SEPTEMBER , 2023 | THE HEALTH

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Suicide prevention : Creating hope through action We must increase mental health awareness and recognise early warning signs of distress to lessen suicidal behaviour

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Be ready to be a digital immigrant In this fourth part of a series on precision medicine , we look at the future scenario in the medical industry

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Cycling for health The Kayuhan Santai Merdeka bicycle ride tested the strength and endurance of cyclists

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Exercise and the brain Regular exercise can create new brain cells and may also slow down the onset of dementia

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At the forefront of halal pharmaceuticals Duopharma Biotech is working to solidify its position as the market leader in the halal pharmaceutical sector

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Revolutionary halal medical solutions Duopharma HAPI redefines the paradigm of cancer drug manufacturing on both a national and global scale

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7 healthy habits that can reduce your depression risk New research identified seven healthy lifestyle habits that may help reduce your risk of depression by as much as 57 per cent

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No one believed me when I suspected I had lung cancer For World Lung Cancer Day , we learn about one patient ’ s journey toward getting an accurate diagnosis - and why it ’ s crucial to always advocate for your health

| The Health says ... |

He alleged that racial remarks by Perikatan Nasional leaders have made tourists fickle about coming here . If true , it will be a severe blow to the tourism industry , including medical tourism .

Last year , revenue from medical tourism reached RM1.3 billion after a challenging time in 2020 and 2021 . A drop in revenue will affect hospitals , doctors , healthcare personnel and related industries like hotels , food & beverage and transportation .

Such scaremongering also hampers the efforts of the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council , a government agency actively promoting Malaysia as a medical tourism destination . With the attractive value of the ringgit , Malaysia is a preferred destination for medical treatment and is ranked among the top medical tourism destinations in Asia .

We have built a strong reputation as a safe and trusted global destination for healthcare over the past 10 years for a range of treatments . Among them are in vitro fertilisation ( IVF ), cardiology , oncology , orthopaedic , neurology , dental , aesthetics and general health screening . Even plastic or cosmetic surgery costs far less than in countries like South Korea .

But alas , all this is being threatened by the reckless politicisation of race and religion by a small group of irresponsible politicians . Businesses and tourism are being affected , with some potential foreign investors spooked by the rhetoric .

Political leaders must be intelligent enough to realise that their actions directly impact economic growth . Instead of exploiting sensitive issues for short-term political gains , they should focus on working with the government to protect and enhance our nation ’ s global reputation and economic standing .

Why , as Malaysians , would they want to destroy the economy , medical tourism included , and incur the wrath of the business community and the public ?

The police have sternly warned that action will be taken against those touching on the 3Rs of race , religion and royalty .

Despite this , some continue to harp on the 3Rs . They should face the full brunt of the law .