MyMedR

Developing countries are exploring the role of telehealth to overcome the challenges of providing adequate health care services. However, this process faces disparities, and no complementarity in telehealth policy development. Telehealth has the potential to transcend geopolitical boundaries, yet telehealth policy developed in one jurisdiction may hamper applications in another. Understanding such policy complexities is essential for telehealth to realize its full global potential. This study investigated 12 East Asian countries that may represent a microcosm of the world, to determine if the telehealth policy response of countries could be categorized, and whether any implications could be identified for the development of complementary telehealth policy. The countries were Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Three categories of country response were identified in regard to national policy support and development. The first category was "None" (Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam) where international partners, driven by humanitarian concerns, lead telehealth activity. The second category was "Proactive" (China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand) where national policies were designed with the view that telehealth initiatives are a component of larger development objectives. The third was "Reactive" (Hong Kong and Japan), where policies were only proffered after telehealth activities were sustainable. It is concluded that although complementarity of telehealth policy development is not occurring, increased interjurisdictional telehealth activity, regional clusters, and concerted and coordinated effort amongst researchers, practitioners, and policy makers may alter this trend.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Policy*

The paradox in implementing Ballast Water Management Convention 2004 (BWMC) in Malaysian water

Mohd Zaideen IM

Mar Pollut Bull, 2019 Nov;148:3-4.

PMID: 31422300 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.07.041

The strategic location of Malaysia along the world's busiest trade waterways underscores the need to cope ballast water issues for both domestic and international shipping. The adoption of Ballast Water Management Convention 2004 (BWMC) by the International Maritime Organization is suitable for management plans intended to prevent the introduction of invasive species through ballast water discharge. Malaysia has ratified the BWMC in September 2010 and the Convention has come into force in September 2017. However up to now, the BWMC has not been fully implemented by Malaysia for ships operating in its waters. This paper analyse the headway in implementing the provisions of the BWMC in Malaysia as well as the issues and challenges encountered for the implementation. The paper concludes that Malaysian government should promulgate laws and policies to clearly communicate on ballast water issues to the shipping industry communities.

Matched MeSH terms: Environmental Policy/legislation & jurisprudence

Rehabilitation in Malaysia

Naicker AS, Mohamad Yatim S, Engkasan JP, Mazlan M, Yusof YM, Yuliawiratman BS, et al.

Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am, 2019 11;30(4):807-816.

PMID: 31563172 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmr.2019.07.006

This article reviews the epidemiology, rehabilitation intervention strategies, and rehabilitation resources for persons with disabilities (PWD) in Malaysia. Currently, the registered number of PWD is 409,269 individuals, 1.3% of the total population, which is far less than the World Health Organization estimation of 10%. The rehabilitation implementation strategies include health policies, health promotion, and prevention programs. Health-related services for PWD are provided by many government agencies, including health, welfare, education, manpower, housing, and the private sector and nongovernment organizations. It is hoped national health programs can ensure special care and rehabilitation for PWD, optimizing self-reliance and social integration.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Policy/trends*

Fulltext Current issues facing the introduction of human papillomavirus vaccine in China and future prospects

Wong LP, Han L, Li H, Zhao J, Zhao Q, Zimet GD

Hum Vaccin Immunother, 2019;15(7-8):1533-1540.

PMID: 31017500 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2019.1611157

The introduction of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in China aims to prevent HPV infection in all women. The issues that China might face include high cost of vaccines made in other countries, shortage in HPV vaccine supply, negative events attributed to vaccination (whether justified or not) that jeopardizes the general public's confidence in the HPV vaccine, cultural and literacy barriers, and sensitivity to receiving a vaccine for a sexually transmitted disease. Ensuring the effective delivery of the HPV vaccine in China, a country with vast economic, geographical, and cultural complexities, will require a commitment of significant resources. In light of the high price of imported vaccines, the availability of locally manufactured HPV vaccines would greatly facilitate the national HPV vaccination program. New evidence supporting the efficacy of a two-dose regime in younger adolescents would also be advantageous in terms of affordability and logistical simplicity of vaccine administration. Furthermore, it would potentially enhance the compliance and uptake, especially for hard to reach women in remote regions.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Policy*

Health services and the legitimation of the colonial state: British Malaya 1786-1941

Manderson L

Int J Health Serv, 1987;17(1):91-112.

PMID: 3549590

This article is concerned with the establishment and extension of health care and medical services in British colonial Malaya. Initially, medical care was provided for the colonial elite and those in their direct employment. With the expansion of colonial control beyond trade centers into the hinterland and with the growth of agriculture and mining. Western medicine was extended both to labor involved in these export industries and to others whose ill health might jeopardize the welfare of the colonists. Public health programs in the twentieth century continued to focus on medical problems that had direct impact on the colonial economy, but programs were extended to ensure the reproduction as well as the maintenance of the labor force. This article develops the notion of a legitimation vacuum, and the role of the state provision of social services, including medical services, in legitimizing colonial presence and control.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Policy/history

Current status of recommended dietary allowances in Southeast Asia: a regional overview

Tee ES

Nutr Rev, 1998 Apr;56(4 Pt 2):S10-8.

PMID: 9584501

Matched MeSH terms: Nutrition Policy*

Fulltext Admission policies and methods at crossroads: a review of medical school admission policies and methods in seven Asian countries

Soemantri D, Karunathilake I, Yang JH, Chang SC, Lin CH, Nadarajah VD, et al.

Korean J Med Educ, 2020 Sep;32(3):243-256.

PMID: 32723988 DOI: 10.3946/kjme.2020.169

Selecting the right applicants is an important part of medical student admission. While one universally accepted selection criterion is academic capacity, there are other criteria such as communication skills and local criteria (e.g., socio-cultural values) that are no less important. This article reviews the policies and methods of selection to medical schools in seven countries with varying socio-economic conditions and healthcare systems. Senior academics involved in medical education in Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Taiwan completed a pre-agreed pro-forma per each country to describe the country's admission policies and methods. The details were then compared and contrasted. This review identifies tension between many of the policies and methods used in medical school admissions, such as between the need to assess non-cognitive abilities and widen access, and between the need for more medical professionals and the requirement to set high entry standards. Finding the right balance requires careful consideration of all variables, including the country's human resource needs; socio-economic status; graduates' expected competencies; and the school's vision, mission, and availability of resources.

Matched MeSH terms: Policy*

Population policy and programmes in south-east Asia

Perkin GW

Adv Fertil Control, 1969 Sep;4(3):37-42.

PMID: 12146214

Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy*

Public Perceptions of Ethical, Legal and Social Implications of Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) in Malaysia

Olesen AP, Mohd Nor SN, Amin L, Che Ngah A

Sci Eng Ethics, 2017 Dec;23(6):1563-1580.

PMID: 27995446 DOI: 10.1007/s11948-016-9857-z

Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) became well known in Malaysia after the birth of the first Malaysian 'designer baby', Yau Tak in 2004. Two years later, the Malaysian Medical Council implemented the first and only regulation on the use of Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis in this country. The birth of Yau Tak triggered a public outcry because PGD was used for non-medical sex selection thus, raising concerns about PGD and its implications for the society. This study aims to explore participants' perceptions of the future implications of PGD for the Malaysian society. We conducted in-depth interviews with 21 participants over a period of one year, using a semi-structured questionnaire. Findings reveal that responses varied substantially among the participants; there was a broad acceptance as well as rejection of PGD. Contentious ethical, legal and social issues of PGD were raised during the discussions, including intolerance to and discrimination against people with genetic disabilities; societal pressure and the 'slippery slope' of PGD were raised during the discussions. This study also highlights participants' legal standpoint, and major issues regarding PGD in relation to the accuracy of diagnosis. At the social policy level, considerations are given to access as well as the impact of this technology on families, women and physicians. Given these different perceptions of the use of PGD, and its implications and conflicts, policies and regulations of the use of PGD have to be dealt with on a case-by-case basis while taking into consideration of the risk-benefit balance, since its application will impact the lives of so many people in the society.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy*

Projections of the Healthcare Costs and Disease Burden due to Hepatitis C Infection under Different Treatment Policies in Malaysia, 2018-2040

McDonald SA, Azzeri A, Shabaruddin FH, Dahlui M, Tan SS, Kamarulzaman A, et al.

Appl Health Econ Health Policy, 2018 12;16(6):847-857.

PMID: 30145775 DOI: 10.1007/s40258-018-0425-3

INTRODUCTION: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has set ambitious goals to reduce the global disease burden associated with, and eventually eliminate, viral hepatitis.

OBJECTIVE: To assist with achieving these goals and to inform the development of a national strategic plan for Malaysia, we estimated the long-term burden incurred by the care and management of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We compared cumulative healthcare costs and disease burden under different treatment cascade scenarios.

METHODS: We attached direct costs for the management/care of chronically HCV-infected patients to a previously developed clinical disease progression model. Under assumptions regarding disease stage-specific proportions of model-predicted HCV patients within care, annual numbers of patients initiated on antiviral treatment and distribution of treatments over stage, we projected the healthcare costs and disease burden [in disability-adjusted life-years (DALY)] in 2018-2040 under four treatment scenarios: (A) no treatment/baseline; (B) pre-2018 standard of care (pegylated interferon/ribavirin); (C) gradual scale-up in direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment uptake that does not meet the WHO 2030 treatment uptake target; (D) scale-up in DAA treatment uptake that meets the WHO 2030 target.

RESULTS: Scenario D, while achieving the WHO 2030 target and averting 253,500 DALYs compared with the pre-2018 standard of care B, incurred the highest direct patient costs over the period 2018-2030: US$890 million (95% uncertainty interval 653-1271). When including screening programme costs, the total cost was estimated at US$952 million, which was 12% higher than the estimated total cost of scenario C.

CONCLUSIONS: The scale-up to meet the WHO 2030 target may be achievable with appropriately high governmental commitment to the expansion of HCV screening to bring sufficient undiagnosed chronically infected patients into the treatment pathway.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Policy/economics

Promotion of Adolescent Mental Health in Hong Kong-The Role of a Comprehensive Child Health Policy

Wong L, Chan CW

J Adolesc Health, 2019 06;64(6S):S14-S18.

PMID: 31122544 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2019.01.033

Matched MeSH terms: Health Policy*

Fulltext Researching social innovation: is the tail wagging the dog?

Rhule ELM, Allotey PA

Infect Dis Poverty, 2020 Jan 13;9(1):3.

PMID: 31931879 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-019-0616-7

BACKGROUND: Social Innovation in health initiatives have the potential to address unmet community health needs. For sustainable change to occur, we need to understand how and why a given intervention is effective. Bringing together communities, innovators, researchers, and policy makers is a powerful way to address this knowledge gap but differing priorities and epistemological backgrounds can make collaboration challenging.

MAIN TEXT: To overcome these barriers, stakeholders will need to design policies and work in ways that provide an enabling environment for innovative products and services. Inherently about people, the incorporation of community engagement approaches is necessary for both the development of social innovations and accompanying research methodologies. Whilst the 'appropriate' level of participation is linked to intended outcomes, researchers have a role to play in better understanding how to harness the power of community engagement and to ensure that community perspectives form part of the evidence base that informs policy and practice.

CONCLUSIONS: To effectively operate at the intersection between policy, social innovation, and research, all collaborators need to enter the process with the mindset of learners, rather than experts. Methods - quantitative and qualitative - must be selected according to research questions. The fields of implementation research, community-based participatory research, and realist research, amongst others, have much to offer. So do other sectors, notably education and business. In all this, researchers must assume the mantel of responsibility for research and not transfer the onus to communities under the guise of participation. By leveraging the expertise and knowledge of different ecosystem actors, we can design responsive health systems that integrate innovative approaches in ways that are greater than the sum of their parts.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Policy*

Displaying publications 321 - 340 of 667 in total