Proposed EPF health insurance scheme will be voluntary

The government's proposed health insurance scheme, to be funded through Account 2 of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), will be voluntary and not mandatory, said Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad.
He said the initiative aims to offer EPF contributors the option of broader insurance coverage, as currently, 32 percent of healthcare costs are paid out-of-pocket by patients without insurance protection.

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• The Star

Germ Buster Challenge makes hygiene lessons fun for Sabah schoolkids

KOTA KINABALU: To tackle recurring cases of food poisoning in schools, the Sabah Health Department has launched an innovative programme aimed at educating pupils about food safety and hygiene through fun and games. The Germ Buster Challenge 2025 at SK Tanjung Batu Keramat in Tawau last weekend brought together 361 students and 28 teachers from 11 primary schools across the district. Organised by the Health Department's Food Safety and Quality Division, in collaboration with the Tawau district Health and Education offices, the programme featured activities that reinforced the importance of food safety, particularly in school settings. 'Food poisoning in schools is often caused by a mix of factors, from poor hygiene among food handlers to unclean premises and unsafe food storage," said state deputy Health director Sitti Aralas, who launched the programme. "But it also comes down to awareness. 'Through this challenge, we aim to instil basic food safety habits in children from a young age in a fun and memorable way." Two core components of the event were a food safety and hygiene talk and Explorace, an interactive event with challenges linked to hygiene and food safety. The Explorace saw SK Tanjung Batu Keramat emerge as overall champion, followed by SK Jambatan Putih in second place and SK Holy Trinity in third. Sitti said the event highlighted not the need for clean food handling in school canteens and vendors, as well as the importance of encouraging children to practise 'look, smell and taste' before consuming food. 'This is about empowering students with knowledge that can help them stay healthy and even potentially save lives. Good hygiene habits start young,' Sitti added. The organisers intend to help curb food-borne illnesses and promote a culture of cleanliness and awareness in school communities through such proactive education programmes.

Daily Express

27 minutes ago

• Daily Express

Fresh approaches needed to reignite interest in medicine, says expert

Published on: Friday, June 20, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 20, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Once regarded the pinnacle of academic achievement, pursuing a career in medicine is now seen as a long, demanding and rigid path. Kuala Lumpur: There was a time when becoming a doctor was seen as one of the most prestigious career paths; when local universities could no longer cope with the surge in applications for medical studies. Many parents were once willing to spend large sums to send their children abroad to study medicine after failing to secure places in local universities. Times, however, have changed, and the field is now increasingly being overlooked. Advertisement Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad recently urged straight-A SPM students to consider pursuing medicine at the university level. He also expressed concern over students' declining interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields, warning that it could have long-term implications for the country's medical sector. This decline in interest is acknowledged by Dr Norsham Juliana Nordin from Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, who notes that today's youths are more informed and career-conscious, having grown up in a vastly different environment from that of previous generations. 'They are more critical when evaluating career choices, often prioritising work-life balance. While medicine was once regarded as the pinnacle of academic achievement, it is now seen as a long, demanding and rigid path,' she told Bernama. 'This especially when compared to emerging fields like technology, entrepreneurship, data science, or artificial intelligence.' Advertisement Further discouraging high-achieving students from a career in medicine are the social media narratives that highlight hardships, long working hours, and perceived lack of fair compensation. 'This trend reflects society's growing tendency to prioritise income over impact. Today, students who aspire to become doctors are often discouraged by the perceived academic burden and the significant personal sacrifices involved,' Norsham added. She pointed out that ongoing issues within the national healthcare system – such as unstable contract positions, excessive workloads, and toxic work cultures, including bullying or high-pressure environments with minimal support – have become red flags for young people. At the same time, social media glamourises other careers as being more flexible, expressive, and less stressful. Norsham also believes the declining appeal of medicine is partly due to how the profession is treated as 'guilty until proven innocent' when it comes to patient care. Every medical decision carries inherent risk, and as such, 'every action taken to save a patient, no matter how small, invites scrutiny and accountability', she said. Restoring true purpose To reignite interest in the profession, Norsham suggests regularly reminding both practitioners and medical students of its true value: the nobility of saving lives. She believes a more holistic approach is needed, starting with restoring joy to the learning process. 'The younger generation is not afraid of sacrifice – they just want that sacrifice to be valued and supported by a fair system. Now is the time for all stakeholders, especially experts and influential medical figures, to step forward and lead the change.' Norsham also stressed the importance of nurturing interest in medicine from secondary school, giving students early exposure to the profession. 'If they see that being a doctor isn't a burden but a meaningful life path, they'll choose it willingly. But this requires collective readiness to shape a more appealing and competitive career path in medicine, so we can present a more convincing narrative to students.' Relatedly, she believes medical curriculums today can be both fun and innovative without compromising the integrity of the field. 'Creative learning methods like simulations, virtual reality, gamification, and story- or visual-based teaching not only strengthen comprehension but also foster positive emotion, which is vital for sustaining student interest,' she said. 'Let's restore the core strength of this profession: the healing spirit. Today, we must first 'heal the young healers' by restoring their mental health, motivation, and work environment.'

The Star

an hour ago

• The Star

UMS camp stirs rural students' interest in AI healthcare applications

KOTA KINABALU: A recent Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) event brought science and technology education to rural students in a fun, inspiring way. Over 120 students from 12 secondary schools in the Kudat district took part in the two-day Science and Art Camp: Future Doctor in Tech, a hackathon-style event designed to spark interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and artificial intelligence (AI), especially in healthcare. Organised by UMS' One Health Student Club (OHSC) in collaboration with the U-Science Centre, the National Science Centre, and the Kudat district Education Office, the camp received support from Unesco and the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry. 'We used a hackathon concept to introduce students to AI in healthcare through hands-on activities and group mentoring. 'The goal is not just to give them knowledge, but the confidence and curiosity to explore STEM careers, especially medicine,' said OHSC adviser Dr Zulkhairul Naim Sidek Ahmad. Hackathons are collaborative events where participants work intensely on projects over a short period. For this camp, the students engaged in team-based projects mentored by professionals, culminating in interactive presentations. They also learned how technology is shaping the future of healthcare. At the closing ceremony, UMS Medicine and Health Sciences Faculty deputy dean Dr Mohammad Firdaus Bolong said the programme aimed to ensure that 'no child, no matter where they are, is left behind in the science and technology wave.' 'STEM education is not just about knowledge, but about building critical, creative and innovative thinking. We must reach out to rural communities and equip them to be part of our nation's future,' he said. "We learned so many new things, especially how technology can help in healthcare," said camp participant Vivilleahlyn Majiman, from SMK Pinawantai. "It's opened my eyes to a whole new world – being a doctor sounds so futuristic now." The programme is seen as an example of how inclusive, creative learning can help bridge the education gap between urban and rural students, while igniting their dreams and potential. Also present were Kudat deputy Education officer Amiluddin Majuki and guest speaker Dr Aimi Shazwani Ghazali from the International Islamic University Malaysia.