Consider This

Siti Nabila is a 9-year old girl who was last year diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She was adopted without proper papers, which means Siti Nabila is a stateless child and therefore not entitled to free medical care at a government hospital. Her Malaysian adoptive parents earn RM1,500 a month, and were unable to pay the RM40,000 medical bill. How many children are there like Siti Nabila? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Noorkamariah Mohamad, volunteer, Kuching Food Aid. 

Let’s begin with a look at today’s third round opt-in registration for the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine. The tech difficulties and lottery-style registration proved to be quite stressful for applicants, and left many angry and frustrated with the entire vaccination process. What do you think needs to be done to address these frustrations so it doesn’t tip over from: “enthusiastic about opting-in” to “I’m no longer interested in signing up”? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Dr Mahaletchumy Arujanan, Executive Director of the Malaysian Biotechnology Information Centre.

An effective communication strategy plays an absolutely vital role in ensuring the success of any nationwide Covid-19 vaccine rollout. Public health communicators have to take into account the planning for each phase of rollout and reaching diverse yet specific audiences. Do we need to rethink our comms approach altogether? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Dr Latif Lai, Head of the Research Unit for University Malaysia Sabah & Unicef’s Communication for Development.

Although Covid-19 primarily manifests as a respiratory syndrome, its reach can extend to many other organs like the kidney, heart & brain, with devastating consequences. The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic have been devastating; however, evidence suggests that patients with, or at risk of, kidney disease are disproportionately affected. What has been observed in the past year of the pandemic? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Dr Rafidah Abdullah is a Consultant Physician & Nephrologist at Hospital Putrajaya.

Malaysia’s Covid-19 mortality rate increased to 0.86% in the past week -- meaning almost one in every 100 Covid cases in the past week had succumbed to the disease. In just the first 18 days of May, we had 500 reported deaths -- the same number we experienced for the whole of 2020. Are we headed for a “vertical surge” and with what consequences for society and the health system? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Dr Mafeitzeral Mamat, Anaesthetist and Critical Care Consultant at Gleneagles Medini, Johor.

Attempts to make the police force more accountable and to reduce incidents of abuse have had a chequered history beginning perhaps with the Royal Commission of Inquiry two decades ago. The process of reform under the 22-month Pakatan Harapan government was however short-lived. What are the prospects for reform? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Ding Jo Ann, Advisor, Centre for Independent Journalism.

The recent deaths of Sivabalan Subramaniam and A.Ganapathy have once again raised public outcry that not enough is being done to address deaths, or injuries that lead to death, that happen in police custody. Why do custodial deaths persist and what can be done to prevent them. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Yohendra Nadarajan, Director, Eliminating Deaths and Abuse in Custody Together (EDICT).

A couple of hours ago, the highly anticipated National Security Council meeting announced that they will be announcing tomorrow the tightening of MCO 3.0, which will include additional economic and social restrictions. What impact will a so-called “full-scale lockdown” have on the care of both Covid & non-Covid illnesses? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh, President, Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia.

A couple of hours ago, the highly anticipated National Security Council meeting announced that they will be announcing tomorrow the tightening of MCO 3.0, which will include additional economic and social restrictions. What impact will a so-called “full-scale lockdown” have on the medical industries? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Andy Lee, Chairman, Association of Malaysian Medical Industries and Johnson & Johnson’s Government Affairs Director for Malaysia & Singapore.

A couple of hours ago, the highly anticipated National Security Council meeting announced that they will be announcing tomorrow the tightening of MCO 3.0, which will include additional economic and social restrictions. What impact will a so-called “full-scale lockdown” have on the ongoing vaccination process? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Datuk Chevy Beh, Founder, BookDoc, healthtech company.