Latest news with #JohorHealthandEnvironmentCommittee
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Less waiting, better care: Johor MB's mission at Sultanah Aminah Hospital
Johor Baru: Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi visited Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA) to oversee the progress of several key initiatives aimed at improving healthcare services, reducing patient congestion, cutting down waiting times, and enhancing overall efficiency. Among the central features of the visit was a review of Klinik Wakaf An-Nur, a community-based outpatient clinic now operating five days a week for non-critical cases. The clinic provides an alternative for patients seeking treatment for minor ailments, helping ease pressure on HSA's Emergency Department, particularly during peak hours. "I have directed an increase in the number of doctors to expand treatment capacity and reduce patient waiting times," Onn Hafiz said in his Facebook post yesterday. Onn Hafiz, a hands-on leader, has a strong penchant for visiting government service providers and listening to public concerns as part of his commitment to addressing social issues in local communities. Onn Hafiz said that, together with Johor Health and Environment Committee Chairman Ling Tian Soon, he visited the hospital to review the progress of key initiatives aimed at enhancing patient comfort and healthcare services. In line with the state's digitization efforts, HSA will soon implement a Smart Queue System (SQS) in July, which allows patients to check appointments and obtain queue numbers online, he said. The system only requires patients to arrive 30 minutes before their scheduled time, a major improvement over long, early-morning queues that have been the norm. "This is a major step forward in modernising our public healthcare system," said Onn Hafiz. "The SQS will not only streamline patient flow but also improve transparency and minimize overcrowding in hospital waiting areas." Onn Hafiz also inspected infrastructure upgrades, including improvements to HSA's main power supply and electrical systems, which are critical to ensuring uninterrupted healthcare operations. He said that Ward West 5 will soon be reopened, with thanks extended to NGOs and donors who contributed beds and mattresses to support the ward's reactivation. "I am aware and deeply mindful that many people of Johor are still waiting for better, faster, and more compassionate healthcare services," Onn Hafiz said. With surging medical and healthcare costs, many Malaysians are turning to public hospitals, which offer quality services at a fraction of the cost of private hospitals. However, this has led to congestion and long queues. Public healthcare also faces shortages of qualified medical professionals.
The Star
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Human-wildlife conflict cases surging in Malaysia, says Nik Nazmi
ISKANDAR PUTERI: Over 66,000 human-wildlife conflict incidents have been reported in the past four years, involving monkeys, wild boars, and elephants, says Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad. The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister said these incidents, reported from 2020 to 2024, resulted in RM46.5mil in losses. "There has been a significant increase in cases, totalling 66,825 reports involving monkeys, elephants, wild boars, tigers, and tapirs. "In Johor alone, 7,996 complaints were received, with losses amounting to RM6.88mil," he said during the launch of the Johor Human-Elephant Special Taskforce at Kota Iskandar on Tuesday (May 20). He said that human-elephant conflicts are pressing issues as they often involve lives and properties. "This is a focus in Johor, which is why the state formed the taskforce to tackle the matter," he said. Nik Nazmi added that at the federal level, his ministry's efforts include monitoring elephant movements with satellite collars and installing electric fences in villages and traditional farming areas near elephant habitats. He also said the federal government has allocated RM10mil to support those affected by human-wildlife conflicts. During the event, also attended by Johor Health and Environment Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon, Nik Nazmi engaged in a dialogue with stakeholders' representatives. Issues raised included longstanding elephant conflicts affecting farmers in areas like Kota Tinggi and Kluang.
New Straits Times
29-04-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Johor records alarming rise in HFMD cases in one week
JOHOR BARU: Johor has recorded an alarming 20.5 per cent surge in hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases in just one week. Johor Health and Environment Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said 1,441 cases were recorded in the 17th epidemiology (epid) week this year, compared with only 1,196 cases the week before. Since the beginning of the year, the number of infections in the state had surpassed warning levels, exceeding the total cases recorded in both 2023 and last year, he said. "Up to now, the Tangkak, Kota Tinggi and Pontian districts have reported the highest number of HFMD cases in Johor. "The majority of HFMD cases occurred among children under 6 with 8,085 cases (83.5 per cent), followed by children aged 7 to 12 with 1,512 cases (15.6 per cent), and the rest were aged 13 and above. "On epid week 17, there were 14 clusters of HFMD recorded, making the cumulative total of 74 clusters reported in all state districts. "The reported clusters involved 24 tabika, 19 preschools, 17 childcare centres (taska), 12 kindergartens, one primary school and one house," he said in a statement here today. The Yong Peng assemblyman also said prevention efforts comprising premises disinfection, health education and monitoring efforts were being carried out. He added that two warning circulars had been issued on March 11 by the state Health Department to all hospital directors, medical officers, childcare centre operators, teachers, kindergartens, preschools and playground operators in the state. "Given that a significant portion of transmissions is occurring at childcare and educational centres, the state Health Department is urging all operators to implement precautionary measures to curb the spread of infections. "These measures include strict personal hygiene and infection control practices, such as washing hands with soap and clean water after using the toilet, before food preparation, and after changing diapers or cleaning up young children. "Always maintain cleanliness whether at home, childcare centres, kindergartens and schools, in addition to regularly washing all toys and table surfaces, chairs and floors at least twice a day," he said. Students exhibiting symptoms should be isolated immediately while awaiting collection by their parents or guardians, or until medical treatment is sought, he said. Any cases of infectious diseases, especially HFMD, should be reported to the nearest district health office immediately.
New Straits Times
26-04-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Surge in HFMD cases forces temporary closure of SK Felda Kahang Barat
KLUANG: SK Felda Kahang Barat has suspended operations following a surge in Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) cases among its pupils. The primary school, located in Felda Kahang Barat, ceased activities as a precautionary measure to allow for thorough disinfection. A decision on whether the school will reopen is expected by Sunday (April 27), with a possible reopening scheduled for Monday, pending further evaluation. Johor Health and Environment Committee chairman, Ling Tian Soon, confirmed that district health authorities are currently reviewing the situation. He added that, as of now, there have been no official directives from the Ministry of Health regarding a prolonged closure. "The Health Department is assessing the situation, and we are closely monitoring the number of cases," said Ling. "At this point, the school is temporarily closed for thorough disinfection, and we will make a final decision tomorrow," he told the New Straits Times when contacted. "The investigation into the outbreak is ongoing, and we are working to identify the source and other details," he added. Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Johor State Education Department also confirmed the closure, citing a rise in HFMD cases among the pupils. Earlier, an image of a printed notice with the school in the background was circulated in WhatsApp groups. Johor has seen a sharp rise in HFMD cases since the beginning of the year, surpassing the alert threshold. As of Epidemiological Week 16/2025, there were 1,196 reported cases, an increase of 41.9 per cent from 843 cases recorded in Week 15/2025. Johor Baru recorded the highest number of cases, with 370, followed by Batu Pahat (216), Kluang (142), and Muar (111). However, Tangkak, Kota Tinggi, and Pontian reported the highest incidence rates. The majority of HFMD cases involved children aged six years and below, accounting for 85.7 per cent, or 6,971 cases. Ling said six new clusters had been reported, bringing the total to 60 clusters across all districts, including 22 in kindergartens and 15 in daycare centres. HFMD, a viral illness typically affecting children under the age of five, is characterised by fever, sores in the mouth, and a rash on the hands and feet. The disease is highly contagious, prompting authorities to take preventive measures such as school closures and thorough sanitisation.
