Health & Living

There are few things more confusing than medical insurance. How much annual or lifetime coverage do you really need? How do you know what kinds of diseases and treatments will actually be covered? What’s the reality when it comes to the so-called “buffet syndrome” or the perception that insurance doesn’t serve its policyholders? We try to cut through the noise in today’s conversation with Anwar Anis, Honorary Secretary of the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia, and insurance industry veteran Ragunath Murthy, Founder of ReAInmaker AI.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nurses are often the first point-of-contact for people accessing healthcare services. But being on the frontlines also means that they are most exposed to the effects of climate change. In conjunction with International Nurses Day (observed annually on 12th May), we unpack how the climate crisis is changing nursing and what can be done to empower nurses.Image credit: Sabah Medical Services UnionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaria. Dengue. Intestinal worms. Most Malaysians think we’ve moved past these diseases. We haven’t. The parasites persist, adapt, and resurface, and often where no one is looking. Detecting them requires trained scientists like parasitologist Adela Ida Anak Jiram. We’ll be talking to this biomedical scientist about how this profession is quietly safeguarding Malaysia’s public health. Adela is also the President of the Malaysian Society of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you find yourself often thinking of the worst possible outcome in any given situation? What do you do when you feel like the world’s on fire and there’s nothing you can do about it? We speak to clinical psychologist Dr Joel Low about why we catastrophise, and how to stop it. Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ministry of Health expects a 10% cut of its 2026 budget,  as part of cost-cutting measures to save government funds amid the impact of the Iran war. This cut would be equivalent to RM4.65 billion, which the Minister of Health has promised will not affect essential core services. We explore how this will impact healthcare services to the public.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 Innovator drugs and treatments can be costly, even if they are life-saving in cases of chronic and serious illnesses like cancer. That’s where generic and biosimilar drugs come in, offering patients more affordable alternatives. But how exactly do generics and biosimilars work? Are they as effective? We speak to pharmacist and public health researcher, Dr Mark Cheong to find out. Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Radiation therapy using high-powered X-rays are a central therapy in cancer treatment, as it is very effective in killing cancerous cells and shrinking tumours. This form of treatment has come a long way, with advancements to improve the delivery of radiation so that it can be targeted more accurately and reduce side effects to other tissues. Dr Nur Fadhlina Abdul Satar, consultant clinical oncologist from Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur, joins us to talk about one of these advancements, which is adaptive radiotherapy.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Research from the University of New South Wales in Sydney has provided the strongest evidence to date that vapes and e-cigarettes can cause lung and oral cancer, due to pre-cancerous changes like DNA damage. Is this a clear sign for health regulators to take stronger action against vaping? What does this mean for those who are using e-cigarettes for smoking cessation? We find out from Dr Muralli Munisamy, Medical Director of the National Cancer Society of Malaysia.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The current Middle East conflict and shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz has sent shockwaves across the world as countries grapple with a global energy crisis and rising costs. As supply chains are disrupted worldwide, one of the areas which is seeing worrying short- and long-term impact is that in the medical industry. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen conflict and geopolitics impact medical supply chains as we saw this happening at the start of the Russia-Ukraine war as well as the US-imposed “liberation day tariffs” last year. Here to help us understand how global medical supply chains work and how it impacts us here in Malaysia and Southeast Asia is Global Health Security Strategist, Ruvani Chandrasekera.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beyond The Diagnosis is a series about people, going beyond the diagnosis to explore their personal experiences, their challenges, as well as the impact of their health condition on their loved ones. These stories reveal the importance of understanding the unique struggles and needs of the individuals behind the medical diagnosis. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The shocks from the war in Iran have extended to the healthcare industry, with shipping delays and fuel price volatilities threatening the medical device supply chain worldwide. Dr Muralitharan Paramasua, CEO of the Health Ministry’s Medical Device Authority, joins us to unpack the impact of the Middle East crisis on the supply and manufacturing of medical devices, and what measures the Ministry has in place to cushion patients in Malaysia from any supply shortages.Image credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In conjunction with Autism Awareness Month in April, Salbiah Ebbe Hamzan shares the journey of raising an autistic daughter, and the fight to dismantle the barriers in the education system that continue to stand  in the way of inclusion. On this episode of Because Feelings Matter, she speaks about finding joy in the small wins, and how those joys turn into hope, which becomes strength to face what is to come.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 It is estimated that 15-20% of the population is neurodivergent. That means it’s likely that you have identified as being neurodivergent or someone in your workplace is. And yet, the acceptance and inclusion of neurodivergent people at work is uneven, and most people find it challenging to get support and accommodations for their needs at the workplace. A global report by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) on Neurodiversity in Accountancy talks about how organisations and individuals can embrace neurodivergent talents in the profession. We speak to Sharath Martin, ACCA Senior Policy and Insights Consultant, and Dr Rajini Sarvananthan, Consultant Developmental Paediatrician, on how organisations can start looking at neurodivergent employees as professionals with diverse strengths and challenges.Image credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In some ways, it feels like 2020 all over again - the work-from-home directives, along with a sense of anxiety over global events. Licensed counsellor Heeran Kaur joins us to share some advice on how we can manage our mental health during this period, especially for those working from home, and those dealing with stresses and uncertainties due to the Middle East crisis.Image credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Humans breathe approximately 20,000 to 22,000 times a day, but how often do we pay attention to how we breathe? In this month’s open clinic, we’re joined by consultant respiratory physician Dr Helmy Haja Mydin to unpack some things you may or may not have known about respiration, and maybe take your breath away with some of the interesting facts later on.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recently, the Health Parliamentary Special Select Committee proposed that insurance coverage should be expanded for mental health services. We’ve gone from zero mental health coverage to at least three providers including some coverage in their policies within the last seven years, but has this been enough? On this episode of Mind Matters, we speak to Siti Subaidah Mustaffa, Chairman of the National Coalition for Mental Wellbeing (NCMW) and Lavender Tan, a clinical psychologist, on why mental health insurance matters and whether it would improve access to mental health services for those who need it. Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is the DRG or diagnosis-related group system? If you’ve been following the news about healthcare reform, you would’ve heard Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad mention this several times since he first brought it up in 2024. As of now, the Health Ministry says that the DRG system is planned to be rolled out for the private sector in 2026, before a national system in 2027. But how does the DRG system actually work? And what will this mean for the rakyat’s access to healthcare? Consultant urologist Dr George Lee is joined by Dr Muhammed Anis Abd Wahab, Head for Health Financing and Quality Assurance from ProtectHealth to explain. Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For two decades, general practitioners have not been able to charge beyond RM35 for clinic consultation fees, but a new revision has finally been gazetted that will raise the fees to RM10-RM80. We speak to Dr Arasu Rajoo, President of the Malaysian Medical Association, to find out if these new rates match GPs’ expectations, and how it will affect patients.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The temperatures are soaring in many states in Malaysia, and the current heatwave is expected to persist until June, as El Niño continues. What is the impact of temperatures above 37 or 38 degrees Celsius on the body, especially among older adults, children and those with higher exposure to outdoor heat? We ask Dr Jeewadas Baladas, Emergency Physician, about measures to prevent heat-related illnesses.Image credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When we think about healthcare, we often picture doctors and nurses on the frontlines. But behind many life-changing interventions, from artificial limbs to diagnostic devices, are biomedical engineers designing, building, and refining the technologies that make modern healthcare possible. On today’s episode of Humans of Healthcare, we speak to Dr Nooranida Arifin, a biomedical engineer specialising in prosthetics and orthotics, to understand how engineering meets medicine, and how this field is shaping more accessible and equitable healthcare systems.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Picking up Type 1 diabetes early isn’t just about getting a diagnosis - it’s about preventing a health crisis. We speak to consultant paediatric endocrinologist Dr Azriyanti Anuar Zaini from Universiti Malaya Medical Centre about why type 1 diabetes is often missed and whether childhood screening will change things. Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An emerging public health threat lurks amid the rubble and destruction of the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. Antimicrobial-resistant infections are a major concern for people living in conflict zones and beyond, especially as exposure to heavy metals increases in war-torn areas. We speak to Dr Antoine Abou Fayad, Associate Professor of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology at the American University of Beirut, to find out how antibiotic-resistant microbes thrive in conflict areas and why this is a global health concern.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Health Ministry has waged a war on sugar to tackle the inexorable rise in non-communicable diseases. But are policies like the sugar-sweetened beverage tax and the Healthier Choice Logo working to reduce sugar consumption, and are they translating into lower disease rates? We take a look at areas where our nutrition and economic policies are misaligned and what are the opportunities to target the gaps in behavioural and nutritional changes.Image credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In February this year, 76-year-old Halim Yunos from Singapore made headlines here when he was reported missing while on holiday with his family in KL. His family were worried because he had mild dementia but after a week of searching, he was found safe. Wandering is common among people with dementia, and is often a cause for concern among family members. We unpack what family members should be prepared for with consultant geriatrician Dr Khor Hui Min. Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Goodbye, lab mice. Hello, mini organs. For decades, medical research has been reliant on animal testing. From understanding diseases like Alzheimer’s to developing new and safe cancer treatments, mice have played a key role in helping scientists mimic what happens in the human body. But amidst global efforts to phase out animal testing and find more humane alternatives, what is on the table? And what will this mean for the future of medical research? On this episode of Brain Waves, we speak to neurogeneticist Dr Azlina Ahmad Annuar and immunologist Dr Megat Hafizzuddin Abd Hamid. Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kylie Jenner on the Vanity Fair cover. Jacob Elordi in Saltburn. From magazine covers to the silver screen and social media feeds, celebrities are glamourising smoking again. But are young people being swayed? We speak to Assoc Prof Dr Grace Kong from the Department of Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine to unpack this trend and what impact it will have on youth smoking habits.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2.8 million Malaysian children are overweight or obese. This was estimated in the World Obesity Atlas 2026 released in March. But childhood obesity is not a new problem we’re dealing with, so is this number enough to jolt us into urgent action? Consultant urologist Dr George Lee is joined by public health medicine specialist Dr Ruben Ramakrishnan to dive into what we’re doing wrong and how it’s not too late to turn the tide of childhood obesity. Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You may have come across “compounded medications” being offered to you as a form of personalised medicine. What does this term mean? In our conversation with Gus Bassani, CEO, Professional Compounding Centers of America, we take a deeper dive into pharmaceutical compounding, and what are the standards and safeguards that need to be in place to ensure that consumers receive safe and effective treatment.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when every emotion is treated as an illness, or given a mental health label? Do we risk becoming a society that cannot accept the messiness of normal, daily emotions, and end up burdening the mental healthcare system? We speak to Esther Chu, a registered and licensed counsellor, about finding the balance between increasing mental health awareness, and over-pathologising ordinary feelings.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Colorectal cancer used to be most common among adults over the age of 50, but things are changing. With more cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed in young adults, what explains this change and should we all be alarmed? We unpack this with consultant colorectal and general surgeon Dr Khong Tak Loon and consultant clinical oncologist Dr Winnie Ng from Subang Jaya Medical Centre.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thin is back in vogue, but this time not due to diet culture but a quick fix from a drug. With GLP-1 drugs - or what some might colloquially refer to as weight loss drugs - booming in popularity, how are these drugs and the bodies of celebrities who are on it changing our body image ideals? Is the body positivity movement losing hard-earned ground? We speak to social psychologist Prof Dr Viren Swami from Anglia Ruskin University to share what he’s observed from years of studying body image.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh recently announced an 80% reduction in gym licence fees in KL, hoping that gym owners will be able to pass on the discount to their clientele as part of broader efforts to tackle obesity. Whether or not the discount is significant enough to pass on to consumers, there is another question to ask: what motivates people to exercise? Is it just about cheaper gym memberships or something more? Consultant urologist Dr George Lee is joined by yoga instructor Charmaine Ang to chat about what gets them moving and how habits can be cultivated.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For many people with Down syndrome and their families, loneliness is a common experience, especially when children are excluded from play and education settings, and families are isolated and feel cut off from support. We mark World Down Syndrome Day on 21 March by giving those in the community a space to share how society can come together against loneliness and provide real inclusion for people with Down syndrome.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What made Tengku Nazeehah decide to go for a colonoscopy, even though she had no symptoms like constipation, diarrhoea, bloody stools or stomach pain? Till today, she can’t explain it, but has no regrets because it detected the cancer that had been growing silently in her colon. She shares her positive outlook on being a colorectal cancer survivor, ostomate and patient navigator. From 31 March, CORUM Colorectal Cancer Survivorship Society Malaysia will be rolling out self-test kits nationwide (Faecal Occult Blood Test) - find out more on CORUM’s website and Facebook page. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can you find something to be grateful for every day? For more than 10 years, practising gratitude every day helped Caleen Chua stay away from spiralling negative feelings like depression and loneliness. On ‘Because Feelings Matter’, the founder of Yoga For Mums shares about how she coped with bullying in her adolescence, episodes of depression, and a health scare, through yoga, mindfulness and gratitude. Find out more about Yoga For Mums’ two-day retreat, ENLIVEN Women, happening from 23rd to 24th May. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anatomy is a field of study that is thousands of years old, tracing back to ancient Egypt. But it was the work of Andreas Vesalius dissecting human bodies in the 16th century that revolutionised the study of anatomy. Fast forward to today, how much about what we know of the human body has changed? What does an anatomist do? To find out, on this episode of Humans of Healthcare, we speak to anatomist Dr Lakshmi Selvaratnam.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When someone is diagnosed with cancer, it’s not only the disease and the rigorous treatment that they have to deal with, but also the financial burden. They have to navigate medical bills, employment issues and income loss, and they often have to do it on their own. We speak to Prof Dr Adlinda bt Alip, Consultant Clinical Oncologist from Universiti Malaya Medical Centre, and Koh Swee Khim, a breast cancer survivor, about the financial burden that cancer patients face. Prof Adlinda and Swee Khim will be part of an expedition to Everest Base Camp to raise funds and awareness for UMMC’s Tabung Kanser Prihatin Dewasa - find out how to donate here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Local universities in Malaysia have just begun their second semesters, and students are feeling the pressure of dealing with higher education and living away from home. We speak to Dr Nicole Chen, a registered counsellor and founder/clinical director of a private counselling centre, about how families can support university students in navigating this transition while managing their mental well-being. And we feature this month’s impact story, which is about how Raynuha Mahadevan, a UKM lecturer, is using the framework of adverse childhood experiences to help university students understand their challenges and find those family connections.Image credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When family medicine specialist Dr Karen Christelle sees a patient from the Orang Asli communities of rural Perak, she has to look at more than just numbers and tests. The Orang Asli are not a homogenous group, and each community or village has different needs, mindsets and attitudes towards their health. We look at some of the main health challenges faced by the Orang Asli of rural Perak, and dive into how family medicine specialists and primary care providers address these issues.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boys and young men are seeing social media influencers pushing the idea of testosterone as a marker of being “real men”. We explore why these narratives of toxic masculinity are dangerous, from the medical and psychological perspectives.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last year, the Health Minister announced that MOH is establishing 10 primary health clinics with integrated clinical obesity management. With obesity increasingly being recognised as a complex and chronic disease, we explore what difference it could make when it comes under the care of family medicine specialists, at the primary care level.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a newborn baby’s cough and runny nose could quickly turn into breathing trouble, prevention matters. RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is a common infection that can be especially severe in babies, particularly in the first few months of life. On the show, we speak to Dr Muniswaran Ganeshan, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, to find out how protection from severe RSV illness can begin even during a mother’s pregnancy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How would you define strength? Is it just about chasing defined muscles and sculpted physiques? We speak to consultant sports medicine physician Dr Arvin Raj and personal trainer Anna Rina, both with experiences in bodybuilding and powerlifting, on whether the goal is to be strong or look swole.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 Ladies, how often do you put off getting your health screenings done because there’s just too much else that takes priority? Do you know which tests you need and how often you’ll need them? In conjunction with International Women’s Day (8 March), we ask consultant obstetrician & gynaecologist Dr Hoo Mei Lin all you need to know about the check ups you need.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We know there is a problem with female representation in the tech industry. But what happens when women seem to be invisible even in the technology itself? In conjunction with International Women’s Day on 8 March, we look at the gender gap in the fastest-growing area of healthcare technology today: AI systems and tools. Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An extremely common nasal-related problem that affects children is a blocked and stuffy nose. These persistent symptoms can be very frustrating and parents are often going from doctor to doctor to find a solution for their children. We speak to a consultant ENT surgeon Dr Lim Wye Keat to find out what the science says about the various therapies to help children with symptoms of a chronically blocked nose or snoring.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to OpenAI, more than 230 million people ask its chatbot questions about their health and wellbeing every week. Are you one of them? Open AI has introduced ChatGPT Health, while Anthropic has launched Claude for Healthcare, to analyse your health information and give you advice. How much can we trust the information from generative AI? How will this evolution affect people’s healthcare decisions and practices, and is this trend for the better or worse? Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Malaysia’s ageing population grows, we’re seeing the government and policymakers being more proactive when it comes to our ageing strategy. From the 13th Malaysia Plan to the National Ageing Blueprint as well as the Malaysia Care Strategic Framework and Action Plan, plans are being put into motion to prioritise the needs of an ageing population. But ageing is not gender-neutral. So do these plans adequately account for that? Ahead of International Women’s Day, we unpack why a gender lens matters in our ageing policies with Dr Julitta Onabanjo, country representative with UNFPA Malaysia. Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"If you have ever lost a loved one, then you know exactly how it feels. And if you have not, then you cannot possibly imagine it." That’s a quote from Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events. Grief comes in many forms, and no one journey is ever exactly the same. So how do you learn to live with grief? Do you really need to process it? To answer these questions about grief, we speak to licensed and registered counsellor, Lillian Bulan-Dorai. Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Netflix’s new documentary, ‘Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model’, has revived concerns over unrealistic beauty standards, and how body shaming and disordered eating arise from the perpetuation of such stereotypes. A recent episode of the Asia Specific podcast by the BBC World Service, unpacked Asia’s obsession with thinness. Mariko Oi, presenter of Asia Specific, joins us on the show today to share her take on how social and cultural factors drive our attitudes about weight and body shape.Image credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.