Datuk Mohd Farid Ariffin, the founder of Majlis Kanser Nasional (MAKNA), passed away on 14 January 2026, leaving a legacy of tireless advocacy and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of cancer patients across Malaysia. In conjunction with World Cancer Day, we look at how MAKNA has brought meaning to the lives of cancer survivors and their families.

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If you’re receiving radiation therapy for cancer, that radiation dose that enters your body isn’t just any standard dose or a matter of random happenstance. It has been calculated by a clinical medical physicist, who is also the person responsible for ensuring the radiation equipment is working optimally. On Humans of Healthcare, we speak to Dr Zulaikha Jamalludin, a Clinical Medical Physicist, from Universiti Malaya Medical Centre, to find out more about her job and the training pathway for students interested in this career.

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You’ve probably heard or seen people say they’re “overstimulated”. But what does this actually mean? Isn’t this something that’s usually associated with neurodevelopmental disorders? We speak to clinical psychologist Shaleen Chrisanne about this.

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You’re playing pickleball, and you lunge and twist to hit the ball. That’s when you hear that dreaded ‘pop’ in your knee. The meniscus injury is a common injury that can occur during sports or even if you twist your knee joint while standing up. What kind of treatment do you require after this injury, especially if you don’t want knee pain or arthritis to develop years after surgery? We find out more from Dr Sivalingam Raja Gopal, Consultant Orthopaedic Trauma & Sports Surgeon.

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Last week, the government announced that they’ll be rolling out a new base medical and health insurance/takaful plan in 2027, in line with a host of health reforms that are in the works. Consultant urologist Dr George Lee is joined by Dr Muralli Munisamy, medical director of the National Cancer Society of Malaysia and Mark O’Dell, CEO of the Life Insurance Association of Malaysia, to dive into what has been announced and whether it will improve access to healthcare for all Malaysians.

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When young medical graduates and doctors raise concerns about working conditions, stress levels, remuneration and low morale in healthcare, how much of this is due to mismatched expectations and poor career decisions? We find out why it’s important for aspiring medical students to understand what they’re really getting into, before they (or their parents) make career decisions that could have lifelong implications. Find out how to register for MMA’s Career Guidance Conference (7-8th February 2026, at M World Hotel, Petaling Jaya) here.

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Confinement practices have a special place among Malaysian communities, with different ethnic groups employing their own practices and beliefs for mothers after delivery. But we’re now seeing the mushrooming of modern confinement centres that offer mothers the convenience of post-partum care in a room-in facility, with a touch of pampering. How do mothers ensure that the services of these centres are safe for them and their newborns, and what needs to be improved?

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When former national artistic gymnast Farah Ann Abdul Hadi reflects back on the 2016 Rio Olympics, she calls it “the best point of her career” - not because she made it, but because she didn’t qualify. On this episode of ‘Because Feelings Matter’, Farah talks about how she survived the bitter loss, and learned to overcome mental health struggles like body dysmorphia and immense psychological pressure.

Every mental health struggle has a story behind it. ‘Because Feelings Matter’ is a series that brings you the stories of people and their mental health issues. These stories aim to normalise conversations about mental health, and to show that it’s okay to struggle emotionally and psychologically, but more importantly, to reach out for help. This series is produced in collaboration with Thrive Well.

Image Credit: Farah Ann Abdul Hadi

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In 2024, Lim Shyang Guey, known fondly as SG, learned what it was like to be a caregiver when his wife was suddenly diagnosed with gallbladder cancer. She passed away after a brief treatment period, but SG has taken his grief and converted it into a meaningful purpose: to Run For Gold and raise funds for childhood cancer. Listen to how SG took on the role of caregiver, and how he is now continuing his late wife’s unfulfilled dream of travelling around Peninsula Malaysia on foot. 

Beyond The Diagnosis is a series about people, going beyond the diagnosis to explore their personal experiences, their challenges, as well as the impact of their health condition on their loved ones. These stories reveal the importance of understanding the unique struggles and needs of the individuals behind the medical diagnosis.

Image Credit: Lim Shyang Guey

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Last week, the United States rolled out its new dietary guidelines… and flipped the food pyramid. It’s not just upside down, but now also promotes the intake of more dairy, meat, and fats, and less carbohydrates. With the U.S. often looked to as a reference for health guidelines, we speak to dietitian Adele Wong about what people should take away from this and how our national dietary guidelines compare. 

Image Credit: Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030

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