Health & Living
Episodes
Mind Matters: How Does The Built Environment Impact Your Mental Health?
12 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
During the strictest lockdowns of this pandemic, many of us felt the loss of something we had taken for granted - the freedom to move around in open s...
Living with Scoliosis - From Childhood to Adulthood
11 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The spine is our body’s central support structure, but when you have scoliosis - where the spine curves abnormally - it can affect not only how ...
Living with Scoliosis - From Childhood to Adulthood
11 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The spine is our body’s central support structure, but when you have scoliosis - where the spine curves abnormally - it can affect not only how ...
Doctor in the House: World Mental Health Day - Is Mental Health Care A Reality For All?
08 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This year, World Mental Health Day on 10 October will be commemorated with the theme ‘Mental health care for all: let's make it a reality’...
Be Fit Malaysians: Recovering from a Knee Injury - Part 3 of 3 (The Finish Line)
07 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It is our third and last episode of our three part mini-series on the recovery process after a knee injury and surgery, together with consultant ortho...
Ask A Psychologist #18: Mental Health Clinic
06 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We return with our monthly mental health clinic to address your concerns regarding mental, emotional and psychosocial issues. This month’s show ...
When ‘Dr Google’ Gets It Wrong
05 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve all done it - experienced a persistent headache, a twinge in the knee, or some chest pains, and headed straight to Google for answers. Fro...
Sudden Cardiac Arrests In Young People
04 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when your heart suddenly stops? While a cardiac arrest in someone who is young, healthy and doesn’t have any underlying heart condi...
Sudden Cardiac Arrests In Young People
04 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when your heart suddenly stops? While a cardiac arrest in someone who is young, healthy and doesn’t have any underlying heart condi...
Doctor in the House: On Vaccinating Teens and Real-World Efficacy of COVID Vaccines
01 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
With COVID-19 vaccinations for adolescents aged between 12 to 17 years old underway, we take a look at what concerns parents might still have and some...
Ethical Issues in Digital Health
30 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Digital technologies have consumed our lives, and will continue to play an increasingly important role in healthcare. However, the use of digital tech...
Ethical Issues in Digital Health
30 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Digital technologies have consumed our lives, and will continue to play an increasingly important role in healthcare. However, the use of digital tech...
World Heart Day 2021: Pacemakers Provide The Beat
29 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Thump thump, or beep beep - whether you’re feeling your heartbeat with your hand, or measuring it on an ECG, a normal heart rhythm should be rep...
H&L Webinar 2021 #6: Cancer Support Isn’t Just About Treatment
29 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to talking about cancer treatment, do you feel that the psychosocial and financial needs of cancer patients are neglected? On this webin...
Because Feelings Matter #2: When Family And Feelings Collide
28 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Every mental health struggle has a story behind it. ‘Because Feelings Matter’ is a series that brings you the stories of people and their mental h...
The Road to Recovery After a Hip Replacement
27 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve just undergone a hip surgery, it’s normal to want to get back on your feet as soon as you can; in fact, you’re probably lo...
The Road to Recovery After a Hip Replacement
27 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve just undergone a hip surgery, it’s normal to want to get back on your feet as soon as you can; in fact, you’re probably lo...
Doctor in the House: Recovered From COVID-19? What Next?
24 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As countries worldwide hobble along under the onslaught of the Delta variant, healthcare professionals are turning their attention to the “long-...
Let’s Teach Sign Languages To All Children
23 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
To commemorate the International Day of Sign Languages on 23 September, we look at how to promote more widespread use of sign languages in all areas o...
Let’s Teach Sign Languages To All Children
23 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
To commemorate the International Day of Sign Languages on 23 September, we look at how to promote more widespread use of sign languages in all areas o...
Advances in Joint Replacement Surgery - How Far Have We Come?
22 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Having to undergo joint replacement surgery, such as at your knee or your hip, can be scary, even if the pain in your joints is debilitating or affect...
Mind Matters: When Uni Students Return to Campus, How Will They Cope Mentally?
21 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
University students will return to campus for in-person classes from 15 October. For first-year students, they will face anxiety over settling in; whi...
World Heart Day 2021: Will Wearable Tech Save Our Lives?
20 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Digital technology has been at the forefront of this pandemic. It has been harnessed to support the public health response, as well as to facilitate d...
Doctor in the House: Are We Ready to Reopen Schools Amid Delta?
17 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Schools across Malaysia will reopen in stages, starting from 3rd October and based on individual states’ phases in the National Recovery Plan. B...
Malaysia Day 2021 - The Healthcare System that Sabah & Sarawak Need
15 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
While Malaysia’s public healthcare system is available to all legal residents in Malaysia, accessing healthcare services and facilities isn&rsqu...
Healthy Ageing: How a Dementia Diagnosis Changes Families
14 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
September is World Alzheimer’s Month, an annual international campaign to raise awareness and to challenge the stigma around dementia. This year...
Malaysia Day 2021: Dr Rebecca George - Paediatrician, Pioneer, Trailblazer
13 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We celebrate the achievements of Puan Sri Dr Rebecca George, one of the earliest female doctors in Malaysia to qualify as a paediatrician. Dr Rebecca ...
Doctor in the House: A Chat With An Award-Winning Cancer Researcher
10 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Recipient of the prestigious Dr Josef Steiner Award for cancer genome research in 2019, Dr Serena Nik-Zainal was recently also honoured with the Franc...
Doctor in the House: A Chat With An Award-Winning Cancer Researcher
10 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Recipient of the prestigious Dr Josef Steiner Award for cancer genome research in 2019, Dr Serena Nik-Zainal was recently also honoured with the Franc...
Early Detection of Breast Cancer Saves Lives
09 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Breast cancer is one of the most treatable cancers, especially when it is detected early. And with greater accessibility to screening tests like mammo...
Public Health: When Will Malaysia Decriminalise Suicide?
08 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September, we look at the long-standing debate about decriminalising suicide in Malaysia. What ...
Cushioning Joints and Tendons
07 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Bursae and tendon sheaths play an important role in protecting our joints and tendons, and in enabling smooth movement. We look at why they matter, an...
Protecting Babies From The Other Deadly Cough
06 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us how contagious and dangerous infectious diseases can be. Before children were immunised against common childhood in...
Changing How We Talk About Mental Health
06 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Words help us to describe how we feel during the highs and the lows, and they’re especially important in our conversations about mental health. ...
Doctor in the House: World Sexual Health Day 2021 - Turn It On
03 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We are observing World Sexual Health Day which is commemorated every 4th September to promote sexual health, well-being and rights for all. This year&...
Doctor in the House: World Sexual Health Day 2021 - Turn It On
03 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We are observing World Sexual Health Day which is commemorated every 4th September to promote sexual health, well-being and rights for all. This year&...
Addressing Workplace Clusters in the Pandemic
02 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
During the July Parliamentary sitting, Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said that workplace clusters specific...
Ask A Psychologist #17 : Mental Health Clinic (Listening)
01 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We return with our monthly mental health clinic to address your concerns regarding mental, emotional and psychosocial issues. This month’s show ...
Ask A Psychologist #17 : Mental Health Clinic (Listening)
01 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We return with our monthly mental health clinic to address your concerns regarding mental, emotional and psychosocial issues. This month’s show ...
H&L Webinar 2021 #5: How To Care For Your Kids and Elderly Parents Without Burning Out
01 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a pressure-cooker situation in most households. Many working adults are struggling with the stress of juggling work ...
Merdeka 2021: Perspectives On The Future of Healthcare
30 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What is the future of Malaysia's healthcare? A junior doctor and a senior specialist share their perspectives, from different stages of their respecti...
Merdeka 2021: Perspectives On The Future of Healthcare
30 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What is the future of Malaysia's healthcare? A junior doctor and a senior specialist share their perspectives, from different stages of their respecti...
Doctor in the House: As Pandemic Peaks, A New Health Minister
27 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The 9th Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, has just announced his new Cabinet, with YB Khairy Jamaluddin as the Minister of Hea...
Should Students Repeat The School Year?
26 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The reopening of schools nationwide has been deferred to 3 October, beginning with exam-year students in states that have entered Phase 2 of the Natio...
Is the Delta Variant Causing “Breakthrough Infections”?
25 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As the number of people vaccinated in Malaysia and globally continues to climb, we are now hearing more about “breakthrough infections”, o...
Because Feelings Matter #1: Living with ADHD
24 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Every mental health struggle has a story behind it. ‘Because Feelings Matter’ is a series that brings you the stories of people and their mental h...
Ethics of Caring For Vulnerable Populations
23 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
People in need of health services are often at their most vulnerable - they’re unwell and likely afraid as well. What happens when those from ma...
COVID-19 Survivor: I Was Close To The Edge
20 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We look beyond the numbers and statistics of COVID-19 to talk to Azlee, a COVID-19 survivor who recounts the severity of his symptoms, how he barely s...
Doctor in the House: Can Technology Solve Healthcare’s Problems?
20 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
During this pandemic, healthcare has found itself at a crossroads. Amid a global crisis and scarce resources, the immediate priority has been to ensur...
Loosening Restrictions for the Fully Vaccinated - Too Much, Too Soon?
19 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Last week, on the 8th of August it was announced that some restrictions would be loosened for individuals who are fully vaccinated, especially for tho...
Ask A Doctor: Supplements
18 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It’s time for our monthly open clinic, where you get to ask a doctor about various health topics. This month, Prof Dr Winnie Chee, president of ...
Mind Matters: No Quick Fixes for Workplace Mental Health
17 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The high pressure and rapid pace of work today has taken a toll on our mental well-being, and the pandemic has only caused further stress. Employers a...
Doctor in the House: Is Ivermectin Safe To Use For COVID-19?
13 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone’s talking about ivermectin, a veterinary antiparasitic drug that is touted to be effective in treating COVID-19. What do the latest stu...
Brain Waves: Living with SMA in Malaysia
12 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In conjunction with SMA Awareness Month, which is observed every August, we discuss a new study which looks at what it is like living with SMA in Mala...
Public Health: We Are Underfunded and Overstretched
11 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In July 2019, Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham tweeted: “We are currently underfunded, understaffed, underpaid, overworked, overst...
Diabetes and COVID-19
09 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The death toll from COVID-19 continues to rise every day, especially as the Delta variant rips through vulnerable countries. In Malaysia, seven in 10 ...
Doctor in the House: 1 Million COVID-19 Cases and Counting
06 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Malaysia hit the 1 million cases milestone the previous week, a number of psychological significance considering the country’s success in contro...
A Self-Test Programme for Hepatitis C
05 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Globally, an estimated 58 million people have chronic hepatitis C virus infection. But experts often speak about the missing millions when it comes to...
What To Know About the COVID-19 Self Tests
05 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
You can now test for COVID-19 with a simple saliva test kit at home. And with cases at an all-time high, this will make it easier for people in the co...
Ask A Psychologist #16 : Mental Health Clinic (Anger)
04 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We return with our monthly mental health clinic with consultant clinical psychologist Paul Jambunathan. In this segment, we address your concerns rega...
H&L Webinar 2021 #4: Why Vaccination Matters For Your Child
04 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Catch up with one of Malaysia’s top experts to find out why immunisation, especially the regular jabs against childhood diseases, is more import...
H&L Webinar 2021 #4: Why Vaccination Matters For Your Child
04 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Catch up with one of Malaysia’s top experts to find out why immunisation, especially the regular jabs against childhood diseases, is more import...
Behind The Scenes at the Tokyo Olympics: When Injuries Occur
03 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
All eyes are on the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and how the world’s top athletes are performing amid a global pandemic. But what happens when these elit...
Ivermectin for COVID-19: Hero or Zero?
02 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic had hydroxychloroquine, which has since been debunked as being effective in preventing and treating COVID-19. This ye...
Doctor in the House: How Bad COVID-19 Really Is
30 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The media is reporting record-breaking numbers almost on a daily basis, whether it’s in terms of new COVID-19 cases or deaths. However, the posi...
Be Fit Malaysians: Recovering from a Knee Injury - Part 2 of 3
29 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the second episode of our three part mini-series, consultant orthopaedic surgeon Dr Harjeet Singh is back to look at the process of recovering from...
The Ethics of Your Healthcare Providers
28 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Doctors are bound by the Hippocratic Oath, which spells out several ethical standards, and is where the principle of “First do no harm” is...
Mind Matters: Our Frontliners Are Burning Out
27 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Hospitals, quarantine centres and COVID-19 Assessment Centres in the Klang Valley have been bearing the brunt of an unending increase in COVID-19 case...
Keluhan Frontliners
26 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As more cases and deaths related to COVID-19 are reported every day, healthcare frontliners – whether junior or senior, contract or permanent &n...
Doctor in the House: #HartalDoktorKontrak – The Ethics of Striking During A Pandemic
23 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On 26 July, a group of junior contract doctors in Malaysia are planning to strike as a sign of protest, until their demands for permanent positions an...
Kids Getting COVID-19: Helping Them Cope
22 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Amid record-breaking numbers of COVID-19 cases, the COVID-19 Assessment Centres (CAC), particularly in the Klang Valley, have been dealing with thousa...
Should I Be Worried About “Blank” COVID-19 Vaccines?
22 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As our COVID-19 vaccination numbers continue to be ramped up, everyone’s following our progress closely while waiting for their turn to be vacci...
Healthy Ageing: How Are People With Dementia Coping During the Pandemic?
21 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The pandemic has resulted in many of us pressing the pause button on in-person social interactions, which has become more difficult as the pandemic dr...
We Are In A Mental Health Crisis: How To Provide First Aid
19 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The COVID-19 pandemic has spared no one in terms of the mental health impact – whether it’s anxiety over the disease, or stress and anguis...
Doctor in the House: Are We Ready to Live With COVID-19?
16 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Singapore is preparing to live with COVID-19 as an endemic disease, just like the flu, while the UK plans to scrap regulations on face masks and physi...
Brain Waves: Have Scientists Found The “Grandmother Neuron”?
15 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wondered why sometimes when you bump into strangers, you feel like you’ve seen their face before? Or maybe you’ve noticed th...
The Gender Bias in Autism - Are Girls & Women Going Undiagnosed?
14 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
You might have heard that autism is more common among boys than girls, and the ratio that is often quoted is four boys to one girl. But is there a gen...
Gift of Life #3: My Kidney Transplant Story
14 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
For patients with end-stage kidney disease, receiving a kidney transplant can make a significant difference in their quality of life. We speak to Teoh...
Gift of Life #2: Life After A Kidney Transplant
13 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you had or need a kidney transplant, what does life after your surgery look like? We speak to consultant nephrologist Dr Ng Eng Khim and cons...
Gift of Life #1: What Happens If I Need a Kidney Transplant?
12 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A kidney transplant offers hope for a better quality of life for people living with kidney failure. But the idea of a transplant can be daunting. At w...
Doctor in the House: Will We Ever Curb Dengue?
09 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dengue is the most rapidly spreading mosquito-borne disease in the world. In 2019-2020, the number of reported cases and deaths reached record levels,...
Ask A Psychologist #15: Mental Health Clinic (Burnout)
08 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We return with our monthly mental health clinic with consultant clinical psychologist Paul Jambunathan. In this segment, we address your concerns rega...
Public Health: Ensuring a Future for Contract Medical Officers
07 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On the 26th of July, a group of contract medical officers are planning a nationwide strike in response to lack of job security and opportunities for c...
Overcoming WFH Aches and Pains
06 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Working long hours at home with poor posture has led to pain being a dominant complaint during this pandemic. With consultant orthopaedic surgeon Dr R...
Overcoming WFH Aches and Pains
06 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Working long hours at home with poor posture has led to pain being a dominant complaint during this pandemic. With consultant orthopaedic surgeon Dr R...
Ethical Considerations in Vaccinating Teenagers
05 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
SPM-year students might be getting their COVID-19 vaccination very soon, so we explore the safety, efficacy, as well as ethical considerations in vacc...
Doctor in the House: Should Malaysia Mix COVID-19 Vaccines?
02 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Coordinating Minister for the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme Khairy Jamaluddin recently announced that there is not enough data for Malaysia...
Osteoarthritis - Not Just An Ageing Condition
01 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease that we often associate with the elderly, because it’s seen as caused by wear and tear of the cartilage in t...
H&L Webinar 2021 #3: Work (From Home)-Related Aches and Pains
30 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Work – it’s where we spend eight hours or more hunched over our computers and desks. And with more people working from home during the pan...
H&L Webinar 2021 #3: Work (From Home)-Related Aches and Pains
30 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Work – it’s where we spend eight hours or more hunched over our computers and desks. And with more people working from home during the pan...
H&L Webinar 2021 #3: Work (From Home)-Related Aches and Pains
30 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Work – it’s where we spend eight hours or more hunched over our computers and desks. And with more people working from home during the pan...
Be Fit Malaysians: Recovering from a Knee Injury - Part 1 of 3
30 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Having to deal with a sports injury can be difficult, more so if you’re an active person and it’s affecting your mobility. In this first o...
Mind Matters: Mental Health Support for B40 Communities
29 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The economic impact of the pandemic has pushed more people into lower-income groups, amid an increase in Malaysia’s poverty rate. Several cycles...
Understanding Ethics in Medical Research
28 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this past year, we have heard a lot about clinical trials and how important they are in the development of COVID-19 vaccines. Conducting research o...
Doctor in the House: COVID-19 is Airborne, So What Should We Do?
25 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The World Health Organization has finally recognised that COVID-19 can be spread through the air, instead of just through contact with droplets. What ...
How Lockdowns Have Affected Speech and Language Skills
24 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you have a preschool-aged child, this past year has probably disrupted normal learning and development. Research from the UK shows that lockdowns d...
A New Milestone in Hepatitis C Treatment
23 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Earlier this month, Malaysia’s Drug Control Authority granted conditional registration of a new drug to treat hepatitis C. This move was hailed ...
Should Kids Get The COVID-19 Vaccination?
22 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) in Malaysia has approved Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine for use in children aged 12 yea...
What Do We Know About Long COVID?
21 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
More reports are surfacing about long COVID – a range of symptoms that last weeks or months after the initial COVID-19 infection. For these &ldq...
Doctor in the House: Why We Need Continuous Genomic Surveillance of COVID-19 Variants
18 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Medical experts have been talking about COVID-19 variants and the importance of genomic surveillance, but what exactly does that involve? With variant...