22/06/2025

NATIONAL 4 ON SUNDAY JUNE 22, 2025

Holistic approach key to appropriate acne care

screen underserved communities and workers in industrial areas. “This is how we make lung health a shared responsibility across all sectors, addressing broader concerns holistically, from asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to tuberculosis, occupational diseases, smoking and air pollution,” he said. The congress, which aims to tackle urgent cancer-related challenges across Southeast Asia and the Asia Pacific, has welcomed more than 1,000 participants, including delegates from Europe and the Middle East. – Bernama Perak launches eKSPerk portal to streamline registrations IPOH: The Perak Syariah Judiciary Department has launched the Modul Awam Elektronik Kehakiman Syariah Perak (eKSPerk) website to streamline the preparation of registration forms for selected syariah court cases. Perak Chief Syariah Judge Datuk Ab Rahman Thobroni Mohd Mansor said the website, accessible via eksperk.perak.gov.my, has been operational since June 10. He said cases currently eligible for registration through eKSPerk include consensual divorce applications, confirmation of divorce pronouncements, underage marriage applications and appointments of wali hakim . “This public module was developed to assist individuals without legal representation, who often face difficulties preparing court documents. “Previously, the public found it challenging to engage document writers due to the high fees charged by some. With eKSPerk, users can now fill in the required case details and information more conveniently,” he said after officiating the 2024 Perak Syariah Judiciary Department Excellence Appreciation Ceremony on Friday. At present, users are required to print out the completed forms and submit them manually to the court. “We are working to enhance the website so that, in the future, documents completed via eKSPerk can be directly integrated into the e-Syariah system,” he said. Ab Rahman Thobroni added that registration forms prepared by third parties or individuals would still be accepted, provided they comply with the required format, content structure and language standards. He noted that Perak is currently the only state implementing such a module, though it may be adopted by other syariah judiciary departments in future. – Bernama

common self-treatment mistakes, such as over-cleansing, pimple popping and frequent product switching. “These habits worsen inflammation, damage the skin barrier and increase the risk of scarring. Patients should be educated to follow a consistent, gentle routine and apply treatments across the entire acne prone area, not just on visible spots.” She pointed out that social media has become a double-edged sword in acne management. “Teens are constantly exposed to filtered images and miracle-cure content, which creates unrealistic expectations. Some abandon effective treatments in favour of viral trends. We must teach patients to critically evaluate online content and follow credible sources.” While public awareness of acne in Malaysia is growing, stigma remains a persistent barrier. “Studies show that over 76% of people view acne negatively in photographs, associating it with poor hygiene or unattractiveness. We need greater public education to dismantle these harmful myths.” Ultimately, she said acne treatment must extend beyond prescriptions.

Dermatologist highlights role of gut health, diet, mental well-being in managing skin and emotional toll on the condition Ű BY DEEPALAKSHMI MANICKAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com endotoxins such as lipopolysaccharides to enter the bloodstream and trigger inflammatory responses in the skin.

Mental health is another critical yet often overlooked aspect of acne care. “Many patients experience depression, anxiety and social withdrawal due to acne. Some studies have found it to be more psychologically distressing than chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes. “In Malaysia, adolescent surveys show acne is a common cause of emotional distress and social stigma.” Teeba called for routine mental health screening during dermatology consultations. “We should normalise checking in on patients’ emotional well being. Tools such as dermatology specific quality-of-life questionnaires can help identify those who need psychological support.” She recalled one case involving a 19-year-old male with severe nodulocystic acne. “After years of failed treatments, he was started on isotretinoin. In six months, not only did his skin improve dramatically, but his self-esteem and overall quality of life returned. It was a reminder that acne care can be life-changing when done right.” Teeba also warned against

PETALING JAYA: In conjunction with Acne Awareness Month, a leading dermatologist has urged Malaysians to move beyond creams and antibiotics, and adopt a more holistic approach that considers gut health, diet, mental well-being and the emotional toll of the condition. “Acne is a multifactorial skin condition that extends far beyond visible lesions. A holistic approach not only improves outcomes but also addresses the emotional burden carried by many patients,” said Consultant Dermatologist Dr Teeba Raja, who also serves as president of the Malaysian Allergic Contact Dermatitis Subcommittee. She explained that emerging research has drawn attention to the gut-skin axis, where imbalances in gut bacteria – known as gut dysbiosis – can drive skin inflammation. “Increased intestinal permeability, or ‘leaky gut’, allows

“While gut-directed therapies are not yet part of standard acne treatment, patients with both acne and gastrointestinal symptoms may benefit from addressing underlying gut issues,” she said. Teeba also highlighted the role of diet, noting that high-glycaemic foods and dairy have been linked to acne severity. “Low-glycaemic diets help by lowering insulin and IGF-1 levels – hormones that stimulate oil production and skin cell growth. “Dairy, especially skim milk and whey protein, can aggravate acne in some individuals due to its hormonal effects.” She added that probiotics, particularly strains such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, may help reduce skin inflammation, but should be seen as complementary rather than primary treatments.

Madani initiative lifts incomes with catfish products PASIR SALAK: The Sejahtera Komuniti Madani (Sejati Madani) programme has proven effective in strengthening the local economy, particularly for urban poor communities and residents in rural and remote areas. in canvas ponds. “The Kampung Makmur community now produces three main downstream products – catfish balls, catfish cakes, and butter garlic herb fillets – all created entirely by participants of the Sejati Madani programme.

Perak menteri besar’s special officer for the Kampung Gajah state constituency Khairul Azwan Harun said with a government grant of RM100,000 under the Sejati Madani initiative, the community of Kampung Makmur near Kampung Gajah has achieved notable success through the production of value added products from catfish farming

“This project not only generates income from fish farming but also imparts new skills and helps improve household income through downstream product development,” he said after launching the products under the programme at Pasir Salak Community College on Friday. – Bernama

Khairul Azwan (second from left) holding up the catfish products during the event. – BERNAMAPIC

Health Ministry enters final phase of cancer control plan KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry has entered the final phase of its National Strategic Plan for Cancer Control Programme 2021 to 2025, with renewed emphasis on strengthening cancer prevention, early detection and sustainable healthcare financing. Malaysia and Sunway University. “Cancer remains one of the most pressing and devastating challenges in our fight against the pandemic of non-communicable diseases. rising threat of lung cancer, the ministry introduced the Lung Health Initiative during last year’s congress. Lung cancer is now among the three most common cancers in Malaysia and remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. health – integrating prevention, digital innovation and people centred care.

“Implementation is already under way in six states – Selangor, Penang, Kedah, Pahang, Kelantan and Sabah – with artificial intelligence (AI) being deployed to interpret chest X-rays in selected government clinics and hospitals, improving diagnostic accuracy and speeding up early detection of lung cancer and other respiratory illnesses,” he said. Dzulkefly also commended the National Cancer Society Malaysia for extending the initiative through mobile AI X-ray units, which help

“According to the National Cancer Registry Report 2017 to 2021, Malaysia recorded over 169,000 cancer cases, a 47% increase from the previous cycle. “The lifetime risk of cancer has also risen, now affecting one in eight Malaysians,” he said at the opening ceremony at Sunway University in Petaling Jaya. Dzulkefly said in response to the

He added that Malaysia has taken a leading role globally with the adoption of the resolution “Promoting and Prioritising an Integrated Lung Health Approach” at the 78th World Health Assembly. “This is a historic milestone not just for Malaysia, but for global public health. It reflects our belief in a whole-of-planet approach to lung

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the three-day National Cancer Congress Malaysia (NCCM) 2025, which began on Friday, is aligned with the ministry’s efforts to chart the next phase of its cancer strategy. The event is jointly organised by the National Cancer Society