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THE HEALTH | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER , 2021
| Local News |
LKL confident of rising healthcare demand
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LKL INTERNATIONAL Berhad is enthusiastic about the fiscal year ending Sept 30 , 2022 ( FY22 ), owing to strong demand for medical / healthcare beds and accessories , as well as the planned launch of its lifestyle pharmacy .
LKL also plans to build its first unique lifestyle pharmacy chain shop in the fourth quarter of this year .
Its Executive Director Lim Ming Chang said that by entering the business-to-consumer ( B2C ) space through its new lifestyle pharmacy chain , the company intended to serve not just healthcare providers with its medical beds and peripherals but also
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the general public .
“ Therefore , apart from our manufacturing and trading segments , our latest pharmacy retail chain space will allow us to capitalise on consumers ' increasingly health-conscious stance amidst the pandemic ,” said Lim in a recent statement .
Due to expenditures for its personnel share option schemes , LKL reported a net loss of RM1.9 million in the fifth quarter ( Q5 ) ended July 31 , 2021 . In the fifth quarter , the company brought in RM13.5 million in sales .
Its manufacturing unit , which
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includes the provision of hospital beds and medical peripherals and accessories , generated RM8.6 million in sales representing 63.9 per cent of total revenue .
Meanwhile , earnings from the trade division , which includes medical peripherals and accessories and medical equipment , accounted for RM4.9 million , or 36.1 per cent of total revenue .
Local sales grew for RM12.5 million , or 92.8 per cent of the company ' s
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total revenue .
In Q5 2021 , exports accounted for RM970,000 or 7.2 per cent of the company ' s revenue , with Asia accounting for RM960,000 or 7.1 per cent , and the Middle East accounting for RM200,000 or 0.1 per cent .
The company had revenue of RM63.4 million and a net loss of RM5.7 million for the 15 months .
There are no comparison numbers in the financial report due to the change in financial year end .
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Improving survival for breast cancer patients
NOVARTIS Malaysia-initiated workshop , “ Staying Hopeful , Staying Strong : Surviving Advanced Breast Cancer ,” in conjunction with breast cancer awareness month , was designed to empower patients and caregivers .
According to Malaysia National Cancer Registry Report 2012-2016 , more than 60 per cent of diagnosed breast cancer cases in Malaysia are already in the advanced stages .
Patients may feel pessimistic after receiving a diagnosis in the later stages , as it is typically considered that the chances of survival are slim . This is no longer the case , thanks to recent innovations .
Mohamed Elwakil , General Manager Malaysia & Brunei , Novartis Oncology stated that Novartis Malaysia was committed to supporting the breast cancer community on their journey .
“ We want patients to know that hope is not lost and there are treatments available that have shown positive results .”
With the identification of breast cancer subtypes , treatment options have expanded across our healthcare systems compared to four decades ago where patients only had the treatment option of radiation , chemotherapy , or mastectomies .
Thus , the treatment responses and survival are coupled with less side effects and maintains good quality of life among patients .
Dr Vaishnavi Jeyasingam , Consultant Oncologist from Kuala Lumpur Hospital , shared that in the last decade , the major advancements in the field of breast cancer classification clearly proved that not all breast cancers behave the same way .
“ Breast cancers are classified generally into hormone positive , HER2-positive and triple negative cancers .”
By classifying a patient ' s background , medical problems , social and logistic needs , a good treatment and patient selection would improve long term outcomes and survival
Dr Azura Rozila Ahmad , Consultant Oncologist from Beacon Hospital in Petaling Jaya , added advancements in oncology have enabled defining breast cancer at the molecular or even gene expression level .
As the future seems promising , Dr Azura expects more effective medications being accessible , which will hopefully improve the outlook for ABC patients .
“ With the availability of various therapies , selection of treatments can be customised and personalised according to the patient ’ s unique profile .”
Partnership to raise disease awareness
ASTRAZENECA , a global science-led biopharmaceutical company , launched its Young Health Programme through a partnership with Hospitals Beyond Boundaries ( HBB ), focusing on youth and the prevention of non-communicable diseases ( NCDs ).
Held in conjunction with AstraZeneca ’ s 40th Anniversary in Malaysia , the Young Health Programme was launched on World Mental Health Day with a pilot programme on youths ’ mental health , targeted at the adolescent residents of PPR Seri Pantai .
HBB was chosen as a partner as it is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to improving the health of vulnerable communities through sustainable healthcare efforts in non-communicable diseases .
Present at the event were Dr Sanjeev Panchal , Country President , AstraZeneca Malaysia and Dr Wan Abdul Hannan Wan Ibadullah , Co-founder & CEO of Hospitals Beyond Boundaries . They were accompanied by Tursiah Tino , Chairman of the PPR Seri Pantai Residents Association .
The event had the support of social welfare officers from the Social Welfare Department and saw the attendance of Datuk Ramlan Askolani , the Federal Territories Minister ’ s Special Tasks Officer . Residents attended the event in batches to avoid crowds and ensure that SOPs could be observed .
The AstraZeneca Young Health Programme is a global programme being rolled out in Malaysia to focus on adolescent mental health and well-being .
The programme aims to improve health and wellbeing among young people aged 10-24 , getting them to take control of their health , especially to manage long-term conditions including mental ill-health .
Adolescent mental health was chosen as the focus topic because of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic , which has exacerbated mental health challenges among Malaysians .
Commenting on the launch of the AstraZeneca Young Health Programme , Dr Sanjeev said : “ Under our Young Health Programme , we are honoured to partner with Hospitals Beyond Boundaries . They have done remarkable work in Malaysia and around the region to uplift the health of our most disadvantaged community members , making them an ideal partner for AstraZeneca ’ s aim to improve the health outcomes for society ."
Globally , the Young Health Programme has reached more than five million youths in 30 countries across six continents since it was launched in 2010 . In 2018 , the Young Health Programme was recognised by Ethical Corporate when it was named Community Investment Programme of the Year in the Responsible Business Awards . — The Health