MalaysiaFlipFlop

A circular recently issued by the Pathology department of Tengku Ampuan Rahmah Hospital in Klang has swiftly appeared in doctors’ chat groups and forums, and stirred up an intense discussion amongst Malaysian healthcare professionals.

The letter, which was dated 6 September and written in Bahasa Malaysia, notified hospital staff of a temporary halt in pathology laboratory investigations, as the department was unable to purchase necessary chemical reagents due to inadequate funds.

“Temporary” suspension appears to affect other hospitals, too

The notice came with an attachment, which itemised the various tests provided by the Microbiology Unit, the Chemical Pathology Unit as well as the Haematology Unit, and listed the respective dates that they will come to a temporary suspension.

However, the Tengku Ampuan Rahmah Hospital does not seem to be the only health facility affected by the lack of funds.

A doctor who is currently serving in a district hospital has turned to the forums to share on the situation at his workplace. According to the healthcare practitioner, staff from the hospital where he is working have received circulars from the laboratory of a tertiary hospital located an hour away, informing the suspension of investigations from district hospitals due to lack of reagents or budget.

“Even if I did send it off, no results would be returned to me,” the doctor wrote.

Health DG: “Biggest challenges” to provide good healthcare services with limited resources

The director general of Health, Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, has responded to this matter on social media by acknowledging the challenges faced by the Ministry of Health (MOH) in providing quality healthcare services with restricted resources, especially with increase in demand.

“As the MOH strives to provide excellent health services at reasonable costs with high satisfaction to the Rakyat, surely the demand for the health services at the MOH will also increase,” he posted via social media.

According to Noor Hisham, the Health Ministry has seen an increment in the numbers of patients seeking healthcare services in public health facilities, with an estimated 8% increase in patients from January to May this year, compared to the same period in the past year. This translates to over three million additional patients who are visiting the public health clinics.

“This greater demand for our services has led to more complex challenges in managing our existing resources,” Noor Hisham stated. “Therefore, to ensure that crucial health services provision are not disrupted, the MOH is evaluating the extent of our financial shortcomings, and optimising and reallocating our limited resources to wherever it is needed the most. This is to ensure our laboratories will continue to perform crucial diagnostic investigations.”

He concluded his post by reassuring readers that the MOH remains committed in providing health services to citizens.

“Let us translate these challenges into opportunities for us to improve the way we do things; for it to be better, more efficient and effective, avoid unnecessary duplications and cut wastages towards achieving better outcomes,” he said.

Not just labs: Limited funds affecting supply of medications

The Health Ministry has also responded to the unease that has stirred amongst citizens following speculations of a shortage in medicines in government hospitals, with patients claiming that their supplies have been limited to prescriptions suffice for up to two weeks or a month compared to the previous two-to-six months’ prescriptions.

“The pharmacist gradually gave me only two weeks' worth of medicine. When I asked why, the pharmacist admitted they're currently facing a shortage and a month's prescription would only be issued if there's a letter by the doctor," said Michael, a restaurant manager, who used to receive a month’s worth of medication after every medical appointment since his recovery from tuberculosis earlier in the year.

According to 57-year-old homemaker, Kiran, the monthly prescriptions has caused some difficulties as she now has to make monthly trips to the hospital for her diabetic medications, with each trip taking approximately an hour depending on road traffic conditions.

In response to the situation, Noor Hisham has reassured that "There is no shortage of medicines or supplements at public hospitals and clinics. What we have done is to supply medicines for a month. This is to reduce wastage.” He added that it was the ministry’s policy to ensure sufficient supply of medicines and necessary supplements at all government health facilities.

Pharmacists share frustrations at medicine shortages

However, medical personnel have stepped forward to share on the current circumstances.

A government-based pharmacist from Malacca has said that shortages of medicine used in the treatment of blood pressure and diabetes have forced pharmacies to cut down prescriptions from the usual two months’ supply to one.

"Hospitals and clinics here have resorted to borrowing and lending medicine supply to sustain ourselves. After recalculating their remaining stock, most are wondering if the medicines could last till year-end," she said.

Meanwhile, a pharmacist from Johor expressed frustration on having to see diabetes patients face a shorter supply of insulin. "The pharmacy is currently issuing only two weeks’ prescription for it. While the situation is manageable at the moment, it can't be prolonged because diabetes is a critical illness. This shortage will add further complications for patients," he stressed.

Although Noor Hisham admitted that there has been some disruption in the supply of insulin due to problems faced by manufacturers overseas, he reassured that the ministry was keeping a close watch on the matter and urged all health facilities to take proactive measures to secure alternative supplies of insulin. MIMS

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GEORGE TOWN, Oct 26 — Hundreds of Umno Youth members, clad in black shirts emblazoned with the Malay words “Pemuda Bangkit” or “Youths Rise”, marched to Komtar today demanding the resignation of Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

The youths grouped at Menara Umno about 800m away at 1pm before their 2pm march to the landmark tower building that houses the Penang government offices.

Leading the demonstrators dubbed “Himpunan Pemuda Bangkit Pulau Pinang 2016, Ride Against Corruption” were Umno Youth deputy chief Khairul Azwan Harun and Penang Umno Youth chief Rafizal Abdul Rahim.

While the state executive committee chaired by Lim huddled around the meeting table, the demonstrators kicked up a din and held up banners stating in Bahasa Malaysia: “step down Guan Eng”, “Guan Eng corrupt” and “destroy Bersih”.

Umno Youth members marching to Komtar in George Town to demand the resignation of the Penang chief minister, October 26, 2016. — Pictures by KE Ooi

Khairul and Rafizal later stood on the back of a four-wheel drive and shouted for Lim to resign and to call on the police to put a stop to the Bersih 5 rally scheduled to be held on November 19.

“We will continue to hold peaceful protests against Guan Eng until he steps down and against Bersih until they cancel it,” Khairul said.

He later handed a memorandum addressed to Lim detailing their reasons for their demands.

They demanded that Lim resign due to the current corruption case pending against him and that the state government withdraw its support to Bersih 5.

Umno Youth members marching to Komtar in George Town to demand the resignation of the Penang chief minister, October 26, 2016.They also demanded that the state government build more low cost housing here while telling the state to stop over-development that is causing flash floods and landslides.

“We want the state government to stop reclamation works as it is affecting the ecosystem and the livelihood of fishermen,” Rafizal said.

The group dispersed after about 30 minutes.

This is the second demonstration by Penang Umno Youth after the first one on October 1.

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THERE IS A SAYING - WHEN YOU SURROUND YOURSELF WITH FOOLISH AND STUPID PEOPLE YOU BECOME ONE.

TODAY UMNO YOUTH GETS NO RESPECT FROM THE WORLD. EVEN IN MALAYSIA, UMNO YOUTH ARE CONSIDERED AS ROBBERS, THIEVES, MURDERERS, TROUBLE MAKERS, COPY CATS, FOOLS, LAZY IDIOTS AND VIOLENT GROUP OF MENTALLY SICK ARSE HOLES.

UMNO YOUTH CANNOT DEVELOP MY COUNTRY BECAUSE THEY ARE BUSY BEING USELESS CREATURE.

UMNO YOUTH TODAY DO NOT SEE THE CRIME COMMITTED WITHIN THE GROUP AND BY ITS LEADERS.

UMNO YOUTH ARE MAT REMPIT WHO CAN ONLY USE VIOLENT TO CREATE FEAR TO SHALLOW PEOPLE.

TODAY UMNO YOUTH NO LONGER HAVE LEADERSHIP THAT CAN HELP DEVELOP THIS NATION. THEY HAVE LOST THEIR DIGNITY WHEN THEY SOLD THEIR SOUL FOR A MERE RM100 AND FREE LUNCHES.

TODAY UMNO YOUTH ARE HIRED AS KILLERS, MURDERERS AND TO BRING HATRED TOWARDS THEIR OWN KIND.

TODAY UMNO YOUTH ARE SPOON FED TO CREATE USELESS MALAYS.

DO I AND OTHERS RESPECT UMNO YOUTH????? THE ANSWER IS A DEFINITE NO.

BLOGGERS SELL THEIR SOUL FOR PETTY SUM AND SOME TO ESCAPE BANKRUPTCY IN LONDON.

ME THINK THESE KIND OF BLOGGERS AND UMNO YOUTH SHOULD STAY TOGETHER IN A MENTALLY SICK ISLAND WITH ZAKI.

THEN MALAYSIA WILL BE AT PEACE WITH EACH OTHER.

All societies are run by an elite. In the past, this elite was the hereditary aristocracy. Today, the elite are extremely wealthy globalists. Here are some of the techniques they use to stay on top.

The first three items in this list are items that we have little influence over. They are determined by the government, which in turn is wholly owned by the elite. In theory, we can change these through our votes. In reality, we have almost no influence on these policies.

The last four are also wholly owned by the elite, but our use of them is within our control. If we are being controlled through them, we have no one but ourselves to blame.

1. Violence

One of the obvious ways that the elite control the populace is through the threat of violence. If someone from outside the ruling class tries to gain entry, he will quickly find himself either killed or imprisoned. Virtually every ruling class has used this method.

The US makes abundant use of violence to enforce the established order. Frequently the force used is excessive. For example, in 2013 a dental hygienist named Miriam Carey drove to a White House security checkpoint. When an officer told her to stop, she instead tried to make a U-turn back to the road. Officers tried to block her and she took off leading to a car chase that ended when officers shot and killed the young mother even though she posed no real threat.

The state monopoly on violence is the most acceptable form of control. When used well, it preserves order without negatively affecting most of the people. It only becomes a problem when it becomes excessive.

2. Welfare

Governments have been using welfare to placate the unwashed masses for thousands of years. During that last days of the Roman Republic, politicians provided bread to poor voters in order to buy their votes.

Unfortunately, the vote buying scheme did not last forever. Once the people figured out that they could vote for “free stuff” for themselves, the Republic became unmanageable. After a lot of political upheaval, this eventually required that a strong dictator in the form of Julius Caesar rise to power.

In our own day, governments provide free food, housing, and even cell phones to the poor to buy their votes and keep them from causing trouble. Don’t think for a minute that when you hear Hillary Clinton propose another handout that she actually has a shred of concern for her fellow citizens. It is still a method of control and vote buying.

3. Taxes

Taxes used to really anger Americans

The elite use tax policy to prevent others from becoming wealthy and thus entering the ranks of the elite themselves. In the US, the wealthiest 1% pays very little in taxes because the majority of their income derives from capital gains, which are taxed at a much lower rate than ordinary income.

Ironically, Democrats who want to tax high wage earners in the name of “sticking it to the rich” are in reality perpetuating the entrenched elite of the super rich. To foster greater economic mobility, the tax system should be made less progressive with the goal being to lower taxes on ordinary income.

4. Sportsball

Karl Marx famously said that religion is the opiate of the masses. Perhaps that was true in Marx’s day but it is definitely not true now. Today, religion plays a minor role in the lives of most people. Rather, the more powerful opiate in the lives of modern men is watching sports.

There are whole segments of the male (and increasingly the female) populace who spend Saturdays and Sundays glued to the TV watching their favorite college and professional sports teams. And it is not just mere entertainment. People take their sports so seriously that they may get depressed if their team loses an important game.

Sports are a multibillion dollar industry in the US and it is all put on by the elites who are wealthy enough to own sports teams. Even college sports are sponsored by the wealthy trustees of universities.

The way to avoid being trapped by the spectator sports distraction is to put it in its proper perspective. While there is nothing wrong with watching a game on the weekend, there is no reason to buy lots of paraphernalia or to waste time memorizing statistics. Why get emotionally involved over the battle of two corporations? Also, it is better to participate in sports directly rather than watching somebody else do it. That is also good advice for the next distraction which is…

5. Porn

Starting in the 1950s, pornographers waged a three-decade long battle to overturn or weaken US obscenity laws. They were successful. With the advent of the internet, porn became ubiquitous. While libertarians may celebrate this as the triumph of personal freedom, the reality is that it has become one of the most powerful forms of control of the masses.

I don’t have to tell any man how potent the sex drive is. We find the visual stimulation of porn extremely addicting. Some studies show that at least half of all men are addicted. I think the percentage is much higher.

Using porn is a huge time waster. Rather than accomplishing something useful, some men spend an hour or two a day trying to find exciting images. That’s time that would be better put to use lifting weights, learning a martial art, meeting girls, fathering a family, or starting a company.

But porn is more than a time suck. It also takes away a man’s edge. It tricks his mind into believing that he has become the emperor of China with 300 vaginas ready to meet his every need. In other words, using porn makes a man complacent. You can see this in the herbivore men of Japan who consider it easier to sit at home and wank instead of finding a wife or achieving great things.

Whether it was intentional or not, porn has turned into one of the most effective forms of control of the masses. If we are all busy spanking our brains out, we are not going to notice the fact that our government has turned into a plutocracy. We are not going to care that we are being treated like cattle to make our masters even richer.

6. Entertainment

The most popular post on my blog is the very first one I wrote. The topic is what I learned from watching the television show Naked and Afraid. While I think the post has a beneficial message, my weightier posts get much less traffic. The primary reason for the popularity of my post is because it concerns a TV show. Posts on ROK that comment on movies are similarly very popular.

Like sports, there is nothing wrong with enjoying television, film, or video games when it is done in moderation. But popular entertainment is almost always laced with messagesthat try to advance the progressive agenda. And like porn or sports, getting too involved with entertainment can blind us to what is happening in the real world.

How do you know if you are addicted to entertainment? Here is a simple test. If you are a grown man, and you felt a strong compulsion to go see the latest Star Wars movie, you are addicted to entertainment. The next time a blockbuster rolls around, wait until it comes out on video.

7. Social Media

When it is not being censored by the elites, social media can be an extremely powerful tool that we can exploit to bring back the patriarchy. Unfortunately, 99% of people don’t use it as a tool for good. They use it to status whore. Women are the guiltiest users but men do it as well posting pictures of their scotch or barbecue techniques.

The best fix for social media is to use it with awareness. If you find yourself slipping into status whoring or getting involved with pointless arguments, drop it and do something useful instead.

Conclusion

Aristotle teaches that true freedom is not the license to do whatever we please. True freedom is the ability to act in accordance with reason. If we are unable to do what is good, we are slaves no matter how much empowering language we use to dress up the fact of our servitude.

Liberating ourselves from elite control may not topple them in the short term, but it will make our individual lives better. That alone makes it worth the effort.