Author: malaysiang

Seventy dilapidated clinics under the Ministry of Health (MOH) across the country have been successfully upgraded through the Bitara MADANI initiative.

Deputy Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni said that at the same time, 366 more clinics are currently in the implementation phase.

“We (MOH) expect to complete the upgrading works on all 436 dilapidated clinics by December this year. The success in 2023 is crucial for MOH to convince Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim of the need for more allocation to upgrade these clinics in the future,” he said when interviewed in Bernama TV’s Ruang Bicara programme on the subject, last night.

Lukamisman said that the cost of upgrading each dilapidated clinic ranges from RM50,000 to RM800,000.

“These 436 clinics we are working on do not have a standard cost of upgrading. The costs vary according to the requirements and location of each clinic, and we must also ensure the quality of healthcare clinics in the country,” he said.

Lukanisman, who is also Sibuti Member of Parliament, said the criteria for upgrading these clinics include damaged buildings with wooden or semi-wooden structures.

“Apart from that, we also look at clinics with issues related to plumbing or wiring, as well as matters concerning the safety and comfort of patients.

“These issues occur in most clinics throughout the country, be it health clinics or rural clinics that have been operating for 50 years,” he said.

The Bitara MADANI initiative focuses on resolving problems and issues faced by the people, enhancing the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of public service delivery to ensure the welfare of the people.

When chairing the Malaysia MADANI Action Council meeting on July 3, Anwar announced that the government would prioritise two Bitara MADANI projects, i.e. upgrading health facilities under MOH and expanding the implementation of Gerai MADANI.

He said under the facility upgrading project, the government is taking immediate steps to upgrade 436 dilapidated clinics, with the target that each will go into the implementation stage by the end of 2023.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

The Wistar Institute has been awarded more than US$12 million National Cancer Institute (NCI) Program Project Grant (P01), a highly competitive five-year grant that includes a cross section of researchers from various disciplines and institutions throughout the country. (US$1=RM4.52)

The multidisciplinary team led by Wistar scientists is exploring the role of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) in epithelial cancers. Epithethelial cells form functional structures in organ tissue throughout the human body; and are often the site for solid organ cancers, including the most common cancers, which are known as carcinomas.

The new research will focus on basic questions about how EBV infection of normal epithelial cells transforms them into cancer-cells, in which scientists intend to build on this research to identify better and more selective therapeutic targets.

According to Wistar in a statement, the grant will fund three main research projects, which will look at how EBV establishes a long-term infection within epithelial cells; study how it causes genetic and metabolic changes to trigger cancer growth; and use these findings to investigate new therapeutic strategies.

“We are investigating unexplored aspects of EBV and malignancies, potentially uncovering unique characteristics or pathways that can be targeted for therapeutic intervention.

“This fresh perspective could lead to groundbreaking discoveries and innovative treatment strategies for EBV and epithelial malignancies,” said The Wistar Institute associate professor of the Gene Expression & Regulation Program of the Ellen and Ronald Caplan Cancer Center, Italo Tempera.

The project brings together scientists from The Wistar Institute and Harvard University, including experts in epigenetics, metabolomics and drug discovery and the first time researchers from this variety of disciplines have combined their efforts to focus entirely on the EBV-epithelial cancer link.

EBV is one of the most common human viruses, infecting an estimated 95 per cent of people by the time they reach adulthood. Symptoms are usually mild, and most people recover within a few weeks, but the virus can remain latent in the human body for years or even decades, and it causes some people to develop cancer later in life.

While research has historically focused on lymphomas, EBV-linked epithelial cancers are both more common and more deadly. Epithelial cancers represent 75 per cent of the 200,000 EBV-related cancer cases diagnosed each year, and these cancers also have higher mortality rates and treatment failures.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

The late Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman will always be remembered as a true statesman with integrity, dedication and sincerity as well as for his selfless service to the people of the country.

Former aide-de-camp to the former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Noordin Omar said it was clearly proven by his role as one of the the leaders who restored harmony between the races after the May 13 riots that took place in 1969.

Two years earlier, Dr Ismail had resigned from the Cabinet as the home affairs minister because of failing health.

“Doctors did advise him to reduce activity and rest more, but after the May 13 tragedy, the situation in the country was not harmonious and at that moment I myself witnessed Tun voluntarily return to serve in the Cabinet as minister of home affairs, to help restore peace in the country.

“Even though his health was declining, Tun still devoted his life to the country. Toh Puan Norashikin Mohd Seth (Dr Ismail’s wife) gave full support to her husband to carry out his responsibilities to the country,” he said when met at his home.

The Ministry of Communications and Digital (KKD) is devising a programme to commemorate the services of the late former deputy prime minister in conjunction with the National Month this year.

Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the programme, which would be held at the Dataran Merdeka here on Aug 2, aimed to educate the younger generation about the statesman’s contribution to the country’s development.

“It is not just commemorating him but his service and dedication in the effort to build a country together with other great figures of our homeland and we hope this will be a tribute to his efforts, and so that the new generation does not forget that our country has many figures who have worked hard for the country’s struggle,” he said recently.

Noordin, 86, who retired in 1992 with his last post as Perak police chief, described Dr Ismail as a firm person, always concerned about the welfare of those around him and very respectful of time.

“Once there were tourist officials from a European country who wanted to meet Tun, but because they arrived 10 minutes late at his office, he refused to meet them.

“Because of his integrity and firmness, nobody dared to take advantage of his position, in fact I think all of them at that time already hailed Tun as an incorruptible minister,” he said.

Revealing the other side of Dr Ismail, Noordin said the statesman had never once forgotten his origin as a Malay from the state of Johor.

He said Dr Ismail loved Asli music, appreciated the value of Malay culture and loved Malay food.

“For Tun, a nation without culture is a lost nation. Tun often fought for the Malays who at that time were considered backward compared to other races, especially in the economic aspect,” he said.

According to Noordin, Tun was also a very loving father, and it could be clearly seen through the way he brought up his six children despite his busy schedule as the country’s leader.

“Tun loved to swim, play golf, but that’s all if there’s enough time, usually after work, Tun will go home and play with his children, I still remember seeing him with Tawfik (Mohamed Tawfik), Zailah, Badariah, Tarmizi, Zamakh (Zamakhshari) dan Ariff (Mohamed Ariff) after coming home from work,” he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway (KLK) concessionaire, ANIH Berhad, has activated a contra lane along the stretch of the highway which was closed due to a sinkhole, since 10 am today.

ANIH Berhad in its social media posting on Facebook and Twitter, said the contra lane has been activated from KM65.9 to KM67.9 for Kuala Kumpur-bound traffic.

“Road users are advised to stay alert and obey the speed limit and instructions of officers at the location,” it said.

It was reported that the sinkhole that occurred on Tuesday at KM66.1 of the expressway which affected both directions near Bentong has resulted in the road at that location being closed.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the sinkhole was caused by the construction of the East Coast Rail Link (RCRL) underground tunnel.

However, the Kuantan-bound lane had been reopened late last night.

Meanwhile, the owner of ECRL, Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) in a statement emphasised that there were no signs of stress or collapse of the ECRL tunnel structure located beneath KM-61 of the KLK.

“We would like to specifically highlight that the Bentong Tunnel 2 has remained intact despite the sinkhole incident.

“Furthermore, we want to clarify that the soil settlement at the tunnel face area, which occurred on Tuesday evening, was an isolated incident and has since been rectified,” the statement said.

MRL said the tunnel is structurally safe for construction works to resume and they will continue to prioritise safety awareness and identify potential hazards at the work site.

MRL in collaboration with the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) contractor CCC-ECRL conduct a thorough and detailed investigation, with findings and proposed recommendations, if any, to be provided.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

RYTHM Foundation, the social impact initiative of the QI Group, is introducing the Volunteer Development Programme (VDP) as an initiative to encourage youth volunteerism in the local community.

In a statement today, it said the VDP specifically targets young people in the community, including student leaders in universities, and will kick off in August, with the first phase involving comprehensive training and matching volunteers with the appropriate programmes and interventions carried out by the foundation.

The programme seeks volunteers aged between 18 and 35 with a passion for social causes, a positive attitude and commitment.

To qualify, participants must also be fluent in English and Bahasa Melayu, physically fit and have a growth mindset to progress as part of a volunteer community while experience with knowledge of community programmes would also be advantageous.

RYTHM Foundation said the unique initiative blends theory with practical field experience, creating an accelerated learning environment for leadership development.

It said participants will actively contribute to numerous RYTHM initiatives while flexibly collaborating with other organisations, promoting multi-dimensional growth.

“The foundation’s impact areas in Malaysia include, but are not limited to, aiding People Housing Project (PPR) communities, indigenous groups, children and youth, and women.

“In addition, RYTHM will engage education institutions, NGOs, and civil society organisations to ensure volunteers have ample opportunities to contribute their time and skills,” said the statement.

It said as participants, volunteers will get fully sponsored training and coaching, a certificate of participation, a LinkedIn endorsement badge, potential internship or employment prospects and valuable chances to network with influential changemakers.

Head of RYTHM Santhi Periasamy, in the same statement, said a new generation of proactive individuals who are not just willing to make a difference but are equipped with the necessary skills to initiate changes are needed in the face of today’s challenges.

“Whether supporting education, empowering the underprivileged, or fostering sustainable development, the VDP volunteers will be part of a vibrant community of like-minded individuals united by the belief that we can change the world together,” she said, adding that the main objective is to develop a community with a civic mindset, ready to create positive impacts and reach out to needy communities in all internal and external volunteering programmes.

For more information about the VDP and to register, visit https://www.rythmfoundation.org/initiatives/volunteering/.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

At least 150 responders from the different city and municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Offices (DRRMOs) in Surigao del Sur are participating in the ongoing 2023 Rescuers Summit and Rescue Group Exercises from July 26-28 in Tagdag City. The activity, which opened on Wednesday, is spearheaded by the Surigao del Sur DRRMO with the support of the Philippine Red Cross in the province and Agusan del Norte. In a statement Thursday, Surigao del Sur Gov. Alexander Pimentel welcomed the gathering of the province’s responders, saying that the activity is in time with the observance of National Disaster Resilience Month. ‘The three-day activity aims to enhance the skills, knowledge, and attitudes of the responders in the province, for them to effectively act in response in times of calamities, disasters, and other untoward incidents,’ Pimentel said. He added that the summit will also foster camaraderie and help establish strong coordination among the city and municipal DRRMCs in the province. The Bureau of Fire Protection-Surigao del Sur is facilitating the different activities and exercises the support of the province’s rescue teams. In a separate interview Thursday, Rexjoy Cubillan, the MDRRMO of San Miguel municipality, said 16 responders from the town are actively joining the exercises. ‘This is important for us as we further hone our skills and knowledge in search, rescue, and other related operations during disasters and calamities,’ Cubillan said. He noted that new strategies and techniques were introduced by the resource groups that will further sharpen the skills of the responders.

Source: Philippines News Agency