The HEALTH : October 2018 | Page 4

04 current news (Left to right) Datuk Dr Sanjiv Joshi with Megawati Suzari addressing the media on the workshop. Anlene to hold heart workshop in Pantai Hospital This year, Anlene’s Heart Smart workshop recognises World Heart Day by educating Malaysians adults on the importance of heart health. The workshop will be held on September 22 and would explore topics on best care for the heart, as well as learn of the benefits of nutritional products such as Anlene Heart Plus. It will also feature Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur consultant cardiologist Datuk Dr Sanjiv Joshi as well as consultant Ear, Nose and Throat surgeon Dr Kong Min Han and Pantai Integrated Rehab Services Sdn Bhd Muhammad Izzat Sallehan. Earlier, Fonterra Brands Malaysia New Product Development Scientific & Regula- tory Affairs director Megawati Suzari pointed out that cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in Malaysia, account- ing for over 13.2 per cent of deaths in a 2017 report. “Not only is it taking the lives of many Malaysians, but is affecting more young people too. Do not think that heart problems are a worry for the elderly only.” Nearly one in four patients with heart problems are under 50 years old. The mean age of patients in Malaysia is 58.5 years old, compared to 63.5 years old in Thailand and between 68.3 – 69.2 years old in Singapore. This means that Malaysians are, on average, suffering heart disease at a much younger age than neighbouring countries. When coupled with sedentary lifestyles, this may contribute to the development of obesity and ‘the three highs’: high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure and high blood sugar. Statistics have shown that 46.6 per cent of Malaysian men and 48.9 per cent of Malaysian women are either overweight or obese. A balanced diet is one of the corner- stones of a healthy heart. The HEALTH | OCTOBER, 2018 New initiative T to enhance and diagnose Hepatitis C Initiative in continuation of partnership with the Drugs for Neglected Diseases (DNDi) and in collaboration with the Ministry of Health in Malaysia A formidable partnership in health research (Second from left seated) Professor Abdul Aziz Baba and to his left Datuk Dr Shahnaz Murad signing the MOU while being witnessed by others. HE Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) and Clinical Research Malaysia (CRM) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate in the research and development of an innovative Hep C diagnostic testing strategy. CRM is a non-profit company owned by the Ministry of Health in Malaysia and this work underscores the importance of research and development in the govern- ment’s pioneering efforts to tackle the disease. The initiative is being conducted in continuation of a partne