Tuesday, August 11, 2009

A(H1N1): Private bodies to get rapid test kits (Update)

PUTRAJAYA: As the death toll from Influenza A (H1N1) rose to 38, the Government green-lighted the use of rapid test kits for private clinics and hospitals to conduct flu checks on the public.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said private healthcare providers can use these kits to help cope with the large number of patients wanting to be checked, and for faster detection and containment of the pandemic.

“Use of rapid test kits was discouraged in the private sector earlier when the H1N1 outbreak was still small and mostly imported.

“Now that it has reached the community level, it’s important to detect it fast and treat it quickly,” he said after checking Serdang Hospital’s service centre for patients with flu-like symptoms.

He said the Government-approved rapid test kits could diagnose patients in15 minutes and were about 70%-90% accurate.

He said that patients in high-risk categories such as those with respiratory disorders can be admitted for treatment without waiting for the results.

On school closures, Liow said a Health Ministry technical committee was developing new guidelines that will be applicable to both schools and universities.

“Now that the situation has changed to the mitigation stage, new guidelines are needed to ensure that schools follow the same policies,” he said.

He added that many schools were closing on their own accord when they had several students having flu-like symptoms.

“So we need new comprehensive guidelines which we will implement quickly so there is no panic at the community level,” he said.

Liow also told suppliers of the rapid test kits and face masks not to raise their prices because all sectors had to contribute to help stop the viral outbreak.

“Do not increase prices because the H1N1 flu is a matter of national security,” he said.

He said suppliers who raised their price unnecessarily will have to answer to the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry.

Liow also reminded public event organisers to take steps to prevent the spread of the virus by preparing hand sanitisers and masks.

“If anyone has flu-like symptoms, they must also be responsible by isolating themselves and not go to public gatherings such as weddings and other social functions,” he said.

Liow ruled out a need to call for a state of emergency with the current A(H1N1) situation, saying that social distancing programmes and measures sufficed for now.

He also said that anti-viral drugs of various types were currently being distributed to government hospitals and clinics.

He reiterated an earlier Health Ministry announcement that the volume of the anti-viral drugs had been increased from 10% to 20% of the total population.

Earlier, Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said there were six more deaths reported over the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 38.

He said the number of new cases recorded was also at an all-time high of 270, bringing the total number of cases in Malaysia to 2,253, reports DHARMENDER SINGH.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

A(H1N1): Four more deaths, total at 12

PETALING JAYA: The Influenza A(H1N1) virus claimed four more lives, bringing the total number of fatalities in Malaysia to 12.

Three patients were a three-year-old, a 12-year-old and a 20-year old who all died at the Malacca Hospital on Aug 3, Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Ismail Merican said on Wednesday.

The fourth was a six-year-old boy who died at 2.30am Wednesday at the Batu Pahat Hospital, the second such death in Johor.

Overall, there were 16 new cases of A(H1N1) infection recorded over the past 24 hours, bringing the accumulated total in Malaysia to 1,476 since the outbreak, Ismail said in a statement from PUTRAJAYA.

He said the three-year-old girl died from severe pneumonia at 4.30pm on Aug 3 after having been confirmed to being infected with A(H1N1) at 6.19pm the previous day, reports IZATUN SHARI.

The girl. who had a history of chronic respiratory tract infection, was warded in Malacca Hospital on July 31 after developing flu and cough symptoms on July 25.

Prior to that, she had received early treatment at private clinics before being admitted to a private hospital on July 30 and later referred to Malacca Hospital.

Dr Ismail said the 12-year-old boy died from severe pneumonia at 2pm on Monday and was confirmed to have been infected with A(H1N1) at 5.50pm on Tuesday.

He said the boy, who suffered from chronic kidney failure and underwent dialysis treatment, was admitted to the hospital on Monday with a fever, cough and breathing difficulties since Aug 1.

“The 11th case involved a 20-year-old man with chronic asthma who was admitted to Malacca Hospital on Aug 2 after having fever, cough and breathing difficulties since July 31,” Dr Ismail said.

“He was admitted to the intensive care unit and confirmed to have had severe pneumonia,” he said, adding that the victim died at 2.30am on Monday and confirmed to have had A(H1N1) at 5.50pm on Tuesday.

Dr Ismail said the 16 new cases involved 10 from three new clusters and six sporadic cases.

“Of the 16 new cases, two are still being treated in wards, 11 are receiving outpatient treatment and three have died,” he said.

In JOHOR BARU, Johor Health department director Dr Mohd Khairi Yaakub said that the six-year-old boy, who was also suffering from pnemonia, died at about 2.30am on Wednesday.

“He was first admitted to a private hospital in Batu Pahat on July 26, and was later admitted to the Batu Pahat Hospital on July 30.

“He tested positive for the flu on July 31,” he said, reports FARIK ZOLKEPLI.

Dr Mohd Khairi said that Health Department personnel would monitor the conditions of the boy’s parents and other family members.

“We will treat them if they show any symptoms consistent with the flu,” he said.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Do malaysian doctors really care?

I have spoken to many colleagues about their experiences with doctors in malaysia and more often than not, they state that the doctors do not care and hardly do a thorough examination.

I have had my share of 'bad' experiences with doctors as well. Read my earlier blogs.

Recently with regards to the swine flu virus, doctors have taken a very lackadaisical attitude with patients displaying the flu symptoms. They are given panadol etc and sent back!!

This is unacceptable!.

Do doctors here practice the politics of our nation ( race and religion) as well? Do they treat the nicer looking female patients better as compared to the old man or woman?

Where are the Dr Kildares , Dr Shephards , Dr Trappers etc etc?

Any comments?

Further crackdown on anti-ISA protesters

The government is insisting on a harsh crackdown on anyone who was involved in the protests. As such, they should live up to their words.

Cuepacs has issued a statement saying that if civil servants are involved in protests, their superiors can take action against them, in line with the Akujanji forms that civil servants sign upon employment.

Similarly, I would think that our tertiary institutions, the local ones at least, have the same forms signed by their students. Therefore, I would think that they should also take the same action in suspending those found to have participated in the recent anti-ISA protests.

If students and civil servants alike did sign the Akujanji form and still participated in the protests, then I'm guessing they have no qualms in taking responsibility for their actions.

This is the same call I put forth when UiTM had their anti-Khalid Ibrahim protest as well. I think such institutions should be apolitical and enforce their stances in line with the policies of their establishments.

Perhaps the Ministry of Higher Education should ensure that such measures are taken.

A(H1N1): Lady teacher, 51, is country's 8th flu death (Update 2)

KUALA LUMPUR: A lady teacher, 51, from a Selangor school closed on July 27 died Sunday, making her the eighth Influenza A(H1N1) death in the country.

She had developed pneumonia and had underlying heart disease, said Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican on Monday.

He said that a sample was taken after she died and the test results on Monday showed that she was infected by the flu virus.

He said that she had complained of cough, fever and difficulty in breathing and saw a doctor on July 27.

She was later hospitalised in Sungei Buloh Hospital on July 30 and then moved to Seremban Hospital where her condition worsened and she died of pneumonia.

Meanwhile in Miri, a 24-year-old native woman suffering from Influenza A(H1N1) died at 4am on Monday, a mere two weeks after giving birth to her first child at the intensive care unit of the Miri Hospital.

Her baby girl is safe, Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam said, adding that this was the state’s first reported death from the deadly flu.

The woman, from here, was warded on July 17 after she contracted the disease. At that time she was already in an advanced stage of pregnancy.

The hospital managed to help her deliver a baby girl a few days after she was warded. The baby has been handed over to her father, a labourer in his late 20s.

“This is the first death in Sarawak due to A(H1N1). We (the Sarawak government) have increased the alert level throughout the whole state now.

“Nobody can take this disease lightly anymore,” Dr Chan said.

The Miri Hospital tightened security and safety by several notches to prevent any spread of the disease.

Its director Dr Uma Devi had issued directives to staff not to allow little children to enter the wards if they are not there for any health-related purposes.

Visitors are not allowed to bring babies or little kids to the wards anymore. Old folk are also discouraged from entering unless they are there for health checks.

Smokers are also barred from coming near the wards.

Dr Uma said the tighter safety measures are needed as those who are weaker have immune systems that can be easily attacked by the H1N1 virus.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

PIKOM PC FAIR 2009 (II)

UUM - PIKOM ICT FAIR 2009

29 - 31 July 2009 (10:00am - 10:00pm) Postponed Until Further Notice
University Utara Malaysia, Sintok, Kedah


PIKOM PC FAIR 2009 (II)


31 July - 2 August 2009 (11:00am - 9:00pm)
· KL Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur - Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50888 Kuala Lumpur
Map of Surrounding Car Parks
· Village Mall, Sungai Petani - Kedah
· Dewan Perbandaran Taiping - Perak
· Batu Pahat Mall, Batu Pahat - Johor
7 August - 9 August 2009 (11:00am - 9:00pm)
· Penang International Sports Arena, Penang - Jalan Tun Dr Awang, 11900 Relau
· Mahkota Parade Melaka, Melaka - Jalan Merdeka, 75000 Bandar Hilir
· Sabah Trade Centre, Kota Kinabalu - Sabah
· Berjaya Megamall, Kuantan - Pahang
13 August - 15 August 2009 (11:00am - 9:00pm)
· KB Mall, Kota Bharu - Kelantan
· Terengganu Trade Centre, Kuala Terengganu - Terengganu
14 August - 16 August 2009 (11:00am - 9:00pm)
· Persada Johor International Convention Centre, Johor Bahru - Jalan Abdullah Ibrahim, 80000 Johor Bahru
· Stadium Indera Mulia, Ipoh, Perak - Jalan Ghazali Jawi, 31400 Ipoh