Health & Living

The newly-passed Social Work Profession Bill aims to introduce stricter standards for the field of social work, and regulate the activities of social workers in Malaysia. What does this mean for the thousands of children who depend on social workers, especially those living in vulnerable situations? We speak to Dr Rajini Sarvananthan, Consultant Developmental Paediatrician, and Amy Bala from the Malaysian Association of Social Workers, to discuss this long-awaited bill and what it means for children nationwide. 

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A recent study published in The Lancet Public Health found that in 2023 alone an estimated 2.7 billion people globally were exposed to secondhand smoke, including 767 million children under 15. After decades of anti-smoking campaigns and awareness-building about the dangers of secondhand smoke, why are billions of people still breathing in contaminated air? In conjunction with World Lung Day on the 25th of September, we’re joined by Prof Dr Anna Marie Nathan, consultant paediatric pulmonologist from Universiti Malaya Medical Centre to clear the air about the short- and long-term health consequences of secondhand smoke, why children are especially vulnerable to secondhand smoke in the home, as well as what we can do to help smokers quit to create a smoke-free environment for all. 

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Maya (not her real name) lost her loved one to suicide more than a year ago. She still grapples with the grief, anger and guilt today, but she’s come a long way in processing and learning to speak about her loss. In conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September, we speak to Maya about the support that suicide loss survivors need. 

This discussion will touch on topics of suicide and self-harm. If you, or someone you know, needs emotional support, reach out for help within your community or contact the Befrienders KL (03-76272929 or sam@befrienders.org.my), Talian HEAL (15 555), MIASA (1-800-1800-66) or AWAS Malaysia (Whatsapp 010-234 4808)

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Most of the people living with osteoarthritis are older but that doesn’t mean that osteoarthritis is an “older person’s disease” and something that just happens as you age. So can you prevent your cartilage from breaking down? And if you have osteoarthritis, how can you still lead a full life? We ask these and more with Assoc Prof Dr Fariz Yahya, consultant rheumatologist at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre. Dr Fariz is also the president of the Arthritis Foundation Malaysia.

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Health & Living - Sep 18, 2026

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The Ministry of Health now has an allocation of RM1bil to digitalise our health system. We speak to Dr Mahesh Appannan, Director of the Digital Health Division from the Ministry Of Health about the Ministry’s digitalisation efforts and when can every citizen expect to have their own medical record, from birth to death. 

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How often do we think about how complicated it can be for us to see what is in front of us? On this month’s open clinic show, we’ll be uncovering what happens within our eyes - and the brain - to help us see the world, how to keep our eyes functioning at their best, and how to pick up problems when your eyes start declining. 

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It is estimated that over 2,000 Malaysians live with motor neurone disease (MND), a chronic condition that is progressive and life-limiting. As the disease increasingly affects the muscles that are needed for movement, speech, swallowing and breathing, patients and families need a lot of support. But are they accessing the care they need? We find out more from the Chairman of MND Malaysia Ahmad Nurzahid bin Mohd Yusoff, and consultant neurologist Prof Dr Nortina Shahrizaila. 

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Fatty liver is a little-known consequence of the high rates of diabetes, obesity and high cholesterol in Malaysia. Without intervention and management, fatty liver can eventually lead to liver cancer. We speak to Prof Dr Ida Normiha Hilmi, President of the Malaysian Society of Gastroenterology & Hepatology and Dr Lau Su Yin, Consultant Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist, about why fatty liver is a major public health problem in our population.

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When someone is facing suicidal ideation or crisis, how frontliners respond can make all the difference. In conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Day, we’ll be unpacking the role that frontliners play, who exactly they are, and why how they respond during and after a suicide crisis matters not just for the individual in crisis but for other vulnerable individuals as well. 

This is the second of a two-part conversation. Listen to part 1 here. 

Trigger warning: This discussion will touch on topics of suicide and self-harm. If you, or someone you know, needs emotional support, call the Befrienders KL at 03-76272929 or email sam@befrienders.org.my, or reach out for help within your community. You can also contact Talian HEAL at 15 555 or MIASA at 1-800-1800-66.

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When someone is facing suicidal ideation or crisis, how frontliners respond can make all the difference. In conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Day, we’ll be unpacking the role that frontliners play, who exactly they are, and why how they respond during and after a suicide crisis matters not just for the individual in crisis but for other vulnerable individuals as well. 

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Since 1996, Hospice Klang has been providing free palliative care to patients, caregivers and families in the community in Klang. We speak to its chairperson, Dr Sheriza Izwa Binti Zainuddin, who’s a senior consultant for palliative care in Universiti Malaya Medical Centre, to find out more about how Hospice Klang started and how its changed the lives of patients and families in need of palliative and hospice care. To support Hospice Klang’s 30th anniversary charity fundraising dinner, visit the website, Facebook or Instagram pages.

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From figuring out what’s causing a rare condition in a child to helping that child thrive into adulthood, the profession of a paediatrician and clinical geneticist can be pretty challenging. We speak to Prof Dr Thong Meow Keong, who was Malaysia’s first board-certified clinical geneticist back in the 1990s, about his career as a clinical geneticist, why it shouldn’t be a paediatric subspecialty, and how the profession has evolved over the years.

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The worsening haze has caused a 250% surge in asthma cases in recent weeks. The link between poor air quality and respiratory diseases is clear, but people with asthma and COPD should not wait for the haze to trigger a serious episode before taking preventive action. Consultant respiratory physician Dr Helmy Haja Mydin is here with reminders about how to keep asthma under control, especially during the prolonged El Niño season.

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Once, a cancer diagnosis was thought to be the entire book on its own. But as cancer patients live longer today, there’s more to the story than just (that phase of) completing cancer treatment. Heart health is also an increasingly important focus in cancer survivorship, including addressing certain risks associated with cancer and preventing the same cardiovascular diseases that the rest of the population faces (with or without cancer). In this conversation with an oncologist and a cardiologist, we look at how their care for a cancer patient intersects, to ensure that the cancer survivor of today does not become the heart patient of tomorrow.

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For low and middle income countries, the high cost of novel treatments can be a significant barrier for the people who need these medicines the most - especially when it comes to cancers and rare diseases. This is where drug repurposing can offer a more affordable yet still innovative option that could lead to better access to treatment. So why aren’t we investing more into this? And is it safe to repurpose drugs for other types of diseases? 

To help us unpack this, we speak to Dr Yolanda Augustin, clinical oncologist at City St George's University of London, and Prof Dr Ivy Chung, pharmacologist at the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya. They are both part of the International Affordable Diagnostics and Therapeutics Alliance also known as IA-DATA, where Dr Yolanda is the lead coordinator while Prof Ivy is the lead principle investigator for the Universiti Malaya Affordable Diagnostics and Therapeutics programme, a project under IA-DATA.

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Today, many IVF packages offer optional ‘add-on’ treatments that claim to boost a couple’s chances at a successful pregnancy. But a recent study found that it’s not obvious if most of these ‘add-ons’ actually help, even if it doesn’t have clear negative effects. So what should couples seeking IVF know before making that decision? We speak to Dr Sarah Lensen, the lead author of that study as well as a senior research fellow in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health at the University of Melbourne. 

For more information about optional IVF extras, visit ‘Evidence-based IVF’.

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In 1986, the mission for setting up the Breast Cancer Welfare Association (BCWA) was clear: a volunteer or a trained breast cancer survivor uses her experience to help another woman recovering from breast cancer. 40 years later, BCWA has become the country’s leading breast cancer support organisation, while holding on to its core mission of being there for the next woman diagnosed with breast cancer. We speak to two former presidents and the current president of BCWA for this Merdeka special.

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For a young adult entering university, the idea of independence is thrilling and liberating. But the excitement can also mask the anxiety and struggle to balance responsibility and expectations. We discuss what mental health and peer support should look like for students in tertiary education, and hear this month’s impact story about how a corporate leadership programme is supporting students’ mental well-being.

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Almost 70,000 people in Malaysia are registered with the Department of Social Welfare as having blindness or visual impairment. The healthcare needs of this community often go unnoticed, and many people living with blindness and visual impairment still struggle to have their rights recognised, including equitable access to healthcare. We speak to the Malaysian Association for the Blind to find out what needs to be improved to ensure inclusivity in healthcare for people with visual impairments.

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There are 55,000 people in Malaysia on dialysis and the number is expected to double by year 2040. Dialysis keeps patients with end-stage renal disease alive, but unwell. Leelavathi K. Ragu and Manvir Victor from Wira Transplant Malaysia describe the physical and financial burden of haemodialysis, while Dr Mohamad Zaimi Abdul Wahab delves into why a kidney transplant is still the best treatment for people with end-stage kidney disease.

Beyond The Diagnosis is a series that goes beyond a medical diagnosis to explore people’s personal experiences, their challenges, as well as the impact of their health condition on their loved ones.

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Malaysia has recorded more than 54,000 dengue cases and 36 deaths as of August this year. One of the factors for the increase in cases is the shift in DENV-3 serotype as the dominant circulating virus. In conjunction with World Mosquito Day on 20 August, we’re exploring what the serotype shift means, and whether Malaysia’s dengue strategy is adequate to protect those most likely to develop serious complications?

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GLP-1 medications and peptides have grown exceedingly popular in recent years, with many celebrities claiming them as effective in helping with weight loss. Are they really as miraculous as they seem, or are there potential side effects that could alter your health for the worse? We speak to Dr Lim Quan Hziung, consultant endocrinologist, to find out more.

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Expecting mothers often hear conflicting opinions on the effects of exercise during pregnancy. How often do you need to exercise during different trimesters? What are the potential risks that can affect your baby? Joining us on the show to answer these questions are Dr Doris Ng, consultant obstetrician & gynaecologist, Dr Arvin Raj, consultant sports medicine physician, and Juli Joe, prenatal & postpartum coach. They’re also founders of Move Through Motherhood, a programme encouraging mothers and mums-to-be to stay active.

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When a workplace wants to welcome more neurodivergent employees, what does this mean? Is it about meeting a hiring quota? Or is it about having a structure that recognises and supports the unique strengths of each employee? We find out how two neurodivergent individuals view their roles within a corporate organisation like PETRONAS, how the company developed its Neurodiverse Centre of Excellence, and how families and the education system need to build the scaffolding for neurodivergent children to transition into adulthood.

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Last month, a 12-year-old boy collapsed and died while taking part in an Under-12 football tournament in Johor Bahru, highlighting the reality that a medical emergency can happen at any time, even during sporting events involving children and amateurs. We speak to Dr Ahmad Munawwar Helmi Salim, consultant sports medicine physician from the National Sports Institute, and Dr Mohd Hafyzuddin Md Yusuf, consultant emergency physician from Universiti Malaya, about what lesson we can take from this to make grassroot sporting events as safe as possible. 

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Description: AI scribes are no longer just taking meeting minutes, but helping doctors take notes during clinic consultations. On the one hand, it can be seen to reduce the administrative tasks a doctor has to do. On the other hand, who takes responsibility if a patient’s medical history is inaccurate and leads to medical malpractice? Consultant urologist Dr George Lee is joined by Dr Ezam Mat Ali, CEO of MedPlanner, and Charlaine Chin, medico-legal lawyer, to explore the ethical and legal considerations of relying on AI scribes during consultations.

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This month, the Selangor state government is rolling out a free breakfast programme in all public schools statewide. This has sparked fresh debate about whether Malaysia needs a universal school feeding programme, especially in light of worrying malnutrition issues among children in Malaysia. We speak to Dr Tee E Siong and Teo Choon Huey from the Nutrition Society of Malaysia (NSM) about its school nutrition programme that’s been running for seven years. Dr Tee and Choon Huey are the Chair and Member, respectively, of NSM’s Malaysia School Nutrition Promotion Programme.

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We’ve all heard that overreliance on technology can affect the brain - and not in a good way. So in a world where many of us use AI every day, and offload cognitive tasks to these LLMs, what does it actually do to our brain? We unpack this with neurogeneticist Dr Azlina Ahmad Annuar.  

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When hormones don’t work as they should as a child grows, that’s where a paediatric endocrinologist comes in. On this episode of Humans of Healthcare, we speak to consultant paediatric endocrinologist Dr Azriyanti Anuar Zaini about how she helps children with hormone-related disorders and illnesses, and why she sees this as a calmer medical career path. 

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Traveling with older adults requires a different kind of itinerary—one that prioritizes health and safety without sacrificing fun. Whether you’re travelling when you’re older or with older family members, planning the trip is more than just what happens during but how you prepare for it too. For this guide to stress-free travel with seniors, we speak to Prof Dr James Koh, consultant infectious diseases physician and Dr Serena In, clinical psychologist.

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Spermageddon. That’s the word that has been used to describe the allegedly drastic decline in male fertility in recent years. But is this just fearmongering or is there truth to this? And if men are worried about their fertility, what can be done about it? Consultant urologist Dr George Lee is joined by Allan Pacey, Professor of Andrology at the University of Manchester to unpack this.

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No one likes to lose, especially if you’re prepared or trained as much as you can to succeed and win. Just think of how Argentina were labelled as ‘sore losers’ after their defeat at the recent Men’s World Cup finals. So why do some of us take losing well, and others don’t? How can we be a better loser and learn from our mistakes? We unpack this with licensed & registered counsellor, Justin Yap.

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Mother kangaroos carry their babies, or joeys, in their pouch for eight to 10 months after birth to keep them safe and help them grow. Scientific evidence now shows that human babies carried by their mothers in a similarly fashioned pouch can be beneficial for breastfeeding, and can even be life-saving for preterm babies. We dive into kangaroo mother care and how mums (and dads as well as extended family members) can do it. Find out more here.

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An irregular heartbeat isn’t just an annoying symptom - it is a sign of a heart that has an abnormal rhythm and isn’t able to pump blood properly throughout the body. Atrial fibrillation is a common cause of abnormal rhythms, and can cause an increased risk of stroke, if it is not well-managed. We hear from Dr Adleen Binti Che Ani about her personal experience of being diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, while Dr Abdul Raqib Bin Abd Ghani, Consultant Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist from Cardiac Vascular Sentral Kuala Lumpur (CVSKL) talks about advancements in treatments. 

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Management consultants Bain & Company’s 2026 report on healthcare trends and opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region, revealing widening tensions across the healthcare system. We speak to Vikram Kapur, Head of Global Healthcare & Life Sciences from Bain & Co to break down the survey’s findings about patients’ expectations, clinicians’ challenges and AI trends in healthcare.

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We know how effective the HPV vaccine can be at preventing 90% of cervical cancer cases. Now a new study from the UK shows that women who receive the vaccine as a teen have virtually zero risk of dying from the cancer before they turn 30. How does this add to what we already know about the benefits of a HPV vaccination? Consultant urologist Dr George Lee is joined by consultant gynaecological oncologist Prof Dr Woo Yin Ling to unpack the results and why we need to vaccinate both girls and boys against HPV.

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When you picture people waiting in front of their computers to buy tickets, you would usually think it's for a pop star's concert. Not anymore. Hyrox and other similar gamified fitness events like Redline have surged in popularity in Malaysia and around the world, with people waiting to buy tickets to participate in an event that they spend months training for. What’s driving this functional fitness craze and does that mean that getting fitter is funner than ever? We speak to Dr Adam Storey, a strength and conditioning specialist as well as senior research fellow at the Sport Research Institute New Zealand at the Auckland University of Technology. Dr Storey also sits on the Hyrox Sports Science Advisory Council.

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The World Cup has wrapped up, ending the 3am matches and hordes of bleary-eyed Malaysians dragging themselves to school and work. While we assume that we can simply rewire our biological clocks by catching up on sleep afterwards, are there hidden effects of the sleep debt on our bodies? We speak to Dr Julius Goh Liang Chye, Consultant ENT Surgeon about the physical and mental health risks, and how these effects become significantly harder to reverse as your sleep debt accumulates.

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One moment, Fasha Ishak could be feeling on top of the world, but in the next, she could find herself completely drained of energy. These are the realities of living with autoimmune disorders. But while her medical conditions may have affected her physically, Fasha ensures that they haven’t robbed her of the ability to live her life. On this episode of Because Feelings Matter, Fasha takes us through her journey of being diagnosed with two autoimmune diseases and scoliosis, while juggling being a caregiver to her mother. 

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Ichthyosis is a rare, genetic condition that causes a person to have dry, scaly skin. But this textbook definition fails to capture the persistent misconceptions and stigma faced by people with ichthyosis. On Beyond The Diagnosis, Mohd Firdaus Mehat, Chairman & Founder of Pertubuhan Kebajikan Pesakit Ichthyosis Malaysia (PEKIM), joins us in a candid conversation about the realities of living with ichthyosis and how his support group helps families learn about managing the condition. 

Beyond The Diagnosis is a series that goes beyond a medical diagnosis to explore people’s personal experiences, their challenges, as well as the impact of their health condition on their loved ones. This episode was produced in collaboration with Suriana Welfare Society, which is supporting individuals and families affected by rare diseases through advocacy and fundraising.

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Our liver is a true workhorse, performing more than 500 functions in the body. But we often take our liver for granted and many of our lifestyle practices can be detrimental to our liver health. In this conversation, we’ll address common beliefs and clear up misconceptions about liver disease, as well as how to maintain good liver health. 

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When your child seems overly sensitive to loud noises, refuses to wear socks, or is fussy with food, is he/she being difficult? Or are these behaviours due to differences in how your child's brain processes sensory information? We discuss how sensory processing difficulties can appear as behavioural problems, and how parents can support children without labelling every difference as a disorder.

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We often think of a nose job or rhinoplasty as a surgery that’s done for cosmetic purposes, but there are circumstances in which it is needed to improve how you breathe. To help us understand what those circumstances are and when a rhinoplasty is a need instead of a want, is consultant ENT surgeon Dr Hardip Singh.

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The Public Accounts Committee’s (PAC) report on rising healthcare costs revealed a number of issues related to private hospitals’ charges, which can potentially contribute to an unsustainable healthcare system. Dr Kamal Amzan, CEO of IHH Healthcare Malaysia, joins us to discuss private hospital billing practices, the causes behind increasing medical inflation and the PAC’s recommendations for improving the sustainability of healthcare costs. 

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Flash floods are so common that they seem like part and parcel of life now but with them comes the increased risk of infectious diseases. That might seem like the least of people’s worries when it floods but water- and food-borne diseases is a public health issue that needs to be addressed. So how can we empower communities to be more aware and resilient? Here to help us unpack that is Dr Rafidah Lani, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya. She also recently headed the FIRST programme which stands for Flood-resilient Initiative for Risk Reduction and Safety: Transfer of Knowledge. 

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A community screening programme has led to the alarming result that almost 9 in 10 individuals have at least two cardiovascular-renal-metabolic risk factors. On top of that, of the individuals who were overweight and pre-diabetic, more than 86% didn’t know about it, highlighting a problem with undiagnosed non-communicable diseases. The question now is: what can we do about this? Here to help us unpack this are Dr Murallitharan Munisamy, medical director of the National Cancer Society of Malaysia, and Dr Sivarajan Ramasamy, Public Health Medicine Specialist, Head of Cardiorenal Metabolic Control Sector, Ministry of Health.

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Orthopaedic surgeons have been dubbed as the ‘carpenters’ of the human body. Why is that so? And how much does that actually describe the work that they do? On this episode of Humans of Healthcare, we speak to Prof Dr Azlina Amir Abbas, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon about the job.

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The increases in healthcare costs and medical insurance premiums are being felt by more and more Malaysians, and piecemeal debates are no longer enough to address the problems. The Public Accounts Committee recently released its report on the causes of rising insurance premiums, their impact on consumers, and recommendations to ensure healthcare and insurance pricing remains fair, transparent, and affordable. We speak to Dr Hajah Halimah Ali, Member of the Public Accounts Committee and Kapar MP on the report and its recommendations.

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Let’s be honest: maintaining friendships requires work, even when it seems effortless. So in a time when we’re all glued to our screens, how have friendships changed? What does it take to keep friends and show them that we care? We speak to licensed and registered counsellor Rozy Khalid to find out.

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It’s commonly accepted that the older you get, the fewer hours of sleep you need. But is that really the case? On this episode of Healthy Ageing, we speak to consultant psychiatrist Dr Wan Izwin Wan Hassan about common myths and misconceptions about sleeping well as you age, and how you can get a good night’s sleep.

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Family planning isn’t just about preventing pregnancies. It's about planning life and making sure that if you want children, you and your spouse are in the best place to do so. In conjunction with World Population Day, we’re taking this opportunity to cut through the misinformation and answer all the questions about contraception and family planning that you’ve thought about but not asked. We speak to consultant urologist Dr George Lee and consultant obstetrician & gynaecologist Dr Hoo Mei Lin. 

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When is a sore throat not just a sore throat? Painful inflammation of the tonsils may not always be a benign, short-lived infection. What happens when episodes of tonsillitis keep coming back, or when there is chronic, long-term inflammation? When is surgery to remove the tonsils necessary? We explore with consultant ENT surgeon Dr Hardip Singh.

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According to OpenAI, over 1.2 million users discuss suicide on ChatGPT every week.  When we read yet another news report of AI encouraging suicidal thoughts or developing emotional relationships with its users, how alarmed should we be about mental health entering an untested and unregulated realm? We speak to Assoc Prof Dr Rebecca Brendel, Director, Center for Bioethics, Harvard Medical School about how the mental health care and regulatory space is having to keep up with the constantly-evolving risks. 

Trigger warning: This discussion will touch on topics of suicide and self-harm. If you, or someone you know, needs emotional support, call the Befrienders KL at 03-76272929 or email sam@befrienders.org.my, or reach out for help within your community. You can also contact Talian HEAL at 15 555 or MIASA at 1-800-1800-66.

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On this month's open clinic show, we look at how and why we sweat, and what causes sweating disorders like hyperhidrosis or prickly heat conditions. We also explore anti-perspirants, deodorants, creams and more.

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Anti-refugee sentiment has sharply increased in recent weeks. Among the claims that have made the rounds is that refugees are taking advantage of our public healthcare system, thus taking limited resources away from Malaysians. But is that really the case? We speak to Dr Susheela Balasundaram, community-based protection officer with UNHCR. Dr Junaidi Ismail, country CEO with Qualitas Medical Group, and Dr Siti Noraida Habibullah, founder of Klinik Amal Muhajir, about what access to healthcare looks like for refugees in Malaysia. 

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When you walk down the aisles at the supermarket, do you notice if the way food products are placed or packaged attracts your attention? Consultant urologist Dr George Lee is joined by nutritionist and public health researcher Dr Sameeha Mohd Jamil from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia to dive into how our food environment influences our food decisions and how food retailers can play their part in making a healthier Malaysia. Dr Sameeha is also part of the South East Asia Obesogenic Food Environment study. 

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For children born with a primary immunodeficiency (PID), a delayed diagnosis can have devastating consequences. We find out why newborn screening and early diagnosis are critical, in a conversation with Bruce Lim, a parent advocate and president of Persatuan Pesakit Imunodefisiensi Primer Malaysia (MYPOPI). Bruce is also a parent to a child with XLA (X Linked Agammaglobulinemia), a type of PID.

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Over 46% of children aged five and below have anaemia in Malaysia, higher than the global average of 40%. It’s a condition that often goes unseen, but it can have a significant impact on children’s health and wellbeing beyond their childhood years. To dive into this condition, particularly iron-deficiency anaemia, we speak to Prof Dr Muhammad Yazid Jalaludin, consultant paediatric endocrinologist at University Malaya Medical Centre, and Muhammad Daniel Kittu, senior researcher at the Social & Economic Research Initiative (SERI).

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As a professor of education, Dr Ratnawati Asraf’s professional calling had never seemed more meaningful than when her own grandchildren were discovered to be neurodivergent. Terms like dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD and autism were no longer textbook concepts, but realities that changed the trajectories of her grandchildren and children’s lives. On this episode of Because Feelings Matter, she shares how her views as an educator and a grandparent converged in advocating for inclusive education for neurodivergent children.

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Decades of awareness campaigns have equipped women with the knowledge of how to notice suspicious breast lumps and when to get mammograms done. But what happens when your healthcare workers keep reassuring you that your lump is “nothing to worry about”? Juliet Lau shares how a breast lump she’s had for over a decade became a rare and aggressive cancer, and why she is using this opportunity to also fundraise for the Sarawak Breast Cancer Support Group. We also hear from clinical oncologist Dr Yolanda Augustin. 

You can support the fundraiser here. 

Beyond The Diagnosis is a series that goes beyond a medical diagnosis to explore people’s personal experiences, their challenges, as well as the impact of their health condition on their loved ones. 

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Every day, many children could be struggling with a medical condition that may need urgent, life-saving surgery for them to survive and thrive. Yet, there are still children in Malaysia who are not able to access these highly specialised surgical services. We find out how the Malaysian Association of Paediatric Surgery helps to improve children’s access to surgical care, especially those from underserved communities. 

Sepeda Amal Borneo 2026 is raising funds for the Malaysian Association of Paediatric Surgery. To find out how to donate, visit the website sab.mma.org.my or Facebook and Instagram @SepedaAmalBorneo

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Malaysia has implemented a ban on social media accounts for children under 16, starting 1 June. We look to how Australia has fared six months into their own ban, and whether there’s been real-life impact in terms of children’s access to these platforms. 

Find out how to get a copy of Makchic’s book ‘The Society of Online Superheroes: A Super Smart Guide to Internet Safety’ here.

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Music and dance can be a great way to connect people and get them out of their shell. So what happens when these elements are brought to a community of older adults? On this episode of Healthy Ageing, we dive into how arts-based interventions can help to improve the well-being of older adults, particularly their cognitive health. To do that, we speak to Peny Chan, the co-founder of ArtsProud, a social enterprise aiming to bridge the gap between arts and healthcare. She’s currently based in Dublin, Ireland as an Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health at Global Brain Health Institute. Also joining us is Prof Dr Rozainee Khairuddin, a cognitive psychologist and Director of the Mental Health and Well-being Impact Lab at Taylor’s University.

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Malaysia’s Ministry of Health has recently confirmed that they are looking into potential sites to build a hospital to serve the Petaling Jaya-Subang Jaya-Puchong corridor, an area which does not currently have a government hospital. But discussions are ongoing and construction will take years, so in the meantime is there another solution to help overburdened hospitals? That’s where the concept of Hospitals-At-Home comes in. To find out more, we speak to Dr Terence Ong, consultant geriatrician and Virtual Ward programme lead at University Malaya Medical Centre, and Dr Stephanie Ko, consultant in general medicine and NUHS@Home lead at National University Hospital in Singapore.

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We’ve been warned that the El Nino phenomenon could lead to an increase in dengue cases due to higher temperatures. In light of the constant threat of dengue, we ask Dr Nor Fariza Ngah, Deputy Director-General of Health (Research and Technical Support), Ministry of Health and Co-Chair of the Dengue Alliance about what’s working and what’s not when it comes to Malaysia’s dengue prevention strategies. We also get an update on the search for dengue treatments, from André Siqueira, Head of the Dengue Global Programme, DNDi.

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Colorectal cancer is the most common cancer among men, and second most common among women in Malaysia, but almost three-quarters of cases are diagnosed at late stages. Is there anything we can do to detect the cancer much earlier and intervene meaningfully? Is Malaysia long overdue for a national colorectal cancer screening programme, and what will it take to get one underway? 

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Donating blood is one of the easiest acts most of us can do to save lives. Yet, Malaysia, like many countries around the world, struggles to get people to do so. In conjunction with World Blood Donor Day, which was observed earlier on 14th June, we’ll be exploring what exactly drives people to donate blood and why capitalising on the ‘warm glow’ that blood donors feel could prove effective. Joining us for this conversation is Eamonn Ferguson, Professor of Health Psychology at the University of Nottingham.

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On this month’s open clinic, consultant orthopaedic surgeon Dr Harjeet Singh joins us to answer your questions about the shoulders - how these joints support our daily arm movements, how our love of badminton and pickleball could lead to shoulder injuries, and when it’s dangerous to shrug off these problems.

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Parents and caregivers in the rare disease community often feel alone, overwhelmed and stressed in the journey of caring for their loved ones. This is the second part of a conversation where we find out about the mental health needs of caregivers in this situation, and why parental support is crucial. 

This conversation touches on suicide and self-harm. If you, or someone you know, needs emotional support, call 03-76272929 or email sam@befrienders.org.my, or reach out for help within your community. You can also contact Talian HEAL at 15 555, MIASA at 1-800-1800-66 or Thrive Well. You can also reach out to Malaysia Rare Disorders Society for support from the rare diseases community.

Listen to Part 1 here.

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The FIFA World Cup kicks off today! Anticipation is high for all 104 matches but there are also concerns over the welfare of athletes and fans alike, as this could be the hottest World Cup on record. So how will the extreme heat affect an athlete's well-being and performance? On top of that, what kind of injuries become more likely during a tournament like this? For some insights, consultant urologist Dr George Lee is joined by consultant sports medicine physician Dr Ahmad Izuddin Abdul Manaf, who is also head of medical services at the Red Giants Clinic.

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After a more than 10-year stagnant tobacco tax rate, Malaysia’s cigarette excise duties went up by only 2 sen per stick in Budget 2026. We explore the discrepancies between our tobacco taxes and the national health expenditure to treat smoking- and vaping-related diseases, and what should be a meaningful rate of tobacco tax to change smoking behaviours.

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It’s not just about living longer these days, but maintaining the cognitive and physical capabilities that’s comparable to someone decades younger. So what does it take to be a superager? What’s actually happening in their brain? We speak to neurogeneticist Dr Azlina Ahmad Annuar from Universiti Malaya, and research fellow Dr Kiirtaara Aravindhan from the Dementia Research Centre Singapore.

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Genes are the blueprint for our bodies. Passed down from generation to generation, they influence a variety of traits from how we look to our health. Our genes can also help us learn more than just about human health but about human evolution as well. On this episode of Humans of Healthcare, we speak to a geneticist, Dr Maude Phipps, to learn more about her field of work and what it takes to become a geneticist. 

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The human anatomy is more than just two-dimensional drawings in a medical textbook. It is a living, breathing and constantly evolving study of what makes us human - in health, in sickness and even in death. Could we enhance our knowledge and appreciation of the human condition by viewing anatomy through an artistic lens? We explore what happens when an anatomy professor meets an art curator.

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Malaysia has made great strides in its tobacco control strategies, including new legislation that regulates the sale, promotion and packaging of cigarette and vape products, as well as public smoking places. However, are these laws and policies achieving changes in people’s behaviours and choices? What’s missing in the last mile of our anti-smoking strategies? We speak to Prof Dr Jamalludin Rahman, Professor of Epidemiology & Biostatistics & Public Health Medicine Specialist from International Islamic University Malaysia.

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On a recent show, Health & Living looked at the impact of the Middle East crisis on local pharmaceutical manufacturers. We extend the conversation today with a look at whether retail pharmacies are seeing any shortages in medicine supply and whether consumers should be worried about the prices of their medicines increasing. 

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Polycystic ovarian syndrome now has a new name: polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome or shortened to PMOS. Led by Professor Dr Helena Teede, an endocrinologist and professor of women’s health with Monash University Australia, this change finally happened after years of advocacy and consultation with doctors and people living with the condition. Here to tell us more about why this is a landmark decision, is Professor Teede herself. 

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From rising shipping and energy costs to disruptions in the sourcing of raw materials and active pharmaceutical ingredients, how vulnerable is Malaysia’s pharmaceutical manufacturing sector the impact of the Middle East war? We speak to the Malaysian Organisation of Pharmaceutical Industries about the pressures local manufacturers are facing,  and what this could mean for medicine supply, costs, and the resilience of the healthcare system.

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Bedtime is often when battles are waged at home. Why is sleep such a point of contention between parents and children? How much sleep do kids really need, and how can everyone in the family have healthier sleep habits? We speak to Dr Rajini Sarvananthan, Consultant Developmental Paediatrician.

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Every mother dreams of giving her child every opportunity in the world, starting with the inviolable security of a citizenship. This is more than just a birth document or a passport - it is an undeniable stamp of assurance that her child has a land to call home. However, Malaysia is one of 25 countries globally with gender discriminatory citizenship laws - here, women are denied the same right as men to pass citizenship to their children. On this episode of Because Feelings Matter, we speak to Patricia Low, Research & Policy Coordinator and an impacted mother from Family Frontiers, on the long fight for her child’s citizenship, and how Family Frontiers provides mental health support for binational families affected by Malaysia’s citizenship laws.

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Six-year-old Dhia Amanda was born with GNAO1 neurodevelopmental disorder, an extremely rare genetic condition that causes severe dystonia – uncontrollable twisting, stiffening and violent spasms brought on by electrical storms in the brain. Thanks to the fundraising efforts of Suriana Welfare Society and Free Malaysia Today, Amanda was able to undergo deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery, which provides hope for relief for her symptoms. On Beyond The Diagnosis, we catch up with Amanda’s father Saifol Sujak Sulaiman, to find out how she’s doing now. We also speak to Rachel Ho from Suriana Welfare Society about Amanda’s fundraising journey, and to consultant paediatric neurologist Dr Lim Wei Kang about how rare diseases like GNAO1 develop.

Beyond The Diagnosis is a series that goes beyond a medical diagnosis to explore people’s personal experiences, their challenges, as well as the impact of their health condition on their loved ones. Suriana Welfare Society is supporting families of children with rare diseases through advocacy and fundraising.

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Is having a family doctor that you see from childhood into your golden years a thing of the past? In conjunction with World Family Doctor Day, observed annually on 19th May, we speak to Dr S. Kaviyarasan, president of the Academy of Family Physicians of Malaysia, to understand what the role of a family doctor should be and why it matters for population health.

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People often think that diabetes is just about controlling your sugar intake and taking care of your kidneys, but it’s more than that. What we don’t talk about is how uncontrolled diabetes could also damage other organs, including your heart. We speak to consultant cardiologist Dr Mohamed Nazrul Mohamed Nazeeb and consultant endocrinologist Dr Chiew Ken Seng, both from Subang Jaya Medical Centre, about the link between diabetes and the heart. 

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The Ministry of Health recently released the National Health & Morbidity Survey 2025, focusing on older adult health. One of the most striking numbers from that survey found that 10% of Malaysians aged 60 and above have dementia, which is up from 8.5% in 2018. How concerning is this rise and can we stop the number from going up? On this episode of Healthy Ageing, we speak to consultant geriatrician Prof Dr Tan Maw Pin to unpack this issue.

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When a child is diagnosed with a rare disease, parents have to navigate more than just medical therapies and hospital visits, but also the deep emotional toll. We explore the mental health impact experienced by parents in the rare disease community, and listen to this month’s impact story on the role of parental support in helping families feel less alone.

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On this month’s open clinic, orthopaedic surgeon Dr Timothy Cheng joins us on an exploration of how our lower limb anatomy supports that most basic activity of walking, why our modern sedentary lives might be harder on the joints than a marathon, and what we can do to keep walking for as long as possible. 

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It strikes young and it’s highly curable. But only if it’s detected early. We’re talking about testicular cancer, which is most often diagnosed among younger men. On the show, we break past the taboo and embarrassment with consultant urologist Dr George Lee to talk about what’s normal (and not) when it comes to the testes, and how just a few minutes can help you pick it up early.

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There are few things more confusing than medical insurance. How much annual or lifetime coverage do you really need? How do you know what kinds of diseases and treatments will actually be covered? What’s the reality when it comes to the so-called “buffet syndrome” or the perception that insurance doesn’t serve its policyholders? We try to cut through the noise in today’s conversation with Anwar Anis, Honorary Secretary of the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia, and insurance industry veteran Ragunath Murthy, Founder of ReAInmaker AI.

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Nurses are often the first point-of-contact for people accessing healthcare services. But being on the frontlines also means that they are most exposed to the effects of climate change. In conjunction with International Nurses Day (observed annually on 12th May), we unpack how the climate crisis is changing nursing and what can be done to empower nurses.

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Malaria. Dengue. Intestinal worms. Most Malaysians think we’ve moved past these diseases. We haven’t. The parasites persist, adapt, and resurface, and often where no one is looking. Detecting them requires trained scientists like parasitologist Adela Ida Anak Jiram. We’ll be talking to this biomedical scientist about how this profession is quietly safeguarding Malaysia’s public health. Adela is also the President of the Malaysian Society of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine.

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Do you find yourself often thinking of the worst possible outcome in any given situation? What do you do when you feel like the world’s on fire and there’s nothing you can do about it? We speak to clinical psychologist Dr Joel Low about why we catastrophise, and how to stop it. 

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The Ministry of Health expects a 10% cut of its 2026 budget,  as part of cost-cutting measures to save government funds amid the impact of the Iran war. This cut would be equivalent to RM4.65 billion, which the Minister of Health has promised will not affect essential core services. We explore how this will impact healthcare services to the public.

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 Innovator drugs and treatments can be costly, even if they are life-saving in cases of chronic and serious illnesses like cancer. That’s where generic and biosimilar drugs come in, offering patients more affordable alternatives. But how exactly do generics and biosimilars work? Are they as effective? We speak to pharmacist and public health researcher, Dr Mark Cheong to find out. 

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Radiation therapy using high-powered X-rays are a central therapy in cancer treatment, as it is very effective in killing cancerous cells and shrinking tumours. This form of treatment has come a long way, with advancements to improve the delivery of radiation so that it can be targeted more accurately and reduce side effects to other tissues. Dr Nur Fadhlina Abdul Satar, consultant clinical oncologist from Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur, joins us to talk about one of these advancements, which is adaptive radiotherapy.

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Research from the University of New South Wales in Sydney has provided the strongest evidence to date that vapes and e-cigarettes can cause lung and oral cancer, due to pre-cancerous changes like DNA damage. Is this a clear sign for health regulators to take stronger action against vaping? What does this mean for those who are using e-cigarettes for smoking cessation? We find out from Dr Muralli Munisamy, Medical Director of the National Cancer Society of Malaysia.

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The current Middle East conflict and shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz has sent shockwaves across the world as countries grapple with a global energy crisis and rising costs. As supply chains are disrupted worldwide, one of the areas which is seeing worrying short- and long-term impact is that in the medical industry. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen conflict and geopolitics impact medical supply chains as we saw this happening at the start of the Russia-Ukraine war as well as the US-imposed “liberation day tariffs” last year. Here to help us understand how global medical supply chains work and how it impacts us here in Malaysia and Southeast Asia is Global Health Security Strategist, Ruvani Chandrasekera.

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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. 

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The shocks from the war in Iran have extended to the healthcare industry, with shipping delays and fuel price volatilities threatening the medical device supply chain worldwide. Dr Muralitharan Paramasua, CEO of the Health Ministry’s Medical Device Authority, joins us to unpack the impact of the Middle East crisis on the supply and manufacturing of medical devices, and what measures the Ministry has in place to cushion patients in Malaysia from any supply shortages.

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