Prem Kumar C

20/09/2025

Bullying manifests in many forms and lurks in all facets of society. In our medical line, it still lingers in a heirachical manner that will compromise healthcare workers' (HCWs) productivity and the dignity of both HWCs and patients alike. Its existence eventually erodes the very fabric of the profession's mission, namely that of providing quality service with compassion, and it needs to be halted

Parents, educators, and communities must work hand-in-hand to raise resilient, empathetic and accountable individuals. If we as a society fail to act, we risk raising a generation disconnected from compassion, the very trait that makes us human.

28/08/2025

The Penang Age-friendly City (AFC) initiative began with its application to the World Health Organisation (WHO) for the status of AFC in 2022. The Malaysian Healthy Ageing Society (MHAS) was the consultant engaged by the Penang Women's Development Corporation (PWDC) to oversee the project in collaboration with Majlis Bandaraya Pulau Pinang (MBPP). Stakeholder engagements began in 2023 and much progress has been made thus far with research and having to fulfil the required criteria to satisfy viability of the 8 domains selected. This culminated in the final stakeholder meeting on 23rd August 2025 and efforts to ensure the fulfilment of requirements will continue even after official recognition is bestowed. Syabas to all involved and every Penangite should be proud of this achievement. Further details of the domains as below.

24/03/2025

On my 23rd work anniversary this month at Penang Adventist Hospital, I would like to recommend 'Adolescence', a Netflix limited series which I have just watched.

This is a must-see for every parent with teenagers. Great acting too, with the gradual unleashing of the evolution of sociopathy in a young teen male that is almost always missed by parents and teachers alike - lack of remorse, manipulativeness, disillusioned sense of control over opposite s*x, desire for acceptance and poor impulse control.

Below is the link to a very apt write-up that invites proactive delving into what makes present-age teens tick and issues surrounding their sense of masculinity, as uncomfortable as it may be to initiate.

The Netflix show 'Adolescence' exposes the crisis facing boys today, exploring masculinity, social media's impact, and what parents must do to help.

19/12/2024

The gripping issue that has taken our medical landscape by storm these past few years. We just pray something positive comes out of this curious case...

All doctors are expected to fulfil the criteria of being competent and safe, given their huge responsibility of being tasked to care for the public.

10/10/2024

Today 10th October 2024 is World Mental Health (WMH) Day. Other than the common psychological illnesses such as mood, anxiety and psychotic disorders, we are now further facing the psychological effects of work-related stress disorders, as well as cyberbullying.

In line with the WHO theme for this year's WMH Day “It is Time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace”, it cannot be denied that Malaysia is on the cusp of becoming a productive and globally competitive nation. People between the ages of 20 and 40 with weak immune systems who sought treatment for anxiety and hypertension usually did so as a result of work.

Putting in more than 55 hours of work per week is associated with 1.3 times more incidences of depression and anxiety. Sleep deprivation and fatigue also can result in diminished productivity and the risk of burnout, hence work hours should be capped at between 38 and 45 hours a week.

However, those facing work-related stress may not necessarily be workaholics but could instead be grappling with a shift in the nature of their work or workplace expectations, especially in this post-pandemic period. Early intervention is necessary as some of them have suicidal thoughts.

Many are not aware of this connection between poor work-life balance and their stress symptoms. Hence, we should be aware of keeping our work environments mentally-conducive, as well as being on the lookout for peers who may display symptoms of difficulty coping.

Let us all embrace the culture of making our work places ‘healthy and conducive’ this WMH Day 2024 and be ready to recognise any warning signs of stress from work and intervene accordingly.

30/05/2024

60 days to go...come join us!

🎉🌱 Hey there,
*Did you know* that it is projected that by 2050 1 in 6 people globally will be aged >65 years old.. ?

Do you want to be a champion of change for yourself ?

🌟 *Get ready* to embark on a transformative journey at the ASEAN Healthy Aging Conference – where innovation meets sustainability!

*What will you miss*?
a dynamic fusion of thought-provoking discussions, hands-on workshops, and groundbreaking insights, all geared towards understanding healthy ageing !

🚀 Whether you're a seasoned expert, an aspiring milenial or gen Z, or simply a passionate healthcare provider about creating a healthier world, this conference is your chance to be at the forefront of change!

Join us as we dive deep into cutting-edge strategies, explore innovative technologies, and forge powerful connections with like-minded individuals who share our vision for a healthier tomorrow.

So, *mark your calendars*, spread the word, and register now to secure your spot at this unmissable event!

23/03/2024

A conference not to be missed for those in the medical as well as non-medical lines. Members of the public are encouraged to attend to learn more on ageing healthily. Hope to see you there.
Medichttps://www.facebook.com/share/p/wS5qPo5hrHbU6zYa/?mibextid=oFDknk

What is it About? The theme is “Ageing Successfully - Equitably, Actively and Naturally”.

08/02/2024

There have been plans for enhancing medical training curriculum and refining training centres to ensure excellence in training which may involve disruption in the specialist parallel pathway training program. Whilst we welcome the former commitment to the future of healthcare, we remain firm and strongly object to the latter unstated nuanced possibility. As it stands, it is evident that most other Colleges and Academies feel the same way as we may run the risk of injuring our widely renowned medical services, both in the public as well as private sectors.

01/02/2024

My wife and I presented an overview to the Rotary Club of Penang on a collaborative effort between the Malaysian Healthy Ageing Society (MHAS) and Penang Women's Development Corporation (PWDC) wherein an application was sent to the World Health Organisation (WHO) to make Penang an Age-friendly City (AFC).

There are currently 47 countries and 1100 cities worldwide that have been conferred the AFC status and Penang looks to be made one by 2025. We had to fulfil 8 domains as set out by the WHO and continue to produce agreed deliverables in various forms. This effort will aim to see changes made to housing, transportation, communication, civic engagement, social inclusion & participation, community health services and outdoor environment to benefit all ages and levels of society in our state.

Penang being the 2nd state after Perak with the highest ageing population, this endeavour will undoubtedly be well-received and implementation of the proposed improvements by stakeholders will be carried out by Majlis Bandaraya Pulau Pinang (MBPP) and the Penang State government, which we are sure will be well-executed. There is much to be looked forward to and to be excited for.

The launching will coincide with the 3rd Asean Healthy Ageing Conference (ACHA) that will be held in George Town from 30th July - 1st August 2024. Free pre-conference workshops for the public will be held on 29th July 2024 on various topics ranging from ageing healthily to navigating this digital era. Do check out the below link for details and join us:

https://healthyageing.org/acha2024/

More information on Penang AFC can be accessed at the below MBPP web page:

https://www.mbpp.gov.my/en/media/arkib/arkib-berita/95-berita-2024/jabatan-perancangan-pembangunan/674-age-friendly-city-tinjauan

23/12/2023

We always need to look at the lighter side of things, so while I was a strong proponent of the vax just so we won't die from Covid, this is just too funny. What's not funny though are anedoctal accounts of the range of late effects from the vax but that was a decision we undertook to stay alive at a most difficult time - hopefully, these side effects are isolated incidents but I guess only time will tell

05/12/2023

Ending the year with a topic I had to go read up a whole load about - should be an interesting session, especially with such a new but inevitable development in Malaysia...'death row syndrome' is real!