should make good use of it period.
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Methodone Drug Sale And Usage To Be Monitored, Controlled
PUTRAJAYA, May 18 (Bernama) -- The use and sale of the methodone alternative drug proposed to be prescribed to drug addicts to kick their drug addiction habit will be monitored and controlled to check abuse.
Deputy Minister of Internal Security Datuk Noh Omar said the Health Ministry's drug addicts' treatment and rehabilitation committee headed by Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek would determine how the drug would be dispensed effectively.
He said the government had in 1998 introduced the Subutex alternative drug to reduce the number of addicts but because there was no systematic sale and prescription method, the effort proved futile as some addicts abused the drug.
"The problem is when we allowed Subutex, there was no proper control on how to sell and use it. That's why we have to ask the Health Ministry to draw up guidelines on how methodone will be sold to drug addicts," he told reporters, here Wednesday.
Among the proposals he forwarded to the Health Ministry to ensure methodone was not abused was to ask the ministry to shortlist the doctors, hospitals and private clinics allowed to prescribe the drug, he said.
Noh said he was informed that the pilot project to use methodone as an alternative drug therapy would be started before the year-end.
He said methodone, which costs about RM13 a capsule, was being widely used in the United States as the "main ingredient" to treat drug addicts.
It proved successful in reducing the number of heroin and morphine dependant hardcore addicts, he said.
In the United States, he said, the amount of methodone consumption was controlled as only 20 per cent of the 810,000 addicts were allowed to take the drug in 2000.
Deputy Prime Minister and National Anti-Drug Action Committee Chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced on April 17 that the government was in the final stages of introducing methodone to treat drug addiction among addicts to reduce the number of drug dependants in the country.
-- BERNAMA
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Malaysia's Success In Health Sector Recognised In World Health Report
KUALA LUMPUR, May 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's success in the health sector, especially in maternal and child health, has been given recognition in this year's World Health Report.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said Tuesday Malaysia's success in reducing maternal mortality was depicted in the report.
"I hope this is an inspiration to other developing countries to invest in maternal and child health," he told the World Health Assembly 2005 in Geneva. The text of his speech was made available here.
The minister did not provide details of the maternal mortality rate but, according to statistics compiled by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, the rate in Malaysia was 0.3 persons for every 1,000 population last year, down from the 0.6 persons per 1,000 population in 1980.
Dr Chua said the major driving force behind the success was the political commitment of the government that was translated into policies, services and resources.
Malaysia, he said, had always given priority to vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in the population. Thus, women of reproductive age and children have always been given the best care possible both at primary health care level and at hospitals and institutions, he added.
"In case it is assumed that Malaysia succeeded because of its comparative `wealth', I must make it known here that the financial allocations towards this have not been exorbitant but it is the prudent use of resources and knowing where to prioritize that have helped us," he said.
Dr Chua said the overall socio-economic development, including food supply, housing, education and income in the country, had also contributed to the success.
Poverty alleviation by the government had had a positive impact on health and maternal and child health, he said.
Other factors such as general health and health services in the country, including the development of facilities and manpower, also played important roles for the success.
In Malaysia, 89 per cent of the population now live within five km of a health facility and 98 per cent of deliveries are "safe deliveries".
Dr Chua said the efforts included specific initiatives such as emergency obstetric services, maternal as well as infant and child nutrition, a strong primary health care with a good reliable referral system to hospital, continuous quality improvement, neo-natal retrieval system, the high risk approach for pregnant mothers and a detailed auditing of every maternal death.
However, he said, Malaysia has to remain vigilant of the challenges ahead.
To further reduce the already low rates of maternal and child mortality was going to be difficult, he said.
"We have to be very specific and we are entering the difficult stage of preventing causes of death such as extreme prematurity and genetic disorders," he said.
Malaysia, he said, needed to do more to embrace the broader concept of sexual and reproductive health by going beyond mere biology and to encompass social determinants such as the influence of gender equality, the role of men in reproductive health and the issue of human rights.
Other challenges included achieving one of the Millennium Development Goals on the halting and reversing of HIV/Aids figures.
He said maternal and child health should not be compromised should Malaysia decide to have a major reform on health by introducing a new financing scheme or restructured health system.
-- BERNAMA
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said Tuesday Malaysia's success in reducing maternal mortality was depicted in the report.
"I hope this is an inspiration to other developing countries to invest in maternal and child health," he told the World Health Assembly 2005 in Geneva. The text of his speech was made available here.
The minister did not provide details of the maternal mortality rate but, according to statistics compiled by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, the rate in Malaysia was 0.3 persons for every 1,000 population last year, down from the 0.6 persons per 1,000 population in 1980.
Dr Chua said the major driving force behind the success was the political commitment of the government that was translated into policies, services and resources.
Malaysia, he said, had always given priority to vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in the population. Thus, women of reproductive age and children have always been given the best care possible both at primary health care level and at hospitals and institutions, he added.
"In case it is assumed that Malaysia succeeded because of its comparative `wealth', I must make it known here that the financial allocations towards this have not been exorbitant but it is the prudent use of resources and knowing where to prioritize that have helped us," he said.
Dr Chua said the overall socio-economic development, including food supply, housing, education and income in the country, had also contributed to the success.
Poverty alleviation by the government had had a positive impact on health and maternal and child health, he said.
Other factors such as general health and health services in the country, including the development of facilities and manpower, also played important roles for the success.
In Malaysia, 89 per cent of the population now live within five km of a health facility and 98 per cent of deliveries are "safe deliveries".
Dr Chua said the efforts included specific initiatives such as emergency obstetric services, maternal as well as infant and child nutrition, a strong primary health care with a good reliable referral system to hospital, continuous quality improvement, neo-natal retrieval system, the high risk approach for pregnant mothers and a detailed auditing of every maternal death.
However, he said, Malaysia has to remain vigilant of the challenges ahead.
To further reduce the already low rates of maternal and child mortality was going to be difficult, he said.
"We have to be very specific and we are entering the difficult stage of preventing causes of death such as extreme prematurity and genetic disorders," he said.
Malaysia, he said, needed to do more to embrace the broader concept of sexual and reproductive health by going beyond mere biology and to encompass social determinants such as the influence of gender equality, the role of men in reproductive health and the issue of human rights.
Other challenges included achieving one of the Millennium Development Goals on the halting and reversing of HIV/Aids figures.
He said maternal and child health should not be compromised should Malaysia decide to have a major reform on health by introducing a new financing scheme or restructured health system.
-- BERNAMA
Time for The Next Royal Commission
Wow, finally the Report on the Royal Commission to Enhance the Operation and Management of the PDRM is out. This took a total of 18 months from the formation of the Royal Commission to the handing over of the final report. Meanwhile our present gomen has used up some 14 months of its lifespan, that is, before the 12th election is upon us, which could be as early as some time in 2008.
It is time for the gomen to set up another :: a Royal Commission to Enhance the Operation and Management of the Doctors & Paramedical Staff in the Health Service. This is another public service which has not met up with public expectations and there are plenty of grouses, both from tthe public as well as the doctors and paramedical staff. Even the new MINister of Health was unhappy with the waiting time at the JPL when he took charge. Now we have a new DG and he was quite unhappy with the state of affairs in the gomen hospitals and health facilities. So, should we wait longer for matters to get worse and worse.
Now is the right time to overhaul the health services, now that we have a new PM, who wants the very best for his people and not himself; a new Health MINIster (who is also a medical doctor at that) and a new very enthusiatic as well as energetic DG of Health. The latter, who has been, a houseman, a medical officer and a specialist and now the DG, has had all his medical developmental stages spent in this very MINIstry of Health. Both the MINIster and the DG having served in the MINIstry of Health must be all too familiar with what are the ailments to be found within it and being doctors they surely must have the cures and preventive measures needed to restore to their MINIstry to better health.
It is also timely and very opportune that a Royal Commission be set up as the National Health Financing Scheme will be soon hoisted on an unknowing public. With the recent developments in the medical field, with a graying population, a population with a longer life expectations, public expectations of the health services run high. Maybe the gomen should withhold rolling out this scheme for the moment and allow what is wrong with the health services be set right first.
We used to have a health service which was the envy of many, if not almost all, developing nations. But now there are many things wrong with it. Many view the myriads of problems within the health services as a result of the MINitsry having a 'tak tentu arah' policy ie it has no definite policy of wanting to keep its doctors in service and added in recent years there is also the problem of a virtually mono-ethnic paramedical work force. Over the years under the leadership of our recently retired PM, there has been a subtle shift to have health services removed from the responsibilities of the gomen. There was the attempt to corporatised gomen hospitals and the privatisation of ancilliary services like drugs, laundary and cleansing services. These over the years have not produced the expected results and savings. In the background there appears to be a subtle push on the doctors to move to the private sector to set up practice. The push by the gomen for health tourism money has further accelerated this move. Now with the economic downturn, there is a bigger demand made on services at gomen hospital and health facilities. This has lead to more problems and unhappiness. The Health MINIstry is one of those money losing ministries, where its expenditure leads to little or no income from the services it provide. And over the years its expenditure has climbed and climbed and the gomen now claims that it is not possible for it to allow it to climb further and it can ill-afford without going into bigger deficits.
Presently the problems faced by the MINIstry is being tackled on a rather adhoc basis, what is needed is a more holistic approach which a Royal Commission can provide. Recommendations by a Royal Commission looking into the ills of the health services will definitely see implementation by the abovementioned three individuals-- the PM, the MINIster and the DG-- who surely have the wellbeing of the public and the public's health close to their hearts.
More on this, when time permits and inspirasi kembali.
It is time for the gomen to set up another :: a Royal Commission to Enhance the Operation and Management of the Doctors & Paramedical Staff in the Health Service. This is another public service which has not met up with public expectations and there are plenty of grouses, both from tthe public as well as the doctors and paramedical staff. Even the new MINister of Health was unhappy with the waiting time at the JPL when he took charge. Now we have a new DG and he was quite unhappy with the state of affairs in the gomen hospitals and health facilities. So, should we wait longer for matters to get worse and worse.
Now is the right time to overhaul the health services, now that we have a new PM, who wants the very best for his people and not himself; a new Health MINIster (who is also a medical doctor at that) and a new very enthusiatic as well as energetic DG of Health. The latter, who has been, a houseman, a medical officer and a specialist and now the DG, has had all his medical developmental stages spent in this very MINIstry of Health. Both the MINIster and the DG having served in the MINIstry of Health must be all too familiar with what are the ailments to be found within it and being doctors they surely must have the cures and preventive measures needed to restore to their MINIstry to better health.
It is also timely and very opportune that a Royal Commission be set up as the National Health Financing Scheme will be soon hoisted on an unknowing public. With the recent developments in the medical field, with a graying population, a population with a longer life expectations, public expectations of the health services run high. Maybe the gomen should withhold rolling out this scheme for the moment and allow what is wrong with the health services be set right first.
We used to have a health service which was the envy of many, if not almost all, developing nations. But now there are many things wrong with it. Many view the myriads of problems within the health services as a result of the MINitsry having a 'tak tentu arah' policy ie it has no definite policy of wanting to keep its doctors in service and added in recent years there is also the problem of a virtually mono-ethnic paramedical work force. Over the years under the leadership of our recently retired PM, there has been a subtle shift to have health services removed from the responsibilities of the gomen. There was the attempt to corporatised gomen hospitals and the privatisation of ancilliary services like drugs, laundary and cleansing services. These over the years have not produced the expected results and savings. In the background there appears to be a subtle push on the doctors to move to the private sector to set up practice. The push by the gomen for health tourism money has further accelerated this move. Now with the economic downturn, there is a bigger demand made on services at gomen hospital and health facilities. This has lead to more problems and unhappiness. The Health MINIstry is one of those money losing ministries, where its expenditure leads to little or no income from the services it provide. And over the years its expenditure has climbed and climbed and the gomen now claims that it is not possible for it to allow it to climb further and it can ill-afford without going into bigger deficits.
Presently the problems faced by the MINIstry is being tackled on a rather adhoc basis, what is needed is a more holistic approach which a Royal Commission can provide. Recommendations by a Royal Commission looking into the ills of the health services will definitely see implementation by the abovementioned three individuals-- the PM, the MINIster and the DG-- who surely have the wellbeing of the public and the public's health close to their hearts.
More on this, when time permits and inspirasi kembali.
Friday, May 13, 2005
First Multi-slice Detector CT Scanner Launched
PENANG, May 13 (Bernama) -- A local private hospital, Gleneagles Medical Centre (GMC) Friday launched a 64-slice multi-slice detector computed tomography (MDCT) scanner, the first of its kind in the country.
GMC general manager Ronald Koh said the hospital was the first in the country to purchase the device, which was the world's most expensive scanner.
"With a cost of up to RM4.6 million, the scanner is capable of detecting early stages of cancer in all major organs, coronary diseases and stroke so that early prevention and treatment can be available to patients," he said at the launching of the scanner here Friday.
The scanner was launched by Health Ministry Parliamentary Secretary, Lee Kar Choon here Friday.
Meanwhile, GMC consultant radiologist Dr Zainariah Mohd Zain said the scanner has a 99 percent negative predictive value in detecting diseases in patients for early treatment.
"The Japanese-based technology scanner has a relibility (level) of up to 99 percent and is able to predict coronary diseases, stroke and also perform colonoscopy," she said.
Dr Zainariah said treatment using the scanner would cost about RM2,300 per treatment, while a package which included consulting a cardiologist, scanning and follow-up check-ups, would only cost about RM2,900.
She said currently, the scanner was only available to three other countries such as John Hopkins University in the United States, Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore and Fujita University in Japan.
-- BERNAMA
More links regarding MDCT ::
At RM2,300 a go, will there be many takers?
GMC general manager Ronald Koh said the hospital was the first in the country to purchase the device, which was the world's most expensive scanner.
"With a cost of up to RM4.6 million, the scanner is capable of detecting early stages of cancer in all major organs, coronary diseases and stroke so that early prevention and treatment can be available to patients," he said at the launching of the scanner here Friday.
The scanner was launched by Health Ministry Parliamentary Secretary, Lee Kar Choon here Friday.
Meanwhile, GMC consultant radiologist Dr Zainariah Mohd Zain said the scanner has a 99 percent negative predictive value in detecting diseases in patients for early treatment.
"The Japanese-based technology scanner has a relibility (level) of up to 99 percent and is able to predict coronary diseases, stroke and also perform colonoscopy," she said.
Dr Zainariah said treatment using the scanner would cost about RM2,300 per treatment, while a package which included consulting a cardiologist, scanning and follow-up check-ups, would only cost about RM2,900.
She said currently, the scanner was only available to three other countries such as John Hopkins University in the United States, Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore and Fujita University in Japan.
-- BERNAMA
More links regarding MDCT ::
- What is Multislice Computed Tomography
- Virtual coronary angioscopy using MDCT
- Non-invasive coronary angiography with MDCT
- Multislice Computed Tomography: Basic Principles and Clinical PracticePDF/ADOBE Format
- Multidetector computed tomography
At RM2,300 a go, will there be many takers?
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Doctors can apply for APC early
Doctors can apply for practising cert early
Doctors can now apply for their Annual Practising Certificate (APC) starting July 1 instead of Dec 1 as was the practice earlier. Malaysian Medical Council president Datuk Dr Ismail Merican said the change was to avoid late applications.
He said some doctors were in the habit of submitting applications at the eleventh hour and were often imposed a RM50 late fee. This caused backlogs and delays in the issuance of certificates.
Dr Ismail, who is the Director-General of Health, also cautioned doctors about practising within the areas specified in the APCs and locum work.
On the areas, he said: "There is no limit to the number of places of practice under the APC. But doctors must practise in these speficied places and nowhere else."
He added that the MMC had received numerous reports of doctors working in clinics they were not permitted to, including performing plastic surgery in beauty salons.
On locum work, he said government doctors were only allowed to do so in government hospitals and not in private clinics as most of them were now doing.
----NST
Doctors can now apply for their Annual Practising Certificate (APC) starting July 1 instead of Dec 1 as was the practice earlier. Malaysian Medical Council president Datuk Dr Ismail Merican said the change was to avoid late applications.
He said some doctors were in the habit of submitting applications at the eleventh hour and were often imposed a RM50 late fee. This caused backlogs and delays in the issuance of certificates.
Dr Ismail, who is the Director-General of Health, also cautioned doctors about practising within the areas specified in the APCs and locum work.
On the areas, he said: "There is no limit to the number of places of practice under the APC. But doctors must practise in these speficied places and nowhere else."
He added that the MMC had received numerous reports of doctors working in clinics they were not permitted to, including performing plastic surgery in beauty salons.
On locum work, he said government doctors were only allowed to do so in government hospitals and not in private clinics as most of them were now doing.
----NST
Looks like the new DG has brought some cheers to the medical practitioners. In recent years they have been getting their APCs later and later. A doctor-friend of mine told me recently that for the earlier parts of 2004 and 2005 he was technically working 'illegally' as he had no APC to show in his clinic. This year he only received his cert in late March. Fortunately the enforcement officers did not turn up in his clinic. So he should be pretty glad that APC applications can be made as early as 1st July from this year. But will it result in him getting his cert before 1st Jan of each year, he wonders.
And regarding the other matter of locum work, is there really locum work to be done in gomen hospitals? i thought that locum work was only available in private clinics and most of these locums are practising goemn medical officers!
And regarding the other matter of locum work, is there really locum work to be done in gomen hospitals? i thought that locum work was only available in private clinics and most of these locums are practising goemn medical officers!
Monday, May 09, 2005
Cutting Waiting Time
Plan to speed up treatment
KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry wants treatment to be provided to patients within 90 minutes of registration at general hospitals, and has engaged a consultant to propose how this can be done.
Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the consultant had two months to submit a report to enable the ministry to meet the stipulation in its Clients Charter of the maximum 90-minute waiting period for treatment at such hospitals.
However, he said delays in providing treatment were not only due to weaknesses in the filing system of medical records in hospitals, but also due to the attitude of patients.
“There are patients with appointments who fail to show up and others only come when it is suitable.
“Some patients also attend specialist clinics without any reference, while others are reluctant to return to their previous doctors, causing further delays,” he said after launching a blood donation campaign organised by the Balakong MCA in Cheras yesterday.
Dr Chua said many of those who sought treatment at the casualty unit also did not qualify for emergency treatment.
“There are some who come for treatment for itchy hands, diarrhoea and even normal cough,” he added.
On blood donations, he said all such donations were screened for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, and syphilis before being approved for transfusion.
Dr Chua also said that the ministry wanted to increase the number of volunteer blood donors from the present 2% of the population to 5% by the next 10 to 15 years.
-----The STAR
KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry wants treatment to be provided to patients within 90 minutes of registration at general hospitals, and has engaged a consultant to propose how this can be done.
Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the consultant had two months to submit a report to enable the ministry to meet the stipulation in its Clients Charter of the maximum 90-minute waiting period for treatment at such hospitals.
However, he said delays in providing treatment were not only due to weaknesses in the filing system of medical records in hospitals, but also due to the attitude of patients.
“There are patients with appointments who fail to show up and others only come when it is suitable.
“Some patients also attend specialist clinics without any reference, while others are reluctant to return to their previous doctors, causing further delays,” he said after launching a blood donation campaign organised by the Balakong MCA in Cheras yesterday.
Dr Chua said many of those who sought treatment at the casualty unit also did not qualify for emergency treatment.
“There are some who come for treatment for itchy hands, diarrhoea and even normal cough,” he added.
On blood donations, he said all such donations were screened for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, and syphilis before being approved for transfusion.
Dr Chua also said that the ministry wanted to increase the number of volunteer blood donors from the present 2% of the population to 5% by the next 10 to 15 years.
-----The STAR
Soon after being appointed MINIster of Health, Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek was appallled by the long waiting and wasting time at the outpatient department aka JPL of his MINIstry's hospitals. He wanted the waiting time to be halved from the present 3 hours. This was what he said as quoted by the SUN on 5th April 2004 ::
It is now more than a year later and we poor visitors to the JPL see that patients are still having to wait long long. Once again MINIster Chua is talking about cutting waiting time to 90 minutes, does he realise that many things can happen in 90 minutes. It looks like his MINIstry cannot come out with any useful suggestions, did they check mine out. He is going to engage a consultant to propose how this halving of the waiting time can be achieved. And instead of putting the blame on his MINIstry and all those in it, he as usual, blames the patients ::
Now, what is a normal cough, MINIster, Sir?
"I have ordered ministry officials to look into the matter and want them to submit recommendations within two months for the waiting time at government hospitals to be reduced by half."
It is now more than a year later and we poor visitors to the JPL see that patients are still having to wait long long. Once again MINIster Chua is talking about cutting waiting time to 90 minutes, does he realise that many things can happen in 90 minutes. It looks like his MINIstry cannot come out with any useful suggestions, did they check mine out. He is going to engage a consultant to propose how this halving of the waiting time can be achieved. And instead of putting the blame on his MINIstry and all those in it, he as usual, blames the patients ::
- “There are patients with appointments who fail to show up and others only come when it is suitable."
- “Some patients also attend specialist clinics without any reference, while others are reluctant to return to their previous doctors, causing further delays.”
- “There are some who come (to the Casulty Unit) for treatment for itchy hands, diarrhoea and even normal cough.”
Now, what is a normal cough, MINIster, Sir?
Saturday, May 07, 2005
Govt Hospitals To Have Fast Lane, Finally
Govt Hospitals To Have Fast Lane For Old People, Pensioners
PENANG, May 6 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry Friday directed all government hospitals in the country to immediately establish a fast lane for outpatient treatment of old people, pensioners and those who require immediate medical attention.
Director General of Health Datuk Dr Ismail Merican said it was discourteous to make these people, especially the old, to wait too long for treatment.
Hospitals would station a staff at every lane to inspect the appointment card of patients to ensure that those who were gravely ill were given priority for treatment, he told reporters after making a courtesy call on Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon here.
Dr Ismail said the directive was to help enhance the health delivery system at the 124 hospitals and six health institutes in the country, and added that several hospitals were already practising the system.
He also said that hospitals should give priority to emergency cases, including at the dental clinics, and should not postpone treatment.
"If there is a genuine emergency case, treatment must administered immediately and the individual should not be asked to return on another date.
"But there are cases of people with a cough going to the emergency section; such cases cannot be considered as emergency cases," he said.
Dr Ismail said all directors of hospitals had been instructed to make surprise visits to the outpatient department, pharmacy, emergency unit and wards to monitor developments.
He said government hospitals had good infrastructure and trained medical specialists but, sometimes, a lack of communication caused various problems related to the health service.
"Right now we face the challenge of not only diseases but also our capability to provide service to clients, and the clients' demand for an efficient and effective health system," he said.
In this connection, he advised staff of the ministry to emphasise three important aspects -- professionalism, teamwork and caring attitude -- as a means of enhancing the standard of service to clients.
Dr Ismail also said that doctors should wear a white shirt and name tag when on ward rounds to avert any confusion among patients.
"As a means of promoting the ministry's branding, they should equip themselves with knowledge, provide valid ideas and feedback at meetings, have integrity and display a pleasant disposition," he said.
Dr Ismail said his visit to Penang was the first of several visits to all parts of the country to deliver this message to all staff of the ministry.
He said the health service in Penang was a draw in terms of health tourism and that about 45 per cent of the tourists to the state came for medical treatment.
-- BERNAMA
PENANG, May 6 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry Friday directed all government hospitals in the country to immediately establish a fast lane for outpatient treatment of old people, pensioners and those who require immediate medical attention.
Director General of Health Datuk Dr Ismail Merican said it was discourteous to make these people, especially the old, to wait too long for treatment.
Hospitals would station a staff at every lane to inspect the appointment card of patients to ensure that those who were gravely ill were given priority for treatment, he told reporters after making a courtesy call on Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon here.
Dr Ismail said the directive was to help enhance the health delivery system at the 124 hospitals and six health institutes in the country, and added that several hospitals were already practising the system.
He also said that hospitals should give priority to emergency cases, including at the dental clinics, and should not postpone treatment.
"If there is a genuine emergency case, treatment must administered immediately and the individual should not be asked to return on another date.
"But there are cases of people with a cough going to the emergency section; such cases cannot be considered as emergency cases," he said.
Dr Ismail said all directors of hospitals had been instructed to make surprise visits to the outpatient department, pharmacy, emergency unit and wards to monitor developments.
He said government hospitals had good infrastructure and trained medical specialists but, sometimes, a lack of communication caused various problems related to the health service.
"Right now we face the challenge of not only diseases but also our capability to provide service to clients, and the clients' demand for an efficient and effective health system," he said.
In this connection, he advised staff of the ministry to emphasise three important aspects -- professionalism, teamwork and caring attitude -- as a means of enhancing the standard of service to clients.
Dr Ismail also said that doctors should wear a white shirt and name tag when on ward rounds to avert any confusion among patients.
"As a means of promoting the ministry's branding, they should equip themselves with knowledge, provide valid ideas and feedback at meetings, have integrity and display a pleasant disposition," he said.
Dr Ismail said his visit to Penang was the first of several visits to all parts of the country to deliver this message to all staff of the ministry.
He said the health service in Penang was a draw in terms of health tourism and that about 45 per cent of the tourists to the state came for medical treatment.
-- BERNAMA
Finally, but it is always better late than never. And nevertheless it took a new unprecedented DG of Health to do it. The creation of a green lane for the elderly and pensioners. Finally i am able to enjoy the MOH fast lane, hopefully this will result in a shorter wait. But in Malaysia Boleh, many may just take advantage of this fast lane by claiming to be older than they really are. We will just have to see, whether those really pensioned and elderly will benefit.
What surprises me is the figure our new DG quoted for medical tourists in Penang, 45%, can this be true? The aesthetic surgeons in Penang must be having a good time with their boob jobs, nose jobs and face lifts!
What surprises me is the figure our new DG quoted for medical tourists in Penang, 45%, can this be true? The aesthetic surgeons in Penang must be having a good time with their boob jobs, nose jobs and face lifts!
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Unhappy::Retired Officer's Promotion to DG of Health Questioned
Promotion opportunities lost
By R.M. Petaling Jaya
IT has become almost the norm to extend the tenures of senior government officers beyond retirement. In recent years, the most senior positions in a number of ministries have been held by those whose services were extended one or two years. Even the head of the Public Service Department had his term extended.
Last year, the Government announced an extension for the Chief Secretary, the most senior civil service position.
The reason given was that since the country was entering the Ninth Malaysia Development Plan period, the extension would ensure a smooth transition into the next plan. The most disconcerting one must be the recent announcement that a retired government servant, under contract, was promoted to the post of director-general of Health. This is unprecedented.
All previous extensions have been immediately after a civil servant completes his term. And, the normal offer for re-employment has always been one grade lower or, in special cases, in the same grade.
In this case, a deputy director-general who officially retired last year collected his gratuity and pension, but continued to serve under contract in the same capacity, was appointed to take over as the new director-general, a post two grades higher than his contracted position!
His appointment also established another precedent: It was announced by the Health Minister. Until then, appointments and promotions to top civil service positions had always been announced by the Chief Secretary.
One wonders why such extensions are necessary. Following a major review not too long ago, the Government said it did not wish to raise the mandatory retirement age of civil servants.
The present trend suggests a lack of effort or failure to groom capable second-echelon officers to step into the shoes of senior officers when they retire.
Retaining retiring civil servants in top positions deprives those due for promotion of opportunities. The appointment and promotion of government servants, especially to the top posts, ought to be fair and transparent.
Top positions should be announced and appointments made before the outgoing officer retires. It is important that promotions to top positions are announced well in advance to permit a smooth transition.
---NST
The above is a letter published in the NST today. The sentiments expressed by the letter writer is probably shared by the others. The promotion of our new DG of Health was unprecedented. He was no less a former deputy DG of Health who was on contract re-employment after reaching retirement age. This officer was appointed as DG on 3rd March. The announcement regarding the appointment was made by the MINIster of Health instead of the Chief Secretary of the gomen, this announcement was made on 20th March 2005 and reported in the media.
When the retirement of the preceding DG, Tan Sri Dr Mohamad Taha Arif, was imminent; those inline for promotion upwards must having been 'counting their chicken', the unprecented appointment of the new DG must have come as a blow to them. The loss of money and prestige and associated power may cause much unhappiness. What is worrisome of this unprecedented appointment is that it may set a precedence for future such unprecedented appointments and their resultant unhappiness of those inline officers.
As mentioned in the above letter, many retired officers have been reappointed but usually not to the top of the ladder. Even then such re-employment on contract basis has resulted often in an uneasy atmosphere in the department. Things such as whether the old boss gets to sit in his old office, will the old boss be annoyed when ordered to do things but the newly installed boss (who incidentally would probably be his former subordinate in the department), will theri previous relationships cause friction in the new set up? The MOH is presently in the process of introducing the National Health Financing Scheme any cockup in the MOH may affect its proper implementation. One of the reason for the unprecedented appointment, many think, has to do with the NHFS. The MOH has kept the NHFS shrouded in mystery as far as the public is concerned and just like the most recent fuel price hike, it would be suddenly thrusted upon us.
The MOH owes the public as well as those who were inline for promotion an explanation for the unprecedented appointmentof the new DG of Helath. The gomen is known to work in mysterious ways but there should be a minimum of such unprecedented appointments.
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Methadone Proven To Be The Best In Curing Drug Addiction, Says Expert
KUALA LUMPUR, May 3 (Bernama) -- An addiction specialist Tuesday suggested that hardcore drug addicts be given a prescription of Methadone or Subutex.
Prof Hussain Habil, of Universiti Malaya's Medical Faculty, said the two drugs were introduced in the country in 1975 but efforts to reduce the number of drug dependants with the use of these drugs had not been successful owing to a lack of drug therapists.
However, since 2000, with the increasing number of drug therapists with the skills of administering Methadone or Subutex, the Alternative-Drug Therapy Programme has shown good results, he told Bernama here.
Hussain said more than 30,000 heroin addicts seeking treatment through Methadone and Subutex at the Substance Abuse Ward of the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre had shown more than 70 per cent improvement.
He said that of late Methadone had been given in the form of syrup, and that under the careful supervision of a skilled drug therapist it had been proven to have symptoms of harm-reduction during withdrawals.
"After three to four weeks of using Methadone, 80 per cent of addicts are stabilised with harm-reduction symptoms. They do not go through the painful withdrawal symptoms of body aches, diarrhoea or hallucinations. In fact, they could function normally and perform menial duties," he said.
He said the orally administered drug was closely monitored by trained therapists in the field, and it also averted the use of shared needles and subsequently prevented Aids.
However, the harm-reduction drugs were not cheap, he said, adding that at RM20 per dosage a day, most drug addicts could not afford the medication.
Meanwhile, a volunteer drug therapist at Prokim, a non-governmental organisation rehabilitation centre in Sg Besi, Dr Mohd Khafidz Mohd Ishak, said the inmates were given an initial subsidy of a few dosages until they stabilised.
He said studies conducted on some 200 hardcore addict inmates at Prokim showed that there was an improvement after three months of careful medical supervision.
"By giving them (the drug) in the form of an oral syrup, and under supervision, there is no chance for the addicts to abuse the drug," he said. Prokim houses some 200 hard-core addicts, with addiction of more than 15 to 30 years.
Meanwhile, Faizul Jaafar, 29, a security guard who was a drug addict for 17 years managed to cure his addiction after undergoing a three-month treatment with Methadone at Prokim two years ago.
"With Methadone, we do not think about drugs and can keep ourselves busy with work. There are no physical problems and body aches. And, it can treat addiction," he said.
Former addict Jayabalan Suppramaniam, 36, who had tried all kinds of treatment methods in his 16 years of addiction and has been in and out of drug rehabilitation centres, said that after treatment with Methadone his desire for drugs had been tremendously suppressed.
"Previously, whenever I went to Jalan Chow Kit and Jalan Petaling my thoughts went automatically to drugs. But with Methadone, drugs do not come to my mind at all even when I pass by those streets," he said.
Construction worker Low Kuan Hee, 41, who has been on drugs for 20 years, said: "This (drug) make us eat, we feel we can work, we are steady. We can work, we no longer think about drugs."
-- BERNAMA
Prof Hussain Habil, of Universiti Malaya's Medical Faculty, said the two drugs were introduced in the country in 1975 but efforts to reduce the number of drug dependants with the use of these drugs had not been successful owing to a lack of drug therapists.
However, since 2000, with the increasing number of drug therapists with the skills of administering Methadone or Subutex, the Alternative-Drug Therapy Programme has shown good results, he told Bernama here.
Hussain said more than 30,000 heroin addicts seeking treatment through Methadone and Subutex at the Substance Abuse Ward of the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre had shown more than 70 per cent improvement.
He said that of late Methadone had been given in the form of syrup, and that under the careful supervision of a skilled drug therapist it had been proven to have symptoms of harm-reduction during withdrawals.
"After three to four weeks of using Methadone, 80 per cent of addicts are stabilised with harm-reduction symptoms. They do not go through the painful withdrawal symptoms of body aches, diarrhoea or hallucinations. In fact, they could function normally and perform menial duties," he said.
He said the orally administered drug was closely monitored by trained therapists in the field, and it also averted the use of shared needles and subsequently prevented Aids.
However, the harm-reduction drugs were not cheap, he said, adding that at RM20 per dosage a day, most drug addicts could not afford the medication.
Meanwhile, a volunteer drug therapist at Prokim, a non-governmental organisation rehabilitation centre in Sg Besi, Dr Mohd Khafidz Mohd Ishak, said the inmates were given an initial subsidy of a few dosages until they stabilised.
He said studies conducted on some 200 hardcore addict inmates at Prokim showed that there was an improvement after three months of careful medical supervision.
"By giving them (the drug) in the form of an oral syrup, and under supervision, there is no chance for the addicts to abuse the drug," he said. Prokim houses some 200 hard-core addicts, with addiction of more than 15 to 30 years.
Meanwhile, Faizul Jaafar, 29, a security guard who was a drug addict for 17 years managed to cure his addiction after undergoing a three-month treatment with Methadone at Prokim two years ago.
"With Methadone, we do not think about drugs and can keep ourselves busy with work. There are no physical problems and body aches. And, it can treat addiction," he said.
Former addict Jayabalan Suppramaniam, 36, who had tried all kinds of treatment methods in his 16 years of addiction and has been in and out of drug rehabilitation centres, said that after treatment with Methadone his desire for drugs had been tremendously suppressed.
"Previously, whenever I went to Jalan Chow Kit and Jalan Petaling my thoughts went automatically to drugs. But with Methadone, drugs do not come to my mind at all even when I pass by those streets," he said.
Construction worker Low Kuan Hee, 41, who has been on drugs for 20 years, said: "This (drug) make us eat, we feel we can work, we are steady. We can work, we no longer think about drugs."
-- BERNAMA
Sunday, May 01, 2005
Typhoid Cases On The Drop In Kelantan
KOTA BHARU, May 1 (Bernama) -- The number of typhoid cases reported at hospitals in Kelantan has seen a drop from between 60 to 80 cases daily two weeks ago to below 60 a day now.
Kelantan Health director, Datuk Dr Ahmad Razin Ahmad Mahir said that although the figure was still considered to be high, it was a positive development compared to the steep rise in cases after the disease surfaced in the state last April 3.
"Of those reported, not all had typhoid fever. However, we appreciate the awareness among people in coming to seek treatment when they think they have symptoms of typhoid. This has helped us contain the disease," he told reporters here Sunday.
He said that as of 4 pm yesterday, a total of 730 cases had been reported throughout Kelantan of which 344 had been confirmed to have contracted the disease.
Ahmad Razin also said that 438 food premises had been ordered closed for not meeting hygiene standards and that 368 food stall operators had been given vaccinations.
The state health department had also given 1,399 talks on the subject to the people and had distributed 26,336 flyers on it, he said.
Earlier, he had been present to monitor a vaccination exercise of 500 residents in Ketereh near here. Also present was the State Assemblyman for Kok Lanas, Datuk Annuar Musa.
-- BERNAMA
Kelantan Health director, Datuk Dr Ahmad Razin Ahmad Mahir said that although the figure was still considered to be high, it was a positive development compared to the steep rise in cases after the disease surfaced in the state last April 3.
"Of those reported, not all had typhoid fever. However, we appreciate the awareness among people in coming to seek treatment when they think they have symptoms of typhoid. This has helped us contain the disease," he told reporters here Sunday.
He said that as of 4 pm yesterday, a total of 730 cases had been reported throughout Kelantan of which 344 had been confirmed to have contracted the disease.
Ahmad Razin also said that 438 food premises had been ordered closed for not meeting hygiene standards and that 368 food stall operators had been given vaccinations.
The state health department had also given 1,399 talks on the subject to the people and had distributed 26,336 flyers on it, he said.
Earlier, he had been present to monitor a vaccination exercise of 500 residents in Ketereh near here. Also present was the State Assemblyman for Kok Lanas, Datuk Annuar Musa.
-- BERNAMA
MMA Seeks To Discuss Health Scheme Issues With Government
KUALA LUMPUR, May 1 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) will discuss with the government the issues and concerns of the public and medical practitioners regarding the proposed National Health Financing Scheme.
Its president Datuk Dr N. Arumugam said patients and doctors felt they were being "kept in the dark" about the scheme.
He said many people were worried because free healthcare would be withdrawn.
"It is going to change a culture of 50 years -- from total free care to partial payment. The people need a lot of information (about the new scheme)," he told reporters after a meeting of the MMA Private Practitioners Section Sunday.
The new scheme, expected to be introduced next year, would remove free healthcare benefits for most people, except the poor, government servants, handicapped citizens and the underprivileged who would continue to be subsidised by the government.
The scheme will be based on a "community-rated" financing mechanism under which the cost and risk-sharing will be spread across the population, with the rich subsidising the poor, the young the elderly, the healthy the sick and the employed the unemployed.
According to Health Ministry reports last month, the scheme was in the final stages of preparation and consultants were working out a mechanism on the quanta hospitals should charge patients.
Dr Arumugam said people needed time to understand how the scheme worked and would accept it if it benefited them.
-- BERNAMA
Its president Datuk Dr N. Arumugam said patients and doctors felt they were being "kept in the dark" about the scheme.
He said many people were worried because free healthcare would be withdrawn.
"It is going to change a culture of 50 years -- from total free care to partial payment. The people need a lot of information (about the new scheme)," he told reporters after a meeting of the MMA Private Practitioners Section Sunday.
The new scheme, expected to be introduced next year, would remove free healthcare benefits for most people, except the poor, government servants, handicapped citizens and the underprivileged who would continue to be subsidised by the government.
The scheme will be based on a "community-rated" financing mechanism under which the cost and risk-sharing will be spread across the population, with the rich subsidising the poor, the young the elderly, the healthy the sick and the employed the unemployed.
According to Health Ministry reports last month, the scheme was in the final stages of preparation and consultants were working out a mechanism on the quanta hospitals should charge patients.
Dr Arumugam said people needed time to understand how the scheme worked and would accept it if it benefited them.
-- BERNAMA
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