Podcasts by Health

Heart of Medicine: When Did Cardiovascular Disease Become An Occupational Health Hazard? from 2023-12-13T16:00:49

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

COVID-19: Why Seeking Prompt Treatment Matters from 2023-12-12T16:00:40

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 are at high-risk, when should you seek medical...

Planning for Contraception from 2023-12-11T16:00:45

According to the National Health & Morbidity Survey 2022 on Maternal and Child Health, only less than half of women of reproductive age or their partner use any contraceptive methods in Mala...

Vapes Will Now Be Regulated, But The GEG Is In Ashes from 2023-12-08T16:00:10

Last week (on 30th Nov), the long awaited Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023 was passed by the Dewan Rakyat, to address the lacuna in the law following the exemption of liqu...

Ask a Psychologist: The Year in Rearview from 2023-12-07T16:00:14

It’s the most wonderful time of the year again, as we wind down, take our holidays, and spend time with family and friends. It’s also the time when people typically pause and reflect upon the ye...

COVID-19 Cases Are Spiking, How Worried Should We Be? from 2023-12-06T16:45:16

The Ministry of Health recently reported a 57.3% spike in cases of COVID-19, from the week of Nov 19 to 25 compared to the week before. Paired with increasing anecdotal evidence that more people...

Surviving Childhood Leukaemia from 2023-12-06T16:00:53

Cancers among children are rare, but leukaemia is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among children. While it is a devastating diagnosis for the family, with early diagnosis and effective treatm...

Maternal Tdap Vaccination To Protect Newborns from 2023-12-05T16:00:45

In 2024, the Ministry of Health will provide Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Acellular Pertussis) vaccination to all pregnant mothers at all government primary health clinics. The vaccination is a...

How AI Can Help Doctors Have More Time from 2023-12-04T16:00:27

Everyone’s talking about how AI can change how we live our lives and make things just a bit easier for us, including in medicine. One of those potential areas is in radiology, where research is ...

Doctor in the House: Let Communities Lead HIV Prevention from 2023-12-01T16:00:21

To end the AIDS epidemic, community-based action must be an integral part of the process. But what does that look like here in Malaysia? In conjunction with World AIDS Day, which is commemorated...

How To Talk To Neurodivergent Children About Their Diagnosis from 2023-11-30T16:00:08

Parenting neurodivergent children is both a challenging and rewarding journey. One of the pivotal moments in this journey is discussing the diagnosis with the children themselves. As parents, ho...

Ask A Doctor: About Poo from 2023-11-29T16:00:32

On this episode of Ask A Doctor, consultant gastroenterologist Dato’ Dr Mahendra Raj joins us to answer all your hard questions about poo and your gastrointestinal health.

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Because Feelings Matter #25: World Children’s Day Special (Part 2) from 2023-11-28T16:15:40

World Children’s Day is celebrated on the 20th of November every year, to remind us all that children’s voices matter. On this special episode of Listen

Because Feelings Matter #25: World Children’s Day Special (Part 1) from 2023-11-28T16:00:46

World Children’s Day is celebrated on the 20th of November every year, to remind us all that children’s voices matter. On this special episode of Listen

NCD Chronicles #14: “Tomorrow is Another Day To Do More” (Living With Heart Failure) from 2023-11-27T16:00:47

Dr Yong De Jun’s life seemed to be mapped out - a bright young man with a promising career in surgery, and a desire to help others. Then came an unexpected diagnosis of heart failure, and a clou...

Doctor in the House: We Don’t Want A Post-Antibiotic World from 2023-11-24T16:00:18

World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW) is commemorated every year from 18-24 November. The theme for WAAW 2023 is "Preventing antimicrobial resistance together", continuing the the...

The Health Agenda Under Malaysia Madani #4: Health Financing Needs Urgent Reforms from 2023-11-23T16:30:28

We are approaching the one-year anniversary since Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim was sworn in as the tenth Prime Minister of Malaysia on 24th November last year, and we’re taking a look at the differe...

The Health Agenda Under Malaysia Madani #3: A Malaysia For Older Persons from 2023-11-23T16:00:14

We are approaching the one-year anniversary since Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim was sworn in as the tenth Prime Minister of Malaysia on 24th November last year, and we’re taking a look at the differe...

Early Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer Gives Hope from 2023-11-22T16:00:34

We don’t usually think of pancreatic cancer with optimism, but there is hope for better outcomes if the cancer is diagnosed early. Consultant clinical oncologist Dr Jennifer Leong shares more ab...

The Health Agenda Under Malaysia Madani #2: A Sustainable Future for Healthcare Workers from 2023-11-21T16:30:35

We are approaching the one year anniversary since Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim was sworn in as the tenth Prime Minister of Malaysia on 24th November last year, and we’re taking a look at the differe...

The Health Agenda Under Malaysia Madani #1: From “Sick Care” to Health Care from 2023-11-21T16:00:47

As we approach the one year anniversary since Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim was sworn in as the tenth Prime Minister of Malaysia on 24th November last year, we’re taking a look at the different issue...

Brain Waves: The Nervous System in Our Gut from 2023-11-20T16:00:20

The enteric nervous system is found within our gastrointestinal tract and is able to function independently of our brain and spinal cord. On this episode of Brain Waves, neurogeneticist Dr Azlin...

The Unchecked Vaping Crisis from 2023-11-17T16:00:58

While vapes and e-cigarettes were initially marketed as a potentially safer alternative to traditional tobacco smoking, vaping has given rise to a new and concerning public health issue: nicotin...

Can You Detect Lung Cancer Early? from 2023-11-16T16:00:08

Lung cancer has a long and difficult history in our society. It bears the stigma of being associated with men who smoke, and is still thought to be the deadliest of all cancers. The latter is tr...

Humans of Healthcare: The Genetic Counsellor from 2023-11-15T16:00:37

Every second Thursday of November is dedicated to Genetic Counselor Awareness Day, to raise awareness about how genetic counsellors work in a healthcare team within our community. On this episod...

Kidneys Under Pressure #2: Keeping Diabetes Under Control from 2023-11-14T16:00:51

It’s a bitter pill to swallow - Malaysia has the highest rate of diabetes in the Western Pacific region and one of the highest in the world. In just eight years, between 2011 and 2019, the preva...

Doctor in the House: Why Is One Dose of The HPV Vaccine Enough? from 2023-11-10T16:00:46

2023 marks the 13th year of HPV vaccination in Malaysia’s national immunisation programme, where 13-year-old girls in Form 1 receive the vaccination in schools. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, we ...

Public Health: Why We Should Care About The Care Economy from 2023-11-09T16:00:24

Malaysia has said a lot about being prepared for an ageing society. But are we headed for an ageing crisis instead, with older adults continuing to be dependent on informal care for their daily,...

Be Fit Malaysians: Finding Mobility and Movement from 2023-11-08T16:00:27

What does having good mobility mean? Is it simply about being flexible or about the way you move whether you’re simply going about your daily routines or while playing sports? On this episode of...

Ask A Psychologist: Teaching Children Emotional Intelligence from 2023-11-07T16:00:31

We’ll be celebrating World Children’s Day on 20 November, and as we look towards upholding children’s rights, consultant clinical psychologist Paul Jambunathan joins us to discuss how to help ch...

Healthy Ageing: When Cancer And Ageing Collide from 2023-11-06T16:00:54

Receiving a cancer diagnosis is challenging for anyone, but it can be especially so for older adults who are already living with other medical and cognitive issues. So how can treatment and supp...

Doctor in the House: Being Prepared For Stroke Rehabilitation from 2023-11-03T16:00:21

A stroke is a severe and sudden medical condition that can have profound consequences for survivors and families. Rapid treatment, as well as proper stroke rehabilitation can help one recover fr...

Could Embedded Insurance Improve Health Coverage? from 2023-11-02T16:00:26

According to the 2019 National Health and Morbidity Survey, only 22% of Malaysians have personal health insurance, with 43% saying that they cannot afford it, while 36% think that it is unnecess...

Mind Matters: When Children Are Depressed, What Can We Do? from 2023-11-01T16:00:10

1 in 8 adolescents in Malaysia have had suicidal thoughts while 1 in 10 adolescents have attempted suicide. Those are some of the concerning statistics that have been revealed by the latest Nati...

Desperation for Cord Blood Bank Customers? from 2023-10-31T16:00:43

Following news several months ago about cord blood banking company Cellsafe International seeking liquidation, we speak to Assoc Prof Chua Kien Hui, Cell Therapy Scientist at the Department of P...

NCD Chronicles #13: A Diagnosis of Advanced Breast Cancer is Not The End from 2023-10-30T16:00:17

How would you react if you were diagnosed with breast cancer? For Grace Tam, a visit to the doctor for neck pain saw her coming out with a diagnosis of advanced breast cancer, but she took it al...

Living and Dying Well: When The Community Comes Together from 2023-10-27T16:00:46

In conjunction with World Hospice & Palliative Care Day on 14 October, Health & Living has been featuring Listen

Parents Struggle With Mental Health Problems Too from 2023-10-26T16:00:42

In conjunction with World Mental Health Day in October, we’re looking at the mental health struggles that parents and children are facing, especially in the post-COVID normal. While there are a ...

Occupational Therapy in Mental Health Conditions from 2023-10-25T16:00:10

In conjunction with World Mental Health Day in October, we look at the role that occupational therapy plays in the treatment and support of people with various mental health conditions. Aifah Ja...

Because Feelings Matter #24: Being In The Present, When The World Is Crumbling Around You from 2023-10-24T16:00:27

Depression and psychosis turned Amornthep Sachamuneewongse from an outgoing extrovert, into a reclusive person who no longer found joy in his life. On this episode of ‘Listen

Straightening Out Scoliosis: Busting Myths and Embracing Facts from 2023-10-23T16:00:35

The spine has a normal curve, which helps to distribute your weight evenly and allows your body to withstand all kinds of stresses due to daily movements and activities. However, what happens wh...

Caring For Breast Cancer Patients Begins With Knowing Their Needs from 2023-10-20T16:00:35

What do women with breast cancer really want, after they have been diagnosed? Is a long survival time most important to them, or is it good quality of life and cost-effective care? Healthcare pr...

Healthy Ageing: How Technology Can Help Older Adults At Home from 2023-10-19T16:00:48

For many older adults, ageing in place at home is the ideal as it provides a sense of familiarity and helps them to maintain their independence for as long as possible. But it can be challenging...

Pitchside Medicine for Rugby from 2023-10-18T16:00:09

The 2023 Rugby World Cup is in full swing across France with quarter-final matches having happened over the weekend. We check in with Asst Prof Dr Wazien Wafa, emergency medicine specialist as w...

Budget 2024: Allocations for Health from 2023-10-17T16:00:42

On the Health & Living segment, we look at the allocations in Budget 2024 for health, and what tone the budget is setting for the health reform agenda outlined in the Health White Paper.&nbs...

Mind Matters: Trauma Comes From Childhood and Traverses Generations from 2023-10-16T16:00:38

When we think about the causes of violence, abuse, and dysfunctional behaviour, we have to look deeper at the trauma that might have occurred generations before. Adverse childhood experiences ca...

Public Health: Putting Pustular Psoriasis In The Spotlight from 2023-10-12T16:00:14

Awareness of psoriasis as a debilitating and chronic autoimmune disease, rather than just a skin disorder, has been slow in building up. People with psoriasis live with chronic and painful skin ...

The Heart of Medicine: Empathy in Healthcare from 2023-10-11T16:00:16

In this episode of The Heart of Medicine, we sit down with consultant cardiologist Dr Kannan Pasamanickam, to discuss the role of empathy in healthcare, how empathy transforms the patient-provid...

Humans of Healthcare: The Psychiatrist from 2023-10-10T16:00:31

How do psychiatrists equip themselves with the skills and training to help people cope with the increase in mental health problems and diagnoses? In conjunction with World Mental Health Day on 1...

How Nicotine Replacement Therapy Helps Smokers Quit from 2023-10-09T16:00:29

Nicotine replacement therapy in the form of gums was first approved for use in smoking cessation in 1984, in the United States. Fast forward almost 40 years later, we now have several types of N...

Doctor in the House: Is Ultra Processed Food Ultra Bad For You? from 2023-10-06T16:00:39

Dr George Lee, Consultant Urologist; Assoc Prof Dr Wong Jyh Eiin, Head of Nutrition Science Programme, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)

Description: It tast...

From Mastectomies to Breast Reconstruction from 2023-10-05T16:00:41

For some women with breast cancer, a mastectomy is a lifesaving procedure. Yet, it can also have a big impact on the woman’s self-esteem and body image, which is where breast reconstruction surg...

Be Fit Malaysians: Building Strength = Building Muscle? from 2023-10-04T16:00:12

When we think of a strong person, many of us automatically think of someone who’s visibly muscular. But is that what strength really means? Why does strength training matter and how can we start...

Budget 2024: A Wishlist For Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health from 2023-10-03T16:00:53

When it comes to women's sexual and reproductive health issues, there are pressing needs that have not received enough resources or attention. Funding sexual and reproductive health services is ...

Ask A Psychologist: Laughter And Humour from 2023-10-02T16:00:20

Consultant clinical psychologist Paul Jambunathan joins us to shed light on the question of what makes us laugh, and what are the effects of laughter and humour on our mental and physical wellbe...

Doctor in the House: Malaysia’s Blueprint for The Aged Population from 2023-09-29T16:00:21

Malaysia’s Midterm Review of the 12th Malaysia Plan has a specific focus on improving the wellbeing of the aged population as one of the key strategies in empowering specific target groups. In c...

Occupational Therapy’s Role in Returning To Work from 2023-09-27T16:00:20

An injury or health condition that causes temporary or permanent disability can have a significant impact on a person’s ability to work. However, this doesn’t mean the end of your career and liv...

Because Feelings Matter #23: Caring From Inside Out from 2023-09-26T16:00:39

Throughout her childhood, university studies and early working years, Teng Yan seemed to live the perfect life. From high-performing student to model employee, she thought she had everything und...

NCD Chronicles #12: “I Prefer Not To Die Suddenly” (Blocked Arteries, And A Close Call) from 2023-09-25T16:00:48

Trim, fit and active, Farid Emran does not look like your average heart patient. And yet, at the age of 49, he discovered that he had five blockages in his arteries, and was given the choice of ...

12MP Mid-Term Review: What Healthcare Access For the B40 Looks Like from 2023-09-22T16:00:57

Over the past week, the government has tabled, debated, and passed the 12th Malaysia Plan Mid-Term Review in a special parliament sitting. With two more years to go before the 12MP is up in 2025...

Healthy Ageing: Screening for Frailty in the Community from 2023-09-21T16:00:46

As our population continues to become an ageing population, frailty among older adults is emerging as a serious public health problem. Frailty leads to a higher risk of adverse health events lik...

Brain Waves: The Gut-Brain Axis from 2023-09-20T16:00:26

Did you know that there is a two-way connection between your gut and your brain? A troubled gut can send signals to the brain, just as a troubled brain can send signals to your gut. But just how...

Ask A Doctor: The Haze And Respiratory Health from 2023-09-19T16:00

On this month’s episode of Ask A Doctor, we speak to consultant respiratory physician Dr Azza Omar on all things related to your respiratory health and how we can stay healthy amidst the ongoing...

Public Health: How Will Malaysia’s Vape Trends Lead To Nicotine Addiction Among Youths? from 2023-09-18T16:00:17

The Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce released thei...

Doctor in the House: 101 on Braces and Aligners from 2023-09-15T16:00:27

There are 16 billion views for the hashtag #braces on TikTok, signalling the Internet’s massive interest in getting that perfect smile. However, braces and aligners aren’t merely cosmetic tools,...

Humans of Healthcare: The Palliative Care Physician from 2023-09-14T16:00:28

Leading up to World Hospice & Palliative Care Day on 14 October, we are featuring various perspectives of living and dying well, challenging the norms in healthcare and society when it comes...

Mind Matters: Accepting A Cancer Diagnosis Is The Hardest Part from 2023-09-13T16:00:10

Finding out you have a serious or life-threatening illness can turn your life upside-down. Coming to terms with the diagnosis and learning what it takes to manage your condition can take a toll ...

Malaysia Day 2023: Serving On The Flying Doctor Service from 2023-09-12T16:00:10

Dr Loh Yunn Hua is a physician who is currently based in Miri and has spent much of her career serving the people across Sarawak. She spent the early years of her career working with the Flying ...

Malaysia in 100 Years: What Will Healthcare Look Like? from 2023-09-11T16:00:04

Artificial intelligence can have vast benefits in healthcare, including enabling remote analysis and diagnosis, processing complex information for rapid decision-making, and facilitating wider s...

Doctor in the House: How You Can Support Suicide Prevention from 2023-09-08T16:00:55

Attempted suicide has been decriminalised in Malaysia but the work does not end there. In conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September), consultant urologist Dr George Lee is join...

Workplace Aches And Pains from 2023-09-07T16:00:24

We spend at least a third of our day at the workplace, and this means that the way we sit, stand and move at work is a major contributor to our overall musculoskeletal health. Physiotherapist Li...

Working For Patient Safety from 2023-09-06T16:00:49

When there is an error in medical judgement or a flaw in the healthcare system, someone gets harmed. And this is no trivial matter, because what happens to a patient has an impact on their famil...

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy: Uncovering Sports Concussions Among Athletes from 2023-09-05T16:00:01

When Australian Rules footballer Heather Anderson died by suicide last year (in 2022), her family donated her brain to the Australian Sports Brain Bank, hoping to better understand her death. Be...

From Fitbits to COVID: 15 Years of Health from 2023-09-04T16:00:13

BFM turns 15 on the 4th of September 2023, and to commemorate, we’re bringing you a special episode of Health & Living where we look back on the top 15 medical and health news over the past ...

The Pressure Is On: Let’s Talk About Vascular Health from 2023-09-01T16:00:12

We’re familiar with non-communicable diseases like heart disease, cancer and diabetes, but how much do we know about vascular diseases? As this September marks the inaugural launch of the Nation...

Merdeka Day 2023: 45 Years in Cardiology from 2023-08-30T16:00:30

In conjunction with Merdeka Day, we speak to Datuk Dr Zainal Abidin bin Abdul Hamid, one of the country’s pioneering cardiologists who has witnessed milestones like the setting up of Malaysia’s ...

Is Dyslexia Underrecognized in Chinese Schools? from 2023-08-29T16:00:22

We typically think of dyslexia in relation to alphabetic languages, such as English and Bahasa Melayu. However, dyslexia also exists among speakers of symbol-based languages like Chinese and Jap...

Keyhole Surgery for Kidney Cancer from 2023-08-28T16:00:56

Our kidneys are vital organs that help to filter waste from our blood while maintaining the right balance of fluids in our body. But that function could be impaired by diseases like cancer. With...

Doctor in the House: Waste Not, Want Not - Japan Releases Fukushima Wastewater from 2023-08-25T16:00:25

In 2011, a major earthquake off the coast of Japan triggered a tsunami which flooded the reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, causing a major nuclear disaster. Efforts to decon...

NCD Chronicles #11: Finding Hope in Motor Neuron Disease from 2023-08-24T16:00:34

The world’s most famous face of motor neuron disease - also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - is Prof Stephen Hawking. The world-famous astrophysicist and cosmologist defied the odds gene...

Occupational Therapy for Hand Injuries from 2023-08-23T16:00:32

Our hands are so central to our daily functions and activities that we can’t imagine life if we lose the use of these limbs. Is it possible to regain our hand functions if they are injured after...

Because Feelings Matter #22: The Many Colours of Grief from 2023-08-22T16:00:16

Grief affects us all. We go through bereavement for many types of losses in our lives. But we’re often told that grief - and the emotions that come with it - is private, because people around us...

Kidneys Under Pressure #1: Battling The Burden of Chronic Kidney Disease from 2023-08-21T16:00:03

Almost 50,000 people in Malaysia live with end-stage renal disease, which means they are in and out of a healthcare facility almost every day, undergoing dialysis. They are also likely to be on ...

Doctor in the House: Why Have ACL Injuries Kept Female Footballers Out Of The World Cup? from 2023-08-18T16:00:48

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup has been making headlines - with record attendances and viewership, teams overturning predictions, and most importantly, more conversations about the need to plac...

Healthy Ageing: Is Also About Active Ageing from 2023-08-17T16:00:47

At a time where people are living longer, most of us want to lead healthier lives as well. Part of that means making physical activity part and parcel of our daily lives. But what kinds of physi...

Ask A Doctor: Neck Pain from 2023-08-16T16:00:22

In our monthly open clinic segment, we are highlighting the ubiquitous problem of neck pain. A multidisciplinary panel consisting of neurosurgeon Prof Dharmendra Ganesan, rehabilitation physicia...

Mind Matters: What To Ask Your Kid Instead Of ‘How Was School?’ from 2023-08-15T16:00:06

There’s never been a more complex time to be a parent. While parents have more resources than ever at their disposal, they are also plagued by greater demands, higher expectations, and more anxi...

Preserving Fertility Among Cancer Patients from 2023-08-14T16:00:30

When someone receives a diagnosis of cancer, the question of having children may not be top of mind, even if they are of reproductive age. However, as cancer treatments improve and people are ab...

Doctor in the House: What Happens When Cosmetic Surgery Goes Wrong from 2023-08-11T16:00:22

It was recently reported that a 29-year-old woman had died following a breast enhancement surgery that had gone wrong. What was especially worrying was that the procedure was done by a beauticia...

Public Health: Stroke Recovery Is Harder For Women from 2023-08-10T16:00:02

Stroke is the 4th leading cause of death among women in Malaysia, even higher than breast cancer. On today’s Public Health, we continue the discussion from the previous Listen

The Heart of Medicine: Can Technology Replace Touch? from 2023-08-09T16:00:16

Technology is synonymous with medicine. The use of knives and saws made from flint in surgery and amputation is probably one of the earliest examples of human technology in healthcare. The steth...

Humans of Healthcare: The Intensivist from 2023-08-08T16:00:06

Doctors working in the intensive care unit manage the most critically ill patients in a hospital, with a team often led by an intensive care specialist. But what exactly is involved in the care ...

Relocation of Medical Officers Must Be Data Driven from 2023-08-07T16:00:18

The recent relocation exercise at the end of July, which involved contract doctors being given permanent positions, has been generating headlines because of the significant impact that it has on...

Doctor in the House: Life Expectancy vs Age - Which One Matters More? from 2023-08-04T16:00:59

Age is not just a number when it comes to health choices. Your age is one of the main factors that determines the types of health screenings that you need and when to go for them. But at a time ...

What Do Intragastric Balloons Offer In Obesity Management? from 2023-08-03T16:00:28

For people who are obese, managing their weight can be extremely challenging, especially when they’ve tried to incorporate lifestyle changes but are still not seeing any difference. In some case...

A Jab To Solve Obesity? from 2023-08-02T16:00:31

Semaglutide has been making headlines recently as the answer to obesity management, as the diabetes drug has also been shown to have led to significant weight loss among those who are on it. But...

Muscle Growth: Use It, Or Lose It from 2023-08-01T16:00:21

How often do you see professional athletes competing when they’re past the age of 40? A look at some headlining athletes who pushed past the typical retirement age of late 20s to early 30s shows...

Living And Dying Well: Death is Everyone’s Responsibility from 2023-07-31T16:00:28

Every day, we talk about staying healthy and preventing disease. But death itself is rarely part of that conversation, due to cultural taboos about dying and the end of life. Leading up to World...

Doctor in the House: Aspartame A “Possible Carcinogen” - What Does This Mean? from 2023-07-28T16:00:32

Aspartame, the world’s most popular artificial sweetener, has just been declared by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a “possible carcinogen”. Does this mean that asparta...

Does Your Child’s School Use Commercial Programmes? from 2023-07-27T16:00:48

According to an article in Listen

Occupational Therapy in Stroke&Dementia from 2023-07-26T16:00:28

Conditions like stroke and dementia affect the mental processes of cognition and perception. However, occupational therapy can help these individuals to regain some of these functions. We find o...

Because Feelings Matter #21: “Not Letting The Waves Pull Me Under”: A Business Leader’s Account Of Living With Bipolar Disorder from 2023-07-25T16:00:16

You would not expect a senior manager of a second-generation family business to be successful amid the depressive lows and manic highs of bipolar disorder. But Ning-Jia Ong has overcome several ...

Brain Waves: Scientists Make Breakthrough in Creation of Synthetic Human Embryos from 2023-07-24T16:00:21

An embryo is formed as a result of the fertilisation of an egg by a sperm, and that’s what goes on to develop into a foetus. But what if an embryo could be created using only stem cells instead,...

Be Fit Malaysians: And Be Flexible Malaysians! from 2023-07-21T16:00:10

Yoga can be intimidating for newbies, especially if you think that you’re inflexible and out-of-shape, and the various poses involved seem almost impossible to do. On this episode of Be Fit Mala...

All You Need To Know About Radiotherapy from 2023-07-20T16:00:01

Radiotherapy is one of the main tools in our arsenal of cancer treatment, and advancements in technology have led to improvements in how radiotherapy has been used in the past decades. 
...

Mind Matters: Can Mental Health Apps And AI Chatbots Help Me? from 2023-07-18T16:00:38

There’s an app for everything these days, and that includes mental health. From making mood tracking easier to using artificial intelligence to offer support, how helpful are these options? Is i...

Ask A Doctor: Root Canal and Dental Pulp Problems from 2023-07-17T16:00:42

In our monthly open clinic segment, we speak to endodontist Dr Mark Low about problems related to the interior of the tooth, and answer listeners’ questions about dental pulp infections and root...

Unpacking the Health White Paper #3: The Future of MOH from 2023-07-14T16:00:10

This is another episode of our mini series Unpacking the Health White Paper, in which we break down some of the reforms that have been suggested in the recently passed health white paper, which ...

Médecins Sans Frontières: Everyone, Everywhere Deserves High Quality Care from 2023-07-13T16:00:59

Founded in 1971 by a group of journalists and doctors, more than 50 years later Médecins Sans Frontières or ...

Public Health: The Gender Biases in Heart Disease from 2023-07-12T16:00:31

Worldwide, what disease is the number one cause of death among women? Your first thought might be breast cancer, but in fact, coronary heart disease is the single biggest killer of women.  ...

Healthy Ageing: Why Older Adults Should Get The Pneumococcal Vaccine from 2023-07-11T16:00:14

Did you know that the pneumococcal vaccine is not only recommended for infants, but for older adults as well? Consultant geriatrician Prof Dr Tan Maw Pin is back on the show with me for this epi...

When The Heart Fails from 2022-04-20T16:00:06

Our heart’s main function is to pump blood throughout our body, so what happens when the heart can’t pump blood as well as it should? Consultant cardiologist Listen

Mind Matters: Bipolar Disorder Is A Mental Health Condition, Not A Personality from 2022-04-18T16:00:46

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that is often misunderstood, with many thinking that it simply refers to extreme mood swings in the individual. But it’s important to look beyond th...

Doctor in the House: It’s All About Aesthetics from 2022-04-15T16:00:19

Walk down any row of shop lots and you can probably quite easily find a beauty centre offering quick fixes to how you look. But just how many of these are licensed to carry out these procedures?...

Healthy Ageing: Beating Influenza When You Have Diabetes from 2022-04-14T16:00:54

With an ageing population and diabetes being a major health concern among adults, diabetic older adults are at high risk of experiencing severe flu, flu-related complications and even death. On ...

Public Health: Should Confinement Services Be Regulated? from 2022-04-13T16:00:50

In Malaysia, the confinement period is a sacred time for many mothers who have just given birth. Most, if not all, of the ethnic communities have their own traditional practices that dictate the...

Brain Waves: Food For Thought from 2022-04-12T16:00:01

Ulam is a staple part of the diets of many Malaysians, and many of us probably don’t give much thought to it when we add it to our meals. Now some studies have found that eating ulam might benef...

Shoulder Pain Across All Ages from 2022-04-11T16:00:54

The shoulder's unique and complex anatomy makes the shoulders the body's most mobile joints with the greatest range of motion. At the same time, the shoulders are also the least stable joints, a...

Doctor in the House: There Is No Health Without Human Rights and Equity from 2022-04-08T16:00:53

In 2022, World Health Day was celebrated on 7 April with the theme ‘Our Planet, Our Health’. The theme challenges us to look at health as an outcome of factors like the environment, economy, and...

Blood Donation - Pandemic and Ramadhan Concerns from 2022-04-07T16:00:35

Every year, reserves in the blood banks tend to run low during the month of Ramadhan. However, the festive period that follows after may necessitate a greater supply of blood, so donors are enco...

Is Balance Something We Can Improve? from 2022-04-06T16:00:39

Ever watched a child wobbling their way through a game of hopscotch, and yet somehow, remarkably, never falling down? That’s the body’s ability to balance itself, although not everyone has the s...

Chronic Wounds That Don’t Heal Well from 2022-04-05T16:00:38

When you have a wound, you know what usually happens: you clean it, treat it to prevent infection, and wait for it to heal on its own. But for some people, their wounds don’t heal in this straig...

More Life-Saving AEDs Needed from 2022-04-04T16:00:36

A death from sudden cardiac arrest is an abrupt and shocking loss, causing huge emotional impact to families and communities. A Listen

Doctor in the House: Life As An Autistic Adult from 2022-04-01T16:00:54

We look ahead to Autism Awareness Day (2 April) with a focus on autism in adulthood. Why do some autistic individuals only get diagnosed in adulthood, when earlier support and interventions in c...

A Guide to Healthy Eating in the Fasting Month from 2022-03-31T16:00:06

As the fasting month for Muslims is set to begin, it’s even more important to ensure that you are eating healthily even when you’re fasting. But when food is abundant (and delicious), what are s...

Does COVID-19 Shrink Your Brain? from 2022-03-30T16:00:23

In the two years since COVID-19 was first detected, we’ve learned so much about the disease and its impact and yet there is still so much we don’t know. In a recent study, scientists have discov...

Mind the (Health) Gap #3: The State of Public Healthcare Facilities from 2022-03-29T16:00:06

Old hospital buildings, outdated equipment, or health facilities that are simply too few and far between. Whether we hear it from others or experience it ourselves, it’s not uncommon to hear suc...

Picking Up Ovarian Cancer Early: Don’t Ignore The Signs from 2022-03-28T16:00:38

Out of all the cancers that affect the female reproductive system, ovarian cancer is the deadliest only because it is often detected late. So how do we pick up ovarian cancer early, when the sym...

Doctor in the House: COVID-19, Vaccination and Fertility from 2022-03-25T16:00:37

Some animals might have been harmed in the following study - at ...

Employment and Inclusion For People With Down Syndrome from 2022-03-24T16:00:03

In conjunction with World Down Syndrome Day on 21 March, we are asking what inclusion means for people living with this chromosomal condition. Consultant developmental paediatrician Dr Rajini Sa...

Healthy Ageing: Don’t Brush Off Oral Health Issues from 2022-03-23T16:00:28

Many of us think that we are bound to lose our teeth as we grow older, but is that necessarily the case? Assoc Prof Dr Jacob John from the Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya joins us to loo...

Is Bariatric Surgery For You? from 2022-03-22T16:00:06

For people who struggle with obesity, weight loss is a complex process. Diet and exercise alone may not be enough for some individuals. When should you bring up bariatric surgery with your docto...

Because Feelings Matter #7: “You Are Not Alone” (Surviving An Abusive Relationship) from 2022-03-21T16:00:27

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 health issues. These stories aim to normalise con...

Doctor in the House: 2 Years After MCO 1.0, Are We Ready To Transition Into Endemicity? from 2022-03-18T16:00:53

Two years ago, on the 18th of March, Malaysia entered into its very first lockdown, what many colloquially termed MCO1.0. Two years later, in just two weeks, Malaysia will begin its “transition ...

Ask A Doctor: Having A Baby from 2022-03-17T16:00:36

In our monthly open clinic segment, fertility specialist Dr Sumithra Devi Valiapan joins us to answer questions about having a baby - from family planning to infertility treatment.

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Finding Ways To Cope With Social Anxiety from 2022-03-16T16:00:36

At one point or another, most of us would’ve felt some anxiety or discomfort in a social situation or perhaps even leading up to it. It could go away after some time, or maybe you find ways to m...

Mind Matters: Schools Should Nurture Good Mental Health from 2022-03-15T16:00:21

It’s back to school for the 2022 academic year next week. Students, parents and teachers are all eagerly - and anxiously - waiting to see what the new school year has in store. Meanwhile, mental...

Have Kids Become Hooked To Devices? from 2022-03-14T16:00:24

Many parents are alarmed that their kids' screen time has soared during the pandemic, with online gaming and social media taking the place of other childhood experiences in lockdown. Are there i...

Doctor in the House: Why Psychology Matters in a Pandemic from 2022-03-11T16:00:31

In 2019, mere months before a form of “viral pneumonia” was reported in Wuhan, China, a book titled ‘The Psychology of Pandemics’ was published. This remarkably prescient publication by Prof Dr ...

Public Health: Efforts to Tackle Chronic Kidney Disease Going to Waste? from 2022-03-10T16:00:40

Do Malaysians take kidney health seriously? Going by the rising incidence of chronic kidney disease over the past decades, it might not seem so. This World Kidney Day, we check in on how we’re m...

IWD 2022: Surviving The Mental Trauma of Abuse from 2022-03-09T16:00:06

One in three women worldwide experience some form of violence in their lives, and most of this is physical, sexual or emotional abuse, either from an intimate partner or a non-partner. Physical ...

International Women’s Day: Living For More Tomorrows from 2022-03-08T16:00:49

Breast cancer is a journey of discovery. At every stage of the disease, women discover their true strengths, reveal their resilience, and find hope for recovery. Meanwhile, new discoveries in th...

Brain Waves: Identifying Rare Disease Genes from 2022-03-07T16:00:20

While rare diseases are rare, there are around 10,000 different types of rare diseases and collectively this affects a large number of people. With more than 80% of these rare diseases having un...

Doctor in the House: Better Care For Obesity from 2022-03-04T16:00:15

With non-communicable diseases like heart disease and diabetes skyrocketing in Malaysia, are we adequately tackling obesity as a public health issue? Unfortunately, we don’t seem to be making an...

How Gynae Cancers Affect Women from 2022-03-03T16:00:13

When it comes to women’s health, much has been said about breast cancer, and less about another group of cancers which only affects women: gynaecological cancers. How do these cancers affect wom...

Ask A Psychologist #22: Fun from 2022-03-02T16:00:43

What’s your idea of fun? Why is fun important to our happiness and mental wellbeing? How do we rediscover fun in our lives after two harrowing years of the pandemic? Consultant Clinical Psycholo...

Rare Disease Day 2022: Young People Living With A Rare Disease (Part 2) from 2022-03-01T16:00:15

One person living with a rare disease may feel unseen and unheard, among the minority. But collectively, the voices from the community of people with rare diseases are significant, and can make ...

Rare Disease Day 2022: Young People Living With A Rare Disease (Part 1) from 2022-02-28T16:00:54

One person living with a rare disease may feel unseen and unheard, among the minority. But collectively, the voices from the community of people with rare diseases are significant, and can make ...

Doctor in the House: Urine Trouble from 2022-02-25T16:00:39

Urinary problems can be debilitating, but many people are too embarrassed to talk about it. Consultant urologist Dr George Lee joins us to answer common questions about urine, bladder, and kidne...

ADHD in Girls from 2022-02-24T16:00:19

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is one of the most commonly diagnosed behavioural disorders. However, boys are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls. Is this an anomal...

Mind the (Health) Gap #2: The Long Wait for Specialist Care from 2022-02-23T16:00:02

Have you had to wait weeks or months for an appointment with a specialist in the public healthcare system? Then probably have to wait hours on the day of your appointment as well? Long waiting t...

Because Feelings Matter #6: “Fred is Making Fire in My Head” (A Story of Schizoaffective Disorder) from 2022-02-22T16:00:50

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 health issues. These stories aim to normalise con...

SPM Looms After Delays and Disruptions from 2022-02-21T16:00:46

SPM and STPM students for the 2021 academic year will be sitting for their examinations in March, after two years of delays, disruptions, and anxiety. How have students’ mental health been affec...

Doctor in the House: Malaysia’s Omicron Wave and What We Can Learn From South Africa from 2022-02-18T16:00:34

The year 2022 seems set to be dominated by Omicron, which was first identified by scientists in South Africa late last year. With Malaysia in the midst ...

How Does Severe COVID-19 Affect Kids? from 2022-02-17T16:00:06

Having a kid fall ill and be hospitalised is a parent’s worst nightmare, especially now that we are hearing of more cases of children with COVID-19 deve...

Ask A Doctor: All About Periods from 2022-02-16T16:00

Our monthly open clinic segment is back, and this month, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Tang Boon Nee joins us to talk all about periods a...

Mind Matters: Smoking Isn’t A Habit, It’s An Addiction from 2022-02-15T16:00:02

If you’re a smoker, there’s a strong chance you puffed on your first stick at the age of 18 or even younger. According to the US Centers for Disease Con...

How Relationships Fared In The Pandemic from 2022-02-14T16:00:01

What do couples in lockdown, and those who were separated during the last two years, have in common? They’ve all been affected in some way by the pandem...

Doctor in the House: Dealing with a Backlog of 50,000 Non-COVID Procedures from 2022-02-11T16:00:55

After two years of a continuous battle against COVID-19, the Ministry of Health now finds itself with a backlog of more than 50,000 non-COVID procedures...

Healthy Ageing: Convincing Senior Citizens to Get Boosted from 2022-02-10T16:00:33

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin recently said that more than a million of senior citizens aged 60 and above have not gotten their COVID-19 booster. Wi...

Public Health: Is The Endgame In Sight for Dengue? from 2022-02-09T16:00:52

In 2021, Malaysia recorded the lowest number of dengue cases since the last decade. It’s been a hard-won victory, with dengue proving stubbornly persist...

Rethinking Recovery and Healing from 2022-02-08T16:00:22

“Every illness is unique, which means that all recoveries must also be, in some sense, unique. There is no one-size-fits-all to getting better,” wrote a...

How Lung Cancer Treatment Has Changed from 2022-02-07T16:00:25

For too long, lung cancer has been burdened by its reputation of poor survival and outcomes for patients. But treatment of lung cancer has come a long w...

Doctor in the House: What’s Next For Cancer Research Malaysia in 2022 from 2022-02-04T16:00:49

This World Cancer Day marks the start of a new 3-year campaign under the theme “Close the Care Gap”, and to realise where the problem lies in the inequi...

Mind the (Health) Gap #1: Primary Care As the “First Line of Defence” from 2022-01-31T16:00:33

Malaysia’s healthcare system has been ranked as among the best in the world, but a great healthcare system means nothing if people can’t access healthca...

Doctor in the House: Can Festive Eating Be Healthy? from 2022-01-28T16:00:52

Chinese New Year is around the corner, and the onslaught of festive goodies has begun. Following the previous year of muted celebrations, are we in for ...

Should Children Set New Year’s Resolutions? from 2022-01-27T16:00:12

The pandemic has robbed people of any sense of control over their lives. Even children are struggling to cope with the uncertainties when it comes to th...

Be Fit Malaysians: What Being Fit Really Means from 2022-01-26T16:00:23

New year, new me, new fitness goals. It is that time of the year when many people are resetting their fitness goals and pledging to eat healthier or wor...

Because Feelings Matter #5: Bipolar Doesn’t Define Me from 2022-01-25T16:00:46

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 health ...

Mind Matters: Anxious Children, Stressed Parents from 2022-01-24T16:00:06

According to Oxford University Press, Listen

Doctor in the House: COVID-19 Jabs for 5-11 Year-Olds from 2022-01-21T16:00:29

Parents can now register their kids aged 5-11 on MySejahtera for the COVID-19 vaccination, which will be rolled out in February. But many parents are wo...

Why So Sudden: Heart & Time from 2022-01-20T16:00:21

Any death is devastating - more so an unexpected death that robs people of their loved ones without any warning. Sudden cardiac death accounts for a lar...

Thalassaemia: Is There A Solution for Couples Who Want Children? from 2022-01-19T16:00:47

For a long time, couples who carried the thalassaemia gene - either in one or both parents - had few options when it came to starting a family, and thes...

Pregnancy and Depression from 2022-01-17T16:00:11

For an expecting mother, the 40 weeks of pregnancy, impending childbirth, and motherhood is a journey full of unknowns. Pregnancy and childbirth can be ...

Doctor in the House: Putting The COVID-19 Testing Strategy To Use from 2022-01-14T16:00:22

The National COVID-19 Testing Strategy was launched late last year to help the country transition  to living with COVID-19 as an endemic disease. T...

Pancreatic Cancer: Value of the Endoscopic Ultrasound from 2022-01-13T16:00:45

Pancreatic cancer is rare, but it is an aggressive cancer that usually leads to poor outcomes. One of the biggest challenges is diagnosing the cancer ea...

Public Health: Smoking Cessation Up in Smoke? from 2022-01-12T16:00:56

Despite decades of public health education on the dangers of smoking, an estimated 21% of Malaysians today - that’s 1 in 5 people - still smoke. On top ...

Preventing Cervical Cancer from 2022-01-11T16:00:26

Cervical cancer is the 2nd most frequent cancer among women aged 15-44. This tells us that the disease hits women when they are young and in the most vi...

Brain Waves: Can A DNA Test Help Improve My Life? from 2022-01-10T16:00:04

Scrolling on your social media feed, you come across a sponsored post offering a DNA test that can help you identify your health risks, target your alle...

Doctor in the House: What Omicron Means for the Pandemic in 2022 from 2022-01-07T16:00:19

2021 was a rollercoaster year. When vaccines began rolling out worldwide, many thought that it meant the beginning of the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. ...

When Trouble Conceiving Affects Your Mental Health from 2022-01-06T16:00:23

For couples trying to have a baby, there is nothing more joyful than news of a pregnancy. But for couples who have tried repeatedly for a year or more, ...

Ask A Psychologist #21: Friendships from 2022-01-05T16:00:24

We return with our monthly mental health clinic to address your concerns regarding mental, emotional and psychosocial issues. Consultant clinical psycho...

Working with People Living with HIV in Terengganu from 2022-01-04T16:00:31

Despite years of progress, people living with HIV in Malaysia continue to be stigmatised by society, making it difficult for many to continue receiving ...

When Kids Get Arthritis from 2022-01-03T16:00:07

When we say “arthritis”, the image of an older person comes to mind. But kids also live with arthritis, and it is the leading cause of acquired disabili...

The Year That Was #4: On The Ground (Part 2 - Vaccinations) from 2021-12-27T16:35:50

COVID-19 ravaged the country in 2021, but the tide eventually turned when the effects of the nationwide vaccination programme kicked in. This has been n...

The Year That Was #4: On The Ground (Part 1 - The CAC) from 2021-12-27T16:00

One of the most enduring images of 2021 was the sight of thousands of people crowding the COVID-19 Assessment Centres during the pandemic’s third wave i...

Aftermath of the Floods: Mental Health and Medications from 2021-12-22T16:15:41

In light of the floods that devastated states across the Peninsula over the weekend, we look at how to provide psychological first aid after a disaster,...

Preventing Health Risks from the Floods from 2021-12-22T16:00:13

The unprecedented floods that hit many states in Peninsula Malaysia over the weekend have raised concerns about health risks faced by people who have be...

The Year That Was #3: Parenting from 2021-12-20T16:00:28

Arguably, parents and children faced the biggest challenges in the second year of the pandemic, where we saw continued school closures, a spike in the n...

Doctor in the House: Can Medical Insurance Remain Affordable? from 2021-12-17T16:00:02

If you own a medical insurance policy, you probably dread receiving that letter every few years, informing you that your premiums are increasing. To und...

Ask A Doctor: Hearing from 2021-12-16T16:00:30

This month’s open clinic segment features audiologist Ngiow Jen Sen to answer all your questions about hearing and its related problems.

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Brain Waves: Lack of Sleep is Bad for Preteens’ Brains from 2021-12-15T16:00:57

These days, everyone struggles to get enough sleep, including young children and teenagers. But at the crucial stages of early adolescence, how does the...

Protecting The Immunocompromised In The Pandemic from 2021-12-14T16:00:41

People who have diseases or treatments that suppress their immune system have been living in fear during this pandemic. Not only are they more vulnerabl...

The Year That Was #2: Frontliners from 2021-12-13T16:00:01

Nobody had it tougher during this pandemic than healthcare workers, especially this past year, which saw the country battling a massive wave of infectio...

Doctor in the House: Men or Women - Who Bears the Responsibility for Family Planning? from 2021-12-10T16:00:45

It was recently reported that a Malaysian gynaecologist had created the “world’s first unisex condom”, which would make what is traditionally a male con...

Why More Fully Vaccinated People Are Dying From COVID Than The Unvaccinated from 2021-12-09T16:30:12

Based on recent data updated on COVIDNow, we are seeing more fully vaccinated people than unvaccinated people dying from COVID-19 in the daily reported ...

Saving The Sight of Seniors from 2021-12-09T16:00:12

Ageing of the eye is normal for older adults, but this doesn’t mean that vision loss and blindness is a normal part of ageing. You can save your sight i...

Public Health: Do We Have A Drinking Problem in Malaysia? from 2021-12-08T16:00

The issue of alcohol has hit the headlines in Malaysia in recent weeks, but not...

Back Pains? Australopithecus May Have The Answers from 2021-12-07T16:00

Recently, anthropologists studying the remains of a female Austral...

The Year That Was #1: Working From Home from 2021-12-06T16:00

2021 was a far cry from the “return to normal” that some of us expected at the end of last year. Instead, movement restrictions were reimposed and we co...

The Omicron Variant: Are We Overreacting or Being Cautious? from 2021-12-02T16:00

The Omicron variant, the latest variant of concern listed by the World Health O...

World AIDS Day 2021 - Will We Finally Have a Vaccine and a Cure? from 2021-12-01T16:00

Despite being first isolated and identified back in 1983, HIV - the virus that causes AIDS, has no vaccine or cure till today, although there is treatme...

H&L Webinar 2021 #8: Are Kids Today Struggling to Learn? from 2021-12-01T13:30