KUALA LUMPUR: The country is still lacking paediatric palliative care and services to cater the needs of the patients, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
He said according to the 2015 Global Quality of Death Index published by the Economic Intelligence Unit, Malaysia has been ranked at number 38 out of 80 countries, outranked by Mongolia, Uganda, South Africa, Cuba, Costa Rica, and Jordan for the shortage of such service.
"It is sad to hear that Malaysia has been ranked far behind compared to other advanced countries.
"Malaysia still lacks equitable and effective palliative services to meet the needs of the paediatric patients, and many of such gaps still exist.
"What more to say a big gap for the palliative service in the healthcare centre in the rural areas. Therefore, it is important for all the hospitals in the country to improve such services in light of moving forward to be a develop nation," he said at the MyStarFish programme launching ceremony and tea party with the children under the Paediatric Palliative Care at the Faculty of Medicine in Universiti Malaya.
He said the awareness on the palliative treatment for children has increased since the implementation of National Paediatric Palliative Treatment Initiative in 2012.
"I urge all the paediatric units in the country to provide the best and appropriate measures and treatments for all the children, especially those who suffer ill-threatening illnesses," he added.
Meanwhile, on the statistics of the smoking ban, he said as of Jan 10, the ministry has issued a total of 3,792 compound notices against errant smokers.
Dr Dzulkefly said Johor recorded the highest number in receiving the compound notices with 479, followed by Selangor (474) and Pahang (438).
He also said the ministry has inspected a total of 55,848 premises nationwide.