Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping healthcare by offering remarkable capabilities in diagnostics, decision-making, and patient care. Recent research published in JAMA Network Open demonstrated that large language models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT, can outperform human physicians in diagnostic tasks under controlled scenarios (Hswen & Rubin, 2024). This potential has sparked enthusiasm, yet concerns about ethical…
All posts in December 2024
A Sacred Reminder
Pain visits briefly, yet leaves its trace,Teaching me life’s fragile grace.Once I moved freely, without a care,Now I am still, bound to this lair. Morphine falters, the ache holds tight,Each throb reveals life’s true light.A trial uncovering gifts once unseen,Blessings hidden in what had been. I see my mother, her pain endured,A life of suffering,…
The Triple Burden of Disease in Malaysia
Malaysia faces a significant public health challenge known as the triple burden of disease, encompassing non-communicable diseases (NCDs), infectious diseases, and the health implications of an ageing population. These interconnected challenges are further compounded by environmental and planetary health issues, requiring a comprehensive and integrated approach. Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers,…
The teacher
A teacher stands, a beacon bright, To guide the lost, to show the light. Not just for those who walk the straight, But for the ones who hesitate. The duty’s weight is not for ease, It calls to nurture, calls to please. To shape the mind, the heart, the soul, To make the broken spirit…
The Silent Toll of Excess Mortality During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped global health systems, revealing vulnerabilities in healthcare and public health infrastructure. While official COVID-19 death counts capture the immediate impact, excess mortality estimates uncover the pandemic’s broader effects, including indirect deaths caused by disrupted healthcare services and societal changes. This study examines global and regional excess mortality data and…
Rising Medical Costs and the Need for Sustainable Solutions
The escalating cost of healthcare in Malaysia has become a pressing concern. With private hospitals increasing charges and insurance premiums rising in tandem, many Malaysians find themselves priced out of private care. This growing financial burden is forcing more people to turn to public hospitals, placing unprecedented pressure on a system already operating at capacity.…
Strategic Framework for KOM 2025–2030: Realising Competence and Compassion
The Kulliyyah of Medicine (KOM) at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) has developed a transformative strategic framework for 2025–2030. Guided by the Tawhidic worldview, the framework integrates faith (iman), knowledge (‘ilm), and good character (akhlaq) into every aspect of its academic, research, and community engagement efforts. It aims to produce healthcare professionals who embody…