Health & Living

Episodes

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  Public Health: We Need A School Nutrition Programme That Works 13.08.2026 39m

  This month, the Selangor state government is rolling out a free breakfast programme in all public schools statewide. This has sparked fresh debate about whether Malaysia needs a universal school feeding programme, especially in light of worrying malnutrition issues among children in Malaysia. We speak to Dr Tee E Siong and Teo Choon Huey from the Nutrition Society of Malaysia (NSM) about its school nutrition programme that’s been running for seven years. Dr Tee and Choon Huey are the Chair and Member, respectively, of NSM’s Malaysia School Nutrition Promotion Programme.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Brain Waves: How AI Is Changing Your Brain 12.08.2026 32m

  We’ve all heard that overreliance on technology can affect the brain - and not in a good way. So in a world where many of us use AI every day, and offload cognitive tasks to these LLMs, what does it actually do to our brain? We unpack this with neurogeneticist Dr Azlina Ahmad Annuar.  Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Humans of Healthcare: The Paediatric Endocrinologist 11.08.2026 30m

  When hormones don’t work as they should as a child grows, that’s where a paediatric endocrinologist comes in. On this episode of Humans of Healthcare, we speak to consultant paediatric endocrinologist Dr Azriyanti Anuar Zaini about how she helps children with hormone-related disorders and illnesses, and why she sees this as a calmer medical career path. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Healthy Ageing: Travel Tips For Seniors 10.08.2026 37m

  Traveling with older adults requires a different kind of itinerary—one that prioritizes health and safety without sacrificing fun. Whether you’re travelling when you’re older or with older family members, planning the trip is more than just what happens during but how you prepare for it too. For this guide to stress-free travel with seniors, we speak to Prof Dr James Koh, consultant infectious diseases physician and Dr Serena In, clinical psychologist.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Here’s How You Can Fix Your Sperm 07.08.2026 43m

  Spermageddon. That’s the word that has been used to describe the allegedly drastic decline in male fertility in recent years. But is this just fearmongering or is there truth to this? And if men are worried about their fertility, what can be done about it? Consultant urologist Dr George Lee is joined by Allan Pacey, Professor of Andrology at the University of Manchester to unpack this.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Don’t Be A Sore Loser. Here’s How To Be A Better Loser. 06.08.2026 32m

  No one likes to lose, especially if you’re prepared or trained as much as you can to succeed and win. Just think of how Argentina were labelled as ‘sore losers’ after their defeat at the recent Men’s World Cup finals. So why do some of us take losing well, and others don’t? How can we be a better loser and learn from our mistakes? We unpack this with licensed & registered counsellor, Justin Yap.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Kangaroo Mother Care Saves Babies’ Lives 05.08.2026 33m

  Mother kangaroos carry their babies, or joeys, in their pouch for eight to 10 months after birth to keep them safe and help them grow. Scientific evidence now shows that human babies carried by their mothers in a similarly fashioned pouch can be beneficial for breastfeeding, and can even be life-saving for preterm babies. We dive into kangaroo mother care and how mums (and dads as well as extended family members) can do it. Find out more here.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  What It’s Like To Live With Atrial Fibrillation 04.08.2026 41m

  An irregular heartbeat isn’t just an annoying symptom - it is a sign of a heart that has an abnormal rhythm and isn’t able to pump blood properly throughout the body. Atrial fibrillation is a common cause of abnormal rhythms, and can cause an increased risk of stroke, if it is not well-managed. We hear from Dr Adleen Binti Che Ani about her personal experience of being diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, while Dr Abdul Raqib Bin Abd Ghani, Consultant Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist from Cardiac Vascular Sentral Kuala Lumpur (CVSKL) talks about advancements in treatments. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  In Healthcare, Patients Are Becoming Consumers 03.08.2026 32m

  Management consultants Bain & Company’s 2026 report on healthcare trends and opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region, revealing widening tensions across the healthcare system. We speak to Vikram Kapur, Head of Global Healthcare & Life Sciences from Bain & Co to break down the survey’s findings about patients’ expectations, clinicians’ challenges and AI trends in healthcare.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  How The HPV Vaccine Cuts Deaths From Cervical Cancer 31.07.2026 42m

  We know how effective the HPV vaccine can be at preventing 90% of cervical cancer cases. Now a new study from the UK shows that women who receive the vaccine as a teen have virtually zero risk of dying from the cancer before they turn 30. How does this add to what we already know about the benefits of a HPV vaccination? Consultant urologist Dr George Lee is joined by consultant gynaecological oncologist Prof Dr Woo Yin Ling to unpack the results and why we need to vaccinate both girls and boys against HPV.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Why Hyrox Is The New Functional Fitness Craze 30.07.2026 37m

  When you picture people waiting in front of their computers to buy tickets, you would usually think it's for a pop star's concert. Not anymore. Hyrox and other similar gamified fitness events like Redline have surged in popularity in Malaysia and around the world, with people waiting to buy tickets to participate in an event that they spend months training for. What’s driving this functional fitness craze and does that mean that getting fitter is funner than ever? We speak to Dr Adam Storey, a strength and conditioning specialist as well as senior research fellow at the Sport Research Institute New Zealand at the Auckland University of Technology. Dr Storey also sits on the Hyrox Sports Science Advisory Council.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Paying Off The World Cup Sleep Debt 29.07.2026 46m

  The World Cup has wrapped up, ending the 3am matches and hordes of bleary-eyed Malaysians dragging themselves to school and work. While we assume that we can simply rewire our biological clocks by catching up on sleep afterwards, are there hidden effects of the sleep debt on our bodies? We speak to Dr Julius Goh Liang Chye, Consultant ENT Surgeon about the physical and mental health risks, and how these effects become significantly harder to reverse as your sleep debt accumulates.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Because Feelings Matter #53: “My Mission Is To Live Like Others” 28.07.2026 33m

  One moment, Fasha Ishak could be feeling on top of the world, but in the next, she could find herself completely drained of energy. These are the realities of living with autoimmune disorders. But while her medical conditions may have affected her physically, Fasha ensures that they haven’t robbed her of the ability to live her life. On this episode of Because Feelings Matter, Fasha takes us through her journey of being diagnosed with two autoimmune diseases and scoliosis, while juggling being a caregiver to her mother. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Beyond The Diagnosis #41: Don't Fight Ichthyosis, Fight For Your Rights 27.07.2026 40m

  Ichthyosis is a rare, genetic condition that causes a person to have dry, scaly skin. But this textbook definition fails to capture the persistent misconceptions and stigma faced by people with ichthyosis. On Beyond The Diagnosis, Mohd Firdaus Mehat, Chairman & Founder of Pertubuhan Kebajikan Pesakit Ichthyosis Malaysia (PEKIM), joins us in a candid conversation about the realities of living with ichthyosis and how his support group helps families learn about managing the condition. Beyond The Diagnosis is a series that goes beyond a medical diagnosis to explore people’s personal experiences, their challenges, as well as the impact of their health condition on their loved ones. This episode was produced in collaboration with Suriana Welfare Society, which is supporting individuals and families affected by rare diseases through advocacy and fundraising.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  What You Didn’t Know About Liver Damage 24.07.2026 41m

  Our liver is a true workhorse, performing more than 500 functions in the body. But we often take our liver for granted and many of our lifestyle practices can be detrimental to our liver health. In this conversation, we’ll address common beliefs and clear up misconceptions about liver disease, as well as how to maintain good liver health. Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Picky Or Sensitive? Decoding Sensory Processing Difficulties 23.07.2026 43m

  When your child seems overly sensitive to loud noises, refuses to wear socks, or is fussy with food, is he/she being difficult? Or are these behaviours due to differences in how your child's brain processes sensory information? We discuss how sensory processing difficulties can appear as behavioural problems, and how parents can support children without labelling every difference as a disorder.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  When A Nose Job Isn’t Just For Aesthetics 22.07.2026 43m

  We often think of a nose job or rhinoplasty as a surgery that’s done for cosmetic purposes, but there are circumstances in which it is needed to improve how you breathe. To help us understand what those circumstances are and when a rhinoplasty is a need instead of a want, is consultant ENT surgeon Dr Hardip Singh.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Can Private Hospitals Help Reduce Medical Inflation? 21.07.2026 32m

  The Public Accounts Committee’s (PAC) report on rising healthcare costs revealed a number of issues related to private hospitals’ charges, which can potentially contribute to an unsustainable healthcare system. Dr Kamal Amzan, CEO of IHH Healthcare Malaysia, joins us to discuss private hospital billing practices, the causes behind increasing medical inflation and the PAC’s recommendations for improving the sustainability of healthcare costs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Building Flood-Resilient Communities 20.07.2026 28m

  Flash floods are so common that they seem like part and parcel of life now but with them comes the increased risk of infectious diseases. That might seem like the least of people’s worries when it floods but water- and food-borne diseases is a public health issue that needs to be addressed. So how can we empower communities to be more aware and resilient? Here to help us unpack that is Dr Rafidah Lani, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya. She also recently headed the FIRST programme which stands for Flood-resilient Initiative for Risk Reduction and Safety: Transfer of Knowledge. Image Credit: FIRST ProgrammeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Are You At Risk of Cardio-Renal-Metabolic Syndrome? 17.07.2026 44m

  A community screening programme has led to the alarming result that almost 9 in 10 individuals have at least two cardiovascular-renal-metabolic risk factors. On top of that, of the individuals who were overweight and pre-diabetic, more than 86% didn’t know about it, highlighting a problem with undiagnosed non-communicable diseases. The question now is: what can we do about this? Here to help us unpack this are Dr Murallitharan Munisamy, medical director of the National Cancer Society of Malaysia, and Dr Sivarajan Ramasamy, Public Health Medicine Specialist, Head of Cardiorenal Metabolic Control Sector, Ministry of Health.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.