GEORGE TOWN, October 4 – Almost three years of pandemic, Penang Pharmacists Convention (PPC) 2022 was finally hosted by the Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS)-Penang, MPS Young Pharmacist Chapter-Penang and Malaysian Community Pharmacy Guild (Northern Branch) at Ascott Hotel, Penang. The event was officiated by YB Dr. Hajah Norlela Bt. Ariffin, Penang State Exco member for Health; Mr Andrew Tan Eng Joo, Deputy President of Malaysian Pharmacists Society; Ms Foon Hwei Foong, President of Malaysian Community Pharmacist Guild and Prof Dr Habibah Binti A Wahab, Dean of School of Pharmaceutical Science, University Science Malaysia.
Today’s Opening Ceremony kicked off with an event-filled programme with over 170 registered participants, more than 10 outstanding speakers, government officials, healthcare professionals and media from all over Malaysia. The convention also featured more than 10 prestigious healthcare companies. At the Opening Ceremony Mr Tan Zhi Kai, Organizing Chairperson of PPC 2022, proudly said With the height of COVID-19 pandemic behind us, we should not overshadow the well-being of the golden age population in our society. No elderly person should be like an “exile” in our families. The elderly are a treasure for our society.
According to the press release by the Department of Statistics Malaysia in July 2022,the percentage of the population aged 65 and above has increased from 7.0 percent in 2021 to 7.3 percent in 2022. Therefore, through this convention pharmacists will broaden the myriad of knowledge in aging and geriatric health; hence, contributes significantly to pharmacy practice. President of Malaysian Pharmacists Society Mr Amrahi Bin Buang said that the implementation of Movement Control Order lockdowns in the year 2020 had heavily affected the aging population as many of them faced difficulties in obtaining better healthcare services.
As Malaysia is going to be an aging nation by the year 2044, it is our country’s mission to create more robust healthcare approaches to care for the older population, especially those living with chronic conditions. Pharmacists from all levels of practices are well-positioned to play a crucial role as medication experts in this chronic care and geriatric management, the MPS President highlighted. Penang Health Exco Yang Berhormat Dr Hajah Norlela Ariffin said that statistic department data shows in the year 2040, the elderly population in Penang will increase to 26.2% where Penang will be placed above Perak as the top for aging society in 20 years.
With the recent Covid-19 pandemic, it cannot be denied that the elderly is among the most affected group. She added “In this week alone, 30.7% of elderly aged 60 and above in Penang was tested positive for COVID-19. This number is very worrying. Because of this, preventive measures are very important to emphasized by all ages”. At the same time, she shared that the Penang state government has launched ‘Road Map for Active Ageing’ yesterday in Komtar to create a friendly to the elderly city which can increase the understanding and awareness among society which divided into 3 phases.
Awareness, integration and sustainable environment and will also organize a tour in 40 KADUNs in Penang to spread awareness throughout the month of October. Leading speakers at the conference included Dr Low Chung Min, Geriatrician of Sunway Medical Centre; Dr Alan Ch’ng Swee Hock, Consultant Geriatrician & Physician of Seberang Jaya Hospital; Prof. Dr. Shaun Lee, Monash University Malaysia; Dr. Annaletchumy a/p Loganathan, Associate Professor of Universiti Tunku Abdul Razak; Dr. Lee Say Bob, Consultant Urologist of Penang General Hospital; Ms Lian Hooi San, Nutritionist Product Manager of Thomson Health;
Ms Bharati Suresh Chand, Consultant Pharmacist/Coach/Mental Health Instructor, MHM Australia; Ms Chew Siew Mei, Founder of Seniora Buddy Service; and Puan Rosmaliah binti Alias, Chairperson of Geriatric Special Interest Group of Hospital Kuala Lumpur. PPC 2022 is a platform to promote and well equip pharmacists in promoting and handling geriatric health and how we can continue to contribute and provide access to long-term care for older people who need it.
Aging presents a lot of challenges in healthcare yet similarly opportunities lie ahead in providing comprehensive support and services for this group of population to help them to age gracefully. The one and half day convention have presented interactive panels, keynotes speakers, centred around topics such as integrated care for the elderly, extension primary care: Pharmacist role in post discharge care and hand-on activities that involves Handling Stoma Bag, Wound Care Management, Exercise Therapy for the Elderly, and Wheelchair Post Experience Sharing / Assisted Living to experience the feeling of elderly who are on wheelchair.
