23 October 2009

Stoma care guide in Bahasa Malaysia

THE lack of sufficient information in Bahasa Malaysia for ostomates in this country had prompted Seberang Jaya Hospital's Head of surgical department Dr Imran Abdul Khalid to come out with a guide book in Bahasa Malaysia on stoma care.

He said most ostomates and their family members, especially those from the rural areas, did not know the right type of stoma bags to buy or how to manage their stoma.

For your reading pleasure: Dr Imran (second right) presenting a book on stoma care to Abdul Rahman. Looking on are the association's secretary Tai Seow Beng (second left) and MAKNA's research manager Yusof Mohamed Aris.

"It is hoped that the guide book will help the ostomates understand and manage their condition so that they would be able to have a quality and normal life." he said at the launch of the guide book in conjunction with the Ostomy World Day 2009 celebration at the Bayview George Town Hotel in Penang on Oct 3.

Ostomates are people who have undergone surgery to remove cancerous tissue in their intestines and they have to evacuate their bowels through an opening, called stoma.

The celebration themed 'Reach Out' was attended by some 50 members of the Stoma Care Malaysia Association (Penang branch) and their family members.

Dr Imran said the 40-page guide was published with the support of the National Cancer Council and B.Braun.

The book also provides information on the cost of appliances and how Muslim ostomates can perform their daily prayers and the Haj.

In his speech, associates president Abdul Rahman Yob said the global celebration was held once every three years, adding that the theme this year was to reach out to as many ostomates as possible to enable them to enjoy a more meaningful life. The highlight of the event was a cake-cutting ceremony followed by lunch at the hotel.

Source by:  The Star, 23 October, 2009