Latest news with #MOH
The Star
12 hours ago
- Health
- The Star
S'poreans can test for genetic condition causing high cholesterol levels under new programme
The new genetic testing programme for familial hypercholesterolaemia comes amid broader efforts to enhance preventive care in Singapore. - AFP SINGAPORE: Eligible Singapore residents will be able to screen for a genetic condition which causes high cholesterol levels at a subsidised rate as part of a nationwide programme launching on June 30. In a statement on June 19, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said that the new genetic testing programme for familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) comes amid broader efforts to enhance preventive care in Singapore. The initiative aims to identify individuals with FH early and reduce the risk of premature heart disease with timely interventions. FH is a hereditary condition that impacts the body's ability to process cholesterol, affecting roughly 20,000 people in Singapore. People with the condition are up to 20 times more likely to experience heart attacks at a younger age compared with the general population. In a Facebook post on June 19, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said that the Government is looking to expand preventive care based on genetic testing to more diseases beyond FH. 'It is part of our longer term effort to develop predictive preventive care under Healthier SG,' he said. As part of this effort, the ministry aims to open three genomic assessment centres (GACs) to ensure effective, efficient and sustainable delivery of genetic testing services within each healthcare cluster. Genetics testing for FH at these centres will be subsidised for eligible Singapore citizens and permanent residents (PRs). They can also tap on MediSave to offset the cost. Those referred to GACs will undergo: Pre-test genetic counselling to understand potential outcomes and benefits before consenting to the test Blood drawing and the genetic test Post-test genetic counselling, to understand the implications of the results The first GAC will be operated by SingHealth and located at the National Heart Centre. It will start accepting referrals from June 30. This centre will serve all Singapore residents until additional centres open. GACs operated by National Healthcare Group and National University Health System will subsequently open to cater to residents' needs. Immediate family members of those found with the condition are at risk and encouraged to undergo genetic testing, MOH said. Known as cascade screening, this process enables early detection of FH within families. It also allows for more timely intervention and treatment, such as advising them to adopt healthier lifestyles or starting on cholesterol-lowering therapies. Under the programme, Singapore citizens and PRs with abnormally high cholesterol levels may be referred by their doctors for genetic testing. Eligible Singaporeans and PRs can receive subsidies of up to 70 per cent for the costs, which include the genetic tests, pre-test and post-test counselling, and phlebotomy services. Seniors from the Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation are also eligible for additional subsidies. After subsidies, referred patients can expect to pay between US$117 (US$91.06) and US$575. Those eligible for cascade screening can expect to pay between US$53 and US$253 after subsidies. The MediSave500 and MediSave700 scheme can be used to further offset the cost of the genetic test after subsidies. Patients who are 60 years old and above may also use Flexi-MediSave to further defray out-of-pocket costs. Under a moratorium on genetic testing and insurance introduced by MOH and the Life Insurance Association Singapore (LIA) in 2021, life insurers here are banned from using predictive genetic test results in assessing the outcome of insurance applications, unless certain criteria are satisfied. Insurers are also not allowed to use genetic test results from biomedical research or direct-to-consumer genetic test results. MOH said it has worked with the LIA to amend the moratorium to disallow life insurers in Singapore to use the results of all genetic tests conducted under the national FH genetic testing programme. They may, however, continue to request for individuals to disclose existing diagnosed conditions and family history. The amended moratorium will take effect from June 30. - The Straits Times/ANN
Sinar Daily
13 hours ago
- Health
- Sinar Daily
Malaysia reports first Covid-19 death in 2025
Covid-19 cases rose to 3,379 during ME24, up from 2,011 cases the previous week. 20 Jun 2025 08:35am The Health Ministry urges continued vigilance and adherence to vaccination schedules to keep the situation under control. - Bernama file photo PUTRAJAYA - Malaysia recorded its first Covid-19-related death of the year during Epidemiological Week 24 (ME24), according to the Health Ministry (MOH). The fatality involved a patient with serious comorbidities, including heart disease and diabetes, who had not received a second booster dose. The Health Ministry urges continued vigilance and adherence to vaccination schedules to keep the situation under control. - 123RF photo "This marks a significant decline compared to 57 Covid-19 deaths reported in 2024, with the last fatality recorded on May 26 last year,' it said in a statement yesterday. The decline, it added, reflects the effectiveness of ongoing control measures. However, Covid-19 cases rose to 3,379 during ME24, up from 2,011 cases the previous week. Despite the increase, the national situation remains under control and below the alert threshold, due to ongoing surveillance and public health interventions. To date, a total of 21,738 cases have been reported this year, with the weekly average holding steady at around 900. Six patients were admitted to intensive care during ME24, all with underlying health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and Down syndrome. All received intensive care, with four discharged home and two transferred to general wards. MOH continues to encourage all Malaysians, from unborn babies to the elderly, to stay protected by following appropriate vaccination schedules under the National Immunisation Programme. - BERNAMA
Daily Express
14 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Express
Special meeting to address problematic projects: Ministry of Health Malaysia
Published on: Friday, June 20, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 20, 2025 By: Garry Lewis Text Size: Lukanisman said the meeting is expected to review the current status of abandoned or delayed projects, as well as to formulate solutions to ensure their implementation can proceed in the interest of the people. - Bernama pic TAMBUNAN: The Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) will hold a special meeting to discuss about problematic or delayed projects involving healthcare facilities across the country. Deputy Health Minister, Datuk Lukanisman Awang, said the meeting is expected to review the current status of abandoned or delayed projects, as well as to formulate solutions to ensure their implementation can proceed in the interest of the people. Advertisement 'We want every planned project to be completed and to benefit the community, especially rural residents who urgently need access to quality healthcare facilities,' he said, after officiating the new building of the Sunsuron Health Clinic, here. According to him, the Ministry of Health (MOH) remains committed to ensuring that every planned healthcare facility provides comprehensive benefits and contributes to improving the overall health of the community. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Sun
a day ago
- Health
- The Sun
Malaysia reports first COVID-19 death in 2025
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia recorded its first COVID-19-related death of the year during Epidemiological Week 24 (ME24), according to the Health Ministry (MOH). The fatality involved a patient with serious comorbidities, including heart disease and diabetes, who had not received a second booster dose. 'This marks a significant decline compared to 57 COVID-19 deaths reported in 2024, with the last fatality recorded on May 26 last year,' it said in a statement today. The decline, it added, reflects the effectiveness of ongoing control measures. However, COVID-19 cases rose to 3,379 during ME24, up from 2,011 cases the previous week. Despite the increase, the national situation remains under control and below the alert threshold, due to ongoing surveillance and public health interventions. To date, a total of 21,738 cases have been reported this year, with the weekly average holding steady at around 900. Six patients were admitted to intensive care during ME24, all with underlying health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and Down syndrome. All received intensive care, with four discharged home and two transferred to general wards. MOH continues to encourage all Malaysians, from unborn babies to the elderly, to stay protected by following appropriate vaccination schedules under the National Immunisation Programme.
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Health
- Borneo Post
Malaysia reports first Covid-19 death of 2025
People walking with face masks on along the Kuching Waterfront. – Photo by Roystein Emmor PUTRAJAYA (June 19): Malaysia recorded its first Covid-19-related death of the year during Epidemiological Week 24 (ME24), according to the Health Ministry (MOH). The fatality involved a patient with serious comorbidities, including heart disease and diabetes, who had not received a second booster dose. 'This marks a significant decline compared to 57 Covid-19 deaths reported in 2024, with the last fatality recorded on May 26 last year,' it said in a statement today. The decline, it added, reflects the effectiveness of ongoing control measures. However, Covid-19 cases rose to 3,379 during ME24, up from 2,011 cases the previous week. Despite the increase, the national situation remains under control and below the alert threshold, due to ongoing surveillance and public health interventions. To date, a total of 21,738 cases have been reported this year, with the weekly average holding steady at around 900. Six patients were admitted to intensive care during ME24, all with underlying health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and Down syndrome. All received intensive care, with four discharged home and two transferred to general wards. MOH continues to encourage all Malaysians, from unborn babies to the elderly, to stay protected by following appropriate vaccination schedules under the National Immunisation Programme. – Bernama comorbidities covid-19 death ICU cases ME24 MOH public health vaccination
