NOVEMBER, 2019 | The HEALTH
CURRENT NEWS
Diagnostics improve
patient care
05
Briefs
Roche’s fi rst-ever Innovation Day
highlights diagnostics tests as
pivotal to making a diff erence in
the lives of Malaysian patients
R
OCHe Diagnostics Malaysia, a leading pro-
vider in in-vitro diagnostics, organised its
inaugural roche Innovation Day in Kuala
Lumpur on Oct 23. The one-day event
was to showcase roche’s innovation in
technological lab automation to transform
patient care by utilising breakthrough diagnostic
solutions.
In-vitro diagnostics (diagnostic testing done out-
side the body) infl uence over 60 per cent of clinical
decisions in a patient’s health journey. However, only
two per cent of the total healthcare spending are
allocated for such treatment in the clinical setting
worldwide. With Malaysia’s increasing burden of
disease and government spending, diagnostics can
emerge as a critical driver in Malaysia’s healthcare
ecosystem.
Diagnostics improves outcome
Heng Chai yin, General Manager of roche Diag-
nostics Malaysia said: “Th e healthcare environment
today is characterised by the rising burden of chronic
diseases, an ageing population and escalating health-
care costs. Our aim is to work alongside laboratories
and other healthcare providers to address these
challenges.
“Th e prevalence of non-communicable diseases
such as cardiovascular diseases is on the rise in
Malaysia. We work closely with government and
private healthcare institutions, and diagnostics labs
across the country to provide innovative diagnostics
solutions which can help save lives.”
Th e event was also attended by the Swiss Ambas-
sador to Malaysia, Her excellency Andrea reichlin,
Clinical research Malaysia (CrM), Malaysian Health-
care Travel Council (MHTC), InvestKL, as well as
clinicians, pathologists and laboratory technicians
from 66 public and private institutions throughout
Malaysia.
Stroke hospitals
are now mapped out
Panel speakers for the inaugural Roche
Innovation Day 2019. From left, Hannah, Karan
Kampani; Principal Engineer of Roche Molecular
Diagnostics, Agnes and Zell Yik the Asia Pacifi c
Regional Product Manager.
Automated and integrated lab solution
Th e event also saw the launch of the new cobas pro
integrated solutions which aims to help laboratories
manage a large amount of patient samples. Th e
device was tailored to provide high quality results
in a shorter time frame, on top of needing minimal
operator intervention.
Agnes Ho, Head of Developed Growth Markets,
Asia Pacifi c for roche Diagnostics said: “While the
healthcare challenges in Malaysia are no diff erent
from those faced by other countries. Th is is where
harnessing the power of advanced diagnostics and
digital tools can ensure the right patients, receive
the right treatment at the right time.”
Hannah Osborn, Director of Ipsos Healthcare
Asia Pacifi c said: “Smart healthcare is delivering
cost eff ective patient centric care through a shift
towards online healthcare, digital health records,
and population health management solutions.
Th e future of health diagnostics is being driven by
automation, robotics, artifi cial intelligence, and real-
world evidence; which improves productivity, speed,
and accuracy, and unlock values in the healthcare
industry.”
Heng concluded: “roche Innovation Day 2019
recognises the importance of innovative diagnostics
testing in shaping the future of laboratories. We
believe in making a positive impact on the lives of
Malaysian patients.” — Th e Health
Reimagining our
medical choices
aT the World Cancer Congress 2018 last October,
the Health Ministry’s Malaysian Study on Cancer
Survival was announced. Th e study showed there
are approximately 37,000 newly-diagnosed cases of
cancer every year. Th e number is expected to rise to
55,000 by 2030.
It begs the question – what can Malaysians do
about it?
Allianz Malaysia Chief executive Offi cer Zakri
Khir said: “As insurers, we hope to continue to har-
ness our responsibility in driving and implementing
value in healthcare in Malaysia. Having this forum is
an extension of our commitment towards aff ecting
positive change in cancer care in Malaysia.”
“We believe that our role is not confi ned to deliv-
ering the promises of an insurance policy. We aim
to address the blank space and the uncertainty that
shadows a cancer diagnosis – tackling everything
from pre-diagnosis to post-cancer management and
long-term care as well as prevention,” added Zakri.
Th e guest speakers at the event were Frank Ahedo
(CeO, Further), Dr Azura rozila Ahmad (Consultant
Medical Oncologist, Beacon Hospital), Ooi Haw yun
(Acting Chief Product Offi cer, Allianz Life Insurance
Malaysia Berhad), Dr Carol yip (CeO,Managedcare
Sdn Bhd), Hazwan Najib (Co-founder, DoctorOn-
Call), and Sim Kheng yuen (Health Ambassador,
DietChain).
iN conjunction with World stroke Day, on oct 29,
Malaysia stroke Council (MsC) and Boehringer
ingelheim are joining forces to launch a website
called MY stroke Hospital to improve stroke
education and enable greater access to stroke
care in Malaysia.
the website (https://mystrokehospital.my/)
features a locator that allows the public to locate
the nearest hospital that can provide acute
stroke treatment. stroke is a brain attack and its
treatment is time-sensitive. With every minute of
delay in treatment, up to two million brain cells will
die. this is why immediate medical attention and
getting the right treatment is crucial. therefore, it
is important that the public to be able to identify
symptoms of stroke and seek immediate treatment
at the nearest hospital which provides acute stroke
treatment.
the MY stroke Hospital website allows users
to locate over 50 public and private hospitals that
have the facilities to treat acute stroke in Malaysia.
African swine fever
in canned luncheon meat
tHE Ministry of Health (MoH) has taken an
interest in the recall of Canned luncheon Meat
from China product of the shelf, following reports
of them carrying african swine fever (asF) in
sarawak.
as a clarifi cation, asF is an epidemic that only
impacts animals, not humans. that is to say, it is
not categorised as a zoonotic disease (disease
that can cross infect animals and humans). the
Food safety and Quality Department of MoH
is working together with sarawak’s Veterinary
services Department to handle the situation.
a sampling process will be done for retort
process verifi cation (one of the process in food
manufacturing) towards pork-based product
to ensure there is no asF infection that would
occur. as been said by the veterinary department,
consumers are wise to stay away from the product
for now.
Better breast cancer
education needed
Tackling cancer: Putting together
a solid game plan
Th e game plan is to take a more holistic approach
towards cancer care.
Firstly, there is genomic testing and precision
medicine in cancer care, championed by Dr Azura.
Precision medicine takes away the ‘one-size-fi ts-all’
approach and focuses more on what treatment works
better for any given individual.
Secondly, it is to have a comprehensive insurance
coverage which will be provided by Allianz Malaysia.
Th e third is having access and advances in overseas
cancer treatments, provided by Further that gives
people the chance to access treatment with the
best medical specialists across the world, removing
geographic and fi nancial barriers.
And lastly, to have cancer care beyond hospital,
made possible by DoctorOnCall, the telehealth plat-
form provides users nationwide access to qualifi ed
doctors and specialists. — Th e Health
CoMMissioNED by Novartis oncology, the
Count Us, know Us, Join Us advanced Breast
Cancer (aBC) survey today unveils valuable
insights that put a spotlight on patients’
perspectives as we conclude Breast Cancer
awareness Month. the survey, which was set
up to better understand the lives of women living
with aBC, reveals that singaporean patients are
well-supported by their doctors and healthcare
networks, but still feel isolated from the wider
community.
in light of this, the survey, which was supported
by aiN society, Breast Cancer Foundation,
CanHoPE and singapore Cancer society,
reported comforting results that highlight the
healthcare system’s strong support for affected
women in singapore. More specifi cally, nearly
all (>92 per cent) sufferers feel well-supported
by their doctors, nurses and therapists, and
more than eight in 10 women in singapore are
satisfi ed with their interactions with healthcare
professionals (HCPs) involved in their treatment
process. additionally, nine in 10 have reported that
communication with their HCPs has improved their
outlook. — The Health