Disapproving families contribute to longer wait for transplants, says Dzulkefly
The Health Minister said there were more than 10,000 kidney patients on the waiting list for transplants as of July 31 this year.
He said those with liver, heart and lung conditions were also on the waiting list.
'The reasons behind (such) are multifactorial, but in general, objections from a donor's next-of-kin present a challenge.
'If we can overcome this, I'm confident we can improve the percentage of our organ transplants,' he told reporters after launching the National Organ Donation Awareness Week here yesterday.
Dzulkefly said this year's campaign is focused on getting the next-of-kin to respect a deceased donor's pledge.
'We have always urged the public to pledge as organ donors, but now, we need to step up and have a call for action.
'It's no longer about talk.'
For 2024, he said the organ donor rate from cadavers was still low with only 46 cases or 1.33 donors for one million people.
On the number of organ transplants, he said 3,359 had been carried out between 1997 and July 31 this year.
This comprised 1,121 cadavers while 2,238 were from live donors.
A total of 404,925 Malaysians pledged to donate their organs during the same period.
Almost 200 tissue transplant procedures were carried out last year, with 74% on cornea transplants involving donations from Malaysians.
'The figures are hopeful but also a reminder that the journey is still long.
'In reality, we are still facing challenges. Kidney, liver and heart (transplants) are among the most needed.
'The same goes for tissue and bones,' Dzulkefly added.
He said the rate of organ transplants in Malaysia is still low compared with countries like Spain, Turkiye and China.
The Health Minister said he will raise the matter at the Asean Health Ministers' Meeting next year, with the aim to strengthen governance, improve the capacity and speed up innovative processes in donor and transplant services.
Meanwhile, Dzulkefly said efforts to reform the National Transplant Resource Centre are underway.
This, he said, will see a shift towards setting-up a National Transplant Centre.
'The purpose is to empower governance, increase capacity and hasten innovation in organ donations and transplants,' Dzulkefly said, adding that engagements are also on the agenda.
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The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
When you have to juggle multiple medications
The Malaysian population is rapidly ageing, with over 11% currently aged 60 and above. This figure is projected to rise to 17.3% by 2040. The demographic shift has led to increasing healthcare demands, particularly in managing chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure) and heart disease. These conditions require long-term medicine use. Alarmingly, studies indicate that nearly half of older Malaysians experience polypharmacy. Many are also prescribed potentially inappropriate medications or fail to adhere to their treatment regimens. This issue calls for coordinated care, increased awareness and targeted interventions. Understanding polypharmacy Polypharmacy is generally defined as the use of five or more medicines at the same time. However, the number of medicines alone does not determine the impact. The necessity and appropriateness of these medicines are equally important. Polypharmacy can be both beneficial and harmful. Appropriate polypharmacy occurs when multiple medicines are clinically necessary, carefully monitored and effectively managed. For example, a person with high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease may require several medicines to maintain stable health. Problematic polypharmacy occurs when medicines are prescribed to treat the side effects of other medicines (a situation known as a prescribing cascade), or when the medicines themselves are potentially harmful. Polypharmacy is common among older adults for several reasons. Understanding these contributing factors is essential in order to design effective strategies to minimise medicines-related harm and improve overall patient care. Some of the factors that can be attributed to the high frequency of polypharmacy among older adults are: The presence of multiple chronic medical conditions, for which the long-term use of medicines is necessary, Prescription of medicines on multiple different occasions by different healthcare practitioners, which increases the risk of duplication or drug interaction. Prescribing cascades, where medicines are prescribed to treat the side effects caused by other medicines. The absence of regular medicine reviews, which may allow unnecessary or outdated prescriptions to continue without reassessment. Poor communication between patients and healthcare providers, which can result in confusion or misuse of medicines. Widespread and accessible pharmaceutical promotions, which encourage patients to use traditional or over-the-counter medicines alongside prescribed medicines without medical advice. Potential dangers Polypharmacy carries genuine and significant risks, especially for older adults. Community pharmacists are one resource patients can easily access to ensure that their medicine regime is up-to-date and not causing any unnecessary side effects. — Filepic Due to slower metabolisms and potentially impaired kidney function, the elderly are more vulnerable to the negative effects of multiple medicines. Some of the most concerning consequences include emergency hospitalisations due to medicine-related complications, drug interactions that lead to undesirable side effects or reduced effectiveness, and adverse side effects such as dizziness, confusion or gastrointestinal issues. In addition, when medicines impair alertness or physical coordination, they may contribute to falls, fractures and cognitive decline. Several studies conducted in Malaysia also show that the majority of older adults do not take their medicines as prescribed. 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This open communication allows more regular medicine reviews, which helps healthcare providers identify medicines that may no longer be necessary or could be potentially harmful. Another key practice is deprescribing, which involves gradually reducing or stopping medicines that are no longer beneficial. Medicine reconciliation is also essential. This process ensures that any changes to a patient's medicine list, such as during hospital admission, discharge or transfer to a nursing home, are accurate and appropriate. Technology also plays a helpful role. Electronic health records can alert healthcare providers to potential interactions or duplicate medicines. Most importantly, a patient-centred approach is needed. When patients are involved in decisions about their treatment, it builds trust, improves adherence to medicines and leads to better health outcomes. The most effective strategies to manage polypharmacy involve active participation from both patients and their caregivers. Several steps are encouraged to support safe medication use: Maintain an updated medicines list, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies. Bring this list to every medical appointment. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the purpose, benefits and possible side effects of each medicine. Inform your doctor or pharmacist when you experience side effects, especially if they are suspected to be caused by a medicine. Get help from pharmacists for medicine reviews, especially after hospital stays or when there is a change in the medicine regimen. Use adherence devices or tools to help take medicines correctly, such as pill boxes, mobile apps or mobile alarms. The role of pharmacists As the number of elderly individuals taking multiple medications daily continues to rise, the role of pharmacists has become increasingly vital. While doctors are responsible for diagnosing conditions and prescribing treatments, pharmacists ensure that medications are used safely, correctly and effectively. With specialised knowledge in pharmacology and drug interactions, pharmacists are often able to detect issues that may be overlooked by others. These include overlapping therapies, potentially harmful drug combinations, and unnecessary or duplicate prescriptions. Community pharmacists, in particular, are in a unique position to support patients directly. As the most accessible healthcare professionals, they can offer personalised counselling, conduct routine medication reviews and help patients understand the purpose and proper use of each medicine. They can also identify early signs of adverse effects or non-adherence, and refer patients for further medical attention when necessary. Addressing polypharmacy requires a coordinated approach that centres on the patient. As the population grows older, providing safe, effective and individualised treatment is crucial. Balancing illness management with quality of life is key to delivering better and safer care to older adults. For any inquiries regarding medicines, please call the National Pharmacy Call Centre (NPCC) at the toll-free number 1-800-88-6722 during weekdays from 8am to 5pm, except on public holidays. Payal Choudhury is a pharmacist at Hospital Tengku Ampuan Najihah in Kuala Pilah, Negri Sembilan. This article is courtesy of the Health Ministry's Pharmacy Practice and Development Division. For more information, email starhealth@ The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and should not be considered as medical advice. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this article. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
Disapproving families contribute to longer wait for transplants, says Dzulkefly
KUALA LUMPUR: Objections from the next-of-kin of deceased organ donors are among the reasons behind the long waiting list for those who need organ transplants in Malaysia, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. The Health Minister said there were more than 10,000 kidney patients on the waiting list for transplants as of July 31 this year. He said those with liver, heart and lung conditions were also on the waiting list. 'The reasons behind (such) are multifactorial, but in general, objections from a donor's next-of-kin present a challenge. 'If we can overcome this, I'm confident we can improve the percentage of our organ transplants,' he told reporters after launching the National Organ Donation Awareness Week here yesterday. Dzulkefly said this year's campaign is focused on getting the next-of-kin to respect a deceased donor's pledge. 'We have always urged the public to pledge as organ donors, but now, we need to step up and have a call for action. 'It's no longer about talk.' For 2024, he said the organ donor rate from cadavers was still low with only 46 cases or 1.33 donors for one million people. On the number of organ transplants, he said 3,359 had been carried out between 1997 and July 31 this year. This comprised 1,121 cadavers while 2,238 were from live donors. A total of 404,925 Malaysians pledged to donate their organs during the same period. Almost 200 tissue transplant procedures were carried out last year, with 74% on cornea transplants involving donations from Malaysians. 'The figures are hopeful but also a reminder that the journey is still long. 'In reality, we are still facing challenges. Kidney, liver and heart (transplants) are among the most needed. 'The same goes for tissue and bones,' Dzulkefly added. He said the rate of organ transplants in Malaysia is still low compared with countries like Spain, Turkiye and China. The Health Minister said he will raise the matter at the Asean Health Ministers' Meeting next year, with the aim to strengthen governance, improve the capacity and speed up innovative processes in donor and transplant services. Meanwhile, Dzulkefly said efforts to reform the National Transplant Resource Centre are underway. This, he said, will see a shift towards setting-up a National Transplant Centre. 'The purpose is to empower governance, increase capacity and hasten innovation in organ donations and transplants,' Dzulkefly said, adding that engagements are also on the agenda.
The Star
8 hours ago
- The Star
MOH working to end medical doctor contract system
KUALA LUMPUR: Efforts to abolish the contract system for government doctors are being looked into, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. The Health Minister said the system was initially introduced as an interim measure at a time when there was a supposed influx of medical graduates. 'It began in 2016 as an interim measure, meaning that there is a start date and an end date. 'From 2016 to 2025, it's been more than nine years and this interim system is still around. 'I have proposed working towards ending the contract era. 'God willing, we are hoping to resolve the issue comprehensively and promptly,' he told a press conference after launching the National Organ Donation Awareness Week here yesterday. Public praise: Dzulkefly giving the thumbs up to healthcare workers during the National Organ Donation Awareness Week event in Kuala Lumpur. — Bernama Dzulkefly said the Health director-general has begun looking into this. The minister's comments come after the issue was raised in the Dewan Rakyat recently. Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii proposed that the government abolish the contract system among doctors to address the issue of health worker shortages in health facilities. He also called for a review of the on-call allowances for healthcare staff and the creation of clearer career pathways to specialisation. Dzulkefly had earlier hinted at making a strong push to resolve the long-standing issue. 'To all our doctors. We hear you, we value you, we are with you, always. Together, we will endeavour to end the era of contract doctors (from what was supposedly an interim arrangement in 2016),' he said in an online post. In July, Dzulkefly also said the ministry was expediting the transition of contract doctors to permanent positions.
