Joe's House

Once again, Malaysia passed its birthday. Because of the H1N1 influenza pandemic, celebrations have been kept to its lowest. Whilst Malaysia is getting older, its people doesn't grow. I dare to say that because it is a fact. We are still so racially, socially, religionly seperated. After 50+ years of independence, we are still statue quo, not progressing as a nation. 

Not progressing in the sense that we are still racially, socially and religionly seperated. Just last week, a group of so called Section 23 residents (Malay Muslims) about 50+ of them demostrated with a Cow's head infront of Menteri Besar's office as the state government planned to re-located a Indian quil to that area. Cow is a sacred animal for the indians. That was totally irrespectful of other religion. The group of demonstrators claimed that the indian quil will make a lot of noises that disturb muslims prayers. That statement struck me immediately as I stayed with 2 indian neighbours and have a indian quil just below my neighbourhood. I never heard a sound from it unless it is deepavali or some important festivals, which account to less than 10 per year as I remembered. The most was that the lightings are so bright and brilliant. Maybe it may affect their sleep (too bright>????). So it cannot be understood why they say that it makes noise that would disturb the muslim prayers?

We Malaysians must be trully one Malaysia, accepting and tolerate other's religions. What is wrong with a mosque, a church, a temple and a quil be at the same area? I don't see any problem. Mutual respect is utmost important. 

YAB Datuk Seri Najib's Satu Malaysia plan was reported by many as a plan to pull back non-malay voters. Nevertheless, I personally agree that 1Malaysia is a good plan (if not politically motivated). We must develop as a nation. Challenging each other's superiority brings us to no way. Fairness should be uphold to everyone and we develop as 1 Malaysia. It is......

To someone, great power brings happiness and satisfaction. To another, money is the ultimate thing that brings all the happiness. Undoubtedly, in this materialistic 21st century, money, politics and connections brings ease in doing things and of course bring you happiness. But, can this so called happiness last? After a mercedez bens, you would want a Ferrari; after an i-phone you would want a i-phone 3Gs, and after a year or two i-phone P,Q,T,Z whatsoever. :) So it will be a never ending 'rat-race' chasing. The happiness is so short-lived that you yourself agree deep down inside you.

Last month, I went to Jusco tebrau city to do my routine grocery shopping. As usual, every weekend, JB is basically flocked by Singaporeans who will buy basically full car loads of things from JB back to Singapore. (Nvm, that is not my point here). As I was wandering, one 20+ year old young man happiness hop into Jusco's entrance. From his gait (walking style), he probably has some hip/bone problems which caused him to have a shorter and stiff right leg. Everystep for him is so difficult and needs aid from his friend/brother/relative(i not sure who was that). But...But.... you can just tell the happiness and contentment he has on his face. By able to go shop in Jusco is a very very happy deed for him. It struck me to think for myself, that is what we called real happiness.

Another real life story, a Kidney Failure auntie probably in her 50+. Because of her condition, she has low immunity towards pathogens. She has been advised to avoid crowded places to prevent being sick. Further asking, she actually was repeatedly admitted because she went against the advise of the doctor. She felt happy that she was able to go out shopping with her children and grand children, and for her that was worth while being admitted to hospital. 

A numbers of  billionaires are not happy eventhough they have the best of everything because they lack the real happiness......

Ever wonder how life without money would be? I just recovered from a surgery required general anaesthesia. It was a 30minutes surgery and it did not involve sophisticated equipments or tools. I stayed in a private hospital for 2 nights. In total, with 2 weeks medication, it costs RM5000+. Fortunate enough, it was covered under insurance. 

It triggered me to think what would happen to those people who did not have that amount of money. The only cheaper alternative is to seek medical help in government healthcare centers. The costs of seeking medical help in government funded clinics or hospitals are very reasonable. It costs only RM1-5 for consultation and medication. 

The only set back is that the queeing time was too long. For example, I saw a patient who had acute cholecystitis, was planned for elective cholecystectomy only 2 months later. In other words, in these 2 months, inadvertently, he will suffer several episodes of pain and discomfort.

Another example is that when a man suspected to have intra-abdominal injury after an accident. The protocol to diagnosed intra-abdominal injury nowadays has been by using ultrasonography (FAST). This gentleman was only given the priority to be screen with ultrasonography 24 hours later. 

In simple sense, in goverment settings, you get things done with long waiting & suffering period.  Under the current circumstances where government's resources are limited, we cannot do anything but to accept the fact - you have money you get relieve fast, if you don't have money you have to suffer longer. 

Healthcare insurance seems to be a luring option but it isn't cheap. A normal healthcare card will costs you RM1000+ per person annually. So, how could a family of 2-3 children whom total family income is RM10,000-15,000 afford such a plan?

However, I personally do not think there are no ways to improve the situation. First of all, the management of government clinics......

Recently we saw that certain parties are playing the racial card, attempting to off set the buffer between each races. Therefore increasing the racial tension. Their ultimate goal is to create an instable, chaotic Malaysia so that the emergency rule can be applied. And after that, god knows what will happen to Malaysia.

After more than 50 years of independence, and after bleak and painful historical incidences of May 13, 1969,  Operasi Lalng 1988, we (Malaysians) are not that naive and immature this time to fall into this big trap again. 

No matter what colour you are, Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan, Bumi, Non-bumi, we are Malaysians. We want a progressive, stable and harmonious Malaysia. WE ARE MALAYSIANS. Hence, please do not fall into this big 'trap', that is so well planned and set up to disregard us Malaysians our right for a better Malaysia. 

Just yesterday, top opposition MP, Teressa Kok was arrested under ISA allegedly because she called the mosque to reduce the volume of loud speaker. For sure, this is not true as it was denied by herself and also by the mosque management. But then, if it is true, does this matter warranted her to be detained under the ISA? How does this affect national security until she needed to be arrested the ISA? 

Dailies editors can't escape too. One female editor has been arrested under the ISA for just reporting what another politician said. However, she has been released today. thank god. 

All these actions are being carried out to cause racial disharmony. But, we, Malaysians would like to tell them. We are one big family and please do not tell us to hate our brothers and sisters. 

We are not that worried about Raja Petra. He is a strong man and has already anticipated the arrest and I am sure he will be stronger when he comes out later. We wish him best health. 

Once again, please DO NOT fall into this big trap. Calm......

In our last semester in IMU medical course, we are supposed to practise and learn in Hospital Batu Pahat for 5 months before we graduate with MBBS. 31st August 2008 (Merdeka day), I drove down with my beloved Gf to Batu Pahat from Seremban, which took us 2.30 hours of drive. The journey was long and boring.

After entering Batu Pahat town, our first impression was that it was not that bad after all. We were however, too happy too early. When you locate our rented house, we were horrified. It was a terrace house located just 200m from the Hospital that we spend most of the time in and 300m away from the famous 'White House' of Batu Pahat - The IMU Clinical School. Yah, it sounds nice, but trust me, it is nothing but a renovated bungalow house. . Come back to our house. Both the gate and grill are rusty till some musical sounds welcome you when you try to open them. The porch was filled with rubbish, advertisement cards, letters etc. One word to describe the situation - Mess. That was not all, when we entered the house, the smell was so not welcoming. The floor was covered with 1cm thick of dust and millions of lizard's faeces. Nvm, there was still some hope that the room would be better. Em...Not any better, the toilet looks like shit, with the bath tub covered with streaks of stain and the floor covered......

In the highly scrutinised, high porfile case of Sodomy in Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, we see that doctors (be it in HKL & Hosp. Puswari) being pulled into the arena of politics. 

The duty of a doctor is to the patient and the sole responsibility is to the patients, the family members and the society, not to make the politicians happy. In this case, we can see tha a doctor, who has worked in Malaysia for 8-9 years being questioned about his credibility on doing a PR (Per Rectal Examination). A normal doctor, or maybe a junior medical student would be able to pick up fissure, anal injury, abrasion, erythema, ulceration or sinuses around the anus. Questioning the findings of the doctor is obviously telling the public that doctors in this country is STUPID. So, please do not involve doctors in politics, whom their duty is to save lives and improve the quality of lives, not dwelling in politics and fool the community.

In medicine, a doctor cannot release medical report, notes etc of a patient to anybody without the consent of the patient involved. The only exception is that it is an order by the court (Judge). However, this case happened in Malaysia and whether the Judge would give out such an order is another big question. :) 

I was amazed that how can Malaysian Medical Council be so queit in this case. It has infringed the integrity of Doctors in Malaysia and the MMC must speak for the doctors, not being silent!! Where are you when the doctors and the community needs to as the higher council of Doctors in Malaysia. 

Every country, every scientist now is searching and looking for the most efficient, most long-lasting, most environmental friendly, cheapest way to produce alternative energy.

Options are out there available, such as, nuclear power, biomass, wind generator, solar power. To be able to enjoy these alternative energies, there must be infrastructure to run them such as nuclear reactors, wind turbines(on sea), solar panels. These infrastructures comes in billions which developing countries find it difficult to afford. Malaysia, however, has the potential and glad to hear that Malaysia is planning to build its 1st nuclear reactor in 10-yrs time. Apart from that, I think solar power is the next energy that Malaysia has in abundance, and we should not waste it.

About cars. We can now see hybrid cars coming into Malaysia, however it is much more expensive than the ordinary cars. :(  I predict the next generation of cars would be running on batteries with solar panels on its body. Then, it will evolve to run on hydrogen gas. It has been established that hydrogen can be a fuel in a car and there are a few "concept" cars in US running on them. So what will be the fuel for Hydrogen-powered cars? It is H2O, water. Haha... And guess what, India has already invented few models of cars that run on Air, yes, Air, - pressurised air. No fuel, No emission, no pollution. So, lets wait and how vehicles evolve in the next 10-20 years. 

Let's share some information of yours on alternative energies and ways to save energy. Maybe using a Bicycle in not a bad idea after all. :)

In a couple of weeks time, Semester 7, 9 and 10 IMU Medical Students will be sitting for BIG EXAMS. I wish them all the best and best of luck too.

For my batch mates,  see you in Batu Bahat. We all can do it!. 

After few posts on Politics. Let's discuss something more close to us and coincidentally something just striked through my head. Does living luxurily means that you are financially stable and have great potential?

If we look at the structure of the current urban society, everything is about presentation. Mooncake's boxes, dining places, shopping mall, watches, handphone, etc, all of them have to be presentable and what lay man would say as " Beautiful". Why?

Most of the working subgroups are chasing for this luxury and most of the large-scale company earns big money from this luxury chasing game. For example, StarBucks, LV bags, Iphone, Padini, SEED, Giordano etc. They all earn huge part of their money by knowing most of the people will "chase" this luxury. Do you think most of the working class professionals are well off? The answer is simply a big NO. Because they are"chasing" this luxury. (Let us exclude those born billionaires and those fortunate to strike lottery). And for the sake of that, their account might not have lots of money because of this chasing game.

Author of "Rich Dad, Poor Dad", called this a RAT RACE.  You work for the sake of your chasing, and as you crawl higher up the ladder, your chasing gets bigger and so goes the rat race. A big vicious cycle goes on and on with no end. So how do we end this vicious cycle? I think a 6 year old can tell you the answer. "Stop the chasing la". 

I can't tell you all more as I am still too young to exmeplify. Will probably update when i gets older :)

Here comes the second part, how do we stop the chasing? It comes with practice and determination. Now, Simplicity comes in. You can not be wanting luxury and tell people that your lifestyle is simple. It doesn't work this way. It is a practice! Some people will then ask, why those poor people, their financial status are so poor, they can't afford anything......