Health EN – Page 108 – Consumers Association Penang

Our high medicine prices are killing patients

admin May 18, 2017 0 Comments

Control astronomical prices of medicines now Expenditure on medicines comprise a large share of total health expenditure. The Ministry of Health (MOH) expenditure on medicines has been steadily increasing from RM1.61 billion in 2010; to RM1.76 billion in 2011; RM1.98 billion in 2012 and RM2.2 billion in 2013. This was an increase of 36.5% in the span of 3 years. Medicines expenditure will only...

WHERE IS OUR MEDICAL EDUCATION HEADING?

admin May 9, 2017 0 Comments

The last few months has seen a lot of discourse in the media on the plight of young trainee doctors or housemen as they are called. We saw a lot of shocking headlines – ‘not cut out to be doctors’, ‘grappling with housemen woes’, ‘housemen buckling under pressure’ – just to name a few. The most shocking revelation was that housemen comprised the highest number of civil servants...

CAP: Ban microplastics in cosmetics and personal care products

admin April 6, 2017 0 Comments

The Consumers Association of Penang calls on the authorities to ban microplastics in personal care and cosmetic products in view of the health and environmental hazards associated with these tiny plastic particles. For the last 50 years, microparticles of plastic, or microplastics, have been used in personal care products and cosmetics, replacing natural options in a large number of cosmetic and...

Depression: World’s leading disability

admin March 30, 2017 0 Comments

A recent report released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on ‘Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders estimates that in 2015 there were over 1.1 million cases of depressive disorders in Malaysia . The report further states that depression is a major contributor to suicide deaths accounting for 800,000 or 1.5% of all deaths globally. If we extrapolate this estimate locally, in...

Mental Health Epidemic: The price of progress?

admin December 20, 2016 0 Comments

We are slated to be a high income country by 2020 and it appears that all indicators suggest we are close to the finishing line. Incidentally depression is also lurking to be the number one disability worldwide by 2020 – just four years away. According to the 2015 National Health and Mobidity Survey (NHMS), 1 in 3 individuals have mental health problems in Malaysia. The global average...

Serious Alcohol and Gum Addiction Among Orang Asli in Lubuk Legong, Baling

admin December 14, 2016 0 Comments

The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) urges the Baling District Council (MDB) in the state of Kedah to investigate and take immediate action on a sundry shop owner in Kampung Lalang, Ulu Legong who is selling alcohol illegally to the Orang Asli community in the area. These activities have been going on for some time, but no action has been taken by the authorities. This has led to an...

CAP: Treat antibiotics with respect and care

admin November 17, 2016 0 Comments

The World Health Organization (WHO) has chosen “Antibiotics: Handle With Care” as its theme for this year’s World Antibiotic Awareness Week. Held annually from 14 – 20 November, Antibiotic Awareness Week is a reminder to all - health care providers, patients and users of antibiotics – that antibiotics are life saving and preserving and deserve utmost care in handling, use,...

Malaysian Government Needs to Act Now to Import Affordable Hepatitis C Treatment

admin November 15, 2016 0 Comments

Hepatitis C is curable. And yet thousands of Malaysian patients do not have access to treatment for this highly infectious disease. Data available suggests that more than 500,000 Malaysians are living with the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). Most people infected with HCV are unaware of their status until it has progressed to advanced liver disease, liver failure or cancer. According to the World Health...

Unhealthy Living Makes Malaysia No. 1 in Diabetes Prevalence in ASEAN

Admin November 14, 2016 0 Comments

Today November 14 is World Diabetes Day, and on this occasion, the Consumers Association of Penang calls on consumers to practice healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of diabetes Currently it is estimated that there are 3.5 million diabetics in Malaysia. Our diabetes prevalence is the highest in ASEAN. Diabetes prevalence in Malaysia was only 1-2% in 1960. It has skyrocketed to 17.5% this year....

Eliminate Lead In Paint

admin October 25, 2016 0 Comments

Paints With Dangerous Lead Levels Widely Sold In Developing Countries The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) reiterates our call to the Malaysian government to take immediate steps to eliminate lead in paint. CAP’s analysis of lead in new enamel household paints in Malaysia found that more than 60 percent of 39 paint samples tested contained exceedingly high lead levels. CAP’s call is...

Consumers Association Penang

Category: Health EN