Mahathir made good point...

Mahathir has a point here..."medicine is not just a profession, a qualification for earning a good income. It is a vocation, a calling which involves dedication to the job of healing the sick and caring for them". I wish the Houseman and Medical Students overseas would think of this carefully and not complaint too much on their job. Hey, you have decided to join the medical fraternity, you have to live with it. Read more:http://chedet.co.cc/chedetblog/2009/08/the-doctors.html
and
MMA boleh jawab?

Dia (Luth) berkata, " Aku sungguh benci kepada perbuatan mu"

I was asked by a good old friend of mine (Dr. Faiz) to write my experiences here in Melbourne. He was intrigue by the story I told him of the patients I see here. I have had all sorts. One thing which caught his attention was when I mentioned pasangan penkik dan pinky (women) that come for IVF. Australia is a country which recognizes these couples. However, they do not iktiraf perkahwinan mereka ni lagi. Perangai kamu Nabi Luth ini memang dah menjadi benda biasa. Masalahnya, community perubatan dan kerajaan membenarkan. Just imagine the child born out of these couples would be confused. These couples claim as long as they are 2 people (regardless of gender) who would love this child; it will be alright. But imagine the stigma his child will have. Adakah kita sebagai doctor akan dianggap bertanggungjawab juga? Apa akan kita jawab depan Allah esok bila anak ni akan menuntut haknya? Will he/she drag the doctors responsible to hell as well? Wa NauzubiLLah. Ini lah yang antara benda yang aku tak dapat nak terima, as a Muslim medical practitioner , I do not want to be held responsible.
Di dalam Kitab Al-quran menceritakan kisah Nabi Luth yang menasihati kepada kaumnya sepertimana dalam Surah Asy-Syuara;
26:160 "Kaum Luth telah mendustakan para Rasul"
27:161 "Ketika saudara mereka Luth berkata kepada mereka,"Mengapa kamu tidak bertakwa?"
27:162 "Sungguh, aku ini seorang rasul kepercayaan (yang diutus) kepadamu,"
27:163 "Maka bertakwalah kepada Allah dan taatlah kepada ku"
27:164 "Dan aku tidak meminta upah kepadamu atas ajakan itu, upahku hanyalah dari Tuhan seluruh alam"
27:165 "Mengapa kamu mendatangi jenis lelaki (Homoseks) di antara manusia"
27:166 "dan kamu tinggalkan (perempuan) yang diciptakan Tuhan untuk dijadikan sebagai isteri kamu? Kamu memang orang-orang yang melampaui batas'
27:167 " Mereka menjawab, " Wahai Luth! Jika engkau tidak berhenti, engkau termasuk orang-orang yang terusir"
27:168 " Dia (Luth) berkata, " Aku sungguh benci kepada perbuatan mu"
Kaum Luth telah mengancam Nabi Luth dan membencinya kerana mengajak kaumnya beriman.
Kita harus membencinya (perbuatan ini).
Semoga Allah memelihara kita dari kaum yang zalim.

Why talented Malaysians have to leave George Lee | May 27

It has been two years since I left my adored country to seek fortune Down Under. A year ago, my family decided to settle down here. Throughout the two years since I have been away, I have followed the social, economic and politic backdrops in Malaysia via both the mainstream and alternative electronic media.

Strangely, I have been keeping close tab on what is happening back home much more than when I was physically present in Malaysia. It hurts not being close to what is going on as the love for Malaysia has not transformed in any ways though like many of my friends (there are now seven of us - six IT consultants and one accountant -- who have settled in Australia), we had to leave. There were several reasons that contributed to our decision to leave Malaysia.

On the economic front, we were getting exasperated with the high living costs - the rise of prices in petrol, toll, parking, and fast-moving consumer goods - which had resulted in creating inconveniences to our daily lives.

More importantly, there were no worthwhile measures taken to address the affliction. While prices increase, the quantity and quality of goods were eroded. We envisaged (from past experiences) that the government would not do much to solve the people's livelihood. We just did not like to be constricted in such manner. We decided that we wanted to create another lifestyle in a more structured society, where the government would be more willing to help.

Socially, there were prevailing emotional distresses that we had to endure. For example, rude drivers, traffic hold-ups (drivers who shaped their own rules), escalating crime rate (witnessed several snatch thieves in action and the grieved of the victims but police are no where to be seen) and general discontentment among friends about living in Malaysia.

I was also appalled by the mindsets of government departments such as the Ministry of Education, Inland Revenue, and Dewan Bandar Raya when I had to run numerous errands. The government servants were rude, unconscientious and irresponsible. The systems in place in most of the country's organisations left a lot to be desired.

Any rational individual would start to ask whether Malaysia is a place worth living. The government has no sense of urgency to address the contorted public order and peace. We honestly felt unsafe to venture out of our homes even though the ‘mamak' stalls were in close proximity.

Politically, Malaysia has never able to isolate persistent racial issues. The government and its component parties were often practising double-faced roles of subduing and fanning racial sentiment. Intellectuals like us could see the schema behind. We knew very well that those in politics would be prepared to sacrifice the well-being of ordinary folks for their greed, while carrying a different message on their lips. These people needed to safeguard their political livelihoods as they are nobody without power.

Two years have passed. It hurts to watch from here when people continue to stand up against an unjust system but were frustrated by the tough and insensitive stance adopted by the government and its ruthless police force. Look at what has transpired in the Perak debacle. Forgive my ignorant in politics but personally I am sad to see how the authority handled the situation. We just cannot use the approach during the 1987 Operasi Lalang to suppress and oppress the people of today.

We are living in the 21st Century and too many things have changed. The government is just too conceited to admit and fail to discover a different strategy to tackle current political issues. Just look at the sweeping action and arrogant speeches delivered by the police force (OCPD from Brickfields), an extension of the government.

How can we teach our children humbleness and politeness if the politicians practise a different school of thought. With the latest in Malaysia's political scene, we have no qualms that we made the right decision two years ago even though the choice was difficult and agonising.

Many fellow Malaysians have no alternative but to brush aside all the inconveniences. Many braves ones have embarked to fight against the prolong issues and unfairness. I salute all these brave, ordinary folks and wish that they have copious of energies to carry them through. Two years ago, it had come to a juncture where I could no longer sweep all these tribulations under the rug and the eventuality was, to go away.

However, everyone has their own temperaments and beliefs. We would love to do something such as creating awareness for the betterment of Malaysia if we can find the platform and opportunity.

Having lived in Australia for two years, it puzzled me why the systems here can be so efficiently coordinated and ran. The councils and government are very much in control. Most importantly, their feedback and replies are prompt and updated. Filing tax returns here is convenient and fast that I got my refund within 14 days consistently for the past two years.

Here, we could be paying more taxes but I get some back via the structured family assistance allowance, free medical benefit and very reasonable school fee, etc. Lately, we even obtained stimulus payout from the tax office due to the effect of economic downturn. These measures have received great appreciation from the people.

The obvious question here is why can't Malaysia adopt some of the successful systems implement in Australia. One need not be superhuman to get things going except dedication and consistently, which Malaysia is lacking.

I can see that the Penang State government is starting to perk up the government delivery systems that are conspicuously missing in the Malaysian governance structure. Many of the systems in Malaysia are more about form than substance. One of the most important components that are noticeably missing is the integration among different government bodies. Conversely, this is so successful incorporated Down Under, which has curtailed loopholes and acted as a check and balance mechanism for the local government.

Ordinary Malaysians would like to be treated uniformly. If there is any trace of the adverse happening, that would slice open the disparity gap. What the government should be doing in my modest opinion is to build a mechanism to encourage the mediocre group to catch up and this should be attained not by protection or spoon-feeding.

The government should have a far-sighted view and not worry about temporary setback. Just like us, we were ‘compelled' to learn things in a hard way after we arrived in a new place. Initially it was hard but eventually we triumphed. Frankly, things are not so hard but politicians like to think in a complex manner.

It is time for the Malaysian government to take stock and revert to basics, or else we could expect a change of guard in four years time though it is probably too late now.

Recognized Postgraduate Qualifications

http://www.nsr.org.my/azRecognisedListDetail.jsp

LMWH

Aslm w.w.

Dear brothers Shaiful, Risman and all. It is the dream of being in this
circle of brothers and sisters that we strive to be as knowledgeable in
Islam as much as we are in our Scientific/medical/health areas as Islam do
not recognise separation between knowledge of "dunyawi and Ukhrawi". It is
the secularists who have separated the knowledge.

Jazakumullahu khairan for the excellent review of low Molecular weight
heparin.

Alhamdulillah, there is now what appears to be a "solution" with synthetic
LMWH Fondaparinux, (synthetic pentasaccharide).

As brothers Shaiful Risman elegantly reminded us, the shariah is based on a
few principles :

1. The Usul of Fiqh which is based on Dharuriyyat, Hajjiyyat and
Tahsiniyyat

2. The Maqasid of Shariah, which follows the Usul of fiqh

I add....

3. QAWAI'D AL SHARI'AT

4. DHAWAABIT AL SHARI'AT

To add on to the hujjah, let us elaborate on the Qawa'id of Shari'at where
there are 5 principles :

* principle of intention, qa'idat al qasd

* principle of certainty, qa'idat al yaqeen

* principle of injury, qa'idat al dharar

* principle of hardship, qa'idat al mashaqqat

* principle of custom or precedent, qa'idat al urf

The evidence of the use of Fondaparinux in Acute Coronary Syndrome (Unstable
Angina, Non STEMI and STEMI) and deep vein thrombosis / Pulmonary embolism
is good enough for us to use all principles of Usul, Maqasid and Qawa'id
Shari'at as it gives us :

1. Good intention (qasd)

2. Yaqeen

3. Maximum benefit from injury

4. Used in hardship (illness - life threatening condition)

5. And has precedence e.g. use of heparin in ACS

At the same time, the same principles also allows us to still follow the
Qa'edah of Istihalah (conversion in form) and Istihlak (dilution with
purifying water) as it does not automatically nullify this principle.

I am mentioning this so that in certain conditions where Fondaparinux is
still not available due to accessibility, cost or just beaureucracy, one
should not, after reading the postings, say that because a "better
alternative is available" we should stop totally the use of Enoxaparine and
deny patients the only available therapy.

Those who have no choice but still use Enoxaparine, should still feel that
they are within the shariah but should do it with the intention (qasd) of
preserving Dharuriyyat. Then still do it with Yaqeen following the Qa'edah
of Istihalah, in a situation of preventing Dharar in a situation of
Mashaqqat. So Shariah is still prevails. In this situation, the
practitioner knows that it is then his/her duty to recommend to the
authority a better solution and is making da'awah by doing so.

The ultimate solution, is for the muslims to "convert" from being end users
to being manufacturers. Till when are we going to keep on using the
products of companies which contributes to the "Zionists agenda"? We talk
about boycotting McD, Starbucks etc. But we prescribe thousands of ringgit
worth of drugs manufactured by companies contributing to the killings and
murders of the muslim Ummah. We also depend on them for our academic
progress (CME) and free dinners & holidays?

Let us pray that we will be able to produce halal products for the human
race and there will come a time that the "halal label" will be unnescessary
because everything is halal.

"Dialah yang mengutus RasulNya (Muhammad) dengan petunjuk dan cara hidup
yang Haq, supaya kamu memenangkan Deen itu keatas segala system hidup yang
lain. Dan cukuplah Allah sebagai saksi" (surah al Fath)

"Dan perangilah mereka sehingga tiada lagi berlaku fitnah, dan deen (system
hidup) itu segalanya hanya untuk Allah (Al Anfaal)

"Sesungguhnya satu-satunya system hidup yang di terima oleh Allah adalah
ISLAM" (Al Baqarah)

Wallahu a'lam

Abdul Latiff

just a thought...

Today I met some medical students who are in their final year and they mostly want to stay on and work here and “only return to Malaysia once become a specialist”.  We often here of this statement but I asked them how sure are you that you will be given a place to do the specialist training that you want in Australia as a non-resident.  It came to my understanding that the spot is very competitive and limited, and that is to the Australian or PR of Australia.

I got this from Sydney U website:

Australian universities do not conduct courses which provide training for medical practitioners who wish to become specialists. These are controlled by professional and medical colleges.

To become a specialist, a medical practitioner must complete a training program arranged by one of the recognized professional colleges (for example, the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons or Royal Australasian College of Physicians). A major part of this training takes place in teaching hospitals but is NOT the responsibility of any of the Australian universities, although university staffs have significant roles in both colleges and in hospitals.

Medical practitioners who want to become specialists are appointed to hospital training positions by individual hospitals with the approval of the State Health Departments, and sometimes in conjunction with the Colleges who select trainees for some specific training programs (for example, Orthopedic Surgery).

Training positions are competitive and often not easily available, particularly to non-residents.

Under special circumstances, arrangements can be made for selected overseas students to undertake specific training programs in Australia, for example in a specialty such as cardiology. This may be organized by bodies such as the International Development Program (IDP), Australian Aid (AusAID), through the Australian Postgraduate Federation in Medicine (APFM) or by discussion with senior Australian specialists in charge of specialist units. Temporary registration for the purpose of training is granted by the State Medical Board concerned, if it accepts the qualifications of the applicant and the host hospital is prepared to undertake responsibility for the trainee. 

BUT the adik-adik must understand, many doctors (International Medical Graduate) would also want a spot under this clause too – many from India and Pakistan at my hospital.

At the University of Sydney some graduate vocational Masters by coursework programs are conducted (for example, in Public Health and Sexual Health). However, graduates of these courses do not automatically become eligible to work as medical practitioners. Universities also provide research training, e.g. PhD courses, but this training is not a qualification to practice medicine.

So, kalau nak balik as cardiothoracic surgeon or cardiologist (like those I was talking to- susah lah, but if public health mungkin senang sikit.   Australian membership is not like the UK membership exams where one can do it ‘externally’.  And another thing, will your ‘specialist’ qualifications be recognized in Malaysia)

If you are a non-resident medical practitioner, and wish to arrange a period of training in Australia, you should ensure that you are eligible for an appropriate visa.

This could be another problem as Visa 442 or 457 only carry a limit of 5 years.  Unless they become PR, then problems may be resolve; but then migration laws changes as government changes AND kalau dah jadi PR, buat ape balik Malaysia???)

Enquiries for hospital positions should be directed to appropriate hospitals, to the relevant professional College, or to the Australian Postgraduate Federation in Medicine. (Good luck getting a consultant to sign for you)

 So just, a thought for our adik-adiks here… My 2 cents

Hatta

 

We have to protect our doctors

30th July 2008

We read with interest the recent medical report published online that is likely to shed new light onto the high profile case of sodomy involving a well-known political figure. This has also been widely commented upon in mainstream newspapers. As medical practitioners we urge the relevant authorities to treat this medical report with objectivity in the course of their investigation.

We are also aware that the accuser underwent a second medical examination at HKL. We feel it is imperative that both medical reports form the basis of forensic evidence and be given due weight should this case end up in a trial, unless of course the reputation and credibility of the doctors are in question. This is in light of the previous sodomy charges involving the same political figure 10 years ago where certain medical reports were not allowed to be tendered as evidence when it was in favour of the accused.

We believe that any doctor who has carried out his duty professionally must not be subjected to any form of harassment or intimidation. In view of the fact that this is a very high profile case which may potentially further erode the already blemished reputation of Malaysia’s justice system internationally, the focus of the investigation should be on the veracity of the contents of the said reports and not on the controversy of patient-doctor confidentiality.

We urge the police and the AG’s chamber to either charge the accused according to the rule of law without any undue delay or exonerate him from any charges with immediate effect since justice delayed is justice denied.

Dr Sheik Johari Bux
Dr Farouk Musa
Dr Jeffrey Abu Hassan
Dr Musa Nordin