
HCTM-UKM first in Malaysia to offer ACL surgery as day-care
The Sports Injury and Arthroscopic Unit of HCTM's Orthopaedic and Traumatology Department will conduct the procedure on two patients scheduled for Monday (June 30). Leading the surgical team are Assoc Prof Datuk Dr Badrul Akmal Hisham Md Yusoff and Dr Muhamad Karbela Reza Ramlan.
ACL reconstruction surgery restores knee stability by replacing a torn ligament with a graft. The team will employ the Modified UKM Internal Bracing (MUIB) technique, which enhances graft protection and stability during recovery. 'This approach accelerates rehabilitation, allowing patients to resume daily activities sooner,' HCTM-UKM stated.
Traditionally, ACL surgery required several days of hospitalisation for post-operative monitoring. However, advancements in surgical methods, anaesthesia, and post-surgery care now enable same-day discharge. 'Patients rest briefly before going home, cutting hospital time, costs, and infection risks while speeding up recovery,' the hospital added.
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Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Malay Mail
Minister clarifies halal status of Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz caterer amid audit report concerns
KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 — Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir today clarified that the delay in halal certification for the food service provider awarded the patient meal contract at Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (HCTM) was due to technical issues in the application process, not non-compliance with halal standards. He said the matter should not alarm the public, as it does not suggest the company involved is operating outside halal requirements. 'The issue is not that the company doesn't practise halal procedures, but rather a technical delay in obtaining the certificate. 'The halal certification process in Malaysia applies not to the company as a whole, but to the specific premises,' he said during the debate on the Auditor-General's Report in Parliament today. Zambry explained that once a company is awarded a tender, it is typically given six months to apply for halal certification. However, in this case, the process took more than a year due to administrative setbacks, including delays in appointing a Person in Charge (PIC), which is required for the certification process. 'The company was awarded the tender in 2024, but the PIC was only appointed on April 14, 2025. Without the PIC, the company could not even begin the application process. 'Only after the PIC is in place can the company begin uploading details into the halal system, undergo audits, and proceed with inspections,' he said. This lengthy, sequential process, Zambry said, led to delays that exceeded the stipulated six-month period. He also noted that while the specific premises used for HCTM had yet to be certified, other premises under the same company already held valid halal certification. He added that all food suppliers working with the company were halal-certified. 'This shows that the company does observe halal standards. The issue lies with procedural inefficiencies that we need to correct moving forward,' he said. On Monday, the Auditor-General's Report (LKAN) 2/2025 revealed that HCTM had awarded a three-year catering contract worth RM25.64 million to a company that did not yet possess halal certification from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim). According to the report, the company was granted the tender to supply patient meals at HCTM from February 2024 to February 2027. The report also noted that the objective of the tender was to provide halal meals to patients, in line with the hospital's Main Kitchen, which is certified halal by Jakim.


The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
Serious health threat warning as haze returns
PETALING JAYA: As haze once again descends on parts of Malaysia, experts are sounding the alarm over its serious and far-reaching health consequences – from exacerbated respiratory conditions and increased hospitalisations to possible links with lung cancer. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) lecturer and consultant respiratory physician Assoc Prof Dr Ng Boon Hau said haze is strongly associated with the worsening of respiratory illnesses such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 'The fine particles and toxic gases present in the haze can make breathing increasingly difficult, triggering symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. 'Patients with asthma or COPD may experience more frequent and severe flare-ups during haze periods, sometimes requiring changes in medication or even hospitalisation,' he said. Ng also highlighted rising concerns over a potential uptick in lung cancer cases linked to haze exposure. 'While more research is needed to establish a direct link, prolonged exposure to airborne pollutants – particularly fine particulate matter like PM2.5 – has been associated with higher risks of developing long-term respiratory diseases and certain cancers,' he said. UKM respiratory unit head and consultant respiratory physician Assoc Prof Dr Andrea Ban Yu-Lin warned that chronic exposure to haze can lead to reduced lung function and ongoing airway inflammation. 'Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable during haze season. 'Children's lungs are still developing and are more sensitive to air pollutants, while older individuals often have weaker respiratory systems and declining physiological function.' She added that individuals with chronic health conditions including asthma, COPD, interstitial lung disease, heart problems or obesity, face an even greater risk. Haze exposure can worsen these illnesses, sometimes resulting in severe symptoms that require emergency treatment or hospital admission. Backing this concern, she cited a local study conducted from January 2014 to December 2015. 'The study recorded a significant increase in respiratory-related hospital admissions during Southeast Asia's haze period. 'Over the 16 weeks of haze, hospitalisations nearly doubled, with more patients requiring intensive care. 'The haze not only led to more asthma and COPD admissions but also worsened chronic heart and lung conditions, especially in medically vulnerable individuals,' she said. Beyond respiratory health, UKM public health medicine specialist Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh pointed out that the impact of haze stretches well beyond the lungs. 'Haze can reduce visibility and increase the risk of road crashes, especially during peak hours. 'It also traps heat, worsening already high temperatures and leading to heat-related illnesses,' she said. In agriculture, prolonged haze can reduce crop yields and may contribute to food insecurity, she added. On the health front, haze exposure can trigger a wide range of symptoms, including eye and skin irritation, throat dryness and general respiratory discomfort. She said fine airborne particles can settle on the skin, causing itchiness or dermatitis, while inhalation of pollutants can lead to coughing, breathlessness or chest tightness, particularly for those with pre-existing conditions. UKM lecturer and consultant respiratory physician Dr Nik Nuratiqah Nik Abeed advised the public to wear proper protective masks, such as N95 respirators and to limit outdoor activities. 'Stay hydrated to soothe the respiratory tract. Those with asthma or COPD must strictly follow their treatment plans to avoid complications,' she said.


New Straits Times
4 days ago
- New Straits Times
Hospital awards RM25.6mil catering contract to non-halal certified firm
KUALA LUMPUR: Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (HCTM) in Cheras awarded a three-year catering contract worth RM25.64 million to a company that did not possess halal certification from the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim). However, the Auditor General's Report 2/2025 said the company, identified as 0267299-T, won a tender to "provide halal food to HCTM patients" from February 2024 to February 2027. The report noted that the company aimed to streamline the status of its main kitchen, which had received halal certification from Jakim. The report said that the technical evaluation committee did not recommend 0267299-T, citing the company's failure at the technical evaluation stage as it lacked both halal and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) certifications. The committee said the company failed the technical evaluation due to lack of experience and not having enough food servers and trolleys for the hospital. Nonetheless, the company was selected because it met the financial evaluation committee's criteria, the audit said. Only two out of 12 bidders passed the technical assessment stage, and 0267299-T was among the 10 companies that failed after scoring 53 per cent. The technical committee recommended company 0797329-A as it scored highest, at 87 per cent. "The audit review found that the company that was offered the contract, namely 0267299-T, failed the technical assessment but was still brought to the Financial Assessment Committee," it said. The company was ranked fourth in having a cheaper price. Although it passed the financial committee stage, it was not recommended. "The pre-tender committee was unable to make a recommendation that could be most profitable, reasonable and provide the best value-for-money to Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. "This is because no tenderer passed and was recommended by both the technical and financial evaluation committees. "Therefore, the pre-tender committee recommended company 0912013-P with the justification of the lowest price offer and meeting the minimum specification score," it said. In response to the audit, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), which oversees HCTM, said the previous patient food supply contract was nearing its end, and the tender committee had to proceed with the new tender to avoid service disruption. UKM also said that 0267299-T had applied for HACCP certification on Sept 24 last year, but the audit process could only be carried out after renovation works at HCTM were completed. The report did not include UKM's response to 0267299-T's lack of halal certification. The company was not recommended by the technical evaluation committee after its linear accelerator (Linac) machines failed to meet integration requirements with HCTM's existing systems. As a result, key medical equipment, including the Linac machines, CT simulators and contrast injectors, faced delays. Although scheduled for delivery by Sept 18 last year, the Linac machines had yet to arrive at the time of the audit, marking a 122-day delay. "The delay in the supply of (this equipment) within the stipulated timeframe has affected services at HCTM. "The delay in starting treatment has had an impact on patient survival, with 20 patients experiencing waiting periods ranging from one to eight weeks," the audit said. In the report tabled in parliament this morning, the auditor-general found "serious irregularities" in UKM's procurement process, involving three tenders worth RM58.45 million. The irregularities occurred when the tender procurement committee selected companies that were not recommended by the technical evaluation committee, financial evaluation committee, or pre-tender committee.