RECENTLY, local independent filmmakers released four short parodies to raise public awareness on the potential hazards of radioactive waste that is expected to be left behind by the Lynas rare earth refinery in Pahang. Concerned with the public health impact of the processing plant located approximately 25km from Kuantan, local communities have formed anti-Lynas groups, […]
health
Living responsibly: What can you give up for the planet?
ONE problem with the environmental movement is the caricaturing of messages. Save the planet. Save the rainforests. Stop global warming. Green the earth. Recycle, reuse, reduce. Live organic. As useful as these slogans are in environmental education and in persuasion, it’s doubtful how successful they have been in affecting real change. There may even be […]
“Child marriages” just a political game
THE recent announcement by Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam that Muslim children in the state will be allowed to marry just boggles the mind. According to Ali Rustam, who is also Malacca Islamic Religious Council chairperson, allowing child marriages will help curb teenage pregnancy and baby dumping, and prevent pregnant teenagers from […]
Where’s the national health scheme?
More than two decades have passed and the National Health Financing Scheme still seems up in the air in terms of concept and implementation. Will it be a flat-rate or not? Will it take a year or ten? Despite continuous studies on the proposed scheme, is Malaysia anywhere closer to a health financing scheme which is affordable, fair and accessible to all levels of society?
A(H1N1): 11 NS camps closed
PENANG, 30 July 2009: Eleven National Service (NS) camps in the peninsula have so far been ordered to close due to the trainees showing signs of influenza A(H1N1) infection. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the affected camps involved 4,500 students and about 200 staff members who had been asked to stay at […]
Five new cases of Influenza A(H1N1) in M’sia
KUALA LUMPUR, 15 June 2009: Five new cases of Influenza A(H1N1) have been detected in the country, bringing the total number of cases to 17. The director-general of health, Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican, said all were “imported” cases. The 17th case was a 26-year-old Malaysian woman who went for a holiday in Melbourne, […]
Penang bans polystyrene at official events
PENANG, 15 June 2009: Penang has banned the use of polystyrene boxes and plates in all of its official functions. State executive councillor for health, welfare, caring society and environment, Phee Boon Poh, said the use of polystyrene boxes as food containers raised health as well as environmental concerns. Polystyrene boxes and plates could retain […]
Two new A(H1N1) cases detected
PUTRAJAYA, 10 June 2009: Two new Influenza A(H1N1) cases have been detected in the country over the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to nine. Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said the eighth case involved a 17-year-old American student who accompanied her parents for a holiday in the […]
Third influenza A(H1NI) case detected
KUALA LUMPUR, 4 June 2009: A Malaysian student who returned from the US after a holiday has become the third person to have contracted Influenza A(H1N1) in the country. Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said the 23-year-old student arrived at the KL International Airport (KLIA) on Malaysia Airlines flight MH091 at 7.15am […]
Projek Cari widened to include health-based NGO
KUALA LUMPUR, 26 March 2009: The Welfare Department will extend the search for people who need welfare assistance through its “Projek Cari” programme by identifying potential candidates at community and healthcare-based non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said her welfare officers would start with dialysis centres. […]
