Latest news with #UniversitiSainsMalaysia
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
National Climate Change Bill to be tabled in August
GEORGE TOWN: The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES) will table the National Climate Change Bill in August, said its secretary-general Datuk Dr Ching Thoo. He said the bill has been completed and is being reviewed by the Attorney-General's Chambers. "The review process is being conducted after the NRES completed engagement sessions with state governments, as the implementation of the proposed law involves their jurisdictions. "We plan to table it in parliament during the next session in August. "It was previously postponed to June, but we needed time to fine-tune the bill," he told reporters after the launch of the Environmental Sustainability Road Tour 2.0 at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) yesterday. Regarding the use of renewable energy (RE) in the country, Ching Thoo stated that Malaysia is on a positive trajectory towards achieving its 70 per cent RE capacity target, in line with the goals outlined in the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR). "If we look at the current breakdown, it is largely dominated by solar panels, which I believe account for nearly 95 per cent. "According to the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry's data, we have reached approximately 40 per cent," he added. – Bernama
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Sustainable path for rare disease medicine access
ACCESS to innovative medicines remains a challenge in Malaysia's public healthcare sector. As of March 2023, the Health Ministry identified nearly 500 rare diseases, yet many patients still struggle to receive proper treatment. A study by the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Universiti Sains Malaysia and Universiti Malaya Medical Centre found that only 60 per cent of rare disease patients in Malaysia receive treatment. This alarming statistic highlights the urgent need for a unified approach, involving public-private collaboration and the adoption of progressive access models to ensure affordability and long-term sustainability. It is equally important for the ministry to explore new treatment access strategies to guarantee equitable healthcare for all, including those living with rare diseases. Building on Progress in Medicine Access The ministry has made strides in improving medicine access, particularly with the introduction of the Medicines Access Scheme (MASc) guideline. This framework provides a cleargovernance structure for the application, evaluation, and approval of Patient Assistance Schemes (PASc), effectively addressing longstanding administrative challenges. In the past, PASc's implementation was hindered by concerns over the ethical implications of free-of-charge (FOC) stock provisions tied to medicine purchases. With these regulatory uncertainties now resolved, patients can benefit from a more structured and reliable pathway to access essential treatments, reducing reliance on out-of-pocket expenses or external funding sources. Malaysia has made steady progress in advancing treatment options for rare diseases, including the approval of several disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in recent years. Building on this foundation, the country recently reached a major milestone with the approval of its first gene therapy for SMA, signalling Malaysia's entry into the era of high-value, transformative medicines. Gene therapy presents a new frontier for SMA management, offering the potential for improved prognosis and enhanced quality of life. Clinical studies for SMA DMT have demonstrated unprecedented improvements in survival, reduced dependence on nutritional and respiratory support, and the achievement and maintenance of key motor milestones such as sitting, standing, and walking - outcomes rarely seen in the natural progression of the disease. These findings underscore the broad impact of gene therapy beyond symptomatic relief, offering meaningful functional gains for individuals living with SMA. However, long-term accessibility requires more than just expanding healthcare coverage. To fully realise the benefits of these groundbreaking treatments, Malaysia must establish sustainable access models to ensure that patients can accessthese life-changing treatments without barriers. Sustainable Solution: Innovative Access Models Globally, healthcare systems are adopting progressive access frameworks to address the rising cost of innovative treatments. Outcome-based and pay-for-performance models have gained traction for high-cost conditions, as they align payment with real-world effectiveness and protect public budgets from unwarranted expenditures. For example, Argentina established a dedicated reimbursement fund for SMA in 2023, managed through the National Commission for Evaluation of Health Technologies. This centralised, expert-led mechanism assesses treatment eligibility on a case-by-case basis, promoting governance, transparency, and equitable distribution. A similar fund in Malaysia - anchored in expert oversight and transparent eligibility criteria - could support equitable access to treatment for rare disease patients. In Australia, a unique payer licence agreement was developed to enable universal access to hepatitis C treatment while capping the government's annual reimbursement liability. This budget-certain model offers a relevant blueprint for Malaysia in managing newer, high-cost rare disease therapies. Applying such models to orphan diseases could create opportunities to scale access without exceeding fiscal constraints. Malaysia has also seen success through the Malaysia Patient Assistance Program (MyPAP), which enabled universal access to medicines for chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) patients via cost-sharing among the government and pharmaceutical partners. Building on this model, supported by philanthropic or CSR contributions, could unlock access for conditions where treatment affordability remains a barrier. Countries such as Taiwan and Brazil have further advanced outcome-based reimbursement by tying treatment payment to long-term clinical milestones. In Taiwan, SMA gene therapy is reimbursed via a structured agreement that incorporates expert panel reviews, milestone assessments, and extended monitoring over a decade. Brazil's system similarly connects staged payments to patient progress. These frameworks not only safeguard public investment but also prioritise treatment effectiveness, offering valuable direction for the ministry's Pharmaceutical Services Programme (PSP) and public payers seeking to manage high-value therapy access responsibly. Public-Private Collaboration: The Way Forward As advanced therapies become more widely available, financial aid programs alone are insufficient. Malaysia must establish a comprehensive framework that ties funding to patient outcomes, integrating structured reimbursement models, outcome-based agreements, and risk-sharing frameworks. Strong public-private collaboration will be crucial to implementing these strategies effectively, with each stakeholder playing a vital role in expanding access. While the government ensures regulatory oversight and sustainable reimbursement structures, private stakeholders contribute to financing and delivering these therapies, creating a more balanced and efficient system. Although the ministry has made progress in improving governance through the MASc guideline, deeper engagement with private stakeholders - including pharmaceutical companies, insurers and non-governmental organisations - is critical for developing tailored financing mechanisms. Building on this progress, the MASc can be expanded to include flexible access schemes, such as outcome-based models, which link reimbursement to patient health outcomes. This approach would align payment structures with treatment effectiveness, ensuring patients receive the most appropriate therapies. Strengthening these collaborations will empower Malaysia to implement sustainable access solutions that improve treatment affordability, optimize healthcare spending, and position the country as a regional hub for investment in life sciences. Seizing the Opportunity for Change The RM25 million allocation for rare disease treatment in Budget 2025 presents a crucial opportunity to pilot new financing structures. By adopting a proven access model and fostering transparent collaboration across sectors, Malaysia can take meaningful steps toward bridging the treatment gap for rare disease patients, ensuring timely access to life-saving therapies. Without a proactive approach, thousands of patients risk being left without the life-saving treatments they desperately need. Ensuring access to high-value medicines is not just a healthcare challenge, but a moral imperative. The time for action is now. Malaysia must seize this moment to build a more inclusive, patient-centred healthcare system, especiallyfor the benefit of those suffering from rare diseases. *The writer is the managing director of Datametrics Research and Information Centre Sdn Bhd.
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Ministry to table National Climate Change Bill in August
GEORGE TOWN: The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry will table the National Climate Change Bill in August, says its secretary-general, Datuk Dr Ching Thoo. He said the bill has been completed and was being reviewed by the Attorney-General's Chambers. "The review process is being conducted after the ministry completed engagement sessions with state governments, as the implementation of the proposed law involves their jurisdictions. "We plan to table it in Parliament during the next session in August. It was previously postponed to June, but we needed time to fine-tune the bill," he told reporters after Thursday's (May 29) launch of the Environmental Sustainability Road Tour 2.0 at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) here. In January, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad stated that the ministry was finalising the bill with input from various stakeholders to ensure its comprehensiveness and relevance. Regarding the use of renewable energy (RE) in the country, Ching Thoo stated that Malaysia was on a positive trajectory towards achieving its 70% RE capacity target, in line with the goals outlined in the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR). "If we look at the current breakdown, it is largely dominated by solar panels, which I believe account for nearly 95%. According to the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry data, we have reached approximately 40%," he added. – Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Bung as ‘poster boy' unwise with graft case proceeding, says analyst
BN's Bung Moktar Radin and GRS's Hajiji Noor are the two leading candidates for the post of chief minister if a BN-PH-GRS alliance materialises. PETALING JAYA : It would be unwise for the Barisan Nasional-Pakatan Harapan alliance to name Bung Moktar Radin as their 'poster boy' for the coming state polls with a corruption case still hanging over the state BN chief's head, says an analyst. Universiti Sains Malaysia's Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid said BN-PH cannot afford to put Bung forward as the candidate for chief minister as his court case makes him a 'liability'. Last week, Bung and his wife, Zizie Izette Abdul Samad, failed in their application for a review of a Court of Appeal ruling ordering that they enter their defence on graft and abetment charges over a RM150 million Felcra investment. Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid. Fauzi said BN-PH needs to be led by a person whom the public perceives as free from corruption, and one whose reputation goes beyond ethnic and religious lines. He suggested that Gabungan Rakyat Sabah chairman Hajiji Noor is best suited for the role if BN-PH can seal an electoral pact with the state-based coalition. 'He's acceptable to PH and, while a compromise, is a figure who's able to soothe tensions between the two Umno camps led by Bung and (Sabah Umno deputy chief) Abdul Rahman Dahlan,' he told FMT. 'They need a figure whose reputation transcends Sabahans of all ethno-religious persuasions and can unite Muslim and indigenous non-Muslim communities, especially. ' Some within Sabah Umno are touting the name of Salleh Said Keruak, a former chief minister, again.' That said, Fauzi acknowledged the strength of Bung's relations with Sabahans on the ground, especially rural voters. He said this may outweigh the liability brought on by his corruption case. Bung and his wife were ordered to enter their defence last November in connection with the receipt of RM2.8 million in bribes to secure Felcra's approval to invest RM150 million in Public Mutual unit trusts. Bung was non-executive chairman of Felcra at the time the alleged offences were committed. The couple is scheduled to begin their defence to the charges in the Kuala Lumpur sessions court on Aug 18. Earlier this month, Sabah Umno proposed that Bung be made BN's poster boy for the polls. BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, however, dismissed the proposal saying it was not the right time to determine the candidate. Awang Azman Pawi. Universiti Malaya's Awang Azman Pawi said BN-PH should put to rest all talk about whose image should adorn its campaign paraphernalia. 'It's pointless to endlessly debate about the chief ministerial candidate only to end up losing the polls. Their focus should be on winning as many seats as they can,' he said. Nonetheless, Awang Azman said it would be unfair to consider Bung as unsuitable for the honour since he has yet to be convicted by the court. 'Bung's strength lies in the grassroots. He is among the handful of Sabah Umno leaders who still command their own influence, especially in rural areas and among the party's machinery. 'Sabahans also largely aren't influenced by perceptions from mainstream media or social media. Sabah politics is very local in nature, heavily dependent on personal relations, field work and long-established grassroots support, which Bung has.'
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Child abuse: Poverty, mental health to blame, says expert
GEORGE TOWN: The disturbing revelation of over 4,000 child abuse cases in Penang since 2010 highlights a critical societal issue that warrants urgent attention, according to a criminologist. Universiti Sains Malaysia's Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy said that identifying the root causes behind this rise was essential for the development of effective prevention and intervention strategies. He said that economic hardship played a significant role in contributing to child abuse. "Families facing poverty and unemployment often endure elevated stress levels, which can result in neglect or abuse. The Family Stress Model explains how economic disadvantage can lead to psychological distress in caregivers, which in turn affects parenting behaviours and increases the risk of child maltreatment," he told the New Straits Times. Dr Sundramoorthy said that parental mental health issues — such as depression, anxiety and personality disorders — were closely associated with instances of abuse. "Parents struggling with these issues may find it difficult to regulate their emotions, potentially leading to harmful behaviour towards their children. "A lack of parenting knowledge and skills may also result in inappropriate disciplinary actions and neglect. Without proper guidance, some parents may unintentionally harm their children, which underscores the importance of accessible parenting education programmes. "Family instability, including divorce and domestic violence, creates environments in which children are more vulnerable to abuse. The absence of a parent or continuous conflict within the household can lead to both emotional and physical harm." He added that parental substance abuse — including alcohol and drugs — impaired judgement and increases the likelihood of abusive behaviour. Dr Sundramoorthy said that external stressors, such as overcrowded living conditions and a lack of social support, exacerbated the risks of child maltreatment. "In short, the complex nature of child abuse calls for a holistic approach that tackles economic, psychological, and social contributors. Providing support such as mental health services, parenting education, and financial aid can significantly reduce these risks. "Community involvement and the robust enforcement of child protection laws are equally vital in ensuring the safety and well-being of children," he said. State Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Affairs Committee chairman Lim Siew Khim said that the Penang Social Welfare Department had recorded a total of 4,080 child abuse cases since 2010, including 201 reported between January and April this year. Of these, 113 cases involved girls and 88 boys. The reports encompass physical, sexual, and emotional abuse across all five districts in the state. The data reflects a long-standing trend in which girls are disproportionately affected by sexual abuse.
