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We speak to Rajiv Rishyakaran, ADUN for Bukit Gasing, for his thoughts on whether Malaysians need a dedicated health savings account under EPF, and what other innovative strategies should be considered to improve healthcare financing and accessibility in Malaysia. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In many Asian families, we grow up learning not to talk about certain things - conflict, expectations, and struggles. But what happens when that silence follows us into adulthood? Clinical psychologist and author of ‘Welcome Home’, Dr Bee Lim, joins us to talk about trauma, cultural disconnection and inherited silence. What happens when we’ve learned to suppress parts of who we are, and why it’s important not to carry intergenerational trauma. Take Dr Bee Lim’s quiz here to find out how you cope under stress. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lesch-Nyhan syndrome is a rare genetic disease that affects a child’s kidney function, can lead to acute gouty arthritis in the joints, and more troublingly, leads to involuntary muscle movements, neurological effects and self-injuring behaviours. Families of children born with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome face a lot of challenges with daily care and support. On the show, we speak to Karen, mother of Yang, a 15 year-old boy born with this condition, Dr Lim Wei Kang, Consultant Paediatric Neurologist, and Rachel Ho, Executive Director of Suriana Welfare Society. To contribute to Yang’s surgery costs, visit Suriana Welfare Society’s website. You can also support Suriana’s charity concert, ‘Harmony for the Rare & Brave’ here. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last month, the increasingly popular fitness racing event Hyrox made headlines, but not necessarily for the best reason. An elite athlete competing in Hyrox Beijing had soiled herself during a race but continued competing. Her response to that was saying “go hard or go home … a win is a win” on her Instagram. She’s since deleted it and later apologised for her actions, saying that there’s “more to life than racing”. But that begs the question: what do we expect from elite athletes and does being ‘resilient’ mean pushing through anything and everything? We speak to clinical psychologist Dr Melody Kong and sports, exercise & performance psychologist Cheah Sin Eu. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The purpose of palliative care is to alleviate pain and suffering. But in Gaza, which has been facing a humanitarian crisis and is still under attack by Israel despite a ceasefire in place, what does palliative care look like when the healthcare system is already under dire strain? And why does palliative care still matter? We speak to Dr Rachel Coghlan about her trips to Gaza before the escalation of the genocide in October 2023, and what she continues to hear from her colleagues and friends on the ground.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Breathlessness, chest pain, and fatigue are often assumed to be symptoms of ageing or brushed off as just temporary problems. However, they could also be symptoms of a rare heart condition, known as pulmonary arterial hypertension. Consultant cardiologist Dr Teoh Chee Kiang joins us to explain how this rare disease affects patients, and what it means to live with this condition.  Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Picture two women who have breast cancer. Their lumps are similar in size and stage, but when they compare their treatments, they are surprised to find that they’re receiving very different therapies. Why would this be? We find out from Dr Mastura Md Yusof, Consultant Clinical Oncologist from Hospital Picaso. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We often think of hives as a result of food or pet allergies, causing short-lived itchiness and discomfort. However, hives can also appear sporadically, without any obvious cause, and persist over weeks or months. Associate Prof Dr Tan Wooi Chiang, President of Persatuan Dermatologi Malaysia, joins us to unpack Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria, or CSU, and to share what patients can do if they’re struggling with this disease. The views expressed in this interview are based on the clinician's professional opinion and clinical perspective. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before Azizulhasni Awang, there was Josiah Ng, the first Malaysian cyclist to reach an Olympic final. But on this episode of Because Feelings Matter, Ng introduces himself not as a three-time Olympian, but as someone who has failed far more than he has won. Tune in for a conversation on resilience, vulnerability and why a good relationship with failure might matter more than winning. Every mental health struggle has a story behind it. ‘Because Feelings Matter’ is a series that brings you the stories of people and their mental health issues. These stories aim to normalise conversations about mental health, and to show that it’s okay to struggle emotionally and psychologically, but more importantly, to reach out for help. This series is produced in collaboration with Thrive Well. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earlier this month, the Nobel Prize laureates were announced and the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine went to a trio of scientists – Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel – “for their discovery of a molecular switch for nerve cells” or optogenetics. Putting it simply, some news outlets have described it as “being able to control brain cells with light”. On this episode of Brain Waves, neurogeneticist Dr Azlina Ahmad Annuar helps us break down why this was groundbreaking and how it can further research into better treatments for diseases like neurologic and psychiatric disorders.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In August, leading cardiovascular groups released a new definition of heart attacks, reclassifying overlooked causes of heart attacks that are more common among women. Consultant urologist Dr George Lee is joined by consultant cardiologist Dr Effarezan Abdul Rahman to break down why these changes are seen as a move towards better care for women. This conversation also discusses how women tend to experience heart attacks differently from men, the unique risk factors they have, and why seeking early treatment is key to survival. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It feels like the world is becoming increasingly unsafe for children, even among their own peers, with more reports of school and peer violence among children and teenagers. Are children’s relationships today breaking down? We ask consultant developmental paediatrician Dr Rajini Sarvananthan and consultant child psychiatrist Dr Anita Codati what social-emotional skills children are lacking today, and what are subtle signs parents and teachers often miss before negative behaviours escalate. This conversation will touch on topics of violence and self-harm. If you or your child is struggling with these issues and need emotional support, reach out for help from your community, or helplines like Befrienders KL (03 7627 2929), Talian HEAL (15 555) and Buddy Bear (1800-18-BEAR/2327), which is specifically for children. You can report bullying to the Anti-Bullying Tribunal here. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who cares for a baby in the first critical minutes if the baby is born too soon or has a serious condition no one expected? On this episode of Humans of Healthcare, we speak to Associate Professor Dr Azanna Ahmad Kamar, Consultant Neonatologist at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre, about the demanding, highly technical world of neonatology. She traces her path from wanting to be an astronaut to becoming a neonatologist, describes the "organised chaos" in the neonatal ICU, and talks candidly about why Malaysia needs more doctors in this subspecialty. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) is moving to make mental health protection a statutory requirement for employers. What does it mean for employers and employees now that psychosocial risk assessment and management is now an employer’s legal duty under the Occupational Safety and Health Act? Why should companies invest in this, and how should they go about it? This discussion mentions suicide. If you, or someone you know, needs emotional support, reach out for help within your community or contact the Befrienders KL (03-76272929 or [email protected]), Talian HEAL (15 555), MIASA (1-800-1800-66) or AWAS Malaysia (Whatsapp 010-234 4808) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’re a woman in your 40s and 50s, and have some form of chronic pain, you may have learned to just suffer in silence. These could include long-term migraines, joint and muscular pain, or vaginal pain, which can’t seem to be traced to other causes. The theme of World Menopause Day 2026, ‘Chronic Pain At Midlife’, recognises this pain as part of a syndrome that should be identified and managed, and not an invisible burden that women have to bear. Dr Premitha Damodaran, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, pulls back the curtain on this neglected aspect of women’s midlife. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.