Latest news with #ASEANDengueDay2025
The Sun
4 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Malaysia sees 58.6% drop in dengue cases as of July 5
KUALA LUMPUR: Dengue cases in the country dropped to 32,299 between Jan 1 and July 5 this year, compared to 78,068 cases during the same period last year, a decrease of 58.6 per cent. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said during the same period this year, 21 deaths were recorded, compared to 65 deaths in the same period in 2024. 'This reduction is not a ticket for the public to be complacent, especially since globally, the rise in dengue cases is showing a deeply worrying trend,' he said in his speech at the national level Gotong-Royong Mega Perangi Aedes 1.0 programme (Aedes prevention clean-up) in conjunction with ASEAN Dengue Day 2025 at the Seri Kota public housing in Bandar Tun Razak, here today. Also present at the event were Bandar Tun Razak MP and the wife of the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, and Health Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Suriani Ahmad. Dzulkefly said globally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics showed dengue cases surged from 505,430 cases in 2000 to 14.3 million cases in 2024, an increase of more than 28 times. He said WHO statistics also showed that the number of dengue-related deaths worldwide rose from 960 in 2000 to 9,508 in 2024, representing nearly a tenfold increase over the past 25 years. To curb dengue in Malaysia, he said various efforts would continue to be implemented under a whole-of-nation approach to ensure the public had a high level of awareness regarding environmental cleanliness and embraced dengue prevention practices as part of their daily routine. 'This includes search-and-destroy activities to eliminate Aedes mosquito breeding grounds inside and outside the home by spending at least 10 minutes each week, and making the One Hour Malaysia Clean Up initiative a regular monthly activity. 'Members of the public must also seek immediate medical attention at nearby health facilities if they experience fever or other dengue symptoms,' he added. The gotong-royong (community clean-up) programme was held with the cooperation of residents of Seri Kota public housing in Bandar Tun Razak, volunteers from the Communication for Behavioural Impact (COMBI) team, and staff from the Bandar Tun Razak Member of Parliament's office. - Bernama
The Sun
4 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
MOH expedites permanent roles for doctors to retain healthcare talent
KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry has reiterated its focus on retaining doctors and healthcare workers in Malaysia's public sector, even as it acknowledges the lack of legal power to stop them from pursuing opportunities abroad. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad emphasised ongoing efforts to incentivise staff to remain, including accelerating permanent placements for contract doctors. He clarified that while international recruitment falls under regional labour agreements, the ministry is prioritising local retention. 'We cannot block cross-border recruitment, it's an individual right. This is also aligned with the Mutual Recognition Arrangement and the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services,' he said during the ASEAN Dengue Day 2025 event. The statement follows reports of Singaporean hospitals offering high salaries to attract Malaysian medical professionals. A recruitment drive targeting doctors is reportedly scheduled next month at a local hotel. Dzulkefly assured that the ministry is fast-tracking permanent roles for contract doctors to address staffing shortages. 'We won't delay; we are expediting the process to absorb contract workers into permanent roles. As soon as there are vacancies, we will act,' he said. The contract system was initially implemented to manage an influx of medical graduates, but with numbers now declining, Dzulkefly confirmed sufficient vacancies for permanent hires. - Bernama
![[UPDATED] Bangi private hospital must prioritise patient transfers amid RM8.3mil asset seizure](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2F10ntdzulk_1752301311.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![[UPDATED] Bangi private hospital must prioritise patient transfers amid RM8.3mil asset seizure](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fassets%2FNST-Logo%402x.png%3Fid%3Db37a17055cb1ffea01f5&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Bangi private hospital must prioritise patient transfers amid RM8.3mil asset seizure
KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry has no jurisdiction to bail out a private hospital in Bangi that is facing an asset seizure following a court judgment in a medical negligence case involving an RM8.32 million payout. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the ministry's immediate concern is the welfare of patients. "The hospital must begin transferring all patients, together with their medical records, to other suitable healthcare facilities within the 14-day period provided under the enforcement process. "This may include other private hospitals with existing arrangements, or to government hospitals where necessary. What matters most is that patient care is not disrupted," Dr Dzulkefly said after the Gotong Royong Mega Fight Against Aedes 1.0 at PPR Seri Kota, Bandar Tun Razak, conducted in conjunction with the ASEAN Dengue Day 2025 here today. The seizure stems from a civil suit filed by the family of a premature baby girl, who was born at 26 weeks gestation on Feb 26, 2003. The child was later diagnosed with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. In its ruling on Sept 10, 2020, the High Court found the hospital liable for negligent obstetric care and awarded the family RM8.12 million in damages. The Court of Appeal, in a decision on Feb 4, 2022, upheld the ruling against the hospital, but allowed the appeal of two doctors named in the suit. The award was subsequently reduced to RM6.03 million. The hospital later appealed to the Federal Court, which dismissed the case on Feb 24, 2023. As of May this year, the hospital had failed to make full payment, with interest bringing the total amount owed to RM8.32 million. A writ of seizure and sale was issued by the Kuala Lumpur High Court on May 26 after the hospital failed to comply with the judgment. Dr Dzulkefly said while the enforcement was not carried out by the Health Ministry, the incident serves as a serious reminder to private healthcare providers governed under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 (Act 586). "Let me be clear, this enforcement action was a result of a civil suit and court process. It did not involve the ministry. "That said, I want to remind all private hospitals that compliance with Act 586 is mandatory." He added that the ministry would not intervene in matters of corporate liability or insolvency. Dr Dzulkefly added that while the Act does not provide compensation mechanisms for patients or employees in the event of insolvency, healthcare providers are expected to take all reasonable steps to protect the wellbeing of patients. He also said hospitals were expected to have professional liability insurance in place. "We assume such coverage exists, but it can be verified. Every facility must be accountable, and every practitioner must have indemnity."
