Ministry: No action against errant clinics during price display rule grace period
The ministry's deputy health director-general for pharmaceutical services, Azuana Ramli, reiterated that authorities are prioritising the concept of 'educational enforcement' during the grace period for the order.
'(According to) the order, what needs to be done...
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New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Govt grants for private GPs to digitalise welcomed
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has expressed strong support for the government's move to provide grants to private general practitioners (GPs) for clinic digitalisation, calling it a vital step towards strengthening primary healthcare and preparing the nation for future health challenges. In a press statement released today, MMA expressed their gratitude towards the health minister for his confirmation regarding the grant to digitalise GPs' clinics on July 23. This decision was made under the joint initiative by the Health Ministry and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to support the national health transformation agenda by leveraging digital technology to expand healthcare coverage and improve access to services in urban and rural areas. It was reported earlier that the Health Ministry is committed to strengthening Malaysia's healthcare service delivery and enhancing digitalisation under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), backed by a RM40 billion allocation. MMA president Datuk Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira said private GPs provide essential front-line services in the community and help reduce strain on the public sector. "Government support in the form of funding or grants for digitalisation, particularly electronic medical records (EMR) will be a significant boost for both young and senior private GPs." For new clinics, the funding helps offset startup costs, while for established ones, it facilitates the transition from paper-based to digital systems. Kalwinder said that EMR adoption improves care continuity, reduces administrative errors and supports nationwide health data integration. With proper digital tools and policies, private GPs can be more seamlessly integrated into the national health system, enabling smoother referrals and better chronic disease management. "A unified digital health infrastructure will also strengthen health surveillance and data-driven planning. "As Malaysia moves towards becoming an ageing nation by 2030, and with non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension and heart diseases continuing to rise, it is more vital than ever that we invest in and prioritise our primary care system." MMA also expressed its readiness to collaborate with the government on implementing healthcare reforms that strengthen primary care delivery. It emphasised the importance of coordinated action and inclusive policies in building a sustainable, equitable and future-ready healthcare system for all Malaysians.
The Star
10 hours ago
- The Star
Doctor fosters patriotic fashion trend in hospitals
A Malaysian doctor seeking a practical and patriotic way to dress at work has started a quiet fashion trend by producing a range of hospital-compliant scrubs for healthcare employees. Dr Nisha Puvan, who works in a government hospital in Kuala Lumpur, said it started as a passion project. 'Wearing vibrant (batik) prints lifted my spirits and created a positive effect on my colleagues and patients,' she told Bernama. She founded clothing brand craftbynishapuvan which she runs from Subang Jaya, Selangor. She said the idea took off during the Covid-19 movement control order in 2020 when she began making batik face masks. In August 2023, when the Public Service Department issued a directive requiring civil servants, including doctors in public hospitals, to wear batik every Thursday, Dr Nisha decided to create batik scrubs for hospital staff. To make sure the batik attire would not compromise on practicality and hygiene, she carried out research and tested fabrics that met infection-control standards to ensure they remained breathable, durable and colourfast. 'The scrubs had to be short-sleeved, free from embellishments that could potentially harbour bacteria and withstand frequent washing. 'I wore them daily – tweaking pocket sizes, material thickness and even testing how colours held up over time,' she said. The scrubs, she said, were made from cotton-blend fabrics adorned with batik prints, handcrafted by local artisans using traditional techniques. For Dr Nisha, functionality is key. 'Doctors are constantly on the move – from clinics to wards to emergency rooms – and we carry many items,' said the internal medicine specialist with a special interest in gastroenterology. 'So, I designed (scrubs with) large pockets and added tailored features without compromising style.' Today, her scrubs are being worn by many doctors working in government and private hospitals and at private practices nationwide. While she currently receives bulk orders from certain departments of government hospitals, Dr Nisha has expressed a desire to collaborate with the Health Ministry to supply batik scrubs to public hospitals on a larger scale. She said some district hospitals ordered scrubs in specific colours – such as blue for Mondays and green for Tuesdays. Her client base also included Malaysian professionals working abroad, particularly in the United Kingdom and Australia. 'It is mostly Malaysians abroad who want to wear something that connects them to home. 'Batik gives them a sense of pride in being Malaysian.' Dr Nisha manages her business on her own – from handling her social media accounts and taking orders to quality control and packaging. 'It is a one-woman show. I have a couple of tailors, but I do everything else,' she said, adding that her four-year-old twin daughters were also involved in the creative process. 'If a print is not attractive, they will say so. It is my way of introducing them to their Malaysian heritage.' Apart from scrubs, the brand also offers customised batik sarees, cheongsam, baju melayu, lehenga and coordinated family sets. 'We cater to all body types,' Dr Nisha said, adding that some families chose a single signature batik print and would request different styles to be made, such as a cheongsam for mum, Mandarin-collared shirt for dad and matching outfits for the children. Recognising the need for modest wear among Muslim doctors, the brand is expanding its range of scrubs to include adjustable sleeves, longer tunics and higher necklines. Sustainability is also a priority, with craftbynishapuvan using deadstock fabrics – leftover materials from larger productions – to reduce waste. Dr Nisha attends to her business after working hours, often packaging orders at night while her children are asleep. 'When I am at work, I stay fully focused on my patients. 'Craft comes after-hours... it is how I unwind and recalibrate.' Referring to her batik scrubs, she said: 'This is my form of patriotism. A quiet pride. 'We may not realise it, but even what we wear can carry our identity, dignity and culture into places that feel cold and clinical. 'Every time I see a doctor in batik scrubs, not just in my hospital but any other place, it reminds me that the Malaysian heritage is alive, adaptable and proudly worn.'
The Star
21 hours ago
- The Star
More protection against pneumonia with newly-approved vaccine
Young children are one of the high-risk groups for developing serious and potentially fatal pneumonia. — Canva Malaysians can now be protected against 20 strains of the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae , which is one of the main causes of pneumonia. This follows the recent announcement that the Health Ministry has approved the 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV20) by American pharmaceutical company Pfizer. This new vaccine offers protection against an additional seven serotypes of S. pneumoniae , also known as pneumococcus, compared to its 13-valent predecessor (PCV13). These include newer strains associated with antibiotic resistance and high death rates. Professor Dr Mark van der Linden, who heads the national reference centre for Streptococci in Germany, notes that scientists have been racing to keep up with the evolving strains of pneumococcus. 'There are currently 107 known serotypes. 'We're not creating new ones; they evolve naturally. 'Pneumococcus reproduces every 30 minutes, so it adapts far faster than humans,' he shares. The first conjugate vaccine, which was developed specifically for use in young children, targeted the seven serotypes that caused the majority of pneumococcal disease. This 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) was introduced in Malaysia over two decades ago. As vaccination reduced these strains, others emerged – a process called serotype replacement. 'We saw a 40% drop in cases, but new strains emerged. 'That's why vaccines must continuously evolve. 'We can't cover all 107, but expanding coverage is essential, especially for high-risk groups,' says Prof van der Linden. ALSO READ: How vaccines are developed Meanwhile, consultant clinical microbiology and infection physician Dr Teresa Wang Kin Fong from Hong Kong explains that based on data from the Chinese territory, invasive pneumococcal disease is now more common among adults than children. 'We used to give adults the polysaccharide vaccine PPV23, but it had limited effectiveness. 'Pfizer later developed PCV7, and at one point, we [in Hong Kong] implemented a combined adult programme using both PPV23 and PCV7. 'Now with PCV20, we can skip PPV23 entirely. 'PCV20 offers broader protection and simplifies the process to a single dose, making it more convenient for patients and doctors alike.' In Malaysia, vaccine uptake among adults remains low. 'This is largely due to the outdated perception that vaccines are only for children,' notes Malaysian Society of Infectious Diseases and Chemotherapy past president Prof Dr Zamberi Sekawi. Adults with chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and lung disease, are especially vulnerable to developing severe pneumonia, which can be life-threatening. ALSO READ: Rebooting the adult immune system when it becomes less effective Vaccinating adults not only protects individuals, but also reduces transmission within households. 'When one family member brings home an infection, the whole household is at risk. 'Vaccinating adults helps break that chain,' Prof Zamberi adds. This is important as both young children and the elderly are also vulnerable to developing severe pneumonia. 'Children are born with immature immune systems. 'As we age, our immune system weakens – a process called immunosenescence. 'That's why both groups need the most protection,' says consultant paediatrician Prof Datuk Dr Zulkifli Ismail. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, parental concerns about vaccination have shifted from cultural or religious questions to fear of side effects. 'I've had parents who declined the pneumococcal vaccine, only to return later after their child was hospitalised. 'Sadly, by then it's too late,' shares Prof Zulkifli. ALSO READ: Addressing the concerns that trigger vaccine hesitancy PCV20 is approved for use in both children and adults starting from the age of six weeks onwards.
