Health & Living

Palliative care is still taboo to speak about, because of how it’s associated with a dying patient. Then, picture a doctor telling parents that their young child requires palliative care, it’s an entirely terrifying situation for any parent. But palliative care plays a vital role in ensuring that any child with a serious illness can still lead a good quality of life - and essentially be a child. W...

The Ministry of Finance had promised that Budget 2026 would tackle healthcare reform, address rising medical costs, and strengthen health security. Does it deliver on those promises? We analyse the Budget's healthcare allocations, with Azrul Mohd Khalib, CEO of the Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy, and Dr Amjad Rabi, Social & Human Security Economist. Brought to you by Mah Sing. Rei...

Caring for patients with serious or terminal illnesses is not an easy feat. On this episode of Humans of Healthcare, and in conjunction with World Hospice & Palliative Care Day (14 Oct), we speak to June Thow, a palliative care nurse practitioner, about providing comfort, dignity and peace to people at their most vulnerable. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Getting old isn’t a diagnosis. Whether it’s hearing and memory, or vision and mobility, you don’t have to lose what makes life joyful. At BFM’s recent ‘Mind, Body, Years: A Lifelong Health Journey’ forum, we invited people to join us in challenging the myths of ageing. This is an edited replay of the panel discussion.  This event was presented by Subang Jaya Medical Centre. See omnystudio.com...

Over the years, we’ve improved leaps and bounds when it comes to awareness of breast cancer and the data on women diagnosed early with breast cancer seems to be proof of that. In spite of that, it’s still not unheard of for women to decline to do mammograms. But why? And what does this tell us about how we can continue breast cancer awareness programmes? In conjunction with Pink October, we speak...

Mental health is one of the most urgent public health issues in our population, yet often the funding for mental health services falls far behind compared to other health issues. Ahead of the tabling of Budget 2026, we take a look at the gaps in mental health care and access that need to be addressed, and how much that can be plugged with more funding, with Cindy Chew, Head of Community Developmen...

Malaysia’s health system is under strain—public hospitals face long waits and staff shortages, while private healthcare costs and medical insurance policies keep rising. As the federal budget approaches, there’s urgency for reforms that make care more affordable and sustainable. The private sector has a big stake in this conversation, so Dr Kamal Amzan, CEO of IHH Healthcare Malaysia, joins the sh...

Licensed counsellor Lee Kah Seng joins us on Counsellor’s Corner to answer questions about imposter syndrome. Is it real? Why do we feel so much self-doubt when it comes to our abilities and achievements? And what can we do to get out of this paralysing state? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As public resources and mainstream funding for cancer care become increasingly scarce, how can patient groups explore alternative financing strategies? At a recent roundtable discussion on ‘Navigating Access to Improve Breast Cancer Care in Southeast Asia’, co-organised by the Alliance & Partnerships for Patient Innovation & Solutions (APPIS), and National Cancer Society of Malaysia, suppo...

How does patient navigation accelerate access to breast cancer care and support? At a recent roundtable discussion on ‘Navigating Access to Improve Breast Cancer Care in Southeast Asia’, co-organised by the Alliance & Partnerships for Patient Innovation & Solutions (APPIS), and National Cancer Society of Malaysia, supported by Novartis, patient organisations from seven countries around the...

Midlife isn’t the end of your purpose - it’s the start of your next, most intentional chapter. Discover how legacy planning can help you define what matters, take charge of your future, and leave a meaningful imprint on the world around you. This is an edited replay of the second series of BFM Health & Living (For Her) events, with the theme “Boldly Facing The ‘M’: Embracing Your 40s and Beyon...

Do you feel like your body and mind were taken over by aliens the moment you turned 40? You’re not alone. Hot flushes, night sweats, brain fog and anxiety aren’t just cliches about women in their 40s and 50s, they’re significant symptoms that women need help with. We’re providing a safe space for women to overturn the taboos and stereotypes about perimenopause and menopause, and to face this phase...

When illness strikes suddenly, it can turn your world upside down in an instant. For Gabriel Wong, a brain infection spread to his spine, leaving him with paraplegia and forcing him to relearn what his body could and could not do. In this episode of Beyond The Diagnosis , we’ll hear his journey of rehabilitation — the day-to-day labour of rebuilding strength, the frustrations of small setbacks, an...

When someone is diagnosed with a life-limiting disease, palliative care is important to help patients live with good quality of life. Rehab therapy can play a role in helping patients with issues like pain, lack of mobility or loss of function, to support patients in being as active as possible, even if their illness progresses. Consultant rehabilitation physician Dr Intan Sabrina joins us to talk...

Every child deserves the chance to thrive — but not every child has the same start or opportunities. For some families, that means navigating the challenges of raising a neurodivergent child, including therapies, education and social support. As Budget 2026 approaches, what investments are needed to strengthen early childhood intervention and support for neurodivergent children? Today, we hear fro...

In our monthly Ask A Doctor segment, we speak to consultant ophthalmologist and vitreoretinal surgeon Dr Kenneth Fong about common questions you have about your vision and eye health. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imagine being bullied at the workplace, where you’re shouted at, and humiliated by, your boss on a daily basis. Cheryl tolerated this for several months, in a workplace where such behaviour had been normalised, until she realised the job wasn’t worth sacrificing her dignity and mental health for. On this episode of  ‘ Because Feelings Matter ’, Cheryl describes the toxic work environment she...

The popularity of indoor climbing and bouldering has surged in recent years, and gyms are popping up across our capital city. But how much of it is a social activity vs serious sport? Is it for everyone and how dangerous is it? We speak to climbing coach Grace Loo and consultant orthopaedic surgeon Dr Harjeet Singh to find out.  Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...

Did you know that you could have stones in your kidneys for years without knowing it? Is this dangerous and how do we identify them? We find out more about kidney stones, how they are removed, and is there anything we can do to prevent them from coming back again. Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia has one of the highest rates of bullying in schools, compared with 44 other countries worldwide. We explore how bullying affects children in vulnerable situations, such as those from low-income or dysfunctional families, or those who are stateless, and how it leaves scars on children’s psychological and emotional well-being. Anum Sofea Muhamad Fadzli, Clinical Psychologist from Thrive Wel...

The Ministry of Health recently unveiled the long-awaited National Rare Disease Policy, which is aimed at improving access to care for people living with rare diseases at every point in their lives. How does it live up to expectations? What are the gaps that remain? And how can the upcoming Budget 2026 play a part in ensuring that the policy is turned into action? We speak to Nadiah Hanim Abdul La...

People - adults and children - are turning to AI chatbots to talk about their mental health and how they’re feeling. But is this as harmless as it seems when in some cases, people are pushed to psychosis or even suicide? Consultant urologist Dr George Lee is joined by consultant psychiatrist Dr Ravivarma Rao Panirselvam and CEO of Content Forum Malaysia Mediha Mahmood  to dive into the dark t...

You may brush off having thrush or ringworm as just a simple fungal infection. However, fungal infections are on the rise as a serious public health concern, and we aren’t paying enough attention to treating them. This year, the World Health Organization published its first-ever report addressing the critical lack of medicines and diagnostic tools for invasive fungal diseases. On the Public Health...

Substance use disorders are often already challenging to manage, so what happens when the person who needs help is an older adult, potentially with cognitive issues or even multiple comorbidities? In this episode of Healthy Ageing, we speak to consultant psychiatrist Dr Azhar Salleh to find out why we need to tackle the stigma on substance use disorders among older adults and what's most important...

Does a urologist only treat urinary problems or male sexual health issues? On this episode of Humans of Healthcare, we guide you through the type of care that urologists provide for both women and men, and why this is an important specialty within healthcare. Dr Siti Nur Masyithah Ma’arof, Consultant Urologist, also shares her unique perspective of being one of the few female urologists in Malaysi...