Vol.3

A Fund Raising Eventhosted by Mahkota Medical Centrewhat’s

insideGive Hope, Save Lives Fund Raising EventH1N1 Influenza A Health ArticlesHospital HappeningsUpcoming Events

& more....

A giant “Banner of Hope” will also be completed during the carnival, and all donors will be able to have their own “hand” imprinted on the banner. Handprint stickers are already available for sale at our hospital at RM10, RM100 and RM1,000.00. We hope to enter the Malaysia Book of Records through this huge e�ort and show of compassion! Proceeds from the hand-prints and activities held during these 2 days will go a long way in helping needy patients under these foun-dations :

Seck Kia Eenh Cancer Fund Melaka, Taiwanese Bud-dist Tzu Chi Foundation Medical Fund, Melaka Cancer Society, Lions Club of Malacca Medical Fund and medical funds of various newspapers.

For further information, contact the Marketing Department at 06-285 2855 or please log on to our website at : www.mahkotamedical.com

GIVE HOPE SAVE LIVES FUND RAISING CARNIVAL

Highlight of carnival’s activities:

FREE Giant air castles for children

Children’s colouring competition

High school cheerleading competition

Giant Banner of Hope hand print activity

Booth activities by corporate companies

Garage sales

Fun game booths

...and many more...

Feature

What is In�uenza A (H1N1)?

In�uenza A (H1N1) is highly contagious acute respiratory disease infecting humans caused by a new virus, the result of a mutation created by the mixing of the pig, bird and human in�uenza virus genes.

Where have the human cases occurred?

Current information reveal that the earliest cases infected with the new virus was �rst reported in Mexico in April 2009. Subsequently cases are been reported from several other countries across the world. For current updates of a�ected countries, please refer to www.moh.gov.my and www.who.int.

What are the signs and symptoms of In�uenza A (H1N1)?

Early signs of In�uenza A (H1N1) are �u-like, including fever, cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat and runny nose, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhoea.

How do people become infected with In�uenza A (H1N1)?

The spread begins when infected people cough or sneeze, infected droplets gets on their hands, drop onto surfaces, or are dispersed into the air. An uninfected person can breathe on contaminated air, or touch infected hands or surfaces, and thus be exposed.This is known as the human to human transmission of In�uenza A (H1N1).

Is there any con�rmation of transmissionbetween pigs and humans at this point?

No.

What is the advice to infected persons?

Seek medical attention and treatment from the nearest doctor.

To prevent spread, infected persons should cover their mouth and nose appropriately when coughing and sneezing, and wash their hands regularly and thoroughly with soap and water.

If you get sick with in�uenza, stay at home and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth since secretions from them contain the virus and can infect others.

Avoid going to crowded/public places and/or using public transport especially when you are sick or have the in�uenza sign and symptoms.

How long can an infected person spread theIn�uenza A (H1N1) disease to others?

Person(s) with In�uenza A (H1N1) virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possibly for up to 7 days following the onset of the illness. Children, especially the younger ones, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

How can you protect yourself from gettinginfected with the disease?

There is no vaccine currently available to protect against In�uenza A (H1N1). However, there are certain actions that can help to reduce the spread of the virus:

Avoid close contact with persons who appear unwell and have fever and cough;

Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly and often;

Avoid touching your face, especially your nose and mouth, with your hands to minimize in�ection;

In the event of being in an a�ected area, avoid crowded places and stay indoors;

Stay informed of the situation of the disease and of the appropriate measures taken to avoid being infected;

Practice good health habits including adequate sleep , eating nutritious food and keeping physically active.

Feature

Is there a human vaccine available nowto protect from In�uenza A (H1N1)?

No. Current seasonal human in�uenza vaccine does not provide protection from the current in�uenza A (H1N1) virus. It is unknown whether the seasonal vaccines can provide any cross protection to the ongoing in�uenza A (H1N1) virus infection in Mexico, United States of America and other a�acted parts of the world.

Yes, WHO is currently working towards development of such a vaccine. According to WHO, it would take about 4 to 6 months to manufacture.

Will there be a new vaccine developed for the current infection?

Proper Use of Face Masks

1. Wash your hands before putting on the mask.2. The green/blue surface should be facing out and the white surface towards your mouth.3. The edge with a small wire embedded-in should be placed above the nose.4. The mask, when put, should cover your nose and mouth and streached gently under your chin.5. The elastic bands on both sides should be worn around your ears.6. Finally, press the thin metal wire along the upper edge gently against the bridge of your nose so that the mask sits nicely on your face.7. Do not share used masks with any other person. It is advisable to change a new face mask daily or when it is soiled or damaged.

Hand Rub Technique

Step 1Squeeze a small amount of sanitiser gel over left palm and dip all �ngers of right hand into left palm, and vice versa

Step 3Right palm over left dorsum and left palm over right dorsum

Step 4Palm to palm, �ngers interlaced

Step 2Palm to palm

Step 5Backs of �ngers to opposing palmswith �ngers interlocked

Step 6Rotational rubbing of right thumbclasped in left palm and vice versa

Step 7Rotational rubbing of right wrist andvice versa. Rinse and dry thoroughly.

Repeat step 1 - 7 until hands are clean.

Feature

Vestibular rehabilitation is an exercise program designed by specially trained therapists to help a person compen-sate for a loss or imbalance within the vestibular system.

In simple words, Vestibular Rehabilitation is physical therapy for dizziness and imbalance.

What causes dizziness of vestibular origin or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)?

After a head injury, otoconia may be displaced from the utricle and migrate into other parts of the ear, causing dizziness.

What will happen in Vestibular Rehabilitation?A thorough evaluation will be completed on your �rst visit by an experienced physiotherapist.The therapist will develop a personalized treatment program for you, which will include:

Information about your conditionExercises and activities to be performed during your therapy sessions and at homeWays to increase safety and independence at home, work and in the communityAdaptive equipment recommendationsReferrals to other health-care professionalsInformation on national support organizations for people with dizziness, balance disorders and related hearing problems

Speci�c interventions for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) or dizziness includes:

The Epley and Semont maneuversThe Brandt-Daro� exercisesLog roll exercises (for lateral canal BPPV)

The physiotherapist may also advice you on a series of dos and don’ts after these maneuvers.Some of the exercises that may also be taught are gaze stabilization exercises, vestibular stimulation exercises, and habituation exercises.A physician referral is required before you can be scheduled for an appointment with a specialist in Vestibular Rehabilitation.The physiotherapy department in Mahkota has been o�ering Vestibular Rehabilitation Services since August 2008.

There are many causes of dizziness and you need the doctor to identify the cause of your dizziness.If other underlying medical problems that caused the dizziness have been ruled out, you could be having a disorder in the middle ear.

Feature

The early detection of many diseases is made possible by screening for potential risk factors. Once discovered preventive steps can be taken in an attempt to avoid other serious health events. Heath screening also plays a big role in early intervention and treatment of diseases like cancer where prognosis improves with early management.

The health screening team at Mahkota Medical Centre emphasizes the importance of making positive life style changes. By giving individuals speci�c information about health risks, we give them a powerful incentive to take positive action either by seeking treatment of by making changes in the way they live. As the adage goes ‘Prevention is better than cure’.

Good health is crucial to quality of life and for personal and professional success. We often assume that when a person is not sick - he or she must be in good health, but this is not always the case. The root of many common diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, heart attacks and cancer often sets in years before the actual illness manifests itself. With this in mind, health screening now plays an important role in today’s health care management.

Four out of �ve people who su�er a stroke

have no apprent symptoms prior to the stroke. The goodness

however according to the National Stroke Association is that 80% of

strokes can be prevented. One of the many reasons

why health screening is important.

By : Dr. Jacqueline Doss -Sennyah Health Screening Clinician

At The Forefront

After 15 years, Ms. Chek Teck Lee still loves her job as a health screening executive in Mahkota Medical Centre’s Health Screening Centre. The mother of two children has a keen interest in reading all about health issues and increasing her knowledge in the medical �eld.

Describe to us a little about your background.

I am a nurse by profession. I joined Mahkota Medical Centre when it had already opened its doors for two years in Melaka. Prior to working in Mahkota, I have worked in Kuala Lumpur and Kuala Terengganu and have nursing experience in the medical, surgical and �elds related to the eye.

What is your typical workday?

I manage the daily operations of the Health Screening Centre. This includes attending to patients, explaining our centre’s screening packages and procedures to them and facilitating communication between the centre and the other departments in the hospitals. Once this is done and our patients have completed their check-ups, I will ensure that my sta� prepare their reports for the health screening clinicians to explain to them. One thing unique about our Health Screening Centre is that our patients can obtain their reports on the same day itself. So, I have to ensure that everything runs smoothly within the centre.

What do you like or dislike about working in Health Screening Centre?

I really enjoy working here because it gives me the opportunity to meet many people. The atmosphere in the centre is always very lively because the sta� and clinicians here are very friendly. As my role is also to educate the patients, I need to be equipped with this knowledge and hence I try to read a lot of books on medical and healthcare. By working here, I also under-stand the importance of looking after our own health. The Sundays in the health screening are very busy because we receive many patients during weekends. This can be really hectic and I get really busy on Sundays.

Any challenges you face while working?

Sometimes we face patients who want to have their screenings done very fast. For these situations, I will normally explain to them gently about the reasons for doing certain procedures and help them understand the situation. Once they understand that certain check-ups need longer time, the patients usually are willing to take time to complete them and wait for the reports to be out.

Past Events

Batu Pahat Healthy Lifestyle Eventwith Children Coloring ContestVenue : Batu Pahat Mall

20/06/2009

MMC Brand DevelopmentWorkshop

Venue : MMC Nursing College

24/06/2009

Official Opening of MMC PalembangRepresentative OfficeVenue : Jln. Kapt. A. Rivai No.08E PalembangTel : (0711) 315191

Official Opening of MMC AcehRepresentative Office

Venue : Jln. Teuku Umar. No. 344 Setui, Banda Aceh

Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, IndonesiaTel : (0813) 77116854

14/06/2009

16/06/2009

Past Events

Health Talk co-organised withYong Chew Association Kuala PilahVenue : Yong Chew Association, Kuala PilahSpeaker 1 : Dr Liau Kok Liang (Ophthalmologist)Topic : Cataract & GlaucomaSpeaker 2 : Dr Yeo Wee Kiat (General Surgeon)Topic : Breast Cancer

09/07/2009

12/07/2009

Health Talk at Tangerang, Jakarta, IndonesiaVenue : Tangerang Golf Club, JakartaSpeaker : Prof. Dr Chin Sze Piaw (Cardiologist)Topic : Healthy Heart, Healthy Family

04/07/2009

Health Talk & Free Testat Rengit, JohorVenue : Rengit, Batu Pahat, JohorSpeaker 1 : Ms. Tee (Dietitian)Topic : Nutrition of DiabetesSpeaker 2 : Ms. Chek Tek Lee (Health Screening Tech.)Topic : Important of Health Screening

Past Events

Mahkota Stem Cell Workshop 2009

1. Awareness and Training for Stem Cell Application in Clinical Diseases.

2. Updates in Stem Cell Therapy Focus on Mesenchymal Stem Cell: True Adult Stem Cell for Traumatic, Ischemic and Degenerative Conditions.

Venue : Mahkota Function Room

02/08/2009

Sixth WorkshopPractical Orthopaedics

for General PractitionersDate : 8th & 9th August 2009 (Saturday & Sunday)

Time : 8.30am to 5.00pmVenue : Mahkota Function Room

08 /08/2009 & 09/08/2009

3

Mahkota Medical Centre3, Mahkota Melaka, Jalan Merdeka, 75000 Melaka.

Main Line : +606-285 2999 Marketing info Line : +606-285 2855Facsimile : +606-281 0560E-mail : info@mahkotamedical.comWebsite : www.mahkotamedical.com

hospital of choice with a passion for care and excellence

or Ee Chien/Wee See for

Special Event

editorialcommitteeADVISORS :

Mr. Timothy ChangDr. Tan Cheng Hock

EDITOR :Ms. Chua Ee Chien

SECRETARY :Ms. Lim Wee See

COMMITTEE MEMBERS :Mr. Albert ChoongMr. Chin Yih MengMr. Desmond ChongMs. Jessica YeoMr. Mok Chek MinMs. Ng Hui ChongMr. Teo Kian HuiMs. Reenaizah Nordin

The Editorial Committee welcomesany articles, contributions, feedbacks or suggestions. Do send in any contibutions or feedback via email toeechien@mahkotamedical.com orweesee@mahkotamedical.com orcall Ee Chien/Wee See for furtherinformation at Marketing Department,ext 2360.

The Sports and Recreation Club with the support of the Management once again organized the Annual Marathon which was opened to all staff and consultants of MMC. A total of 250 staff and consultants took part in the marathon which covered a distance of 5 kilometers. The marathon was flagged off by Dr. Tan Cheng Hock, Medical Director of MMC. Lots of prizes and lucky draws were given away.

Organized by : SRC & Management of MMCVenue : MMC Car Park

By : Mr. Albert Choong QA Manager