KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 27  -- First disabled senator, Prof Datuk Dr Ismail Md Salleh died on a flight from China to Singapore early Thursday. He was 61.

An officer at the Malaysian High Commission in Singapore said Ismail was pronounced dead on arrival at the Singapore General Hospital at about 8am.

The hospital will conduct a post-mortem to determine the cause of his death, he told Bernama.

A father of six children, the visually challenged Ismail became the first person from the disabled community to be appointed as senator in December 2007.

Born in Pasir Mas, Kelantan, he was totally blind since he was 13, but the limitation did not stop him from getting his degree, masters and PhD, all in the United States.

For his achievements, Ismail was named as the first blind person to receive a doctorate by the Guinness Book of World Records.

He also held various key positions including Twintech International University College vice-chancellor, Twintech Holdings Sdn Bhd chief executive officer, National Association of Bumiputera Private Colleges president, a member of the National Implementation Task Force in the Prime Minister's Department and Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) former deputy director-general - Bernama

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Interim CDC Guidance on Day and Residential Camps in Response to Human Infections with the Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus

CDC recommends that people with influenza-like illness remain at home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100° F [37.8°C]), or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.

This is a change from the previous recommendation that ill persons stay home for 7 days after illness onset or until 24 hours after the resolution of symptoms, whichever was longer. The new recommendation applies to camps, schools, businesses, mass gatherings, and other community settings where the majority of people are not at increased risk for influenza complications.

This document provides interim guidance on suggested means to reduce the spread of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus in day, residential, or overnight camp settings.

Recommendations are interim, based on current knowledge of the H1N1 outbreak in the United States, and may be revised as more information becomes available.

Background

Camps for children, young adults and families range from programmes conducted for several hours in a day (not overnight) to programmes that are residential and involve many weeks in group settings.  This guidance will address general recommendations that apply to all programmes and some specific guidance that applies to programmes that are residential.

At this time, CDC recommends the primary means to reduce spread of influenza in camps focus on early identification of ill campers and staff, staying home (or away from others) when ill, good cough and hand hygiene etiquette, and environmental controls that encourage use of these hygiene practices.

Novel Influenza A (H1N1)

The symptoms of influenza usually include fever plus at least either cough or sore throat. These symptoms are often referred to as an influenza-like illness (ILI).  Influenza infection can also lead to additional symptoms like headache, tiredness, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, chills, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Like seasonal flu, novel influenza A (H1N1) infection in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe.  When severe, pneumonia, respiratory failure and even death are possible.

Novel influenza A (H1N1) is thought to spread in the same way that seasonal influenza viruses spread, mainly through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick with the virus. People may also become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

General Recommendations and Preparedness for Camps

* Develop a working relationship with local health officials and plan jointly for possible contingencies during this summer camp season. Plans should include what to do if staff or camp participants become ill, including how to separate them from others to limit spreading influenza to other staff and campers, when to seek additional medical evaluation, and how to provide care for them. Camp administrators should work with local health departments to develop mechanisms and protocols for monitoring ILI and any requirements for reporting ILI among campers or camp staff.

* Consider pre-planning with parents/guardians regarding how illnesses or health emergencies among children attending the camp will be handled.   Arrangements should also be made with the parents/guardians of staff, volunteers and other campers who are legally minors.  Include logistics for transportation of ill persons for medical care or return home that limits exposures to other persons, multiple ways to contact parents/guardians, agreement for care and isolation at the camp (if applicable), and planning for additional medical evaluation or emergency care.

* Develop a training programme for camp staff regarding communicable disease prevention including specific information on how to recognise ILI and how to report possible cases of ILI to camp leadership.

* Educational materials and information should be provided to campers in a way that is age-appropriate and can be understood by both English and non-English speakers.

General Infection Control Recommendations

Encourage all persons to effectively cover their cough or sneeze and use good hand hygiene.

See Interim Guidance for Infection Control for Care of Patients with Confirmed or Suspected Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection in a Healthcare Setting

* Hand washing facilities including running water and liquid hand soap should be readily accessible; alcohol-based hand sanitizers may be used if hands are not visibly soiled.

* Plan ahead to ensure that enough alcohol-based hand sanitizers are available for situations where it is known that hand washing facilities may not available, for example during hikes.

* Clean all areas and items that are more likely to have frequent hand contact (like doorknobs, faucets, handrails) routinely (e.g., daily, before/after meals, as needed) and also immediately when visibly soiled; use the cleaning agents that are usually used in these areas; it is not necessary to conduct disinfection of environmental surfaces beyond routine cleaning.

Reduction of Risk of Introduction of Novel H1N1 Virus into the Camp Setting

* Provide camp attendees, staff and volunteers with materials prior to arrival at the camp to notify them that they are not allowed to attend camp if they have had an ILI in the 7 days prior to the start of the camp.  In addition, they should be reminded that if they have been exposed to a person with novel H1N1 or ILI in the 7 days prior to the start of camp, they may attend camp but should closely self-monitor and report development of ILI symptoms immediately.

* Consider active screening of ALL newly arriving camp attendees, staff and volunteers by asking if they have had any symptoms of ILI in the previous 7 days. Provide education to individual campers about reporting ILI.  A careful health history of each arriving camper should be taken. Note any conditions that may place them at high risk for complications of influenza.

* Camp attendees, staff and volunteers should be instructed to immediately inform camp management if they currently have or have had an influenza-like illness (ILI) in the 7 days prior to arrival.  

* Persons who currently have or have had ILI in the previous 7 days should not attend camp for 7 days after their symptoms began or until they have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer.

Rapid Detection and Management of Cases of ILI in the Camp Setting

* Camp staff and volunteers should be diligent about early recognition of illness and rapid isolation of those that are experiencing ILI symptoms. See Interim Guidance for Clinicians on Identifying and Caring for Patients with Swine-origin Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection

* Campers who develop ILI should be immediately separated from the general population and kept away from well campers until they can be safely returned home or taken for medical care, if needed, OR for at least 7 days after symptoms began or 24 hours after symptoms resolve, whichever is longer (if the child is to remain at a residential camp).

* Protocols should be in place for when medical evaluation of persons ill with ILI should be done and how monitoring will be conducted.  Not all patients with suspected novel influenza (H1N1) infection need to be seen by a health care provider. Patients with severe illness and those at high risk for complications from influenza should contact their medical provider or seek medical care.

* Aspirin or aspirin-containing products should not be administered to any person aged 18 years old and younger with a confirmed or suspected case of influenza virus infection, due to the risk of Reye syndrome. Refer to pediatric medical management for guidance regarding use of any medications, especially those containing aspirin.

* If individual rooms for persons with ILI are not feasible, consider using a large room, cabin or tent specifically for ill persons with beds at least 6 feet apart and, if possible, with temporary barriers between beds and nearby bathroom facilities separate from bathrooms used by healthy campers.

* Linens, eating utensils, and dishes used by those who are sick do not need to be cleaned separately, but they should not be shared without thorough washing. Linens (such as bed sheets and towels) should be washed in hot water using laundry soap and tumbled dry on a hot setting. Individuals should wash their hands with soap and water immediately after handling dirty laundry.

* Designate staff to care for ill persons and limit their interaction with other campers during their shift to decrease the risk of spreading influenza to other parts of the camp.

* Anyone with a medical condition that would increase their risk of severe illness from influenza, including pregnant women, should NOT be designated as caregivers for ill persons. 

Persons at High Risk of Complications from Influenza Infection

* Persons at increased risk of severe illness from influenza include: people older than 65 years, children younger than five years, pregnant women, and people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions, like diabetes, asthma, immune-suppression, or chronic lung disease.

* Information on care of certain groups at increased risk of severe illness from influenza can be found at the following links.

          o Pregnant Women and Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Considerations for Clinicians

          o H1N1 Flu and Patients With Cardiovascular Disease (Heart Disease and Stroke)

          o Interim Guidance—HIV-Infected Adults and Adolescents: Considerations for Clinicians Regarding Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus

For More Information Regarding H1N1 and Influenza Preparedness

    * Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Rd
Atlanta, GA 30333
800-CDC-INFO
(800-232-4636)
TTY: (888) 232-6348
24 Hours/Every Day
cdcinfo@cdc.gov

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YOUNG SUNWAY FILM MAKER GOES REGIONAL
by John Wong

Bandar Sunway Lee Sheng Wang makes his mark in cinematography

BANDAR Sunway and UTAR student Lee Sheng Wang is making waves in the film-making world.

In recent weeks, he was given the honor of representing Malaysia at the ASEAN-ROK Independent Cinema Workshop. The Advertising major now studying at UTAR’s Perak Campus had an opportunity to learn and capture a bountiful wealth of film-making experience from other participants from 10 other ASEAN countries and South Korea.

During the course of the workshop, Sheng Wang was exposed to numerous new skills and techniques covering various aspects of film-making such as cinematography, scriptwriting, shooting, editing, directing, lighting, as well as digital and special effects.

As participation into the workshop was based on a competitive selection process, he was very happy to be one of the lucky few. “I feel very excited as this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me. I’m very honored to be the youngest participant there,” he said in an online interview.

As a participant of the ASEAN-ROK workshop, Sheng Wang, as well as the other participants would be required to work on a short film based on the theme “Rice in the Environment”. Their works will then collectively be made into a 90 minute production to be premiered in the upcoming Pusan Film Festival in South Korea, where their talents will be given further exposure to the international scene.

This workshop will no doubt be a stepping stone for Lee, and will definitely enable the rising talent to make bigger impacts in the field of film-making and cinematography in the future.

What’s his take on this opportunity? “I feel great, very happy and excited as it is a 'once in a life-time' opportunity.  I am fortunate and honored being the youngest participant selected to participate in this regional workshop.  It is a competitive selection process as only two participants are selected from each of the Asean countries.”

“The other applicants are older and more senior in the film industry.  I will participate in the Cinematography workshop whereas my co-participant will participate in the Scriptwriting workshop,” he added.

The workshop is open to all independent filmmakers aged 18 to 35 years.  Applicants need to show proof of participation in the minimum production of two films in the capacity as Director, Writer, Cinematographer, Editor or Producer.  There are two categories of participation namely Scriptwring/Direction and Cinematography and two participants will be selected from each country.  A participant can qualify for only one category.  Sheng Wang applied for both categories.

“I am excited with the amount of direct and indirect learning that will take place during the workshop.   The workshop content is comprehensive covering cinematography, scriptwriting, shooting, editing, directing, lighting, digital effects and special effects.

“As the workshop will be facilitated by qualified professionals and experts in the film industry I hope to gain a lot more outside the workshop sessions and during practice exercises,” he said.

From SJEcho at http://www.sjecho.com.my/?page=article&id=954

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 H1N1 HITS MPSJ STAFF
by SJECHO

An MPSJ officer being tested for his temperature.

THREE Subang Jaya Municipal Council staff have been tested positive for A(H1N1), making it the first local authority in Selangor to be infected with the virus.

Selangor Health, Plantation Workers, Poverty and Caring Government exco Dr Xavier Jayakumar said all 47 remaining staff in MPSJ's legal department would be instructed to head home for self-quarantine with their families.

The local council premises will not however be shut down.

However, Xavier has advised all local councils in the State to postpone or reduce the number of activities which involved huge crowds until the situation was under control.

MPSJ president Dato' Adnan Md Ikshan said the council would remain open for the Mesra Rakyat programme tomorrow (August 7) although he advised the public to postpone their visit if the matter was not urgent.

7 August 2009

Provided by SJEcho
http://www.sjecho.com.my/?page=article&id=961
 

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Kuala Lumpur, July 31, 2009 –  The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) unveiled its mascots for disabilities at its National Disability Advocacy & Awareness Campaign 2009 launch at SEGI University College today.

The national campaign organised by UNDP and the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development with its theme ‘Real Lives, Real Abilities’ aims to raise the profile of disability issues in Malaysia.

In his welcome speech, Mr Kamal Malhotra, UNDP Resident Representative for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam said societal stereotyping of people with disabilities is one of the root causes of inequality and social exclusion and there is a crucial need for advocacy and awareness amongst all strata of Malaysians to remove misplaced stereotypes and create better understanding and acceptance of people with disabilities as rightful and equal members of society.

Mr Kamal added, “We strongly believes that the issues preventing the enjoyment of inherent rights and equality, with full participation and meaningful inclusion of people with disabilities into their communities are barriers that can be broken down with an attitudinal change of society at large.”

Mr Kamal who is also the Uniteed Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative for Malaysia revealed that in meeting this need, UNDP in collaboration with the Economic Planning Unit and the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, had started  two pilot projects aimed at increasing the economic and social independence of people with disabilities in Malaysia.

The two projects in Johor and Penang would provide a framework to reduce barriers that persons with disabilities face in finding and retaining employment and in accessing public transportation.

Y.B. Senator Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development said
that there is a great need to improve services delivery as well as mainstream disability issues in our national agenda and progarmmes. She called upon Malaysians with disabilities to register with the Social Welfare Department to enable her Ministry to plan programmes and services for them effectively.

She commended UNDP and SEGi for their collaboration in organising the mascot design competition and reaching out to the youth to ensure they understand and support  people with disabilities with empathy.

Professor Dr Muhamad Awang, Vice Chancellor, SEGi University College observed that the launch of this campaign is timely, to highlight the plight and needs of the disabled people.

He said, "In order to truly represent the disabilities issues in the  correct light, students needed to have the right understanding of each type of disability. Feedback from students reflect that participation in this competition has indeed instilled their empathy and understanding towards people with disabilities."

The winning mascots for disabilities were selected from 109 entries of a creative design competition organized by UNDP in partnership with SEGi University College and its students. The selected designs will be incorporated into campaign materials and will be distributed widely across the country.

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