Health & Living

For patients seeking care in public hospitals, especially beyond Klang Valley, the chances of being able to see a specialist immediately are usually slim. For years, Malaysia has been plagued by a shortage of specialists across various disciplines, and unequal distribution throughout the country. The former is related to the training of specialists, and seems to be on increasingly precarious groun...

Bypass surgery and angioplasty are two of the most widely-used treatments for coronary artery disease, and they have a long track record in medicine. Bypass surgery was first done in 1960, while the first coronary angioplasty was done in 1977. What are the differences between these procedures, and how do doctors determine which procedure is more suitable for individual patients? We discuss these w...

We often hear about how high blood pressure among older adults leads to an increased risk of heart disease, kidney disease, and stroke, among other things. But what happens when the blood pressure goes too low? On this episode of Healthy Ageing, consultant geriatrician Prof Dr Tan Maw Pin joins us to dive into the dangers with low blood pressure and how to manage it well for a better quality of li...

How do we know if a drug will cause adverse reactions in a patient or if it will even work for different individuals? Understanding how drugs interact with our biological systems is crucial to ensure that the medicine that is developed is both effective and safe for us among humans. On this episode of Humans of Healthcare, we dive into the role of a pharmacologist with Prof Dr Wong Pooi Fong, from...

Cancer, as a life-altering diagnosis, brings with it not only physical but also emotional and psychological challenges. As patients try to cope with the overwhelming thoughts and feelings that come with their diagnosis and treatment, they may find themselves on a lonely journey that few others understand. In conjunction with World Cancer Day on 4 February, we explore the role of cancer support gro...

Malaysia’s nurses are a silent force in the healthcare system. They are responsible for the seamless and meticulous delivery of care to patients, not only in terms of clinical treatments, but also in ensuring the administrative procedures of health services. They play a key role in understanding patients’ needs, and providing comfort to them and their family members. But the nurses in our public a...

Is your love life in a rut, on the rocks, or in ruins? Are you having trouble navigating the emotions and expectations of dating? With Valentine’s Day beckoning, licensed counsellor Heeran Kaur joins us in the Counsellor’s Corner to offer advice on relationships and dating, in the context of emotional and mental health. Image credit: Shutterstock Inc See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...

When you’re ill, or in need of healthcare, this is probably the process you go through: you see a doctor, they identify a biological cause, you get a medical prescription, and hopefully you recover. But what if you weren’t prescribed medical therapy, but instead, art classes, heritage visits or housing support? What do these recommendations - known as social prescribing - have to do with your medi...

As Malaysians, we’re often used to complaining about the terrible outdoor air quality, especially during the haze season. But COVID-19 has taught us that it’s just as important to pay attention - and do something - about the air quality inside our homes and buildings. We speak to Dr Jenny Su Huey-Jen, Distinguished Professor of Environmental Health at the National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan,...

Recently, Bukit Gasing state assembly member Rajiv Rishyakaran called for the Ministry of Health to construct a new general hospital for Petaling Jaya, pointing out that Universiti Malaya Medical Centre alone is not enough to support the public healthcare needs of the city’s residents. We invite YB Rajiv on the show, along with former Health Minister and Co-Chair of the Health White Paper Advisory...

Children with autism grow up to be adults with autism. However, this logical assumption is not reflected in reality. Adults with autism often face many barriers, ranging from getting a diagnosis, to accessing adult-centred services, and dealing with discrimination. Dr Cheah Boon Eu and Ch’ng Bao Zhong - autistic professionals working in healthcare - join consultant developmental paediatrician Dr R...

“ The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition. " - Excerpt from the World Health Organization’s Constitution It only takes a look around our own country, sometimes no further than our own communities, to see that there are far too many people fa...

‘Twas the night before Christmas when Selina Yeop Jr’s world turned upside-down. Her doctor had just told her that she possibly had cervical cancer, a disease that previously had only belonged in the periphery of her consciousness. In conjunction with Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in January, Selina shares her journey from diagnosis to remission, and how she persevered through the therapies. We...

It’s an open secret that the tobacco industry strongly lobbies governments on public health policies linked to tobacco control, but just how much of an influence do they have? Launched in November last year, the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance’s 4th Asian Tobacco Industry Interference Index measures the extent to which 19 Asian countries are protecting their health policies from tobacco in...

More than 25,000 Palestinians have been killed and 1.9 million - more than 85% of Gaza’s population - has been displaced since Israel began its latest assault on Gaza on 7th October. In fact, Israel’s military campaign has resulted in crisis levels of hunger and starvation, with UN agencies warning of famine and disease, even as the Gazan healthcare system struggles to cope with the injuries infli...

Confident, independent, adventurer and explorer: these are the words Izzat Zaid uses to describe herself. But it has not always been easy for her to balance these traits against society’s conventions and expectations, especially in the high-pressure environment of university studies and work. On this episode of Because Feelings Matter , Izzat shares how being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult gave h...

“Make sure the food has less salt. Consume more fibres. It’s fine that they have a lower appetite.” These are some of the things we hear being said about older adults and their dietary habits but what should and shouldn’t they do? How do their nutritional needs change as they age? On this episode of Healthy Ageing, we speak to dietitian Prof Dr Winnie Chee for some practical advice on how we can m...

SARS-CoV-2, HIV and Hepatitis C - what do these viruses have in common? They can be targeted with antiviral medications, which have changed the way we’re able to manage these diseases, as well as prevent and control their spread. As we face the possibility of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, as well as the increase in antimicrobial-resistant strains, major questions arise when it come...

Would you see a physiotherapist if you had little to no pain or if you don’t have an injury? Many of us often think of physiotherapy as something that’s needed in those contexts but there’s more to physiotherapy than that. Consultant orthopaedic surgeon Dr Harjeet Singh is back to share his perspective on this, and he’s also joined by Luke Lango, a physiotherapist and personal trainer. Image credi...

Pregnancy is a time of anticipation, but also one of anxiety. After all, the expecting mother is preparing for her life to change with the arrival of her baby, while hoping for a safe and healthy delivery. If the pregnancy is a high-risk one, there are even more fears over the well-being of mother and baby. Dr Muniswaran Ganeshan, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist from Pantai Hospital Ku...

Global geopolitical events have weighed heavily on our minds in the last few months. The impact of wars, the climate crisis, natural disasters, and disease outbreaks, seem to be relentless and inescapable, no matter where we are. What is the mental health impact on people who have witnessed or experienced disaster, or for the rest of us, the constant exposure to distressing events on social media?...

We’re back with our monthly Ask A Doctor segment and to kickstart the year we will be focussing on skin health. Here to answer your questions from skin care to skin conditions is Dato’ Dr Noor Zalmy Azizan, a consultant dermatologist. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2022, sales of vitamin and dietary supplements in Malaysia were valued at RM4.89 billion. But as the demand for supplements grows, so does the pressure on the industry and consumers to guard against the sale and consumption of counterfeit supplements. Consultant urologist Dr George Lee is joined by Dr Rajen Manicka, President of the Malaysian Dietary Supplement Association (MADSA), to explore t...

Why do some people skip medical checkups, treatments or follow-up care, even when the services are available for them to access? In Selangor, it has been reported that time constraints and transport problems are the primary reasons that residents in the state do not go for follow-up screenings or consultations despite the detection of abnormalities in health screening programmes. In the first Publ...

Whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, everyone needs sleep. But, do we adults really need 7 hours of sleep a day? Why do some people get away with less and others need more? We find out more about why sleep matters for our cognitive health, together with neurogeneticist Dr Azlina Ahmad Annuar, and Prof Dr Michael Chee, Director of the Centre for Sleep and Cognition at the Yong Loo Lin Schoo...