South East Asian Health News

MALAYSIA 

Asia Life Assurance Society Ltd, a Malaysian life insurer, is offering a new comprehensive package called the Asia Healthcare Package. Under this plan, policyholders can choose from three types of coverage starting from basic coverage against a list of 36 diseases, a second to cover hospital and surgical costs and a third against personal accident. Asia Life plans to have 1,000 policyholders within the next three months with at least RM500,000 (US$125,000) in premiums. (September 15th 1998)

The Central Bank has approved a new national life insurance product called TERAS Malaysia. The new policy was developed by eight local life insurers and is structured to be affordable during the economic downturn in Malaysia. TERAS offers insurance coverage for specified time periods, coverage for critical diseases, accidental and dismemberment rider and a hospital and surgical rider. (October 2nd 1998)

Chemical Company of Malaysia Bhd (CCM) reported pre-tax profits of RM32m (US$8m) for H1 1998, a 36% drop from H2 1997. After tax profit fell 40%, to RM24m (US$6m). The company stated that the lower profits are attributed to the exclusion of CCM Bioscience Bhd from its results, which is now recognized as an associate company. (September 1st 1998)

The Government is privatizing ambulance services and has picked Cartarama Sdn Bhd to head the new system. Modeled after Australia's Melbourne Metropolitan Ambulance Service, the new system will be more efficient and has a modern fleet of ambulances manned by trained personnel. (September 21st 1998)

The Health Ministry has announced new legislation that would allow the private sector to open up mental health facilities in the country. The ordinance is designed to increase the private sector's involvement in treating mental patients in Malaysia. (September 5th 1998)

The Health Ministry has announced that it is interested in producing medical equipment and instruments locally. Local production would help to curb the outflow of foreign exchange and reduce Malaysia's dependence on imports. The Government hopes to achieve local production through JVs with foreign manufacturers. (September 16th 1998)

Hewlett-Packard Co (HP) has awarded Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (HUKM) a RM1m (US$250,000) information technology grant to help develop a cardiovascular research program at its heart center. The grant includes implementation, consultancy and a year's support for three information management systems. (September 21st 1998)

Ho Yan Hor Sdn Bhd, a leading pharmaceutical manufacturer, will change its name to Hovid Sdn Bhd, effective March 1999. The change is in line with its goals for global expansion. Exports already account for 60% of total revenues. The company manufactures pharmaceutical and health supplements, injectable products and is a contract manufacturer for private labels. It has 5,000 local clients including private clinics, hospitals and the Health Ministry. (September 14th 1998)

The Johor Education Foundation and three local companies, Chemical Company of Malaysia, Floreat Enterprises and Kumpulan Sungei Chat, have been appointed distribution agents for Cuban biotechnology, pharmaceutical and health tourism products. (September 10th 1998)

Medilink Pharmacy Sdn Bhd intends to open five more outlets in Johor and more pharmacies nationwide within the next two years. The company aims to be a low cost suburban and small town operator. The company is also launching an in-house health food product by year's end in conjunction with a New Zealand-based company. (September 18th 1998)

Multi Medical System Sdn Bhd (MMS) is targeting 30,000 medical smartcard holders by year-end. The smartcard gives members access to medical, hospitalization and surgical care in emergencies. The card also stores the patient's medical history on an embedded microchip. There are four main competitors in the local market and MMS has a market share of over 25%. The MMS card is underwritten by DRB-Hicom's SEA Assurance Sdn Bhd. (September 24th 1998)

The Selayang Hospital, built by Radicare (M) Sdn Bhd and managed by the Health Ministry, will begin trial runs in January. The hospital is paperless and equipped with a sophisticated Total Hospital Information System (THIS), which stores a patient's complete medical records electronically. The system was created using equipment from Siemens, Philips, Microsoft and Oracle. (September 20th 1998)

Vista Healthcare Asia has invested RM3.2m (US$800,000) into the Megah Medical Specialist Group. The company plans to strengthen its coverage in Malaysia by forming partnerships with local specialists. Vista has also recently reached an agreement with China-based IBC-Asia Healthcare to set up eight to fifteen eye care centers in China. (September 19th 1998)