Two new rabies-infected areas in Sarawak

The statement added this brought the total to 33 areas statewide that had been declared to be rabies infected. — Bernama pic KUCHING, July 4 — Two areas in Sarawak at Kampung Mapu Kijabu, Tebedu, Serian and  Km0.2 Jalan Sakar/Sebangkoi, Jakar, Sarikei have been declared as the latest areas to be rabies infected. Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (JPBNS) Secretariat,…

Health authorities monitoring JE situation in Sarawak

KUCHING: Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is endemic in Sarawak, but the situation is being closely monitored by the authorities, according to Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah. The Health Ministry and the Sarawak Health Department were keeping a close watch, he added that for the period between January and June 23, there were a total of…

Health Ministry wants to end ‘toxic work culture’

Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (left) with Sultan Nazrin Muizzudin Shah (centre) at the Malaysian Medical Association annual dinner banquet on Saturday. -Bernama KUALA LUMPUR: The “toxic work culture” of healthcare practitioners, has to end, said Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. The Health Ministry is looking into ways to reduce the workload of its staff, especially junior…

Health Dept confirms JE endemic in S’wak, urges caution

KUCHING: The Sarawak Health Department is calling for caution after confirming that Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is endemic in the state. Its director Dr Jamilah Hashim said as a result of the confirmation, department officers are conducting a survey on children aged 15 years old and below for JE vaccination. “The Health Department is currently taking…

Talents needed to sort out issues in healthcare

THERE are major and pressing issues within the Health Ministry (MOH) that need to be addressed, among them the dwindling budget allocation for health (2% of GDP in the public sector), shortage of hospital beds, lack of synergy between the ministry and the private healthcare sector, incessant complaints from junior doctors due to a “toxic…

Pneumococcal Vaccine: Will The New Government Keep Its Promise?

Pakatan Harapan’s manifesto for GE14 promised to provide compulsory pneumococcal vaccination to all children below two years old under the National Immunisation Programme (NIP). For paediatricians who have been fighting for this since 2005, the goal finally seems to be within reach. Datuk Dr Musa Mohd Nordin, consultant paediatrician and neonatologist, explains how the value…

No child’s play

Parents can play a big role in their children’s digital life, writes Balqis Lim Digital media has also allowed children to be in constant contact with their friends. CHILDREN today are growing up with technology, such as smartphones, tablets and gaming devices. In this era of digital technology, children are missing out on a whole…

Stopping pneumococcus

It starts out with the fever and chills. There may be some coughing and chest pain, possibly also difficulty in breathing. As a parent, you are naturally really anxious and worried about your sick child, but you probably think it’s just the flu. More likely than not, your family doctor will come to a similar…

Safe sleeping mode for babies

YOUNG children, especially those under five years of age, are “fragile” and vulnerable to many risks. In recent years, we have become increasingly aware that some small children die as a result of suffocation while sleeping with their parents. This is a tragic event and one that can be easily prevented. As parents need to…