Rethinking Malaysia's public healthcare ecosystem
AS a Malaysian, I have long appreciated the affordability and accessibility of our public healthcare system; the Government Health Clinics charging only RM1 for treatment is a testament to Malaysia's commitment to ensuring that basic healthcare is within reach for all citizens.
When an outpatient sees a doctor, the person only needs to pay RM1, while a fee of RM5 is charged if he or she goes to a specialist doctor, and medicine is given free.
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The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
Association raises alarm over online sales of abortion pills
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS) has raised the alarm over a surge in illegal sales of unlicensed abortion pills – especially misoprostol – on social media, warning of serious, potentially fatal health risks. MPS general secretary Lim Jack Shen said these pills, often purchased online without prescriptions or guidance, pose grave risks when consumed without medical supervision. 'Medications such as misoprostol are powerful pharmaceuticals intended for use under strict clinical oversight, typically in hospital settings. 'Used incorrectly, they can cause severe uterine bleeding, incomplete abortion, uterine rupture, sepsis and even death,' he told theSun. He stressed these dangers are not minor side effects but life-threatening outcomes, particularly when such drugs are taken without proper diagnosis, monitoring or follow-up care. 'This isn't just a health issue. It's a matter of life and death, especially for young women who may feel they have nowhere else to turn for reproductive healthcare.' Lim added that pharmacy enforcement officers under the Pharmacy Enforcement Division are closely monitoring platforms such as TikTok, where the illegal sale of misoprostol and other prescription-only drugs has been detected. He added that misoprostol has been officially deregistered in Malaysia since 2016, making its sale and purchase illegal regardless of platform. 'Any transaction involving misoprostol – whether on social media or elsewhere – is against the law.' He further warned that the issue extends beyond a lack of awareness, highlighting Malaysia's highly restrictive abortion laws as a contributing factor. 'Abortion is legal only under very limited circumstances, when the mother's life is at risk. With so few legal options, many women are pushed towards unsafe alternatives.' Lim urged social media companies to act more responsibly, suggesting their algorithms could be used more effectively to detect and remove illicit drug sales. Meanwhile, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Centre for Drug Research researcher Dr Darshan Singh said the illegal sale of misoprostol highlights a deeper issue, limited access to safe abortion and widespread public misinformation. 'Young women, especially those who are unmarried or facing financial difficulties, often turn to these pills out of sheer desperation.' Darshan highlighted Section 312 of the Penal Code, which stipulates that causing a miscarriage is punishable by up to three years in prison. Women who self-induce an abortion can face up to seven years. He also highlighted Section 315, which deals with acts intended to prevent a child from being born alive or causing its death after birth, that carries penalties of up to 10 years' imprisonment. However, abortion is permitted under Malaysian law if a registered medical practitioner, acting in good faith, believes the pregnancy poses a greater risk to the woman's life or health than terminating it as stated in the Medical Act 1971. Fellow USM researcher Dr Zurina Hassan echoed these concerns, adding that unlicensed pills may contain harmful adulterants such as steroids or incorrect dosages, significantly increasing the risk of overdose and toxic reactions. 'The purity of these black-market drugs is highly questionable. Consumers often have no idea what they're ingesting,' she warned. 'These medications should only be used under proper medical supervision.' On enforcement, Zurina acknowledged the uphill task authorities face, likening the online availability of misoprostol to the trafficking of psychoactive substances on the dark web.
The Star
13 hours ago
- The Star
‘Vaping a growing threat to lungs of adolescents'
ONCE believed to be a safer alternative to smoking, vaping has emerged as a serious health risk, especially for adolescents and individuals with asthma, says a medical practitioner. Despite the absence of tobacco combustion and lower levels of toxic chemicals, e-cigarettes still deliver harmful substances such as nicotine, propylene glycol and flavouring agents that can damage the lungs. According to the Adolescent Health Survey 2022 by the Health Ministry, tobacco use among Malaysian adolescents declined slightly from 20.9% in 2017 to 18.5% in 2022. However, adolescent vaping rose sharply during the same period from 9.8% to 14.9% – raising concerns that the trend may continue due to increasing social acceptance. Experts are urging the public to pay greater attention to the respiratory dangers of vaping, especially among adolescents and those with pre-existing conditions such as asthma. Exposure to e-cigarette aerosols can trigger asthma attacks, reduce medication effectiveness, impair lung function and slow lung development. — 123rf Sunway Medical Centre pediatrician and paediatric respiratory specialist consultant Dr Noor Zehan Abdul Rahim cautioned that e-cigarette users face potential complications, including symptoms of e-cigarette or lung injury (Evali) associated with vaping. She shared the case of a teenager who suffered respiratory failure just weeks after taking up vaping. The boy developed severe breathing difficulty, coughed up blood and required intensive care. A CT scan revealed acute lung injury caused by chemical inflammation. 'This teen had no prior lung issues. It was the vaping exposure that triggered this rapid decline. 'This case is a stark reminder that adolescent lungs are still developing and are extremely sensitive to chemical injury. 'What may begin as casual experimentation can quickly become life-threatening,' she told Bernama. Asked about the most harmful substances in e-cigarette vapour, Dr Noor Zehan cited nicotine, along with chemicals such as propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin. She said these, when heated, could produce toxic by-products like formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, both of which inflame the airways. She also highlighted the dangers of certain flavouring agents such as diacetyl, acetoin and 2,3-pentanedione – all linked to 'popcorn lung,' a serious and irreversible lung condition. 'Children and adolescents with asthma are especially vulnerable. 'Exposure to e-cigarette aerosols can trigger asthma attacks, reduce medication effectiveness, impair lung function, and slow lung development,' she said. Dr Noor Zehan warned that regular vaping among teenagers could increase the risk of chronic bronchitis, early-onset chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and persistent asthma, even after quitting. 'Children exposed to vaping are also reporting symptoms such as persistent coughing, wheezing and breathlessness. 'This second-hand exposure can lead to bronchitis, pneumonia and other respiratory infections,' Dr Noor Zehan added.
New Straits Times
15 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Malaysian field hospital earns local praise for its role in Myanmar
SHAH ALAM: The presence of the Malaysian field hospital in Myanmar was well received by the local population, prompting an extended ceasefire throughout the Malaysian Armed Forces' deployment under Ops Starlight III. Field hospital commander Colonel Dr Ahmad Farhan Ahmad Fuad said that despite the ongoing internal unrest in Myanmar, the humanitarian mission continued under strict security protocols. He said that the ceasefire, initially set to end in late April, was extended following Malaysian diplomatic efforts, a gesture reflecting the high regard in which the team was held by the local community. "Throughout the operation, we worked closely with local authorities, who provided tremendous support in terms of security, facilities, and operational requirements. "Although Myanmar remains politically unstable, the local authorities, including the government, supported our presence on humanitarian grounds. "With the country's healthcare system affected by the earthquake, our field hospital played a major role in easing the burden on local hospitals and served as an alternative treatment centre for the people," he said. Meanwhile, the hospital's general surgeon, Major Dr Aminur Rashid Yunus, said their presence was warmly welcomed and deeply appreciated by both the local community and the Myanmar government. "Our presence was highly valued by the people, as surgical services are not only expensive, but the local hospitals were also impacted by the earthquake. "Our hospital operated two alternating surgical theatres, compared with only one emergency room at Sagaing Hospital," he said. He added that patients treated included those with earthquake-related injuries, blast wounds, severe infections, cancer, thyroid conditions, and cleft palate cases handled by Armed Forces plastic surgeons. The field hospital also managed complex cases, including patients with liver and heart failure. "Throughout the mission, no fatalities were reported, and only one case required intensive care. "Most remarkably, we recorded zero postoperative infections, an extraordinary achievement for a field hospital operating in such austere conditions," he said. Earlier, 69 Armed Forces personnel arrived at Subang Air Base after completing the 38-day humanitarian mission in the earthquake-stricken country. The operation involved teams such as the Forward Anaesthesia and Surgical Team (Fast), elements of the Royal Engineers Regiment, and a security detail, with a focus on delivering medical assistance. In total, 3,562 patients were treated and 493 surgical procedures successfully performed by the field hospital.
