KPJ Healthcare Berhad

KPJ JOINS WYETHAID TO COMBAT PNEUMOCOCCAL DISEASE

The New Straits Times - There is hope for children against pneumococcal disease (PnD) which kills 20 children below 5 years old in Malaysia annually.

KUALA LUMPUR: There is hope for children against pneumococcal disease (PnD) which kills 20 children below 5 years old in Malaysia annually.

The solution - a vaccine to provide protection for infants, toddlers and even adults. Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Malaysia, through its charity fund WyethAID, launched a nationwide public education campaign yesterday titled "A gift of love: Protect our children's health, vaccinate against pneumococcal disease" to educate parents on the dangers of the disease. It was supported by the Malaysian Paediatric Association.

 Wyeth managing director Thomas J. Sichort (left) with representatives from private hospitals that will be hosting 'Pneumococcal Awareness Week'.
Wyeth managing director Thomas J. Sichort (left) with Tn. Hj. Amiruiddin Abdul Satar, KPJ Senior Group General Manager and other representatives from private hospitals that will be hosting 'Pneumococcal Awareness Week'.

PnD is a group of illnesses caused PnD is a group of illnesses caused by a bacteria called pneumococcus found in the nose and throat and can be transmitted through sneezing or coughing.

Wyeth managing director Thomas J. Sichort said the vaccine could help prevent symptoms of PnD like meningitis and pneumonia.

WyethAID and MPA signed a memorandum of understanding with eight private hospitals to hold the awareness campaign. Among the hospitals involved are KPJ Healthcare Berhad, Pantai Medical Centre, Subang Jaya Medical Centre and Sunway Medical Centre.