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Sinar Daily
14-06-2025
- Health
- Sinar Daily
Parents urged to seek early mental health support for children
Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta director Dr Ian Lloyd Anthony said early intervention can make a significant difference, as young minds are more adaptable and responsive to therapy. 01 Jun 2025 01:00pm Hospital Bahagia, one of Malaysia's main psychiatric institutions, has seen a steady increase in mental health cases involving children and teenagers since the pandemic. - 123RF photo IPOH - Parents should seek early mental health support for their children to prevent long-term emotional and developmental issues, especially amid a rise in post-pandemic psychological challenges. Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta director Dr Ian Lloyd Anthony said early intervention can make a significant difference, as young minds are more adaptable and responsive to therapy. "Many parents hesitate because of stigma or fear of what others might say, but delaying help only makes matters worse,' he told reporters at the Malaysian Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Psychiatry Conference (M-CHAMP) 2025 here recently. Hospital Bahagia, one of Malaysia's main psychiatric institutions, has seen a steady increase in mental health cases involving children and teenagers since the pandemic. Dr Ian said while some young patients present with conditions such as autism or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), others struggle with stress and emotional difficulties linked to academic pressure or family problems. "The key is to identify signs early such as changes in behaviour, sudden withdrawal or difficulty coping at school,' he said. He added that no referral letter is needed to seek treatment at Hospital Bahagia, which accepts walk-in patients and is staffed by a team of specialists and medical officers. The facility also works closely with schools and receives referrals from teachers who observe behavioural changes in students. Additional child and adolescent psychiatric services are also available at Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh and Taiping Hospital. Dr Ian also warned that increased screen time and social media use are emerging as significant factors in declining mental wellbeing among children and teens. "When we were growing up, we didn't have this level of digital exposure. Today's children face constant pressure to keep up online, which can undermine their self-esteem and resilience,' he said, urging parents to monitor their children's device usage closely. Meanwhile, Perak Human Resource, Health, Indian Community Affairs and National Integration Committee chairman A. Sivanesan, who officiated the conference, said it was timely given the rise in youth mental health issues. He cited findings from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023, which revealed that 16.5 per cent of children aged five to 15 in Malaysia were experiencing mental health problems, nearly double the rate reported in 2019. The three-day conference themed 'Mind in Bloom: Enhancing Child and Adolescent Wellbeing', is being held at Casuarina Meru and gathers experts nationwide to discuss best practices and strategies for early intervention and community-based support. - BERNAMA More Like This
The Sun
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Chithirai Pournami draws 20,000; vendor booth rental reduced
TELUK INTAN: The Perak government has offered a RM400 reduction in business site rental fees to vendors during the Chithirai Pournami festival held in Teluk Intan. State Human Resources, Health, Indian Community Affairs and National Integration Committee chairman A. Sivanesa said that a total of 114 booths have been provided by the Teluk Intan Municipal Council (MPTI) with a rental fee of RM2,500 for the 10 days of business activities during the celebration period, which runs from May 9 to 18. 'If last year, the MPTI charged a rental rate of RM2,900 throughout Chithirai Pournami festival and received complaints from traders who claimed the rate was too high, then this year the state government decided to provide a reduction of RM400 in rental rates. 'The Chithirai Pournami festival is a celebration that has been held for three days since yesterday on a grand scale in Teluk Intan because it is the most popular festival. The MPTI and other stakeholders made thorough and appropriate preparations so that Hindu devotees could celebrate it without any issues,' he said. Sivanesan said this when met by reporters while surveying the Chithirai Pournami celebration around the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple on Jalan Bandar here today. There was excitement in the air as about 20,000 Hindu devotees flooded the 150-year-old temple since 4 am today to fulfill their vows, starting with the 'paal koodam' ceremony or carrying pots containing milk, followed by prayer rituals, carrying kavadis and breaking of coconuts. Chithirai Pournami refers to the full moon that falls in the first month of the Tamil calendar known as Chithirai, and it is one of the important festivals for Hindus in Malaysia. According to Hindu religious beliefs, the yearly celebration is held to commemorate the birth of Chitragupta, the divine keeper of deeds, who was born during a full moon.
New Straits Times
06-05-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Tomyam fried rice blamed for food poisoning of 43 students
TELUK INTAN: Tomyam fried rice is suspected to be the cause of a food poisoning incident involving 43 students from Sekolah Menengah San Min on Jalan Sungai Nibong here last month. Perak Human Resources, Health, Indian Community Affairs and National Integration Committee chairman A. Sivanesan said the infection source was believed to be food prepared by the school canteen on April 21. He said the food poisoning case was first detected when two students showed symptoms on April 22, followed by an official notification to the Hilir Perak District Health Office (PKD) two days later. "All affected students, aged between 13 and 18, experienced symptoms such as stomach pain, diarrhoea, vomiting and fever. They received outpatient treatment and are in stable condition. "Two clinical samples tested positive for norovirus and sapovirus infections. The PKD is conducting further investigations to determine the exact source of the infections and any contributing factors," he told a press conference after visiting the school today. Sivanesan said the PKD's hygiene inspection of the school's canteen found the cleanliness level unsatisfactory. He said a four-day closure order was issued under Section 18(1)(f) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 [Act 342], effective immediately. "The canteen operator has taken corrective actions as instructed, and after a re-evaluation, the premises were allowed to resume operations," he said. Sivanesan said the Perak Health Department would continue to monitor the situation and work with all relevant parties to ensure that students' health and food safety were consistently safeguarded. –Bernama
The Sun
06-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Tomyam fried rice cause of 43 students food poisoning
TELUK INTAN: Tomyam fried rice is suspected to be the cause of a food poisoning incident involving 43 students from Sekolah Menengah San Min on Jalan Sungai Nibong here last month. Perak Human Resources, Health, Indian Community Affairs and National Integration Committee chairman, A. Sivanesan, said the infection source is believed to be food prepared by the school canteen on April 21. He said the food poisoning case was first detected when two students showed symptoms on April 22, followed by an official notification to the Hilir Perak District Health Office (PKD) two days later. 'All affected students, aged between 13 and 18, experienced symptoms such as stomach pain, diarrhoea, vomiting and fever. They received outpatient treatment and are in stable condition. 'Two clinical samples tested positive for norovirus and sapovirus infections. The PKD is conducting further investigations to determine the exact source of the infections and any contributing factors,' he told a press conference after visiting the school today. Sivanesan said the PKD's hygiene inspection of the school's canteen found the cleanliness level unsatisfactory. He said a four-day closure order was issued under Section 18(1)(f) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 [Act 342], effective immediately. 'The canteen operator has taken corrective actions as instructed, and after a re-evaluation, the premises were allowed to resume operations,' he said. Sivanesan said the Perak Health Department will continue to monitor the situation and work with all relevant parties to ensure that students' health and food safety are consistently safeguarded.
Malay Mail
28-04-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
Perak records 974 workplace accident cases in 2024, says state exco
IPOH, April 28 — The Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) of Perak says that a total of 974 workplace accident cases were recorded throughout 2024. State Human Resource, Health, Indian Community Affairs and National Integration Committee chairman A. Sivanesan said that of the total, 915 cases involved temporary disability, 29 permanent disability, 27 dangerous incidents and 15 fatalities. 'As of March this year, a total of 296 workplace accident cases have been reported to the Perak DOSH, with 283 cases being temporary disability, six dangerous incidents, three permanent disability and four fatalities,' he said. He said this at a media conference after launching the state-level 20205 World Day for Safety and Health at Work and Systematic Occupational Health Enhancement Level Programme (SOHELP) engagement session at a leading hotel here today. Sivanesan said that in the segment of diseases and poisoning, a total of 458 cases were reported in the whole of last year, with hearing loss being the highest recorded involving the manufacturing sector. 'Up to March this year, a total of 158 occupational disease cases have been reported. This shows that there is still much room for improvement that needs to be implemented comprehensively and consistently,' he said. In addition, he added that 25 workplace accident cases had been subjected to legal action in court, with a total fine of RM324,400. He said that the action taken proves that DOSH is always committed to ensuring compliance with laws and regulations at all levels of the industry. In another development, he said that 10,460 individuals among the elderly in the state had completed receiving the influenza vaccine as of April 24. He added that anyone aged 60 years and above who has not received the vaccination can make an appointment through the MySejahtera application. 'For those who do not fall within the criteria eligible for influenza immunisation under this programme, they can get it at private clinics or private hospitals,' he said. — Bernama
