Health & Living

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.

Over 46% of children aged five and below have anaemia in Malaysia, higher than the global average of 40%. It’s a condition that often goes unseen, but it can have a significant impact on children’s health and wellbeing beyond their childhood years. To dive into this condition, particularly iron-deficiency anaemia, we speak to Prof Dr Muhammad Yazid Jalaludin, consultant paediatric endocrinologist at University Malaya Medical Centre, and Muhammad Daniel Kittu, senior researcher at the Social & Economic Research Initiative (SERI).Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a professor of education, Dr Ratnawati Asraf’s professional calling had never seemed more meaningful than when her own grandchildren were discovered to be neurodivergent. Terms like dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD and autism were no longer textbook concepts, but realities that changed the trajectories of her grandchildren and children’s lives. On this episode of Because Feelings Matter, she shares how her views as an educator and a grandparent converged in advocating for inclusive education for neurodivergent children.Image credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Decades of awareness campaigns have equipped women with the knowledge of how to notice suspicious breast lumps and when to get mammograms done. But what happens when your healthcare workers keep reassuring you that your lump is “nothing to worry about”? Juliet Lau shares how a breast lump she’s had for over a decade became a rare and aggressive cancer, and why she is using this opportunity to also fundraise for the Sarawak Breast Cancer Support Group. We also hear from clinical oncologist Dr Yolanda Augustin. You can support the fundraiser here. 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. Image Credit: Sarawak Breast Cancer Support GroupSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every day, many children could be struggling with a medical condition that may need urgent, life-saving surgery for them to survive and thrive. Yet, there are still children in Malaysia who are not able to access these highly specialised surgical services. We find out how the Malaysian Association of Paediatric Surgery helps to improve children’s access to surgical care, especially those from underserved communities. Sepeda Amal Borneo 2026 is raising funds for the Malaysian Association of Paediatric Surgery. To find out how to donate, visit the website sab.mma.org.my or Facebook and Instagram @SepedaAmalBorneoImage Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia has implemented a ban on social media accounts for children under 16, starting 1 June. We look to how Australia has fared six months into their own ban, and whether there’s been real-life impact in terms of children’s access to these platforms. Find out how to get a copy of Makchic’s book ‘The Society of Online Superheroes: A Super Smart Guide to Internet Safety’ here.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Music and dance can be a great way to connect people and get them out of their shell. So what happens when these elements are brought to a community of older adults? On this episode of Healthy Ageing, we dive into how arts-based interventions can help to improve the well-being of older adults, particularly their cognitive health. To do that, we speak to Peny Chan, the co-founder of ArtsProud, a social enterprise aiming to bridge the gap between arts and healthcare. She’s currently based in Dublin, Ireland as an Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health at Global Brain Health Institute. Also joining us is Prof Dr Rozainee Khairuddin, a cognitive psychologist and Director of the Mental Health and Well-being Impact Lab at Taylor’s University.Image Credit: BSC Eldercare Centre FacebookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia’s Ministry of Health has recently confirmed that they are looking into potential sites to build a hospital to serve the Petaling Jaya-Subang Jaya-Puchong corridor, an area which does not currently have a government hospital. But discussions are ongoing and construction will take years, so in the meantime is there another solution to help overburdened hospitals? That’s where the concept of Hospitals-At-Home comes in. To find out more, we speak to Dr Terence Ong, consultant geriatrician and Virtual Ward programme lead at University Malaya Medical Centre, and Dr Stephanie Ko, consultant in general medicine and NUHS@Home lead at National University Hospital in Singapore.Image credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve been warned that the El Nino phenomenon could lead to an increase in dengue cases due to higher temperatures. In light of the constant threat of dengue, we ask Dr Nor Fariza Ngah, Deputy Director-General of Health (Research and Technical Support), Ministry of Health and Co-Chair of the Dengue Alliance about what’s working and what’s not when it comes to Malaysia’s dengue prevention strategies. We also get an update on the search for dengue treatments, from André Siqueira, Head of the Dengue Global Programme, DNDi.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Colorectal cancer is the most common cancer among men, and second most common among women in Malaysia, but almost three-quarters of cases are diagnosed at late stages. Is there anything we can do to detect the cancer much earlier and intervene meaningfully? Is Malaysia long overdue for a national colorectal cancer screening programme, and what will it take to get one underway? Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donating blood is one of the easiest acts most of us can do to save lives. Yet, Malaysia, like many countries around the world, struggles to get people to do so. In conjunction with World Blood Donor Day, which was observed earlier on 14th June, we’ll be exploring what exactly drives people to donate blood and why capitalising on the ‘warm glow’ that blood donors feel could prove effective. Joining us for this conversation is Eamonn Ferguson, Professor of Health Psychology at the University of Nottingham.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this month’s open clinic, consultant orthopaedic surgeon Dr Harjeet Singh joins us to answer your questions about the shoulders - how these joints support our daily arm movements, how our love of badminton and pickleball could lead to shoulder injuries, and when it’s dangerous to shrug off these problems.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parents and caregivers in the rare disease community often feel alone, overwhelmed and stressed in the journey of caring for their loved ones. This is the second part of a conversation where we find out about the mental health needs of caregivers in this situation, and why parental support is crucial. This conversation touches on suicide and self-harm. If you, or someone you know, needs emotional support, call 03-76272929 or email [email protected], or reach out for help within your community. You can also contact Talian HEAL at 15 555, MIASA at 1-800-1800-66 or Thrive Well. You can also reach out to Malaysia Rare Disorders Society for support from the rare diseases community.Listen to Part 1 here.Image Credit: Malaysian Rare Disorders Society (Persatuan Penyakit Jarang Jumpa Malaysia) FacebookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The FIFA World Cup kicks off today! Anticipation is high for all 104 matches but there are also concerns over the welfare of athletes and fans alike, as this could be the hottest World Cup on record. So how will the extreme heat affect an athlete's well-being and performance? On top of that, what kind of injuries become more likely during a tournament like this? For some insights, consultant urologist Dr George Lee is joined by consultant sports medicine physician Dr Ahmad Izuddin Abdul Manaf, who is also head of medical services at the Red Giants Clinic.Image credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a more than 10-year stagnant tobacco tax rate, Malaysia’s cigarette excise duties went up by only 2 sen per stick in Budget 2026. We explore the discrepancies between our tobacco taxes and the national health expenditure to treat smoking- and vaping-related diseases, and what should be a meaningful rate of tobacco tax to change smoking behaviours.Image credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s not just about living longer these days, but maintaining the cognitive and physical capabilities that’s comparable to someone decades younger. So what does it take to be a superager? What’s actually happening in their brain? We speak to neurogeneticist Dr Azlina Ahmad Annuar from Universiti Malaya, and research fellow Dr Kiirtaara Aravindhan from the Dementia Research Centre Singapore. Image credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Genes are the blueprint for our bodies. Passed down from generation to generation, they influence a variety of traits from how we look to our health. Our genes can also help us learn more than just about human health but about human evolution as well. On this episode of Humans of Healthcare, we speak to a geneticist, Dr Maude Phipps, to learn more about her field of work and what it takes to become a geneticist. Image Credit: Dr Maude PhippsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The human anatomy is more than just two-dimensional drawings in a medical textbook. It is a living, breathing and constantly evolving study of what makes us human - in health, in sickness and even in death. Could we enhance our knowledge and appreciation of the human condition by viewing anatomy through an artistic lens? We explore what happens when an anatomy professor meets an art curator.Image Credit: ArtScience MuseumSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia has made great strides in its tobacco control strategies, including new legislation that regulates the sale, promotion and packaging of cigarette and vape products, as well as public smoking places. However, are these laws and policies achieving changes in people’s behaviours and choices? What’s missing in the last mile of our anti-smoking strategies? We speak to Prof Dr Jamalludin Rahman, Professor of Epidemiology & Biostatistics & Public Health Medicine Specialist from International Islamic University Malaysia.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On a recent show, Health & Living looked at the impact of the Middle East crisis on local pharmaceutical manufacturers. We extend the conversation today with a look at whether retail pharmacies are seeing any shortages in medicine supply and whether consumers should be worried about the prices of their medicines increasing. Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome now has a new name: polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome or shortened to PMOS. Led by Professor Dr Helena Teede, an endocrinologist and professor of women’s health with Monash University Australia, this change finally happened after years of advocacy and consultation with doctors and people living with the condition. Here to tell us more about why this is a landmark decision, is Professor Teede herself. Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From rising shipping and energy costs to disruptions in the sourcing of raw materials and active pharmaceutical ingredients, how vulnerable is Malaysia’s pharmaceutical manufacturing sector the impact of the Middle East war? We speak to the Malaysian Organisation of Pharmaceutical Industries about the pressures local manufacturers are facing,  and what this could mean for medicine supply, costs, and the resilience of the healthcare system.Image credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bedtime is often when battles are waged at home. Why is sleep such a point of contention between parents and children? How much sleep do kids really need, and how can everyone in the family have healthier sleep habits? We speak to Dr Rajini Sarvananthan, Consultant Developmental Paediatrician.Image credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every mother dreams of giving her child every opportunity in the world, starting with the inviolable security of a citizenship. This is more than just a birth document or a passport - it is an undeniable stamp of assurance that her child has a land to call home. However, Malaysia is one of 25 countries globally with gender discriminatory citizenship laws - here, women are denied the same right as men to pass citizenship to their children. On this episode of Because Feelings Matter, we speak to Patricia Low, Research & Policy Coordinator and an impacted mother from Family Frontiers, on the long fight for her child’s citizenship, and how Family Frontiers provides mental health support for binational families affected by Malaysia’s citizenship laws.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Six-year-old Dhia Amanda was born with GNAO1 neurodevelopmental disorder, an extremely rare genetic condition that causes severe dystonia – uncontrollable twisting, stiffening and violent spasms brought on by electrical storms in the brain. Thanks to the fundraising efforts of Suriana Welfare Society and Free Malaysia Today, Amanda was able to undergo deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery, which provides hope for relief for her symptoms. On Beyond The Diagnosis, we catch up with Amanda’s father Saifol Sujak Sulaiman, to find out how she’s doing now. We also speak to Rachel Ho from Suriana Welfare Society about Amanda’s fundraising journey, and to consultant paediatric neurologist Dr Lim Wei Kang about how rare diseases like GNAO1 develop.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. Suriana Welfare Society is supporting families of children with rare diseases through advocacy and fundraising.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is having a family doctor that you see from childhood into your golden years a thing of the past? In conjunction with World Family Doctor Day, observed annually on 19th May, we speak to Dr S. Kaviyarasan, president of the Academy of Family Physicians of Malaysia, to understand what the role of a family doctor should be and why it matters for population health.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People often think that diabetes is just about controlling your sugar intake and taking care of your kidneys, but it’s more than that. What we don’t talk about is how uncontrolled diabetes could also damage other organs, including your heart. We speak to consultant cardiologist Dr Mohamed Nazrul Mohamed Nazeeb and consultant endocrinologist Dr Chiew Ken Seng, both from Subang Jaya Medical Centre, about the link between diabetes and the heart. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ministry of Health recently released the National Health & Morbidity Survey 2025, focusing on older adult health. One of the most striking numbers from that survey found that 10% of Malaysians aged 60 and above have dementia, which is up from 8.5% in 2018. How concerning is this rise and can we stop the number from going up? On this episode of Healthy Ageing, we speak to consultant geriatrician Prof Dr Tan Maw Pin to unpack this issue.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a child is diagnosed with a rare disease, parents have to navigate more than just medical therapies and hospital visits, but also the deep emotional toll. We explore the mental health impact experienced by parents in the rare disease community, and listen to this month’s impact story on the role of parental support in helping families feel less alone.Image Credit: Malaysian Rare Disorders Society (Persatuan Penyakit Jarang Jumpa Malaysia) FacebookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this month’s open clinic, orthopaedic surgeon Dr Timothy Cheng joins us on an exploration of how our lower limb anatomy supports that most basic activity of walking, why our modern sedentary lives might be harder on the joints than a marathon, and what we can do to keep walking for as long as possible. Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It strikes young and it’s highly curable. But only if it’s detected early. We’re talking about testicular cancer, which is most often diagnosed among younger men. On the show, we break past the taboo and embarrassment with consultant urologist Dr George Lee to talk about what’s normal (and not) when it comes to the testes, and how just a few minutes can help you pick it up early.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.