Category: Medical

The establishment of a geriatric centre is very important in building a quality health system that is friendly to the elderly, according to Dr A’isyah Che Rahimi, a lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia’s School of Medical Sciences.

She said the biggest issue for a country is facilities that support the needs of holistic healthcare for senior citizens including physical, mental, social and spiritual health.

“Previously, the government has announced an initiative to increase the number of nurses specialising in gerontology. So, the establishment of this geriatric centre shows that the government is serious about building a health system that is friendly to the elderly,” she told Bernama here today.

According to the United Nations (UN) projections, she said 15 per cent of the country’s total population would reach the age of 60 years old and above by 2030.

Therefore, she said Malaysia needs to be prepared in various aspects of quality healthcare services for the elderly.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Public Health Organisation adviser Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar said the establishment of a geriatric centre is very necessary in preparing the country to face the challenges of being an ageing country.

In addition to facilities, he said the government also needs to be prepared in terms of service, health experts and officers trained in the field of gerontology.

When tabling the motion on the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) Mid-Term Review (MTR) at the Dewan Rakyat today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government will establish a new geriatric centre to provide quality healthcare service to the elderly.

According to Anwar, the government is also developing a National Aging Action Plan to address the challenges and implications of an ageing country that will affect the country’s socioeconomic and fiscal position.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

The government will implement two vital strategies under its Big Bold Strengthening Healthcare Services measure to transform healthcare service delivery.

The first strategy will focus on rejuvenating the healthcare service, while the second strategy focuses on broadening health financing options to improve healthcare service delivery and quality.

“The implementation of these measures will contribute towards healthy lives, sustainable healthcare financing and better well-being of the rakyat.

“These will also contribute towards achieving the goal for Malaysia to be in the 25th rank in the United Nations Development Programme Human Development Index within 10 years,” according to the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) Mid-Term Review (MTR) released by the Ministry of Economy today.

The first strategy will be implemented by Improving the Healthcare System to ensure the nation’s readiness in managing crises and emerging healthcare threats where healthcare services will be better equipped with upgraded facilities, integrated information systems and advanced medical equipment.

“Efforts will also be pursued to strengthen cardiology services, including the provision of invasive cardiac laboratories in public hospitals.

“Meanwhile, measures will also be undertaken to improve dental services in line with the Universal Health Coverage for Oral Health WHO (WHA74.5), through the expansion of the services to school teachers, staff and their families,” according to the report.

In addition, 250 schools will be assisted in fulfilling the criteria of the School Dental Clinic Programme, while a national mental health institute will be established as part of the initiatives under the Healthcare Big Bold measure to address mental health issues nationwide.

Digitalising Healthcare Services that will be implemented under the first strategy will focus on developing the national food safety system phase 2.0 to enhance the existing information systems through data integration that will facilitate better monitoring and auditing of food safety.

The implementation of the Electronic Medical Record in public hospitals and clinics will also be expanded nationwide to ensure seamless sharing of medical records.

An action plan for the Malaysian Health Data Warehouse data migration to MyGOVCloud will be developed to enable data sharing across government agencies as well as MyCHAMPION registration system will be upgraded for better organisation of content and activities of health volunteers in providing awareness on NCDs.

Efforts will be undertaken to integrate care services between health clinics and hospitals to better serve older persons in preparation for Malaysia becoming an ageing nation.

The Private Aged Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 2018 will be enforced to ensure compliance with the safety and standards requirements, while new geriatric care centres will be established to provide long-term healthcare services in improving the quality of life for older persons.

In strengthening health protection and health-care financing, the MADANI Medical Scheme will be implemented for targeted groups as well as exploring new models to finance health facilities to improve accessibility to healthcare services in ensuring that no one is left behind.

“Greater investment in developing and providing healthcare services will also be encouraged,” it said.

In ensuring the availability of the best medical equipment for the rakyat, efforts will be undertaken to address the issue of the high cost of procurement, maintenance and replacement of medical equipment due to rapid advancement in technology.

This new financing option will provide better financial flexibility to acquire medical equipment with the latest technology for the benefit of the rakyat.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

Australia has pledged to continue supporting the Ministry of Health’s priorities and boost bilateral health collaboration with Cambodia.

The pledge was made by H.E. Justin Whyatt, Ambassador of Australia to Cambodia, in a meeting with H.E. Chheang Ra, Minister of Health, here in Phnom Penh on Sept. 7.

H.E. Chheang Ra recalled H.E. Justin Whyatt of the Australian government’s contribution to building a resilient and strong health system in Cambodia through financing under technical assistance and grant-aid frameworks.

The minister spoke highly of Australia’s continued support for the ministry’s efforts to promote Cambodian people’s welfare and achieve global health coverage in line with the government’s pentagonal strategy.

He requested that Australia examine the possibility of strengthening the capacity of Cambodian doctors, dentists, pharmacists, midwives, and nurses in order to further improve health care standards in Cambodia.

Both sides also reviewed and discussed the action plan of the Australia-Cambodia Cooperation for Equitable Sustainable Services (ACCESS) programme phase II (2023-2028), focusing on capacity building and effective services for people with disabilities and vulnerable women.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

The number of dengue fever cases increased by 101 cases or 4.3 per cent to 2,349 cases in the 34th Epidemiological Week (ME34), for the period Aug 20 to 26, compared to 2,248 cases in the previous week.

Health director-general Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan said one death was recorded due to dengue fever complications during the period.

He said the cumulative number of dengue fever cases recorded to date was 78,277 cases, compared to 36,703 cases in the corresponding period in 2022, which is an increase of 41,574 cases or 113.3 per cent.

“A total of 55 deaths due to dengue fever complications were reported compared to 22 deaths for the same period last year, which is an increase of 33 deaths,” he said in a statement today.

He said 82 hotspot localities were reported in ME34, compared to 74 the previous week, with 51 localities in Selangor, 22 in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, two each in Negeri Sembilan, Perak, Kelantan and Sabah and one in Penang.

On chikungunya surveillance, Dr Muhammad Radzi said three cases were recorded in ME34, bringing the cumulative number of cases to date to 159.

For Zika surveillance, he said 2,114 blood samples and 167 urine samples were screened and the results were all negative.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

South Korea will lower the infection level of COVID-19 to the lowest category to manage the disease like seasonal flu, lifting nearly all antivirus curbs and fully returning to pre-pandemic normalcy, health authorities said Wednesday.

The move came as the number of COVID-19 infections dropped for the first time in nearly two months last week.

The country reported a daily average of 40,400 new infections for the week of Aug. 15-21, down 17.7 percent from 49,000 a week earlier, snapping seven consecutive weeks of growth.

“The spread of COVID-19, which started in the fourth week of June, has recently slowed down and turned into a decline, and the overall quarantine situation has been stabilized,” Jee Young-mee, commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), said in a government meeting.

“It’s time to shift our focus from counting daily cases to protecting high-risk populations,” she said. “The government will change the COVID-19 infection level from Class 2 to Class 4 and manage it within the general health care system.”

The measure, aimed at implementing a full transition to a normal state for the medical system, will take effect on Aug. 31, she added.

On Thursday, the government will discontinue the daily tally of confirmed COVID-19 cases, which has been in place since the outbreak of the pandemic.

But the mask mandate will remain at hospitals and nursing homes as a measure of protection for those vulnerable to the coronavirus, the KDCA said.

On top of that, the government said it will cover part of the hospitalization costs of seriously ill patients through the end of this year and provide vaccines and treatments free of charge to minimize the burden on the public.

Class 4 diseases, the lowest of the country’s infection level, which include influenza and hand, foot and mouth disease, require specimen-based surveillance.

Patients infected with Class 2 diseases, like tuberculosis, measles and cholera, are isolated by health authorities.

COVID-19 was categorized as Class 1 in January 2020 and lowered to the second level in April last year.

Source: Yonhap News Agency