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Editor’s Message

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Publisher

John Lim

Editor

Lily Wong

Marketing & Sales

Fiona Lim

Adeline Chin

Creative Team

Yasmin Sarah Hamdan

Nur Hazwani

Advisory Panel

Dr Yee Kok Meng

Cardiologist

Sunway Medical Centre

Dr Nor Azlina Mohd Yusof

Consultant Cardiologist

Prince Court Medical Centre

Better Days Ahead

It has been almost two years since the pandemic arrived at our shores. We have

all had our ups and downs, yet we have been there for one another. I am in awe

by how strong and resilient we have become, striving on in spite of the challenges

and difficulties to ensure that life still goes on in the new normal.

As things open up, we should prioritise personal health, mental strength, and

even social responsibility. It’s essential to keep health and hygiene on top of our

minds as we remain vigilant by practising social distancing, wearing masks,

sanitising ourselves, and at the same time maintaining good physical health.

In this issue, equip yourself with important information about staying healthy. For

example, when was the last time you gave your bones and muscles some TLC?

Also, check out the new technologies for screening and keeping COVID-19 at bay.

We also included a short guide on using your treadmill effectively.

We have come a long way through this. Let’s nurture this spirit of enthusiasm and

willpower for a much better tomorrow. Until the next issue, keep calm and carry

on – with a smile!

Regards,

Lily Wong

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ASK & Answered

Ask

& answered

1

What is osteoarthritis,

and how can it be

treated?

A: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a

progressive disease with symptoms

that include pain, stiffness, swelling,

and loss of normal joint function.

Early diagnosis and treatment of

OA are recommended to prevent

irreversible joint damage and

premature death arising from this

disease. As OA spans decades of

a patient’s life, treatment will likely

consist of different pharmaceutical

and nonpharmaceutical

interventions, often in combination.

People suffering from joint pain

need to regularly consult their

doctors to manage the disease

and follow a proper treatment

plan. Mind-body exercises, weight

control, and a healthy nutrition

plan are integral in managing joint

pain and OA diseases.

Answered by: Viatris

8 Natural Health * Mac 2022 VOL 126

ASK & Answered

2 3 4

I have a slow and rapid

heartbeat. What does

this indicate? Should I be

concerned?

A: Yes, whether you are experiencing

a fast or slow heartbeat, any abnormal

heart rate is a cause for concern. Many

types of heart disease can give rise to

these symptoms. Healthy functioning

of the heart conduction system allows

the heart to beat at an appropriate rate

based on our daily activities. If there’s

any malfunction of this system, the

heart rate can end up being too slow

or too fast.

A structure within the right atrium,

namely SA Node, serves as the heart’s

natural pacemaker. It works with

another structure downstream of the

conduction system, known as the

AV node, to ensure the heart beats

appropriately. However, often with

ageing, degenerative changes set in

and may affect the function of these

two important structures, causing

inappropriate slow heart rate. Patients

may be asymptomatic at the beginning,

but due to the progressive nature of

the changes, they may suffer from

episodes of giddiness and syncope.

This can lead to potentially catastrophic

outcomes if left untreated. Therefore, it

is always advisable to see your doctor

or a cardiac electrophysiologist for

early diagnosis.

Answered by: Dr Gary Lee, Consultant

Cardiologist & Electrophysiologist

from Tung Shin Hospital

I think I eat too much

sugar. What are the

health risks, and what

can I do?

A: Here are a few major problems

associated with excessive sugar

consumption: vitamin and mineral

depletion, weakened bones, poor

dental health, headaches and

migraines, weakness when blood

glucose levels drop, increased risk of

heart disease and high cholesterol,

obesity, concentration issues, weakened

immune system, and an increased

risk of ADD especially in children. You

can start making an effort to replace

regular sugar with more nutrient-dense,

lower sugar variations like natural

sugars from fruits, and gradually

cutting down your sugar intake.

Answered by: the Health Research

Team from diabetickitchen.com

I am having a hard time

with my menopause

symptoms. What can I do?

A: Menopause is a normal part of

life – it is not a disease nor a medical

condition. The most common

symptoms are hot flushes and night

sweats. Some women may also

experience insomnia, incontinence,

and changes to their mood and libido.

Unless the symptoms are severe,

lifestyle and diet modifications can help

ease these symptoms. For example,

hot flushes and night sweats usually

improve with regular exercise, while

reducing caffeine and practising good

sleeping habits can help alleviate

insomnia.

Answered by: Dr Tan Gie Hooi,

Consultant Breast & Oncoplastic

Surgeon

10 Natural Health * March 2022 VOL 126

NATURAL Beauty

Simple

Skincare

Routines

for

Sensitive

Skin

Recommended

by Dermatologists

It’s tough having sensitive skin. Even after trying various skincare products, from gentle to organic, nothing

seems to agree with your skin. In this article, Dr Low Dyoi-E, a Consultant Dermatologist from Pantai Hospital

Cheras (PHC), discusses what causes sensitive skin and how simple skincare routines and products can help.

What is sensitive skin?

The term sensitive skin generally

describes skin with reduced tolerance

to the application of cosmetics and

personal care products. Sensitive skin

issues are often related to the face,

especially the eyelids area. Armpits,

groin and genitals may also be

sensitive because of thinner skin.

This condition can be seen in a wide

variety of ways with subjective

symptoms such as stinging, itching and

burning. There are also visible skin

changes, including redness, dryness,

scaling, peeling, bumps and hives.

How can a simple skincare

routine help sensitive skin or

other skin problems like acne,

eczema, and other skin issues?

A multi-step skincare routine,

especially with the usage of

comedogenic products, might lead to

the obstruction of hair follicles. This is

where bacteria and inflammation can

set in, causing acne and eczema. By

simplifying the skincare routine, you

will be able to reduce the obstruction

of hair follicles, thus minimising the

burden to sensitive skin.

What are some issues with

using a daily multi-step

skincare routine?

Skincare and beauty products are

often studied for their efficacy on an

individual basis, not as part of a

multi-step routine. When you put

multiple layers of products on your

skin, you can’t always be sure of the

active ingredients in each of them.

Another issue will be the compatibility

when mixing the products together.

Some of the active ingredients might

not go well with others. For example,

there might be ingredients that could


NATURAL Beauty

By: Dr Low Dyoi-E

Consultant Dermatologist, Pantai Hospital Cheras (PHC)

deactivate the active ingredient or

affect the product’s overall pH.

Can you give an example of a

simple skincare routine that

you would recommend to a

patient who breaks out easily

or is prone to skin irritation?

A basic skincare routine should include

a gentle cleanser, moisturiser and

sunscreen. Those who are acne-prone

and have oily skin can choose a

stronger cleanser to remove the

excessive oil. The moisturiser can be

skipped – try switching to a toner with

retinol. Make sure your sunscreen is

lightweight. As for those with dry skin,

a gentle cleanser, moisturiser

(especially with ceramide and/or

hyaluronic acid) and sunscreen will be

good enough. Toner is optional for

those with very dry skin.

What are the three most

essential products to use in a

simple skincare routine?

A cleanser is mandatory. Leaving

makeup residue on the skin can cause

inflammation and premature ageing.

Additionally, sunscreens are essential

for Malaysians due to our sunny

climate. A good sunscreen helps

prevent premature ageing from daily

UV exposure. Moisturisers also help

maintain the skin barrier function and

give the skin an overall healthy and

hydrated look.

Some might argue retinol is an

essential product for anti-ageing, but it

must be used with care, especially for

those with sensitive skin, as retinol

might cause excessive skin peeling.

Besides these products, masks and

face mists can benefit people with dry,

sensitive skin, but they are not really

essential for those with oily skin.

Not all of us can use the same skincare

products or routines. For example,

toner is one of the products that’s not

necessary for everyone. It’s more

suitable for those with acne-prone

(oily) skin.

In fact, toners with retinol can reduce

sebum (oil) production, thus

preventing acne outbreaks. If a patient

with dry skin uses the toner excessively,

it might eventually lead to skin peeling

and allergic skin reactions.

Products aside, how can we

take better care of our skin?

Diet and hormonal factors play an

essential role in our skin health. It is

ideal for those with acne-prone skin to

reduce carbohydrate-rich food such as

rice, noodles, bread, and dairy

products. Instead, consume more

Vitamin C. Hormonal disturbances due

to lack of sleep, stress and

menstruation have been proven to

worsen acne. Lead a healthy lifestyle,

have a balanced diet, sleep early and

don’t stress yourself too much. As for

those with dry and sensitive skin, there

is no harm in taking probiotics to help

enhance the skin barrier function.

Simple skincare also means

simple ingredients in the

products. In your opinion,

what ingredients should

we avoid?

Whenever possible, try to avoid using

products with synthetic fragrances.

They might give the products a

welcoming smell, but prolonged use

would bring about allergic contact

dermatitis. Parabens are inexpensive

and a common preservative used in

many skincare products to keep the

product fresh. They also prevent the

product from harbouring harmful

bacteria. There have been an

increasing number of allergic skin

reactions following the usage of

products with parabens.

Another ingredient, Sodium Lauryl

Sulfate (SLS), is a foam booster and

cleansing agent that might irritate your

skin, eyes and lungs. It can also trigger

allergies. Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)

is much gentler and doesn’t strip the

epidermis of any excess moisture.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is actually

the parent chemical modified to make

Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES). Both

SLS and SLES are commonly found in

shampoo, body wash and bubble

baths. Fortunately, many

manufacturers nowadays have reduced

the use of SLS and SLES in skincare

products.

In skincare, no one product applies to

all. Thus, skincare routines need to be

individualised, whether you have

normal or dry skin oily or sensitive skin.

For people with sensitive skin,

choosing simpler products and

maintaining a no-frills daily routine for

washing and moisturising your skin can

help you achieve healthier skin and

keep irritation and redness at bay.

Natural Health * March 2022 VOL 126

13

BRAND Story

SKIN REFINER

Beauty Starts

with a Good

Foundation

A brand synonymous with a wholesome approach

to skin beauty, Skin Refiner emphasises quality

and efficacy when it comes to their skincare

products. Thanks to their constant research and

development efforts, they have fine-tuned their

products and expanded their beauty range to

accommodate the different needs and skin types

of thousands of women searching for great

beauty products. In a way, you can say Skin

Refiner is every woman’s best-kept beauty secret.


BRAND Story

Skin-Deep Care

Skin Refiner was conceived out of the sincerity of the founder,

who realised the products used on her clients wasn’t working.

As a beautician, she couldn’t sleep comfortably knowing that

the products she would be using wouldn’t help her clients,

especially those with sensitive skin like hers.

From thereon, she took it upon herself to find actual beauty

products which not only work well but are also affordable to

her clients. After scouring the market, she couldn’t find anything

that was good but reasonably priced. This led her towards

creating her own beauty products instead. This way, she could

ensure product quality while maintaining an affordable price.

Her initial products were all tested on herself to see if the product

is good and safe before she uses it on her clients.

Inside Out Beauty

The founder’s hands-on approach laid the foundation for Skin

Refiner’s excellence. Since 2012, Skin Refiner has grown to

become the supplier of reliable beauty products that are not

only safe but effective and affordable. They’ve built a name for

themselves solely through word of mouth, relying on the quality

of their beauty products and the beautiful results to speak for

the brand.

Today Skin Refiner is known as a trusted and reliable beauty

product brand across Malaysia. They continue to expand into

different aspects of beauty aside from products, which include

better product training for any of their customers and sales

agents across Malaysia.

The Award-Winning Skin Refiner Masks

with Translucent Hydrating Powder

One of the Skin Refiner’s best-loved products is their vibrant

collection of salon-quality powdered masks infused with

Translucent Hydrating Powder. Formulated with advanced

nanotechnology combined with Marine Collagen, these masks

address different skin conditions to ensure radiant and healthylooking

complexion:

nn

Featuring the acclaimed Nano-Gold, the Gold Foil Mask

effectively firms up the skin, keeping it youthful, supple, and

wrinkle-free.

nn

The Diamond Detox Mask with active silver foil powder helps

produce positive electric charge particles to offset the

absorption of dirt and remove toxins from the skin for a

healthier complexion.

nn

For a calming effect, the Anti-Wrinkle Lavender Mask soothes

and protects the skin from further damage caused by

environmental factors.

nn

The Hydrating Rose mask, made from dried, crushed rose

petals, gives skin a moist, crystal-clear appeal.

The beauty of these masks is that they are easy to use and very

versatile. You can combine these masks for even more skinbeautifying

benefits or use each one of them alone to address

specific skin issues.

Please visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/

SkinRefinerMY or their website: www.skinrefiner.my for more

information.


15

FOOD & Nutrition

Broccoli, quinoa,

blueberries, wild salmon,

kale...these are just a

few popular superfoods

from different parts of

the world, offering a wide

range of health benefits.

Fortunately, we have

our own locally grown,

nutritionally superior

foods in Malaysia too.


FOOD & Nutrition

1 Ginger

Whether you are using it as a cooking ingredient or a healing herb, ginger is an

ordinary rhizome with extraordinary ‘powers’. For starters, ginger can instantly spice

up bland-tasting dishes. Cooking aside, it is also a health-boosting plant that provides

a range of health and wellness benefits, from relieving nausea to improving skin,

hair, and nails. Ginger is also known to increase metabolism, support weight loss,

and boost immunity. A versatile herb, it is often used as a pain relief remedy. Recent

research has also found that ginger can potentially prevent colon cancer.

2 Turmeric

For centuries, turmeric has

gained a strong foothold

in traditional medicine

as an effective remedy

for relieving pain and

inflammation. Rich in iron,

manganese, potassium,

vitamins C and B6, this golden-yellow spice also contains powerful

antioxidants that can help alleviate many types of diseases like heart

issues, arthritis, and gastrointestinal problems. It is also used as a

beauty remedy to promote healthy skin and hair. Research shows that

it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects on obesity as well,

making it an excellent complement to a healthy weight loss diet. In

addition, it has also been shown to improve respiratory infections,

allergies, and depression.

5 Moringa

With its fragile branches and

odd knobby appearance, the

moringa plant doesn’t look at all

impressive. However, don’t judge

a moringa by its looks because

this puny plant is incredibly rich

in nutrition thanks to a variety of

essential phytochemicals present

in its leaves, pods, and seeds.

According to scientific research,

moringa offers seven times more

vitamin C than oranges, ten times

more vitamin A than carrots,

17 times more calcium than

milk, nine times more protein

than yoghurt, 15 times more

potassium than bananas, and 25

times more iron than spinach.

Studies also show that moringa

can help heal both Type 1 and

Type 2 diabetes, protect and

improve brain function.

3 Pegaga

Pegaga, as it is commonly called in Malaysia, is a

quaint perennial plant that is often used as a culinary

vegetable as well as a medicinal herb. In other parts

of the world, it is known as Gotu kola, pennywort,

or by its scientific name, Centella Asiatica. It is

recommended by the World Health Organization

(WHO) as one of the most important medicinal

plant species to be conserved and cultivated. In

Malaysia, it is commonly consumed as a vegetable

(ulam) among Malays and used during confinement

to enhance the health of new mothers. According

to research, pegaga offers positive outcomes in the

treatment of bronchitis, asthma, excessive secretion

of gastric juices, dysentery, and kidney problems.

4 Bitter melon

Bitter melon, also known as bitter

gourd, balsam pear, or karela, is a

widely consumed vegetable in Malaysia.

While it is not all that appealing to

our tastebuds because of its bitter

flavour, it has many significant health

benefits that make it one of the most

essential superfoods to include in your

daily diet. The plant consists of three

primary substances that offer anti-diabetic properties to help lower blood glucose

levels. It is also used in traditional medicine to treat cough, skin conditions, burns,

and period pain. In a study by Saint Louis University in the US, bitter melon extract

demonstrated the ability to kill breast cancer cells and prevent them

from metastasising.


FOOD & Nutrition

6 Seaweed

Seaweed is commonly used in Asian

dishes to uplift flavours and enhance

the overall appeal of various dishes.

It is also a popular snack or side

dish. However, it is more than just

a garnish or an appetiser, as these

sea vegetables, which are classified

as algae, contain high nutritional content, including fibres, proteins, omega 3

and 6 unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals like calcium, copper, iodine,

iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, phosphorus, potassium, selenium,

vanadium, and zinc. As it offers low caloric input, seaweed also helps with weight

loss. In Malaysia, the main cultivated seaweed species are Kappaphycus alvarezii

(elkhorn sea moss) and Eucheuma spinosum (red algae).

8 Bird’s Nest

Touted as the “caviar of the east,” edible

bird’s nest is one of the most prized

delicacies in the world. It’s easy to see

why: many studies claim that bird’s nest

has many nutritional elements ranging

from skin-enhancing components to

immunity-boosting properties. This

nutrient-rich superfood has also been

proven to contain essential amino acids

(protein), carbohydrates (high-fibre),

and minerals like calcium, sodium,

iron and potassium. It is regularly used

in Traditional Chinese Medicine to

enhance health and ease cough and flu

symptoms. It is also often consumed

as a beauty food by Asian women to

maintain a youthful appearance and

rejuvenate skin cells.

9 Palm oil

Widely grown in Malaysia, palm oil

is packed with heart-healthy fatty

acids and essential vitamins. Thanks

to its balanced ratio of unsaturated

to saturated fatty acids, it supports

healthy blood cholesterol levels.

According to the Malaysian Palm Oil

Council (MPOC), palm oil is extracted

from the flesh using an exclusive

technology that maintains the plant’s

carotenoids and vitamin E as well

as supplies fatty acids and other

important fat-soluble micronutrients.

In addition, solid fats made from palm

oil are better for health as they do not

have to go through hydrogenation,

which is known to cause cancer.

7 Kelulut honey

Did you know that honey produced by

stingless bees found in Malaysia is a

highly nutritious superfood? Known as

kelulut honey, this local honey species

has been reported to possess stronger

antioxidant activity and higher phenolic

content. It can also be used to treat

various medical conditions due to its

anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anticancer

properties. While it is sweeter

than sugar, this sweet-sour honey has

minimal sugar content and a lower

Glycemic Index (GI) than manuka honey.

10 Durian

Thorny and pungent, durian is not the most appetising fruit

around – for most people anyway. For durian lovers, you’d

be glad to know your acquired taste for this exotic fruit with

its creamy texture and intense aroma offers various health

benefits. Durian is a dietary source of potassium that plays

a vital role in maintaining blood pressure levels. It is also

rich in minerals like iron and copper to support bone health.

This sumptuous fruit is also an energy and mood booster. Thanks to its high

potassium content, durian can help you beat afternoon slumps and relieve anxiety.

Additionally, it contains tryptophan, which breaks down into serotonin – a chemical

substance that makes you feel happy and relaxed.


BRAND Story

Silky

Smooth

Skin

All Day,

Everyday

Younger, softer, and healthier skin is possible – when you take good care of yourself

and use quality skincare products. Oilum, created to offer only the best formulation

to protect and nourish the skin, has proven to be the go-to skincare solution for many.

Hence it’s not a surprise that they have won the Natural Health Reader’s Choice Award

once again this year: Oilum Hydro-Rebalance Firming Cleanser was awarded the Best

Moisturising Cleanser (Dry & Wrinkled Skin) title while Oilum Derma-Firm Lotion

bagged the Best Moisturising Lotion (Dry & Wrinkled Skin) title.


BRAND Story

Health is Beauty

Oilum is one of the exclusive skincare

brands under the care of MD Pharma

Sdn Bhd, a renowned wellness and

beauty care company in Malaysia.

Established in 2015, MD Pharma has

since transformed itself from just being

a distributor of well-known skincare,

beauty care and wellness products.

Today, this company produces its own

top quality products created to meet the

requirements of Malaysian users.

“MD Pharma strongly believes that

health is beauty. Beauty is more than

just skin deep. It also comes from

being healthy in mind, body and

soul,” says MD Pharma’s Managing

Director Andrew Tan, who is also the

Deputy President of the Malaysian

Pharmacists Society.

Apart from Oilum, MD Pharma’s

product line-up also includes UVeCare,

GlutaGlow, JF Sulfur, and V-Mina, all

known for their efficacy and highquality

natural ingredients. Their range

of products is available at all leading

community pharmacies, aesthetic clinics,

private GP clinics, well-known private

hospitals, and online stores. These

products are also a celebrity favourite,

which garnered ample media coverage

and positive publicity for the brand over

the years.

OILUM: A TOP CHOICE TO

RESOLVE DRY SKIN

For those with very dry skin, Oilum

is truly a lifesaver. Formulated by

dermatologists, Oilum skincare products

are made with natural ingredients like

olive oil and collagen for youngerlooking,

healthier, and hydrated skin.

Oilum ensures skin hydration

and balance through three ways:

hydrating, firming, and protecting the

skin. This is achieved through:

1. Improving the environment of

the dry skin to a condition that

effectively supports the skin’s

rehydration mechanism

2. Maintaining the improved

environment by protecting

the skin from damaging

environmental factors without

suffocating the skin

3. Facilitating the skin in its

natural rehydration and repair

mechanism


23

BRAND Story

Oilum

Hydro-Rebalance

Firming

Cleanser:

Gentle and

Moisturising

For people with very dry skin, even

using the mildest soaps for their

daily shower can cause irritation to

their skin. Here’s where a natural and

gentle cleanser like the Oilum Hydro-

Rebalance Firming Cleanser can keep

you clean and fresh while ensuring

your skin stays moisturised.

Formulated with a combination of

natural olive oil and collagen, this

gentle cleanser helps preserve the

skin’s integrity in terms of its natural

protective barrier. This is important for

people with dry skin because it locks

moisture in by supporting the skin's

ability to re-balance its hydration levels

and keep its moisture-barrier function

intact. This way, the skin won't dry out

and remain supple and hydrated. In

addition, antioxidant-rich olive oil also

assists with nourishing and protecting

the skin from free-radical damage.

To alleviate dry skin issues, it is

recommended that you use Oilum

Hydro-Rebalance Firming Cleanser

daily to maintain your skin’s natural

hydration levels. In fact, if your hands

tend to get dry and cracked after using

regular handwash soaps, it's a good

idea to switch to this cleanser to regain

smooth and soft hands.


BRAND Story

Oilum

Derma-Firm

Lotion:

Keeping Skin

Soft and Supple

After cleansing your skin, apply a

good lotion so that your skin can

stay moisturised throughout the day.

Presenting the award-winning Oilum

Derma-Firm Lotion, clinically proven

to ensure soft skin, thanks to its high

efficacy, safety, non-sensitivity, and nonirritancy

formulation.

Suitable for all skin types and ideal

for daily and frequent use, this lotion

effectively hydrates the skin, while

its olive oil content provides healthy

antioxidants to prevent free-radical

damage.

Moreover, this lotion serves as a

Double-UV filter to shield your skin

from damaging UV-A and UV-B rays.

In addition, it can help enhance skin

texture and boost collagen production

to improve your skin’s natural balance.

Its unique formulation also includes

lactic acid, which assists with renewing

the skin. Fragrance-free and parabenfree,

this lotion is gentle on very dry and

sensitive skin. After washing your hands,

it’s a good idea to apply this Oilum

lotion to moisturise and soften your

hands immediately.

Consistent care with Oilum Derma-

Firm Lotion will pave the way towards

beautiful, supple, and youthful skin. Rest

assured that the product has undergone

stringent safety tests to ensure its safety

and efficacy.


25

HEALTH & Wellness

Precious

Bones:

Taking Care

of Your Bones

and Muscles

During the

Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic presented its own set of challenges,

impacting social, economic, mental and physical well-being.

One key health element that took a back seat during the

pandemic was bone health.

Termed as the “silent disease,” orthopaedic conditions such

as osteoporosis often go underreported because people are

not aware of them or underestimate their seriousness – this

results in undertreated cases. The misconception that bone

diseases are only seen in an ageing population contributes to

the ignorance surrounding bone health.

This lack of concern for bone health became even more

prevalent during the pandemic. In fact, over 90% of elective

orthopaedic cases in Malaysia were postponed or cancelled

due to anxiety surrounding the pandemic.

Delayed assessments, lack of testing, reluctance in obtaining

the right consultation and low levels of physical activity may

have consequences on our bone health, both immediate and

far-reaching.

As we move into the new phase of recovery from the

pandemic, we need to take a renewed interest in our bone

health and make our musculoskeletal health a priority again.

Let’s begin by understanding the impacts the pandemic has

had on our overall health.

How the Pandemic Impacts Our Bones

And Muscles

One of the key factors that led to an increased incidence of

bone and joints related problems during the pandemic can

be attributed to low levels of physical activity. Physical activity

is a key factor for maintaining bone and muscle mass and

prolonged periods of no movement directly impact your

muscles and bones, especially bone mineral density.


HEALTH & Wellness

Dato' Dr. Badrul Shah Badaruddin

Consultant Orthopaedic & Sports Surgeon

ALTY Orthopaedic Hospital

Working from home has been another

contributing factor to declining

bone health, in addition to low

periods of physical activity. The ALTY

Orthopaedic Hospital reported an

increase in young adults complaining

about lower back pain and shoulder

spasms linked to working from home.

Long hours in front of a screen, poor

posture, hunched back, and a lack of

access to ergonomic seating can all

have a direct effect on your spine and

back. The pandemic and a change

in regular working habits is proof of

the impact that poor posture and

inactivity can have on our overall

health and well-being.

Another factor that often influences

bone metabolism is Vitamin D. The lack

of exposure to the sun for months on

end during the pandemic has raised the

risk of vitamin D deficiency, especially

within individuals who do not take

daily supplements. The deficiency of

this crucial vitamin can lead to several

conditions, including osteoporosis.

Weight gain can be another reason

for poor bone health. The pandemic

left people with no time to exercise

and little self-control, leading them

to an unbalanced diet that led to

weight gain. This sudden increase

put pressure on the joints, increasing

the risk of painful joints in addition to

other health conditions.

The Care Gap and Associated

Issues

The greatest challenge posed by the

pandemic was that it interrupted the

delivery of appropriate medical care

to patients. With healthcare resources

diverted to manage the spread of

infections and treat those who tested

positive, several other chronic illnesses

were put to the curb. Unfortunately, this

meant that patients with bone ailments

such as arthritis, osteoporosis etc.,

were not given the immediate care

they deserved. Prolonged procedures,

missed doctor appointments, and

closure of physical therapy centres are

some factors that could contribute to

long-term consequences for patients,

such as an increase in symptoms or

disease progression.

The pandemic also saw a lack of

patient follow-ups as people feared

contracting infections in hospital

settings. This meant that many

patients who needed medications

and more tests did not make the

necessary visits to hospitals. This

was especially damaging for fracture

patients, who need frequent checkups

and physical therapy.

Get Back On Track With Your

Bone Health

With restrictions slowly easing and

hope for normal routines to return, it is

time to take that healthcare priority list

again and give special preference to

your bone and muscle health.

Talk to your doctor

If you have been suffering from

aches and pains or have an already

diagnosed bone ailment such as

osteoporosis, setting up a consultation

with your doctor should top that

list. During your meeting with the

specialist, try to understand the

progress of your condition, schedule

appointments for assessment and tests

(if needed) and set a time for a second

follow-up meeting. You can also try to

speak with your doctor to see if you

need additional physical therapies or

make any lifestyle adjustments to reach

your health goals.

Lifestyle modifications

Next on the list should be making

lifestyle changes if you haven’t started

doing so already. Set up a proper

workstation at home if you don’t plan

to step into the office soon. Make sure

that you invest in an appropriate table

and chair setting with a laptop stand

that allows you to maintain a good

working posture. Include 4-5 days

of light intensity workouts such as

jogging, yoga, swimming and cycling

to your daily routine. These exercises

will strengthen your joints, keep you

flexible, and help you lose weight in

the process.

Diet and nutrition

Adjusting your diet can also play

a significant role in ensuring good

musculoskeletal health. Talk to your

physician about including supplements

like Vitamin D, calcium, and zinc in

your diet. You can also up your intake

of whole foods like milk, eggs, salmon,

green leafy vegetables, and lean

cuts of meat to give your body the

nourishment it deserves.

Learn about bone health

Finally, take the time to educate

yourself more about the importance

of maintaining good bone health. To

educate Malaysians about common

bone ailments such as arthritis,

osteoporosis, and spondylitis, ALTY

Orthopaedic Hospital put together an

ALTY-mate bone care month to share

multiple resources, videos with experts

and bite-sized content on social media

to make information more accessible.


27

BRAND Story

Innovative

Home

Appliances

That Care

for You

LG, a brand renowned for their innovative collection of appliances,

has always emphasised offering optimum solutions and new

experiences to help customers lead better lives. Staying true to their

“Life’s Good” motto, the brand offers a range of products defined

by sophisticated design, reliability, and innovative features to make

life simpler, easier, and better.

The LG PuriCare collection draws from LG’s inspired philosophy

of a good life to provide consumers with innovative home appliances

that ensure a cleaner, healthier and allergen-free lifestyle. Adding

on to their latest collections of PuriCare home appliances are the

Tankless Water Purifier and 360° Air Purifier – two products that

have recently won the Natural Health & 健康时尚 Readers’ Choice

Awards.


BRAND Story

Enjoy Fresh Drinking

Water with the

LG PuriCare Tankless

Water Purifier

Cleaner air aside, it’s crucial to have clean and hygienic drinking water as well.

The LG PuriCare Tankless water purifier ensures fresh-tasting and clean water

every time. Thanks to its tankless design, users no longer need to worry about

stagnant water as the water purifier directly filters water straight from the pipe

into your cup.

Additionally, the tankless technology

eliminates any concern about microorganism

formation while allowing you to enjoy a

continuous drinking water supply even in

times of high demand without the

limitations of a water tank. Another

advantage of a tankless water purifier is

that there’s no need to constantly reboil

water, thus saving energy.

That’s not all, as the tankless water purifier

also incorporates two laters of UV

sterilisation, which is automatically activated

every hour ( users can also opt for manual

sterilisation at any time.), as well as a

3-stage filtration system to effectively

remove harmful particles, bacteria and

seven types of heavy metals (mercury, lead,

arsenic, cadmium, iron, copper, aluminium)

that may be present in the water.

Appearance-wise, the super slim design of

the LG PuriCare Tankless water purifier

can be installed in any part of your kitchen,

blending in with your home style seamlessly.

As the water purifier also features a Left &

Right Moving Tap, it enables flexible

installation in every corner. Whether you

want to place it horizontal or vertical, you

can have your way.

Like the PuriCare 360° Air Purifier, the

PuriCare Tankless water purifier can also

be connected to the LG ThinQ app via

Wi-Fi to monitor your water purifier and

detect product and water consumption.


29

BRAND Story

Breathe Easy

with the

LG PuriCare

360° Air Purifier

The PuriCare 360° Air Purifier is designed with a sleek

aesthetic and intelligent features to provide homeowners

with fresh indoor air by removing invisible air pollutants.

This ultra-modern appliance features a unique 360-degree

purification that thoroughly cleans the air from every corner

without leaving any blind spots. This revolutionary air purifier

also comes with 360-degree absorption and discharge as well.

Inside, there is a 6-step filtration system that addresses two categories of common pollutants:

Total Allergy/Dust

Collection Care

Total Harmful

Gas Care

• Step 1 Large dust removal

• Step 2 Dust-storm/Ultra-fine

dust removal

• Step 3 Allergy removal

• Step 4 Living odour including

ammonia (NH3)

• Step 5 New House syndrome

gases removal (VOC’s)

• Step 6 Smog main

components removal (SO2,

NO2)

Built to be user-friendly, the LG PuriCare

360° Air Purifier provides real-time reading

of your indoor smell and particulate levels

with its smart PM 1.0 and gas sensor that

automatically sets the airflow and

operation cycle. Even if the air pollution

level is at its cleanest, the odour level

colour indicator independently displays

and controls the odour quality indoors.

With the addition of the LG ThinQ app,

you can check pollution levels and control

the air purifier from anywhere via your

mobile devices.


SPECIAL FEATURE

8 TYPES OF SURGERY

FOR CANCER TREATMENT

Each year, more than 23,000 new cancer cases are diagnosed in Malaysia. To combat this

debilitating disease, cancer treatment may require one or a combination of the following:

surgery, radiotherapy, and systemic therapy (which includes chemotherapy, targeted therapy,

endocrine therapy, and immunotherapy).

According to the American Cancer Society, surgery

is used to prevent, diagnose, stage, and treat cancer

as well as relieve (palliate) discomfort or problems

related to cancer. In this article, let’s look at the

different types of cancer surgery.

1. Curative Surgery

Example: early-stage breast cancer

Surgery is one of the most critical components of

cancer care, and its role has expanded to more than

just curative surgery (surgery to remove all cancer

cells with the intent for cure). Curative surgery is

usually recommended as the primary treatment

when the cancer is still confined to only one part

of the body. However, it may be used with other

treatments like chemotherapy or radiotherapy

before or after the operation. An example is earlystage

breast cancer, in which the curative surgery to

remove the tumour, part of the breast or the whole

breast together with some surrounding lymph

nodes is done.

2. Diagnostic Surgery

Before someone is diagnosed with cancer, surgery

is one of the methods to help diagnose cancer. In

most cases, the only way to know if a person has

cancer, and type of cancer, is by taking out a small


SPECIAL FEATURE

piece of the abnormal tissue (sample)

from the tumour and testing it. This

procedure is called a biopsy. Sample

retrieval depends on the location of

the tumour and the suspected type

of cancer. An example will be surgical

removal of an enlarged neck node in

suspected head and neck cancer.

3. Staging Cancer

Besides imaging investigation such

as a CT scan, surgery is also critical in

staging cancer. The area around the

tumour, including the lymph nodes and

nearby structures, are examined during

surgery. This is to find out how much

and far the cancer has spread. This is

important as it provides information to

guide the doctor on future treatment

decisions. Colon cancer is one such

example where the report after surgery

will help to stage the cancer and guide

the subsequent treatment.

4. Debulking Surgery

In some instances, surgeons may only

partially remove the tumour. This is

called debulking surgery, which is

usually done due to a large tumour

or because the tumour is located

very close to vital

organs or tissues.

An example is

locally advanced

ovarian cancer,

in which the

doctor will take

out as much of

the tumour as

possible and then

treat the remaining

cancerous

cells with

chemotherapy.

5.Palliative Surgery

At times, surgery may not be done

to treat or cure the cancer itself.

In these cases, palliative surgery

is recommended to help correct

a problem causing discomfort or

disability to patients with advanced

cancer. For example, some cancers

in the bowel may grow large enough

to block (obstruct) the intestine. But

due to its advanced stage (cancer

that has spread and involves other

parts of the body), surgery will not

be curative but mainly to remove the

blockage or bypass it. This is done to

make the patient feel better and more

comfortable.

6. Supportive Surgery

Supportive surgery makes it easier

for patients to get other treatments.

This surgery incorporates a vascular

access device such as a chemoport, a

thin, flexible tube that can be surgically

placed into a large vein and connected

to a small drum-like device placed

under the skin. A needle is put into

the drum of the chemoport to give

treatment such as chemotherapy, fluids,

blood transfusion, or medications

while cancer care is in progress. This

is particularly helpful for patients with

poor vascular access.


33

SPECIAL FEATURE

DR TAN CHIH KIANG

Consultant Clinical Oncologist, MBBS (IMU), MCO (UM)

Tung Shin Hospital

Other

Specialised

Cancer

Surgeries

• Cryosurgery: uses extremely

cold temperatures to kill

cancer cells; often used for

skin cancer and cervical

cancer

• Laser surgery: uses beams

of light energy instead of

instruments to remove

very small cancers (without

damaging surrounding

tissue), shrink or destroy

tumours, or activate drugs

to kill cancer cells; ideal for

areas that are difficult to

reach (skin, cervix, rectum,

and larynx)

7. Reconstructive Surgery

Another type of surgery in cancer care

is reconstructive surgery, which is used

to improve the way a person looks

after a major cancer surgery. It also

helps restore the function of an organ

or body part after surgery. Examples

include breast reconstruction after

mastectomy (surgical removal of the

whole breast) or the use of tissue flaps

from other parts of the body, bone

grafts, or prosthetic (metal or plastic)

materials after surgery for head and

neck cancers.

8. Preventive Surgery

Another form of surgery in cancer

management is preventive surgery. The

surgery removes body tissues or parts

that are likely to become cancer, even

though there are no signs of cancer

at the time of surgery. Sometimes the

whole organ is removed when a person

has a medical condition that puts them

at very high risk of having cancer. For

instance, a woman with a strong family

history of breast cancer may have

inherited a breast cancer gene (e.g.

BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 gene). Due to the

high risk of developing breast cancer,

doctors may recommend removing

the breasts before the cancer has

developed.

• Electrosurgery: uses electrical

current to kill cancer cells;

used for skin cancer and oral

cancer

• Microscopically controlled

surgery: layers of skin are

removed and examined

microscopically until

cancerous cells cannot be

detected; useful when cancer

affects delicate parts of the

body, such as the eye

Source: stanfordhealthcare.org


Fitness & Energy

Powerful

Treadmill Workouts

for Burning

More Calories

A treadmill is a versatile and convenient exercise equipment to have

at home. But let’s be honest, how many of us tend to let it gather dust

in a corner after a while? That’s why it’s essential to have a proper

workout plan when it comes to sweating it out on a treadmill.

According to fitness professionals, the best method of treadmill

training is getting the best results with the least amount of impact

on the body in the shortest time. Here are a few ways to use your

treadmill to achieve an optimal calorie-burning workout.

HIIT (High-intensity

interval training) on the

treadmill

In a study by the World Obesity

Federation, HIIT is a time-efficient

workout that can effectively reduce body

fat and burn calories. Generally, the HIIT

system comprises short periods of

high-intensity exercises with rest in

between.

You can implement HIIT routines on a

treadmill:

1. Start with a flat incline on your

treadmill.

2. Warm-up by walking 2 mph for

5 minutes

3. Run at 10 mph for 30 seconds

4. Walk at 4 mph for 60 seconds

5. Repeat up to 10 times if you

can. Do at least 5 sets.

6. Cool down by walking 2 mph

for 5 minutes.

If you want a more intense workout,

alternate between jogging and sprinting

or increase the speed a little.

Caution

“Anytime anybody begins or

changes a workout or adds

something like an incline, they

have to do it slowly; otherwise,

they are certainly at significant

risk for an overuse injury.”

Source: Dr Dennis Cardone from

NYU Langone Health via today.com


Fitness & Energy

12-3-30 Workout

Made popular by social media

personality Lauren Giraldo, the 12-3-30

treadmill workout has helped her lose

30 pounds (kg). She tells today.com

about how she discovered the workout:

“I’m not a runner, and running on the

treadmill was not working for me. I

started playing around with the settings,

and at the time, my gym’s treadmill had

12 inclines as the max. The three miles

per hour felt right, like walking, and my

grandma had always told me that 30

minutes of exercise a day was all you

needed. That’s how the combination

started.”

If you would like to try this workout, use

these three settings on your treadmill:

• Incline: 12

• Speed: 3

• Time: 30

Do this five times a week for the best

results

The BITE Method

The Balanced Interval Training

Experience (BITE) method created by

elite runner, running coach and creator

of Precision Running David Siik blends

intervals of sprint-training with distance

running. It’s similar to HIIT workouts

– but while HIIT focuses on short,

intense bursts of fast exercises followed

by easy recovery, BITE uses a leisurely

sprint pace paired with a more

strenuous recovery period by

incorporating a slight incline.

Here's a brief BITE 30-minute treadmill

workout from Siik:

• 3 min warm up

• 1.5 min starting speed 1.4 mph

@ 2% incline

• 1 min recovery walk/jog

@ 2% incline

• 1.5 min increase starting speed 1.6

mph @ 1% incline


@ 1% incline


mph @ 0% incline

• 1 min recovery walk/jog @ 0%

incline


mph @ 0% incline


@ 0% incline


mph @ 0% incline


incline


mph @ 0% incline


@ 0% incline


mph @ 0% incline


@ 0% incline


mph @ 0% incline


incline


mph @ 0% incline


incline

• 4-5 min cool down

An Incline is one of the

greatest tools a

treadmill has to offer.

There is a right incline

for the right speed, so

don’t overdo it. A

healthy dose of 1-5%

inclines is preferred,

especially for the BITE

method.

Source: David Siik in his book The

Ultimate Treadmill Workout


living Well

Why a Women-Exclusive

Health Insurance Plan

Can Be a Good Choice

As a woman, you may have many roles – a mother, sister,

daughter, employee, businesswoman and so on. When life

gets busy, it’s important to keep your health in check. Besides

taking care of yourself by having a well-balanced diet and a

healthy lifestyle, it is worthwhile to get a female-specific health

insurance plan to protect you. That way, you can live a full life

with peace of mind.

What is women-specific

insurance?

Women-specific policies are designed

to cover specific female healthcare

needs that standard health insurance

plans may not provide. For example,

female-related illnesses, maternity care,

newborn baby coverage, and more.

There are many benefits in these

ladies-only health plans to ensure

women have something to fall back on

during a medical emergency, such as a

sudden accident or illness. This provides

financial independence and stability

at the same time. Fortunately, a wide

variety of specialised health coverages

for women is available in Malaysia. Let’s

take a look at the benefits and what

different policies have to offer.

Protection from female

diseases

General insurance may not cover

certain critical illnesses that affect

women, such as breast cancer, ovarian

or cervical cancer. Subscribing to a

specialised health policy for women

can help offset the financial risks should

these illnesses occur.

Taking PRULady from Prudential as an

example, the policy offers coverage

for a broad range of female-related

illnesses, including female cancer

(breast, cervix uteri, fallopian tube,

ovary, uterus, or vagina/vulva) and

systemic lupus erythematosus with

severe kidney complications, as well

as age-related conditions such as

osteoporotic fracture and rheumatoid

arthritis. Additionally, there is a

coverage restoration feature for female

carcinoma-in-situ, which means the

reduced amount of cover will be

restored after six months from the

diagnosis date of female carcinomain-situ.

Protection for mother and

baby

If having children is in your life plan,

it’s ideal to have some form of financial

support for your pregnancy and

childcare needs. PRULady covers all

mothers-to-be against pregnancy

complications and their children against

congenital illnesses such as spina bifida,

cleft lip, ventricular septal defects, and

others. The coverage also accounts for

unfortunate conditions resulting in the

loss of a child, including disseminated

intravascular coagulation (after seven

7 months of pregnancy); ectopic

pregnancy, eclampsia, late miscarriages

after the 18th week, and death of a

foetus or an infant after 30 days of

birth.

Infertility

For those who can no longer get

pregnant due to accidents that cause

injury to their reproductive organs

(ovaries and/or womb), policies like

PersonaLady policy from Etiqa and

Lady Protector from Great Eastern offer

compassionate cash compensations to

assist them during this difficult time.


living Well

Female wellness

Major illnesses aside, there are

times in a women life when they

require treatments or therapies for

other medical complications. For

instance, under AIA’s A-Life Lady

plan, their extensive female care

benefits provide a one-off payment

for medical complications arising from

elective cosmetic surgery, hormone

replacement therapy for menopause,

and psychotherapy treatment for

anxiety or depression disorders.

Reconstructive benefits

Due to illness or accidents,

reconstructive surgery is crucial, but

not many women can afford it should

they need it all of a sudden. Most

women-specific insurances also include

reconstructive benefits. For example,

PRULady covers facial reconstructive

surgery due to cancer or accident;

skin grafting due to burns or skin

cancer, breast lumpectomy, breast

reconstructive surgery, or surgical

removal of female reproductive organs

due to carcinoma-in-situ, cancer or

accident.

Another policy, PRemierLady

Savers from Etiqa, also offers facial

reconstructive surgery or dental

treatment due to an accident. Women

who need to undergo corrective

surgery to the head, face or neck or

treatment of injury or damage to teeth

can benefit from this plan.

Other benefits

Along with medical coverage, some

women policies like PRULady life

insurance also includes a wide range

of benefits other than healthcare,

including buying a property, retirement

or death of a spouse, while A-Life Lady

covers health screenings. Additionally,

the LadyProtector policy helps with the

legal cost and expenses incurred for

instituting legal proceedings of sexual

harassment cases.

If you are unsure whether you should

get a standard or specialised womenspecific

policy, think about your needs

and talk to a professional insurance

provider. Research different plans and

see which ones suit you and your life

goals the best.


41

Covid-19 Special

Speedy and

Seamless:

Malaysia’s First

Virtual COVID-19

Screening App

It was incredibly challenging for medical frontliner Dr Chan Hai

Feng and his team when COVID-19 first arrived in our country.

Workload piled up due to the increasing number of people who

have been infected with the coronavirus. At one point, they were

screening up to 100,000 patients a day. However, regardless of

their hectic schedule, Dr Chan and his peers also took upon

themselves to organise funds for the needy, donating PPEs, and

resources to people in need, while advocating avidly for the wellbeing

of fellow frontliners.

During mass screenings, Dr Chan

realised that the entire process was far

too time-consuming. On top of this, it

also poses a huge risk by further

exposing his staff and the public

unnecessarily to the dangers of

contracting the COVID-19 virus. In

2021, when the Malaysian government

started easing restrictions, Dr Chan

identified an urgent need to make

COVID-19 screening safer, easier and

more effective. With the support of his

team, he injected a capital of RM

500,000 to develop CLEA, Malaysia’s

first virtual COVID-19 screening

platform.

After three months of beta testing,

CLEA launched in October 2021,

becoming an incredible success and

instantly gaining profound public

traction. In just six weeks of the app’s

launch, CLEA had acquired more than

20,000 downloads, made 100,000

impressions and verified over 18,000

virtual COVID-19 screenings.

The CLEA platform allows users to

verify and authenticate their self-test

by medically-qualified doctors and

provides a convenient and seamless

virtual solution to COVID-19. More

than that, users are guided in

conducting self-tests by in-app

step-by-step instructions, resulting in

more accurate results. With the

invention of CLEA, Dr Chan and his

team are working towards empowering

people to lead their lives safely and

responsibly whilst ensuring they are

safe from COVID-19.

Natural Health was fortunate to have

the opportunity to speak to Dr Chan

Hai Feng, Founder and Chief Executive

Officer of CLEA, about this

revolutionary platform. In this

interview, Dr Chan shares his

experience and story about making

CLEA a success.

What inspired you to develop

virtual screening?

The team behind CLEA were actively

involved in mass screening activities

over the course of the pandemic.

During then, there was a time when

the whole team was down because we

were in contact with positive patients.

Everyone was unmotivated. However, I

was convinced that there must be a

better way of screening more

effectively while lowering the risk of

exposure to everyone. After creating

the app, we had replaced almost all

our physical onsite screening with this

method. This method has helped us

save time, lower the risk of exposure,

and make the COVID-19 screening

more efficient.


Covid-19 Special

By: Dr Chan Hai Feng

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of CLEA

What are the benefits of

virtual screening in our

efforts to combat Covid-19?

COVID-19 started in December 2019.

There are no medications for the virus.

The only measure to stop the spread is

to develop vaccines, which is not a

silver bullet since the virus has already

spread widely. Screenings play a

significant role in preventing the

spread of COVID-19, where we can

quickly isolate and quarantine

positively tested patients.

However, physical screening is a huge

waste of human resources and time.

On top of that, it comes at a high cost

and a greater risk of exposure of

COVID-19 to all parties involved. We

believe that with the correct structure

and framework, we can have a virtual

screening platform that allows for

higher efficiency and capacity while

maintaining the integrity of COVID-19

screening. With this, we can screen on

a larger scale and prevent the further

spread of COVID-19.

What were the challenges in

the process of developing

the app? How did you

overcome them?

Challenges were mainly on the

technical part. We had plenty of ideas

on how to verify and perform the

screening. However, not everything is

feasible or practical to incorporate into

the app. We are lucky to have

colleagues with exceptional tech

backgrounds working on app

development. They try to design and

code at their best effort.

Can you tell us more about

the app, such as its features,

technology, etc.?

There are four main verification processes

for the whole screening – ID verification,

test kits verification, sample collection

verification and results verification. The

entire screening process is designed

according to guidelines and protocols

that the doctors usually practice in clinics.

Furthermore, all the transmitted data in

CLEA are encrypted to ensure its security.

We have multiple auto-scaling server

clusters to cater for the app, databases

and back offices. From time to time, we

also perform penetration tests and

distributed denial of service (DDoS)

attacks to ensure all of our servers are

secured from every endpoint.

How does CLEA shape the

future of Malaysia’s digital

landscape?

More and more clinics will soon adapt

to digital healthcare as everyone will

realise that this lies ahead in the future.

We foresee CLEA complementing the

private and the government medical

facilities in many ways, sensitising

healthcare, and at the same time

improving the overall community

healthcare index.

What are your plans moving

forward?

Besides our plan to actively reach out

to the public and increase their

engagement with our services, we are

also in the midst of expanding and

looking to offer this service to more

neighbouring countries. Thus, we hope

to assist them in combating COVID-19

with a scalable screening platform.


NEWS & Events

Sunway Medical Centre

Kicked Off COVID-19

Vaccination for Children

with Celebration

Greeted by

a delightful

welcome, parents

who chose Sunway

Medical Centre,

Sunway City, for

their children’s

much-awaited

COVID-19

vaccination were

pleasantly

surprised by the

hospital’s efforts in making this experience a childrenfriendly

affair.

The campaign kicked off in February. On top of the

party-feel surroundings, the hospital also prepared a

special care kit for the first 400 children, consisting of

children’s masks, a hand sanitiser, a pack of plasters

and a little message to encourage them. The

hospital’s very own mascot, ELFY, made an

appearance with Bellabot, the delivery bot which

serves at the children’s ward. Besides that, they were

also given specially designed vaccination certificates

with ELFY stickers to stamp their first dose completion.

Sunway Medical Centre is starting with 400 doses

weekly for children vaccination on Thursdays and

Fridays and hopes to increase their capacity

subsequently. This is by appointment only via

MySejahtera. Besides COVID-19 vaccination for

children, the hospital continues to administer booster

shots for adults and is open for walk-ins on Mondays

and Tuesdays. www.sunwaymedical.com

Shokubutsu Liquid Body

Wash Boasts a New Bottle,

Enhanced Ingredients and

an All-New Anti-Bacterial

Range

Shokubutsu’s latest innovations literally got your skin

covered! As the leading liquid body wash brand,

Shokubutsu now comes in a new and uniquely shaped

bottle with enhanced ingredients and viscosity. It has

also introduced a brand-new anti-bacterial range for

individuals and families who seek natural or plantbased

anti-bacterial protection.

Shokubutsu, which means “plant story” in Japanese, is

a Japan-formulated body wash made from 100%

cleansing ingredients from plants. Inspired by

traditional bath rituals, every Shokubutsu product is

created to deliver the Japanese way of skincare and

wellbeing naturally. Shokubutsu Body Wash new

packaging is inspired by the ki-oke bucket, a unique

feature in a Japanese onsen, traditionally used to store

hot spring water.

Shokubutsu Fresh Body Wash and Natural Protection

Body Wash ranges are now available at selected

supermarkets, hypermarkets and pharmacies. You can

also purchase online with doorstep delivery via

Lazada or Shopee.

For Your Sweetheart Campaign Addresses the

Rising Cases of Diabetes in Malaysia

For Your Sweetheart Campaign invites all Malaysians to keep themselves and their loved

ones healthy with a FREE Diabetes HbA1c Screening at participating clinics nationwide,

particularly during the year-end festivities and feasting.

The National Diabetes Registry Report 2013-2019 showed that an alarming number of diabetes

patients in Malaysia suffer from heart disease. Awareness and the knowledge of whether one has

diabetes or risks for developing diabetes is the first step towards managing the complication of

diabetes-related heart diseases. This is even more crucial amid the Covid-19 crisis that we are all

facing, as people with diabetes are also at high risk for severe Covid-19 infection and death.

Therefore, early detection, prevention and treatment are vital in addressing this issue.

Log on to www.foryoursweetheart.my to register for the Free Screening today! Each outlet/clinic has a limited number of

vouchers available. It is on a first-come-first-served basis, and new locations will be updated monthly.


NH ENG _Mac2022

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