“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

Bukit Tinggi Medical Centre (BTMC), KL Fertility Centre, and Amden Capital have partnered to enhance fertility services and patient care. This collaboration aims to improve accessibility, quality, and innovation in fertility treatments. KL Fertility Centre and BTMC will work closely to expand access to specialized treatments and provide personalized care throughout the fertility journey. Dr. Prashant Nadkarni, Medical Director of KL Fertility Centre, looks forward to the promising collaborative opportunities ahead. Dr. Prashant Nadkarni highlighted how the collaboration expands KL Fertility Ce ..read more

An EXCLUSIVE Q&A with Dr. Mohamad Fadli bin Kharie, Senior Principal Assistant Director at the Ministry of Health (MOH), Malaysia As World Health Day approaches on April 7th, the global healthcare sector reflects on the pivotal role of technological advancements during the pandemic and their potential in mitigating future health crises. With an alarming increase in tuberculosis cases in Malaysia in 2023, attention turns to the tools available to address such challenges. Dr. Mohamad Fadli bin Kharie, a key figure at the Ministry of Health, Malaysia, has spearheaded the integration of Geog ..read more

Wipro GE Healthcare, a leading global medical technology, pharmaceutical diagnostics, and digital solutions innovator, is making a significant investment of over INR8000 Crores in manufacturing output and local R&D over the next five years. According to the company, this investment aims to strengthen its local manufacturing footprint to cater to the growing domestic and international market demand in the medical technology sector. As part of this initiative, Wipro GE Healthcare will export its ‘Made in India’ PET CT Discovery IQ to 15 countries and manufacture other products like Revolutio ..read more

The Philippines is currently experiencing a rise in cases of pertussis (whooping cough) and measles, prompting the Department of Health (DOH) to intensify vaccination campaigns. Pertussis causes flu-like symptoms initially, evolving into a distinctive cough, while measles is highly contagious, presenting with fever, cough, runny nose, and rash. The DOH aims to vaccinate at least 90% of high-risk individuals, especially children aged 6 months to 10 years. In line with this, the health agency has established a Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC) to coordinate response efforts, supp ..read more

By Dr. David Heber, M.D., Ph.D., FACP, FASN – Chairman, Herbalife Nutrition Institute World Health Day on April 7th focuses on the theme “My Health, My Right.” The World Health Organization (WHO) selected this theme to advocate for universal access to quality healthcare, education, and information. It emphasizes essentials like safe water, clean air, proper nutrition, adequate housing, fair work environments, and discrimination-free living for all. Depression: a global epidemic afflicting millions At first glance, it can be difficult to tell if someone you know is suffering from depression ..read more

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