Oleh/By : DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : THE HILTON HOTEL, KUALA LUMPUR (K.L)
Tarikh/Date : 19/06/90
Tajuk/Title : THE 9TH REGIONAL CONFERENCE
OF DERMATOLOGY
Yang Berhormat Encik Ng Cheng Kiat,
Minister of Health;
Associate Professor H.C. Ting,
Chairman of the Conference Organising Committee;
Distinguished guests;
Ladies and gentlemen.
I am honoured to be invited to declare open this Con-
ference. I am informed that this Conference is being at-
tended by the medical fraternity from the Asia-Pacific
Region, North America and Europe. Given the prominence and
attention accorded to this gathering, I hope it will meet
the objectives set by the organisers and contribute posi-
tively to the development of dermatology.
Ladies and gentlemen,
2. Over the past two decades, medical technology has de-
veloped at a bewildering pace. Each year, more and more so-
phisticated and innovative technologies are introduced to
the profession. The health care delivery system is being
subjected to greater and more diverse pressures than in the
past and there is constant demand for the introduction of
new technology in clinical practice.
3. As resources will always be limited, there is a need to
be judicious in the use of available funds so that it will
reach the greatest number of people and yield maximum bene-
fit. While new technologies may improve tremendously the
effect of treatment, their cost escalate rapidly with each
new advance. Developing countries may not be able to afford
some of the technologies no matter how efficacious.
4. I understand that several new technologies like inves-
tigative dermatology, computer technology and new
immunoflourescence techniques have brought exciting new ele-
ments into dermatology. Such technologies have managed to
capture the imagination of young doctors especially in de-
veloped countries. This Conference, I am pleased to note,
will be discussing these technologies. Hopefully, after a
glimpse of what future dermatology has to offer, this Con-
ference can generate more interest and inspire our young
doctors to embark on a career in this not too popular field
of medicine.
Ladies and gentlemen,
5. The government of Malaysia is committed to providing
for the health needs of the people. We are ready to respond
to the changing needs by upgrading our facilities and intro-
ducing new services. Malaysia however is still facing a
shortage of medical specialists in various fields,
dermatology being no exception. About 9% of our hospital
outpatient attendances present with skin problems and the
demand for this service is high. We therefore need more
dermatologists to cope with the increasing demand and also
to develop this field further. In the past, dermatology did
not appear to be glamorous or interesting enough to attract
many of our doctors to give it their life-long commitment.
Given the new developments and technologies, however, the
Malaysian Government hopes more members of the medical fra-
ternity will specialise in this field in the future. It is
axiomatic that skin diseases cannot be completely cured and
yet they do not kill. And so the patients keep on coming
and 'harassing' the doctors with their conditions. It is
altogether very frustrating for the doctor although, of
course, they can provide a lifetime income for the practi-
tioner.
6. We have identified several new services in dermatology
to be developed such as dermatopathology and photobiology to
ensure a more effective skin care for the population. In
this respect, our specialists can play a greater role in
guiding and encouraging young doctors to pursue this field,
not only because the country needs them but also because
dermatology can be as interesting and exciting as any other
field in medicine, given the new technologies.
Ladies and gentlemen,
7. There is a staggering number of chemicals and cosmetics
flooding the markets each year. The blatant use of such
chemicals and cosmetics in industries and at home, has not
been properly controlled and for a long time remained rela-
tively unchecked. As a result, we now have to cope with in-
creasing numbers of occupational diseases and contact
dermatitis. These diseases could easily have been prevented
through proper handling and usage of the chemicals. Educa-
tion for the producers and consumers alike on the need for
the enforcement and maintenance of high safety standards in
working areas and usage of proper labels on consumer pro-
ducts are major immediate remedial steps to be considered.
I am happy to note that this Conference will be discussing
industrial and cosmetic dermatoses amongst the many topics
that will be discussed. These deliberations will enable the
prevention, treatment and control of these diseases to be
more effective.
8. We must also stress that in our search for new fron-
tiers to explore, we also need to strengthen and intensify
our preventive health care programmes. As you are aware,
there is universal concern over the control of sexually-
transmitted diseases. AIDS in particular has become a major
global health problem. Presently, with the cure for AIDS
unlikely to be found soon, prevention is the only effective
way to curb the spread of this deadly disease. Here the use
of illegal drugs is of particular concern. As elsewhere the
incidence of AIDS in Malaysia is greater among drug addicts.
Prevention of the spread of drug abuse by any means is es-
sential in the protection of the public from becoming vic-
tims of this disease. Additionally unawareness on the part
of doctors about the possibility of patients having AIDS may
result in unfortunate accidents.
9. In Malaysia, we have taken some measures to check and
eliminate AIDS. New measures will be considered if they are
deemed necessary. Besides AIDS, we have intensified our
health campaign drives against five other diseases. The
Malaysian medical authorities are organising a major nation-
wide programme against heart diseases, hepatitis B, cancer,
diabetes and hypertension.
10. Much of this programme will involve promoting awareness
of the need to inculcate a healthy lifestyle. These include
the value of regular physical exercise, good personal hy-
giene, healthy dietary habits and well-adjusted family re-
lationships to ensure that maximum level of health is
achieved. It is important for every one to realise and ac-
cept that the ultimate responsibility for one's own health
particularly the preventive aspect lies with the individual,
and I hope this programme will help to persuade people of
this reality, and will be well received by everyone in the
community.
Ladies and gentlemen,
11. Once again I wish to thank the Organising Committee for
inviting me to officiate the opening of this Conference. I
wish you all success in your deliberations. To our foreign
guests, I hope you have a pleasant stay in Malaysia and
since this is Visit Malaysia Year, I would suggest that you
take time off to see our country and witness some of the
special events that have been included in the Visit Malaysia
Year programme. I bid you welcome to Malaysia.
12. I now have much pleasure in declaring open the 9th Re-
gional Conference of Dermatology.
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