Unsexy, effective therapy

Brintnell speaks on a different form of social rehabilitation

Wednesday, July 03, 2013 - 15:32

by Sophia Halim

IN today’s ageing society, Malaysians are living longer but as they live longer they live with activity limitations. “There was one time if you have a spinal cord injury, you die very quickly. If you survived, you ended up with bed sores or in an unpleasant longterm hospital setting,” according to Professor Sharon Brintnell, president of the World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT).

“When people acquire a disability, there is no reason for them to be dependent or isolated which are two key things that affect their health. “Through cognitive-based rehabilitation and with adaptive equipment, you can regain your independence and ability to go back to work,” she said.

Professor Brintnell from the University of Alberta, Canada, has earned an international reputation in her more than 40 years in occupational therapy and recently became the inaugural winner of the prestigious WFOT Lectureship Award, honouring her international work in the research, teaching and practice of occupational therapy.

Brintnell was in Kuala Lumpur recently to speak on occupational therapy (OT) in Malaysia which she claimed doesn’t sound very sexy. “But it’s very effective,” she said.

In an interview with The Malay Mail, Brintnell, together with Prof. Nathan Vytialingam, president of Asia Pacific Regional Group of Occupational Therapists and Professor in Occupational Therapy from Perdana University, speak about the development of OT in Malaysia and worldwide.

What exactly is OT?

Often, rehabilitation is thought of as physical but it’s a combination of physical and mental.

“With OT, you get two for one,” said Brintnell. OT is the use of treatments to develop, recover, or maintain the daily living of patients with a physical, mental or developmental condition.

“Although you are different, you’re out in community and continuing with your life. The strengths that you have are the assets that motivate you to meet the challenge of participating in a different way,” she explained.

The aim of OT is ‘de-medicalise’ — to enable those with disabilities to re-engage and participate in the activities of everyday life by working with people and communities by modifying the occupation or the environment to better support their occupational engagement. It may sound invasive but it is not your stereotypical closeted therapy session.

“We could be having a cup o f tea and at the same time, having a therapy session to, for example, help you get through your social anxiety. It doesn’t look like therapy but this is the therapy session,” according to Brintnell.

“There’s a high level of interaction with the patient. It’s not by doing a workbook, it’s doing it. If you’re suffering from anxiety and perhaps not thinking clearly, the therapist will help you go through the procedures of things you need to do.”

Additionally OT involves making changes to the environment to help you adapt to your surroundings. “We work that system in getting you to reengage or participate in what you have to do and we do it by practicing the actual skill,” said Brintnell.

OT in Malaysia Looking at statistics, mental health will be the largest burden on health care.

“Currently depression and anxiety is the third largest burden worldwide. Mental health is going to replace some of the cardiovascular issues,” according to Britnell.

In Malaysia and regionally, there is a big demand for professionals in OT.

“Malaysia has an ageing population. People are living longer and becoming aware of health disabilities. There is a need for mental health daycare centres and community day centres for the elderly” said Prof. Nathan.

Currently, there are over 1,200 professionals in the field while only two universities — Universiti Teknologi Mara and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia — offer a degree programme in OT.

“We started a diploma programme by the MOH in 1970. Today, we are looking into upgrading it to a degree status to move on with the rest of the world,” said Nathan.

“If you keep the programmes at a diploma level, you will not attract the brightest students. You want to have a career that is recognised and a diploma is a dead-end,” added Brintnell.

According to Brintnell, the current diploma educational model is very passive learning. “Our healthcare system has change radically that you are now not just teaching students the answers but teaching them how to problem solve, to deal with critical thinking.

This is reflective of the reality in a knowledge-based world,” she said. “Providing these services will cut down a tremendous cost for the government and take out a huge burden off the family,” added Nathan.

http://manage.mmail.com.my/story/unsexy-effective-therapy-59589

June, 30, 2013 - 3:26 pm

Akjan: ‘I’m not happy that now he (Mutalib) is dead’

Akjan: ‘I’m not happy that now he (Mutalib) is dead’ 

KOTA KINABALU: “I won’t forgive him. Let Allah deal with him!”
These were the exact words of former Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee Datu Mohd Akjan Ali Muhammad, when commenting on the demise of his arch rival cum writer of controversial book “IC Projek: Agenda Tersembunyi Mahathir?” Mutalib M.D.
The editor of online news portal Sabahkini was said to have succumbed to a stroke while sleeping at his residence in Taman Kingfisher, at around 3am, on Saturday.
“He (Mutalib) almost ruined my life at one stage with all his slanders against me, including those which he had written in his book (IC Projek: Agenda Tersembunyi Mahathir?).
“My family and I, my children especially had been deeply hurt by his slanderous articles about me, for the past two decades. Some of my children even had to quit school because of what he did to me.
“Honestly-speaking, I’m not happy that now he’s dead; in fact I’m furious that he died too soon. I can forgive many of those who hurt me in the past, but certainly not him. The judgement is with Allah,” said Akjan bitterly.
Akjan was obviously referring to Mutalib’s reports about his involvement with the infamous ‘Project IC’, during the early 90s.
Akjan was subsequently detained under the ISA for two years, from 1995 to 1997, together with several others for distribution of fake Malaysian identity cards to non-Malaysian citizens, the Filipino illegal immigrants in particular.
A former Sabah Umno member, the businessman quit from the party in 2011 following his yet another controversial act, this time over his controversial ‘coronation’ as the 33rd reigning sultan of the now defunct Sulu Sultanate, at his residence in Likas.
Akjan who is presently the Chairman of Malaysian Islamic Welfare and Sermon Organation (PEKIDA) Sabah, also charged that Mutalib is a bad example for other Muslims, citing his ‘unique’ style of reporting of issues.
“I hope our Muslim brothers and sisters in the country, Sabah especially, would not emulate his way of earning a living which is by way of slandering others,” he said.
He further claimed that Mutalib’s reports on the Project IC issue all these years had not only severely affected him, but also the lives of many other Muslims in Sabah.

http://borneoinsider.com/2013/06/30/akjan-im-not-happy-that-now-he-mutalib-is-dead/

Water cut: "Merdeka without water, this is ruining my holiday"

Updated: Saturday August 31, 2013 MYT 6:30:29 PM

Water cut: "Merdeka without water, this is ruining my holiday"

By VICTORIA BROWN

PETALING JAYA: Klang Valley netizens woke up to dry taps on Saturday, dampening any mood to celebrate Merdeka Day.
And many were left frustrated as they did not receive prior notice from the state water authority, Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas), of the supply disruption as they could have stocked up on water.
“Merdeka with no water. This is ruining my holiday and what is happening?” said Twitter user @Sathyan_A.

@Phatkor said some Petaling Jaya residents were experiencing dry taps: “PJ residents woke up to a Merdeka morning without water, no notice from Syabas.”

Facebook user Vincent Chow Soon Kit said: “No water to make coffee. Can’t stay awake to celebrate National Day. Admire those whose patriotism is stronger than my own coffee.”

Netizens also expressed their worries over the water cuts and its duration.

“Local supermarket full of people panic-buying bottled drinking water, disposable plates, plastic spoons,” said Twitter user @SleeplessInKL.

@typicallysorwen shared that the supermarket shelves were wiped out of mineral water at 11am.

“Stocking up on so much water I feel like I'm preparing for an apocalypse,” said @RohanBeg.

@IamAnasF said everybody was stressed out over the water cuts: “Toilet is not flushed. People are smelly. Can’t eat at home. Restaurants are closed. Everyone is stressed.”

Facebook user Moon Sanjimi shared his difficulties without water with this comment: “Suffering to the limits.”

@ainisyahirah said that the water cuts showed the extend of our reliance on water.

“It's true what they said. We'll never appreciate something until it’s gone,” she said.

@ZAIMdrz provided some comic relief by sharing the following tweet: “The awkward moment the rain downpour is more than the water in the houses in Selangor.”

Netizens also shared some tips on how to handle the water cuts.

@KlangCity said: “Cook simple food? Don't need to use many utensils.”

“Cook stew meat and vegetables, add fresh meat and vegetables to the leftover, re-cook it everyday for 7 days, yummy with rice,” shares @puise_ng.

Klang MP Charles Santiago reminded the public to boil their tap water at all times through his Twitter account @mpklang.

Facebook user Ahmad Shukri Ramli said that Malaysia should punish those who pollute our water resources.

“We must protect our water resources and punish those who pollute them,” he said.

 http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2013/08/31/water-cut-dampens-merdeka-mood.aspx

Oil spill at Sungai Selangor.

Oil spill at Sungai Selangor.

Updated: Saturday August 31, 2013 MYT 9:27:48 PM

Water cut: All four water treatment plants back in operation, supply back in 40% of affected areas but low pressure, says Syabas

By JOSEPH LOH

PETALING JAYA: All four treatment plants which had to be shut down on Friday due to oil contamination in Sungai Selangor have resumed operations, and water distribution has begun at affected areas.
In a statement, Syabas said operations resumed at its plants at about 3am Saturday, and water distribution started at 6am.
"As at 10am, some affected areas have been receiving limited supply but at low water pressures.
"The number of affected accounts are down to 880,000, which comprise 60% of the households in Petaling, Kuala Lumpur, Klang/Shah Alam, Gombak, Kuala Selangor and Hulu Selangor," it said, adding that supply in the Kuala Langat district was back to normal.
"Syabas expects its supply of water to affected areas to reach 80% capacity in three days, and normal supply within one week," it said.
The statement also said it was mobilising all its resources to provide water to users, with 46 water trucks sent and 20 static tanks placed in affected areas, with another 506 static tanks on standby.
It also said Syabas was receiving aid from other states in the form of 14 water trucks - six from Johor, six from Perak and four from Negri Sembilan.
The statement also said Syabas would not be able ensure adequate supply for all users.
"However, water relief efforts will be concentrated on critical needs such as in hospitals, dialysis centres and mosques.
"Users are advised to be patient and use water sparingly for essential needs only," it said.

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2013/08/31/water-cut-all-4-plants-back-in-operation.aspx

Warga emas melampau, kegiatan terbongkar

on August 1, 2013

SUBANG JAYA – Tidak padan dengan usia mereka yang sudah layak bergelar datuk, tiga lelaki lingkungan umur 50 hingga 60 tahun leka mendapatkan khidmat urutan batin di sebuah rumah urut di SS15, dekat sini.
Aktiviti tidak bermoral terbabit bagaimanapun terbantut apabila Jabatan Penguatkuasaan Majlis Perbandaran Subang Jaya (MPSJ) menyerbu premis itu, malam kelmarin.
Ketika diserbu, pengunjung tua berkenaan sedang leka diurut dalam keadaan berbogel oleh tukang urut warga China berusia lingkungan 30-an.
Pengarah Jabatan Penguatkuasaan MPSJ, Mejar (B) Mohd Rasip Rasul berkata, bertindak atas aduan pihaknya kemudian melakukan pemantauan dan pemeriksaan ke rumah urut berkenaan.
Menurutnya, premis didapati mempunyai lesen sah daripada pihak majlis bagi menjalankan perniagaan bekam namun pengusaha melanggar syarat-syarat ditetapkan.
Katanya, pengusaha premis menawarkan khidmat seks dan urutan batin kepada pelanggan.
“Sebaik diserbu, anggota mendapati beberapa pelanggan sedang berbogel dan kesemua mereka berlari untuk memakai pakaian semula,” katanya.
Beliau berkata, majlis merampas peralatan urut dan menutup premis di bawah UUK 13(k) Undang-undang Kecil Pusat Kecantikan dan Penjagaan Kesihatan MPSJ 2007 kerana melanggar syarat-syarat sekatan lesen dikeluarkan MPSJ.
Sementara itu, ketika serbuan dilakukan, seorang pelanggan pusat urut berkenaan didapati cuba menimbulkan kekecohan dengan bertindak memarahi pegawai MPSJ yang mengambil tindakan.
Kekecohan itu kemudian beransur reda apabila anggota penguat kuasa dan penjaga premis cuba menenangkan pelanggan berkenaan. Operasi berkenaan diketuai Penolong Pegawai Penguat Kuasa MPSJ, R Ravinthran bersama 16 anggota. -Sh

 http://www.kualalumpurpost.net/warga-emas-melampau-kegiatan-terbongkar/