The Health | MARCH, 2019
06
Current News
Briefs
Nutritious red ginseng
for local delicacies
Korea Ginseng Corporation (KGC)
takes everyday Malaysian delectable
cuisines to all new heights, incorporating
additional nourishment and health
benefits through its traditional and
authentic Korean Red Ginseng
ingredient.
Recognizing the importance of
promoting a healthier lifestyle in the form of
wholesome easy-to-make recipes, KGC
has partnered with international celebrity
chef and media personality, Chef Anis
Nabilah via unique cooking demonstration
and workshop sessions held for members
of the media.
During the event, media were
exposed to the various health benefits
and recommended ways to consume
Korean Red Ginseng via an interactive
presentation by Lee Di Von of VHealth
Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Following that, Chef Anis conducted
a workshop and demonstration to
showcase the unique ways to infuse
Korean Red Ginseng into local delicacies.
Media were divided into groups and put
their cooking skills to the test in whipping
up Sticky Date Pudding in Korean Red
Ginseng Toffee Sauce with guidance
from Chef Anis. The session continued
with special demonstration of Chef Anis’
signature Seafood Curry with Korean
Red Ginseng much to the delight and
amazement of audiences.
Addressing
the real concerns of
Parkinson’s disease
DKSH Business Unit Healthcare, has
organized a health talk with Dr. Ooi
Phaik Yee, consultant neurologist at
Gleneagles Hospital in Kuala Lumpur,
to share insights on how to recognize
the early signs of this condition. Besides
Parkinson’s being the second most
common neuro-degenerative disease
in the world, Dr. Ooi also addressed the
added responsibility of caregivers.
In Malaysia, the number of patients
with Parkinson’s disease is expected to
increase fivefold from the current estimated
20,000 to 120,000 by 2040*. Majority of
those affected are elderly patients, who
are 65 years old and above. Efficient care
requires significant emotional and financial
support from caregivers.
Organized in conjunction with the
World Parkinson’s Day which falls on April
11 this year, this lunch-and learn session
raised awareness of early detection and
addressed real concerns of Parkinson’s
disease. Dr Ooi Phaik Yee said: “While
there is no known cure for Parkinson’s
disease, caregivers need to be equipped
with sufficient knowledge to care and
support their loved ones.”
Dr Varun Sethi, Vice President,
Healthcare, South East Asia & Vietnam,
DKSH, said: “We are moving towards an
aging population worldwide and Malaysia
is not an exception. With increasing
numbers of Parkinson’s patients, it is
expected to cause significant social
transformation especially in family
structures and intergenerational ties which
may put significant mental and financial
strain on the part of caregivers. With our
strong network with medical specialists
in the country, we are proud to partner
with a leading medical center to help raise
awareness of this disease.” — The Health
Step up the
war against
superbugs
Results from local survey underscores plight of
fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
A
ntimicrobial resis-
tance (AMR) – where
antibiotics that were
previously effective no
longer work – is a pri-
ority for global health.
Led by a coalition of Malaysian
Society of Infectious Diseases and
Chemotherapy (MSIDC), Malaysian
Medical Association (MMA) and
Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society
(MPS), and supported by Pfizer, the
‘War Against Superbugs’ campaign
today presented its recent local
survey of average Malaysians that
examined the public’s awareness of
responsible antibiotic use.
Results from the survey high-
lighted the urgency to further
educate the public on AMR and
responsible antibiotics use. Among
the findings from 704 survey respon-
dents, it was discovered that 86
percent do not actually understand
how antibiotic resistance occurs.
“Public education helps improve
the way healthcare professionals
prescribe antibiotics, and the way
we as consumer take antibiotics
helps fight antibiotic resistance and
Dr Christopher Lee tells the need
to strengthen public education
on the proper use of antibiotics
during his speech.
ensures that the lifesaving drugs will
be available for future generations.
This war against the superbugs is
going to take coordinated actions
of different approaches by multiple
stakeholders, such as improved
public education and national action
plans to implement immediate,
sector-wide changes in behaviour,”
said Y.B. Datuk Dr Christopher Lee,
Deputy Director-General of Health
(Research and Technical Support) of
Ministry of Health Malaysia.
A media forum with a panel of
health experts comprised of Datuk
Dr Christopher Lee, Associate
Professor Dr Syafinaz Amin Nordin,
Secretary of MSIDC, Dr Mohamed
Namazie Ibrahim, President of MMA
and Mr Amrahi Bin Buang, President
of MPS, was held at the event to dis-
cuss the awareness on AMR among
Malaysians.
Dr Syafinaz Amin Nordin said, “86
percent of the surveyed respondents
think that resistance occurs when the
body become resistant to antibiotics.
This is a common misconception; it
is the bacteria themselves that can
develop resistance to standard treat-
ment, not the human body. These
bacteria can then spread to other
people and cause infections. Fur-
thermore, there are still ways for us
to fight against the superbugs – use
antibiotics responsibly, keep vaccina-
tions up to date, as well as maintain
good personal hygiene – are steps
that we can take to join in this war.”
Dr Mohamed Namazie Ibrahim
said, “Doctors are on the frontline
to minimize the spread of antibiotic
resistance by practicing antibiotic
stewardship and educating patients
about the importance of using antibi-
otics appropriately. By using current
clinical guidelines to support rational
and appropriate antibiotic prescrip-
tion, communicating with patients
about when and why antibiotics may
not be necessary, as well as encour-
aging adherence when antibiotic is
needed will lead to a better-educated
patient population.”
Amrahi Bin Buang, President,
Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society
said, “As pharmacists, we are part
of the fabric of a community and
our members across the country
see millions of people each day. This
vital contact can be turned into a key
weapon in our armoury in the fight
against AMR. Pharmacists too can
advise the public on the right use
of antibiotics as part of their com-
munity service.” — The Health
Different but not less
By Christine Zoe Sta Maria
In conjunction with the World
Autism Awareness Day (WAAD),
Sunway Putra Mall as well as The
National Autism Society of Malay-
sia (NASOM) celebrated hope and
acceptance with more than 200
autistic children from NASOM
coming together to kick-start the
“Autsome April” event.
Autsome is an initiative by the
mall that aims to educate the public
and to advocate acceptance and
inclusiveness as well as celebrate
togetherness with thes autism
community. On a side note, this
initiative is in line with Sunway’s
commitment to the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDG) No.10 &
No.11, to Reduce Inequalities and
moving towards Sustainable Cities
and Communities.
Present during the event were
YB Hannah Yeoh, Deputy Minister
of Women, Family and Community
Development; H.C.Chan,; Phang Sau
Lian, General Manager of Sunway
Putra Mall, Feilina S.Y. Muhammad
Feisol, Chairman of NASOM and
12 Autism Champions’ Representa-
tives; Sunway Putra Mall, Universiti
Teknologi Mara (UiTM), The Royal
Malaysia Police (PDRM), Danajamin
Nasional Berhad, Ronald McDonald
House of Charities, Malaysian Min-
istry of Sports and Youth, Gerbang
Alaf Restaurants Sdn Bhd, Tunku
Mona Riza binti Tunku Khalid,
Zarina Zainuddin and Clarence Kang
Zheng Wei, Umar Hasfizal and Wan
Jamila Wan Shaiful Bahri.
According to HC Chan, CEO of
Sunway Malls and Theme Parks,
“At Sunway, our vision is to become
Asia’s model of sustainable develop-
ment and we are projecting a more
inclusive as well as sustainable
pathway.”
YB Hannah Yeoh, Deputy
Minister of Women, Family and
Community Development con-
gratulated the mall for being the first
Autism-friendly mall in Malaysia.
She stated that, “Initiatives as such
should be implemented in other sec-
tors and I hope to see the Corporate
Social Responsibility focusing more
on the disabled individuals and make
it as a new culture in the corporate
community.”
The event was officially com-
memorated with the Humanoid
Robot NAO as it is part of the assis-
tive technologies that have been
shown to have positive effects on the
social-cognitive behaviour of brain-
impaired children, particularly those
with autism.
Sunway Putra Mall was presented
Certificate of Recognition together
with the other 11 individuals and
organizations who have made
significant contributions in making
differences to the autism community.
The award recognized the mall for its
Autism-Friendly Initiative which has
truly impacted public awareness and
acceptances of the ASD community.
Anthony Miranti is a parent of an
Autistic individual, Andi Miranti who
is the creator of The Adventures of
Ned Dickens said “Autism Awareness
Day is a great opportunity to meet,
learn and interact with people from
all walks of life.” — The Health