Health & Living

Fatty liver is a little-known consequence of the high rates of diabetes, obesity and high cholesterol in Malaysia. Without intervention and management, fatty liver can eventually lead to liver cancer. We speak to Prof Dr Ida Normiha Hilmi, President of the Malaysian Society of Gastroenterology & Hepatology and Dr Lau Su Yin, Consultant Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist, about why fatty liver is a major public health problem in our population.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When someone is facing suicidal ideation or crisis, how frontliners respond can make all the difference. In conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Day, we’ll be unpacking the role that frontliners play, who exactly they are, and why how they respond during and after a suicide crisis matters not just for the individual in crisis but for other vulnerable individuals as well. This is the second of a two-part conversation. Listen to part 1 here. Trigger warning: This discussion will touch on topics of suicide and self-harm. If you, or someone you know, needs emotional support, call the Befrienders KL at 03-76272929 or email [email protected], or reach out for help within your community. You can also contact Talian HEAL at 15 555 or MIASA at 1-800-1800-66.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When someone is facing suicidal ideation or crisis, how frontliners respond can make all the difference. In conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Day, we’ll be unpacking the role that frontliners play, who exactly they are, and why how they respond during and after a suicide crisis matters not just for the individual in crisis but for other vulnerable individuals as well. Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since 1996, Hospice Klang has been providing free palliative care to patients, caregivers and families in the community in Klang. We speak to its chairperson, Dr Sheriza Izwa Binti Zainuddin, who’s a senior consultant for palliative care in Universiti Malaya Medical Centre, to find out more about how Hospice Klang started and how its changed the lives of patients and families in need of palliative and hospice care. To support Hospice Klang’s 30th anniversary charity fundraising dinner, visit the website, Facebook or Instagram pages.Image Credit: Hospice Klang See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From figuring out what’s causing a rare condition in a child to helping that child thrive into adulthood, the profession of a paediatrician and clinical geneticist can be pretty challenging. We speak to Prof Dr Thong Meow Keong, who was Malaysia’s first board-certified clinical geneticist back in the 1990s, about his career as a clinical geneticist, why it shouldn’t be a paediatric subspecialty, and how the profession has evolved over the years. Image Credit: Prof Dr Thong Meow KeongSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The worsening haze has caused a 250% surge in asthma cases in recent weeks. The link between poor air quality and respiratory diseases is clear, but people with asthma and COPD should not wait for the haze to trigger a serious episode before taking preventive action. Consultant respiratory physician Dr Helmy Haja Mydin is here with reminders about how to keep asthma under control, especially during the prolonged El Niño season.Image Credit: EPA ImagesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Once, a cancer diagnosis was thought to be the entire book on its own. But as cancer patients live longer today, there’s more to the story than just (that phase of) completing cancer treatment. Heart health is also an increasingly important focus in cancer survivorship, including addressing certain risks associated with cancer and preventing the same cardiovascular diseases that the rest of the population faces (with or without cancer). In this conversation with an oncologist and a cardiologist, we look at how their care for a cancer patient intersects, to ensure that the cancer survivor of today does not become the heart patient of tomorrow.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For low and middle income countries, the high cost of novel treatments can be a significant barrier for the people who need these medicines the most - especially when it comes to cancers and rare diseases. This is where drug repurposing can offer a more affordable yet still innovative option that could lead to better access to treatment. So why aren’t we investing more into this? And is it safe to repurpose drugs for other types of diseases? To help us unpack this, we speak to Dr Yolanda Augustin, clinical oncologist at City St George's University of London, and Prof Dr Ivy Chung, pharmacologist at the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya. They are both part of the International Affordable Diagnostics and Therapeutics Alliance also known as IA-DATA, where Dr Yolanda is the lead coordinator while Prof Ivy is the lead principle investigator for the Universiti Malaya Affordable Diagnostics and Therapeutics programme, a project under IA-DATA.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, many IVF packages offer optional ‘add-on’ treatments that claim to boost a couple’s chances at a successful pregnancy. But a recent study found that it’s not obvious if most of these ‘add-ons’ actually help, even if it doesn’t have clear negative effects. So what should couples seeking IVF know before making that decision? We speak to Dr Sarah Lensen, the lead author of that study as well as a senior research fellow in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health at the University of Melbourne. For more information about optional IVF extras, visit ‘Evidence-based IVF’.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1986, the mission for setting up the Breast Cancer Welfare Association (BCWA) was clear: a volunteer or a trained breast cancer survivor uses her experience to help another woman recovering from breast cancer. 40 years later, BCWA has become the country’s leading breast cancer support organisation, while holding on to its core mission of being there for the next woman diagnosed with breast cancer. We speak to two former presidents and the current president of BCWA for this Merdeka special.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For a young adult entering university, the idea of independence is thrilling and liberating. But the excitement can also mask the anxiety and struggle to balance responsibility and expectations. We discuss what mental health and peer support should look like for students in tertiary education, and hear this month’s impact story about how a corporate leadership programme is supporting students’ mental well-being.Image credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Almost 70,000 people in Malaysia are registered with the Department of Social Welfare as having blindness or visual impairment. The healthcare needs of this community often go unnoticed, and many people living with blindness and visual impairment still struggle to have their rights recognised, including equitable access to healthcare. We speak to the Malaysian Association for the Blind to find out what needs to be improved to ensure inclusivity in healthcare for people with visual impairments.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are 55,000 people in Malaysia on dialysis and the number is expected to double by year 2040. Dialysis keeps patients with end-stage renal disease alive, but unwell. Leelavathi K. Ragu and Manvir Victor from Wira Transplant Malaysia describe the physical and financial burden of haemodialysis, while Dr Mohamad Zaimi Abdul Wahab delves into why a kidney transplant is still the best treatment for people with end-stage kidney disease.Beyond The Diagnosis is a series that goes beyond a medical diagnosis to explore people’s personal experiences, their challenges, as well as the impact of their health condition on their loved ones.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia has recorded more than 54,000 dengue cases and 36 deaths as of August this year. One of the factors for the increase in cases is the shift in DENV-3 serotype as the dominant circulating virus. In conjunction with World Mosquito Day on 20 August, we’re exploring what the serotype shift means, and whether Malaysia’s dengue strategy is adequate to protect those most likely to develop serious complications?Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

GLP-1 medications and peptides have grown exceedingly popular in recent years, with many celebrities claiming them as effective in helping with weight loss. Are they really as miraculous as they seem, or are there potential side effects that could alter your health for the worse? We speak to Dr Lim Quan Hziung, consultant endocrinologist, to find out more. Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Expecting mothers often hear conflicting opinions on the effects of exercise during pregnancy. How often do you need to exercise during different trimesters? What are the potential risks that can affect your baby? Joining us on the show to answer these questions are Dr Doris Ng, consultant obstetrician & gynaecologist, Dr Arvin Raj, consultant sports medicine physician, and Juli Joe, prenatal & postpartum coach. They’re also founders of Move Through Motherhood, a programme encouraging mothers and mums-to-be to stay active.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a workplace wants to welcome more neurodivergent employees, what does this mean? Is it about meeting a hiring quota? Or is it about having a structure that recognises and supports the unique strengths of each employee? We find out how two neurodivergent individuals view their roles within a corporate organisation like PETRONAS, how the company developed its Neurodiverse Centre of Excellence, and how families and the education system need to build the scaffolding for neurodivergent children to transition into adulthood.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last month, a 12-year-old boy collapsed and died while taking part in an Under-12 football tournament in Johor Bahru, highlighting the reality that a medical emergency can happen at any time, even during sporting events involving children and amateurs. We speak to Dr Ahmad Munawwar Helmi Salim, consultant sports medicine physician from the National Sports Institute, and Dr Mohd Hafyzuddin Md Yusuf, consultant emergency physician from Universiti Malaya, about what lesson we can take from this to make grassroot sporting events as safe as possible. Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Description: AI scribes are no longer just taking meeting minutes, but helping doctors take notes during clinic consultations. On the one hand, it can be seen to reduce the administrative tasks a doctor has to do. On the other hand, who takes responsibility if a patient’s medical history is inaccurate and leads to medical malpractice? Consultant urologist Dr George Lee is joined by Dr Ezam Mat Ali, CEO of MedPlanner, and Charlaine Chin, medico-legal lawyer, to explore the ethical and legal considerations of relying on AI scribes during consultations.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This month, the Selangor state government is rolling out a free breakfast programme in all public schools statewide. This has sparked fresh debate about whether Malaysia needs a universal school feeding programme, especially in light of worrying malnutrition issues among children in Malaysia. We speak to Dr Tee E Siong and Teo Choon Huey from the Nutrition Society of Malaysia (NSM) about its school nutrition programme that’s been running for seven years. Dr Tee and Choon Huey are the Chair and Member, respectively, of NSM’s Malaysia School Nutrition Promotion Programme.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve all heard that overreliance on technology can affect the brain - and not in a good way. So in a world where many of us use AI every day, and offload cognitive tasks to these LLMs, what does it actually do to our brain? We unpack this with neurogeneticist Dr Azlina Ahmad Annuar.  Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When hormones don’t work as they should as a child grows, that’s where a paediatric endocrinologist comes in. On this episode of Humans of Healthcare, we speak to consultant paediatric endocrinologist Dr Azriyanti Anuar Zaini about how she helps children with hormone-related disorders and illnesses, and why she sees this as a calmer medical career path. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Traveling with older adults requires a different kind of itinerary—one that prioritizes health and safety without sacrificing fun. Whether you’re travelling when you’re older or with older family members, planning the trip is more than just what happens during but how you prepare for it too. For this guide to stress-free travel with seniors, we speak to Prof Dr James Koh, consultant infectious diseases physician and Dr Serena In, clinical psychologist.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spermageddon. That’s the word that has been used to describe the allegedly drastic decline in male fertility in recent years. But is this just fearmongering or is there truth to this? And if men are worried about their fertility, what can be done about it? Consultant urologist Dr George Lee is joined by Allan Pacey, Professor of Andrology at the University of Manchester to unpack this.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No one likes to lose, especially if you’re prepared or trained as much as you can to succeed and win. Just think of how Argentina were labelled as ‘sore losers’ after their defeat at the recent Men’s World Cup finals. So why do some of us take losing well, and others don’t? How can we be a better loser and learn from our mistakes? We unpack this with licensed & registered counsellor, Justin Yap.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mother kangaroos carry their babies, or joeys, in their pouch for eight to 10 months after birth to keep them safe and help them grow. Scientific evidence now shows that human babies carried by their mothers in a similarly fashioned pouch can be beneficial for breastfeeding, and can even be life-saving for preterm babies. We dive into kangaroo mother care and how mums (and dads as well as extended family members) can do it. Find out more here.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An irregular heartbeat isn’t just an annoying symptom - it is a sign of a heart that has an abnormal rhythm and isn’t able to pump blood properly throughout the body. Atrial fibrillation is a common cause of abnormal rhythms, and can cause an increased risk of stroke, if it is not well-managed. We hear from Dr Adleen Binti Che Ani about her personal experience of being diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, while Dr Abdul Raqib Bin Abd Ghani, Consultant Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist from Cardiac Vascular Sentral Kuala Lumpur (CVSKL) talks about advancements in treatments. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Management consultants Bain & Company’s 2026 report on healthcare trends and opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region, revealing widening tensions across the healthcare system. We speak to Vikram Kapur, Head of Global Healthcare & Life Sciences from Bain & Co to break down the survey’s findings about patients’ expectations, clinicians’ challenges and AI trends in healthcare.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We know how effective the HPV vaccine can be at preventing 90% of cervical cancer cases. Now a new study from the UK shows that women who receive the vaccine as a teen have virtually zero risk of dying from the cancer before they turn 30. How does this add to what we already know about the benefits of a HPV vaccination? Consultant urologist Dr George Lee is joined by consultant gynaecological oncologist Prof Dr Woo Yin Ling to unpack the results and why we need to vaccinate both girls and boys against HPV.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you picture people waiting in front of their computers to buy tickets, you would usually think it's for a pop star's concert. Not anymore. Hyrox and other similar gamified fitness events like Redline have surged in popularity in Malaysia and around the world, with people waiting to buy tickets to participate in an event that they spend months training for. What’s driving this functional fitness craze and does that mean that getting fitter is funner than ever? We speak to Dr Adam Storey, a strength and conditioning specialist as well as senior research fellow at the Sport Research Institute New Zealand at the Auckland University of Technology. Dr Storey also sits on the Hyrox Sports Science Advisory Council.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The World Cup has wrapped up, ending the 3am matches and hordes of bleary-eyed Malaysians dragging themselves to school and work. While we assume that we can simply rewire our biological clocks by catching up on sleep afterwards, are there hidden effects of the sleep debt on our bodies? We speak to Dr Julius Goh Liang Chye, Consultant ENT Surgeon about the physical and mental health risks, and how these effects become significantly harder to reverse as your sleep debt accumulates.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One moment, Fasha Ishak could be feeling on top of the world, but in the next, she could find herself completely drained of energy. These are the realities of living with autoimmune disorders. But while her medical conditions may have affected her physically, Fasha ensures that they haven’t robbed her of the ability to live her life. On this episode of Because Feelings Matter, Fasha takes us through her journey of being diagnosed with two autoimmune diseases and scoliosis, while juggling being a caregiver to her mother. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ichthyosis is a rare, genetic condition that causes a person to have dry, scaly skin. But this textbook definition fails to capture the persistent misconceptions and stigma faced by people with ichthyosis. On Beyond The Diagnosis, Mohd Firdaus Mehat, Chairman & Founder of Pertubuhan Kebajikan Pesakit Ichthyosis Malaysia (PEKIM), joins us in a candid conversation about the realities of living with ichthyosis and how his support group helps families learn about managing the condition. Beyond The Diagnosis is a series that goes beyond a medical diagnosis to explore people’s personal experiences, their challenges, as well as the impact of their health condition on their loved ones. This episode was produced in collaboration with Suriana Welfare Society, which is supporting individuals and families affected by rare diseases through advocacy and fundraising.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our liver is a true workhorse, performing more than 500 functions in the body. But we often take our liver for granted and many of our lifestyle practices can be detrimental to our liver health. In this conversation, we’ll address common beliefs and clear up misconceptions about liver disease, as well as how to maintain good liver health. Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When your child seems overly sensitive to loud noises, refuses to wear socks, or is fussy with food, is he/she being difficult? Or are these behaviours due to differences in how your child's brain processes sensory information? We discuss how sensory processing difficulties can appear as behavioural problems, and how parents can support children without labelling every difference as a disorder.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We often think of a nose job or rhinoplasty as a surgery that’s done for cosmetic purposes, but there are circumstances in which it is needed to improve how you breathe. To help us understand what those circumstances are and when a rhinoplasty is a need instead of a want, is consultant ENT surgeon Dr Hardip Singh.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Public Accounts Committee’s (PAC) report on rising healthcare costs revealed a number of issues related to private hospitals’ charges, which can potentially contribute to an unsustainable healthcare system. Dr Kamal Amzan, CEO of IHH Healthcare Malaysia, joins us to discuss private hospital billing practices, the causes behind increasing medical inflation and the PAC’s recommendations for improving the sustainability of healthcare costs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Flash floods are so common that they seem like part and parcel of life now but with them comes the increased risk of infectious diseases. That might seem like the least of people’s worries when it floods but water- and food-borne diseases is a public health issue that needs to be addressed. So how can we empower communities to be more aware and resilient? Here to help us unpack that is Dr Rafidah Lani, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya. She also recently headed the FIRST programme which stands for Flood-resilient Initiative for Risk Reduction and Safety: Transfer of Knowledge. Image Credit: FIRST ProgrammeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A community screening programme has led to the alarming result that almost 9 in 10 individuals have at least two cardiovascular-renal-metabolic risk factors. On top of that, of the individuals who were overweight and pre-diabetic, more than 86% didn’t know about it, highlighting a problem with undiagnosed non-communicable diseases. The question now is: what can we do about this? Here to help us unpack this are Dr Murallitharan Munisamy, medical director of the National Cancer Society of Malaysia, and Dr Sivarajan Ramasamy, Public Health Medicine Specialist, Head of Cardiorenal Metabolic Control Sector, Ministry of Health.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Orthopaedic surgeons have been dubbed as the ‘carpenters’ of the human body. Why is that so? And how much does that actually describe the work that they do? On this episode of Humans of Healthcare, we speak to Prof Dr Azlina Amir Abbas, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon about the job.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The increases in healthcare costs and medical insurance premiums are being felt by more and more Malaysians, and piecemeal debates are no longer enough to address the problems. The Public Accounts Committee recently released its report on the causes of rising insurance premiums, their impact on consumers, and recommendations to ensure healthcare and insurance pricing remains fair, transparent, and affordable. We speak to Dr Hajah Halimah Ali, Member of the Public Accounts Committee and Kapar MP on the report and its recommendations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let’s be honest: maintaining friendships requires work, even when it seems effortless. So in a time when we’re all glued to our screens, how have friendships changed? What does it take to keep friends and show them that we care? We speak to licensed and registered counsellor Rozy Khalid to find out.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s commonly accepted that the older you get, the fewer hours of sleep you need. But is that really the case? On this episode of Healthy Ageing, we speak to consultant psychiatrist Dr Wan Izwin Wan Hassan about common myths and misconceptions about sleeping well as you age, and how you can get a good night’s sleep.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Family planning isn’t just about preventing pregnancies. It's about planning life and making sure that if you want children, you and your spouse are in the best place to do so. In conjunction with World Population Day, we’re taking this opportunity to cut through the misinformation and answer all the questions about contraception and family planning that you’ve thought about but not asked. We speak to consultant urologist Dr George Lee and consultant obstetrician & gynaecologist Dr Hoo Mei Lin. Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When is a sore throat not just a sore throat? Painful inflammation of the tonsils may not always be a benign, short-lived infection. What happens when episodes of tonsillitis keep coming back, or when there is chronic, long-term inflammation? When is surgery to remove the tonsils necessary? We explore with consultant ENT surgeon Dr Hardip Singh.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to OpenAI, over 1.2 million users discuss suicide on ChatGPT every week.  When we read yet another news report of AI encouraging suicidal thoughts or developing emotional relationships with its users, how alarmed should we be about mental health entering an untested and unregulated realm? We speak to Assoc Prof Dr Rebecca Brendel, Director, Center for Bioethics, Harvard Medical School about how the mental health care and regulatory space is having to keep up with the constantly-evolving risks. Trigger warning: This discussion will touch on topics of suicide and self-harm. If you, or someone you know, needs emotional support, call the Befrienders KL at 03-76272929 or email [email protected], or reach out for help within your community. You can also contact Talian HEAL at 15 555 or MIASA at 1-800-1800-66.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this month's open clinic show, we look at how and why we sweat, and what causes sweating disorders like hyperhidrosis or prickly heat conditions. We also explore anti-perspirants, deodorants, creams and more.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anti-refugee sentiment has sharply increased in recent weeks. Among the claims that have made the rounds is that refugees are taking advantage of our public healthcare system, thus taking limited resources away from Malaysians. But is that really the case? We speak to Dr Susheela Balasundaram, community-based protection officer with UNHCR. Dr Junaidi Ismail, country CEO with Qualitas Medical Group, and Dr Siti Noraida Habibullah, founder of Klinik Amal Muhajir, about what access to healthcare looks like for refugees in Malaysia. Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you walk down the aisles at the supermarket, do you notice if the way food products are placed or packaged attracts your attention? Consultant urologist Dr George Lee is joined by nutritionist and public health researcher Dr Sameeha Mohd Jamil from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia to dive into how our food environment influences our food decisions and how food retailers can play their part in making a healthier Malaysia. Dr Sameeha is also part of the South East Asia Obesogenic Food Environment study. Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For children born with a primary immunodeficiency (PID), a delayed diagnosis can have devastating consequences. We find out why newborn screening and early diagnosis are critical, in a conversation with Bruce Lim, a parent advocate and president of Persatuan Pesakit Imunodefisiensi Primer Malaysia (MYPOPI). Bruce is also a parent to a child with XLA (X Linked Agammaglobulinemia), a type of PID.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.