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Work together, practise social discipline to curb Covid-19: Health DG

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysians must work together and practise social discipline in order to flatten the Covid-19 infection curve, said Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

He said that in the past two weeks Malaysia had recorded around 150 to 200 positive Covid-19 cases daily and the Ministry of Health (MOH) had been monitoring the trend closely to ensure there is no exponential spike.

“Now we have completed two weeks, so another two weeks to go. It is up to us and if all of us come together and we practise and embrace (the advice) that you stay at home, and we, MOH, will continue our public health activity like active case detection, increase testing, finding targeted groups and isolate them early, then we can actually break the chain of Covid-19 transmission in this country.

“So the next two weeks is all up to you and me; if we can all have a social discipline, I am sure that we can actually flatten the curve to avoid the exponential spike. If not, we may see a surge in Covid-19 positive cases in mid-April like (that) predicted by JP Morgan and the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research,“ he said at a press conference on Covid-19, here today.

Dr Noor Hisham said that thanks to MOH’s active case detection, Malaysia had not recorded any exponential spike like 900 to 1,000 cases in one day.

“That means we continue to go to the community identified as a high-risk group through targeted approach and then test them. There will be some cases that will be detected as positive; our detection of positives is about 8%,“ he said.

Dr Noor Hisham also urged all Malaysians returning from overseas to home-quarantine for 14 days.

“We fear that the second wave is all imported cases. Malaysians coming back from overseas, that is the group that we are worried about as we fear they may bring back the Covid-19.

“Although they are negative, we still have to quarantine them for 14 days. Those positive we isolate them in our hospitals,“ he said.

He said MOH was aware that some Malaysians who returned from overseas broke the home quarantine rule.

When asked about the possibility of the MCO being extended until Ramadan, he said it was too early to make any conclusions now.

“We will only know after the first week of April. If we continue to flatten the curve or there is no exponential increase, then I think we can safely make a decision.

“In terms of the Ramadan bazaars, they need to follow MOH standard operating procedure or guideline and have to take all precautionary measures to break the Covid-19 infection chain,” he added.

Asked on calls for the imposition of Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) in red zones, he said this would be done if there is a rapid increase in positive cases in these areas.

The government enforced the EMCO in the area from Batu 21 to Batu 24 Sungai Lui, Hulu Langat, Selangor, yesterday, the second area to be placed under such restrictions after Simpang Renggam, Johor where Kampung Dato’ Ibrahim Majid and Bandar Baharu Dato’ Ibrahim Majid were subjected to similar curbs for 14 days beginning Friday. – Bernama

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/work-together-practise-social-discipline-to-curb-covid-19-health-dg-HN2197191

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March 30, 2020
Writing Copy That Sells

Every form of writing needs to be written with a different approach in order to create an impact on the reader. Most importantly, it is vital to showcase the benefits associated with your product or service through the write-up. Try to understand what problems the potential customer might be facing and then, with the help of your write-up, let them know how your product or service can help solve those problems. For example, while writing a sales copy you need to consider the key aspects of your product or service, which will not only help you in writing a good copy but also ensure its success in winning the sale…

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http://www.associationofmarketing.org/articles/view.php?article_id=7637

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March 27, 2020
Schistosomiasis elimination: refocusing on snail control to sustain progress
Substantial progress has been made during the past decade to prevent and control schistosomiasis (also known as bilharziasis) globally. The disease affects more than 230 million people, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa.

Progress is mainly due to large-scale periodic treatment of affected populations with praziquantel, the only medicine recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) against all forms of schistosomiasis. Regular treatment cures mild symptoms and prevents
progression to severe, chronic disease.

“Through progressive scale-up of periodic large-scale treatment
to control morbidity in many endemic countries, we are closer to
achieving the minimum target of 75% global coverage of all school‐aged
children,” said Dr Amadou Garba Djirmay, who leads WHO’s global schistosomiasis control programme. “But
if we want to achieve elimination, we must go a step further to
introduce snail control in hot spots and in areas targeting elimination.
This is bound to increase impact and accelerate progress towards
interruption of transmission.”

Expansion of treatment is largely supported by donated praziquantel from Merck KGaA of up to 250 million tablets annually. In 2018, almost 78 million children were treated, representing 63% of all school‐aged children eligible for treatment.

Transmission: role of snails

Schistosomiasis is an acute, chronic parasitic disease caused by infection with trematode worms of the genus Schistosoma. It is prevalent in tropical and subtropical areas, especially in poor, rural communities that have little or no access to
safe drinking‐water and basic sanitation. Infection is transmitted when people suffering from schistosomiasis contaminate freshwater sources when evacuating urine and faeces containing the parasite’s eggs.

Once an egg comes into contact with fresh water, it releases miracidia (hatchlings) which enter a snail and produce hundreds of cercariae (larvae) daily. The cercariae enter the human body on contact with the skin and develop into adult worms.

Besides treatment with praziquantel, eliminating snail hosts and improving sanitation are important methods for sustainable prevention of the disease. Dam and irrigation projects are known to be potential sites for outbreaks of the disease. Snail management,
often achieved through mollusciciding, can help to reduce transmission by eliminating these intermediate snail hosts.

Vector control

In 2017, the World Health Assembly – WHO’s decision making body – adopted resolution WHA70.16 on the Global Vector Control
Response, calling on Member States to develop or adapt national vector control strategies and operational plans. The strategy aims to reduce by at least 40% the incidence of vector borne diseases, including schistosomiasis, by 2025.

In response, WHO is reinforcing snail control as part of its strategic approach to achieve the target of eliminating schistosomiasis as a public health problem and, ultimately, the goal of elimination of transmission. Snail control will complement mass
treatment campaigns and sustain the public health impact of this core intervention.

To facilitate implementation of snail control, in 2019 WHO published on specific, standardized procedures and criteria for efficacy
testing and evaluation and in 2017 a manual on the use of molluscicides in the field. WHO is also planning to strengthen capacities
of health staff in medical malacology in order to reinforce snail control activities in countries.

In the past, molluscicides (particularly niclosamide¹ based products) were widely used in schistosomiasis control programmes. For example, in China programmes largely relied on snail control for over 30 years to overcome the disease as a public
health problem. In other parts of the world, however, snail control programmes were gradually discontinued and competencies faded away.

“Snail control is a crucial component of the global schistosomiasis elimination strategy,” said Dr Rajpal Yadav, Scientist, WHO Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases. “It
is time we look for new snail control products that are cost–effective
and of low risk to humans and the environment. Some efforts are being
made to explore molluscicide compounds from plants, marine algae and
microorganisms.”

An integrated control strategy involving mass treatment with praziquantel, snail control and environmental modification, wider access to sanitation and safe water, economic and environmental development, health education and poverty-alleviation can greatly
contribute to sustainable control and elimination of schistosomiasis.

WHO’s new road map on neglected tropical diseases for 2021–2030, due to be launched later this year, advocates enhanced financial and political support to achieve the target of interruption of transmission. Additional research to address gaps,
develop tools and optimize the impact of existing programmes with snail control will complement the core strategic approach.

Schistosomiasis: forms of the disease

There are two major forms of schistosomiasis – intestinal and urogenital.

Intestinal schistosomiasis usually results in diarrhoea and blood in the stool; enlargement of the liver and of the spleen and portal hypertension are common in advanced cases.

Urogenital schistosomiasis is characterized by the presence of blood in the urine. Chronic infection results in fibrosis of the bladder and ureter that can evolve to hydronephrosis and create conditions for bladder cancer.

In women, urogenital schistosomiasis can cause vaginal bleeding, pain during sexual intercourse and nodules in the vulva, a condition now described as female genital schistosomiasis. In men, urogenital schistosomiasis can induce disease in the seminal
vesicles and prostate.

¹Limitations with the use of formulations based on niclosamide include restrictions on the usage of water immediately after application and temporary toxicity to non-target aquatic organisms including
fish, amphibians and invertebrates.
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https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/25-03-2020-schistosomiasis-elimination-refocusing-on-snail-control-to-sustain-progress

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March 27, 2020
WHO satisfied with Malaysia’s preparedness in dealing with Covid-19

PUTRAJAYA: The World Health Organisation (WHO) is pleased with Malaysia’s level of preparedness in handling the Covid-19 pandemic.

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah (pix) said the matter was learned at a recent meeting between the WHO and the Ministry of Health (MOH).

“What Malaysia is doing is the first method, the MCO (Movement Control Order),“ he told reporters at a media conference at MOH, here today.

Dr Noor Hisham said Malaysia’s second method of controlling Covid-19 transmission was by conducting active case detection or identifying positive case patients – searching, testing, isolating and treating.

In addition, Malaysia also identified the Covid-19 target groups – those who attended the tabligh gathering at the Sri Petaling Mosque, illegal immigrants and the Rohingya community, he said.

He said the MoH had also consulted with the local authorities to carry out cleanup exercises of public areas which is expected to be implemented within the next two days.

Asked about the number of doctors in Malaysia at the moment, he said so far there were enough doctors, and the ministry is in the process of recalling 3,000 retired nurses and health workers.

“However, the MoH did not wait for all 3,000 retired medical personnel to come forward to register for employment. For example those who have skills in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and ward have been employed. More than 1,000 retired personnel are already placed in Sungai Buloh Hospital,” he said.

Asked about the teleconference between MOH officials and doctors from China in the afternoon, Dr Noor Hisham said Malaysia wanted to know about the new method used by China in treating Covid-19.

“For example the use of Avigan (medicine). The side effects need to be studied first. Even though it is not registered in Malaysia it can get the approval of the director-general of health,” he said.

He added among the new methods shared by China is to use the blood of patients who have healed, as plasma to thicken the antibody.

“But MoH is unsure whether this approach is effective or not,“ he added. – Bernama

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/who-satisfied-with-malaysia-s-preparedness-in-dealing-with-covid-19-GL2184967

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March 26, 2020
How does Vanguard develop the Vanguard economic and market outlook (VEMO) and measure its accuracy?

In this excerpt, Joe Davis describes his approach to forecasting, how his team seeks to convey distribution of risk along with the most likely outcomes, and why they focus on longer term forecasts for the financial markets.

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https://investornews.vanguard/how-does-vanguard-develop-the-vanguard-economic-and-market-outlook-vemo-and-measure-its-accuracy/

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March 25, 2020
Webcast excerpt: Can Vanguard help me think about how to approach Social Security?

In this replay of a recent webcast, Jon Cleborne, head of Vanguard Personal Advisor Services® talks with two senior advisors, Bryan Lewis and Kahlilah Dowe, about how Vanguard can help you think about Social Security and how to approach Social Security.

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https://investornews.vanguard/can-vanguard-help-me-think-about-how-to-approach-social-security/

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March 22, 2020
New Approach in Content Marketing Being Followed by Written.com

Written.com recently announced that it has managed to raise a huge sum of $1 million through seed funding. This start-up company is involved in creating content on the internet and aims to connect advertisers with the existing audience, as well as content. A considerable part of this funding has come from Floodgate and…

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http://www.associationofmarketing.org/articles/view.php?article_id=14126

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March 22, 2020
Can I invest in ETFs in my IRA?

ETFs can be appropriate for a well-diversified, buy-and-hold approach to your retirement savings. Find out why.

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https://investornews.vanguard/can-i-invest-in-etfs-in-my-ira/

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March 20, 2020
IGP warns of tougher action against flouters

KUALA LUMPUR: Police may resort to sterner action to enforce the ongoing movement control order (MCO) if more people refuse to adhere to it.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador said today that he expects Malaysians to observe the order and play their role in containing the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said police are currently taking the softer approach of advising and warning the public who fail to obey the MCO.

However, Abdul Hamid said if the situation warrants it, police will opt for more drastic action such as carrying out arrests.

He said currently only 60% of the people appear to be observing the MCO and he was hopeful the number would grow by the day.

The top cop said more than 8,600 police personnel have been deployed and over 500 road blocks are mounted daily across the country to monitor the movements of the public.

Abdul Hamid who spoke to the media after a surprise visit to a roadblock in Kampung Pandan here, and urged the public to extend their cooperation to the police and remain indoors in adherence to the MCO.

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/igp-warns-of-tougher-action-against-flouters-ND2151935

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March 19, 2020
Why ESG investing matters and how to approach it

In this 13-minute podcast, Vanguard Equity Product Manager Drew Schneider helps make sense of what it means to invest in ESG products and why ESG investing doesn’t mean your clients have to sacrifice return.

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https://investornews.vanguard/why-esg-investing-matters-and-how-to-approach-it/

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March 19, 2020