The Afterthought

I have not been updating this blog for some time.Namely,the crazy second semester this year and the amount of work that needs to be done as well.Anyway,here's something that I would like to share.I chance upon an opportunity just 2 weeks ago to attend a brilliant health oration by Prof. Dr. Timothy Evans.It was entitled: "Harnessing knowledge to secure a universal and equitable entitlement to health".I was rather inspired by the insights he provided,some which I've never thought about before.Anyway,here are my thoughts on it.Here's the afterthought.

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Health as everyone knows is a commodity and is a universal right.It's almost of rule that everyone,regardless who they are,where they are, have the right to access some sort of health services.However, this right to access, though universal, is a challenge.

I was privileged to attend a global health oration by Prof. Dr. Timothy Evans entitled harnessing knowledge to secure a universal and equitable entitlement to health courtesy of the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation and Monash University Pharmacy Society. In summary, he defines what universal and equitable health coverage is all about and later focuses on the challenges and change necessary to allow for the proper implementation this universal and equitable health coverage.Finally, he ends his oration with the necessity to harness knowledge and technology to achieve this goal.

The afterthought.

In this insightful oration,many issues pertaining to universal health coverage was brought up.One of importance in my opinion, is the need to combine the clinical sciences and public health.Health professionals tend to indulge more on the sciences,working or researching on preventions,treatments,guidelines and many more while not much thought is given on public health issues such as how to increase access to health information,how to improve primary care or how to increase health care penetration in low income areas.Basically,thought is only given on how to treat the disease not on how to actually help the patient to get affordable treatment for the disease!!

Furthermore,public health itself alone is a challenge due to 3 reasons brilliantly stated as the 3I’s by Dr. Evans: Individual,Institution and Infrastructure.

Individual:There’s lack of people taking up or working on public health issues.It’s easier to do research in something clinical rather than public health because its more prestigious and people tend to care about how to cure a disease rather than how to increase access to the cure of a disease.

Institution:The lack in public health schools.And it’s not helping as this fuels the lack of individuals taking up or studying public health.Hence,the lack of expertise.Also,as publich health is not viewed as something as illustrious as medicine or pharmacy (despite its importance!!).Thus ,it is not profitable for a school or university to start such courses.

Infrastructure:The lack of support and financial backing in the public health.To achieve anything in public health,support is necessary for the implementation of its policies and financial investment is necessary as well to implement those policies.

For example,let’s take the access to drug substitution therapy for all drug users.There is a need for support from the public,patients,NGOs,government and health care professionals to implement this therapy.Besides,it’s necessary to put aside some funds to kickstart this therapy.Now here lies the problem.Although healthcare professionals may see drug addiction as an important medical issue rather than a social disorder issue,the public may see this policy implementation as a fueling a social disorder.To put in blunty,the public would argue that money should not be wasted to give drug addicts free drugs.They are drug addicts,let them get high and die!! Then again,this is an important issue because we want a universal health coverage but we condemn drug addicts of their therapy because they are drug addicts. So if this is done, how do we define universal? How do we define “public” health? Where do we draw the line?

The Pharmacist:Step Up.

With all this talk of universal health coverage,where do we as pharmacist come in to secure a universal and equitable entitlement to health? This is a tough question because even in the health oration,there’s no mention of pharmacist (if you don’t count healthcare professionals ;] ) and most policy makers tend to be physicians as they are “deemed” to know more on how healthcare actually works. To my surprise, Dr. Evans mentioned something really interesting when a question on doctors as policy makers cropped up. Thailand is considered a leader in public health because when they sit and discuss public health policies,everyone:healthcare professionals of all kinds,politicians,the public,NGOs,you name it,all come to debate on the various policies to be implemented.This,he states,is great because we can come to consensus on what needs to be done and define the various opposition or conflicts that crop out during the debate to see what needs to be done in order to address those oppositions and turn them into solutions.With that,various policies can be thought of and implemented as it is agreed by everyone and there’s the necessary support.

So again,where do pharmacists come in?

As a primary care provider to patients,we know our patients probably more than any of our other collegues.Our ability to engage them and provide health services is invaluable in universal and equitable entitlement to health.Now,before I move on let’s reflect on universal health coverage as a topic.How do we define universal health coverage? In 2005,the member states of WHO adopted a resolution encouraging countries to develop health financing systems aimed at providing universal coverage.Then,WHO defines universal health coverage as securing access for all to appropriate health services at an affordable cost.

Wait what?? Appropriate health services at an affordable cost? Pharmacists give counselling for free in Malaysia regardless if anything is purchased!! That’s + 1 for us in securing universal and equitable entitlement to health!! Our ability to know our patients and their medicines allow us to be a part of this.We who they are,their diseases and their medications.So using our clinical knowledge and knowing our patients financial background,we can advise them on what medications they really need and dispense them the cheaper but as effective generic drugs.Furthermore,they can engage us anything if they need any information because pharmacies are easily accessible and nearly everywhere compared to a clinic or hospital.On a public health scale,we can engage in policies pertaining to quality use of medicines and actively engage in ways to promote health penetration because we are primary care providers,we know what’s going on out there,we know what drugs is in demand from sales data and this allows us to shape drug registries and save huge costs in healthcare financing especially in funding for medication.And as we move away from dispensing as technology advances,with medicines ready packed for sale and dispensed is done automatically or through aid of robotics and computer system,we can move out of the counter and actively engage people through counselling and health education.As a result,we reduce unsafe care and increase the public’s access to healthcare information.This is important as Dr. Evans mentioned nations with the lowest access to healthcare information have the highest death rates.So step up pharmacists.Step up.

In conclusion, this is such an insightful health oration by Dr. Evans.I totally regret not asking him about how the global economic meltdown will affect the harnessing of knowledge to secure a universal and equitable entitlement to health and universal health coverage as a whole.I can go on and on to write this topic but that’s all I have to say for now.If anyone wants to discuss this with me,feel free to discuss though preferably over a cup of coffee or tea during the holidays.

Now where did I place my cup of green tea?

The Flipside of Life

This happens to everyone.Regardless who they are.It's because we're in fact human beings with different wants and needs.

There will always be a point in life where we will meet someone and they would say they wish they had as much time as you had.Or it may be the job we have.Or even the experience we have.It will never end.There will always be something in someone that we always want and something in us that the someone wants.Unfortunately,life is such.We can swap lives.Neither can we swap experiences,time,jobs and the list goes on.The grass always seem greener on the other side somehow.Urging ourselves to move over to the sunny side.

Why is it always so? Why is life such? When we ask other people whether they're contented with what they have,do they always seem so? Or are they just admitting the way things are by just wearing and living behind a mask? Life and living life itself is indeed a great mystery for all.Rather a journey of self discovery.

This is the flipside of life.We always yearn for what others have and want what they have.Be it life,experiences,jobs or even love.We just always feel victimized or hand down the "life-is-unfair" judgement when it boils down to this.Other people feel the same too.To me,I feel the same.I always wonder why sometimes people who don't deserve things in life get more in fact what I could have made use of far better.It's always this way for me.

But I have concluded.

Whatever we have cannot be measured with what others have.We may lack some things but other things we have may make up for it.I see this as our privilege.My privilege.My privilege to my life.My experiences.My work.People may not acknowledge me.But I acknowledge myself.And others as well.That is the most important thing to me.

We may not be able to choose what we want in life but if we work hard enough with passion and with the given conditions and opportunities,we will achieve it somehow.

Finally,when we make it,we become legend.

The Venture

It's been a rather great holiday so far since the exams were over.One month of not posting anything has made me rather rusty in blogging.Well,as usual I will try to update and post as much as possible.

I have been meeting up with various old acquaintances and had some late night drink sessions with them as well.Catching up on the various things in their life and what they have been up to lately just inspires me and makes me want to reinvent my life.

Just a week back,I was meeting up some old buddies for late night supper at a restaurant near my place.We were having some games of Monopoly Deal while drinking,eating and chatting.I was amazed to know that a friend is currently ready to set up a company with some partners who happen to be my his uni mates.I was really impressed about their venture because I really wanted to start out some sort of side business ever since graduating from high school.With that said,from high school to college and now uni,I have not started anything.Even if I did started out,it all ended up in failure having my partners opting out of my plans.

What was more impressive,they are working on some tech project.Something I've always wanna work on.Developing applications and stuff while getting paid.It's things like this that give Facebook and Tumblr a headstart to become a global phenomena.Sadly,I believe I come short of any talent to do so.Starting a company while in college or university is really something amazing.Being able to study as well as pay for your studies is great.The extra cash could also be used to spend on ourselves as well as used to reduce the burden of our families.

I really felt that I'm not trying hard enough to achieve something like this despite having many ideas in the past.So with this inspiration at hand and some ideas in my mind,here's to hoping that I can kick start some things in time to come!!

The Night Air

Broken silence.

The mobile beeps and you reached to get it.A message indicates a problem. With that,your assistance,urgently required.At this ungodly hour of 2am,you never wished anyone from the ward to call because it means grim reaper is hard at work.Then again,that innocent child did nothing wrong to deserve such fate.When the body disregards the owner,one can only help to ease the owner's pains.

So you get ready to leave the bed.Then.you notice.One your left,she sleeps silently.Her eyes closed.Covered under the sheets.Her arms cuddling your shoulders as though she asks you not to leave.

You look.You observe.Her slow breathing.Her candy lips.Her silk hair.Such wonder.

Then you think.Of all the times you've spent together.From the time you two met over a random assignment meeting.Those crazy lecture sessions God-knows how you both sat through.From the long distance stint you need to better yourself that strained your love drunk mind.From that shabby apartment,you both rented when it was tough for you and her to break even.The cereal and bread you and her had for dinner a year ago.It was living hell but it didn't matter as long as there's the both of you.

And you stop thinking.Look how far we've come.Here we lie in this cozy house we call home.This perfect room.This perfect night air.

You lift her arms and gently placed them down.You give her a peck on her forehead.My crazy beautiful.

You get off then grab what's necessary and get dressed.It's time to leave.

It's time to save the world.

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It's a wonder that I tend to have brilliant ideas and inspiration when I'm under extreme stress.It's been a month since I last blogged and close to a year since I've wrote any story.It's been rather hectic and it will be until mid June so expect less update.With that said,enjoy an original short story. =)

New

I've decided to change the blog layout again.This time around,I won't be getting layouts from 3rd party sites as base templates then customize them as I used to.However,I've decided to use Blogger's very own new layouts as my new base template for this blog and will try my hand at customizing this new provided layouts.As Blogger has a new and improved template designer,I've decided to try it out and see how things can work.So far,it's been pretty fun editing.

As always,there's more new thing coming soon.

Wait for it.

The Young Father.

Just a week ago,I was in the hospital again as usual.As I was entering the treatment room,I chance upon seing a young man pushing a baby stroller past me.This particular individual sent shivers down my spine.Here comes a man,a father around either my age or my brother's.He's just as tall as I am and he has a child sleeping in the stroller crowded with plush toys.

Amidst the loud conversation of older parents at the paediatric ward,he sits on a bench next to his stroller,lost in translation.His face paints a man with countless thoughts.Probably about his ill-stricken child.The young toddler,somewhere around 2 to 4-years is bald,thin and fragile.The child suffers from leukemia.He look glum the whole time he was there.Anxiously waiting for his child's treatment.When it was his child's turn,he carries him in with his arms and later leaves the room.Young leukemia children go through a lot.It evident from their endless struggles and shrieks of fear.I couldn't blame him and I know he wish his son best but he couldn't bear to hear his son screaming at such raw age.It took him a while before he enters back into the room to console his crying son.Later,they both got a bed at the day care before being transferred to a room for the child to rest.

Though out of the day care,that man's face didn't not escape from my memory.A father of only somewhere around my age or my brother's with an ill son.He was there with his son,with the mother no where to be seen.Obviously,this a young couple having a ill child.Every time I think of him and his child,I think about my brother,my friends,everyone I've meet or seen around these age and myself.

Being 22 and a rather older figure to younger people,particularly my nephews,I feel that many things are going to change.One part of the change is relationships,family life and eventually marriage.I know many people will tell me,"it's a long way to go" or "why do you burden your mind with all this stuff,you're not even there yet!?!?!".True,I or even you no where there but think about it.You're 22 now.Very soon,you will be out there,a working individual and eventually meeting people and finding that special one.Then come marriage.Sure it's a long time.But when is it ever going to be long time when suddenly,you find yourself busy working your life away?

Think about it.

Even many of my friends have graduated and are working.Some are even in relationships and have already started living together.Some,well,still partying hard,escaping the realities of their youth.

Think about it.Again.

The point that I went to highlight today in this post is do take some time and think about your life or your future for awhile.Sometimes,we make the worst decisions.Yet,we can avoid them by thinking about them through before executing them.Think about the consequences of relationships,family life or virtually anything.How do you want to move forward? Are you ready for this new job? Are you ready to but this apartment? Are you ready to give your full commitment? Are you ready to be a father? Are you ready to have a ill child even though what you may do may not keep him or her alive for long? Are you ready? Are you willing?

Seing that young man go through all this by himself saddens me.I'm not here criticizing him that he didn't think about his life.In fact,it may be possible he thought about all this in detail.Who am I to judge a random stranger whom I don't even know? Then again,it just saddens me to see him go through all this.I can really understand what he's going through.

And to my friends who are thinking of marriage,please do me a big favour and go for a medical check up.Check throughly for genetic disorders and go for genetic counselling.The world we live in today is too sickly to be true.

And it will sadden me even more to see a couple I personally know having to go through all this agony.

Start

February is almost coming to an end which proves that time as usual is never ever waiting for anyone.My summer break is coming to an end in a weeks time.Going back to college is giving me mixed feelings again.There are some things that I'm ready to face and some where I have to rediscover myself again.Life is definitely going to be different again.

In terms of blogging,I definitely didn't achieve most things that I want to apart from changing the layout and some stuff.Apart from that in the 3 month long summer break,I did meet up with many people,both family and friends,which is great and again had many farewells again.I believe very soon I may even get invitation to some engagement dinners,who knows? Furthermore,I fell sick countless times,which sucks.Mainly in January and February.I believe the massive change in weather patterns here may have some effect on my health.I've also managed to work on many projects,some of I have to discard due to being unsuitable.All in all,summer has been pretty awesome to me.

Anyway,as things start once again blogging will be rather slow...again...stay tuned!