Health & Living

Doctor in the House: Silent Mentors For Medical Students

17 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr George Lee, Consultant Urologist; Prof Dr Saw Aik, Programme Director, Silent MentorDescription: Medical students rely on cadavers during their yea...

Heart of Medicine: What Life Is Like For A Doctor

16 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Medicine - the most coveted profession, especially in Asian cultures, where the social stature and financial rewards of being a doctor are, arguably, ...

Healthy Ageing: Teaching Seniors To Be Tech-Savvy

15 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Older adults were often perceived as being less tech-savvy, but with the ubiquity of smartphones these days, it seems like some of them even surpass u...

Ask A Doctor: Your Eyes

14 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The eyes are the window to the soul but what happens when we can’t see that well? On this monthly episode of Ask A Doctor, we speak to consultant op...

Humans of Healthcare: The Nurse

13 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Nurses are the backbone of healthcare systems all around the world, and yet they are often one of the most underappreciated healthcare workers. In con...

Doctor in the House: All You Want To Know About UTIs

10 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A urinary tract infection is one of the most common infections to affect humans; in fact, if you’re a woman, you’re even more likely to have a UTI...

Public Health: There Is No Health Without Planetary Health

09 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Our planet is sick - and we don’t just mean melting glaciers and rising ocean levels too distant from our daily realities. In Malaysia, we see the e...

Kiwanis Malaysia Academy - Supporting Special Education Needs

08 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Children with special needs are often left behind in education, due to societal stigma, as well as lack of resources and capacity in our community. Ho...

Tendon Troubles

07 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Consultant orthopaedic surgeon Dr Rajesh Singh checks in for his regular show to discuss tendons - their structure, functions and dysfunctions. We exp...

AstraZeneca Vaccine Linked To Rare Blood Clots: An Explainer

06 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Recently, AstraZeneca allegedly confirmed, for the first time in a court document, that its COVID-19 vaccine can lead to a rare side effect called thr...

Vaccines Save Lives, But We Need To Learn Better Risk Communication

06 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

According to news reports, for the first time in a court document, AstraZeneca has allegedly confirmed that its Covid-19 vaccine can lead to a rare si...

Doctor in the House: Parasites in Your Body

03 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tapeworms and flatworms, lice and bedbugs, giardia and malaria - these are just some of the common parasites that cause disease among humans, and symp...

Counsellor’s Corner: Mothers’ Mental Wellbeing

02 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Everybody’s buying their mother flowers and chocolates to celebrate Mother’s Day this month, but are we stopping to ask Mum, “How are you doing?...

Is Zoonotic Malaria Reversing Malaysia’s Progress in Eliminating Malaria?

30 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

To commemorate World Malaria Day, which was observed on 25 April, Prof Dr Balbir Singh and Dr Timothy William discuss how zoonotic malaria has become ...

NCD Chronicles #18: Colorectal Cancer - Surviving The Surgeries And The Colostomy Bag

29 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in Malaysia among men and women, and is predominantly diagnosed in the late stages. On this episode...

Doctor in the House: Can Malaysia Be A Regional Hub for Clinical Trials?

26 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Malaysia’s healthcare system, skilled workforce, and diverse population presents an attractive proposition for global pharmaceutical companies looki...

Life With Autistic Daughters

25 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Consultant developmental paediatrician Dr Rajini Sarvananthan joins us on her monthly show to commemorate World Autism Awareness Day, in a conversatio...

When Dengue Affects Rich Countries, Will We Take It More Seriously?

24 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

For a long time, dengue fever is often diagnosed among populations living in tropical and subtropical climates because that is the environment where t...

Can You Prevent Diabetic Eye Diseases?

23 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If you have diabetes, don’t take your vision lightly. Diabetes can cause damage to the eyes, if you don’t control your blood glucose levels well. ...

How Kiwanis Malaysia Supports Children with Disabilities

22 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When you hear about Kiwanis Malaysia, the first (or only) thing you may think about is their work to help children with Down Syndrome. The Kiwanis Dow...

Doctor in the House: Disability Days - Are We Getting Anywhere in Advancing Disability Rights?

19 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Each year we celebrate a number of disability days, such as World Autism Awareness Day in April, International Day of Persons with Disabilities in Dec...

Public Health: Diabetes - Get More Than You Bargained For

18 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Diabetes, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, stroke - get three or more, for the price of one. People with diabetes have a higher risk of...

Healthy Ageing: A Positive Approach to Dementia Care

17 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

More than 55 million people live with dementia globally, and dementia is one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people. Yet,...

Mind Matters: Snoozing for Your Mental Health?

16 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When was the last time you slept so well that you felt entirely refreshed and ready for the day ahead? How often do you find yourself waking up on the...

Ask A Doctor: Face Lifts, Tummy Tucks, And More

15 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In our open clinic segment, consultant plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr Somasundaram Sathappan joins us to answer all your questions on face lift...

How Narratives In Medicine Improve Care

09 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When we see a doctor, we share a story, starting with our description of the symptoms to our doctor (“this is the problem I’ve been having”), fo...

Humans of Healthcare: The Sports Medicine Physician

08 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As the name suggests, sports medicine physicians often work with professional and amateur athletes to ensure that they are always able to play at thei...

Counsellor’s Corner: How’s Everybody Doing?

05 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In January, Elmo tweeted: “Just checking in - how’s everybody doing?” What resulted was the Internet letting loose, with responses ranging from ...

What Women Living with HIV Go Through

04 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Around the world, women and girls make up half of the people living with HIV. But in Malaysia, women make up a much smaller proportion of the people l...

What Is Applied Behaviour Analysis?

03 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There is increasing recognition of neurodivergence in our society, and greater demand for interventions to support children with special needs, such a...

Be Fit Malaysians: I Have A Sports Injury - Who Should I See? 

02 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Picture this: you’ve had an acute injury from a sport - say playing football or badminton - who should you see to help you along your recovery journ...

Heart of Medicine: COVID-19 and The Heart

01 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Heart of Medicine, virologist Emeritus Professor Dato’ Dr Lam Sai Kit and infectious diseases consultant Dr Timothy Williams join...

Why A New TB Vaccine Is An Investment Worth Making

29 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s been more than 100 years since the BCG vaccine was first introduced as a significant tool in our fight against tuberculosis. While the BCG vacc...

Life Doesn't Pause #4: Is The Perimenopause Brain OK?

27 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Feeling a bit more brain fog than usual? Getting forgetful, but chalking it up to stress and fatigue? If you're a woman in your 40s, there could be an...

Screening for Colorectal Cancer

26 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The idea of undergoing a colonoscopy can be daunting, but it is one of the tools we have for picking up colorectal cancer early, as the disease often ...

NCD Chronicles #17: “I Want To Survive…For My Family”

25 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How do you go from being an active 44-year-old, to suddenly discovering you have end-stage kidney disease? On this episode of NCD Chronicles, we get a...

Doctor in the House: Are Private Hospitals Liable for Medical Negligence? 

22 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Federal Court recently ruled that private hospitals can also be held liable for medical negligence, meaning that not all the responsibility falls ...

Weight Matters – Tackling the Obesity Epidemic in Malaysia Together

21 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019 shows that 1 in 2 adults are either overweight or obese, and 1 in 2 adults have abdominal obesity, which...

Because Feelings Matter #28: “I Was A High Achiever, But I Felt No Joy”

20 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Anita Abu Bakar had always been a high achiever. But throughout childhood, and her early career as an investment banker, she describes feeling an emot...

Mind Matters: Systemic Struggles of Children with ADHD

19 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In Malaysia, it is estimated that between 1.6% and 4.6% of children have ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactive disorder. But statistics do not tell u...

Life Doesn't Pause #3: What Women Need To Know About Sex and Relationships in Perimenopause

18 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Women conform to different societal norms as they go through various phases of life, and the perimenopause years are no different. With menopause on t...

Doctor in the House: A Critical Shortage of Organ Donors - And Organ Transplants

15 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Organ donation offers a new lease on life for recipients of organ transplants. But in Malaysia, we have a critical shortage of organ donors and thus l...

Public Health: Chronic Kidney Disease - The Monster Under Our Beds

14 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Almost 50,000 people in Malaysia live with end-stage renal disease. The Ministry of Health has warned that by the year 2040, there could be more than ...

Brain Waves: Cognitive Reserves & Memory Loss

13 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Why do some people remain so sharp as they age, while others are less resilient to the effects of memory loss and dementia? Why are some still able to...

Humans of Healthcare: The Anaesthesiologist

12 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When you undergo surgery, the anaesthesiologist plays a very important role in ensuring your safety and comfort before, during and after surgery. This...

Life Doesn't Pause #2: Mental Health During Perimenopause

11 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The midlife can be both thrilling and terrifying for women in their 40s - this is the time for major changes, such as children going into adolescence ...

International Women’s Day: Gruelling Journeys to Hospital, and Other Challenges For Breast Cancer Survivors In Sabah

08 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In conjunction with International Women’s Day on 8 March, Health & Living is exploring the barriers that women in underserved communities in Sar...

International Women’s Day: Targeting Breast & Cervical Cancers in Sarawak

07 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In conjunction with International Women’s Day on 8 March, Health & Living is exploring the barriers that women in underserved communities in Sar...

Life Doesn't Pause #1: The Identity of the Perimenopause Woman 

06 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The fabulous 40s are a phase of life for women to look forward to, but what happens when their hormones have a somewhat different idea? Perimenopause,...

Understanding Diastasis Recti, And The Role of Fascia

05 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The abdominal muscles - where your six-pack is (or should be) - are two flat and parallel muscles separated by a connective tissue called linea alba. ...

Picking Up Hearing Loss Among Newborns & Children

04 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What is it like to grow up without being able to hear sounds and speech? Picking up hearing loss among babies and children is crucial to ensure that t...

Doctor in the House: Caring For The Health And Well-Being Of Migrant Workers

01 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In the last two months, several developments involving migrant workers have put a spotlight on their right to fair living and working conditions. In o...

Because Feelings Matter #27: “Tak Ada Peluang Langsung Untuk Bernafas”

29 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Parenting is already hard enough; raising a child with a rare disease? Most of us can’t even begin to imagine the challenges, sacrifices, and heartb...

Preparing for Disease X

28 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Director-General of the World Health Organisation, Dr Tedros Adhanom Gebreyesus, recently reiterated that the next pandemic is not a matter of if,...

It’s Time Malaysia Expands Newborn Screening for Rare Diseases

27 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

For many parents of children with rare diseases, the journey from discovering their child’s symptoms to finding a definite diagnosis is often long a...

NCD Chronicles #16: My Son Was Born With a Hole in His Heart

26 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The heart is one of the most vital organs in our body, working day and night from the moment we are born to pump blood throughout our body. But for a ...

Doctor in the House: A New Vaccine For Dengue Approved!

23 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Drug Control Authority has recently given conditional approval to Qdenga, a dengue vaccine that could be given to those aged four and above. With ...

What Happens After A Prostate Cancer Diagnosis?

22 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Prostate cancer is often referred to as the “silent killer” because it can develop without any symptoms. In fact, almost 70% of cases in Malaysia ...

When Your Child Can’t Communicate Well, Is It A Language Disorder?

21 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When a child is significantly quieter than their peers, we say the child is shy or a wallflower. When a child stumbles over their words when telling y...

Mind Matters: How Teens Feel & Think About Their Bodies 

20 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In a society which highly emphasises outward appearances, it can often be easy to be dissatisfied with our body image. For adolescents, this pressure ...

Ask A Doctor: From The Vagina To The Ovaries

19 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In our open clinic segment, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Shilpa Nambiar joins us to shed light on the female reproductive system, from...

Shortage of Specialists: Why We Need The Parallel Pathway Programme

16 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

For patients seeking care in public hospitals, especially beyond Klang Valley, the chances of being able to see a specialist immediately are usually s...

Angioplasty vs Bypass: Which Is For Me?

15 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Bypass surgery and angioplasty are two of the most widely-used treatments for coronary artery disease, and they have a long track record in medicine. ...

Healthy Ageing: The Lowdown on Low Blood Pressure

14 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We often hear about how high blood pressure among older adults leads to an increased risk of heart disease, kidney disease, and stroke, among other th...

Humans of Healthcare: The Pharmacologist 

13 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How do we know if a drug will cause adverse reactions in a patient or if it will even work for different individuals? Understanding how drugs interact...

Doctor in the House: I’ll Be There For You - Cancer Survivors Band Together

09 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Cancer, as a life-altering diagnosis, brings with it not only physical but also emotional and psychological challenges. As patients try to cope with t...

Public Health: How Will Our Nursing Profession Recover?

08 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Malaysia’s nurses are a silent force in the healthcare system. They are responsible for the seamless and meticulous delivery of care to patients, no...

Counsellor’s Corner: Dating and Relationships

07 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Is your love life in a rut, on the rocks, or in ruins? Are you having trouble navigating the emotions and expectations of dating? With Valentine’s D...

Social Prescribing: When Medicine Alone Isn’t Enough

06 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When you’re ill, or in need of healthcare, this is probably the process you go through: you see a doctor, they identify a biological cause, you get ...

It’s Time We Take Indoor Air Quality More Seriously

05 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As Malaysians, we’re often used to complaining about the terrible outdoor air quality, especially during the haze season. But COVID-19 has taught us...

Doctor in the House: Petaling Jaya Hopes For A New Public Hospital

02 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Recently, Bukit Gasing state assembly member Rajiv Rishyakaran called for the Ministry of Health to construct a new general hospital for Petaling Jaya...

Autism: Who Supports The Adults?

31 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Children with autism grow up to be adults with autism. However, this logical assumption is not reflected in reality. Adults with autism often face man...

How Do We Uphold Health As A Human Right?

30 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

“The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, relig...

NCD Chronicles #15: Undefeated By Cervical Cancer

29 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

‘Twas the night before Christmas when Selina Yeop Jr’s world turned upside-down. Her doctor had just told her that she possibly had cervical cance...

Doctor in the House: How The Tobacco Industry Influences Public Health Policies in Asia

26 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s an open secret that the tobacco industry strongly lobbies governments on public health policies linked to tobacco control, but just how much of...

The Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza Is At “Catastrophic Levels”

24 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

More than 25,000 Palestinians have been killed and 1.9 million - more than 85% of Gaza’s population - has been displaced since Israel began its late...

Because Feelings Matter #26: “I Know There Is A Place For Me In This World”

23 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Confident, independent, adventurer and explorer: these are the words Izzat Zaid uses to describe herself. But it has not always been easy for her to b...

Healthy Ageing: How To Eat Well As You Age

22 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

“Make sure the food has less salt. Consume more fibres. It’s fine that they have a lower appetite.” These are some of the things we hear being s...

Doctor in the House: Cannabis As An Antiviral?

19 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

SARS-CoV-2, HIV and Hepatitis C - what do these viruses have in common? They can be targeted with antiviral medications, which have changed the way we...

Be Fit Malaysians: Physiotherapy Can Also Help With Injury Prevention

18 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Would you see a physiotherapist if you had little to no pain or if you don’t have an injury? Many of us often think of physiotherapy as something th...

Helping Mothers Manage High-Risk Pregnancies

17 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Pregnancy is a time of anticipation, but also one of anxiety. After all, the expecting mother is preparing for her life to change with the arrival of ...

Mind Matters: Mental Health in the Shadows of Conflict and Crises

16 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Global geopolitical events have weighed heavily on our minds in the last few months. The impact of wars, the climate crisis, natural disasters, and di...

Ask A Doctor: Skin Health

15 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We’re back with our monthly Ask A Doctor segment and to kickstart the year we will be focussing on skin health. Here to answer your questions from s...

Doctor in the House: Ensuring Responsible Regulation of Dietary Supplements

12 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In 2022, sales of vitamin and dietary supplements in Malaysia were valued at RM4.89 billion. But as the demand for supplements grows, so does the pres...

Public Health: Invisible Barriers to Accessing Healthcare

11 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Why do some people skip medical checkups, treatments or follow-up care, even when the services are available for them to access? In Selangor, it has b...

Brain Waves: Is Sleep For the Weak?

10 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, everyone needs sleep. But, do we adults really need 7 hours of sleep a day? Why do some people get away...

Humans of Healthcare: The Neuropsychologist

09 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The brain is a complex organ, and any physical trauma to the brain or neurological disorders can have an impact on your cognition and behaviour. On th...

Is Malaysia On Track To Eliminate Cervical Cancer?

08 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On 30 December 2003, Cantopop singer Anita Mui passed away from cervical cancer, amid an outpouring of grief from her fans. Thirty years later, this d...

Doctor in the House: Should You Buy Medical Devices On E-Commerce Platforms?

05 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Medical devices are a billion-dollar industry, and are becoming increasingly ubiquitous in healthcare. They’re also becoming increasingly high-stake...

Alzheimer’s Disease - Caring for the Individual and the Caregiver

04 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

According to the Alzheimer's Disease Foundation Malaysia, by 2050, the number of older adults in Malaysia living with dementia will rise to 825,000. A...

The Time for a Mental Capacity Act Is Now

03 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Every day, we make small and big decisions in our lives. But what if one day, we find ourselves in circumstances where we are no longer able to make t...

Gut-Joint Axis: The Connection Between The Gut Microbiome and Rheumatoid Arthritis

02 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks healthy cells in the body, causing inflammation and painful swelling o...

Health & Living Live 2023 Panel 3: Save Like You'll Live Forever

20 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

#instalife doesn’t last forever. How you live today changes how you age tomorrow. At BFM’s Health & Living Live 2023, we looked at ways to dis...

Health & Living Live 2023 Panel 2: Grey (Cells) Are The New Black

19 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

#instalife doesn’t last forever. How you live today changes how you age tomorrow. At BFM’s Health & Living Live 2023, we looked at ways to dis...

Health & Living Live 2023 Panel 1: #lifegoals - Move It Like Michelle Yeoh

18 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

#instalife doesn’t last forever. How you live today changes how you age tomorrow. At BFM’s Health & Living Live 2023, we looked at ways to dis...

Doctor in the House: Affordable Healthcare Solutions in ASEAN For All

15 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

While we’ve made leaps and bounds in cancer research, not all diagnostic tools and therapeutics are accessible to all, especially to those in low- a...

Public Health: Managing Malaysia’s Low Fertility Rate

14 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Malaysia's fertility is dropping drastically. In 2022, the fertility rate was 1.6 children per woman, the lowest that the country has recorded in 50 y...

Public Health: Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad’s Top Priorities

14 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Following the recent Cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Azrul Mohd Khalib, CEO, Galen Centre for Health & Social Poli...

Heart of Medicine: When Did Cardiovascular Disease Become An Occupational Health Hazard?

13 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On the latest episode of Heart of Medicine, occupational health physician Dr Abed Onn joins consultant cardiologist Dr Kannan Pasamanickam to dive int...

COVID-19: Why Seeking Prompt Treatment Matters

12 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As COVID-19 cases climb once again, it’s more important than ever to remain vigilant. What precautions should we take, and especially for those who ...