Manulife Malaysia Champions New Era Of Health Protection
Manulife chief marketing officer Marilyn Wang said this commitment is reflected in its expanding range of health solutions, including Manulife Health Saver Enrich (MHSE) and Beyond Critical Cover (BCC), both designed to provide support at every stage of care.
'These products aim not only to ease the financial burden of serious illnesses but also to promote healthier lifestyles for long-term well-being,' she said during a speech at an exclusive session with Manulife Malaysia and Cancer Research Malaysia (CRMY) on Cancer, Prevention & Protection here, today.
She said that, according to The Asia Care Survey 2024 conducted by Manulife, about 45 per cent of Malaysians worry about cancer as a major future health risk.
'They also report a 29 per cent perceived increase in healthcare costs, the second highest in Asia, and 71 per cent say employer health benefits alone are not enough to protect their long-term well-being,' she said.
Marilyn said MHSE offers practical benefits such as coverage for essential vaccinations, mental wellness, and generous post-hospitalisation recovery support for up to 365 days.
'MHSE also provides post-cancer follow-up care for up to five years after remission, helping monitor for recurrence and manage ongoing needs.
'MHSE also rewards customers with a no-claims discount of up to 40 per cent on insurance charges for every claim-free year,' she said, adding that families benefit from an annual limit of RM20 million, with the flexibility to cover a spouse and up to five children under a single policy, plus a special family discount for added affordability.
On Manulife's BCC, she said it protects against 48 critical illnesses, including cancer.
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Barnama
28 minutes ago
- Barnama
Menopause Treatment Can Help Women Stay In The Workforce
L im Ai Jing feels like she has been a bad daughter. When her 54-year-old mother called her to complain that she was not sleeping well, Lim dismissed her concerns, thinking they were normal gripes. 'And initially, I took it lightly. But then now, when I read through everything, it's like, oh my god, this can be quite serious,' Lim, 29, told Bernama via Zoom. The 'everything' she was referring to is her research on perimenopause, the transition phase when estrogen levels in women start declining, and menopause, characterised by the end of the menstrual cycle for good, and their long-term effects on women's health. Long considered a natural process that did not require any intervention, experts are now calling for a paradigm shift: recognising early menopause care not just as a matter of individual well-being but as a crucial strategy to prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and save Malaysia and its people significant money and misery. Malaysian Menopause Society president Dr Ho Choon Moy said too many people in the country are unaware of how serious untreated menopause can be for women, and only addressing it after they have developed issues like diabetes. 'There's zero budget for menopause. Most of the budget (go to conditions) like diabetes, big budget, you know? I mean, they are like treating the fire, they're putting out the fire but (not) the root cause (which is menopause),' she said on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Menopause Federation 10th Scientific Meeting here recently. WHAT IS MENOPAUSE? Menopause marks not only the end of a woman's reproductive years but also her increased vulnerability to developing various diseases. The average age of menopause in Malaysia is 50.7 years, though women may start the transition process (perimenopause) 10 years earlier. In the foreword of the Ministry of Health (MOH) Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Menopause, then-Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, wrote this: 'Menopause, a natural biological process that is accompanied by estrogen deficiency, will affect every woman. As the average age of menopause in Malaysia is around 50 years, one-third of the lives of women are going to be without the hormone estrogen, making them susceptible to a multitude of problems, ranging from social to medical issues such as coronary heart disease, non-communicable diseases, osteoporosis and cancers.' Dr Ho said providing early menopause care, such as Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT), for women with moderate to severe symptoms is a worthwhile investment as it will prevent many diseases and complications later on. 'Menopausal Hormone Therapy has long-term benefits. We are talking about preventing diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, heart disease, osteoporosis and fractures,' she said. 'When you treat all these women who are having symptoms now, it is cardiac protective. It actually protects the heart, you know.' According to the 2013-2019 National Diabetes Registry, published by MOH, women constitute the majority of diabetic cases in Malaysia at 57.1 percent. The report did not specify at what age the women were diagnosed with diabetes, whether they were receiving MHT or whether they outnumbered men due to their longer life expectancy. Studies on hip fractures among elderly patients admitted to teaching hospitals in Malaysia found that most of the patients were women due to their lower bone density from osteoporosis. The average stay at the hospital was five days. 'Give, like, free menopause hormone therapy in the government clinic. Okay, that will cut down (the government's) health expenses 10 to 20 years down the road,' Dr Ho added. THE ECONOMIC BENEFIT On top of healthcare savings, experts argue that providing early menopausal treatment can fuel economic growth by helping some women stay longer in the workforce. In several international studies, issues surrounding menopause have been cited as a significant cause of women exiting the workforce during middle age. While Malaysia has announced strategies, ranging from childcare or eldercare assistance to three-month paid maternity leave, to keep women in the labour force, menopausal symptoms have not made much headway in penetrating mainstream consciousness. The impact of menopausal symptoms on Malaysian women in the workforce is a profound, yet largely unacknowledged, reality. As a recent study led by prominent obstetrician/gynaecologist and menopause advocate Dr Premitha Damodaran highlighted, common menopausal symptoms among multiethnic working women in Malaysia include joint pain, sleep disturbances, brain fog, mood swings and digestive issues. Lim, who works as a clinical psychologist at Sunway Medical Centre Velocity, said many of the symptoms can be debilitating, regardless of whether the women are working or not. 'The most destructive symptom (is) sleep disturbance, and also the most important one that we cannot ignore is the cognitive problem, that is, concentration issues (or brain fog),' she said. Brain fog can make it difficult to concentrate, remember crucial information or make quick decisions, impacting productivity in roles that require sharp cognitive function. Hot flashes, another menopausal symptom, can lead to embarrassment and discomfort in professional settings, while chronic fatigue from sleep disturbances erodes overall well-being and focus. These symptoms have a carry-over effect. Striking women between the ages of 45 and 55, some of the symptoms have been severe enough for many women to report reduced productivity, leading them to decline promotions, reduce their working hours and resign early, according to studies conducted in the United Kingdom and Ireland. This translates to a significant loss of experienced talent, invaluable institutional knowledge and leadership potential, particularly among women aged 45 to 60, who are often at the prime of their professional lives. 'You know, they have a lot of experience (by then). If they go, it's really a waste of resources,' said Dr Ho. '(When we treat women's menopause symptoms) because they are healthy, they can continue working. They don't have to retire (early). And this will boost the economy of the country, the female workforce.' Malaysia's female labour participation rate (FLPR) was 56.4 percent as of May 2025, an increase from 56.2 percent in 2023, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia. Singapore had 62.6 percent FLPR and Thailand 60.6 percent FLPR in 2023. There is scant data in the Asia-Pacific region on whether menopausal symptoms are a significant factor for women exiting the workforce. Menopause also increases the chance of developing mental health issues like anxiety and depression, while other physical symptoms like vaginal dryness, which makes sexual intercourse painful, may exacerbate the anxiety and depression. Mood swings and irritability may also affect family and social relationships, and cause them to break down. '(Women experiencing menopause) easily get hot-tempered. Easily irritable. Become moody. Mood is unstable. Feel offended easily. Feel sad easily. This is what can sometimes cause problems between the husband and wife,' said Prof Dr Nik Hazlina Nik Hussain, vice president of the Malaysian Menopause Society. She said open and honest communication between a husband and wife is crucial so that the wife will feel supported to go seek help to alleviate her menopausal symptoms. The same goes for husbands, who may be suffering from erectile dysfunction. AVAILABLE BUT UNPOPULAR MHT, an umbrella term that covers all hormonal treatments including contraceptives and hormonal replacement therapy (HRT), is the recommended treatment for relief of menopausal symptoms. For instance, the Clinical Practice Guidelines Management on Menopause Care states that estrogen therapy may be cardio protective when started within 10 years of menopause or for women less than 60 years of age compared to older postmenopausal women. Despite acknowledging the benefits of MHT in preventing cardiovascular diseases, the guidelines do not recommend it for primary or secondary prevention of coronary heart disease in women. Other factors also influence the low uptake of MHT in the Asia-Pacific region. Studies have cited factors such as cultural stigma and taboo, and misinformation and fear. Dr Nik Hazlina said the ignorance is often generational and women, especially those in rural areas, tend to see menopause as a natural part of ageing and something to be endured. 'Although menopause is a natural physiological process, it can produce debilitating symptoms,' she said. This ignorance is not only rife among the public but also among the medical and healthcare sector, even in gynaecology. One woman, who asked to be identified as Nadirah, told Bernama that an oncologist acquaintance warned her to only take her hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) for five years for fear of developing breast cancer. Dr Ho was not surprised to hear Nadirah's story, saying that she has seen patients who had been put on MHT by one doctor, only to be taken off it by another. 'And the patient came to see me, saying 'Doctor, I'm confused, my GP (general practitioner) gave me MHT, but the gynaecologist asked me to stop',' she said. While there are small risks to going on MHT, menopause experts said the risk is largely dependent on the type of treatment. For example, taking combined HRT – estrogen and progesterone – increases the breast cancer risk slightly – by about 0.4 percent according to the Health Services Executive, Ireland's national public health and social care provider – over those not taking it. But taking estrogen-only MHT, especially for women with no uterus, will not increase breast cancer risk. There is also non-hormonal menopause care, usually recommended for women breast cancer patients or women with a family history of cancer, if they are concerned about developing breast cancer. But they are only for symptom relief and will not protect against cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis and other NCDs. Dr Ho blamed patriarchy for the lack of awareness of menopause's effects among doctors whom the public relies on for medical and health information 'We need to really educate doctors. I mean, in medical school, they only have like one small chapter on menopause, that's all. They don't really concentrate on menopause,' she said. Lim agreed. She said when she was doing her degrees to qualify as a clinical psychologist, the curriculum did not consider menopause as a root cause for any mental health issue. 'They asked us to look into hypothyroidism because it (presents) similarly as anxiety symptoms. We were always told to look for bipolar, for other physical issues. But no one asked us to look at menopause,' she said. When asked what she planned to do with her newfound knowledge on menopause, she said she would start by taking her mother's complaints seriously. 'I think it's time for me to sit down and talk with her about this and see how I can help with her sleep,' she said, smiling.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Dr Nisha's batik scrubs brighten up hospital wards
KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian doctor, seeking a practical yet patriotic way to dress at work, has started a quiet fashion trend in hospitals by producing a range of hospital-compliant scrubs for healthcare sector employees. Dr Nisha Puvan, an internal medicine specialist with a special interest in gastroenterology and currently working in a government hospital here, said it started as a passion project. 'Wearing vibrant (batik) prints lifted my spirits and created a positive vibration with my colleagues and patients,' she told Bernama in an interview recently. She is the founder craftbynishapuvan, a custom-made clothing brand, which she runs from Subang Jaya, Selangor. She said the idea took off during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 when she began making batik face masks. But a key turning point came in August 2023 when the Public Service Department issued a directive requiring civil servants, including doctors in public hospitals, to wear batik every Thursday. That was when Dr Nisha decided to create batik scrubs for hospital staff. To make sure the batik attire would not compromise practicality and hygiene, she did her own research, testing fabrics that met infection control standards while remaining breathable, durable and colourfast. 'The scrubs had to be short-sleeved, free from embellishments that could potentially harbour bacteria and withstand frequent washing. 'I wore them myself daily – tweaking pocket sizes, material thickness, and even testing how colours held up over time,' she said, adding her scrubs are made from cotton-blend fabrics adorned with batik prints, handcrafted by local artisans using traditional techniques. For Dr Nisha, functionality is key. 'Doctors are constantly on the move – from clinics to wards to emergency situations – and we carry many items,' she said. 'So I designed (scrubs with) large pockets and added tailored features without compromising style.' Today, her scrubs are being worn by many doctors working in government and private hospitals and at private practices nationwide. While she expressed her desire to collaborate with the Ministry of Health to supply batik scrubs to public hospitals on a larger scale, currently, she receives bulk orders from only certain departments of government hospitals. In some district hospitals, some of their departments order them in specific colours – such as blue batik scrubs for Mondays and green for Tuesdays. Her client base also includes Malaysian professionals working abroad, particularly in the United Kingdom and Australia. 'It is mostly Malaysians abroad who want to wear something that connects them to home. Batik gives them a sense of pride in being a Malaysian,' she said. Dr Nisha manages her business on her own – from handling her social media accounts and taking orders to quality control and packaging. 'It is a one-woman show. I have a couple of tailors, but everything else is done by me,' she said, adding that her four-year-old twin daughters are also involved in the creative process. 'If a print is not nice, they will say so. It is my way of introducing them to Malaysian heritage.' Apart from scrubs, craftbynishapuvan also creates custom-made batik sarees, cheongsam, baju Melayu, lehenga and coordinated family sets. 'We cater to all body types. Some families choose a single signature batik print and request different styles to be made, such as a cheongsam for mum, Mandarin-collared shirt for dad, and matching outfits for the children.' Recognising the need for modest wear among Muslim doctors, the brand is expanding its range of scrubs to include adjustable sleeves, longer tunics and higher necklines. Sustainability is also a priority, with craftbynishapuvan using deadstock fabrics – leftover materials from larger productions – to reduce waste. Dr Nisha attends to her business after working hours, often packaging orders at night whilst her children are asleep. 'When I am at work, I stay fully focused on my patients. Craft comes after-hours... it is how I unwind and recalibrate,' she said. Referring to her batik scrubs, she said: 'This is my form of patriotism. A quiet pride. We may not realise it, but even what we wear can carry our identity, dignity and culture into places that feel cold and clinical. 'Every time I see a doctor in batik scrubs, not just in my hospital but any other place, it reminds me that Malaysian heritage is alive, adaptable and proudly worn.' - Bernama
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Guardian Malaysia launches 'Skin So Super' campaign
In celebration of World Skin Health Day this July, Guardian Malaysia — the country's No. 1 Health & Beauty Retailer* — is going all out to honour the vital role of skin in overall health and wellbeing with a month-long nationwide campaign titled 'Skin So Super', running from 2 to 29 July. The highlight of this initiative is the 1st Skin So Super Atrium Experience, happening at Sunway Pyramid on 26 and 27 July. 'This campaign is our reimagination of how our shoppers should care for their skin and overall wellbeing,' said Anna Ng, Marketing Director of Guardian Malaysia. 'When our skin is healthy, wellbeing follows — and vice versa. When we are well within, our skin glows without.' Guided by this year's World Skin Health Day theme, 'No Health Without Skin Health', Guardian's campaign promotes both skin function and appearance — because healthy skin is more than just skin-deep. A Month of Skincare & Wellness The Skin So Super campaign features special promotions across Guardian stores nationwide and online. Key skincare categories include: - Derma/Sensitive - Brightening & Suncare - Youth Boosting (Anti-Aging) - Acne Solutions Supporting brands in health and inner wellness will also be featured — helping Malaysians achieve radiant, healthy skin from the inside out. Customers can consult Guardian pharmacists and brand beauty advisors at any store or during the Atrium Experience for personalised advice on skincare concerns or to optimise their current routine. 'We have the experts and expertise to advise you on all things skin,' Anna added. An interactive Skin So Super campaign page is also live at: Here, users can explore skincare products, take guided quizzes, and learn from dermatologist tips, videos, and the SkinLab guide to healthier skin. What to Expect at the Skin So Super Atrium Experience - Sunway Pyramid - 26 & 27 July 2025 - 10am–10pm (Starts at 12:30pm on 26 July) Get ready for a weekend of immersive skincare and wellness experiences featuring: - 100 participating brands - Brand booths & live demos - Workshops & masterclasses - Personalised skin consultations - Wellness sharing sessions - Interactive Beauty Zones (Skin Lab, Acne, Healthy Aging, Sun Smart) - Wellbeing Zones (Inner Wellness, Power Up) Exclusive Offers - Special discounts - Purchase-with-Purchase (PWP) deals - Gift-with-Purchase (GWP) goodies - Exclusive workshops for MyGuardian Rewards members Workshop tickets available via the MyGuardian Rewards app or online:
