Tuesday July 21, 2009

AS part of my ongoing outreach activity on anti-smoking and environmental education to school children, I often visit schools, not just in Sabah but also in Kelantan and Pahang where I formerly worked.

From my observation on the food serving practices in the school canteen, I notice with concern that in a number of schools, food and drinks are supplied in polystyrene containers and plastic bags. Besides drinks, even hot soup like noodle soup is served in plastic bags.

Wednesday July 15, 2009

I REFER to the article “Docs violating patient confidentiality, says NUBE” (The Star, July 13).

As pointed out by the secretary-general of the National Union of Bank Employees, we are aware that certain banks make employees who seek medical treatment with guarantee letters (GL) sign a consent letter authorising the doctor to reveal the workers’ ailments, including present and past medical history with copies to the bank.

This is also true for GLs issued by insurance companies, managed care organisations (MCOs)and third party payers.