CodeBlue

14/04/2026

Reports indicate an emerging shortage of dialysers (artificial kidney) and other haemodialysis (HD) components like canister/bottle packaging for concentrate solution in Malaysia, amid the Iran war.

Distributors are reportedly concerned that dialyser shortages are already happening, or about to occur, in smaller dialysis centres and charities.

A HD supplier has stopped accepting new customers for dialysis concentrate solution, due to shortages of canister packaging.

There are no large stockpiles for these fast-moving, just-in-time plastic consumables.

It's impossible to perform HD therapy without a dialyser, a critical medical device.

Nephrologists warn that kidney failure patients can die within a few days without dialysis. Switching more than 50,000 patients from HD to home-based peritoneal dialysis (PD), which doesn't require a dialyser, isn't realistic either.

Read more: https://codeblue.galencentre.org/2026/04/malaysia-faces-emerging-shortage-of-dialysers-haemodialysis-components/

14/04/2026

Malaysia is facing an emerging shortage of dialysers (artificial kidney) and canister/bottle packaging for haemodialysis (HD) concentrate solution. A dialyser is necessary for HD. Nephrologists say kidney failure patients can’t survive without dialysis.

Malaysia is facing an emerging shortage of dialysers (artificial kidney) and canister/bottle packaging for haemodialysis (HD) concentrate solution. A dialyser is necessary for HD. Nephrologists say kidney failure patients can't survive without dialysis.

13/04/2026

Eating well may not be enough to support optimal health. Recent evidence points to a more balanced 50/50 approach, giving equal importance to good nutrition and an active lifestyle.

Eating well may not be enough to support optimal health. Recent evidence points to a more balanced 50/50 approach, giving equal importance to good nutrition and an active lifestyle.

13/04/2026

We hope the authorities can expedite the intake for permanent positions for contract pharmacists and dentists and provide clarity on the status of those who are still waiting. Some 350 pharmacists are on the reserve list; validity ends on Oct 20, 2026.

We hope the authorities can expedite the intake for permanent positions for contract pharmacists and dentists and provide clarity on the status of those who are still waiting. Some 350 pharmacists are on the reserve list; validity ends on Oct 20, 2026.

13/04/2026

A haematologist at Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City, says stem cell transplant can be curative in many instances, while CAR-T cell therapy is lifesaving in Refractory B cell lymphoma, B cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and multiple myeloma.

A haematologist at Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City, says stem cell transplant can be curative in many instances, while CAR-T cell therapy is lifesaving in Refractory B cell lymphoma, B cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and multiple myeloma.

13/04/2026

Public Service DG Wan Ahmad Dahlan says doctor brain drain can be curbed if doctors have a “sense of nationalism to help the country”, amid very low housemen intake. MMA says doctors leave because “the system and policy don’t reciprocate their love.”

Public Service DG Wan Ahmad Dahlan says doctor brain drain can be curbed if doctors have a "sense of nationalism to help the country", amid very low housemen intake. MMA says doctors leave because "the system and policy don't reciprocate their love."

10/04/2026

MOH is shifting to targeted, data-driven stockpiling after Covid-19 vaccine wastage, focusing on critical, fast-moving and single-source medicines, says Dr Dzul. MOH has set an April 15 deadline for pharma companies to report product availability levels.

MOH is shifting to targeted, data-driven stockpiling after Covid-19 vaccine wastage, focusing on critical, fast-moving and single-source medicines, says Dr Dzul. MOH has set an April 15 deadline for pharma companies to report product availability levels.

10/04/2026

Malaysia’s health care system is deeply dependent on plastic-based medical devices, consumables, and disposables. Naphtha, a vital petroleum derivative used in plastic manufacturing and petrochemicals, is essential for the production of these items.

Malaysia’s health care system is deeply dependent on plastic-based medical devices, consumables, and disposables. Naphtha, a vital petroleum derivative used in plastic manufacturing and petrochemicals, is essential for the production of these items.

10/04/2026

Malaysian health care workers are at a breaking point due to fuel subsidy rationalisations during an energy crisis and mandatory job rotation policies in the service. MOH staff exempted from WFH are the most exposed to rising costs of physical mobility.

10/04/2026

Medical officers and specialists say the housemen in the HTA scam weren’t naive, but caught in systemic gaps. Inexperience, admin authority, and a culture of blind obedience made the scheme believable. Similar risks may exist across other public hospitals.

Medical officers and specialists say the housemen in the HTA scam weren't naive, but caught in systemic gaps. Inexperience, admin authority, and a culture of blind obedience made the scheme believable. Similar risks may exist across other public hospitals.

09/04/2026

MOH says the global energy crisis is affecting supply of medicines and medical devices in Malaysia, especially critical imported medical devices in high-risk categories, forcing “prudent” distribution. MOH is devising alternative clinical treatment plans.

MOH says the global energy crisis is affecting supply of medicines and medical devices in Malaysia, especially critical imported medical devices in high-risk categories, forcing "prudent" distribution. MOH is devising alternative clinical treatment plans.

09/04/2026

MOH admits energy crisis impact on medicines, medical devices supply