04
The Health | April , 2021
| Local News |
A first for IJN
Saluting healthcare ’ s unsung heroes
To commemorate our frontliners ’ efforts in combatting Covid-19 and a year since the announcement of the first Movement Control Order ( MCO ), Malaysia Healthcare has unveiled an e-book highlighting the country ’ s journey throughout the pandemic .
Titled ‘ A Hundred Unsung Heroes ’, the e-book is a small gesture of gratitude and huge reminder to all of us on our frontliners ’ relentless spirit and monumental efforts in keeping Covid-19 infections under control . A copy of the e-book can be downloaded at https :// malaysiahealthcare . org / unsung-heroes /.
“ Prioritising the overall safety of the nation , many frontliners have been voluntarily investing their time and energy for the greater good , often sacrificing their own well-being and commitments for the country . With ‘ A Hundred Unsung Heroes ’, this noble act of selflessness is commemorated for everyone to draw inspiration from and continue soldiering their way through the pandemic ,” said Yazmin Azman , Acting CEO of the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council ( MHTC ).
‘ A Hundred Unsung Heroes ’ provides a fresh perspective to the frontliner journey in Malaysia , documenting a 100 stories that showcase the grit and resilience of ordinary Malaysians in a national crisis . These stories is shared from the very hearts of our frontliners , cover various public and private sectors such as healthcare , the armed forces , police , immigration , non-governmental organisations and e-commerce . It serves to remind us of the nation ’ s strength in pandemic management made possible through the instrumental support of these dedicated heroes .
“ Their stories are reflective of the Kita Jaga Kita spirit , reflecting our passion and commitment in going above and beyond in the toughest of circumstances . This initiative also underlines how the battle against Covid-19 requires a collective effort , not just from the frontliners but from the community .
“ With this regard , we must continue to do our bit to combat the pandemic by following stringent Standard Operating Protocols ( SOPs ) to keep ourselves safe and extend our true support to the unsung heroes of Malaysia , furthering our recognition as the World ’ s Healthcare Marvel ."
The National Heart Institute ( IJN ) is setting up a heart specialist centre in Terengganu , its first outside Kuala Lumpur ( KL ). The centre will be set up as part of a strategic collaboration with Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin ( UniSZA ). Both parties recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU ) for the provision and establishment of medical and health services , facilities , training , research and other related medical services in Terengganu .
The strategic co-operation is premised on UniSZA ’ s existing medical campus and faculty in Kuala Terengganu , with its developed infrastructure and building facilities including a new teaching hospital . It will be equipped with modern facilities that are synergistic to IJN ’ s interest in providing its medical expertise and services in cardiovascular and thoracic care in Terengganu .
On signing of the MOU , UniSZA and IJN intend to commence the
Ronald McDonald House Charities ( RMHC ) Malaysia , the charity of choice for McDonald ’ s Malaysia , is calling on Malaysians to help raise awareness on cleft lip and palate through its # CleftLipChallenge .
The challenge that began on March 20 seeks support towards RMHC Malaysia ’ s “ Gift of Smile ” programme that helps children born with cleft lip and palate to undergo corrective surgeries .
The # CleftLipChallenge encourages Malaysians to record their experience drinking with a slit straw , post the video on their social platforms and pass the challenge to others to do the same – with the aim of raising awareness on the difficulties faced by children born with cleft lip and palate .
Cleft lip and palate , or known as CLP , is one of the most common birth defects affecting children in Malaysia , with one in every 700 new-born babies in Malaysia diagnosed with CLP .
“ Every child should experience a happy childhood and here at RMHC Malaysia , we are committed to ensuring these children have the opportunity to lead healthy and fun-filled lives .
“ Through the # CleftLip
initial stage of their co-operation with the provision of certain cardiovascular and thoracic consultancy and advisory services at UniSZA Teaching Hospital .
IJN CEO Datuk Dr Aizai Azan Abdul Rahim said the centre would start with specialist outpatient treatment first and later move into other services like paediatric cardiovascular and thoracic . He added that IJN was also looking at working on integrated disease management with UniSZA .
“ The centre will benefit around 30,000 patients in the East Coast . We have requests by many people asking if we would give treatment outside KL .
“ This is the first step and we are looking at possibilities of opening such centres in other areas as well ,” he told a Press conference .
Aizai said IJN specialists would be assigned to UniSZA Teaching
In the spirit of ” Malaysia , We Are In This Together !”, GCH Retail Malaysia Sdn Bhd continues in giving back to
Hospital to deliver medical services and share their skills and participate in joint-research initiatives with their peers from UniSZA .
“ Building upon our success so far , a core part of our current strategic plan is to expand our services and expertise beyond the confines of our headquarters in KL ,” he said at the signing of the MOU which was also witnessed by Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah .
Since IJN ’ s inception in 1992 , it had been delivering leading-edge and high-quality heartcare and treatment to Malaysians .
As of 2020 , it had served almost five million people from all walks of life . It has also garnered a strong international reputation and has been accredited by the Joint Commission International ( JCI ) since 2009 and locally by MSQH since 2006 .
Ronald McDonald ’ s cleft lip challenge
Challenge , we want people to experience first-hand the challenges faced by babies or children living with CLP .
“ We want to raise awareness among the public so that more people are informed of this issue and will hopefully donate to the “ Gift of Smile ” Program ,” said Azmir
Jaafar , President of RMHC Malaysia .
It is estimated that one in every 700 new-born babies in Malaysia are diagnosed with a cleft lip or palate . Although this condition is non-life
Giving back to society
threatening , its huge psychological impact may deter these children from leading normal lives .
Since its inception in 2004 , the RMHC ’ s “ Gift of Smile ” programme has injected more than RM4.8 million in helping more than 700 children born with cleft lip and palate to undergo corrective operations .
As they grow up , these children will also need additional and different stages of corrective operations to treat this birth defect . They must have proper dental care , orthodontics services , alveolar bone grafts and even speech therapy to manage or correct their conditions .
the community and doing its part for Malaysians in these unprecedented times .
As a show of gratitude and