06
THE HEALTH | JANUARY-FEBRUARY , 2023
| Local News |
Linking clinical research sites and industry partners
CLINICAL Research Malaysia ( CRM ) signed a charter agreement on Dec 23 with Syneos Health , the only fully integrated biopharmaceutical solutions organisation purpose-built to accelerate customer success , formalising the inclusion of CRM-affiliated clinical research sites under the Syneos Health Catalyst Program .
The Syneos Health Catalyst Program brings together clinical research sites and industry partners to deliver consistent quality in clinical trials . Sites under the program have the opportunity to participate in an increased volume of clinical trials as well as harness best practices and insights from other clinical research sites across the globe .
With the inking of this partnership , research sites in Malaysia will form Syneos Health ’ s first Catalyst Site Network in the Asia Pacific region . Sites within the network would benefit from increased access to clinical trials managed by Syneos Health in addition to improved efficiencies in study operations .
The charter agreement was signed at the Ministry of Health ( MoH ) office in Putrajaya between General Manager and Regional Head of Asia Pacific Dr Ken Lee and CEO Clinical Research Malaysia ( CRM ) Dr Akhmal Yusof . It was witnessed by the Minister of Health Dr Zaliha Mustafa .
In delivering her address , Dr Zaliha said : “ This partnership is one of the many ongoing efforts by CRM to strengthen the country ’ s clinical research footprints .
“ With more than 2000 sponsored clinical research conducted since 2012 in Malaysia , this collaboration would unlock new opportunities in bettering the quality of clinical trials and discovery of new treatment and local drugs .”
Added Dr Lee : “ Because of Malaysia ’ s clinical research achievements , it is natural for Syneos Health to be drawn here . We are seeing key drivers such as the start of the next wave of oncology biosimilars and cell and gene therapies put pressure on delivery .
“ It is becoming essential we look to work with countries such as Malaysia in accelerating these new therapies to patients worldwide . A key part of this is to set up the framework of Catalyst in Malaysia .”
MoH offers array of permanent posts this year
THIS year , the Ministry of Health ( MoH ) is offering 4,914 permanent positions , including positions for 4,263 medical officers , 335 dental officers , and 316 pharmacy officers .
Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said applications for the positions were accepted through the Public Services Commission ’ s job registration portal at https :// spa9 . spa . gov . my from Jan 6 - 21 .
In her New Year 2023 ’ s message for the MoH , Dr Zaliha advised State health directors to match staffing or human resources with work rotation , such as by assigning officers from health clinics to hospitals to prevent officer burnout . She also urged the directors to reconsider whether extending the hours of the health clinics would help alleviate the overcrowding at the emergency rooms of hospitals .
“ This is to enable patients who are categorised as non-critical cases to be treated at the clinics rather than at the emergency departments ,” she said . She cited the Auditor-Report General ’ s 2019 Report which revealed that non-critical cases were primarily to blame for emergency department wait times exceeding six hours at most hospitals .
Regarding the MoH ’ s allocation in the revised 2023 Budget , which will be presented on Feb 24 , Dr Zaliha was confident that this year ’ s allocation will be higher than the RM32.41 billion the ministry received the previous year .
She said the Pendang Hospital project in Kedah and the Kemaman Hospital project in Terengganu were among the more than 30 health facility projects anticipated to be handed over to the MoH and start operations this year .
Dr Zaliha Mustafa
“ With the completion of these projects , it is hoped that a better healthcare service can be provided to meet the needs of the people in the areas ,” she said .
The MoH will resume giving Form One students the human papillomavirus ( HPV ) vaccines this year as she said this could help prevent cervical cancer .
“ In 2021 , the HPV vaccination had to be postponed due to global supply disruptions , but the MoH had successfully procured 100,000 doses of the vaccine last December ,” she said .
On Covid-19 , Dr Zaliha said the MoH would discuss all details to enhance the nation ’ s readiness to deal with the new wave of Covid-19 including engagement with the media .
She explained that this was so that the ministry can continue to discuss how to streamline various processes with the Home Ministry , Immigration Department , airport operators , and the Ministry of Tourism , Arts , and Culture .
The MoH , according to her , works hard to safeguard the nation ’ s public health system and takes seriously the most recent information regarding the spread of new Covid-19 variants in the nation .
Indonesia ’ s leading plant-based food tech start-up launched
GREEN Rebel , Indonesia ’ s leading alternative-protein start-up has spread its wings to Malaysia as the second market expansion outside of Indonesia and Singapore .
Green Rebel offers whole-cut plant-based meat alternatives for Southeast Asian consumers in search of a healthier flexitarian diet . Green Rebel ’ s products are curated by chefs , nutritionists and food technologists to provide the optimal nutrition and taste profile while minimising carbon footprint .
Green Rebel ’ s products are ready-to-cook and will only take less than six minutes from fridge to table , and can last up to 12 months in the freezer , which include chicken and beef alternatives , veggie protein and cheese . This has been designed for those who lead busy schedules and live fast-paced lifestyles as it is a more convenient option that many families have started adopting in their daily meal preparations .
Helga Angelina Tjahjadi , CEO and Co-Founder said : “ We are excited to officially launch in Malaysia as Malaysians are known as foodies who enjoy trying new products with strong flavours .
“ Prior to officially unveiling our products during the launch , we have held soft launches in the past months through our participation in the Malaysian Veg Fest and also through our partnership with Hijau Kuala Lumpur to see the receptiveness of our products .
“ We are happy to report that Malaysians have been very welcoming . The feedback we ’ ve received has been great . This is a testament to our R & D capability to create products that are delicious , healthy and sustainable . Swapping to a flexitarian lifestyle is that much easier with our ready-to-cook frozen products .”
Max Mandias , Chief Innovation Officer and Co-Founder said : “ In recent years , be it for businesses or consumers , sustainability is becoming a way of life . Consumers are becoming more health and environmentally conscious and as such , we see a trend of people swapping to a flexitarian lifestyle . Our products were conceptualised to cater to the everyday consumer who wants to eat healthy , yet not compromise on taste profiles .”
Green Rebel will be partnering with chef-driven local restaurants in Malaysia to create different renditions of its popular dishes such as the Beefless Rendang and Chick ’ n Satay as well as a wide range of other plant-based meat alternatives products .
Green Rebel will be available at Hijau Kuala Lumpur , Simply Good Food , The Hungry Tapir , Crown Colony , Vicked Good , Atlas ,
Vegan District , and Tanoshi Mart . Take-home packs will be available for sale at selected retailers , with plans for launch into supermarkets on the horizon . – The Health