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Effective family planning programs

Rosenfield AG

Med Today, 1973;7(3-4):80-94.
PMID: 12309877

PIP: Organizational and content features of various national family planning programs are reviewed. The Thai program is cited as an example of a family planning program organized on a massive unipurpose compaign basis. The Korean and Taiwan programs have utilized special field workers while upgrading the general health care network. 3 major problems with family planning programs are: 1) the lack of experience with such programs; 2) lack of commitment at the highest political levels; and 3) medical conservatism. Utilization of all available contraceptive methods instead of reliance on 1 method would improve most programs. Nursing and auxiliary personnel could be trained to take over the work of physicians in family planning programs. This is already being done with IUD insertion and pill prescription in several programs. The postpartum tubal ligation approach has proven effective and should be extended. There is a place in all national programs for both the private and the commercial sectors. Incentives for clinics, personnel, and acceptors might spread family planning more rapidly.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy*
Malaysia family-planning centers strive to maintain gains won in 15-year period

Roemer R

Med Trib Med News, 1968 Sep 12;9(74):1.
PMID: 12229348

PIP: Family planning in Malaysia is discussed. Family planning began in Malaysia about 15 years ago through the efforts of voluntary family Planning Associations in the various Malay states. In 1966 the Malaysian Parliament passed the National Family Planning Act setting up the National FAmily Planning Board to formulate policies and methods for the promotion and spread of family planning knowledge and practice on the grounds of health of mothers and children and welfare of the family. In 1967, the board set a target of 40,000 new acceptors of family planning and 90% of the target was reached. This represents 3% of the child-bearing married women aged 15-49. The target for 1968 of 65,000 new acceptors is being achieved. A survey of acceptors is to be carried out from December 1968 to April 1969 to ascertain how many women who accepted family planning continue to practice it. Malaysia's crude birth rate declined from 46.2 in 1957 to 37.3 in 1966 before the government program was instituted. Abortion attempts have been frequent. The main method of contraception used is oral contraceptives. According to a 1957 survey, 31% of the married women in the metropolitan areas and 2% of rural women were using contraception. Presently, in Malaysia there is a need to: 1) train personnel to provide services, 2) inform and motivate families to accept family planning, 3) continue a broad educational program, 4) reform Malaysia's antiquated abortion law, and 5) integrate family planning services more fully into the general health services of the country.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy*
Gender and communication policy in Asia. Special report

Pandian H

Media Gend Monit, 1997.
PMID: 12178281
Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy*
Contraceptive method switching in Peninsular Malaysia: ethnic differences, 1940s-1970s

Davanzo J, Starbird E, Reboussin D, Tan Boon Ann, Abdullah SH

Malays J Reprod Health, 1988 Jun;6(1):1-21.
PMID: 12281591
Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy
An overview of the population dynamics in Malaysia

Arshat H, Tey Nai Peng

Malays J Reprod Health, 1988 Jun;6(1):23-46.
PMID: 12281592
Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy*
Fulltext To examine the level of knowledge and acceptance about social protection system among paddy farmers in agricultural areas of Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA)

Mohamad Noor Firdaus Sahul Hameed

Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2018;3(4):83-92.
MyJurnal

At present, social protection system is a requirement for those involved in all sectors of employment
such as pensions to Government employees and Employees Provident Fund (EPF) to private sector
workers. The primary basis of the system is to provide protection to address poverty, financial
assistance and future guarantees. However, no structured social protection system was introduced to
the informal sectors workers in Malaysia such as farmers and others. The purpose of this study is to
examine the level of knowledge and acceptance of social protection systems among farmers in the
Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA). This study involved 573 respondents covering 4
regions within the MADA area. In conclusion, this study will examine the level of knowledge and
acceptance of farmers on social protection systems in their communities.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy
Fulltext Social health protection definition, financing, coverage

Aniza, I., Moshiri, H., Radnaa, O., Yondonjamts, M.

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2010;10(1):38-46.
MyJurnal

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 stated that everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international cooperation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality. Equity, solidarity and social justice are understood as basic characteristics of universal access to social health protection founded on burden sharing, risk pooling, empowerment and participation. It is up to national governments and institutions to put these values into practice. The financing of social health protection can be through a mixture of taxation and contributions to public and mandated private insurance. Through risk pooling, these funds provide for equity, solidarity and affordability of services. According to International Labour Organization (ILO), ultimate objective in social health protection is to achieve universal social health protection coverage defined as effective access to affordable health care of adequate quality and financial protection. Social protection plays a vital part in reducing the vulnerability of the poor so that they can fruitfully access health and education services.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy
Fulltext Approaches and future direction of social security system: Malaysian perspective

Rohaizat, B.Y., Hassan, M.O.N.M., Davis, J.

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2012;12(1):1-13.
MyJurnal

Social security traditionally means a social insurance program providing social protection, or protection against socially recognized conditions, including poverty, old age, disability, unemployment and others. It also hovers around the subject of social insurance, where people receive benefits or services in recognition of contributions to an insurance scheme. Providing services for medical care, aspects of social work and even industrial relations may be included as part of social security services. Lately, the term is also used to refer to basic security, a term roughly equivalent to access to basic necessities. The 1 World Conference on Social Security organised by the Brazilian Government on 1st to 5th of December 2010 stimulates the countries to adopt universal, comprehensive and equitablesocial security systems as a valid, ethical and feasible option in the process of national reforms and regional integration. The main challenge to achieving the noble objective of universal social security system is financial sustainability and social cohesion supported by political will. As seen in a number of countries, Malaysia has a mixed social security schemes comprising state and private schemes, statutory obligatory requirements on the part of
employers as well as state social assistance programmes. Maintaining the quality of life of the individuals and their dependents has become the primary focus of policies and programmes in providing social security. Among the critical pressures on the population’s standard of living is the provision of health care. Extension of the coverage for social security is critical in ensuring social inclusion.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy
Fulltext Focusing health equity, efficiency and health maximization policy review

Thant, Z., Than, Mt, Shamsul, B.S., Wai, P.W., Htun, H.N.

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2013;13(1):64-71.
MyJurnal

With economic growth and significant technological advances in the health sector, many countries have developed aggregate outcomes in terms of both health services and individual well-being. Life expectancy has seen a remarkable increase of more than fifty per cent between 1950 and 2009. Achievement is uneven, however, and some groups are better able to access health services than others. In our review, we explore the need and how to maximize health equity, efficiency and effectiveness. Methodology is the review and web surfing on public health, social science, humanity and development literature. The increasing gap in health inequality, however, calls for further reform of the health system to achieve both equity and efficiency. Health is essential for survival and human capability. Good health enables people to participate in society. A new approach to efficient and cost-effective health service provision is community participation in health development. Participation can increase the skills and knowledge of local people, thus providing opportunities to improve their lives (empowerment). Analysis suggests four functional changes to achieve equity and efficiency in maximizing health outputs: reforms targeting universal coverage to achieve universal access to health; people-centred service delivery through concentrating on health services based on need; public policy change targeting integrated and multi-system health planning; and collective health system and community response to achieve health for all.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy
Fulltext Unheard voices : womens’ inner experiences during the Johore flood

Zabedah, B., Badrul Hisham, A.S.

Malaysian Journal of Community Health, 2009;15(3):98-103.
MyJurnal

Introduction : Human displacement during disaster would cause women and their dependent children to be particularly vulnerable. Yet, women failed to make their voices heard. Thus their needs, priorities and perceptions would not be identified which in turn could hinder an effective emergency response and a full recovery process.
Objective : This paper provides a general overview of problems and issues experienced by women and their dependent children during the Johore flood disaster. With this information, relevant agencies shall focus, among other considerations, on the special needs of women and children in planning and carrying out emergency responses in the future.
Methodology : This paper was written based on data and information obtained from the Johore Flood Disaster Report and observations made by the health teams on the flood victims throughout the flood period.
Findings and Discussions : Pregnant mothers with 36 weeks of gestation or more were evacuated from their homes to the health centres or hospitals when the Johore flood disaster struck. Regular maternal and child health (MCH) services were conducted at the flood relief centres. Despite the efforts by health care providers, we observed women facing some unique issues and problems. These include: 1) Effects of loss of security and protection; 2) Disruption of social relations and privacy; 3) Inadequate supply of basic items and; and 4) Economic disruption. Recommendations for future relief work are: i) Predisaster planning for emergency response must engage and involve women representatives. Women must also be recruited as emergency and relief workers; ii) Assessment of predetermined capacity of identified relief centres with gender consideration for evacuees must be done; iii) All relief centres shall have physical partition between families. Breast feeding room with access to clean water should also be provided; iv) Gender, cultural and religious sensitivity with regards to social protection and relations shall be observed at all times; v) Women should engage and be made occupied with suitable activities to encourage healthy social interaction thus avoiding feelings of boredom and helplessness; vi) Basic personal items for women and adolescent girls, such as sanitary towel and undergarments, and places to wash and hang them in privacy must be provided; vii) Elderly women may have to temporarily stay at unaffected relatives’ or old folk homes throughout the disaster period, and; viii) No smoking policy shall be enforced at all times in flood relief centres.
Conclusion : Women and their dependent children have been recognised as one of the vulnerable groups during disasters. Thus, women shall be empowered as partners in formulating any emergency response plan so that together they would be able to complement all disaster mitigation, relief and recovery efforts in amore effective manner.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy
Fulltext Greying Malaysians: strategies for promoting and supporting healthy and productive ageing

Phua KL

Malaysian Journal of Community Health, 2007;13(1):16-21.
MyJurnal

Population ageing is inevitable in Malaysia as a result of declining fertility rates. Steps can be taken to face this challenge. These include ways to promote “healthy ageing” and “compression of morbidity” and ways to promote “productive ageing”, i.e., keeping the elderly economically and socially engaged. This article, based on a review of the literature, argues that it is illogical to force people into compulsory retirement at an arbitrary age when they can continue to contribute actively to society. Instead, ways can be devised to promote healthy ageing, prolonging independence and encouraging productive ageing through gradual economic and social disengagement of the individual depending on the individual’s physical health, mental health, contribution to society and personal inclination and preferences. Public policy in general and public health policy in particular can be designed or redesigned to help achieve this.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy
Human resources for health in southeast Asia: shortages, distributional challenges, and international trade in health services

Kanchanachitra C, Lindelow M, Johnston T, Hanvoravongchai P, Lorenzo FM, Huong NL, et al.

Lancet, 2011 Feb 26;377(9767):769-81.
PMID: 21269674 DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(10)62035-1

In this paper, we address the issues of shortage and maldistribution of health personnel in southeast Asia in the context of the international trade in health services. Although there is no shortage of health workers in the region overall, when analysed separately, five low-income countries have some deficit. All countries in southeast Asia face problems of maldistribution of health workers, and rural areas are often understaffed. Despite a high capacity for medical and nursing training in both public and private facilities, there is weak coordination between production of health workers and capacity for employment. Regional experiences and policy responses to address these challenges can be used to inform future policy in the region and elsewhere. A distinctive feature of southeast Asia is its engagement in international trade in health services. Singapore and Malaysia import health workers to meet domestic demand and to provide services to international patients. Thailand attracts many foreign patients for health services. This situation has resulted in the so-called brain drain of highly specialised staff from public medical schools to the private hospitals. The Philippines and Indonesia are the main exporters of doctors and nurses in the region. Agreements about mutual recognition of professional qualifications for three groups of health workers under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Framework Agreement on Services could result in increased movement within the region in the future. To ensure that vital human resources for health are available to meet the needs of the populations that they serve, migration management and retention strategies need to be integrated into ongoing efforts to strengthen health systems in southeast Asia. There is also a need for improved dialogue between the health and trade sectors on how to balance economic opportunities associated with trade in health services with domestic health needs and equity issues.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy/trends
Population policies in Southeast Asia and Australia: the international relevance of domestic affairs

Jones GW

J Aust Popul Assoc, 1984;1:109-20.
PMID: 12267174
Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy*
Alcohol Advertising, Promotion, and Sponsorship: A Review of Regulatory Policies in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations

Herrera Amul GG

J Stud Alcohol Drugs, 2020 11;81(6):697-709.
PMID: 33308397

OBJECTIVE: The expansion of transnational alcohol corporations (TACs) in Southeast Asia has been suggested as a possible contributor to increased alcohol advertising, promotion, and sponsorship (AAPS), which in turn may have contributed to increasing rates of alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems. The aim of this scoping review is to document the growth of TACs in the region and to critically evaluate the development of alcohol policies to regulate AAPS in 10 Southeast Asian nations.
METHOD: National policies related to AAPS were reviewed using data from the Global Information System on Alcohol and Health, following the framework of the WHO Global Strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol. The policy review was supplemented with data from corporate annual reports, press releases, four databases of academic literature, market research from Euromonitor International, and news articles.
RESULTS: Four TACs--Carlsberg, Diageo, Heineken, and San Miguel--have been expanding operations in Southeast Asia by setting up new breweries, acquiring local alcohol companies as subsidiaries, and entering into joint ventures. In contrast, policies for regulating AAPS vary across Southeast Asia and range from nonexistent to strong control of AAPS. There is strong control of AAPS in countries with existing legislation ranging from a complete ban (Brunei) to almost comprehensive bans (Indonesia, Myanmar, Laos) and partial bans (Thailand). Nonexistent to weak control of AAPS is observed in the Philippines, Singapore, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Vietnam, which mostly rely on voluntary regulation.
CONCLUSIONS: The study's findings point to the growing power of TACs in the region and call for the need for stronger measures based on scientific evidence of effectiveness that are implemented without interference from commercial interests.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy
Fulltext Cancer control programs in East Asia: evidence from the international literature

Moore MA

J Prev Med Public Health, 2014 Jul;47(4):183-200.
PMID: 25139165 DOI: 10.3961/jpmph.2014.47.4.183

Cancer is a major cause of mortality and morbidity throughout the world, including the countries of North-East and South-East Asia. Assessment of burden through cancer registration, determination of risk and protective factors, early detection and screening, clinical practice, interventions for example in vaccination, tobacco cessation efforts and palliative care all should be included in comprehensive cancer control programs. The degree to which this is possible naturally depends on the resources available at local, national and international levels. The present review concerns elements of cancer control programs established in China, Taiwan, Korea, and Japan in North-East Asia, Viet Nam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia as representative larger countries of South-East Asia for comparison, using the published literature as a guide. While major advances have been made, there are still areas which need more attention, especially in South-East Asia, and international cooperation is essential if standard guidelines are to be generated to allow effective cancer control efforts throughout the Far East. Cancer is a major cause of mortality and morbidity throughout the world, including the countries of North-East and South-East Asia. Assessment of burden through cancer registration, determination of risk and protective factors, early detection and screening, clinical practice, interventions for example in vaccination, tobacco cessation efforts and palliative care all should be included in comprehensive cancer control programs. The degree to which this is possible naturally depends on the resources available at local, national and international levels. The present review concerns elements of cancer control programs established in China, Taiwan, Korea, and Japan in North-East Asia, Viet Nam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia as representative larger countries of South-East Asia for comparison, using the published literature as a guide. While major advances have been made, there are still areas which need more attention, especially in South-East Asia, and international cooperation is essential if standard guidelines are to be generated to allow effective cancer control efforts throughout the Far East.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy
Occupational rehabilitation in Singapore and Malaysia

Chan KF, Tan CW, Yeo DS, Tan HS, Tan FL, Tan EW, et al.

J Occup Rehabil, 2011 Mar;21 Suppl 1:S69-76.
PMID: 21328063 DOI: 10.1007/s10926-011-9289-1

INTRODUCTION: Asia is the new and favored magnet of economic attention and foreign investments after it made an almost uneventful rebound from the depths of financial crisis of 2008/2009. Not many Western observers fully understand the diversity that is Asia other than perhaps its 2 growing economic giants of China and India. Indeed many smaller countries like Singapore and Malaysia in South East Asia along with Australia and Hong Kong (a Special Administrative Region within China) look to symbiotic relationships with these two economic giants. The purpose of this discussion paper is to examine the current issues related to the development and provision of occupational rehabilitation services in Singapore and Malaysia with a forward-looking view of how Asia's different developing societies could potentially benefit from better alignment of occupational rehabilitation practices and sharing of expertise through international collaboration and dialogue platforms.
METHODS: Seven therapists and one physician who are frequently involved in occupational rehabilitation services in their home countries critically reviewed the current issues in Singapore and Malaysia which included analysis of the prevalence and cost of occupational injury; overview of workers' compensation system; current practices, obstacles, and challenges in providing occupational rehabilitation and return to work practices. They also offered opinions about how to improve the occupational rehabilitation programs of their two home countries.
CONCLUSION: Even though Malaysia and Singapore are two different countries, in many ways their current provision of occupational rehabilitation services and the problems they face with are very similar. There is a lot of room for systemic improvements that require government support and action. Most prominently, the training of more healthcare professionals in the assessment and rehabilitation of the injured worker should be encouraged. There could be better liaison between the many stakeholders and more funding made available to develop resources and to jump start strategic programs. As these two countries are witnessing rapid economic growth, more resources should be allocated to establish holistic care of the injured workers emphasizing early interventions and prevention of chronic disabilities.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy*
Interests and policies of the state of Sarawak, Malaysia regarding intellectual property rights for plant derived drugs

Chung FJ

J Ethnopharmacol, 1996 Apr;51(1-3):201-4.
PMID: 9213617

Sarawak, on the island of Borneo, is known internationally for its rich rain forests, flora and fauna. Its rain forests, occupying two-thirds of its geographical area shelters 2500 tree species, 5500 flowering plants and over 20 000 different kinds of animals and insects. Such abundance of plants, and in particular, in the variety thereof, have attracted the attention of scientists involved in the field of research into their potential medicinal value. Recent discovery that two species of Calophyllum tree in the rain forests of Sarawak produce active anti-HIV agents, has, no doubt, intensified interest in the State's plant resources for scientific research.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy
Guidelines and policies on collection of biological specimens in the Philippines. Philippine Congress, International Convention on Biodiversity

Madulid DA

J Ethnopharmacol, 1996 Apr;51(1-3):205-8.
PMID: 9213618

In October, 1993, 16 months after the United Nations approved the International Convention on Biodiversity held in Rio de Janeiro, June, 1992, the Philippine Congress ratified and adopted the Convention. This is a manifestation of the full support of the Philippines for the principles and policies adopted by the UN body on the conservation of biodiversity, sustainable development of biological resources and equitable sharing of benefits between users and owners of biodiversity resources. The Philippine scientific community has long recognized the need for and importance of a national guideline and policy with regard to the collection of plants and animals in the Philippines for scientific or commercial purposes. A series of consultative meetings were held by representatives of government agencies, non-government organizations, private organizations, academic and private persons concerned with biodiversity conservation to formulate national guidelines that regulate the collection of plant and animal specimens in the country. Guidelines were unanimously adopted by various government agencies and academia and a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed on September 28, 1990. Very recently a new document was drafted, specifically to serve as a guideline for those who desire to undertake sample collecting in the Philippines for biodiversity prospecting. The document is now being reviewed by government departments and agencies and will be presented to the President of the Philippines for signing as an Executive Order (EO). Once signed, this EO will serve as a national policy for bioprospecting in the country. The Philippines is one of the countries in Southeast Asia that has endorsed the adoption of regional guidelines on the collection of plant and animal organisms for drug development. The ASEAN Agreement on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (1985). The Manila Declaration (1992) and lately, the Melaka Accord (1994), all of which were signed by various countries in Asia, are manifestations of this interest.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy
The Melaka Accord. Eighth Asian Symposium on Medicinal Plants, Spices and Other Natural Products

J Ethnopharmacol, 1996 Apr;51(1-3):315-6.
PMID: 9213628
Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy
Forest fires and environmental haze in Southeast Asia: using the 'stakeholder' approach to assign costs and responsibilities

Quah E, Johnston D

J Environ Manage, 2001 Oct;63(2):181-91.
PMID: 11721597

The 'seasonal haze' problem is one which afflicts large parts of Southeast Asia in years of drought. The major cause is forest, bush and field fires in the states of Kalimantan and Sumatra in Indonesia, and to a lesser extent in Sabah, Sarawak, and other parts of Malaysia. Almost all of these fires now seem preventable, since they are intentionally set to clear land for cultivation. Theoretically, the government authorities at central, provincial and local levels in these countries should be responsible for controlling activities in their territory. In practice, however, air pollution control through regulatory policies and practices is extraordinarily difficult to implement and maintain in a situation of this kind in developing countries, especially at a time of crippling economic setbacks. Moreover, the establishment of legal liability, through an international tribunal or otherwise, hardly seems a politically feasible course of action for the government of an affluent 'victim state' such as Singapore. Faith in the usual solutions--science, regulation, law and diplomacy--is weakened by one's sense of current realities. The purpose of this paper is to review the issues and suggested responses, the cost implications of each, the responsibilities as well as entitlements that might apply to the various stakeholders, and the special role of Singapore as an affluent 'victim state'. We also discuss the incentive mechanisms that would be needed to manage forest fires.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy*

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