Latest news with #Azlan
Sinar Daily
3 days ago
- Health
- Sinar Daily
Recognise ‘text neck' syndrome as an occupational disease, says expert
KUALA LUMPUR - Neck pain or stiffness and watery or tired eyes are often dismissed as minor discomforts but experts warn they may be early symptoms of 'text neck'. A condition caused by prolonged downward tilting of the head while looking at smartphone or computer screens, text neck is a modern-day digital-age illness that is increasingly on the rise in this country. Students and white-collar workers who spend long hours in front of their smartphones and computers are particularly susceptible to the condition, which could eventually lead to spinal injuries. Azlan (not his real name), 34, an information technology executive here, is suffering from the condition and now has to undergo weekly physiotherapy. "It started with just a stiff neck but over time I couldn't turn to the left without pain. Turns out, my working posture was the main cause,' he said, adding he spends more than nine hours a day in front of his computer, not including time spent on his smartphone after office hours. According to experts, when a person tilts their head forward at a 40-degree angle, the pressure on the spine can increase sixfold to about 12 kilogrammes, compared to the average head weight of two kilogrammes. This constant strain affects the muscles, ligaments and spinal discs. LOW AWARENESS Countries such as the United States, South Korea and Singapore have classified text neck syndrome as a form of "modern health epidemic'. In Singapore, for instance, studies have found that more than 70 percent of university students and nearly two-thirds of office employees experience symptoms associated with the syndrome. However, in Malaysia, awareness of the condition remains low and there is no comprehensive official data. And, even though health facilities are already seeing a marked increase in cases, the nation has yet to recognise text neck as an occupational disease. Ergonomics expert at the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Raemy Md Zein said muscle tension, numbness, and neck and spinal pain are among the most common complaints from white-collar workers during training and audit sessions conducted by NIOSH. Although there is a lack of official statistics on text neck, NIOSH's field observations clearly indicate a sharp rise in issues related to prolonged static posture, especially among digital workers, students and streamers. "Public awareness, particularly among young people, is still very low regarding the long-term risks of prolonged sitting and incorrect neck posture,' he said in an interview with Bernama. Despite the increasing number of cases, Raemy said Malaysia is still not adequately prepared to address the issue, including in terms of officially recognising text neck as an occupational disease. He said for now, the condition is covered under the category of musculoskeletal diseases listed in the Fifth Schedule, Part 10 of the Social Security Act 1969. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994, the list of diseases recognised under the Occupational Safety and Health (Notifiable Occupational Diseases) Regulations 2022 (NADOPOD) is "still too limited and does not yet reflect the health challenges faced by digital workers'. "NADOPOD, which comes under the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), functions as the official guideline for verifying occupational diseases. However, it currently does not include digital posture disorders such as text neck,' he said. According to Raemy, without official recognition, thousands of digital and gig economy workers suffering from the condition are not able to receive proper protection. "This is a systemic shortcoming that requires urgent attention. NIOSH believes it is time to review and update the list of occupational diseases to include ergonomic disorders like text neck, which is becoming increasingly serious,' he said. To that end, NIOSH is currently drafting several proposals to be submitted to the relevant authorities to expand the scope of occupational diseases under the Social Security Act. GUIDELINES Aware that the official recognition of digital work-linked musculoskeletal disorders may take time, Raemy said early prevention is critical to managing the risks before they turn into serious health problems. In this context, he said the 2017 Ergonomic Risk Assessment Guidelines at the Workplace, published by DOSH, can play a vital role. These guidelines offer practical directions for organisations to systematically identify, assess and control ergonomic risks in the workplace. These guidelines are supported by NIOSH's training programmes such as Ergonomics Trained Person (ETP) and Simplified Ergonomics Risk Assessment (SERA). "ETP training not only produces individuals skilled in ergonomics but also helps organisations comply with legal requirements and improve worker productivity and well-being,' Raemy said, adding the ETP course is also a prerequisite for those who wish to be listed as Ergonomically Trained Persons on the official DOSH website. The SERA programme, meanwhile, is targeted at small and medium enterprises, which usually have less exposure to ergonomic issues, especially with regard to workplace injury claims with the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO). He also said SERA serves as an essential early intervention to help employers identify ergonomic risks in a simple and practical way. He is also confident that through training and ergonomic risk assessments, organisations can reduce injuries and protect workers. He also recommends that employees adopt ergonomic workplace layouts and take micro-breaks every 30 to 60 minutes. "Computer screens should be placed at eye level, chairs must have lumbar support and keyboards should align with elbow height,' he advised. RISING TREND AMONG THE YOUNG Clinically, experts have observed a rising trend of young patients experiencing text neck symptoms. Using his own experience as an example, orthopaedic consultant Dr Manmohan Singh said he is now treating more young patients for this condition than before, with this trend emerging over the past decade in line with the increased use of devices among teenagers and young adults. "Before 2008, I rarely treated patients in their 20s for neck pain. But now, even 15-year-olds show spinal structure changes on MRI,' he said when met by Bernama. According to the specialist from Columbia Asia Hospital Cheras here, this phenomenon, caused by drastic lifestyle changes, poses a major challenge to the healthcare system, which is not yet fully prepared to deal with the long-term impacts of digital lifestyles. He said many patients often take early symptoms lightly - such as neck pain, watery eyes or visual fatigue - and do not realise that these can lead to serious spinal structural injuries. He also shared the case of a 14-year-old patient who initially complained only of eye discomfort but was later diagnosed with text neck. He noted that younger people usually seek treatment earlier because the symptoms interfere with their daily activities, while most working adults only seek help once the pain affects their sleep or job performance. "We've found that many consider neck pain to be normal… they usually just change their pillow or apply medicated oil. But when we do an MRI, we see significant changes in the spinal structure,' he said. As for treatment options for text neck, he said most patients do not require surgery. Instead, conservative treatments such as physiotherapy and muscle-strengthening exercises, and educating them on proper posture are often more effective. EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITY Dr Manmohan also stressed the importance of employers taking responsibility for their workers' postural health by providing ergonomic workspace setups. Inappropriate furniture and equipment, such as chairs without lumbar support or computer screens that are too low, directly contribute to chronic spinal stress, especially when used continuously without adequate breaks. This physical strain not only affects one's health but also has a direct impact on organisational performance, he said. Citing data from the United Kingdom's Health and Safety Executive, he said during the 2023/24 period, the country lost 33 million working days, with 7.8 million due to issues like neck and back pain. "If employees frequently take sick leave due to neck pain, employers should not take it lightly. Their workplace setup may not be ergonomic. Consult a doctor before the condition worsens,' he said. Dr Manmohan also encouraged every organisation to invest in adjustable desks and spine-supportive chairs, while ensuring that computer screens are positioned at eye level. He also recommended that employees take a five-minute break to stand and do light stretches for every 45 minutes spent in front of the screen. These small steps not only help reduce the risk of spinal injuries but also foster a healthier and more sustainable work culture, he said, adding that it is time for employers to view investments in ergonomics as a strategic necessity to ensure a healthy, productive and future-ready workforce. - BERNAMA
Barnama
07-07-2025
- Health
- Barnama
Recognise ‘Text Neck' Syndrome As An Occupational Disease, Says Expert
N eck pain or stiffness and watery or tired eyes are often dismissed as minor discomforts but experts warn they may be early symptoms of 'text neck'. A condition caused by prolonged downward tilting of the head while looking at smartphone or computer screens, text neck is a modern-day digital-age illness that is increasingly on the rise in this country. Students and white-collar workers who spend long hours in front of their smartphones and computers are particularly susceptible to the condition, which could eventually lead to spinal injuries. Azlan (not his real name), 34, an information technology executive here, is suffering from the condition and now has to undergo weekly physiotherapy. 'It started with just a stiff neck but over time I couldn't turn to the left without pain. Turns out, my working posture was the main cause,' he said, adding he spends more than nine hours a day in front of his computer, not including time spent on his smartphone after office hours. According to experts, when a person tilts their head forward at a 40-degree angle, the pressure on the spine can increase sixfold to about 12 kilogrammes, compared to the average head weight of two kilogrammes. This constant strain affects the muscles, ligaments and spinal discs. LOW AWARENES Countries such as the United States, South Korea and Singapore have classified text neck syndrome as a form of 'modern health epidemic'. In Singapore, for instance, studies have found that more than 70 percent of university students and nearly two-thirds of office employees experience symptoms associated with the syndrome. However, in Malaysia, awareness of the condition remains low and there is no comprehensive official data. And, even though health facilities are already seeing a marked increase in cases, the nation has yet to recognise text neck as an occupational disease. Ergonomics expert at the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Raemy Md Zein said muscle tension, numbness, and neck and spinal pain are among the most common complaints from white-collar workers during training and audit sessions conducted by NIOSH. Although there is a lack of official statistics on text neck, NIOSH's field observations clearly indicate a sharp rise in issues related to prolonged static posture, especially among digital workers, students and streamers. 'Public awareness, particularly among young people, is still very low regarding the long-term risks of prolonged sitting and incorrect neck posture,' he said in an interview with Bernama. Despite the increasing number of cases, Raemy said Malaysia is still not adequately prepared to address the issue, including in terms of officially recognising text neck as an occupational disease. He said for now, the condition is covered under the category of musculoskeletal diseases listed in the Fifth Schedule, Part 10 of the Social Security Act 1969. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994, the list of diseases recognised under the Occupational Safety and Health (Notifiable Occupational Diseases) Regulations 2022 (NADOPOD) is 'still too limited and does not yet reflect the health challenges faced by digital workers'. 'NADOPOD, which comes under the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), functions as the official guideline for verifying occupational diseases. However, it currently does not include digital posture disorders such as text neck,' he said. According to Raemy, without official recognition, thousands of digital and gig economy workers suffering from the condition are not able to receive proper protection. 'This is a systemic shortcoming that requires urgent attention. NIOSH believes it is time to review and update the list of occupational diseases to include ergonomic disorders like text neck, which is becoming increasingly serious,' he said. To that end, NIOSH is currently drafting several proposals to be submitted to the relevant authorities to expand the scope of occupational diseases under the Social Security Act. GUIDELINES Aware that the official recognition of digital work-linked musculoskeletal disorders may take time, Raemy said early prevention is critical to managing the risks before they turn into serious health problems. In this context, he said the 2017 Ergonomic Risk Assessment Guidelines at the Workplace, published by DOSH, can play a vital role. These guidelines offer practical directions for organisations to systematically identify, assess and control ergonomic risks in the workplace. These guidelines are supported by NIOSH's training programmes such as Ergonomics Trained Person (ETP) and Simplified Ergonomics Risk Assessment (SERA). 'ETP training not only produces individuals skilled in ergonomics but also helps organisations comply with legal requirements and improve worker productivity and well-being,' Raemy said, adding the ETP course is also a prerequisite for those who wish to be listed as Ergonomically Trained Persons on the official DOSH website. The SERA programme, meanwhile, is targeted at small and medium enterprises, which usually have less exposure to ergonomic issues, especially with regard to workplace injury claims with the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO). He also said SERA serves as an essential early intervention to help employers identify ergonomic risks in a simple and practical way. He is also confident that through training and ergonomic risk assessments, organisations can reduce injuries and protect workers. He also recommends that employees adopt ergonomic workplace layouts and take micro-breaks every 30 to 60 minutes. 'Computer screens should be placed at eye level, chairs must have lumbar support and keyboards should align with elbow height,' he advised. RISING TREND AMONG THE YOUNG Clinically, experts have observed a rising trend of young patients experiencing text neck symptoms. Using his own experience as an example, orthopaedic consultant Dr Manmohan Singh said he is now treating more young patients for this condition than before, with this trend emerging over the past decade in line with the increased use of devices among teenagers and young adults. 'Before 2008, I rarely treated patients in their 20s for neck pain. But now, even 15-year-olds show spinal structure changes on MRI,' he said when met by Bernama. According to the specialist from Columbia Asia Hospital Cheras here, this phenomenon, caused by drastic lifestyle changes, poses a major challenge to the healthcare system, which is not yet fully prepared to deal with the long-term impacts of digital lifestyles. He said many patients often take early symptoms lightly – such as neck pain, watery eyes or visual fatigue – and do not realise that these can lead to serious spinal structural injuries. He also shared the case of a 14-year-old patient who initially complained only of eye discomfort but was later diagnosed with text neck. He noted that younger people usually seek treatment earlier because the symptoms interfere with their daily activities, while most working adults only seek help once the pain affects their sleep or job performance. 'We've found that many consider neck pain to be normal… they usually just change their pillow or apply medicated oil. But when we do an MRI, we see significant changes in the spinal structure,' he said. As for treatment options for text neck, he said most patients do not require surgery. Instead, conservative treatments such as physiotherapy and muscle-strengthening exercises, and educating them on proper posture are often more effective. EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITY Dr Manmohan also stressed the importance of employers taking responsibility for their workers' postural health by providing ergonomic workspace setups. Inappropriate furniture and equipment, such as chairs without lumbar support or computer screens that are too low, directly contribute to chronic spinal stress, especially when used continuously without adequate breaks. This physical strain not only affects one's health but also has a direct impact on organisational performance, he said. Citing data from the United Kingdom's Health and Safety Executive, he said during the 2023/24 period, the country lost 33 million working days, with 7.8 million due to issues like neck and back pain. 'If employees frequently take sick leave due to neck pain, employers should not take it lightly. Their workplace setup may not be ergonomic. Consult a doctor before the condition worsens,' he said. Dr Manmohan also encouraged every organisation to invest in adjustable desks and spine-supportive chairs, while ensuring that computer screens are positioned at eye level. He also recommended that employees take a five-minute break to stand and do light stretches for every 45 minutes spent in front of the screen. These small steps not only help reduce the risk of spinal injuries but also foster a healthier and more sustainable work culture, he said, adding that it is time for employers to view investments in ergonomics as a strategic necessity to ensure a healthy, productive and future-ready workforce.
Daily Express
25-06-2025
- Daily Express
Habitual addict gets five years, caning
Published on: Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 25, 2025 By: Cynthia D Baga Text Size: The offence under Section 39C(1) (b) of the Dangerous Drugs Act carries a jail term of between five and seven years and whipping, on conviction. Kota Kinabalu: A man, who was detained on his 24th birthday this year, was jailed five years and ordered given a stroke of the cane for repeatedly taking syabu. Sessions Court Judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan handed the sentence to Mohammad Zulkarnain who admitted to the charge against him on Tuesday. Mohammad was found taking the drug at 8.30am on Feb 24 this year after his urine was tested positive for drug at the Papar police station. He has two previous conviction records of taking the drug. The offence under Section 39C(1) (b) of the Dangerous Drugs Act carries a jail term of between five and seven years and whipping, on conviction. After completing the jail sentence, Mohammad was ordered placed under police supervision for three years. In meting out the sentence, the court advised Mohammad to not repeat to take the drug, seek for a job and find a soulmate since he is still single. Advertisement In another court, the court set July 24 for further pre-trial case management for a 38-year-old lorry driver charged with committing criminal breach of trust involving frozen products worth RM39,326. The court set the date for Azlan Limin when his counsel discharged herself from representing him. Azlan informed the court that he could not engage a counsel because of financial problems. He is accused of breaching the trust given to him as a lorry driver who was entrusted by the Evergrowth Intergrated Food Industries Sdn Bhd with the 316 cartons of frozen goods on Apr 9 this year at the company premises in Kg Mook, Kinarut, Papar. He claimed trial to the offence under section 407 of the Penal Code which carries a jail between one and 10 years, with whipping and liable to a fine, on conviction. The court extended Azlan's bail. Deputy Public Prosecutor Bryan Francis appeared for the prosecution. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
24-06-2025
- Borneo Post
CBT accused left without lawyer due to financial constraints
The Kota Kinabalu Court Complex. KOTA KINABALU (June 24): A defence counsel representing a lorry driver charged with committing criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving frozen products worth RM39,326, has discharged herself from the case. Sessions Court judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan recorded the lawyer's withdrawal on Tuesday following her application to discharge herself. The accused, Azlan Limin, 38, did not object to the application and informed the court that he currently lacks the financial means to appoint a new lawyer. Azlan was charged under Section 407 of the Penal Code for criminal breach of trust by a carrier, which provides for imprisonment of up to 10 years, whipping, and a possible fine upon conviction. He is accused of breaching the trust entrusted to him as a lorry driver by his employer involving 316 cartons of frozen goods on April 9 at the company premises in Papar. The prosecution has served several relevant documents to Azlan for use in the upcoming trial. The court fixed July 24 for the next pre-trial case management. Azlan's RM3,000 bail with two local sureties was extended pending the disposal of the case.
Borneo Post
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Borneo Post
Players from 16 countries in Kuching for 23rd Asian Individual and Doubles Squash Championships
Rentap (front fifth left) is flanked by Azlan and Lucy in a group photo with team coaches and other distinguished guests. — Photo by Kentigern Minggu KUCHING (June 17): The 23rd Asian Individual and Doubles Squash Championships 2025 will witness 87 contenders from 16 Asian countries vying for top honours. Running from today until June 26 at the Sarawak Squash Centre here, the championships will feature athletes from Malaysia, Pakistan, India, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, China, Iran, Kuwait, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Iraq, and Macao. 'I hope you will demonstrate that squash remains a highly relevant and fiercely competitive sport across the world,' said Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu at the welcoming dinner last night. Rentap commended organisers Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) and Squash Racquets Association of Sarawak (SRAS) for their efforts in securing support for the championships. 'They have also consistently ensured that both the venue and the event are welcoming to all participating nations,' he said. He called for more international sporting events to be held in Sarawak to showcase the state's natural beauty and peaceful charm to the world. Among those present at the welcoming dinner were SRAS president Lucy Read, deputy president Dr Shafiq Abdullah, and SRAM deputy president Azlan Iskandar.
