Latest news with #FederalTerritoryIslamicReligiousCouncil
The Star
23-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Push to reduce wait times
Health Ministry rolls out initiatives to address surgery backlog KUALA LUMPUR: Nearly 15,000 patients are currently on the waiting list for various elective surgeries at government hospitals, says the Health Ministry. Its minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad ( pic ) said the ministry acknowledged the prolonged waiting periods. He assured that emergency operations are carried out promptly without compromising patient safety. 'A total of 9,233 patients are currently waiting for cataract surgeries at 56 hospitals nationwide, with an average waiting period of three months. 'Meanwhile, 2,661 patients await procedures related to kidney stones, such as percutaneous nephrolithotomy and retrograde intrarenal surgery, with an average waiting period of 11 months available at 13 hospitals with resident urology surgical specialists,' he said. He was responding to a question by Yeo Bee Yin (PH-Puchong), who had asked for the number of patients on the waiting list and the average waiting period. Dzulkefly said 2,293 patients are in line for major cardiothoracic surgeries, including coronary artery bypass graft and heart valve surgeries, which have a waiting period of seven months. 'The paediatric cardiothoracic surgeries face an even longer delay, with 603 elective cases pending and an average waiting time of 21 months,' he added. To address these lengthy waiting periods, the Health Ministry has implemented several initiatives, Dzulkefly revealed. 'These include expanding the cluster hospital concept and deploying surgical specialists to more hospitals lacking resident experts to initiate services. 'Furthermore, collaborations between agencies and public-private partnerships are being pursued to reduce surgical waiting times,' he said while highlighting the establishment of the MAIWP-Hospital Selayang Cataract Surgery Centre, a collaboration between the ministry and Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council. He also said the Health Services Outsourcing Programme is part of this effort to enhance access and expedite surgical treatment for patients in need. 'Such measures are expected to improve access and expedite surgical treatment for patients who require it,' he added.
The Star
23-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
15,000 on govt hospital waiting list for elective surgery, says Dr Dzul
KUALA LUMPUR: Almost 15,000 patients are waiting for elective surgeries at government hospitals, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. He said the ministry is aware of the extended waiting period for elective surgery at public medical facilities. However, he added that emergency operations are conducted promptly without compromising patient safety. 'A total of 9,233 patients are currently on the waiting list for cataract surgeries across 56 ministry hospitals nationwide, with an average waiting period of three months. ALSO READ: Hospitals still short of doctors 'Meanwhile, 2,661 patients await procedures related to kidney stones, such as percutaneous nephrolithotomy and retrograde intrarenal surgery, with an average waiting time of 11 months at 13 hospitals with resident specialists,' he said in a parliamentary written reply on Wednesday (July 23). Yeo Bee Yin (PH-Puchong) had asked the ministry to disclose the waiting list for surgeries and the average waiting time. Dzulkefly said that 2,293 patients are in line for major cardiothoracic operations, including coronary artery bypass graft and heart valve surgeries, with an average waiting period of seven months. 'Paediatric cardiothoracic surgeries face an even longer delay, with 603 elective cases pending and an average waiting time of 21 months,' he added. To address these lengthy waiting periods, he said the ministry has implemented several initiatives. 'These include expanding the cluster hospital concept and deploying surgical specialists to more hospitals lacking resident experts to initiate services. 'Furthermore, collaborations between agencies and public-private partnerships are being pursued to reduce surgical waiting times,' he said. He pointed out the establishment of the MAIWP-Hospital Selayang Cataract Surgery Centre, a collaboration between the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council and the ministry. He also mentioned the Health Services Outsourcing Programme as part of the effort to improve access and expedite surgery for patients in need.
Barnama
19-06-2025
- Science
- Barnama
Seminar Ignites Passion For Islamic Astronomy Among Students
KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 (Bernama) -- Astronomy is gaining traction among young people, with more than 270 pupils from 32 schools in the federal capital and Putrajaya taking part in the 'Seminar Falak: Simfoni Keajaiban Di Langit Semesta 2025' here today. Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) chairman Syed Kamarulzaman Syed Kabeer said the seminar aimed to deepen understanding of Islamic astronomy, covering celestial phenomena, the solar system, kiblat direction, and prayer time calculations. The event was organised by MAIWP's Pondok Moden Al-Abaqirah in collaboration with the Federal Territory Mufti's Office (PMWP). 'Student interest is tangible; 18 schools have established astronomy clubs, and efforts to expand these clubs are ongoing. 'Through these clubs, students are not only acquainted with the theory; they also achieve recognition, such as winning a national championship in the parachute water-rocket event at the 2019 Melaka Astronomy Carnival,' he said when closing the seminar here today. Also present were MAIWP deputy chief executive officer Mohd Fauzi Abidin and its Human Development manager Farizah Kamaruddin. According to Syed Kamarulzaman, astronomy plays a vital role not only in Islamic worship but also in modern technologies such as global positioning systems (GPS) and telecommunications. He also noted that Malaysia currently has 29 official 'hilal' sighting locations gazetted by the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal for observing the new moon, essential for identifying the start of Ramadan and Syawal. Meanwhile, Nur Hidayah Mohd Yusoff, deputy curriculum manager of Pondok Moden Al‑Abaqirah, highlighted that the institution had launched its own astronomy club to raise awareness of astronomy and its importance.
The Sun
30-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
'Mualaf' have never been marginalised - Mohd Na'im
KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar has stressed that new Muslim converts, or 'mualaf', in the country have never been marginalised. He said this was evident from the continuous efforts by the government and religious agencies to assist them in starting their new lives, including through zakat aid. Citing the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) as an example, Mohd Na'im said the religious agency provided 38 zakat aid schemes covering welfare, housing, economic, and medical clusters. 'According to MAIWP's zakat distribution data as of May 2025, MAIWP has registered 1,098 mualaf compared to only 968 mualaf in 2024 in the Federal Territories. For 2025, the total distribution for the asnaf mualaf (eligible new convert zakat recipients) category is RM9.3 million,' he said in a Facebook post on Friday (May 30). He added that religious agencies were always prepared to engage with and assist mualaf and other asnaf groups facing difficulties, assuring that they would not be left to face life's challenges alone. In this regard, Mohd Na'im urged all new converts to deal directly with zakat counters, religious offices, or official institutions. 'Finally, I call upon zakat agencies, mosques, and religious officials to always be prepared and attentive to the needs of mualaf. We must ensure they are always well-cared for, not left to face their new lives alone,' he said.
The Sun
30-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
Mualaf not marginalised, says Religious Affairs Minister
KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar has stressed that new Muslim converts, or 'mualaf', in the country have never been marginalised. He said this was evident from the continuous efforts by the government and religious agencies to assist them in starting their new lives, including through zakat aid. Citing the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) as an example, Mohd Na'im said the religious agency provided 38 zakat aid schemes covering welfare, housing, economic, and medical clusters. 'According to MAIWP's zakat distribution data as of May 2025, MAIWP has registered 1,098 mualaf compared to only 968 mualaf in 2024 in the Federal Territories. For 2025, the total distribution for the asnaf mualaf (eligible new convert zakat recipients) category is RM9.3 million,' he said in a Facebook post on Friday (May 30). He added that religious agencies were always prepared to engage with and assist mualaf and other asnaf groups facing difficulties, assuring that they would not be left to face life's challenges alone. In this regard, Mohd Na'im urged all new converts to deal directly with zakat counters, religious offices, or official institutions. 'Finally, I call upon zakat agencies, mosques, and religious officials to always be prepared and attentive to the needs of mualaf. We must ensure they are always well-cared for, not left to face their new lives alone,' he said.
