From State of Malaysian Children feature’s article, its say that most Malaysian children today have much more than their parents ever did. Life is full of choices over their food, toys, books, entertainment and schools. Health-wise, they are also much better off. Evidently, we do. According to Dr Soo Thian Lian, President of the Malaysian Paediatric Association (MPA), most parents take a narrow view of health. He says: “They think that if a child is not sick, he is healthy. As child specialists, we prefer to look more holistically at the state of children in health and wellness terms.” The study revealed that 14.9% of the children who died did so suddenly (eg through drowning or a motorvehicle accident). Of the remainder, 58.5% had received treatment but 25.1% had not. The most common reason for the disturbing failure to seek treatment was ignorance; the care givers were not aware that the children were seriously ill.
Overall, the top 5 most common causes of deaths were:
1. Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities (25.1%)
2. Certain infectious and parasitic diseases(18.8%)
3. Diseases of the respiratory system (13%)
4. Diseases of the nervous system (8.2%)
5. Injuries, poisoning and external causes (7.5%)
“This is why MPA is concerned with more than just treating and curing sick children. We actively champion the optimisation of health by promoting the prevention of injury, disorders and diseases that can result in death or trauma that may scar children for life. Equally important is encouraging their well-balanced development — intellectually, socially and Emotionally,” said him. Towards this end, MPA introduced Positive Parenting in 2000. Dr Soo says: “The programme is a means of providing parents with expert information, knowledge and advice to help them provide optimum care for their children.
Talking about MPA, The Malaysian Paediatric Association was founded in 1979. Today, the association’s membership has increased in strength from a mere handful to more than 500 members which made up of paediatricians, paediatric nurses and others involved in the care of the child. MPA plays a major role in advocacy on all issues related to paediatrics and child health. This covers not only health, but social issues and current controversies as well, such as child abuse and neglect, inappropriate advertising targeted at children and adolescents, unsuitable TV programmes for viewing, injury prevention, substance abuse and cigarette smoking. MPA membership is made up of paediatricians, paediatric nurses and others involved in the care of the child. Furthermore, MPA is affiliated with the Association of Pediatric Societies of the Southeast Asia Region (APPSEAR), now renamed Asian Pacific Pediatric Association (APPA), and International Paediatric Association (IPA). Locally, MPA is affiliated with the National Council for Child Welfare.
One more special thing is, regarding Jabatan Pediatric in Hospital kuala Lumpur (HKL) which had its humble beginnings in two wards placed above the present car park in the main block of Hospital Kuala Lumpur. There was only one ward for all children under seven years of age, while the other ward had a few beds designated for the first and second class, and a section created for neonatal beds for out born nursery. Planning for Institut Pediatrik began in earnest and the foundation for the institute was laid down in 1982. Unfortunately due to various reasons, this much wanted project was only completed in early 1991. Jabatan Pediatrik however had a temporary reprieve when it moved to Wisma Kayu in 1988. A special care nursery for inborn was placed in the Maternity Hospital. By mid seventies alongside with the commencement of various clinical departments in the medical faculty of the National University of Malaysia, the need for a better and larger area for pediatrics was acutely felt.
. Though placed in an old building, the department had seven wards dedicated to patients. By then all children aged thirteen years and below were rightfully placed under the care of the pediatrician. By May 1991, Jabatan Pediatrik moved all its activities to the present Institute of Pediatrics. Today Jabatan Paediatrik has evolved into providing various subspecialty services, serving as tertiary referral centre for the country, while continuing to provide core services in General Pediatrics and the neonates. Beside services offered by Jabatan Pediatrik, the Institute of Pediatrics also serve as a tertiary referral centre for Pediatric Surgery, Orthopedics, Child Psychiatry and Pediatric Intensive Care.
