| Local News | december , 2020 | The Health
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Higher demand boost for Duopharma Biotech
Duopharma Biotech Bhd ’ s recent consistent solid financial results demonstrate higher demand for Group ’ s pharmaceutical products from the consumer healthcare sector .
The company posted a solid set of financial results for the third quarter ended 30 September 2020 with profit before tax holding steady at RM18.57 million ( 2019 : RM19.77million ) against revenue of RM133.77 million ( 2019 : RM142.86 million ) despite the impact of Covid-19 pandemic .
After accounting for taxation , net profit for the quarter was recorded at RM14.13 million ( 2019 : RM14.86 million ). For the first three quarters of 2020 , Duopharma Biotech had posted profit before tax of RM55.69million ( 2019 : RM 56.87million ) on the back of RM435.82 million in revenue ( 2019 : RM438.71 million ).
Commenting on the company ’ s consistent performance , Duopharma Biotech Group Managing Director Leonard Ariff Abdul Shatar noted : “ Even with the ongoing scenario comprising global and domestic upheavals largely attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic , these solid financial results attest to higher demand for the Group ’ s pharmaceutical products especially from the consumer healthcare sector , which helped to offset a marginally lower revenue compared to the corresponding period last year attributed to lower demand from the
YayASAN Petronas has handed over medical equipment and supplies worth RM2.5 million to the Sabah State Health Department for distribution across public hospitals and health clinics in helping medical front-liners mitigate Covid-19 in the state .
Ten units of powered air purifying respirators , two units of humidifiers with integrated flow generator and five units of four-parameter vital sign monitors are being delivered to six public hospitals in Sabah .
These hospitals include Queen Elizabeth Hospital ( QEH ) and Sabah Women and Children ’ s Hospital in Kota Kinabalu , Duchess of Kent Hospital in Sandakan , Tawau Hospital , Keningau Hospital and Lahad Datu Hospital . The medical equipment and supplies will be used in the hospitals ’ nursing care , emergency and trauma , intensive care and paediatric intensive care wards .
Additionally , a total of 1,000 jumpsuits and 600,000 nitrile gloves will be distributed to the public hospitals and health clinics through the State Health Department .
Head of Petronas Sabah and Labuan Rokiah Sulaiman said : “ We recognise the urgency and need for more medical private ethical sector .
“ While 2020 has undoubtedly been more challenging than previous years , we remain cautiously optimistic of our FY2020 performance ,” added Leonard Ariff , reaffirming various contributing factors .
These factors include Budget 2020 having seen an increase of 6.6 per cent in allocation for the healthcare sector to RM30.6 billion , the highest ever allocation in Malaysian history .
Arising from the Covid-19 pandemic , additional allocation has also been provided to the Ministry of Health as part of measures to combat the outbreak . This additional allocation augurs well for the Group as approximately 50 per cent of our sales are made to the public health sector ,” said Leonard Ariff .
Welcoming the recently-tabled Budget 2021 , which features numerous healthrelated proposals such as a RM1 billion allocation to continue the fight against the pandemic , he further commented : “ The government ’ s Budget 2021 incentives will encourage Malaysia ’ s recovery from what has been a tumultuous year : the inclusion of public health initiatives , such as the provisioning for the purchase of a Covid-19 vaccine as well as increased allowances for health checks and treatments , will help to safeguard the rakyat ’ s health into the coming year .
Petronas donates medical supplies to Sabah hospitals
equipment and supplies at public hospitals and health clinics here in Sabah .
We hope that our contribution can ensure the well-being of the front-liners whilst helping them cope with Covid-19 cases .”
Sabah Health Director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi said : “ We appreciate the timely contribution by Yayasan Petronas to better equip our hospitals and medical front-liners in managing Covid-19 cases .” In September , Yayasan PETRONAS contributed a total of 1,504 bottles of hand sanitisers , 2,500 pieces of surgical face masks and 2,390 medical gowns to QEH . The Foundation also contributed two units of ventilators to the hospital in August .
In April , a total of 14 intensive care unit beds were given to several hospitals in Sabah , including QEH , Sabah Women and Children Hospital in Likas , Duchess of Kent Hospital in Sandakan , Tawau Hospital , Lahad Datu Hospital , Keningau Hospital , and Labuan Hospital .
As of November 2020 , the initiatives and efforts undertaken by the Petronas Group to support the nation in mitigating the spread of Covid-19 stands at more than RM42 million which also includes a contribution from Petronas ’ employees amounting to RM6.4 million .
Briefs
Putting a smile on NKF patients
Bring a few more smiles into the world ! In conjunction with the recent World Smile Day , Touch ‘ n Go eWallet is supporting the National Kidney Foundation ( NKF ) of Malaysia ’ s fundraising efforts for its underprivileged kidney failure patients by providing a contactless and safe way to donate .
Touch ‘ n Go eWallet users can make a difference by scanning the QR code on NKF ’ s website and donating their preferred amount . All proceeds will be donated directly to NKF Malaysia − giving hope to those suffering from kidney disease .
Members of the public can also find out more through NKF ’ s website at nkf . org . my / support-us / project-campaign / touchngo-campaign / or call 03- 7954 9048 .
MOH announces new National Immunisation Schedule for children
The Ministry of Health ( MoH ) has announced changes to the National Immunisation Schedule for children which is being implemented in stages .
Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the combination of five vaccine series - diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis-polio-Haemophilus influenza type b ( pentavalent DTaP-IPP // Hib ) - would be replaced with a six-series vaccination programme .
“ The new vaccine series covers six diseases , namely diphtheria , tetanus , pertussis , polio , Hepatitis B and Haemophilus Influenzae Type B ( hexavalent DTaP-IPV-HepB-Hib )
Dr Noor Hisham said the new immunisation schedule would see children getting fewer injections namely five instead of seven previously – Bernama .
Online training portal for pharmacists
The Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society ( MPS ) announced the launch of Malaysian Pharmacists Access to Contraception Education ( myPACE ), an online education platform to enhance pharmacists ’ knowledge and counselling on contraception and family planning .
The launch of myPACE was held in conjunction with the MPS National Convention 2020 which was held virtually .
Developed in close collaboration between MPS and the Malaysian Academy of Pharmacy ( MAP ), with technical inputs from Bahagian Pembangunan Kesihatan Keluarga ( PBKK ), Lembaga Penduduk dan Pembangunan Keluarga Negara ( LPPKN ) and thought leaders in the field of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , myPACE aims to empower more pharmacists to play an active role in meeting the unmet need of contraceptive prevalence in our country .
Strong me , stronger us campaign
Dutch Lady recently launched a new campaign , “ Strong Me , Stronger Us ”, to send a clear message of strength and unity to all Malaysians . This new brand story brings to the fore its inherent belief that every individual has the potential to be strong – be it physically or emotionally .
Ultimately , Dutch Lady continues its purpose of nourishing Malaysians ’ health , well-being , and ability to be better with the nutritious goodness of milk . When someone is strong , they can inspire and empower others to be strong as well .
As the nation faces one of its biggest challenges , the Covid-19 pandemic , Dutch Lady hopes to inspire people to be part of something greater by recognising strong individuals through the social media campaign titled # DLStrongMeStrongerUs .