Category: Health EN

The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) and Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) are very anxious of the eventual release of the GM Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in Bentong, Pahang and Alor Gajah, Melaka despite objections and concerns raised by NGOs, public and scientists. The National Biosafety Board on 5 October 2010 approved the application submitted by the Institute for Medical Research (IMR) for...

THE Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) is shocked to note the statement by the Minister of Health, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, as reported by the media yesterday, that field testing for genetically modified (GM) mosquitoes has been approved by the National Biosafety Board. This, despite the globally acknowledged fact that anything that is genetically modified, plant or animal, is not stable....

Rats have become a serious problem since they are reservoirs of leptospirosis and other vector borne diseases.  The number of mortality and infections is increasing rapidly as more humans are exposed to rat urine and droppings. The Ministry of Health reported 62 deaths and 1,418 cases of infection due to leptospirosis. Another common rat related disease in Malaysia could be salmonellosis but...

In recent weeks, concerns over asbestos poisoning have been raised in our local print media. And rightly so! This naturally occurring fibrous mineral, with fire and heat resistant properties, has been recognised as a serious threat to life in the Western countries and where possible, its use is avoided. People who work with asbestos are at serious risk of developing lung cancer, asbestosis,...

Previously, when doctors were accorded the legal right to dispense, there were very few pharmacists and pharmacies in the country. However, this is no longer the case. There are already more than 6,000 pharmacists registered with Malaysian Pharmacy Board. More than 500 new pharmacy graduates are added to the nation each year. As such, the issue of a shortage of pharmacists should not arise. A...