Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
PP 1285/02/2013 (031328)
P E R S A T U A N
P E R U B A T A N
M A L A Y S I A
MALAYSIAN
MEDICAL
ASSOCIATION
Contents
ExCo
4
Presidents Message
Lead Article
PresidentElect
Dr John Chew Chee Ming
president_elect@mma.org.my
10
14
Editorial
SCHOMOS
PPSMMA
16
SMMAMS
18
20
Manifesto of Candidates
General
34
CAP-italizing Prevention
36
38
Editor
Dato Pahlawan Dr R. Mohanadas
genmohan@gmail.com
40
41
Humour
Ex-Officio
Dr Ravindran R. Naidu
secretary@mma.org.my
46
Dr Gayathri K. Kumarasuriar
gsuriar@yahoo.com.sg
Dr Juliet Mathew
drjuliem@hotmail.com
Prof Dr M. Nachiappan
drnachi611@gmail.com
Publication Assistant
Ms Malar
publications@mma.org.my
The views, opinions and commentaries expressed in the Berita MMA
(MMA News) do not necessarily reflect those of the Editorial Board, MMA
Council, MMA President nor VersaComm, unless expressly stated. No
part of this publication may be reproduced without the permission of the
Malaysian Medical Association. Facts contained herewith are believed to
be true as of the date that it is published. All content, materials, and
intellectual property rights are owned and provided for by Malaysian
Medical Association and its members.
VersaComm makes no guarantees or representations whatsoever
regarding the information contained herewith including the truth of
content, accuracy, safety, or the absence of infringement of rights of
other parties. In no circumstances shall VersaComm be held liable for
the contents, materials, advertisements contained in this publication.
VersaComm has no influence over the contents of Berita MMA and all
opinions, statements and representations made do not in any manner
reflect that of VersaComm or its employees.
Published by
Malaysian Medical Association
4th Floor, MMA House, 124, Jalan Pahang, 53000 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603 4042 0617; Fax: +603 4041 8187, 4041 9929
Email: info@mma.org.my / publications@mma.org.my
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/malaysianmedicalassociation
Website: www.mma.org.my
Copyright Reserved
ISSN 0216-7140 PP 1285/02/2013 (031328) MITA (P) 123/1/91
Consultant
exco editorial
~~~
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~~~
If the minimum
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doctor with a fair return
on his time and effort, he
will consider objectively
the management the
patient needs
~~~
exco hgs
Hon. General
Secretary
Dr Ravindran R. Naidu
flynaidumma@gmail.com
Hon. General Secretary
12 February 2016
15 February 2016
Public Lecture Series by YABhg Tun Dr Siti
Hasmah in conjunction with the launching
of the Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Lecture Series
on Public Health organised by Perdana
University. This was followed by launching
of the book Battling Adversity by YABhg
Tun Dr Siti Hasmah. This book was authored
by Associate Professor Dato Dr Andrew
Mohanraj.
18 February 2016
Meeting with En Mazmalek Bin Mohamad Commissioner
Personal Data Protection Malaysia under the Ministry of
Communications and Multimedia Malaysia
1. The Minister of Communications and Multimedia
Malaysia has rejected the Minister of Healths request
to exempt doctors from registering with the Personal
Data Protection Act (PDPA).
2. The Commissioner informed that their only concern is
DATA. The Medical Act does not state how to store,
manage, monitor, and delete the DATA.
3. Whereas the PDPA clearly addresses all the above
issues.
4. The Commissioner requested that MMA and APHM
work together to formulate the guidelines for the
Code of Practice for medical compliance under the
5.
6.
7.
8.
18 February 2016
Meeting with The Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC).
This was attended by Tan Sri Norma, Chairman, Dato Abu
Samah, CEO, Encik Iskandar Ismail, Director Enforcement
Division, and Ms Ayuda Sari ismail, Director Strategic Planning &
International Affairs Division.
It was confirmed that the fee schedule under the Private
Healthcare Facilities and Services Act is not against the
Competition Commission Act 2010. Any fee quoted in any
regulations is not contravening the Competition Commission
Act 2010.
It has been clarified that price fixing is not allowed under the Competition Commission Act 2010. A range in the fees
is allowed.
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trusted peers across geographies in real time. The ability to
exchange and learn from medical experiences in real time
over a secure doctors-only network is valuable and can
potentially save lives. MMA is partnering with Docquity to
create and establish such a doctors-only exclusive network
for all MMA members. Groups can be formed within the
Council and National Working Committee.
The Docquity application allows private and secure
discussions with individual doctors or group discussions
10
lead article
Workplace Stress:
A Collective Challenge
E
very year since 2003, on the 28th April the International Labour Organization (ILO)
celebrates the World Day for Safety and Health at Work. The purpose is to promote
the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally. It is an awarenessraising campaign intended to focus international attention on emerging trends in the field of
occupational safety and health and on the magnitude of work-related injuries, diseases and
fatalities worldwide. The theme for this year is Workplace Stress: A Collective Challenge.
Dr Jefferelli Shamsu
Shamsul
Bahrin
jeff.bahrin@basf.com
Regional Head
Occupational Medicine
and Health Protection
BASF Asia Pacific
Member MMA
Selangor
Workplace stress can be relevant to medical doctors from various perspectives such as
treating doctor, occupational health physician, employee, supervisor, or employer. A
treating doctor may see patients who have bodily symptoms of stress. An occupational
health physician may diagnose stress in an organisation and propose intervention
programmes. Doctors are often employees themselves and subject to stressors affecting
their organisation. Some also supervise junior health professionals and have an important
role in early detection and referral of stress cases among their subordinates.
Many doctors have their own practice and hence determine the work environment which
affects themselves and their staff. Doctors themselves can be the source of stress!
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) defines job stress as the
harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when the requirements of the job do
not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker. A physically strong worker
is less likely to develop job stress when performing physically demanding work compared
to a physically weak person. A manager with adequate time, budget and staff is less likely
to develop job stress compared to a manager with inadequate resources. An author who
prefers solitary work is less likely to develop job stress when performing individual work
compared to group work. Getting the right match is important in preventing stress in the
workplace.
word load
control
Individual factors
Acute reactions
personality traits
stage of career
psychological
anxiety
irritability
coronary heart
physiological
blood pressure
muscle tonus
back pain
alcoholism
tobacco use
development
management
career
security
relations
physical
conditions
(noise, etc.)
disease
infectious
diseases
styles
interpersonal
Illness
behavioral
concentration
sleep problems
The relationship between workplace stress and health is complex. Stressors at the
workplace can be categorised into work-load, control, management styles, career security,
interpersonal relations and physical conditions.
There can be more than one category of stressor at the workplace. Individual factors such
as personality traits and stage of career development, non-work factors such as family
situation and financial status and buffer factors such as social support and coping influence
beritaMMA Vol.46 April 2016
12
lead article
14
schomos
MMA Tri-Event:
An Overview
Dr Khi
Khiritharan
ith
M
Mannie
i R
Rajah
khiritharan@gmail.com
Honorary Deputy Secretary
National SCHOMOS
ABC of Housemanship
This seminar was organised by SCHOMOS and SMMAMS,
and was inaugurated by Dato Dr Haji Azman Bin Abu
Bakar (Director, Medical Development Division, Ministry
of Health). The main objective of this seminar was to
expose our future doctors to the working culture in our
hospitals.
This event was attended by more than 160 medical
graduates and final year medical students. Some came all
the way from Sabah and Sarawak. Senior consultants from
different departments with vast experience in houseman
training were present to guide our future doctors on how
to cope with the stress of housemanship. Among the issues
that were highlighted were the potential problems that
junior doctors could face, as well as what was expected of
them when they are posted in each department.
The participants were also exposed to the art of effective
communication and were given the opportunity for some
hands-on experience with common procedures. There
was a session where medical officers and housemen
shared their experiences with the participants. A senior
officer from the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) was
also on hand to give a talk on how to go about applying
for housemanship. His topic also included points on what
doctors are entitled to.
Seeing that the feedback for the event was very
encouraging. SCHOMOS is planning to make this seminar
a yearly event.
Conference of Minds
On the same day, a conference of minds was organised
by SCHOMOS. Many Past Chairman and Chairperson of
SCHOMOS who had contributed many working papers in
Majlis Bersama Kebangsaan (MBK) were invited.
Dr Krishna Kumar (Immediate Past President MMA), Dr
Harwinder Singh and Dr Rosalind met with the SCHOMOS
ExCo and shared their experience in successfully
presenting MBK papers. They also contributed ideas for
future papers.
This meeting was chaired by the current SCHOMOS
Chairman, Mr Vasu Pillai. SCHOMOS would like to record
our gratitude to them for their valuable time and input.
From left to right: Mr Vasu Pillai (SCHOMOS Chairman) presenting a token of appreciation to Dato Dr Haji Azman Bin Abu Bakar (Director,
Medical Development Division, Ministry of Health) with Puventhiran Pannirselvam (SMMAMS Chairman) and Dr Arvindran Alaga (SCHOMOS
Vice Chairman) looking on.
16
ppsmma
MMA Tri-Event:
Towards Excellence Series
Dr Thirunavukarasu Ra
Rajoo
drarasu@cahayaclinics.com
Honorary Secretary
National PPS
h e I n a u g u r a l To w a r d s
Excellence Series seminar,
organised by PPS and
SCHOMOS on 20 February 2016 at
Sheraton Imperial, Kuala Lumpur was
indeed a success.
The event covered issues involving
Government Doctors, to be precise,
exposing medical students and
equipping housemen to housemanship
training, women empowerment and
not forgetting pressing long-standing
issues faced by General Practitioners
on Managed Care Organisations
(MCOs) or Third Party Administrators
(TPAs) and also the Pharmacy Bill.
There were Lembaga Hasil Dalam
Negeri speakers, to address issues on
taxation.
The Organising Committee which
was Co-chaired by Dr Muruga Raj
and Mr Vasu Pillai, met just one time
throughout the planning of the event.
Most of the meetings were conducted
via WhatsApp and emails. Its high
time many of MMAs meetings are
conducted using various technologies
available. This will definitely reduce
the operational cost, as it is too
costly to mobilise all our leaders from
different parts of Malaysia to just
attend a one to three-hour meeting.
Not forgetting our precious time
that we spend in our vocation and
family cannot be measured with the
compensation received. This will also
allow more members outside Greater
KL to participate in activities.
We arranged for an Event Management
Team to manage the entire seminar
which went on uneventfully and
many participants from the 480 odd
attendees were pleased with the flow
beritaMMA Vol.46 April 2016
18
smmams
MMA Tri-Event:
ABC of Housemanship
Thum Chern Choong
seanthum@yahoo.com
Honorary Assistant Secretary
SMMAMS
The Committee of SMMAMS following a discussion with Dato Dr Azman Abu Bakar,
Director, Medical Development Division of the Ministry of Health, Malaysia
~~~
As healthcare
professionals, it is
imperative we utilise
correct communication
skills to deliver bad
news clearly, honestly,
and sensitively
~~~
20
smmams
Lets Discuss
Housemanship
B a s e d on a s u rv e y w hic h w a s
conducted by SMMAMS, the statistics
show that the average waiting period
for medical graduates who graduated
in the year 2015 is six to eight months.
If this problem is not looked into and
~~~
30% of housemen
undergo extension of
housemanship due to
various reasons resulting
in the occupancy of
placement of new
house officers in the
Government Hospitals
~~~
23
24
Candidates:
President-Elect
1. Dr Ravindran R. Naidu
2. Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh
Dear Colleagues,
Dr Ravindran R. Naidu
MMA Perak
flynaidumma@gmail.com
On 27 May 2016 at the MMA AGM in Miri, Sarawak, you will be asked to vote for the
next President-Elect of MMA. I am seeking your support and your vote. This election
for President-Elect is about choosing a leader who has proven that he can produce
results on behalf of the entire profession. My dear colleagues, I have been a longstanding member of MMA and you have had the confidence to see me serve on
your behalf in the Malaysian Medical Association in several Committees and several
positions including Chairman of the PPS, as the Honorary Deputy Secretary,
Honorary General Treasurer, and currently as the Honorary General Secretary of
the MMA. In this time I have been effective in ensuring our interests are protected
and enhanced over the years. We require this same strong voice and advocacy in
leadership of our association. Real leadership is not about titles, positions or rising
through organisational charts. Real leadership is about inspiring other leaders to
support our goals.
What is the relevance of The Malaysian Medical Association to me and to all of us?
Many inside and outside the Association have said that the MMA is irrelevant and has
done nothing and therefore many splinter groups have blossomed over the years.
But in actual fact, MMA has been and is still doing what it is supposed to do for its
members. The problem is there is no publicity of what MMA has done and achieved.
It is this question of self-doubt and this question of relevance which I am prepared to
answer over the next two years if given a chance to lead this esteemed organisation.
We have to revolutionise this conservative image of the MMA with a positive cycle of
change and to achieve this change we have to do it conscientiously and consistently.
Some of these changes have to be immediate or short term while most will have to
be gradual, long term and take time. It is through an astute application of my time
and energy that I hope to achieve this. We need to reverse negative trends regarding
the image of Healthcare Professionals and repair internal differences and external
relationships with fellow professionals including the Ministry of Health.
I am committed to promoting change in a number of key areas of development
affecting our profession:
1. While focussing on how MMA can better interact, communicate and connect with
other medical organisations is critical , my duties and leadership in the MMA have
alerted me to the growing needs, pressures and daily challenges faced by our own
professionals.
2. To work and engage with the Ministry of Health. Engagement with the Ministry of
Health is an ongoing process and should not be discontinued.
3. The General Practitioners in this country are facing challenges which need to be
addressed by the MMA.
4. To suggest reforms for Medical Education in Malaysia.
5. To engage with the relevant authorities on National Healthcare Transformation and
restructuring.
6. Finding ways to better respond to the needs and problems of our younger doctors.
7. MMA membership must be flexible, affordable, relevant and accessible.
However, whatever I do must be based on the needs of members, and I pledge to
continue to engage with members in person and via our growing internet and social
media presence to ascertain their fears, concerns and ideas.
25
Candidates:
President-Elect
Dear Colleagues,
My service in MMA close to 20 years will not be complete if I do not offer myself
as President-Elect 2016-2017. After sitting as Branch Chairman of Wilayah years
ago and active participation in two branches (Kedah inclusive), I had also served
the central MMA in various capacities as SCHOMOS National Chairman, Deputy
General Secretary for years together and finally as Honorary General Secretary
2013-2014. Besides leading post in the ExCo, I have also served as Editor BERITA
MMA: Five years and Internal Auditor for two years. Despite of having a break
from the ExCo between 2011-2013, I held the post of Honorary General Secretary
of Malaysia Medical Association Foundation. My experience and exposure in the
association is tremendous thus I am very passionate to do more.
After being one of the editors of the 55 years MMA History book at a relatively
middle age (mid-forties) I have understood the deeper workings of this association
and I am prepared to serve both the younger and senior group of doctors to manage
different level of problems and issues.
My mission in MMA as President would be to enhance networking with the private
stakeholders and Government ministries and agencies in order to achieve a better
system of healthcare for the patients and a practical one for the treating physicians
and general practitioners. The difficulties to survive as a doctor will be addressed
in a consultative way as I had done successfully in the last many years in MMA. My
strengths are that I would be able to engage different level of hierarchies in most
establishments in order to fulfill the aim of the association.
With my closeness and networking with the authorities and members, I can ensure
you that most of our issues will have a good closing and this will then be the right
impetus for more new members to join us in the future as we need to show a good
value proposition. Believe me I am committed to do that!
Please vote for me in Miri at the National AGM.
Thank you.
26
Candidates:
Dear Colleagues,
I believe that the Malaysian Medical Association is still relevant in this day and age.
I believe that the members of this august body have the faith that the Malaysian Medical
Association will uphold the dignity of the medical profession.
I believe that the Malaysian Medical Association will strive to ensure that the ethical practice
of medicine in this country is allowed without hindrance to ensure quality and safe healthcare
delivery to our patients.
For all these to happen, the Malaysian Medical Association will need office bearers of good
standing who are able to understand the processes within and without the association to
ensure that its objectives are met.
MMA Wilayah
drcaseysurf@gmail.com
The position of the Honorary General Secretary is of utmost importance as it supports the
President in ensuring the smooth management of the association. It takes on the secretarial
and administrative duties of this august body.
I believe that I am the person who is able to take on the role of the Honorary General Secretary
as I understand its responsibilities well and because I am able to tap on to my past experience
of holding various offices within MMA, both at branch level as well as central level in the
Executive Committee and Council. Notwithstanding is the knowledge acquired from holding
positions in the various MMA committees, bodies in the Ministry of Health as well as external
organisations.
Humbly counting on the support of each and every one of you.
27
Candidates:
Dr Thana Sehgaran
Shanmugam
MMA Wilayah
thana@imr.gov.my
I had obtained a Medical Degree in 1991 and a SEAMEO- TROPMED- CTZ scholarship
in 1996 to pursue a postgraduate degree in MSc Public Health (Epidemiology) at
College of Public Health College, Manila, Philippines University. I was gazetted as
a Public Health Specialist 13 years ago in July 2003. I had been recognised for
my Public Health Work in the field of epidemiology and disease control during
an outbreak of JE, Nipah, SARS and Avian Flu in Perak State. At Jengka Hospital,
Pahang and Teluk Intan Hospital, Perak. I was instrumental for the implementation of
MQSH, Accreditation and ISO 19001: 2004 certification. My clinical skill, knowledge
and practises in primary and secondary healthcare had helped in rural healthcare
delivery in Sarawak. I was assigned duties in almost all the hospitals in Sarawak.
Currently, I am posted in the Institute for Medical Research and is the driving force
for publication, bulletin authorship and an award-winning postal presentation.
I have been actively involved in the Malaysian Medical Association for the last ten
years in MMA Wilayah as a Committee Member, SCHOMOS, Honorary Secretary,
Vice Chairman and next Chairman of MMA Wilayah.
I am currently the Council Member, MMA Public Health Society Chairman and
Honorary Secretary for MMA VoC at MMA National. I am also a Council Member of
Selangor Indian Sports Council and Malaysian Indian Football Association outside
MMAs circle.
I have served the Ministry of Health for last 24 years with an excellent record in five
states including East Malaysia & East Coastal States. I had proved myself in various
capabilities as State Epidemiologist, Hospital Director, Administer, Public Health
Physician and Researcher.
I am now ready to serve the position of Honorary General Secretary in Malaysian
Medical Association to translate my vast working experience into implantations
and best practises in Malaysian Medical Association with a vision to deliver the best
healthcare system and ensure Malaysian Medical Association is a recognisable entity
within Ministry of Health and Internationally.
28
Candidates:
1. Dr Ravi
Venkatachalam
2. Dr Thomas Kana @
Kamarudin Kana
3. Dr Saraswathi Bina
Rai SK Nagalingam
4. Dr Edwin Leo Suppiah
5. Dr Navin @ Datesh a/l
Daneshwar
Dear Colleagues,
Many Happy Greetings. I offer myself for the post of Honorary Deputy Secretary at
the 56th AGM in Miri, Sarawak.
I had graduated from Stanley Medical College, Chennai in 1990. I started off my
Housemanship at the end of 1990 in HSA, JB and continued my MO posting in
Kuching, Sarawak and subsequently joined the armed forces for a short service
commission for two years and then back into Government Hospital posting in
Seremban before leaving to private practice. Since 1996, I have been and am still in
private practice in A&E settings till now.
Dr Ravi Venkatachalam
MMA Wilayah
ravimahes@gmail.com
I have been a Life Member in MMA for the last 20 years and had actively started in
MMA Wilayah as a Committee Member from 2011 and since then held the post of
Wilayah PPS Chairman and currently during our AGM last weekend 20 March 2016
got elected as Treasurer of the branch and will assume position coming June 2016.
I am also serving under the subcommittees of Constitution and Review Committee
and Action on Smoking and Health Committee.
During my tenure in MMA Wilayah, We have jointly conducted various medical
camps, sports activities and last year we had our Primary Care Symposium in October
2015 and our PPS subcommittee of six members actively took part in organising it
and it turned out to be a great success.
Currently, our nation is being faced by three major problems namely, Communicable
Diseases, top of the list is Dengue, Secondly, NCD which is a cluster of diseases
like T2DM, Dyslipidemia, HPT, Obesity and etc. Thirdly, the imbalance between
production of Doctors and placement in Government Hospitals. Anyways these
problems are already known and I give full support to the ExCo in whatever means
to solve these issues.
The other main issue is the decreasing membership in the organisation from time
to time. I am already working on some proposals from other areas to benefit our
members and also to enhance member benefit programmes if they were to join
MMA. I am looking at wellness practice programmes for GPs to increase their
livelihood and also property investment models that will benefit the members in
the long run.
Given an opportunity to be elected as one of the Honorary Deputy Secretaries, I
pledge my full support and cooperation to be a good team player and work as a
team with the new ExCo that will be elected in coming AGM in Miri.
See you all at Miri AGM 2016.
Warm Regards and Thanks.
29
Candidates:
Dr Thomas Kana @
Kamarudin Kana
MMA Sarawak
drhjkamarudin@gmail.com
I joined the MMA as a Life Member in 2002 when I was doing my postgraduate
in Family Medicine in HUSM, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan. I was also then elected as
a Committee Member for MMA Kelantan. Back to Sarawak in 2004, I became a
Committee Member of MMA Sarawak. Serving MMA Sarawak for ten years from
Committee Member, Treasurer, Secretary, Vice Chairman, to Chairman. Since
2012/13, I was serving in MMA Council as a Representative from MMA Sarawak. I
was also active in the Academy Of Family Physician Malaysia as the Sarawak Section
Head since 2010 and a Council Member. We managed to successfully conduct
WONCA Asia Pacific Region 2014 in Kuching, Sarawak with 1,000 delegates.
I have served as an appointed Malaysian Medical Council member from 2012 until
2014, gaining experience about medical ethics, Medical Acts and Regulations,
accreditation of medical programmes, registration of doctors and issues related
to the medical profession. From 2014 until now, I served as a member of the
Accreditation Committee of Malaysian Medical Council.
The President of MMA with his vision, needs a strong and effective team to ensure
that MMA will regain respect and its credible reputation among members and
other agencies. I believe that I am able to give full support to the President, ExCo
and Council members, to ensure that the running of MMA must be following the
constitution.
With my vast experience, I can help to ensure that MMAs record keeping would be
well organised and updated. Member recruitment among young doctors and Life
Membership for senior members will be my priority. Lapsed Members should be
reduced to zero by giving incentive, regular reminders and facilitation in the renewal
process. With pending issues faced by MMA such as Dispensing Separation, MCO/
TPA, TPPA, new Medical Act and internal administrative issues, MMA needs a united,
strong and capable ExCo to represent all doctors in Malaysia. With your support and
assistance, I now seek to be elected to the post of Honorary Deputy Secretary in the
upcoming election.
30
Candidates:
31
Candidates:
I served in the Malaysian Armed Forces for two years and subsequently in a private
Hospital for 18 years. Since 2004 I have been practicing as a solo General Practitioner
in Selangor.
I have served as the MMA Selangor Branch Vice Chairman for two years and then
as the Chairman for another two terms in the 90s and again in 2012 and 2014. I also
served as the Branch Treasurer and the Secretary and PPSMMA Branch Chairman
during different years. As Selangor is eligible for two Council seats for the Chairman
and Vice Chairman subsequently as a result I have served in the Council for a total
of eight years. I have also served in the House Management Committee.
Selangor State has the largest number of members and the Branch has been very
active over the years.
After my experience in the Selangor Branch from 1990, holding all the different
posts over the years and serving in the Council for a total of eight years, I would
now like to offer my humble services as one of the Honorary Deputy Secretaries in
the Council.
I have been a General Practitioner for 12 years and I fully understand most of the
problems facing General Practitioners specifically and doctors in general. I will bring
up such issues to the ExCo and Council for their necessary action.
I practice and live in Selangor, so it will be very convenient for me to attend meetings
when necessary.
I am not promising any dramatic changes, but I will follow the constitution, which
states that the Honorary Deputy Secretary will assist the Honorary General Secretary
and deputise for him and shall be responsiblefor any other duties delegated to me
by the Council, ExCo or the Honorary General Secretary. I will carry out all duties
delegated to me to the best of my capability, using the experience gained over the
years in the Branch and the Council.
My fellow colleagues and friends, I am sure you will in your wisdom make the right
choice. I wish all the other candidates also good luck.
Positive Thinking is not only about Expecting the Best to happenbut it is also
Accepting whatever happens is for the Best
Thank You.
32
Candidates:
My believe is that this association is for its members. Its not primarily a charitable
association, a humanitarian association, a regulatory body per se. Its an association
that solely should look after the welfare of its members who are of course all doctors.
A doctors welfare extends beyond his own gratification at a personal level. Being
a noble profession, I know doctors who find satisfaction in serving the community,
doing humanitarian work, coming up with better regulations to make our profession
ever so noble and this is what MMA will facilitate. To make their ambitions come
true by providing them the platform to speak, the muscle of funding, the voice of
thousands so that we may make the deaf hear once again.
That is my motive, of aspiring, to have the opportunity to steer MMA towards that
goal in my capacity in the ExCo. I have previously served at the state level in Kedah
for many years and recently was the National SCHOMOS Chairman 2014-15. As
you all may remember it was that year that my Committee brought you the deals
from car companies, AirAsia etc. We were determined to increase our membership
strength and thus some perks were required to bring in new members and to benefit
the existing ones. You must understand that with numbers we have strength. With
that we will ALWAYS remain relevant.
I hope that one day, soon enough, every doctor in Malaysia will be a member of the
MMA.
I look forward to your support if you too aspire to see MMA the way I envision it.
I am happy you serve.
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Date
15 17th
7th 9th
7th 9th
th
Venue
Penang Medical College
Penang Medical College
Penang Medical College
Aimed at: Surgical trainees who are starting Basic Training in their first year.
Course Objectives:
To train participants in basic techniques for all types of surgery
Course Content:
The emphasis of the course is on:o basic knot tying techniques
o suturing techniques
o percutaneous biopsies
o gastrointestinal/vascular anastomosis
o repair of nerve and tendons
o introduction to safe laparoscopy
o endoscopic procedures
Closing Date:
One month (exactly) before course date commencement.
Fee:
EURO 350.00 for Malaysians Nationals (Government Service)
EURO 750.00 for all others
Bank Draft to: The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
How to apply:
Please note that there are only sixteen places available on each course. These are awarded on a first come, first served
basis on receipt of completed application and fee. Please keep this Surgical Training Office advised of any changes to
your contact details.
To enrol, please return completed application form ( available at www.rcsi-star.com) and fee to:-
Prof. N. Premnath
Director of Surgical Training
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Penang Medical College
4, Jalan Sepoy Lines
10450, Penang
Malaysia
Email: prem@pmc.edu.my
34
general
CAP-italizing
Prevention
id you know that respiratory diseases are listed as the number 2 cause of
hospitalisation and death in Malaysia? Recent data shows that respiratory
diseases are recorded at a 12.41% hospitalization rate and 21.70% death rate
respectively.1 Respiratory diseases are a serious health problem among Malaysians
as we are often exposed to all types of viruses and bacteria in our warm tropical
weather. This is definitely a concern as one of the most pressing diseases in the
respiratory category is Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP).
Proff D
P
Dato
t D
Dr Hj Abd
Abdul
Razak Muttalif
drarm@hotmail.com
Senior Consultant Chest Physician
Institute of Respiratory Medicine
Hospital Kuala Lumpur
Life Member MMA Wilayah
~~~
Pneumonia is
an inflammatory
condition which
primarily affects the
oxygen-absorbing
areas of the lung, or
more simply: its a
lung infection
~~~
~~~
Community-acquired pneumonia
is a vaccine-preventable disease
and vaccines have come a long way
from its conceptualization from two
centuries ago
~~~
The elderly account for the majority of communityacquired pneumonia infections owing to their lower
immune capabilities which naturally weaken with age.
This includes even healthy, active older adults!7,8,9,10,11
For example, Hajj and Umrah are ideal conditions for
community-acquired pneumonia. Research has shown
that pneumonia is the largest cause of hospitalisation
of Hajj pilgrims during the Hajj season with more than
19.7% percent hospitalization rate.11 The Hajj attracts
millions of people from different parts of the world who
congregate in a limited area for an amount of time,
leading to the widespread of infectious diseases and
epidemics. As pneumonia spreads from person to person
through respiratory droplets from sneezing or coughing,
Hajj provides the ideal environment for the spreading of
the disease.
Good news however is that community-acquired
pneumonia is a vaccine-preventable disease and
vaccines have come a long way from its conceptualization
from two centuries ago. A recent study called CAPiTA
(Community-Acquired Pneumonia Immunization Trial
in Adults) investigated the efficacy of vaccination for
immunity in a form of group, or herd immunity, among
adults aged 65 years and older. This was the first trial
on pneumococcal conjugated vaccine in adults which
highlights the efficiency of conjugated pneumococcal
vaccine in adults. The CAPiTA findings reinforce the
crucial role that immunization plays an important role
in reducing the incidence and burden of vaccine-type
pneumococcal CAP and IPD among the elderly.
As reported in the study, there were 45.6% percent fewer
first episodes of vaccine-type CAP among vaccinated
subjects than in subjects who received placebo. It was
also found that the vaccinated group experienced 45%
fewer first episodes of non-bacteremic and non-invasive
1.
36
general
Women Empowerment
Seminar
Dr JJuliet
D
li t Mathew
M th
drjuliem@hotmail.com
Editorial Board Member
~~~
As the world is
becoming more and
more gender neutral,
women should
widen their thinking
perspective instead
of further isolating
themselves
~~~
YBhg Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz with MMA President, Dr Ashok Philip and
the Organising Committee
38
general
~~~
Malaysia is frequently
cited as an example
of having the lowest
burden of out-ofpocket payments for
healthcare in Asia
~~~
2.
3.
Jaafar S, Noh KM, Muttalib KA, Othman NH, Healy J, editors. Malaysia
health system review. Manila: World Health Organization; 2013.
4.
5.
World Bank. Malaysia. Overview [2016 Feb 17]. Available from: http://
www.worldbank.org/en/country/malaysia/overview.
6.
Mahavera S. Income gap between rich and poor states went up in 2 years,
says think tank: Malaysian Insider; 2015 June 24 [2016 Feb 17]. Available
from: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/income-gapbetween-rich-and-poor-states-went-up-in-2-years-says-think-tank.
7.
Lee HA. Is Msias spectacular drop in income inequality for real? : Free
Malaysia Today; 2015 Oct 16 [2016 Feb 17]. Available from: http://
www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2015/10/16/is-msiasspectacular-drop-in-income-inequality-for-real/.
8.
9.
10. Ministry of Health Malaysia. Country health plan. 10th Malaysia Plan
2011-2015. 1 care for 1 Malaysia. Putra Jaya: MoH.
11. van Doorslaer E, ODonnell O, Rannan-Eliya RP, Somanathan A, Adhikari
SR, Garg CC, et al. Effect of payments for health care on poverty
estimates in 11 countries in Asia: an analysis of household survey data.
The Lancet. 2006;368(9544):1357-64.
12. Flores G, ODonnell O. Catastrophic medical expenditure risk. Tinbergen
Institute Discussion Paper 12-078/3 2012 July 13 [cited 2016 Feb 25].
Available from: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2116242 or http://dx.doi.
org/10.2139/ssrn.2116242.
13. Yu CP, Whynes DK, Sach TH. Equity in health care financing:
The case of Malaysia. International Journal for Equity in Health.
2008;7(15):doi:10.1186/475-9276-7-15.
14. World Bank. Immigration in Malaysia: Assessment of its economic
effects, and a review of the policy and system report completed in
collaboration with ILMIAMinistry of Human Resources of Malaysia.
Human Development, Social Protection and Labor Unit, East Asia and
Pacific Region, World Bank, 2013.
40
general
Complementary medicine or
alternative medicine are used
interchangeably with traditional
medicine in some countries. They refer
to a broad set of healthcare practices
that are not part of that countrys own
tradition and are not integrated into
the dominant healthcare system.
T h e M i n istry o f H ea lth ( M o H )
established the T&CM division in 2004
with the aim of integrating traditional
and complementary medicine into
the modern medical system. This
was done to regulate, achieve a
balance and monitor the safety in the
Dr G
Gayathri
th i K
K. K
Kumarasuriar
gsuriar@yahoo.com.sg
T&CM and Editorial Board
Committee Member
Life Member MMA, Kedah
general
OLD IS GOLD!
41
Humour
Compiled by,
Dato Wira Dr LR
Chandran and his team
of jokellectuals,
Alor Setar
MARITAL BLISS
A newly married couple was walking
through a garden when suddenly a dog
runs towards them. They both knew
that it will bite them, so the husband
quickly lifts his wife and decides to let
the dog bite him instead, rather than
his sweetheart.
The dog, however, stopped before them,
barked for a while and then ran away.
The husband gently puts his wife down,
expecting a hug and a few kind words
in return for his heroic gesture.
He was shocked beyond words when
his wife shouted instead, I have seen
people throwing stones and sticks at
dogs ..this is the first time I am seeing
someone trying to throw his wife at a
dog !
Moral of the story: A wife is wife. No
one else can misunderstand a husband
better than his wife!
LIFE TRANSACTIONS
A man and his wife were in court to have a divorce. The problem in contention was who will
gain custody of their child, the man or the wife. The wife jumped up and said, My Lord, I am
the rightful owner of the child, I brought her into this world, with pain and labour alone. The
judge then turned to the man, and gave him the chance to defend himself.
The man said slowly, My lord, mine is a question: when you insert your ATM card into the
ATM machine and the money comes out, does the money belong to you or the machine?
Court took a long recess after that as much time was needed to control the outraged wife!
beritaMMA Vol.46 April 2016
42
xx
smma
erutin
aethe
f press
46
YEAR 2016
APRIL
FUTURE OF MEDICAL EDUCATION AND HOUSE OFFICER
TRAINING SEMINAR
Theme
: Moving Towards Professionalism
Dates
: 16 April 2016
Venue
: Grand Seasons Hotel, Kuala Lumpur
Time
: 8.00 am 5.00 pm
Contact : Ms Moon
Tel
: +603-4041 1375
Fax
: +603-4041 9929
Emai
: medic_edu@mma.org.my
8TH MMA SABAH PRIMARY CARE CONFERENCE
Date
: 15 17 April 2016
Venue
: Grand Ballroom, Pacific Sutera, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Contact : Ms Elsie (+6012-805 5009); Ms Florita (+6016-838 0769)
Fax
: +6088-538 804
Email
: mmasbh8gpc@gmail.com
Facebook : www.facebook.com/sabahbranch.mma
SOLUTION FOCUSED SYMPOSIUM
Date
: 18 19 April 2016
Venue
: International Medical University, Bukit Jalil,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Contact : Ms Liong Siao Lin / Ms Janet Foo
Tel
: +603 2731 7669 / 7072
Fax
: +603-8656 8018
Email
: icl@imu.edu.my/
Website : http://www.imu.edu.my/icl
NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON THE RIGHT TO HEALTH
Date
: 23 April 2016 (Saturday)
Time
: 8.00 am 5.00 pm
Venue
: Sunway Putra Hotel, Kuala Lumpur
Contact : Ms Jalina
Tel
: +603-4041 1375
Fax
: +603-4041 8187 / 4041 9929
Email
: assistance@mma.org.my
12TH MALAYSIAN HOSPICE CONGRESS
Date
: 22 24 April 2016
Venue
: SWAN Convention Centre, Sunway Medical Centre, Bandar
Sunway, Selangor
Organiser : Malaysian Hospice Council
Contact : Dr Michael Yoong
Tel
: +603-3324 4740
Fax No : +603-3324 3125
Email
: mhccongress2016@gmail.com
Website : http://mhc201416.wix.com/mhc-congress-2016
XIII MALAYSIAN CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION AND VI
INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS AND EXHIBITION OF ANTI-AGING,
AESTHETIC AND REGENERATIVE MEDICINE
Date
: 29 April 1 May 2016
Venue
: Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur
Secretariat : SAAARMM Secretariat
Address : 142, Jalan Ipoh, 3rd Floor, UMNO Selangor Building
51200 Kuala Lumpur
Tel
: +603-4041 0092 / 4041 6336
Fax
: +603-4042 6970 / 4042 4990
E-mail
: dr_harnam@hotmail.com
Web site : www.allergymsai.org
MAY
ADVANCED LEVEL OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
ULTRASOUND COURSE
Theme
: Scanning to save lives
Date
: 6 8 May 2016
Venue
: Kompleks Rawatan Harian,
Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun Ipoh
Contact : Dr Japaraj
H/P
: +6019-399 4795
Fax
: +605-243 7389
Email
: japaraj@hotmail.com
beritaMMA Vol.46 April 2016
JULY
MALAYSIAN THORACIC SOCIETY CONGRESS 2016
Date
: Conference workshops on 28 July 2016
: Conference 29 31 July 2016
Venue
: Hotel Equatorial, Bukit Jambul, Penang
Secretariat : Academy of Medicine
Email
: secretariat@mts.org.my
Tel
: +603-4023 4700
Enquiries : Malaysian Thoracic Society
Email
: m.thoracicsociety@gmail.com
Tel
: +603-2856 9539
Fax
: +604-229 2379
Website : www.mts.org.my
AUGUST
THE MMA PAHANG BRANCH 6TH ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC MEETING
& REGIONAL MEDICAL UPDATES 2016
Date
: 13 14 August 2016 (Saturday - Sunday)
Time
: 8:00 am 5:00 pm
Venue
: The Vistana Kuantan, Pahang.
Contact : En Mohd Ariff Hazami Elliazir
Enquiries : mmapahang@gmail.com
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/mmapahangbranch
SEPTEMBER
41ST ANNUAL DERMATOLOGY CONFERENCE
Theme
: New Horizons in Immunology and Dermatology
Date
: 5 18 September 2016
Venue
: Pullman Kuching Hotel, Kuching, Malaysia
Enquiries : Mr Eric Chan
Tel
: +6012-268 3163
Email
: pdmreg@gmail.com
Website : http://www.dermatology.org.my/annual%20meeting.html