The Health | november, 2019
04
Current News
Briefs
Healthier bubble tea in the
making
Holista CollTech and SunFresh Fruit Hub to
develop three healthy ingredients for the fast-
growing multi-billion-dollar Bubble Tea industry. A
typical 500 ml Bubble Tea drink contains at least
8.5 teaspoons of sugar, although customers can
opt for a less-sweetened product. Each cup can
contain anywhere between 281 to 640 calories.
Tapioca starch ‘pearls’,sugar syrup and sugar
caramel to be produced in Malaysia under License
from HCT will
lower the Glycemic
Index compared
to ingredients
currently used in
the beverage.
The ingredients
will be tested at
the University of
Sydney around
November 2019
and expected to
enter the market
in early 2020. All
key ingredients
can be produced
under license in
domestic markets,
potentially leading to job creation.
Most advanced forms of
radiotherapy launched
Mahkota Medical Centre (MMC) launched
Tomotherapy via the Radixact X7 – one of the
most advanced forms of radiotherapy available
in the country, in a ceremony officiated by the
Deputy Minister of Heath, Dr Lee Boon Chye,
recently.
The Radixact X7 offers image-guided intensity-
modulated radiation therapy (IG-IMRT). It
combines precise 3-D imaging from computerized
tomography (CT scanning) with highly targeted
radiation beams to deliver radiation with extreme
precision to eliminate cancer cells while minimizing
damage to surrounding tissues hence lowering the
risk of side effects, pain and complications.
MMC is the first hospital to install and offer
Radixact X7 treatment in Malaysia. With the
introduction of this new cancer treatment, MMC’s
Cancer Centre is now the most comprehensive
cancer centre in the Southern Region.
According to the hospital’s Clinical Head of
Oncology, Dr Chong Kwang Jeat, the Radixact X7
is particularly useful in addressing breast cancer,
prostate cancer, head and neck cancer, lung
cancer and multi-lesion cases. The machine is also
able to perform total marrow irradiation.
Striking conversations
about periods
ENYA’s women’s forum is open to all women and
men. It is an opportunity to join the conversation
about menstrual cycles, bodies, and how to
better support each other. The forum also serves
to link the public to inspiring women, share
stories of their struggles and how to overcome
them.
The forum, geared towards learning from
inspiring women, explores various facets of
women’s professional and personal lives.
Themes revolve around the rituals that surround
menstruation and how the silence surrounding it
can affect women’s wellbeing. The forum featured
three-panel speakers from various backgrounds.
This is in line with ENYA’s mission to provide
safe spaces for women to reconnect with their
bodies and support each other.
“There is so much we can learn about our
health just from looking at our periods. The silence
and unwillingness to talk about it affects us all.
It is time we brought more spaces like this to
encourage women to speak up,” said Elaine Hong,
ENYA’s CEO and Co-Founder. — The Health
Mental health
front and centre
MIASA celebrates second anniversary and World Mental Health Day
with two-hour Press Conference
E
very year, 800,000 people die
by suicide, says the World Health
Organisation.
One person takes his/her own
life every 40 seconds, with more
people dying by suicide every
year compared to those that died during
wars and homicide put together. This year,
“Suicide Prevention” is the theme for World
Mental Health Day.
On Oct 10, the Mental Illness Aware-
ness and Support Association (MIASA)
celebrated their second anniversary and
observed World Mental Health Day by
conducting a two-hour Press conference
on suicide prevention and mental health
promotion.
Proud mental health representatives from left: Ustaz Mohd
Noor Deros, Vice President 2 of MIASA; Dr Tuti Iryani
Mohd Daud, Vice President 1 of MIASA; Anita Abu Bakar,
President of MIASA; Yang Amat Mulia Tengku Puteri Raja
Tengku Puteri Iman Afzan, Royal Patron of MIASA; Puan Sri
Dr Azura Ahmad Tajuddin, President of Petronita; Datin Dr
Ang Kim Teng of MMHA; Ellisha Othman, President of SOLS
Health; and Justin Gerard Victor, Chairman of Befrienders.
Nagging needs for mental health
support
MIASA spoke about the urgent need to con-
duct more suicide awareness programmes
such as encouraging positive dialogues
and engagement as means to mitigate the situation
whilst raising awareness amongst the general public
around suicidal behaviours.
According to Anita Abu Bakar, the president of
MIASA: “In order to decrease suicide rates, all sectors
must collaborate effectively, including mental health
professionals, the authorities such as the police,
fire brigade, first responders, employers, media,
universities, schools, communities and religious
organisations, and social welfare representatives.”
First-ever mental health conference
As part of their initiative and contribution to society,
MIASA announced their upcoming inaugural con-
ference, the International Mental Health Recovery
Conference 2019 in December.
“The two-day event is planned to kick off with a
gala dinner,” Anita explains.
The conference will take place at the Primiera
Hotel Kuala Lumpur on Dec 6-8 this year, brandish-
ing the theme “Experts by Experience”.
“The event focuses on educating the public on the
importance of mental health issues, and the stigma
that comes with it.”
Other non-governmental health bodies were
also present at the Press conference to talk about
their work on suicide prevention and the major role
that the community and social support plays in the
matter.
Guest speakers included Honorary Secretary
General from the Malaysian Mental Health Associa-
tion (MMHA) Datin Dr Ang Kim Teng, Chairman of
Befrienders Justin Gerard Victor and President of
SOLS Health Ellisha Othman.
During the event, MIASA announced a special
collaboration with PETRONITA on an innovative
programme “The Clubhouse Project” – a peer-run
mental health community service. Aimed to be a hub
where peers can empower and support each other,
in addition of promoting hope and recovery among
themselves.
MIASA is encouraging the public to come forward
and reach out if they are struggling with suicidal
tendencies. MIASA can be contacted through social
media or email at miasa.malaysia@gmail.com or the
helpline 03-7732 2414 or by visiting MIASA’s office
in Damansara Perdana. You can find out how to save
more lives by contributing to MIASA’s efforts to raise
awareness on mental health issues and increase
access to supportive services.— The Health
Breast cancer fight club
Organised in conjunction with Breast Cancer
Awareness Month, LITE conducted a heartfelt shar-
ing session with Shaz’s Breast Cancer Fight Club, to
increase breast cancer awareness on Nov 2.
Throughout October, the programme aired and
showcased various stories of breast cancer survi-
vors from young to old. This awareness campaign
culminated in Shaz’s Breast Cancer Fight Club where
Shaz (radio announcer) shared her personal story,
followed by stories by five breast cancer survivors
and their families, who shared their respective inspir-
ing and emotional journeys.
Stories from Shaz’s Breast Cancer Fight Club
included those from Dr Siti Zubaidah, a medical
doctor who was diagnosed before graduation; Claire
Khoo, diagnosed as a 33-year-old breastfeeding
mother to a seven-month-old son; Mahani Kassim,
an avid traveller who was diagnosed at age 53; Audrey
Herrera, diagnosed at age 46, and dealt with some of
her darkest family moments after; and, Zuraya Omar,
diagnosed when she was 45, fighting through recent
relapse. (Please refer to the appendix for more details
of each survivor). — The Health
SHARING JOURNEY: Dr Siti (left), sharing
her breast cancer journey together with Shaz
during the talk.