Call for dialysis nurse certification to boost Malaysia's healthcare workforce
Chairman of the Maaedicare Charitable Foundation, Tunku Datuk Yaacob Khyra, said such certification could address the growing shortage of dialysis nurses and help manage rising healthcare costs due to staff turnover.
Speaking at An Enchanted Evening – A Gala for Giving 2025, Maaedicare's annual fundraiser held here last night, Yaacob proposed a streamlined two-month training programme designed to equip nurses with specialised skills in dialysis treatment.
"With this certification, I believe dialysis nurses could earn a higher salary than general nurses, in recognition of their specialised role," he said.
He said the certification would allow Renal Nurses, who undergo six months of advanced training, to focus on more complex clinical tasks, such as operating theatre procedures, thereby ensuring their expertise is used more effectively.
Yaacob also highlighted that many fully trained Renal Nurses, after completing costly, employer-funded training, often leave Malaysia for better opportunities abroad, particularly in the Middle East.
"A tiered training structure, distinguishing the roles of Dialysis Nurses and Renal Nurses, would help reduce the financial impact of such staff losses on our healthcare system," he said.
The event was graced by the Patron of the Maaedicare Charitable Foundation, Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, and Tunku Ampuan Besar Negri Sembilan Tuanku Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud.
Also present were Her Highness Tan Sri Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz Almarhum Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'Adzam Shah, Tunku Temenggong Kedah; Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad; and Maaedicare Charitable Foundation Chief Executive Officer Anne Rajasaikaran.
The fundraiser successfully raised RM600,000 in combined cash and in-kind donations.
The proceeds will go towards enhancing kidney care at 11 dialysis centres, upgrading diagnostic capabilities at the Cardiac Diagnostic Centre, and expanding free health screenings through its two Klinik Amal Percuma clinics nationwide.
Since its founding in 1994, the Maaedicare Charitable Foundation has subsidised dialysis treatment for over 32,000 patients and continues to expand access to cardiac services and free medical screenings for vulnerable communities.
– Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Fill them up STAT!: PM tells MOH to speed up recruitment to fill 4,000 doctor vacancies, says Fahmi
PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry has been ordered to simplify the bureaucratic process to expedite the filling of 4,352 positions at health facilities, including the appointment of contract doctors, says Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. The Communications Minister, who is also the Madani government spokesperson, said the issue of the posts was raised by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the Cabinet meeting on Friday (July 25). "The Prime Minister has requested that the bureaucratic process, which is seen as possibly causing this delay, be expedited, given that the ministry had originally expected most or all of the positions to only be filled by November. "But the Prime Minister believes this is too late. So the process will be expedited," he said at the Weekly Media Conference here on Friday. Fahmi said the filling of the posts needed to be expedited because there was an urgent need to fill more than 4,000 vacancies in the health sector. He said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad had given a commitment that the filling of the posts would be shortened without compromising on procedures and would be expedited. Last Wednesday, Anwar at the Appreciation Announcement for Malaysians said the government would expedite the filling of 4,352 posts in health facilities, including the appointment of contract doctors this year because there was an urgent need for the health care sector in the country.- Bernama
New Straits Times
7 hours ago
- New Straits Times
MOE plans intervention to boost number of school counsellors
KUALA LUMPUR: The number of counselling teachers currently placed in government primary and secondary schools remains insufficient to cater to the growing student population, said Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek. She said the ministry needed to introduce policy interventions to increase the number of school counsellor positions. "This is a significant commitment that involves not just policy change but also staffing allocations and other administrative considerations," she told reporters after appearing on the Malaysia Hari Ini (MHI) programme at Balai Berita yesterday. Fadhlina said strengthening the psychosocial well-being of students was just as important as maintaining the safety of the physical school environment. She said the ministry was focused on enhancing both the number and training of counselling teachers in primary and secondary schools to support a healthy school ecosystem. "The current number of counsellors is still insufficient. "As I mentioned earlier, the ministry must commit to addressing this issue seriously because it is not a trivial matter and requires collective commitment. "We must prioritise the addition of school counsellors. "At the same time, training must be enhanced so they are better equipped to manage students' issues, particularly depression, an area also supported by the Health Ministry and specific developments in Malaysia's counselling sector." She was commenting on a recent revelation by State Public Health and Environment Committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin, who raised concerns over depression among secondary school students in the state. According to media reports, Jamaliah told the Selangor State Legislative Assembly on July 7 that data from the 2024/2025 Healthy Mind Screening Analysis showed that 1,020 out of 36,428 secondary students in Selangor (2.8 per cent) exhibited early signs of high-risk depression. In response, Fadhlina called for shared responsibility and collective action from stakeholders, including parents, the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), community counsellors and the general public. "We treat every case with utmost seriousness. "We do not deny that such issues are affecting our students, but what we need now is a united commitment. This issue must be tackled together," she said. Fadhlina said the ministry had implemented various programmes involving screenings and assessments by school counsellors to detect symptoms of depression among students. She said students who required further support would be referred to psychologists. However, she said, family involvement remained one of the most crucial forms of early and continuous intervention. "Mental health support programmes in schools are extremely important. "We work closely with the Health Ministry to ensure these initiatives have a meaningful impact in strengthening the psychosocial ecosystem for students. "At the same time, I urge families to provide strong support. "That means parental involvement plays a key role in helping children recover, in addition to the interventions we offer. "If there are any warning signs, we urge parents to be vigilant and inform the school so that we can activate the support system as early as possible," she said. Among those present were Media Prima Bhd Group chairman Datuk Seri Dr Syed Hussian Aljunid, Group managing director Rafiq Razali, Group chief financial officer Rosli Sabarudin, Omnia chief operating officer Datuk Mohd Efendi Omar, and Media Prima Television Network and Primeworks Studios chief executive officer Nini Yusof.
Focus Malaysia
a day ago
- Focus Malaysia
What you don't feel can still harm you: Malaysia's silent liver cancer crisis
WITH hepatitis B still endemic in Malaysia and over 21.3% of the population classified as obese, both key causes of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) are making more Malaysians at risk of getting liver cancer. Yet, many cases go undetected until the disease is in its late stages. According to Sunway Medical Centre Velocity hepatobiliary pancreatic and liver surgeon Dr Johann Faizal Khan, one of the biggest barriers to improving liver cancer outcomes lies in the absence of effective public screening programmes. 'While high-risk individuals such as those with liver cirrhosis (long-term liver damage that causes scarring and poor liver function) and chronic viral hepatitis are screened, patients who appear relatively healthy may even realise they have either of these diseases,' he remarked. Dr Johann noted that this issue is not unique to Malaysia but reflects a global trend, with healthcare institutions now dealing with the long-term effects of undiagnosed or untreated chronic liver conditions. Understanding liver cancer Liver cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), remains one of the leading causes of premature death in Malaysia. It is the eighth most common cancer in the country, yet it has the second-lowest five-year survival rate among major cancers at just 12.8% according to Malaysia's Health Ministry. Alarmingly, 74% of liver cancer cases in Malaysia are classified as Stage IV, where treatment options are limited and outcomes are significantly poorer. However, the absence of early symptoms should not be mistaken as an assurance of good health. Many individuals who do not drink alcohol or engage with what are typically considered as 'high-risk' behaviours assume that they are not at risk. In reality, liver cancer can develop silently, without any warning signs. As such, Dr Johann stressed the importance of regular health screenings, regardless of one's perceived health status, as early detection remains the most effective way to improve outcomes. Treatment options to address liver cancer While the outlook may seem daunting, there are a range of effective treatment options available even for patients with more advanced cases. Minimally invasive procedures, such as ablation therapies offer a viable alternative to open surgery by reducing surgical trauma, blood loss, and recovery time. Among these is the NanoKnife surgery, which uses electrical pulses to target and break down cancer cells without damaging the surrounding healthy tissue. This technique is particularly beneficial for patients with compromised liver function or tumours near vital structures. This treatment method may also serve as a bridging treatment for patients awaiting liver transplantation or as an option in cases of recurrence, where repeated surgery may risk damaging healthy liver tissue. However, not all tumours are suitable for minimally invasive approaches. 'Larger tumours or those requiring complex reconstructions may still necessitate traditional open surgery, especially when complete resection is the goal,' noted Dr Johann. In such cases, a partial hepatectomy may be performed to surgically remove the cancerous portion of the liver, allowing the liver to regenerate post-surgery. For patients with more extensive liver damage, a liver transplant may be required, involving the replacement of the entire diseased liver with a healthy donor organ. While each approach carries its own set of risks, Dr Johann emphasises that they are not competing methods. 'Neither is considered better than the other. They each play a role and work together to achieve the best outcome for patients,' he pointed out, adding that treatments are guided by a personalised approach, with an emphasis on tailoring care to each patient and adopting precision medicine whenever possible. Follow-up care after surgery Even after successful treatment, patients with underlying conditions such as chronic viral hepatitis, liver fibrosis or cirrhosis, remain at lifelong risk. While treatment can halt progression, continued surveillance is critical to detect recurrence early. Equally important is the patient's role in maintaining liver health. Follow-up care goes beyond medical appointments, with patients strongly advised to adopt healthier lifestyle habits including consuming a balanced diet, avoiding alcohol and smoking, and unregulated traditional medicine, all of which play a critical role in supporting long-term liver health and recovery. Empowering patients with the knowledge and tools to take charge of their liver health will be just as critical as medical treatment in shaping long-term outcomes. The evolution of liver cancer treatment, from open surgery to minimally invasive techniques and targeted ablation therapies, marks a significant step forward in patient care. These advancements not only expand curative options for previously inoperable cases but also prioritise safety, recovery, and quality of life. ‒ July 24, 2025 Main image: Shutterstock
