This International Women’s Day, Sunway Medical Centre celebrates the dedicated women in health care who tirelessly give themselves to their patients, who then go home and give another 100 per cent to their families.
Axios’s Patient Support Programs takes into account other factors beyond formal income, such as assets and standards of living, to determine a patient’s ability to pay for medical treatment.
A klinik kesihatan doctor says it is in their KPIs to increase the registration of unmarried women between the ages of 15 to 49 who are able to conceive to come to their pre-pregnancy clinic (PPC) to get contraceptives.
Bleeding gums and rotten teeth affects almost three quarters of preschool children in Malaysia, and this can have severe consequences on a child’s wellbeing and development.
Eczema and allergies can be frustrating for both patient and parents, but knowing what triggers them and how to manage these conditions can be a game changer.
The Malaysian chapter of the 30% Club was launched in May 2015 with the aim of improving diversity on Malaysian corporate boards and senior management.
For women concerned about their fertility, perhaps the most important thing to remember is that you are not alone, and you have the power to take charge of your health.
With one in three Malaysian adults suffering from mental health problems, and reports showing high levels of stress, anxiety and depression among students, it is time to take this matter seriously.
As 2023 marks the ushering in of the year of the Rabbit, one way we can look towards doing so this year is by taking a page out of this furry little creature’s diet and incorporate more veggies and vegan foods into our busy lives.
Lack of access to antenatal care, safe delivery, and family planning during the Covid-19 pandemic caused Malaysia’s maternal mortality rate to shoot up, says Dr John Teo.
It is important to note that in the first five to seven years of menopause, women are at greater risk of losing 20 per cent of bone density, making them susceptible to osteoporosis.
Synapse’s Newborn Screening Baby service helps to detect over 40 inherited metabolic diseases also known as Inborn Errors of Metabolism (IEM), which can sometimes be fatal.
Patients who had breast reconstruction are happier because they can get on with their day-to-day activities such as going to the gym, swimming, attending functions, and wearing their favourite dresses.
Reduce the gender gap in pay leave, use media campaigns to challenge social norms and provide women with financial control through digital bank accounts are some of the recommended ways to address Malaysia’s low FLFPR.
Women’s Minister Nancy Shukri tells MWGF that investing in women’s sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights is an investment in women’s economic independence and Malaysia’s guaranteed economic growth and recovery.
Local and regional experts will share their thoughts on the barriers faced by women in achieving economic independence and various ways to address them.
“Patriarchy is best described as an instilled sense of social hierarchy which marginalises women and subordinates them to men, thus ensuring internalised discrimination in our structures, including the legal system,” said Vilashini Somiah from University of Malaya.
Terengganu’s Shariah criminal law punishes out-of-wedlock pregnancy and childbirth with max 3 years’ jail, max 6 strokes of whipping, or max RM5,000 fine, or any combination.
The Malaysian Paediatric Association says criminalising pregnancy and childbirth may increase maternal and infant mortality, with unsafe abortions and baby dumping.
It’s unclear if the Terengganu Shariah amendment exempts rape victims or if Muslim health care professionals will be prosecuted for providing maternity care to unmarried Muslim women.
Joint raids involving state Islamic departments involve violations of privacy, equality, and freedom of expression, and legitimises excessive state intervention into people’s private lives, says Justice for Sisters.
Health care professionals urge politicians to tackle unintended pregnancy, baby dumping, comprehensive sexuality education, and better access to contraceptives and safe abortions.
In conjunction with Pink October, Sunway Medical Centre raises awareness on breast cancer and the opportunities of having children despite a cancer diagnosis.
Political parties should pledge to provide non-judgmental sexual and reproductive health care, including contraceptive and safe abortion services, say NGOs and an O&G doc.
While the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act may look like an end game after three decades of work, women’s groups call for public awareness campaigns and say the AGC should immediately draft rules governing the sexual harassment tribunal.
Period poverty should be addressed through data collection, education, and infrastructure improvements, while gender sensitivity training should be incorporated into the overall PULAPOL curriculum.
Kampung Tunku rep Lim Yi Wei says Budget 2023 should include a campaign for marriage as a partnership with equal responsibilities for both spouses; Lilian Kok from AWAM says there should be incentives to encourage the private sector to think about the social welfare of their employees.
Five girls aged 5 to 10 across Southeast Asia won exclusive mentorships and experiences with organisations and community groups after sharing their ideas to bring positive change in the world.
Up to 50 per cent of Malaysian children surveyed did not tell anyone about their experiences with online sexual exploitation and abuse due to shame and embarrassment, fear of getting into trouble, and that no one would believe them, according to a new report by ECPAT International, INTERPOL and UNICEF.
It doesn’t matter if the treatment is old or new, breast cancer treatments should be covered by insurance regardless, says consultant breast surgeon Dr Ng Char Hong.
Consultant breast surgeon Dr Ng Char Hong says many women are not familiar with their own breasts during self-exams for breast cancer, while The Asian Women (TAW) says the media oversexualises women’s breasts.
Human Rights Watch and Justice for Sisters say Malaysia can engage with its LGBT citizens and learn from other countries to open up spaces for and improve the lives of LGBT people in the country.
“Junior Germ Busters” is an inaugural campaign by MPA’s Healthy Little Bloomers programme, which aims to instil good hygiene, health and safety habits among children through early childcare and education centres across Malaysia.
A report by HRW-JFS highlights incidents of crime, violence, and harassment towards LGBT people, including a vigilante group known as Skuad Bada’r that harasses trans women in Sungai Petani, Kedah.
In one case highlighted in the HRW-JFS report, JKM tried to enter the home of a lesbian couple, one of whom had custody of two young children, based on a complaint of “deviant behaviour”.
MOH’s National Strategic Plan to End AIDS 2016-2030 lists mukkhayam as a JAKIM psychosocial support programme, aimed to discourage men who have sex with men from practicing “unnatural sex”.
Marginalised, out-of-school, and migrant children and adolescents bear the brunt of gaps in mental health and psychosocial support systems, says Christopher Davids from Unicef.
Azalina Othman Said says the women’s PSSC is willing to file a private member’s bill to amend the Constitution to empower Malaysian women to confer citizenship to their overseas-born children, citing previous unanimous MPs’ support for the anti-hopping law.
LGBT students and youths face pressure to renounce their gender identity and sexual orientation, says a report by Human Right Watch and Justice for Sisters.
Charles Santiago says the steep increase in prices impacts different people differently: the poor spend 25% of their monthly income on food, compared to 13% by the rich.
The funds will be channelled to Rumah Kanak-Kanak Triniti and Shelter Home for Children to help them continue to provide food, shelter, clothing, guidance, and care for vulnerable children.
The minister’s order amends the First Schedule of the Employment Act by removing the salary cap to include any employee who enters into a contract of service.
At the launch of Durex’s #COMETOGETHER campaign, panellists say open conversations with youths about sex promotes safe practices and prevents unwanted consequences.
A new report by Human Rights Watch and Justice For Sisters describes how LGBT people in Malaysia, who underwent conversion practices in Islam and Christianity, experienced suicidal ideation or suicidal attempts.
The nutritional status of Malaysian children appears to be worsening, with increases in underweight prevalence, stunting, and obesity, says Dr Poh Bee Koon.
The NGO proposed three amendments to the Bill, including broadening the definition of stalking, including doxing, spying and property interference as acts of harassment, and extending the effective period of stalking protection orders.
From 2008 until now, a total of 16,000 suspected victims of trafficking in Malaysia have been rescued and provided with Interim Protection Orders, says Rina Harun.
From 2015 to 2021, sexual transmission (94 per cent) was the main risk factor for new HIV infections that were reported to the Ministry of Health, says Khairy Jamaluddin.
Since 2013, the government has received 30,939 citizenship applications from individuals born overseas to Malaysian fathers, and 4,901 citizenship applications from individuals born overseas to Malaysian mothers.
MPs propose that the definition of housewife under the Housewives Social Security Act be expanded to include househusbands; presumed monthly income of RM600 for housewives is insulting, says Hannah Yeoh.
The bill allows for the establishment of a tribunal to deliberate sexual harassment complaints, and provides a mechanism for anyone who has been sexually harassed to seek redress.
The marginalisation of people who use drugs, men who have sex with men, sex workers, prisoners, and transgender people is a major barrier to HIV services, says Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman.
Malaysia voted against a UN Human Rights Council resolution that was adopted to extend the mandate of the Independent Expert on protection from violence and discrimination related to sexual orientation and gender identity.
The Health Ministry’s #AnakMalaysiaSihat media programme seeks to raise awareness about child stunting and nutrition in a child’s first 1,000 days of life.
SEED Foundation’s Flip the Script campaign aims to improve society’s interactions with transgender people through depictions of kindness, consideration and tolerance.
The Permanent Mission of Malaysia to the UN told the Human Rights Council that Malaysia believes in promoting and protecting the rights of women and girls.
A woman’s well-being supersedes her pregnancy and she should be allowed to terminate it if it will cause her harm, says Wafiq president Dr Rafidah Hanim Mokhtar.
RRAAM president Dr Subatra Jayaraj says accessible and affordable abortions must be made available to all women in Malaysia; WAO’s Yu Ren Chung says evidence, time, and leadership are necessary for successful advocacy.
UMSC’s Dr Aizura Syafinaz says parents are responsible for talking about sex with their children openly; at school, teachers should educate girls and boys about sex together, rather than separately.
Messages from inspiring young women aim to motivate girls to navigate life confidently and pursue higher education goals with education fund incentive.
MOH’s family health development division cites the Termination of Pregnancy guidelines and says public clinics are more accessible now, with increasing visits from unmarried young women.