Healthcare Today

22/12/2025

Proven to eliminate harmful bacteria while protecting the good

https://healthcaretoday.com.my/sateera-launches-smart-anti-infective-technology.html

Sateera, Malaysia’s newest biotechnology innovator of the smart anti-infective technology, has officially launched with independently verified scientific data underscoring its breakthrough. Validated as the first technology capable of selectively eliminat

19/12/2025

Virtual access to physical and mental healthcare directly from the workplace

https://healthcaretoday.com.my/celcomdigi-launches-the-medihub-a-5g-powered-healthcare-facility-for-employees.html

CelcomDigi

The MediHub demonstrates CelcomDigi’s AiX innovations in action, using 5G connectivity and AI to deliver scalable and convenient healthcare. Through AiX, CelcomDigi is accelerating the adoption of healthcare solutions that benefit enterprises and the nati

18/12/2025

World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur lights up an afternoon for Down syndrome children

https://healthcaretoday.com.my/world-trade-centre-kuala-lumpur-lights-up-an-afternoon-for-down-syndrome-children.html

World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur

17/12/2025

Employment concerns deter persons with disabilities from registering for official support, says Social Welfare Director General

https://healthcaretoday.com.my/world-trade-centre-kuala-lumpur-lights-up-an-afternoon-for-down-syndrome-children.html

World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur

Laughter, music, and superheroes filled the hall at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur as 50 children with Down syndrome, joined by parents and caregivers from the Down Syndrome Association of Malaysia across five centres in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, en

16/12/2025

Rewirement cannot happen in isolation. While individuals must take ownership of their well-being, success depends on a supportive ecosystem.

Employers can play a crucial role by introducing pre-rewirement programs from age 55 onwards. These are not exit strategies, but launch strategies. They may include financial planning beyond Employees Provident Fund (EPF), phased retirement options, and pathways for retirees to contribute their skills to NGOs or social enterprises. This approach preserves institutional knowledge and reflects genuine respect for employees.

Families and communities must also shift their mindset. Older adults should not be assumed to want only rest. They should be encouraged to explore new skills, pursue interests, and remain socially active. Intergenerational programs — such as retired teachers offering tuition or retired chefs teaching cooking — enrich both seniors and younger generations.

Public policies are equally important. Tax incentives can encourage companies to adopt structured pre-rewirement programs. A national civil talent hub could match skilled retirees with social and entrepreneurial opportunities. Community centres should be funded as active hubs for lifelong learning and social engagement.

https://healthcaretoday.com.my/rewirement-not-retirement-redefining-purpose-health-and-connection-after-60.html

Pertubuhan Ikatan Komuniti Selamat - Ikatan

The word “retirement” suggests stopping. Rewirement, on the other hand, is about redirection. Rewirement means consciously shifting one’s energy, skills, and experience into new, meaningful pursuits. It is not about ceasing to contribute, but about contri

15/12/2025

Essential fats and balanced Omega ratios for long-term wellbeing

https://healthcaretoday.com.my/why-alpha-linolenic-acid-matters-more-than-you-think.html

Kheng Kien Soo

Some fats are absolutely required for health, while others are detrimental. Some fats heal, others kill. If we get the right kinds of fats in the right amounts and balances, they build our health and keep us healthy. The wrong kinds of fats, the wrong amo

15/12/2025

Is feeling tired and low an inevitable part of aging?

https://healthcaretoday.com.my/why-your-dreams-and-sleep-matter-more-after-sixty.html

Pertubuhan Ikatan Komuniti Selamat - Ikatan

As we grow older, sleep becomes deeply connected to how clearly we think, how well our hearts function, how steady our emotions feel, and how well we age overall. Yet many seniors quietly struggle with sleep problems, assuming that poor sleep is simply “p

10/12/2025

A global analysis reveals the massive, long-ignored health burden caused by sexual violence against children and intimate partner violence, urging urgent reform, survivor-centered care, and stronger prevention strategies worldwide.

https://healthcaretoday.com.my/global-study-reveals-massive-hidden-health-burden-from-violence-against-women-and-children.html

A global analysis reveals the massive, long-ignored health burden caused by sexual violence against children and intimate partner violence, urging urgent reform, survivor-centered care, and stronger prevention strategies worldwide.

03/12/2025

United Voice marks 20 years advocating inclusion on International Day of Persons with Disabilities

https://healthcaretoday.com.my/learning-disabilities-dont-limit-potential-society-must-rethink-its-perceptions.html

United Voice

26/11/2025

With an average screen time of 8 hours and 17 minutes daily, Malaysians now rank among the highest digital device users in Asia. This will result in ‘text neck syndrome,’ a relatively new condition that has emerged, especially post-pandemic with noticeable rise in cases among teenagers and young adults.

This growing health issue is a repetitive stress injury caused by prolonged forward head posture while looking down at screens. When someone develops text neck, the muscles and joints in the neck undergo continuous strain due to poor posture. Over time, this causes muscle and joint fatigue, discomfort, and if left untreated, may even result in structural damage.

Why Malaysians are at high risk?
Malaysia’s high digital consumption, particularly among the younger population, is a significant contributor to the rise of text neck syndrome. The country records the third-highest TikTok usage in Southeast Asia, with an average watch of 121 videos a day. Combined with long hours at desks or classroom, and the lack of ergonomic awareness, this creates the perfect situation for postural strain.

One of the most common postural issues we see is forward head posture. Misalignment occurs when one tilts the head forward by 45 degrees which increases the load on the cervical spine from only 5 to 22 kilograms. This adds over 1,000 hours of strain on an average user’s spine in just a year, which can lead to symptoms such as neck and shoulder pain, headaches, dizziness, spinal nerve irritation resulting in tingling sensation of the hands and even early degenerative arthritis of the neck.

Younger patients are more at risk, mainly due to their frequent and prolonged use of smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Text neck is now both an occupational hazard for office workers and a lifestyle-related issue for those who are constantly glued to their devices.

Poor workplace ergonomics further compounds the issue, as many endure long hours at non-conducive desk setups. This prolonged strain is increasingly linked to higher rates of sick leave in corporate environments, reduced productivity, and declining workplace performance. The Ministry of Health reports that 67% of Malaysians experience neck pain at some point in their lives, making it the second most common musculoskeletal complaint in the country, yet many dismisses the discomfort as temporary or stress related.

https://healthcaretoday.com.my/is-your-phone-a-pain-in-the-neck.html

With an average screen time of 8 hours and 17 minutes daily, Malaysians now rank among the highest digital device users in Asia. This will result in ‘text neck syndrome,’ a relatively new condition that has emerged, especially post-pandemic with noticeabl

25/11/2025

A demographic revolution is sweeping across Malaysia, poised to redefine our society and challenge our healthcare system. By 2030, more than 15% of Malaysians will be aged 60 and above as we face a critical crossroad where the traditional hospital-centric model of care is no longer sufficient. However, this shift is not a crisis. Instead, it’s a powerful opportunity to reimagine how we care for our senior citizens and build a society that honors aging with dignity, independence, and purpose.

The geriatric gap: A wake-up call for healthcare
Geriatrics, the branch of medicine focused on older adults, is no longer a niche specialty. It’s a national priority. Older adults face a unique blend of physical, cognitive, emotional, and social
challenges. These often manifest as complex “geriatric syndromes” such as frailty, falls, incontinence, and cognitive decline, which require coordinated, interdisciplinary care. Yet, Malaysia currently has only 67 geriatricians, far short of the estimated 700 needed to meet growing demand. This shortage is compounded by a healthcare workforce stretched thin, unattractive financial incentives in geriatrics, and longer training pathways compared to countries like Australia and Singapore. The consequences are severe: long waiting times, delayed diagnoses, and overburdened hospitals.

But this gap also presents a chance to invest in a better future. By training more geriatricians and empowering primary care doctors with geriatric knowledge, we can build a healthcare system that truly supports aging well.

The unspoken challenge: End-of-life care and autonomy
One of the most delicate, sensitive, often avoided topics which is a vital aspect of elderly care is end-of-life planning. Nearly 70% of deaths in Malaysia occur among those aged 60 and above, yet conversations about care preferences are often avoided. Without legal tools like advanced directives or durable power of attorney, families and doctors are left guessing what their loved ones would have wanted.

Advance Care Planning (ACP) empowers older adults to make informed decisions about their treatment and care. It ensures their wishes are respected, even in their final days. Normalizing these discussions is not just compassionate, it’s essential for a healthcare system that values dignity and autonomy.

https://healthcaretoday.com.my/op-ed-malaysias-aging-revolution-from-healthcare-crisis-to-opportunity-for-dignity.html

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Malaysia faces a demographic shift as its population rapidly ages. This article explores the critical gaps in geriatric care, end-of-life planning, and the innovative community solutions needed to build a compassionate future.

22/11/2025

Explore the crucial role of beneficial bacteria in your small intestines, including Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria, as your body's first line of defense against harmful pathogens. Learn about different probiotic supplement forms, their effectiveness, and how to choose quality products for optimal gut health and immune protection.

https://healthcaretoday.com.my/the-small-intestine-your-primary-line-of-defense.html

Kheng Kien Soo

Your small intestine is not only the area where most food digestion take place, it is also where any harmful bacteria that have survived their travels through the stomach arrive next. The upper parts of your small intestine, the duodenum and jejunam, ar