Author: Gerald Ng

Amidst the convergence of colder months and an uptick in both influenza-like illnesses (ILIs) and anticipated COVID-19 cases, Dr. Rontgene Solante, the President of the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP), shares crucial insights during a bi-monthly lay forum organised by the PCP. 

The Ministry of Health (MOH) in Singapore is intensifying its fight against tuberculosis (TB) with a large-scale screening initiative in Jalan Bukit Merah.  This response comes after the detection of ten new TB cases, bringing the total to 28 linked to a cluster first identified in 2022. Approximately 3,000 individuals will undergo screening from January 11 to 15, 2024, in a bid to identify undetected active cases and prevent further transmission. The Persistent Threat of Tuberculosis Despite declining rates, tuberculosis remains a significant public health issue in Singapore, with 1,251 new active cases among residents in 2022. TB is an…

We look at the top 5 most popular medical news stories across Southeast Asia this week!  #1 – Indonesia starts e-cigarettes tax  Starting January 1, 2024, Indonesia will implement a tax on electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) at 10 percent of the current excise rate to discourage vaping, according to Finance Ministry’s spokesperson Deni Surjantoro. The decision is part of a broader health initiative to address concerns raised by the Indonesian Medical Association and the World Health Organization about the risks associated with e-cigarettes. These risks include heart and lung diseases, nicotine addiction, and potential harm to brain development in youths and…

DKSH, a leading market expansion services provider with a focus on Asia, has significantly contributed to the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Thailand and across Asia.As countries grappled with the logistical challenge of distributing vaccines, DKSH’s Business Unit Healthcare played a pivotal role in ensuring millions received their doses in a timely and effective manner. Dr Varun Sethi, Regional Vice President, Commercial Outsourcing & Cluster Head for APAC, shares the different initiatives by DKSH across Asia.

Medical Channel Asia presents the weekly Asian medical news bulletin, bringing you essential healthcare news from across the region. This week’s Asian Medical News bulletin covers the Pertussis outbreak in Thailand, the extreme cold wave in Vietnam and more. Thailand Thai health officials are urging immediate vaccination against pertussis, also known as whooping cough, following a severe outbreak in Songkhla’s Health District 12, which has seen 45 cases and one fatality in Pattani Province. Particularly vulnerable are children under one year, with the majority of cases being unvaccinated. The current vaccination rate in affected areas is only 62%, significantly lower…

The event raised RM1.8 million in funds to help continue the pursuit of eradicating HIV/AIDS in Malaysia. It was held in conjunction with MAF’s 20th anniversary and World AIDS day. Mr Azman stated that the government fully supports the amendment of the Employment Act 1995 and the Industrial Relations Act 1967. He mentioned this in a speech at the event held at Sunway Resort Hotel. He further mentioned that the Malaysian AIDS Foundation and KSM are in the process of refining the proposal to reform this bill. The proposal also received support from the Ministry of Health (MOH), a few government-linked companies (GLCs) and stakeholders.

A team from the NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR) and the Department of Pathology at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine), has made a significant discovery in the understanding of breast cancer’s resistance to chemotherapy. The study, led by Research Assistant Professor Leong Sai Mun, spanned over a decade and examined a large cohort of breast cancer patients to understand the dynamics of cancer cell survival post-chemotherapy.

What’s on your Christmas plate? From roasted turkey to mince pies, find out which festive favourites are health-friendly and which to enjoy sparingly. Plus, get tips to balance indulgence and nutrition this season.

Dr Goh shared that “The complications from both type 1 and type 2 diabetes have serious complications when they attack blood vessels. When this happens, it can cause microvascular heart diseases and lead to blindness, kidney failure, loss of sensations in the nerve and more. Macrovascular heart disease causes heart attack and stroke.

Type 1 diabetes usually has more complications and has a greater impact on reducing the lifespan. However, in both diseases, the life expectancy is reduced. Therefore, the patient is better off getting a reversal cure via metabolic surgery. 

Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological disorder, affects millions worldwide. Characterised by its impact on movement, this disease presents unique challenges and requires a deeper understanding.  Here’s an insightful look into Parkinson’s disease, its causes, symptoms, treatment, and ongoing research. What is Parkinson’s Disease? Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system, primarily affecting the motor system. It results from the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. The cause of this cell death remains largely unknown, making Parkinson’s a disease of significant research and interest in the medical community. About one in eight patients have symptoms before the age…