2nd Day (14th February)

The day started off slightly later than the 1st day where we left at 6.30am.. so we were off again to Kubang Pasu on Valentine's with our colour coded attire to mark the day of love. The girls were in hues of red, maroon and pink and the guys were in crisp white shirts except for the two odd one out. But that did not hamper our spirits and we were looking forward to what the rest of the day had in store for us.
We were briefed at 9am by PPKK Mrs. Nor Diana from the CDC( Communicable Disease Control) unit. She explained what were the diseases and the organization and people working under her. Leprosy and TB were under newcomer Mr. Ahmad Zaki and HIV/AIDS were under Mr. Zulkifli Omar. From there, we went on questioning them about how the three main communicable diseases diarrhea, HIV and TB were managed in their district.

Epidemiology Of Diarrheal Diseases
Cases are notified to the ministry within 24 hours via telephone.The notification form is filled and current address of victims are noted. A new system of enotification is now the fastest way of notifying a disease within the country. The causes of diarrheal diseases in Kubang Pasu is AGE, thyphoid, dysentry and the main being food poisoning. Food poisoning cases are monitored via case control studies where the food attack rate incidence is noted and also random food sampling done in various food providers to maintain the quality of the food provided. Site of incidence of food poisoning in usually disinfected with sodium hypochloride after a thorough investigation is conducted. The whole CDC unit is given a budget of RM120000 per year and ORS sachets are stocked for the immediate use of an outbreak. Campaigns on diarrheal diseases and food hygiene is conducted in schools to raise the awareness on food waterborne diseases.


Epidemiology of TB
Cases are notified within 7days and case incidence numbers to 3 or 4 per year in the district. The main objective is to prevent the occurrence of TB and contact tracing is done to trace disease spread to family members of working colleagues of victims. TBIS is not active, but another surveillance system known as myTB is currently active. enotification is the main notification method here. TB is not actively controlled as the prevalence rate is very low and not much importance is given to it unless there is an incident. DOTS is used to detect cases of non-compliance.


Epidemiology of HIV
Here, cases are notified within 24hours were it is notified through hospital doctors, after two positive results are obtained from patients, and a notification form is filled up as a general routine to be filed officially. enotification is used to notify cases through AMRO. Surveillance is through the NAR(National AIDS Registry) where it is a ministrial survey. Prevention is through NSP(National Strategy Plan) from the year 2011 to 2015 where the health staff, pregnant mothers and health workers are monitored, also including the high risk groups. ART and NSP have a annual budget of RM50000 while methadone has an annual budget of RM 30000 in the district of Kubang Pasu. Campaigns and talks of the danger of HIV and uses of condoms are conducted actively in schools and with the help of NGOs.


In between the talks by the PPKPs, we had lunch in an awesome Thai restaurant named 5Utara. Then, we continued a tiring journey back to SP waiting to get on to our welcoming beds and crawl beneath the sheets for a good rest..