Rare diseases Summit 2024 advocates for patients empowerment and policy reform
Reading Time: 5 minutesBANGKOK: Rare diseases impact the lives of millions of people despite being rare. In Southeast Asia, an estimated 45 million people, approximately 9% of the region’s population, suffer from rare diseases. The Medical Genetics and Genomics Association, Medical Association of Thailand, and Thai Rare Disease Foundation joined hands with Takeda to host the 2nd Southeast […]
NGO Spotlights challenges faced by LSD patients, seeks funds
Reading Time: 2 minutesTHE MALAYSIA Lysosomal Diseases Association (MLDA) unveiled its latest fund-raising effort recently, working with the creative talents of Fusion Wayang Kulit to shine a spotlight on the many difficult circumstances faced by patients with lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs), which involve many challenges, from diagnosis to treatment. LSDs are rare metabolic disorders that primarily affect children, […]
Brazil-M’sia dialogue: Resolve irregularities in healthcare sector
Reading Time: 3 minutesIn a landmark seminar themed “Brazil-Malaysia: Equitable Access to Medicines,” held recently in Kuala Lumpur, experts from both countries converged to address pressing issues surrounding healthcare accessibility and medication affordability. This collaborative initiative, organised by the Embassy of Brazil in Kuala Lumpur, aimed at fostering dialogue and exchanging “best practices” between the two countries. His […]
What does your poop reveal about your health and how to keep your gut happy?
Reading Time: 3 minutesBY JOYCE WONG JIN YI HAVE you ever taken a moment to ponder the signals your poop might be trying to convey about your health? Surprisingly, the characteristics of your bowel movements can be a window into your overall well-being. One intriguing aspect is whether your stool floats or sinks in the toilet bowl. The […]
Expert: Ignoring the biological health of mangrove systems can be disastrous
Reading Time: 2 minutesMangroves, often perceived as muddy and inconsequential zones, hold untold benefits for humanity, especially in ensuring food security,” said Professor Dr. Izwandy Idris in a compelling interview with The Petri Dish. “Rapid degradation or loss of mangroves puts our food source at risk. Preserving mangroves is essential for the overall health and resilience of our […]
Handy tips for choosing the right probiotic supplements
Reading Time: 3 minutesBY JOYCE WONG JIN YI PROBIOTICS have gained immense popularity in recent years for their potential health benefits. These live bacteria and yeasts promote a healthy balance of gut flora and offer a wide range of advantages, such as improving digestion, boosting immunity, and supporting overall well-being. However, with the abundance of probiotic supplements available on […]
Biogenes Technologies acquires Allen Healthcare Products , poised to capture test kit market in Southeast Asia
Reading Time: 2 minutesBIOGENES TECHNOLOGIES (BIOGENES) has successfully completed the acquisition of Allen Healthcare Products Sdn Bhd (AHP) – a Penang-based, ISO 13485 accredited pioneer of rapid test kit manufacturing. Biogenes chief executive officer, Tang Kok Mun said: “The opportunity for acquisition presented itself as we were actively seeking manufacturing facilities to upscale Biogenes-developed aptamer-based diagnostic test kits.” According […]
A Different Path with Fabry
Reading Time: 4 minutesRare diseases often occur in childhood but when it strikes in adulthood, life takes a different course. For Merpati, a school teacher, husband, and father, the burden of Fabry disease was a heavy blow but one he chooses to bear with grace and acceptance. A warm, sunny climate and an abundance of delicious food sounds […]
Maternal immunisation, Tdap vaccination improves survival of newborns
Reading Time: 3 minutesI AM WRITING to support the recent the Ministry of Health’s recent consideration of including the 3-in-1 Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap) vaccine in the public vaccination program for expectant mothers – especially with the latest rise in pertussis cases in the country namely in Rompin and Alor Gajah. I am heartened by the fact that the ministry is […]
Natural Killer cells can beat cancer
Reading Time: 3 minutesNATURAL KILLER (NK) Cells in the immune system bring a beacon of hope to cancer patients and those in fear of suffering from relapse. Dr Danaraj Navaratnam the resident doctor with special interest in Cellular Therapy & Regenerative Medicine from CELLAAX Therapy (CELLAAX), a homegrown biopharmaceutical company told The Petri Dish during a recent interview […]