The Health September 2023 | Page 10

THE HEALTH | SEPTEMBER , 2023

Healthcare access in rural areas should also be treated as a priority . As part of steps to address this , the government should offer incentives for healthcare workers who are willing to serve in rural areas . There is some progress , with the government committing to provide 12,800 permanent posts for contract doctors over three years , and this has given some hope for the creation of more permanent positions .”

– Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz

workplace without fear . All reports via the channel are treated with strict privacy and confidentiality , and we maintain anonymity to ensure the doctors are protected against victimisation .”

MMA regularly engages with the MoH on issues in the healthcare system , and from time to time , the ministry also asks MMA for its advice on certain matters .

“ It is through this close relationship and engagement that we have together been able to resolve many issues and improve the standard of care in the country . This has always been and will continue to be our approach as a national medical association .”

Regarding the shortage of doctors and lack of housemanship opportunities in the country , Dr Azizan opined that better and more careful planning of healthcare human resources is needed .

“ It should include analysis of the country ’ s healthcare needs , identifying of positions that urgently need to be filled , budgeting and a plan to achieve the optimal doctor-to-patient ratio in all public healthcare facilities .

“ Healthcare access in rural areas should also be treated as a priority . As part of steps to address this , the government should offer incentives for healthcare workers who are willing to serve in rural areas .

“ There is some progress , with the government committing to provide 12,800 permanent posts for contract doctors over three years , and this has given some hope for the creation of more permanent positions .

“ But other than that , there is still a lot of work to be done . We hope that with the Health White Paper already passed in Parliament , plans for vital reforms will be speeded up .” – The Health

MMA building .

THERE HAS been a surge in the number of tuberculosis ( TB ), influenza , dengue and whooping cough cases this year .

The number of TB cases in Malaysia increased by 3,664 cases ( 17 per cent ) in 2022 compared to 2021 , said Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa on March 24 , 2023 .

Malaysia recorded a total of 25,391 TB cases in 2022 ( a rate of 77.8 cases per 100,000 people ) compared to 2021 , which only saw 21,727 cases ( a rate of 63.5 cases per 100,000 people ). Additionally , there were 2,572 TB deaths in 2022 , up 284 ( 12 per cent ) from 2021 ’ s total of 2,288 deaths .

As for Influenza-Like Illness ( ILI ), according to the Health Director- General Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan ’ s report from Aug 18 , 2023 , the rate of consultation for cases of ILI was between 6.14 per cent and 6.44 per cent . The rate of ward admission of patients with a severe acute respiratory infection ( SARI ) was between 6.98 per cent and 8.79 per cent throughout August .

The rise in the recorded infection trend involves the influenza virus that is 54 per cent Influenza A ( H1N1 ), 40 per cent Influenza A ( H3 ), five per cent SARS-CoV-2 , and one per cent Influenza B in the 31st Epidemiological Week ( ME 31 / 2023 ) which is for the period from Jul 30 to Aug 5 .

Meanwhile , the number of dengue cases in Malaysia increased by 110.5 per cent as of Sept 9 , 2023 , to 82,485 cases . Only 39,188 dengue cases were reported during the same period in 2022 .

As for whooping cough cases , as of Aug 19 , 2023 , there had been 329 cases with 23 deaths reported .

So , what can be done to address this ? Malaysian Medical Association ( MMA ) President Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz said increased prevention awareness is needed from the Ministry of Health ( MoH ).

“ The public also has a duty to educate themselves and keep abreast of current public health concerns .

“ Parents must ensure their children are up to date on the recommended vaccines for their children . Tuberculosis and Pertussis are among the 13 major childhood diseases preventable under the National Immunisation Programme .

“ Those with symptoms of TB , influenza and whooping cough should wear a facemask and immediately seek medical attention while influenza vaccination is recommended for the elderly .”

As for dengue , she said everyone is responsible for preventing potential breeding grounds by keeping their living space clean with proper disposal of rubbish and ensuring there are no containers with stagnant water for mosquitoes , particularly the Aedes species , to breed . They should also report to the municipal authorities any areas in their housing estate or taman that have become a breeding ground for mosquitoes .

“ Additionally , the government should work with the 13,000 private general practitioners ( GPs ) nationwide on the early detection of any imported infectious diseases among foreign workers through screening programmes .

“ The MoH trains Private GPs but remains under-utilised as an important component of the healthcare system .”