KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia will be seeking input from the World Health Organisation (WHO) over the streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) that is hitting Japan.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad said Malaysia has not gotten any information or updates on the cases in Japan.
“We need input from the WHO, which is crucial. Once we get a heads up or updates on these cases, we can then take control measures. For now, these cases have not reached our National Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre or our infection division,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama after launching myBRP@CKAPS in Putrajaya today.
Japan has recorded more than 1,000 cases of STSS this year. STSS, also known as severe invasive streptococcal infection, is a sudden-onset disease caused by group A streptococcus.
Early symptoms typically include a sore throat, fever, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal issues, as well as septic symptoms like low blood pressure.
When asked about the draft amendment bill for the Medical Act 1971 (Act 50), he expressed hope that it could be tabled in Parliament by the end of this month.
“…present it first and at least have the first reading by the end of the week. Then we debate and pass this amendment bill.”
The draft amendment bill to Act 50 is said to address registration issues for medical doctors qualifying through the parallel pathway.
The parallel pathway issue gained public attention when the Malaysian Medical Association requested Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) admit non-Bumiputera medical officers wishing to receive specialised training in the cardiothoracic field, similar to how the institution accepts international students.
This came after the MMC rejected the application of four cardiothoracic surgeons to be listed in the National Specialist Register because the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in Cardiothoracic Surgery they obtained was not recognised.
UiTM is the only university in the country that offers the parallel pathway programme in the cardiothoracic field, in collaboration with the National Heart Institute. – June 20, 2024