Delivering quality service through innovation of existing health clinics for sustainability: a theoretical initiative through architectural design proposal

Improvement in the Quality of Health of Malaysians is part of 2nd Strategic Thrust of the Midterm Review 2016-2020 by the government focusing on “Improving Wellbeing for All”, by 2020. The primary health sector, as the safety net for the healthy nation, remain the focal point for all to access healthcare. With over 2881 number of health clinics all around the country, of various degree of building age, sizes and designs, the demand for quality care require a review of the facilities and its’ ability to improve while functioning. Existing clinics are the gems for the local populace. Replacing them to faraway places is not an idea of accessibility and place continuity. This paper thus aims at addressing the meaning of quality service from architectural facility expectation in the remake of selected aged facilities to meet prevailing standards and reasonable expectations. Through qualitative research by selected case studies of aged facilities and literature review, including new design briefs of government health clinics, the findings, through observation and interview, a scenario for the remake will be churned. Architectural expressions of the remake as design proposal will be recommended to the Ministry of Health Malaysia as a spur towards more design review of other clinics as proactive measure from public works department, the university or the NGO, who care

Correspondence:

We questioned 180 patients with end-stage renal disease on maintenance haemodialysis, chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis and those who had undergone renal transplantation at the Department of Nephrology, General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur. Twelve patients (6.7%) had consumed excessive quantities ofanalgesics prior to the institution oflong-term dialysis or transplantation. Primary renal disease was considered to be analgesic nephropathy in seven patients (3.9%); in five patients (2.8%), analgesic abuse could have been a contributory factor to end-stage renal failure. Analgesic nephropathy is hence an uncommon cause of end-stage renal disease in Malaysia. However, it is important to be aware of the problem and to institute preventive measures as the cost of treatment for end-stage renal disease is prohibitive

Comparison of quality characteristics between belacan from Brunei Darussalam and Korean shrimp paste

Background: This study was conducted to compare the quality characteristics between shrimp pastes from Korea and Brunei. Belacan is a fermented shrimp paste from Brunei. Korea manufactures two products: one is fermented and dried Saewoojeot shrimp paste, and the other is a dried shrimp paste. Methods: The quality characteristics studied were: chemical composition, amino acids, minerals, fatty acids, cholesterol, water activity, pH, and salinity. Results: The moisture and salinity content were highest in Belacan (p < 0.05). The fat and ash content, Mg, Na, unsaturated fatty acids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids were highest in the Korean fermented Saewoojeot shrimp paste. Conclusion: The protein content, pH, water activity Ca, Fe, K, P, Zn, total amino acids, essential amino acids, saturated fatty acids, and cholesterol content tended to be higher in the Korean dried shrimp paste than in Bruneian belacan and Korean fermented Saewoojeot shrimp paste