Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi conveyed Timor-Leste’s eagerness to collaborate with Malaysia in the education and health sectors, recognising their potential to bolster cooperation between the two nations, according to a report from Bernama. This sentiment was articulated by Ahmad Zahid’s Timor-Leste counterpart, Mariano Assanami Sabino Lopes, who serves as both the Minister of Social Affairs and Minister of Rural Development and Community Housing, during a meeting following the conclusion of the 2024 International Conference of Religious Leaders in Petaling Jaya. In th ..read more

Resource person: Raman Singh, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Juniper Biologics Artificial Intelligence (AI) has undeniably become deeply entrenched in our lives, with one of its most promising domains being healthcare. Its integration into healthcare spans across diagnosis, treatment, and prediction. In diagnostics, AI has demonstrated remarkable proficiency in interpreting screening modalities to detect illnesses and irregularities. In this exclusive Q&A with HealthcareAsia, Raman Singh, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Juniper Biologics, sheds light on how AI-led technologi ..read more

By Tacy Song, Head of Professional Affairs, Myopia, APAC, Cooper Vision Myopia, often dubbed as near-sightedness, has ignited global concern as its prevalence steadily escalates, affecting both adults and children worldwide. The condition is the most common refractive error among adults and children worldwide. 1 In 2010 alone, a staggering 1.9 billion individuals – 27% of the global population– grappled with myopia, with an additional 170 million plagued by its severe form, high myopia. 2 Fast forward to today, the numbers have surged exponentially over the past 14 years, painting a daunting p ..read more

Resource person: Dr Shailendra Sivalingam, Consultant Otorhinolaryngology (ENT), Otology, Neurotology, Head & Neck, and Skull Base Surgery at Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City Lifestyle factors, risk for oral cancer In Malaysia, oral cancer, a potentially deadly disease characterised by silent progression and often late-stage diagnosis, has emerged as a significant public health concern. However, studies reveal that the survival rate for oral cancer among Malaysians is nearly 50% after treatment with surgery and radiotherapy, which is much lower than in most developed countries. According ..read more

KL Wellness City spearheads an effort to sponsor nursing students’ education, tackling Malaysia’s projected nursing staff shortage head-on. According to Ministry of Health data, this shortage is anticipated to persist beyond 2030, resulting in significant deficits in meeting healthcare demand and population healthcare needs. By 2030, it is forecasted that there will be a substantial shortfall of 57.9% of nurses to address healthcare demands and 61.9% based on population healthcare needs. Despite efforts such as full quota student intake scenarios, where maximum student intake is considered for ..read more

The International Labour Organization (ILO) released a report highlighting the significant health risks climate change poses to workers worldwide. More than 70% of the global workforce, about 2.4 billion people, are expected to face health hazards related to climate change, with heat exposure being a primary concern. These hazards include not only heat stress but also a variety of other health issues like cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory illnesses, kidney problems, and mental health conditions. The report identifies various health conditions linked to climate change, such as skin ca ..read more

“Eat less carbs and cut back on sugar!” With 1 in 5 adults in Malaysia diagnosed with diabetes 1, this advice is doled out freely but is that all? Experts say there is much more to it, as diabetes is a complex condition with multiple factors that tip the scales, including family history, physiology and physical activity, along with diet playing a role. After years of steady increase, as shown in successive National Health and Morbidity Surveys, diabetes rates in Malaysia have reached alarming levels and, if left unchecked, will escalate from 3.9 million in 2019 to 7 million in 2025.2 Approxima ..read more

Patients in peril Patient safety is vital in healthcare, aiming to prevent patients from experiencing unnecessary harm throughout their treatment journey. Medical errors can occur at various stages, including prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up, particularly in today’s increasingly complex healthcare landscape. Globally, adverse events affect around 10% of hospital patients, with studies indicating that 5-21% of these events result in death, half of which are preventable. According to the Regional Strategy for Patient Safety in the WHO South-East Asia Region (2016–2025) report, adv ..read more

Novartis Malaysia celebrated International Women’s Day with a resolute call for gender parity in STEM leadership. At an event titled “Women in Healthcare: Empowering Others to Pay it Forward,” prominent figures like Dr. Mastura Md Yusof, Grace Tam, Elsie Chang, and Sheena Fong highlighted the pivotal role of women in healthcare and the imperative for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in STEM industries. Despite women surpassing men in university enrollment, they remain underrepresented in STEM fields globally. Dr. Mastura shared her journey as a female oncologist, emphasising the need for ..read more

Researchers at the University of California, Riverside have uncovered the inner workings of a novel RNA-modifying enzyme known as ZCCHC4. This enzyme, crucial for protein synthesis, holds promise for targeted cancer therapies and sheds light on fundamental biological mechanisms. ZCCHC4, a key player in cell proliferation and implicated in cancer development, has been identified as a unique catalyst for N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification within ribosomes, the cellular structures responsible for protein synthesis. The groundbreaking study, published in Nature Communications, delves into the i ..read more