
Another Malaysian Haj pilgrim dies in Mecca
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, in a statement on Facebook today, said Ahmad died of septicemic shock secondary to pneumonia with multi-organ failure.
He said the deceased, from Kodiang, Kedah, went on the Haj pilgrimage with his wife.
'On behalf of the Malaysian Government and the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), I express my condolences to the family of the deceased.
'May Allah forgive his sins, accept all his good deeds and place him among the righteous,' said Mohd Na'im. — Bernama
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Malay Mail
13 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Govt to introduce DRG payment model next year to curb rising private healthcare costs
KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 — The first phase of the diagnosis-related group (DRG) payment model will begin next year, initially covering minor medical cases, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad announced. The model, which standardises hospital billing by grouping patients based on diagnosis and procedures, will be gradually expanded to more complex cases over time, according to a report published in The Star today. 'This implementation will be linked to the planned introduction of basic medical and health insurance or takaful products,' Dzulkefly said at a press conference yesterday. Patient classification under DRG will follow the World Health Organisation's International Classification of Diseases framework. Oversight of the implementation will fall under the joint ministerial committee on private healthcare cost, co-chaired by Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan and Dzulkefly. The committee was formed to address rising private healthcare costs and curb medical inflation. Dzulkefly said the proposed system has been well received by industry stakeholders and that while challenges may arise, the ministry is confident it can adjust as needed. 'There may be glitches or hiccups when DRG is implemented but I believe we will be able to finetune it with the support from all stakeholders,' he said. Under the DRG model, each patient category will have a fixed payment rate, replacing the current system where charges vary by services rendered and duration of hospital stay. Dzulkefly also clarified that the ministry's Rakan KKM initiative is not a privatisation of public healthcare but a government-backed effort to expedite non-emergency procedures. 'Rakan KKM is not a privatisation programme as it does not use private funds but is a government investment financed by government-linked investment companies,' he said. He added that emergency patients will continue to receive equal treatment, while those with elective cases can choose faster services through Rakan KKM or remain in the standard queue. Proceeds from the programme will be channelled back into improving public healthcare facilities.


Malay Mail
13 hours ago
- Malay Mail
This is for you, too — Ng Yi Xuan
JULY 8 — 'What if your elderly mother fell in her bedroom, or the bathroom, and no one found out until hours later?' Yes, it's a painful scenario, but one that happens far too often in Malaysia. Whether in care homes or living alone, many older adults face real safety risks due to limited monitoring and delayed response. While our culture emphasises filial piety and respect for elders, the reality is that as more Malaysians live and work in cities, many ageing parents are left behind or placed in increasingly crowded care facilities. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, the country is expected to become an aged nation by 2044, with 14 per cent of the population aged 65 and above. That might seem distant, but the effects are already here. The number of elderly citizens is growing steadily, and with that comes a rising demand for healthcare, personal assistance, and institutional care. More and more families are struggling to balance work responsibilities with caring for ageing parents or grandparents, while hospitals and care homes are becoming overstretched. Yet within this demographic challenge lies an opportunity: one that calls for empathy, innovation, and collaboration. As a biomedical engineering student, I believe we must approach this issue not just as a healthcare concern, but as a matter of dignity and human rights. This is where technology, specifically sensor-based solutions, can quietly and respectfully make a difference. In the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) project of our elective course, my team and I proposed a sensor-based system designed specifically for elderly care homes. Our goal was to detect critical events such as falls or irregular activity patterns, and to alert caregivers instantly. We wanted to offer a way to reduce silent suffering and give caregivers a tool to act faster and more efficiently, without invading the elderly's privacy or sense of autonomy. Many older Asian adults fear becoming a burden. They value their independence and routine. By integrating sensors subtly into everyday environments, we can help them maintain those values while still offering families and care workers peace of mind. A fall detected within seconds can make the difference between recovery and long-term injury. Irregular movement patterns could indicate early signs of cognitive decline. These small insights could save lives. The sensors we proposed are non-invasive, meaning they do not require the person to wear a specialised device or be constantly under video surveillance. Instead, they track motion, heart rate, or pressure to help identify risky situations like someone getting out of bed at night and not returning, or a sudden loss of movement that might indicate a fall. These infrared- or Bluetooth-based systems can be embedded subtly into furniture or walls, making them invisible companions in daily life. More than just technical skills, this PBL project deepened my understanding of what it means to grow old in Malaysia. Many of us assume that elders will always have someone there to look after them. But not everyone has that support — and even those who do may still face risks when left alone. The question we asked ourselves throughout this project was: How can we help elderly Malaysians live safely, without losing their sense of independence? This experience reshaped how I view my role as a biomedical engineer. It is not just about circuits, codes, or clinical tools. It is about empathy-driven innovation. It is about creating technology that responds to real needs, especially among vulnerable populations like the elderly. As I look ahead to my future career, I now see biomedical engineering not only as a technical field, but as a social one. One where engineers must walk hand-in-hand with caregivers, healthcare workers, and families to build solutions that work for people — not just in theory, but in everyday life. An older adult woman reads the menu at a community food center, part of the Family Attention System (SAF), in Havana, on May 26, 2025. — AFP We often talk about 'smart cities' and 'digital futures,' but if we forget our elderly in these conversations, then we have missed the point entirely. Growing old is a natural part of life. But the experience of ageing should not be defined by fear, neglect, or silence. It should be marked by safety, respect, and dignity. So, here is my hope: that as Malaysia steps forward into its ageing future, we also step up — students, engineers, policymakers, and citizens — to ensure that no one is left behind. We must invest in elder-friendly technologies, support care infrastructure, and most importantly, talk openly about what it means to age with grace. After all, we are not just building tools for someone else's parents or grandparents. One day, it will be us. * Ng Yi Xuan is a final year biomedical engineering student at Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya. She can be contacted at [email protected] ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.


Free Malaysia Today
15 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Diagnosed with rare cancer, Fatin Umairah Azme needs your help
Fatin Umairah Azme urgently needs the immunotherapy drug Qarziba, but its six-figure cost is beyond what her family can afford. (CCEP Foundation pic) PETALING JAYA : Most 16-year-old girls spend their time with friends, chatting about music and movies or planning for life after high school. But for Fatin Umairah Azme, the reality is far more challenging: she has been diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma. This is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that starts in cells called neuroblasts, or immature nerve cells. Neuroblastoma often begins in the adrenal glands, which are located on top of the kidneys. It can also develop in the spine, abdomen, neck or chest. Over time, the cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body – most commonly to the lymph nodes, liver, bone marrow, skin and bones. Now, Fatin needs a life-saving immunotherapy drug called Qarziba, which would cost her family a staggering RM578,000. Fatin's father, Azme Tomezi, said she began suffering from stomach pain in January 2023. Although her condition initially improved after visiting a clinic and taking medication, the pain would recur. 'In January 2024, it became unbearable. She couldn't sleep at night due to severe abdominal cramps. I had no choice but to take her to the hospital for scans,' Azme said. After several tests, the doctors suspected cancer. But as the hospital lacked specialised care, Fatin was referred elsewhere. In March last year, a biopsy was performed and Fatin was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma. She began chemotherapy that same month. Further examinations, however, revealed swollen lymph nodes in her neck and that the tumour had spread to her left adrenal gland and cervical region. In August, Fatin underwent surgery to remove the tumour. During the procedure, the doctors discovered malignant growths along her intestinal wall and on her kidney, which were removed as well. Initially, the doctors had planned to include a stem-cell transplant as part of Fatin's treatment. But they then discovered one of her kidneys had been damaged, making it too dangerous to proceed. Fatin subsequently began radiotherapy, and her final session ended on March 7. CCEP Foundation CEO Yvonne Yee is appealing to the public to help Fatin and her family in their time of need. (CCEP Foundation pics) Today, Fatin weighs only 41kg. While this is a slight improvement from her lowest weight of 34kg, she remains very frail – and in need of urgent support. The only viable option for her is immunotherapy, and Qarziba is her only hope. Unfortunately, the cost is far more than what her family can afford. Azme is a production staff at an air-conditioner appliance company, while his wife is a homemaker. Fatin is the third of five siblings, all of whom are studying. To raise funds, the family has reached out to CCEP Foundation, an NGO dedicated to assisting the needy, poor, deprived and underprivileged. According to its CEO, Yvonne Yee, Fatin will need 25 to 30 vials of Qarziba, which will cost a total of RM578,000. Speaking with FMT Lifestyle, Yee shared that the foundation began fundraising on June 30 and has only raised about RM3,000 so far. 'This overwhelming medical cost is unimaginable for Fatin's family. We sincerely appeal to the kindness of the public to come forward and help her fight this battle,' said Yee. To help Fatin, donations can be made directly to CCEP Foundation, RHB Bank account number 2621 9300 009 342. Please use the reference 'Fatin'. If you require a receipt, kindly send them a WhatsApp message. To request a tax-exempt receipt, please fill out your details here. Receipts will be issued within 14 working days. Learn more about CCEP Foundation here, or contact 03-7955 9999 / 010-279 8849.