19/05/2025

MONDAY | MAY 19, 2025

HEALTH 26

PUTRAJAYA HOSPITAL AMONG WORLD’S BEST The Putrajaya Hospital (HPj) was recognised as one of the World’s Best Hospitals in 2025 by Newsweek and Statista. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said the recognition is not merely a number or title but a reflection of the dedication shown by every doctor, nurse and medical staff who work tirelessly to provide the best care to patients. A check on the Newsweek and Statista websites showed HPj ranked 29th with a score of 71.59%. – Bernama UTAR HOSPITAL PARTNERS WITH AUTHORITIES FOR HEALTHCARE ACCESSIBILITY Utar Hospital is collaborating with the Housing and Local Government Ministry Perak (KPKT) to carry out the “ Kampungku ” Programme aimed at enhancing healthcare accessibility and promoting preventive health awareness among communities in rural and underserved areas. The programme will commence in the middle of this month, offering accessible health screening services such as blood tests, specialist consultations and more to 12 selected villages within the Kampar region, including Malim Mawar, Chenderiang, Bidor and Tapah. The initiative will also include services from Utar Hospital’s Traditional and Complementary Medicine Centre, incorporating traditional Chinese medicine such as acupuncture, tui na and gua sha (scrapping). LATEST ROBOTIC-GUIDED TECH SET TO REDEFINE SPINAL SURGERIES Sunway Medical Centre (SMC), Sunway City is the first in Malaysia and Southeast Asia to introduce the AiBLE Spine Surgical Suite, the latest robotic-guided

Neck pain and stiffness are common symptoms of text neck syndrome.

BR I E F S

When posture becomes pain W ITH an average screen time of eight hours and 17 minutes daily, Malaysians now rank among the highest digital device users in Asia. due to their frequent and prolonged use of smartphones, tablets and laptops. Text neck is now an occupational hazard for office workers and a lifestyle-related issue for those who are constantly glued to their devices. compressed cervical nerves may disrupt neural blood flow and nerve signals. Other symptoms that might occur include blurry vision, brain fog, dizziness and difficulty concentrating. The pain will initially provoke a protective muscle spasm, which would show in X-ray imagery as the straightening of the spine. If ignored, this can lead to premature degeneration of the spine, including thinning of the disc between two segments of vertebrae, and the development of bone spurs and facet joint arthritis over time, which is also known as cervical spondylosis (wear and tear of the joint and discs in the neck). o Everyday habit of looking down at screens causes rise of text neck syndrome among Malaysians

This will result in “text neck syndrome”, a relatively new condition that has emerged, especially post-pandemic with noticeable rise in cases among teenagers and young adults. A growing health issue, repetitive stress injury is caused by prolonged forward head posture while looking down at screens. When someone develops text neck, the muscles and joints in the neck undergo continuous strain due to poor posture. Over time, this causes muscle and joint fatigue, discomfort, and if left untreated, may even result in structural damage.

Poor workplace ergonomics further compound the issue, as many endure long hours at non-conducive desk setups. This prolonged strain is increasingly linked to higher rates of sick leave in corporate environments, reduced productivity and declining workplace performance. The Health Ministry reported that 67% of Malaysians experience neck pain at some point in their lives, making it the second most common musculoskeletal complaint in the country, yet many dismiss the discomfort as temporary or stress-related.

This irreversible condition may cause nerve or spinal cord compression, leading to radiating pain, numbness or a pins-and-needles sensation in the arms, forearms and hands. In severe cases, it can cause weakness and paralysis in both the upper and lower limbs. Persistent pain does not only affect one physically, but it can take a toll on mental health and overall well-being.

technology for spinal surgery that promises precision, safety and efficiency. Back pain is one of the most common health issues worldwide and in Malaysia. Given the complexity of spinal surgery due to the spine’s three-dimensional anatomy and its proximity to critical neurovascular structures, the AiBLE Spine Surgical Suite, which integrates the Spine Robotic Guidance System, StealthStation S8 Surgical Navigation System and O-arm Imaging System, offers patients multiple benefits, including enhanced accuracy, quicker recovery, reduced complications and less radiation exposure. The AiBLE Spine Surgical Suite, along with the hospital’s advanced MRI and CT imaging systems, enhances the ability to diagnose and treat complex spinal conditions. Beyond spinal surgery, the AiBLE system can also be used to support cranial, orthopaedic, ENT and trauma-related surgeries. It is a valuable addition to SMC’s growing suite of medical technology. Private health facilities updating, preparing medicine price lists Why are Malaysians at high risk? Malaysia’s high digital consumption, especially among younger people, is a significant contributor to the rise of text neck syndrome. The country records the third-highest TikTok usage in Southeast Asia, with an average watch of 121 videos a day. Combined with long hours at desks or in classrooms, and the lack of ergonomic awareness, this creates the ideal situation for postural strain. One of the most common postural issues we see is forward head posture. Misalignment occurs when one tilts the head forward by 45°, which increases the load on the cervical spine from only 5kg to 22kg. This adds over 1,000 hours of strain on an average user’s spine in just a year, which can lead to symptoms such as neck and shoulder pain, headaches, dizziness, spinal nerve irritation resulting in a tingling sensation in the hands and even early degenerative arthritis of the neck. Younger patients are more at risk, mainly Early warning signs to watch The early signs of text neck syndrome are often overlooked or misattributed to stress or poor sleep. Symptoms may include persistent neck or upper back stiffness, headaches that begin at the base of the skull, tingling or numbness in the hands and fingers, dizziness or poor balance, difficulty concentrating, eye strain and general fatigue. Neck pain is one of the most commonly recognised symptoms, but referred pain to the shoulders and upper back is often missed. Malaysians should pay closer attention to the pain they are feeling and avoid ignoring it to prevent other health complications. Hidden domino effects of text neck syndrome If left unmanaged, text neck syndrome can lead to a series of musculoskeletal and neurological complications, including herniated discs, frozen shoulder or reduced lung capacity from prolonged hunching. In more advanced cases, Path towards recovery and prevention Managing text neck syndrome typically involves a combination of physiotherapy, lifestyle changes and in some cases, medication. The best investment lies in consistent ergonomic practices through reducing screen time, using proper posture and incorporating regular neck relaxation exercises throughout the day. Physiotherapy plays a critical role in both recovery and prevention. Manual therapy, postural retraining and targeted exercises can be used to relieve tension, build strength and restore proper alignment. While most patients begin to notice improvement within three to six sessions, those with more severe conditions may require a longer treatment plan to achieve lasting results. This article is contributed by Sunway Medical Centre Velocity consultant orthopaedic, trauma and spine surgeon Dr Chang Kok Chun.

COMPLIANCE with the Medicine Price Display Order is showing progress, with many private healthcare facilities in the capital and several states beginning to adopt the government’s initiative. Checks in Kuala Lumpur and some states found that healthcare facilities and pharmacies are in the process of preparing price lists for medicines, although they require some time to implement the measure. In Kuala Lumpur, Dr Theiva Amirta of Peters Polyclinic and Surgery said the clinic is working on a medicine price list but needs more time to update it before it can be displayed publicly. “We do not always buy the same medicines. Sometimes, when a particular supply runs out, we have to get a different one of higher quality. So we need to continuously update the price list,” she said.

The initiative was also welcomed by 60-year-old grandmother of eight Salhah Ismail from Sabah, who said the move is a great help in planning her medication expenses. In Kelantan, retired civil servant Abidin Abdullah, 65, noted that with medical costs rising, the government’s initiative is helpful, especially for middle- and lower-income groups seeking affordable medication. The initiative to display medicine prices at private healthcare facilities and community pharmacies took effect on May 1, in line with the government’s commitment to price transparency through the Medicine Price Transparency Mechanism. This ensures the public can make informed choices by knowing, comparing and selecting the best prices when planning their medicine expenses. – Bernama

She suggested that enforcement of the regulation, which came into effect on May 1, be placed under the Health Ministry, which has a better understanding of the medical field. Natasha Adila, a staff member at Asia Clinic, said the clinic needs time to display medicine prices, adding that the move helps patients make comparisons, though it may have a slightly negative impact on private clinics. In Perlis, a pharmacy worker who only wished to be known as Su, 34, said her pharmacy has already implemented price displays to help customers make informed choices before purchasing the medicine they need. “We have put price tags on the medicines so customers can see for themselves and make decisions based on their affordability. This definitely helps them,” she said.

Community pharmacies are required to display medicine prices. – ADIB RAIWI YAHYA/THESUN