Foul!

As published in Malay Mail today Soo Siew Lan, 76, dances with staff Khairiah Mad Hassan during a fun therapy session at Kuala Lumpur Hospital on Monday. Medical staff should comfort patients despite budget cuts. - Picture by Hari Anggara (Malay Mail) HARESH SAYS By Haresh Deol I BECAME a father on Oct 24. Having been by my wife’s side every step of the way, we were blessed with our bundle of joy, a baby boy, just days before Deepavali.   Our journey to parenthood was made easy thanks to one man — Datuk Dr Alex Mathews. A well-known figure in the fraternity and beyond, the former Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society of Malaysia president (1993/1994) comforted us every step of the way through his fatherly-like approach.   The well-groomed tie-wearing doctor, who could pass off as a headmaster, has a keen interest in sports. Having served the government for many years, his experience and wisdom are evident not only through his greyish hair but from his choic...

You sit in front of the doctor. With a sympathetic look, much like a puppy starving for attention, you hope the doctor comforts you. Without eye contact, the doctor asks what you are suffering from.   You reply you have the package — flu, cough and a slight fever.   The doctor finally looks up, scribbles something and asks: “Is two days MC enough?”   You walk out of the consultation room — having spent exactly four minutes and 32 seconds with the doctor. You listen to unqualified people tell you about drugs which they themselves are clueless about, pay the sum due and head home.   Typical isn’t it? Read more in Haresh Says today.  

UPDATE Aug 14, 4.27pm: Government addresses TPPA concerns as seen here . ------   The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) is anxious over the impact of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) on healthcare services in Malaysia.  MMA president Dr N.K.S. Tharmaseelan (pic) said an agreement could see the potential increase in the cost of medicines and healthcare services.  “Many countries now use generic drugs to treat diseases as effectively as patent drugs. This has brought down the cost of medication and health care,” said Dr Tharmaseelan.  “But with the TPPA , intellectual property provisions could be an issue as the production and importation of generic drugs will be deemed illegal until a certain period.”  He added the liberalisation of the healthcare service sector would also send “costs of healthcare spiralling upwards”. Read more in The Malay Mail today . HD says: Read this report over the 'benefits and challenges of of TPPA'.