Malaysia’s health system lost a scrub nurse with HIV after he says a private hospital forced his resignation. NHS Scotland later hired him without restrictions — a stark brain-drain warning. https://codeblue.galencentre.org/2026/10/why-malaysia-lost-me-to-nhs-scotland-scrub-nurse-with-hiv/
Nearly 10 years after six patients died in the HSAJB ICU fire, Suhakam is demanding release of the inquiry into Malaysia’s deadliest hospital fire. https://codeblue.galencentre.org/2026/10/suhakam-advocates-demand-release-of-independent-committees-report-on-2016-hsajb-fire-tragedy/
CodeBlue
Suhakam, Advocates Demand Release Of Independent Committee’s Report On 2016 HSAJB Fire Tragedy
Ahead of the 10th anniversary of the HSAJB fire tragedy that killed 6 patients, the worst hospital fire in history, Suhakam chair Hishamudin Yunus, Dr Milton Lum, and the Galen Centre demand that MOH publish the independent committee's report on the fire.
MMA says commercial interests are overriding patient care after about 190 private specialists reportedly lost cashless facilities with insurers. Patients may be blocked from their chosen doctors. https://codeblue.galencentre.org/2026/10/commercial-interests-must-not-dictate-patient-care-mma/
CodeBlue
Commercial Interests Must Not Dictate Patient Care — MMA
Malaysians pay their medical insurance premiums every month in good faith. Instead, a growing number are told that their chosen specialist has been removed from a panel or restricted from cashless admission. In emergencies, delays can put lives at risk.
Medical negligence cases can take 3–5 years as doctors hesitate to testify against peers, says APHM. A panel of independent experts could assess cases earlier. https://codeblue.galencentre.org/2026/10/expert-witness-shortage-delaying-medical-negligence-cases-aphm/
CodeBlue
Expert Witness Shortage Delaying Medical Negligence Cases: APHM
APHM president Dr Kuljit Singh says a shortage of medical expert witnesses is delaying medical negligence cases that can take three to five years to resolve. Malaysian doctors are also reluctant to testify against their peers in a small fraternity.
Cochrane review of 9 trials (537 adults): medical cannabis does little for insomnia, with more dry mouth and dizziness than placebo 😴 https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/health/2026/10/23/medical-marijuana-failing-to-help-against-insomnia
The Star
Medical marijuana failing to help against insomnia
A major review analysed nine clinical trials with 537 adults and concluded that medical cannabis shows little to no meaningful improvement in sleep quality, total sleep time or daytime functioning compared to a placebo.
The Queen is worried about worsening mental health among children and teens. Istana Negara is pushing for stronger school counselling systems 🧠 https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/10/23/queen-concerned-over-worsening-mental-health-issues-among-children-teens/240344
Malay Mail
Queen concerned over worsening mental health issues among children, teens
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 — Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, has expressed concern over the worsening mental health issues among children and adolescents, which have...
"Stem cell facials" at salons? Doctors warn of infections, skin necrosis and even blindness. Only use registered medical clinics ⚠️ https://codeblue.galencentre.org/2026/10/the-dangerous-illusion-of-salon-grade-regenerative-medicine-in-malaysia-dr-ang-seah-tan/
CodeBlue
The Dangerous Illusion Of Salon-Grade Regenerative Medicine In Malaysia — Dr Ang Seah Tan
By demanding transparency, refusing unlicensed providers, and verifying true clinical expertise, we can dismantle the dangerous illusion of salon-grade medicine and protect the health of our communities from the outside in.
Sibu Hospital is getting a 10-bed neurosurgical ICU by end-2026, only the second general hospital in Sarawak with one after SGH Kuching 🏥 https://www.theborneopost.com/2026/10/23/sibu-hospital-to-get-rm1-million-neurosurgical-icu/
Borneo Post Online
Sibu Hospital to get RM1 million neurosurgical ICU
SIBU (Oct 23): Sibu Hospital is set to have a 10-bed Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit (ICU) by the end of this year, following an allocation of about RM1 million from Sibu MP Oscar Ling. According to him, the funds allocated under the Madani Government’s…
3,510 medical officers left Malaysia’s public service from 2024–2026, including 1,252 permanent doctors. MMA: job security alone is not enough—fix pay, workload, career paths and wellbeing. https://codeblue.galencentre.org/2026/10/permanent-posts-alone-not-enough-doctors-need-comprehensive-retention-strategy-mma/
CodeBlue
Permanent Posts Alone Not Enough, Doctors Need Comprehensive Retention Strategy — MMA
Doctors in public health care need a working environment that values their contributions, supports their professional growth, and safeguards their well-being.
Malaysia’s disability early-intervention system is fragmented, leaving parents to coordinate care across agencies. NECIC wants one national pathway, a lead agency and one key worker per family. https://codeblue.galencentre.org/2026/10/who-is-responsible-for-malaysias-early-intervention-system-for-children-with-disabilities-necic/
CodeBlue
Who Is Responsible For Malaysia’s Early Intervention System For Children With Disabilities? — NECIC
A good early intervention system would be government-led and funded, family-centred, inclusive by design, accountable for outcomes, and capable of reaching every child.
😷 Haze: kids, elderly, pregnant women and the chronically ill are most at risk, say experts. N95, stay indoors. https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/10/24/experts-say-all-high-risk-groups-vulnerable-to-haze-including-those-with-medical-conditions/240185 .
Malay Mail
Experts say all high-risk groups vulnerable to haze, including those with medical conditions
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 — While haze exposure poses health risks to the general population, high-risk groups such as children, older adults and pregnant women are more vulnerable to...
👁️ Haze isn't only a lung problem. Experts warn fine particles can aggravate eczema and dry, sting, your eyes, even leading to conjunctivitis if untreated. https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/10/24/haze-can-irritate-skin-and-eyes-not-just-lungs-experts-warn/240281
Malay Mail
Haze can irritate skin and eyes, not just lungs, experts warn
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 — Haze pushed air quality to hazardous levels in parts of the country this year, with the Air Pollutant Index (API) peaking at 519 in six areas of Sarawak on...
🩺 3,510 medical officers, incl. 1,252 permanent doctors, resigned in 2024-26, says MMA. Permanent posts alone won't keep doctors. https://codeblue.galencentre.org/2026/10/permanent-posts-alone-not-enough-doctors-need-comprehensive-retention-strategy-mma/ .
CodeBlue
Permanent Posts Alone Not Enough, Doctors Need Comprehensive Retention Strategy — MMA
Doctors in public health care need a working environment that values their contributions, supports their professional growth, and safeguards their well-being.
🧠 MOH is widening mental health access via 1,116 govt facilities, ~700 psychiatrists and ~10,000 counsellors. A workplace mental health policy is still under consultation. https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/10/25/dzulkefly-moh-strengthening-mental-health-support-nationwide-workplace-policy-under-consultation/240578
Malay Mail
Dzulkefly: MOH strengthening mental health support nationwide, workplace policy under consultation
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 — The Ministry of Health (MOH) is to continue strengthening the support system and access to mental health services nationwide, including through the...
😷 Haze alert: 8 areas hit unhealthy API as of 6pm, Serian highest at 192. Most are in Sarawak, plus Paka and Pasir Gudang. https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/10/25/haze-eight-areas-nationwide-record-unhealthy-api-as-of-6pm-serian-highest-at-192/240573
Malay Mail
Haze: Eight areas nationwide record unhealthy API as of 6pm, Serian highest at 192
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 — Eight areas nationwide recorded unhealthy air quality as of 6pm today, with Serian IPD in Sarawak recording the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading...
🕊️ A 73-year-old doctor died in a Paya Terubong landslide in George Town; his wife and mother-in-law escaped and six houses were evacuated. https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/10/25/body-of-doctor-pulled-from-rubble-residents-evacuated-after-paya-terubong-landslide/240523
Malay Mail
Body of doctor pulled from rubble, residents evacuated after Paya Terubong landslide
GEORGE TOWN, Oct 25 — The body of a man buried in a landslide at a two-storey semi-detached house in Taman Seri Rambai, Paya Terubong, here, was recovered by firefighters at...