MARCH, 2019 | Th e heALth
CURRENT NEWS
I will for World
Cancer Day
this year’s theme aims to empower
organisations and individuals to
stand against the big C.
Minister for Health Datuk Seri Dr
Dzulkefl y Ahmad recently addressed
this year’s World Cancer Day. Th e
theme for this year is ‘I Am and I
Will’. It is to empower everyone to
take part in treating and preventing
cancer. Every Malaysian has the
power to reduce the eff ects of cancer
for themselves, their beloved ones
and communities.
A critical aspect to be highlighted
in cancer prevention and control is
the importance of early detection.
It is estimated that 60 percent of
cancers in Malaysia is detected at late
stages (Stages III and IV). Among the
main contributing factors for late
detection is the lack of awareness
on the importance of screening and
early detection amongst Malaysians.
Th e Ministry of Health Malaysia
(MOH) provides screening for four
types of cancers, namely breast,
cervical, colorectal and oral cancer
at government health clinics
nationwide. Screening for specifi c
cancers such as liver, prostate and
nasopharynx for high-risk individu-
als are available at MOH hospitals.
Skim Peduli Sihat for the B40
group (PeKa B40 scheme) which
will be implemented in March 2019
provides health screening services,
medical aid, incentives for cancer
treatment and transportation
fare support. While the mySalam
National Protection Scheme was
introduced to help the B40 proup by
providing medical protection in the
form of fi nancial assistance in the
event of an emergency or 36 critical
illnesses, which also include cancer.
The Government has introduced
both schemes to expand access to
essential health services, reduce the
cost of treatment and improve the
quality of life of the B40 group.
“Let us all jointly work hand in
hand towards increasing awareness
and knowledge on the importance of
screening and recognising the early
signs and symptoms of cancer. We
need to dispel myths, false informa-
tion and misunderstanding among
Malaysians who are reluctant to
undergo screening or those who
choose to delay early treatment,
and rely on therapies and treatment
which have yet to been proven eff ec-
tive,” says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulfekly.
On the occasion of World
Cancer Day 2019, various activities
have been planned by the MOH,
non-governmental organisations,
associations and cancer patients’
support groups to be held nationwide
and at all levels. It is the responsibil-
ity of each and every one to play their
part to reduce the burden of cancer in
the country. — Th e Health
First airport mall
to receive BeSS award
A totAL of 47 eateries have earned
the recognition for upholding strin-
gent hygienic practices from the
Ministry of Health
gateway@klia2, the airport mall
under the WCT Malls Management,
has been awarded the BeSS recogni-
tion for having eateries and food
outlets that are Clean, Safe, and
Healthy. gateway@klia2 is the fi rst
airport mall to receive this honor
from the Ministry of Health (MOH).
Th e BeSS recognition certifi cation
was presented to Mr. Joshua Wong,
Assistant Operation Manager of Segi
Astana Sdn Bhd as the representa-
tive of gateway@klia2 by YBhg Dato
Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim, Director of
Selangor State Health.
“Heartiest congratulations to
all the 47 food premises at gateway
@ klia2 that have earned the BeSS
recognition. We hope that all food
operators continue maintaining
hygienic and food safety conditions”,
says Dato Dr Khalid.
“It is an honor being the first
airport mall to receive such recogni-
tion from the Ministry of Health. As
a mall that is constantly visited by
tourists, we aim to provide them with
a hygienic environment. Along with
our food operators we will continue
to deliver a clean, safe and promot-
ing healthy dining premises to all
our customers,” says Joshua Wong,
Assistant Operation Manager of Segi
Astana Sdn Bhd
Th e 47 premises at the mall that
have received the BeSS recognition
are NZ Curry House, Regiustea,
Shihlin Taiwan, Kluang Station, Full-
house Egglet, Paparich, Th e Baker’s
Son Trendcell, Th e Grocer’s Canteen,
Pizza Hut, Boost Juice Bar, Auntie
Anne’s, Family Mart (L2 & L3), Isaac
Toast & Coff ee, Nam Heong Ipoh,
Samtai Yamch’a, Hometown Hainan
Coff ee (L2 & L3), Le Castella, Baiwago
Plus Café, Street Churos, I Love Yoo!,
Vanilla Café Express, Wesria Ven-
tures, BMS Organic, OldTown White
Coff ee, Subway, Sushi King, Nando’s,
Boat Noodle, Nyonya Colors, Ipoh
Vintage, Chatime and Kofi Kraze. —
Th e Health
05
Briefs
Current state of
Chikungunya in
Malaysia (February
2019)
iN Janury 29 this year, the
Ministry of Health (MOH) has
received information regarding the
Chikungunya case among residents
of Tanjung Sapat, Kuala Langat,
Selangor. Prevention and control
efforts have been made quickly by
the Selangor Health Department.
Between January 29 to February 7,
there has been 23 confirmed cases
of Chikungunya infection.
Some of the symptoms of the
infection include high fever, joint
ache, and skin rashes. All of the
cases were treated as outpatients,
and no deaths has been reported.
MOH have overseen monitoring
and prevention activities, which until
February 7, have organised 1740
foggings in houses in areas where
the reports have been made. These
areas recorded high rate of Aedes
mosquito breeding at 3.8 percent,
and authorities have therefore
organised an area-wide clean-up on
February 7.
Campaign on Chikungunya
awareness had also been done by
distributing 939 brochures to the
residents.
All in all, from early January to
February 7, 39 cases of Chikungunya
infections have been reported
throughout the country. The state to
record highest cases were Selangor
at 23. Malacca recorded 9 cases,
Kelantan recorded 6 cases, and one
case reported in Perlis.
MOH advise the public who are
experiencing Chikungunya symptoms
to get treatment at once in any
medical facility near them.
Targeted cancer
therapy personalised
to your genes and
mutatation
Public-lisTed healthcare
company, Malaysian Genomics
Resource Centre Berhad (MGRC),
and its subsidiary, pathology
services company Clinipath
(Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (Clinipath)
today announced the availability
of affordable, fast-turnaround,
liquid biopsy tests developed by
CIRCULOGENE Diagnostics LLC for
doctors in Malaysia.
Liquid biopsies offer a non-
invasive, quick, cheaper and safer,
complement to surgical biopsies.
They can provide real-time and
actionable information about a
tumour including which treatments,
especially targeted therapies, are
available for a particular patient.
CIRCULOGENE’s CLIA/CAP-certifi ed
liquid biopsy tests examine cell-free
nucleic acids to provide full genomic
load analysis of somatic and germline
mutations, DNA and RNA, and
immunotherapy biomarkers all from
a single standard tube of blood. This
testing enables accurate and real-
time data to help doctors and their
patients choose the best available
targeted therapies and available
clinical trials, monitor effi cacy and
monitor for recurrence. — The
Health
Talk to a
Malaysian
doctor
while
abroad
doctoroncALL collaborates with
Tune Protect to launch AirAsia Tune
Protect Travel Protection Policy
Falling sick would be an undesirable
situation for any traveller, especially
those travelling to a foreign land. In
addition to being away from their
home country and unfamiliarity, there
is also a possibility of language barrier
and an unpredictable cost of getting a
medical consultation. In medicine, good
communication is key. Good commu-
nication established between a doctor
and the patient will ensure the correct
diagnosis with the right medication
dispensed.
To address having good communi-
cation with your doctor while you are
travelling abroad, Tune Protect has
partnered with DoctorOnCall.com.
my, Malaysia’s fi rst telehealth service
provider that offers online medical
consultation with board-certifi ed doc-
tors via chat, phone call or video call.
Through this collaboration, AirAsia
Tune Protect Travel Protection poli-
cyholders will receive complimentary
medical consultation services for free
while travelling.
DoctorOnCall is an online platform
that provides medical consultation with
more than 70 Malaysian Medical Coun-
cil (MMC) registered doctors with valid
Annual Practicing Certifi cate (APC).
Patients will be able to speak to a doctor
with regard to common ailments such
as cough, fl u, fever, skin conditions
and consultation for long term disease
management such as diabetes, high
blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Patients just require either a phone or
an internet connection to be connected
to a doctor.
AirAsia Tune Protect Travel Protec-
tion policyholders can now obtain free
medical consultations during their
international or domestic travels. In
the event that the doctor prescribes any
medications, domestic travellers will
enjoy free medication delivery directly
to their doorsteps. Th is is important as
majority of medications for ailments
such as diabetes, hypertension and
migraine requires a prescription.
“Now travellers can speak directly
with a MMC-registered and APC-holder
doctor regardless of where they are
around the globe. Getting a medical
consultation has never been easier”
said Maran Virumandi, Co-founder and
Managing Director of DoctorOnCall.
com.my. — Th e Health