Consider This

Siti Nabila is a 9-year old girl who was last year diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She was adopted without proper papers, which means Siti Nabila is a stateless child and therefore not entitled to free medical care at a government hospital. Her Malaysian adoptive parents earn RM1,500 a month, and were unable to pay the RM40,000 medical bill. How many children are there like Sit...

Let’s begin with a look at today’s third round opt-in registration for the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine. The tech difficulties and lottery-style registration proved to be quite stressful for applicants, and left many angry and frustrated with the entire vaccination process. What do you think needs to be done to address these frustrations so it doesn’t tip over from: “enthusiastic about opting-in”...

An effective communication strategy plays an absolutely vital role in ensuring the success of any nationwide Covid-19 vaccine rollout. Public health communicators have to take into account the planning for each phase of rollout and reaching diverse yet specific audiences. Do we need to rethink our comms approach altogether? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Dr Latif Lai, Head of the Researc...

Although Covid-19 primarily manifests as a respiratory syndrome, its reach can extend to many other organs like the kidney, heart & brain, with devastating consequences. The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic have been devastating; however, evidence suggests that patients with, or at risk of, kidney disease are disproportionately affected. What has been observed in the past year of the pand...

Malaysia’s Covid-19 mortality rate increased to 0.86% in the past week -- meaning almost one in every 100 Covid cases in the past week had succumbed to the disease. In just the first 18 days of May, we had 500 reported deaths -- the same number we experienced for the whole of 2020. Are we headed for a “vertical surge” and with what consequences for society and the health system? Melisa Idris and S...

Attempts to make the police force more accountable and to reduce incidents of abuse have had a chequered history beginning perhaps with the Royal Commission of Inquiry two decades ago. The process of reform under the 22-month Pakatan Harapan government was however short-lived. What are the prospects for reform? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Ding Jo Ann, Advisor, Centre for Independent J...

The recent deaths of Sivabalan Subramaniam and A.Ganapathy have once again raised public outcry that not enough is being done to address deaths, or injuries that lead to death, that happen in police custody. Why do custodial deaths persist and what can be done to prevent them. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Yohendra Nadarajan, Director, Eliminating Deaths and Abuse in Custody Together (E...

A couple of hours ago, the highly anticipated National Security Council meeting announced that they will be announcing tomorrow the tightening of MCO 3.0, which will include additional economic and social restrictions. What impact will a so-called “full-scale lockdown” have on the care of both Covid & non-Covid illnesses? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh, Presiden...

A couple of hours ago, the highly anticipated National Security Council meeting announced that they will be announcing tomorrow the tightening of MCO 3.0, which will include additional economic and social restrictions. What impact will a so-called “full-scale lockdown” have on the medical industries? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Andy Lee, Chairman, Association of Malaysian Medical Indu...

A couple of hours ago, the highly anticipated National Security Council meeting announced that they will be announcing tomorrow the tightening of MCO 3.0, which will include additional economic and social restrictions. What impact will a so-called “full-scale lockdown” have on the ongoing vaccination process? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Datuk Chevy Beh, Founder, BookDoc, healthtech co...

In the sometimes tense on-going exchange between the Penang Chief Minister and the Federal MOSTI Minister over a purported “unapproved donation of vaccines” what can be discerned as the State government’s strategy? Why instead of procuring vaccines through regular channels did it opt to accept a donation? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Dr Norlela Ariffin, Chairman, Penang State Governmen...

As the Federal Government’s National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme picks up pace and continues to evolve, the involvement of state governments have taken center stage. Tonight on the show, we’ll speak to Covid-19 committee representatives from the state governments of Selangor and Penang about the specific challenges they face at this time. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Datuk Seri Dr...

Amidst the outpouring of support for Palestinians living in Gaza there is a recognition that Palestinians are living among Malaysians even now. But who are they and what kinds of lives have they carved out for themselves here? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Muslim Imran, Chairperson, Palestinian Cultural Organisation Malaysia.

News reports from the ground say hospitals are overwhelmed and running low on medical supplies, water & food supplies running out, and thousands now displaced due to destroyed homes. What can be done to secure aid? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Datuk Dr Ahmad Faizal Perdaus, President, Mercy Malaysia. MERCY Malaysia has been providing medical and humanitarian assistance to Palestine...

News reports confirm that efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Palestine are on-going, but little progress appears to have been made as fighting has now entered a 10th day. What are the diplomatic efforts at play and will they yield results in time to save lives? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to His Excellency Walid Abu Ali, Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Malaysia, Mal...

Old folks' homes house some of the most vulnerable in this pandemic, and yet we’ve had concerns raised over apparent gaps in the inoculation process for the elderly, especially those at nursing homes. Have we failed to learn from the experience of other countries and how can we build back better the care home system? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Professor Dr Tan Maw Pin, Consultant Ger...

Old folks' homes house some of the most vulnerable in this pandemic, and yet we’ve had concerns raised over apparent gaps in the inoculation process for the elderly, especially those at nursing homes. Have residents and staff of care centres for the elderly been neglected in the national Covid-19 vaccine rollout? And do Covid-19 SOPs take into account the vulnerabilities of this particular demogra...

Today we take the opportunity to reflect on the larger multi-cultural context of Hari Raya, both here in the Peninsula and across the South China Sea in the territories of Sabah and Sarawak during Aidilfitri celebrations. What are the ties that bind, what sets us apart and who wants to pull us apart. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Nathaniel Tan, Coordinator, Projek Wawasan Rakyat (POWR)...

Today we take the opportunity to reflect on the larger multi-cultural context of Hari Raya, both here in the Peninsula and across the South China Sea in the territories of Sabah and Sarawak during Aidilfitri celebrations. We ask can we build understanding, instill trust but also accept differences. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Nathaniel Tan, Coordinator, Projek Wawasan Rakyat (POWR) an...

Buying new clothes & apparel for the festive season is a gesture of hope & a chance to sparkle socially. But how is the current mood shaping tastes? Tonight on Consider This Melisa Idris & Sharaad Kuttan speak to designer Alia Bastamam about Hari Raya styling this year.

Buying new clothes & apparel for the festive season is a gesture of hope & a chance to sparkle socially. But how is the current mood shaping tastes? Tonight on #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris & Sharaad Kuttan speak to designer Nelissa Hilman about Hari Raya styling this year.

Hari Raya is upon us - a celebration that is simultaneously religious and cultural. How has Hari Raya changed for you over the years and how has it expressed itself in our literature and popular culture? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Adriana Nordin Manan is a writer, playwright, translator.

The scientific community has long called for the increased use of data science and AI in the fight against Covid-19. We understand the advantage it can give us. But what principles should guide the use of AI forecasting models for tracking and infection prediction? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Dr Helmi Zakariah, Panel Member, Focus Group on Artificial Intelligence for Health, World Hea...

The scientific community has long called for the increased use of data science and AI in the fight against Covid-19. We understand the advantage it can give us. But what principles should guide the use of AI forecasting models for tracking and infection prediction? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Dr Helmi Zakariah, Panel Member, Focus Group on Artificial Intelligence for Health, World Hea...