Salindah

Salindah.com outlet cemerlang

2011-04-03T10:41:00.000-07:00

Salindah.com telah memenangi anugerah "Outlet Cemerlang" atau "Excellent Outlet" sempena Perayaan ke-10 EEMSB di Kedah pada 02-April-2011 yang baru lepas.

Keterangan lanjut akan menyusul.

Crib Injuries Land Thousands of Toddlers in ER Each Year

2011-02-20T06:14:00.000-08:00

Crib Injuries Land Thousands of Toddlers in ER Each Year
Study shows most involve children trying to climb out and falling on floor
By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, Feb. 17 (HealthDay News) -- Each year in the United States, nearly 10,000 children under the age of 2 arrive in emergency rooms with injuries suffered while in cribs, playpens and bassinets, a new report shows.

Most of these injuries involve cribs and are usually caused by kids climbing out and falling on the floor, said the researchers from Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

"The most surprising thing to me was the number of crib-related injuries we found being treated in hospital emergency departments," said lead researcher Dr. Gary A Smith, a professor of pediatrics and director of the hospital's Center for Injury Research and Policy.

"This is an underestimate," he said. "We know that children are taken to their private physician and urgent care centers."

Smith noted that only about 1 percent of the injuries involved a parent or sibling: "It appears that most of these falls are children climbing out of the crib and falling."

In most cases, the children landed head first, Smith noted, which "really makes this an issue that we should pay attention to." Children at that age are top-heavy, so when they fall they fall head first and don't have the ability to break their fall these injuries can be serious, he explained.

Smith added that as the children became more mobile, the number of injuries increased. "So, parents need to be cautious when a child is in a crib and can start to pull himself up," Smith said.

When that happens, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, you need to lower the height of the mattress in the crib so there is at least 26 inches between the top of the mattress and the top of the rail, Smith said.

And when the child reaches about 35 inches in height he or she should be taken out of the crib and start using a toddler bed, Smith added.

The report is published in the Feb. 17 online edition of Pediatrics.

For the study, Smith's team used data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System to identify the number of children injured in cribs, playpens and bassinets from 1990 to 2008.

During that period, the researchers identified almost 182,000 children under 2 who were treated in emergency rooms for injuries associated with these devices. That came to roughly 9,651 such injuries a year.

The researchers found that 83.2 percent of the injuries involved cribs, while playpens accounted for 12.6 percent of the injuries and bassinets accounted for 4.2 percent.

The most common cause of injury was falling from the crib, playpen or bassinet. These falls accounted for two-thirds of the injuries, Smith's group found.

The head and neck were the areas of the body that were most commonly injured, making up 40.3 percent of the injuries. Most injuries were soft tissue injuries (34.1 percent).

Kids with fractures were kept in the hospital 14 percent of the time and were more than five times more likely to be admitted than children with other injuries, Smith's group noted.

Smith believes the findings are a call to action to build better-designed cribs that protect children and make falls less likely.

Right now, parents should only use cribs that meet current standards. That includes cribs with no drop sides, which have been banned by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. So, parents have to be particularly careful with hand-me-down cribs, Smith said.

Smith also advises that when putting the baby in the crib be sure there is no bedding, stuffed toys or bumpers in the crib. "All these products have been associated with suffocation deaths," he said.

"Young infants need to be placed in a crib that's bare, just the child and the crib," he said. "Just dress the child warmly in a sleeper and place him into a bare crib."

"Despite these findings, cribs are still the safest sleeping environment for infants and young babies," Smith added. Having the baby sleep with the parents increases the risk of suffocation, he noted.

Amy Chezem, a spokeswomen for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, said that "each year hundreds of deaths occur when children are placed in a sleep environment that is not specifically designed for children. The safest place for a child is in a fully functional, properly assembled crib."

In addition, the association "reminds parents of how important it is to carefully follow the manufacturer instructions, recommendations and restrictions on all sleep-related products to ensure the safest environment possible."

http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/healthday/649997.html

Berhati-hati dengan BONJELA

2011-02-16T07:51:00.000-08:00

DOCTORS are calling for mandatory warnings on teething gels after children were hospitalised with potentially life-threatening poisoning.

The authors of a study conducted by two Sydney hospitals and two New Zealand hospitals, published in the Medical Journal of Australia, found that chronic salicylate intoxication could occur in children using over-the-counter teething gels, even at intakes close to the recommended doses.

Symptoms of such poisonings include gastrointestinal problems, hyperventilation, tremor and memory lapses, and the risk of death.

In Britain, the ingredient salicylate was removed from Bonjela teething gel after a 2002 study by the Commission on Human Medicines.

In Australia and New Zealand, several teething gels marketed to infants, including Bonjela, still contain salicylate and do not have warning labels.

Related Coverage

Some products recommend applying as much as a third of a tube every 24 hours, which the study's authors say equates to more than two 15g tubes a week.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) considers teething gels to be therapeutic products, so the study's authors, including Sydney Children's Hospital pediatric intensivist Gary Williams and Prince of Wales Hospital consultant pediatrician Caroline Meadows, recommend that they be subject to the requirements of other over-the-counter medication, such as aspirin, and include warnings.

Dr Williams said parents should not assume that just because teething gels were marketed to children and available over the counter, they were perfectly safe.

"Teething can be disruptive and there is no doubting that ... but here is a commonly used solution that is widely thought of as being completely benign and one needs to be aware that that is not necessarily the case and that there is a safety issue here," Dr Williams said.

He said that parents would be better off using teething rings that had been cooled in the fridge as there was no scientific evidence of any beneficial effect of salicylate.

A spokeswoman for the NSW Poisons Information Centre, based at The Children's Hospital at Westmead, said calls to the centre in relation to teething gels were either about children who had accidentally ingested the contents of a tube, or parents who had used the product on children younger than the recommended age.

Two children had been referred to hospitals after calls to the centre's hotline last year, she said.

A TGA spokeswoman said the authority would consider extra warnings on the gels.

"Parents and carers are reminded to always use the product according to product instructions," she said.

In 2009, the TGA investigated links between the use of teething gels containing salicylate and Reye's syndrome, a potentially fatal disease that causes fatty liver and brain damage, after a study was published in the British Medical Journal.

The investigation found the study case was more likely a result of salicylate intoxication than Reye's syndrome.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/teething-gel-danger-for-infants/story-fn6bm90q-1226005032121

Info produk Bonjela di Malaysia dari laman web Biro Pengawalan Farmaseutikal Kebangsaan... Ia mengandungi salicylate

Product Detail Information for MAL19910207X

Product Information :
Product Name	:	BONJELA

Holder Name	:	RECKITT BENCKISER (M) SDN. BHD.
Address	:	LEVEL 5, MENARA UAC NO. 12, JALAN PJU 7/5 MUTIARA DAMANSARA
	:	47800
	:	PETALING JAYA
	:	SELANGOR
	:	MALAYSIA

Manufacturer Name	:	RECKITT BENCKISER HEALTHCARE (UK) LTD
Address	:	DANSOM LANE, EAST YORKSHIRE, HULL HU8 7DS,
	:	UNITED KINGDOM

Ingredients Information :
No.	Substance Name
1	CETALKONIUM CHLORIDE
2	CHOLINE SALICYLATE

How do you teach your children?

2011-02-14T23:55:00.000-08:00

Yale law Professor and self-described 'tiger mother' Amy Chua provoked international debate when her book 'Battle Hymm of the Tiger Mother' was published recently. The Chinese-American was called nuts, a despot and a monster for her extreme parenting methods, which among others involved calling her daughters 'garbage' and hours of Mathematics and spelling drills. Sonia Ramachandran and Chandra Devi Renganayar find out if tiger parenting is the way to raise cubs that will rule the world

Datuk Farshila Emran, managing director:

One of my daughter's teachers told her that she had better be careful because the discipline teacher was a "tiger".

My daughter replied, "She may be a tiger but my mum is a lion."

I have three children. When my eldest daughter Khalesa was slightly over a year old, I sent her to play school. She cried the first two days and I gave in. When she cried on the third day, I slapped her in front of the teacher.

My action shocked Khalesa and she immediately stopped crying. That was when I realised that the soft approach does not work.

If any one of my children is rude, I will slap them no matter where they are. I don't care if they are embarrassed.

Some parents do not want to take action immediately when their children misbehave. They prefer to do so in private. But if you take action later in the day, the child might have forgotten what she did.

My youngest daughter, Lubna, wanted to accompany me out one day but her brother Mukhlis was not allowed to do so.

She turned to her brother and said, "Na na na na neh! You can't come with us." I immediately slapped her.

When she asked me why, I told her it was because she was rude to her brother. Children are not mature. If you slap, pinch or cane them, they know they have done something wrong.

If you use the soft approach by explaining to them what they did wrong, they might not understand. I once caned my daughter because she did not complete her homework. It is for her own good.

I told her that the moment I receive anything from her school telling me she had not completed her homework, I would slap her in front of the school assembly. I have to put fear in them, otherwise they will not know I'm the boss.

My husband, Dr Mohd Sharif Abu Hassan, is not strict.

If I shout at the children and he comes out of his room, I will look at him and he will immediately return to his room.

I never, however, use harsh words on my children.

Children will forget the pain of a beating but they will not forget the pain caused by harsh words.

For example, if your mother hit or pinched you when you were young, would you still feel the pain now?

Of course not. But if your mum had called you 'garbage' when you were younger, won't you still remember that?

Once, my daughter's piano teacher came to the house to give her lessons. She was sleepy, so she just banged on the piano. I went over and slapped her and she immediately woke up.

Then I told her why I slapped her in front of the teacher.

I explained that the piano teacher had travelled all the way to our home to teach her so that she could earn a living.

I told them I don't care if I beat them in front of their friends because their friends are not going to be there when they're in trouble. I told them they should be proud that their mother cares about them, looks at their homework and hires tuition teachers for them instead of saving that money for make-up, etc.

Nobody can nurture them better than their own mother. We are 'tiger' but we are not "tiger gila". (mad tiger).

My children are allowed to go to the playground in front of the house on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

On other days, they will just look at the other children playing but will not dare to ask if they can go out.

Khalesa always comes first in class.

If she is performing on stage (Khalesa is in the Permata Seni Choir), I send a professional make-up artist to do her make-up and if she goes outstation, I put her, together with her friends, in one of the better hotels.

I make sure Khalesa studies five hours every day. She has a packed schedule every single school day with a maximum of 30 minutes gap between activities.

Besides tuition, there are classes for mengaji (reading of the Quran), Bahasa Malaysia, vocal training, creative writing by a tutor whose mother tongue is English, art, piano, as well as sight reading. She also has English classes at the British Council on Saturdays.

I know Khalesa's capability and I know she can achieve 100 per cent in her examinations. So, if she comes home with 96 per cent, she would be afraid to enter the house to face me. I will evaluate the questions and if the mistake is due to carelessness, I will spank her.

Lubna, who is 5, has a teacher who comes over every day for three hours to teach her living skills, storytelling and to help her with her homework. She also goes to the British Council for English classes during the weekends and to the gym for classes three times a week to lose weight.

People have criticised the way I handle my children but I told them that these are my children and I will do what I like. My husband respects the way I do things. Although he does sometimes think I am too harsh, he understands that I am not doing it for fun.

When I beat, I really beat. I do feel bad about it later and cry in the shower. However, I never show them I am upset.

Dr Leow Mei Ling, housewife:

My only daughter, Emma Ooi, is 13 this year. She is a straight-A student as well as a gymnast who is gearing up for the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

Her Mathematics capabilities are that of a 17-year-old. She can also play the piano and speak Latin. Emma is also a fantastic chess player and has represented her school.

I believe discipline is necessary for a child to have a disciplined outlook in life, whether in sports or education. This is the kind of training I gave her from the time she was a toddler. I insisted she has her own table and chair from the time she could sit. I don't believe in children running around the house.

I quit my job when she was born and I drive her to all her classes and activities.

Emma's schedule is packed, straight from the moment she wakes up to the time she goes to bed, with no time for television, play or anything else.

Her day begins at 6am, with preparations for school. She leaves school at 2pm to go for gymnastics training, where she is in the national team. That ends at 6pm.

Then it's home, dinner, homework and bed. This is her routine seven days a week, with music and Latin classes squeezed in as well.

Emma is also not allowed to sleep late and is up by 8.30am.

She started kindergarten at 4 and was enrolled in the Shichida Right Brain Training Method, developed by Professor Makoto Shichida.

I also monitor her diet strictly. I restrict fatty foods and salt.

My husband (Ooi Khean Min) agrees with me and feels that a rigid and regimented schedule equips a child with the tools for the future as it teaches them to multi-task.

If you don't guide your children, they will not know what to do with their time. I would rather Emma play chess than watch television for hours during her free time.

I think watching television is a waste of time. I would not allow her to go to the playground to indulge in normal play as it is not safe.

I do not believe in harsh words or caning.

I don't feel that I am depriving her of a normal childhood. Play is doing something you enjoy.

I feel she enjoys this. Otherwise, she would not have been able to survive this long.

I don't think I'm a tiger mum but I believe there should be discipline.

Faridah Hamzah, housewife:

I have been labelled a very fierce mother by my family members and friends but I won't change my ways in bringing up my two daughters. I have to be strict to bring out the best in them. It is to ensure that they have a better future.

I cannot start to structure them when they are older, can I?

My 14-year-old daughter, Fatin Zakirah, is a national gymnast and she is training for the Commonwealth Games. Her school teacher introduced her to gymrama when she was 7.

Since she liked it, I decided to push her to excel in the sports. Her 10-year-old sister is interested in singing, so I enrolled her for choir training.

My girls are talented and I want to show them the right path to improve their lives and be successful. I believe you can only achieve results if there is discipline and order at all times.

Their daily routine starts at 6am on weekdays and on weekends, it begins at 7am. Their days are occupied with school, religious classes and training sessions.

Their daily schedule primarily involves studying and training. Yes, there is television time but it's very limited. There is also not much time for computer games or hanging out with friends.

I make sure they are in bed by 11pm after they have done their homework. Fatin has shown her frustrations about not being able to spend time with her friends. However, I have advised her about getting her priorities right. Now, she understands why she needs to focus and work hard.

Since she is with the national gymnastics team, her schedule is much more hectic compared to her sister's. The only time I allow her to play computer games is when I drive her for training daily.

I also control my children's diet, especially Fatin's. As a gymnast, she needs to maintain a lean physique to perform well in the sports. I don't buy or keep any other food in my refrigerator except for fruits and juices. Initially, I had to guide her but now Fatin has disciplined herself to eat the right food. To support and encourage her, I also follow a strict diet rule in the house -- no sweets, chocolates or chips.

My husband supports my approach in bringing up our daughters. Yes, I rule with an iron fist but that does not mean I don't show affection.

My style of parenting is injected with lots of love and words of advice.

I don't believe in using harsh words or degrading my children's efforts to make them better. I show appreciation every step of the way and it has borne fruit.

Read more: Confessions of tiger mothers http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/a13tigermother1a/Article/#ixzz1E0oCubBx

Be more aware of post-natal depression

2011-01-25T20:22:00.000-08:00

MCA Public Service and Complaints Department chief Michael Chong has highlighted a very important area of mental health affecting women who have recently given birth (The Star, Jan 22).

Post-natal blues, where mothers experience spells of irritability followed by bouts of crying due to hormonal changes are fairly common but post-natal depression is more serious and requires treatment.

The symptoms of post-natal depression are more severe and prolonged. It is frequently undetected and untreated, resulting in devastating consequences.

It affects not only the woman experiencing it but also the family, in particular the newborn.

We are happy to note that the issue of early detection of post-natal depression was discussed at the recent Mental Health Promotion Advisory Council meeting (the Malaysian Mental Health Association being a member).

The council was informed of plans to strengthen training for front-line staff at community and health clinics, and also of putting a mechanism in place to ensure proper screening of post-natal mothers for any depressive illness.

In relation to this, the Health Ministry should consider including the topic of post-natal depression at its ante-natal classes.

As a large proportion of deliveries and post-natal care occur outside the ministry’s facilities, it is essential that private maternity homes and private hospitals also institute a similar mechanism.

Greater public awareness of depressive illness and mental illness in general as medical conditions will help those suffering from them seek early treatment.

DATIN DR ANG KIM TENG,
President,
Malaysian Mental Health Association.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/1/26/focus/7868485&sec=focus

Kertas kabinet mengenai cuti bersalin swasta dibentang Januari ini

2010-12-08T09:21:00.000-08:00

KUALA LUMPUR -- Cadangan cuti bersalin selama 90 hari mengikut pilihan bagi pekerja sektor swasta akan dibawa ke kabinet pada Januari depan, kata Menteri Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

Beliau berkata kertas kabinet mengenainya akan dibentangkan untuk mendapatkan kelulusan Jemaah Menteri bagi membolehkan Kementerian Sumber Manusia meminda Akta Pekerjaan 1955 dalam usaha memberi jumlah cuti bersalin yang sama kepada pekerja swasta, seperti yang ditetapkan bagi pekerja sektor awam.

"Kita sedang menyediakan kertas kabinet dan selepas dua minggu dalam bulan Januari ini ia akan dibentangkan. Jadi selepas itu mereka (Kementerian Sumber Manusia) kena bawa ke Parlimen," katanya kepada pemberita selepas majlis perasmian Sidang Kemuncak Wanita 2010 oleh Timbalan Perdana Menteri Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin di sini hari ini.

Shahrizat berkata kementeriannya juga akan membawa satu lagi kertas kabinet berkenaan isu meningkatkan penyertaan wanita dalam lembaga pengarah syarikat-syarikat.

"Saya amat tidak puas hati bila tengok wanita yang diberi tempat dalam board (lembaga) termasuk GLC (syarikat berkaitan kerajaan). Kenapa tidak (diberi tempat) walhal wanita ramai sekali yang mempunyai kebolehan.

Beliau berkata perincian kertas kabinet itu juga akan memasukkan pelan strategi dalam masa beberapa tahun tentang jumlah peratus wanita yang mesti berada di dalam barisan anggota lembaga pengarah syarikat di bursa saham.

"Kita akan mengambil kira tentang situasi pasaran dan strategi dalam perkara ini. Contohnya dalam masa lima tahun di mana wanita akan berada dalam tempoh berkenaan.

"Bukan (permintaan secara) mendadak, sebab tak boleh buat macam itu kerana ia akan menjejaskan pasaran dan lain-lain. (Cadangan ini) supaya semua pihak boleh membuat persiapan," katanya.

Beliau berkata selepas 10 tahun kementerian itu diwujudkan, agenda wanita semakin dipandang serius di mana ia sudah menjadi satu agenda kritikal di dalam kerajaan, politik, ekonomi dan semua aspek pembangunan negara. -- BERNAMA

Duty of all to stop child abuse

2010-11-27T23:43:00.000-08:00

2010/11/28
Hans Olsen

EARLIER this year, the life of a small child was cut short. She died from injuries to her brain, stomach and kidneys inflicted by an adult who was taking care of her, a person she should have been able to trust and depend on.
An autopsy conducted found cuts and bruises all over her body, believed to have resulted from previous instances of abuse. Her case was, and is, not an isolated incident.

According to 2008 statistics from the Welfare Department, the number of abuse cases is increasing and now, an average of seven children are abused in different ways every day in Malaysia.

But these figures are only based on reported incidents. Many more children are hidden behind these numbers and if they eventually get recorded, it may already be too late.

Can we prevent these abuses from happening at all? Yes, I believe we can. But to achieve this, everyone must regard child abuse as unacceptable and be prepared to take action and intervene.

In the case of this child, there were witnesses who saw her being abused close to her home. No one interfered. I can't believe that this was because they condoned what they saw. I think there is a widespread uncertainty about how to interpret what you see and how to act. Had these witnesses known how to act and be prepared to do it, the small Malaysian child may still be alive today.

There are mechanisms in place to support such action. Police and government agencies are trained to handle this kind of cases. An immediate report would have mobilised a team of law enforcers to save the child from further abuse and, in this case, death. Intervention depends on family members, neighbours and bystanders who have the knowledge and spirit to intervene and put a stop to the abuse before it is too late.

In line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Malaysia has introduced the Child Act 2001 to guarantee the protection for children. With this legislation, not only can abusers be held accountable for their actions, informers are guaranteed anonymity and protection by law.

Furthermore, Childline Malaysia, a civil society initiative, has collaborated with the government to set up the dedicated hotline, 15999, where the public, as well as children themselves, can call for advice or report abuse. It is crucial that people know and utilise these services, and that they feel they can make a difference.

We need to empower ourselves with knowledge about child abuse and what we can do as individuals or in groups to stop it. To provide an opportunity for this, Unicef has set up a dedicated website, www.uniteagainstabuse.my, where people can learn more about the issue and what to do to protect a child from abuse.

This website is part of the larger Get on Board campaign by Unicef to encourage people to break their silence and take responsibility for the children around them -- be it in their home and families or in their communities. We each have an important role to play.

The Get on Board campaign clearly recognises the challenges parents go through in raising children, and provides a link to special services provided by the government to help cope with the stresses of parenting.

Unicef also urges communities to provide support activities for parents to manage the stress they face. By focusing on efforts to stabilise families and provide support for healthy child development, we are collectively creating an environment around us that reduces the likelihood of child abuse.

Every child has the right to grow up in a safe environment and to be sheltered from all forms of abuse, be it physical, emotional, sexual or neglect. This environment is only possible when society unites around children's basic rights, openly confronting violence and defending their right to protection.

While the government is primarily accountable for translating the Convention on the Rights of the Child into reality, parents and other caregivers, like teachers, health workers, youth leaders as well as children themselves, have a crucial role to play every day to protect the rights of children.

Very young children who lack the capacity to report abuse, or older children who fear reprisals by perpetrators should be able to rely on the people around them to take action.

What we see in statistics of reported cases only tells us a small part of the truth about child abuse in Malaysia. We need to know more. Thorough research is needed to help the government establish benchmarks for measurement of child abuse.

Data from this research would also make it possible to monitor future trends in abusive behaviour towards children and society's attitude towards it. This kind of evidence-based intervention is equally important for individual interventions by family members and the community.

We cannot wait for more children to die or be scarred for life. Everyone must be ready to take action. The silence must be broken. I invite the people of Malaysia to get on board and unite against child abuse.

The writer is Unicef representative to Malaysia

http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/27hansomea/Article/

Read more: Duty of all to stop child abuse http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/27hansomea/Article/#ixzz16YpBkPi5

Call to extend breast screening

2010-11-17T23:12:00.000-08:00

By Helen Briggs
Health reporter, BBC News

Annual screening for women in their 40s with a family history of breast cancer may save lives, research suggests.

The NHS breast screening programme currently offers mammograms to women aged between 50 and 70.

But UK researchers say a pilot study suggests regular mammograms should be given to younger women who have relatives with breast cancer.

A cancer charity said more data was needed to weigh up risks and benefits.

The study, published in the journal Lancet Oncology, looked at women deemed at moderate risk of breast cancer because they have relatives with the disease.

Screening is considered unjustified in women with no family history of breast cancer because of the risk of a false-alarm.

Women at high-risk - because they are thought to have a gene mutation associated with the disease - are already closely assessed, with many given MRI scans or offered early surgery.

False alarms

The study recruited 6,710 moderate risk women across the UK who were given mammograms to check for signs of breast cancer every year for four years.

These women are not currently included in the main NHS breast screening programme, which offers mammograms to women aged 50-70 every three years.

The researchers, led by Professor Stephen Duffy of Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary, University of London, compared cancer rates and deaths in this group with women from other trials who were not given annual screening.

They say the women given screening were significantly more likely to be alive 10 years after a diagnosis of cancer than women in the two control groups.

Professor Duffy told the BBC: "It means that annual mammography does reduce the risk of dying of breast cancer in this group of moderate risk women.

"It means they can go and seek medical help knowing that there is something that can be done."

Rough figures suggest that it would probably save an extra 50 lives a year, he added.

"It doesn't sound like much but it means alot to the people who are in that group because they have relatives who have had breast cancer," he explained. "It's not a huge expense to the NHS."

Surveillance

But Hazel Nunn, senior health information manager at Cancer Research UK, said the full picture was not yet clear.

"Since it seems 5,000 women would need to be screened to save one life, it will be important to weigh up these benefits carefully against potential risks of routine mammography before deciding whether screening really is the best course of action for this group," she said.

"We await the results of further research measuring the risks."

The NHS Breast Screening Programme said plans were in place to extend screening to women with a family history of breast cancer in the future.

Assistant Director, Sarah Sellars, said current guidelines for women at risk of breast cancer because of their family history recommend that certain women should be offered surveillance.

She said these services were currently commissioned locally but in the future would be run by them.

"In the future, the NHS Breast Screening Programmes will be taking on responsibility for routinely screening higher risk women under 50," she said.

"Several breast screening sites are currently testing the software to be able to manage these women effectively.

"This service will sit alongside our current breast screening programme for women aged 50 years old and over."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-11780186

Sarawakian woman rescues lost child on bus

2010-11-12T07:51:00.000-08:00

NOBLE DEED: Nur Asyikin receiving a letter of commendation from Abdul Rahim for rescuing the lost toddler

KUALA LUMPUR: If it was not for a mother-of-two, three-year-old Mohd Amin Rozi may have disappeared forever after boarding a bus alone on Wednesday morning with a milk bottle in hand.

Nur Asyikin Rufi became concerned when she noticed the boy looking lost and restless as he was constantly changing seats.

The Sarawakian, in her 40s, was sitting at the back of the bus and became suspicious when she saw a foreigner speaking to the boy.

"I did what any mother would have done," she said, walking forward to rescue the child. "The boy was unresponsive when I asked him questions. So, I called 999."

Nur Asyikin then got off at Jalan Tun Hussein and carried the boy to the police station, as advised over the phone. She also lodged a report after handing the child to police officers.

"I hope this is a serious lesson learnt by every parent as such young children are naive and vulnerable."

Expressing disappointment that no one aboard the bus tried to help Amin, she said: "We should also look out for other children around us."

The police took photographs of the boy before handing him over to the Welfare Department in Jalan Pahang. Copies of his photo were distributed at the Sri Sabah flats area, where the boy was seen waiting before boarding the bus.

At 5.30pm on Wednesday, a couple arrived at the Cheras district police station, claiming their grandchild had gone missing. The boy, whom they called Amin, had apparently been sleeping while the grandfather was washing his car.

Neither of them realised the boy had woken up and wandered off. Amin's mother also arrived at the police station later to retrieve her child, but police refused to release him until a DNA test was conducted.

When the test results confirmed the grandparents and mother were indeed related to the boy and the necessary documentation were produced, Cheras acting police chief Supt Abdul Rahim Hamzah Othman allowed the child to be reunited with his family yesterday.

"What happened here is typical curiosity of children at such an age. As adults, we should be more aware of their tendencies and look out for them," said Abdul Rahman, who gave a letter of commendation to Nur Asyikin yesterday.

It was learnt the bus driver was not aware of the boy's presence as Mohd Amin was hidden among the passengers when he boarded the bus. The bus had travelled 10km before he was noticed by Nur Asyikin.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported the boy was suffering from a hyperactive disorder. His mother, Norhaslinda Hashim, 23, said she was working when informed by her mother about her missing child at about 1pm.

Norhaslinda said she would try to keep a close watch on her son from now.

http://www.mmail.com.my/content/54869-sarawakian-woman-rescues-lost-child-bus
THASHA JAYAMANOGARAN
Friday, November 12th, 2010 04:51:00

Kisah menyayat hati

2010-11-07T20:10:00.000-08:00

Semoga Allah merahmati roh-roh mereka dan semoga kita semua dijauhkan dari dugaan berat seperti ini.

Rentung bersujud
Oleh Ibrahim Isa

MUSNAH...Rusidah dan Asaari melihat katil mangsa yang rentung dalam kebakaran, semalam.

BATU PAHAT: “Tolong mak, tolong Nini mak,” itulah jeritan akhir ibu tunggal, Lenny Mariyana Daud, 29, sebelum ditemui rentung dalam kedudukan bersujud sambil memeluk anak tunggalnya, Nur Sabihah Qasreena Mohd Nizam, 3, yang turut maut dalam kebakaran di Kampung Seri Paya Darat, Ayer Hitam di sini, awal pagi semalam.

Dalam kejadian jam 1.30 pagi itu, Lenny dipercayai hanya sempat menjerit meminta bantuan buat beberapa saat disertai tangisan kuat Sabihah ketika cuba menyelamatkan diri dari biliknya.
Lenny yang bakal mendirikan rumah tangga buat kali kedua hujung tahun ini dipercayai gagal melarikan diri dengan anaknya melalui pintu dan tingkap bilik akibat asap tebal selain api marak.

Melihat api marak selain kesukaran menyelamatkan diri, Lenny dipercayai hanya mampu membongkok seperti bersujud sambil memeluk anaknya sebelum dua beranak itu ditemui rentung di sudut tepi katil oleh anggota Bomba dan Penyelamat, kira-kira jam 4 pagi.

Kakaknya, Ratna Dewi, 35, berkata Lenny pulang ke rumah selepas membawa ibu mereka, Saringatin Jalal, 65, berurut di kampung bersebelahan pada kira-kira jam 12 tengah malam.

“Selepas itu, Lenny membasuh baju dan bersolat sebelum tidur di biliknya pada jam 1 pagi. Kira-kira setengah jam kemudian, ketika berehat di ruang tamu, saya terdengar bunyi hentakan kaki ke lantai.

“Pada mulanya, saya ingatkan dia mengigau dan tidak mengendahkan bunyi berkenaan, namun ia semakin kuat diikuti jeritan Nini meminta tolong serta tangisan anaknya.

“Saya dan ibu bergegas ke bilik dan membuka pintu, namun api marak menyebabkan kami gagal membawa mereka keluar,” katanya di lokasi kejadian, semalam.

Ratna berkata, tidak lama kemudian jeritan meminta tolong dan tangisan anak saudaranya itu tidak lagi kedengaran dan dia terus menjerit meminta enam lagi ahli keluarga yang lain menyelamatkan diri apabila melihat api semakin merebak.

Ratna berkata, abangnya cuba memadamkan api dengan menyimbah air di tingkap bagi membolehkan Lenny terjun menyelamatkan diri, namun api terlalu marak.

Sementara itu, adik bongsu mangsa, Seri Rusidah, 25, berkata, dia hanya sedar berkaitan kejadian apabila terdengar jeritan ibunya mengatakan rumah terbakar.

“Ketika itu saya dan suami, Asaari Mohd Muji, 26, nyenyak tidur sebelum pintu bilik di ketuk ahli keluarga yang meminta kami melarikan diri kerana rumah dijilat api.

“Saya bersama suami terus keluar untuk mendapatkan bantuan, malangnya apabila kembali, rumah sudah hangus manakala kakak serta anaknya gagal diselamatkan.

“Sayu hati kami melihat dua beranak berkenaan rentung dengan arwah kakak dalam keadaan bersujud memeluk arwah Sabihah,” katanya.

http://www.hmetro.com.my/articles/Rentungbersujud/Article

Am I ready for another baby?

2010-11-07T02:35:00.000-08:00

Non-daily contraceptive options available include the levonorgestrel intrauterine system, copper intrauterine device, progestogen implants, and sterilisation.

JULIE, 33, is a senior manager at an accounting firm. She has been married for five years and recently gave birth to her second child, Jayden, 10 months ago. Her first child, Caitlin, is two years old.

Although Julie and her husband are very happy to have a son, they did not plan on adding to the family so soon as they are both still focused on building their careers. Julie’s unplanned pregnancy happened when she forgot to take her oral contraceptive pills, and she does not want to run the risk of being surprised with another child in the next few years.

For couples such as Julie and her husband, deciding whether to expand your family by one more – whether this would be your second child or your fourth – is one of the most significant decisions you will make in your lifetime. Assuming that you have struck a happy balance with your present family size, it is understandable that mothers can be pulled between the joys of having another child and a reluctance to upset the balance that currently exists.

While you and your husband are still deciding on whether you wish to have more children, it is essential to have effective and reversible contraception.

Non-daily contraceptive options available today include the levonorgestrel intrauterine system, copper intrauterine device, progestogen implants, and sterilisation.

The advantages of these methods are that they require less action by the user, and for levonorgestrel and progestogen implants, create steady blood hormone levels due to continuous release of a low dose of hormones.

A ‘fit and forget contraception’

The levonorgestrel intrauterine system or LNG-IUS is one of the most effective contraceptive options available when compared with other methods such as condoms, oral contraceptive pills, and hormone injections. Most importantly, this method does not require daily patient compliance as it provides continuous and effective contraception for up to five years.

The LNG-IUS is a small, T-shaped device made of impregnated plastic that is placed inside the uterus (womb) to provide continuous contraceptive protection. The LNG-IUS releases a progestogen called levonorgestrel (LNG), which acts directly on the lining of the uterus to make it thin and unreceptive to implantation of a fertilised egg, and changes the lining of the fallopian tubes and the mucous produced by the cervix to make it difficult for sperm to swim.

In some women, it also stops ovulation from occurring.

The insertion of LNG-IUS can be carried out in your doctor’s clinic within minutes. Once inserted, you should not be aware of the system. The device is removed by your doctor after five years, or earlier if contraception is no longer required. If further contraception is needed, a new system is inserted at the same time as removal of the previous system.

The most common side effect of the LNG-IUS is a change in the pattern of your periods. This can include an increased time between periods or longer periods, but the longer the LNG-IUS is in place, the more likely that periods will become fewer (further apart) or, for some women, absent altogether.

The LNG-IUS is useful for women who need effective long-term contraception, have just had a baby, who need a reversible alternative to sterilisation, and those who are dissatisfied with other methods of contraception. Compliance is good as it is a “fit and forget” method, which makes it convenient to use. The LNG-IUS is also becoming an increasingly preferred alternative to the irreversibility of sterilisation among women in developed nations.

An advantage of the LNG-IUS is that it can provide effective contraception for a mother who is breastfeeding as the hormone effect is contained within the womb and will not affect the composition or volume of breast milk produced. Other benefits of the LNG-IUS include reduced menstrual flow and pain, a shorter duration of menstrual bleeding, as well as increased haemoglobin and serum ferritin (iron) levels.

Normal menstruation generally returns within 30 days after removal of the LNG-IUS, and a woman’s usual level of fertility returns quickly after removal, with conception rates becoming equal to before IUS use (90% within the first year). Pregnancies progress as normal with no increased risk of foetal abnormalities.

The Copper IUD (Cu-IUD)

A Cu-IUD is also inserted into the uterus and may be left in the uterus for up to 10 years. However, it is different from the LNG-IUS in that it does not release hormones, but copper, into the uterus. Copper is toxic to sperm. The presence of an IUD interferes with the movement of sperm, fertilisation of eggs, and implantation. Cu-IUDs may sometimes cause increased menstrual flow, cramps, or backaches.

A Cu-IUD is a small plastic device that has a stem wound with fine copper wire. It looks like a small anchor with two side branches. Attached to the base of the stem is a nylon string. The string hangs out from the uterus through the cervix and can be felt with the fingers high in the vagina.

The insertion procedure for the copper IUD is similar to the LNG-IUS. Fertility will also return with the removal of the copper IUD.

The implant

The contraceptive hormonal implant is inserted under the skin of the inner, upper arm to provide three years of contraceptive protection. The implant is made of plastic containing a progestogen, and is 2mm wide and 4cm long – similar in shape and size to a match stick.

Your doctor will remove the implant after it has been in place for three years, or at any time prior to this if the contraceptive effect is no longer required. Normal fertility returns soon after removal of the implant. To continue contraception, a new implant must be inserted at the time of removal of the previous one.

The contraceptive hormonal implant will continuously release a progestogen hormone called etonogestrel, which prevents ovulation from occurring each month. This means that no egg is available for fertilisation, so pregnancy is avoided. The contraceptive hormonal implant also changes the mucous produced by the cervix, which makes it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus.

Even though the contraceptive hormonal implant is inserted and removed with just a local anaesthetic, you need to be comfortable with the idea of having an implant placed under your skin if you plan to use this contraceptive option. Prolonged, irregular or absent periods, acne, weight gain, headache, and breast tenderness are among the side-effects that have been reported in some women using the contraceptive hormonal implant.

Sterilisation

This is an irreversible method of contraception which can be performed on either the male or female. In tubal ligation for the female, the Fallopian tubes are cut and stitched to prevent the ovum (egg) from reaching the uterus. It is a surgical procedure requiring a general anaesthetic.

In the male, a vasectomy is a minor surgical procedure that interrupts the vas deferens (tube that connects the testes to the urinary tract), preventing the sperm from entering the urinary tract, so that semen is ejaculated without sperm. A vasectomy is usually done under local anaesthetic. Sterilisation results in permanent infertility in the female or male in which the procedure is done and cannot be reversed.

Deciding on whether your family is complete or not is a personal decision and one that needs to be discussed thoroughly with your partner and other family members. Family members bond through the process of being considered in the decision making process. Discussing and gathering input will help you and your children prepare for the challenges and the joys of adding a new member to the family.

Nevertheless, until you and your husband decide that the family is ready, effective contraception is a vital consideration in avoiding an unplanned pregnancy.

By Dr S.Y. CHONG
http://thestar.com.my/health/story.asp?file=/2010/11/7/health/7348379&sec=health

> This article is contributed by Dr S.Y. Chong, medical advisor with Bayer Schering Pharma. This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not be taken in place of a consultation with your doctor. Bayer Schering Pharma disclaims any and all liability for injury or other damages that could result from use of the information obtained from this article.

Bayi dijual RM10,000 perkg.

2010-11-02T20:10:00.000-07:00

gambar hiasan

KUALA LUMPUR: Mengejutkan, hospital swasta di Jalan Ipoh, yang diserbu polis kerana dipercayai terbabit dalam sindiket penjualan bayi petang kelmarin, didapati sudah tamat tempoh lesen operasinya sejak April lalu.

Selepas serbuan polis yang membongkar aktiviti haram itu, tinjauan Berita Harian semalam mendapati hospital berkenaan berkunci dan diletakkan tanda “ditutup”.

Tindakan itu dikatakan berikutan penahanan enam suspek termasuk pemilik hospital yang juga seorang doktor bergelar Datuk, isterinya dan anak perempuan mereka juga doktor serta tiga jururawat hospital itu. Mereka ditahan reman selama tiga hari mulai semalam.

Sumber Kementerian Kesihatan memberitahu, hospital itu kini pada peringkat rayuan untuk memperbaharui lesen, namun enggan mendedahkan sebab lambat mendapat kelulusan.

“Hospital itu ada membuat permohonan memperbaharui lesen, namun disebabkan beberapa isu, kita masih belum meluluskannya,” katanya yang enggan mendedahkan butiran lanjut.

Berita Harian semalam mendedahkan, Unit Anti Pemerdagangan Orang Bukit Aman menyerbu hospital itu dan menahan enam suspek berkenaan kira-kira jam 4.15 petang selepas selesai urusan menjual seorang bayi perempuan berusia seminggu di hospital itu kepada sepasang suami isteri dengan harga RM21,000.
Dalam kejadian itu, polis juga berjaya menyelamatkan seorang bayi lelaki berusia kira-kira empat bulan. Kedua-dua bayi yang diselamatkan itu kini diletakkan di se-buah pusat perlindungan Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat.

Sumber itu berkata, pihaknya banyak menerima aduan mengenai salah laku hospital dan klinik swasta yang dipercayai menjual bayi itu, namun sehingga kini tiada sebarang laporan diterima.

Katanya, jika hospital itu didapati bersalah menjual bayi, Kementerian Kesihatan mungkin menarik semula lesen operasinya, sementara pembatalan bagi lesen perubatan doktor berkenaan adalah di bawah kuasa Majlis Perubatan Malaysia (MMC).

“MMC akan membuat inkuiri dalaman dan akan memanggil doktor berkenaan untuk membela diri. Jika terbukti bersalah, mereka akan membuat keputusan sama ada untuk menggantung atau membatalkan lesen terbabit,” katanya.

Sementara itu, jurucakap MMC berkata, doktor itu sememangnya berdaftar di bawah majlis berkenaan.

Dalam operasi polis kelmarin, polis turut merampas sijil lahir bayi perempuan itu dan wang tunai RM21,000 dipercayai dibayar suami isteri berkenaan.

Siasatan awal polis mendapati pasangan itu, membeli bayi perempuan berkenaan selepas berurusan sejak sebulan lalu.

Hospital itu dipercayai memalsukan maklumat ibu bapa kandung bayi itu bagi membolehkan pasangan suami isteri terbabit mendapatkan sijil kelahiran yang mereka perolehi pada hari yang sama dengan dibantu kakitangan hospital itu.

Difahamkan, harga bayi dijual sindiket itu boleh mencecah lebih RM30,000 mengikut bangsa dan jantina. Harga bayi lelaki dikatakan lebih mahal yang biasanya dijual antara RM15,000 ke RM20,000. Bayi berbangsa Cina pula paling mahal dan dijual mengikut berat, iaitu RM10,000 sekilogram berikutan permintaannya tinggi dan sukar diperoleh.

http://www.bharian.com.my/bharian/articles/LesenhospitaltamatAprillalu/Article/

Pantau anak marah

2010-10-23T21:23:00.000-07:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Ibu bapa harus memainkan peranan penting untuk menyekat pendedahan terhadap keganasan sama ada menerusi televisyen, video dan Internet yang boleh mempengaruhi perilaku anak mereka.

Pakar psikologi Universiti Teknologi Mara, Prof Dr Amelia Abd Aziz berkata, remaja sememangnya mudah terpengaruh dengan apa yang mereka lihat dan dengar serta akan mengaplikasikan perilaku itu apabila berdepan perkara yang membuat mereka marah.

“Baik remaja mahupun orang dewasa, apabila diselubungi perasaan marah, mereka akan bertindak di luar pemikiran waras sehingga melakukan sesuatu yang buruk tanpa sedar.

“Mereka sedikit sebanyak akan mengikuti perlakuan yang pernah dilihat sebelum ini,” katanya.

Beliau mengulas muka depan akhbar ini semalam yang melaporkan kejadian remaja berusia 14 tahun mati akibat terkena serpihan kaca yang diacukan oleh kakaknya selepas pertengkaran berebutkan alat kawalan jauh televisyen.

Menurutnya, mungkin suspek tidak berniat membunuh mangsa namun apabila berada dalam keadaan marah dan tertekan, dia terdorong untuk bertindak sedemikian.

Katanya, pertengkaran yang berlaku sehingga terjadinya cabar mencabar juga mungkin menyentap kesabaran suspek sehingga bertindak mengacukan serpihan kaca kepada mangsa.

“Keupayaan untuk mengawal kemarahan adalah penting supaya mereka dapat mengendalikan emosi dengan baik.

“Justeru, ibu bapa perlu memahami perilaku anak mereka dan perubahan yang berlaku terhadap tingkah laku mereka perlu dipantau,” katanya.

http://www.hmetro.com.my/articles/Pantauanakmarah/Article

Reports over bosses mistreating pregnant staff on the rise

2010-10-20T19:46:00.000-07:00

KUALA LUMPUR: There has been an increase in the number of reports from women workers who claim their employers discriminate against those who are pregnant.

Among complaints normally given by employers is that pregnant women under-perform in their duties.

MCA public services and complaints bureau head Datuk Michael Chong said he has received six complaints from women who alleged their bosses gave them a hard time, leading them to resign from their jobs.

Citing an example, Chong said one woman complained that her employer always nagged her for going to the toilet so often.

“She had to explain that she could not avoid it as she was pregnant,” he said, adding that the complainant also alleged she was put in “cold storage” by not being assigned the tasks she usually did before her pregnancy.

“Unable to take it any more, she resigned from her job,” Chong told a press conference here yesterday.

He said it was traumatic for pregnant women, who had worked to support their husband or family, to eventually lose their source of income.

“The department is contemplating legal action against employers who harass pregnant women under their payroll,” he said, adding that among those who had lodged complaints with his department were women who were still under probation at the work place.

Others had worked for two or more years with their employers.

Chong said he was worried that with the extension of maternity leave to 90 days for working mothers, there would be an increase of such victimisation.

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/10/21/nation/7259530&sec=nation

Jangan ganggu emak memasak ya (English)

2010-10-17T19:41:00.000-07:00

I wished it were a matter of simply watching Mom while she cooked. Mom is a fantastic chef, but she did not like interlopers in her kitchen. She preferred to be left alone, and we girls knew better than to bother her while she was cooking up her culinary achievements. Even Dad steered clear when she was at work. My plan to sit in the kitchen and carefully document each step as she prepared her sauce meant that I would be entering uncharted and dangerous waters.

Thursday arrived accompanied by rising anticipation. I rushed home from work, quickly changed my clothes, and sat at the kitchen table with pad and pen. "Don't worry, Mom. I'll stay out of your way. You won't even know I'm here."

Mom gave me a look that said, "I already know you're here." She set an empty pot on the stove and began chopping an onion. I watched her and asked my first question. "How big is that onion?"

"What do you mean, ‘How big?' It's an onion."

Her back was to me, but I was sure she rolled her eyes.

"I know it's an onion, but is it a small, medium, or large onion?"

She sighed. "Let's just say it's a medium one."

I wrote that down: one medium onion, finely diced.

Then she reached for the garlic, broke off a couple of cloves, and crushed them.

"How many cloves was that?"

"Two... unless of course they're large, then you only need one."

I wrote that down as well.

Mom poured some olive oil into the pot, and then added the onion and garlic.

"Wait! How much oil did you use?"

"I don't know. Enough for the pot."

I ignored the growing annoyance in her voice. "Well, how much is that?"

"It depends on the size of the pot. Just enough to coat the bottom. Use your judgment."

I didn't want to use my judgment. I wanted a recipe.

Mom emptied a can of pureed tomatoes into the blender. Then she added the blended mixture to the onions.

I grabbed the empty can and noted the size. "But why did you bother to blend tomatoes that are already pureed?"

"Because this is the way I make it. Are you here to tell me how to prepare my sauce, or to learn?"

Next, she poured one can each of tomato soup, tomato sauce, and tomato paste into the blender. I wrote down the size of each empty can when she finished.

While I wrote, Mom took a bunch of parsley and began chopping. Scooping up a handful of the chopped parsley, she moved toward the blender.

"Wait!" I jumped up and reached for her wrist. "How much parsley is that before you add it to the tomatoes?"

"A handful."

"But, Mom, how much is a handful? Your hands are smaller than mine!"

I grabbed a large measuring cup and had her empty the parsley into it, noting the amount. After blending the parsley and tomatoes, she added the mixture to the pot. I could see she was beginning to get a little rattled, but thankfully we seemed to be near the end.

"Mom, I forgot to ask. How long were the onions cooking before you added the other things?"

"Once the oil begins to bubble, simmer for about five minutes."

Then she sprinkled some oregano into the palm of her hand and walked over to the stove, only to be intercepted by me once again. I carefully emptied the contents of her hand into a measuring spoon. "Aha. Just about one teaspoon." I dashed back to my pad and wrote it down.

"That's it. Simmer the whole thing for about an hour."

"Uh... Mom? That's the second time you said ‘simmer.' Exactly what does that mean?"

She counted to ten before she answered. "It means cook over a low flame."

The sauce was simmering, and so was Mom.

I waited a few moments before venturing to ask my final question. "Are we done?"

"Yes, we're done. Now it just cooks — simmers — for an hour. There's nothing more for you to write down, so please get out of my kitchen before you drive me completely crazy!"

An hour later, we all sat down to dinner. My sister was the first to speak up. "Mom? This sauce doesn't taste like you usually make. Did you do something different?"

"Of course not. It has the same ingredients I always... wait a minute." Mom grimaced and shot me one of her patented looks. "I forgot the sugar... and the salt and pepper."

The rest of the family laughed as I shrunk down in my seat.

I learned an important lesson that day. We've now been married more than thirty years, and my very special husband has always been served a very special spaghetti sauce.

Ragu.

http://www.chickensoup.com/bulletin.asp?newsid=newsletter-101016-2

More women giving birth after 40

2010-05-24T18:13:00.000-07:00

When it comes to changing diapers, breastfeeding and swaddling, 40 is the new 30.

A recent national report found birth rates falling in virtually every age group of women in their childbearing years — except for those between 40 and 50. The group aged 40 to 44 had its largest birth rate since 1967.

Benefiting from improvements in reproductive technology and the fact that most Americans are living longer, more women 40 and over are choosing to have children in later life, particularly after they've accomplished career goals.

That means that as the nation celebrates Mother's Day, over-40 moms are still scheduling visits with the pediatrician while some their age have become grandmothers. Yet several local over-40 moms said they'd have it no other way; the births come when they're more settled, selfless and focused on family.

"I had a very successful career, I did a lot of traveling and I really don't have a lot on my list of things that I haven't done," said Katherine Lally of Pikesville, 42, whose son Emmett will be 2 in July. She also has a 5-year-old daughter, Astrid.

"My take is that we bring our life experiences to mothering. By being an older mom I can bring everything I've learned from my studies, travel, work and life into it," Lally added. "That may be why the trend is towards delaying motherhood — the ability to wait until it's the right time for your family to begin."

The 2008 birth rate report, based on preliminary data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics, found that the birth rate for women in the U.S. aged 40–44 increased 4 percent from the previous year, to 9.9 births per 1,000 women. That was the highest birth rate since 1967, when it was 10.6. The rate for women 45-54 increased from 0.6 in 2007 to 0.7 in 2008.

The report said that in 2008 there were 106,090 births to women ages 40-44. In 1990, there were 48,607 births to that age group.

Brady Hamilton, a statistician at the National Center for Health Statistics and one of the authors of the report, said that during the sluggish economy younger women often delay pregnancy, something that older women cannot do.

Though the overall number of births to women 40 and over are still smaller than those of younger groups, the steady increase reflects marked improvements in life expectancy and improvements to prenatal care, experts say.

Data from the Cleveland Clinic shows that the risk of miscarriage is about 40 percent for women at 40, compared to 15 percent for women in their 20s.

At age 40, there is also a greater likelihood of giving birth prematurely or to a baby with low birth weight. The likelihood of Down Syndrome is ten times higher for a baby born to a 40-year-old woman than one who is 20. There is also a higher risk of ectopic pregnancy, in which an embryo implants outside the uterus, sometimes in a Fallopian tube. Hypertension and gestational diabetes are diagnosed more frequently in pregnant women over age 35.

Dr. May H. Blanchard, chief of the division of general obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Maryland Medical Center, said that with better technology to diagnose abnormalities earlier and monitor pregnant women more closely, some of the risks are tempered.

"I will say that for women who are of normal body weight and have no other complicating factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic illnesses, once we've done initial genetic screening and ruled out any chromosomal abnormalities, the risks shouldn't be that much more than someone five years younger," Blanchard said.

Being told of possible abnormalities can be stressful in itself, but Lally said that for older women it comes with the territory.

"A younger parent doesn't know going in that during pregnancy you're going to have some unexpected avenues and things happen, but when you are an older mom you have that presented to you as a possibility," said Lally, who said she had "an easy birth" with Emmett.

Lisa Karmel, 45, of Bel Air, knows what it's like to bear children at different stages of life. Married three times, she was 19 when she gave birth to her first child, Billy Lamana. She was 34 when her daughter Delaney Jennings was born.

She gave birth to her third child, Juliette, two months ago.

"My husband and I were married August, 2008, and we talked about adding to our blended family, and what a new baby would bring to our lives," said Karmel, who also has a stepdaughter, Naomi Karmel, 9. "We decided that we were ready and we wanted another child together. We conceived without any in-vitro assistance, and we see it as meant to be."

Karmel added that of her three pregnancies, she felt most comfortable with her last.

"As you age you learn to roll with the punches, and I found that I wasn't taking anything for granted," she added. "I feel fortunate that we were able to have a baby and have it go so well."

Rolling with the punches is vital, because older mothers admit that there are some challenges, namely battling perceptions that they are self-centered to have had a baby at such a late age. Those sentiments are consistent with a survey taken last year by Pew Research Center about attitudes toward women who give birth after 40.

In a nationally representative sample of 1,003 adults, included married and unmarried people, 33 percent said that they believe women giving birth after 40 was bad for society, while 47 percent said it didn't make much difference and 13 percent said it was good for society.

"Older Americans, 65 and older, are most likely to be disapproving: 43 percent of them said it was bad for society," said D'Vera Cohn, senior writer at the Pew Research Center and co-author of the survey. "Men are somewhat more likely to say that it doesn't make a difference."

Karmel said that for the most part, she's heard few comments about being an older mom with an infant.

But during a department store visit with Juliette, Karmel said that another patron approached the two, admired the infant, then turned to mom and said, "Is she yours?"

"And during my pregnancy I had a couple of people come to me and say, 'Better you and not me,' or 'You must be crazy,' " Karmel added. "Those comments stung a bit, but you have to have the maturity not to let things bother you."

Both Karmel and Lally say that support groups help in those areas, too.

A local branch of a national group for older mothers called Motherhood Later … Than Sooner was launched in January by Donna Bogash, 49, of Reisterstown. She said that her desire to have a child in her 40s was met with skepticism by a doctor who told her, "No reputable fertility specialist would touch you with a 10-foot pole."

"My mother had me at 39 and my youngest brother at 42, and that was back in the early 1960s. She's still around and active at 87," Bogash said. "Times, attitudes, lifestyles and health have changed a lot since then. My advice to a woman over 40 considering having a baby is, don't let the number get in your way. There are pluses and minuses to having children at any age."

Then there's Flowerpowermom.com, a website and blog launched six months ago to advocate for women over 40. Site creator Angel La Liberte, 49, of Santa Cruz, Calif., said she launched it because of experiences she endured as an over-40 mom. She gave birth to her first child at 41 and her second at 44.

The site, which has followers in the Baltimore area, lists famous women who have given birth over 40 (Nancy Grace, Susan Sarandon, Salma Hayek), as well as books, resources and a site newsletter. On Mother's Day, the site will feature, "Celebrating Motherhood After 40," a tribute photo album to older mothers across the country.

"They lend their support by telling their story, so other over-40 moms hear it and feel empowered," said La Liberte.

Karmel says she looks forward to what motherhood will bring in her older years.

"I find myself in a much more grounded position, and I am confident in who I am," said Karmel. "I am much more selfless and loving. There is a marked difference in who I am as a woman at 45 than at 19 and 34."

More women giving birth after 40
May 07, 2010|By Joe Burris, The Baltimore Sun
http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2010-05-07/features/bs-pa-motherhood-after-40-20100503_1_birth-rate-older-women-improvements-in-life-expectancy

Pukul anak biar berpada

2010-05-19T00:30:00.001-07:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Ibu bapa masih mempunyai pelbagai pilihan mendidik anak termasuk memukul, namun tindakan itu tidak boleh keterlaluan sehingga mendatangkan kecederaan dan boleh diklasifikasikan sebagai penderaan.

Peguam Kanan Persekutuan Seksyen Syariah, Jabatan Peguam Negara, Mahamad Naser Disa, berkata ibu bapa perlu bijak mendidik anak bukannya mengikut emosi dan panas baran.

Menurutnya, memukul anak secara keterlaluan dan mendatangkan kecederaan boleh mengakibatkan ibu bapa terbabit didakwa dan dikenakan tindakan undang-undang.

“Ibu bapa boleh memukul dengan tujuan mendidik saja bukannya mendera dan mencederakan anak. Jika memukul dalam keadaan sangat teruk, ibu bapa terbabit boleh dituduh mendatangkan kecederaan,” katanya.

Akhbar semalam melaporkan, akibat mengajar anak, vokalis kumpulan rock XPDC, Mael atau nama sebenarnya, Syed Ismail Syed Ibrahim didenda RM500 oleh Mahkamah Majistret di Tangkak, Johor, selepas mengaku bersalah mencederakan anak perempuannya yang berusia 16 tahun di rumah isterinya di Tanjung Agas, 9 Mei lalu. Mael, 42, yang lebih dikenali sebagai Mael XPDC mengaku bersalah melakukan perbuatan itu selepas jurubahasa membacakan pertuduhan di hadapan Majistret Salina Omar. Dia didakwa dengan sengaja mendatangkan kecederaan kepada anaknya di sebuah rumah di Jalan Ahmad, Tanjung Agas pada jam 7.30 malam sebelum dihadapkan ke mahkamah mengikut Seksyen 323 Kanun Keseksaan yang membawa hukuman penjara hingga setahun atau denda RM2,000 atau kedua-duanya. Mahamad Naser berkata, dalam aspek perundangan syariah juga ibu bapa tidak dibenarkan mengambil tindakan keterlaluan dan mendatangkan kecederaan kepada anak.

“Walaupun anak terbabit tidak mengerjakan ibadat seperti solat, masih tidak boleh dipukul dengan teruk. Sama juga dengan mencuri, misalnya anak terbabit mencuri wang ibu bapa, dia tidak boleh dipukul teruk tetapi hanya pukulan ringan sebagai pengajaran di tapak tangan tidak mengapa,” katanya.

Justeru katanya, ibu bapa perlu berhati-hati dengan setiap tindakan yang diambil dalam proses pendidikan anak supaya anak tidak menjadi mangsa dera manakala ibu bapa terselamat daripada tuduhan mendera.

Katanya, ibu bapa sewajarnya mengutamakan kaedah bersifat intelektual dalam proses mendidik anak kerana ia lebih sesuai terutama pada zaman sekarang.

Oleh Idris Musa
2010/05/19
http://www.hmetro.com.my/myMetro/articles/Pukulanakbiarberpada/Article

In my daughter's eyes

2010-05-01T03:03:00.000-07:00

In my daughter's eyes I am a hero
I am strong and wise and I know no fear
But the truth is plain to see
She was sent to rescue me
I see who I wanna be
In my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes everyone is equal
Darkness turns to light and the
world is at peace
This miracle God gave to me gives me
strength when I am weak
I find reason to believe
In my daughter's eyes

And when she wraps her hand
around my finger
Oh it puts a smile in my heart
Everything becomes a little clearer
I realize what life is all about

It's hangin' on when your heart
has had enough
It's giving more when you feel like giving up
I've seen the light
It's in my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes I can see the future
A reflection of who I am and what will be
Though she'll grow and someday leave
Maybe raise a family
When I'm gone I hope you see how happy
she made me
For I'll be there
In my daughter's eyes

No milk, please: The lowdown on feeding newborns cow’s milk.

2010-04-27T20:38:00.000-07:00

MANY Malaysian mothers do not breastfeed their newborn babies. The babies are given bottled milk at birth or within a few months after birth. The bottled milk is usually derived from cow’s milk which comprises protein, fat, sugar, vitamins and minerals mixed with water. Some babies are allergic to the proteins in cow’s milk. This occurs despite the efforts of the milk manufacturers to produce bottled milk that is as close to mother’s breast milk as possible.

It is generally accepted that about 1% to 5% of infants are allergic to the proteins in cow’s milk and its various formulations.

Nasty reaction: Up to 5% of infants are allergic to the proteins in cow’s milk and its various formulations. To avoid the allergy it is advisable to breastfeed the baby for six months or more.
Most infants will, fortunately, outgrow the milk allergies by the time they are two or three years old.

Milk allergy has to be distinguished from lactose intolerance. The former involves the body’s immune system but the latter does not. Milk allergic reactions occur with the smallest amount of milk consumed.

Lactose intolerance is usually dose related – small amounts are tolerated by the body but larger amounts lead to a reaction which may mimic milk allergy.

Lactose intolerance is of slower onset than milk allergy and is not life-threatening. It is a harmless condition.

Milk intolerance is due to lactose intolerance which is the inability of the gastrointestinal system to absorb lactose, the primary sugar in milk and milk products such as milk powder, butter, margarine, cheese, yoghurt and chocolate. The lactose composition of milk products can be found by reading the labels of the products.

Lactose comprises two sugars bound together. Its absorption can occur when it is split up into two smaller sugars by an enzyme called lactase which is produced by the cells lining the small intestine. If the amount of lactase is low or absent, the body cannot or would have difficulty in splitting the lactose into two smaller sugars. The lactose then passes into the large intestine where the bacteria there cause it to ferment, producing a large amount of gas.

The amount of lactase in the intestine is high in babies. As the baby grows, the amount of milk consumed decreases leading to a reduction in the amount of lactase in the intestine.

Many Asians are at risk of developing lactose intolerance unlike adults in Europe and North America. Many people develop lactose intolerance when they have diarrhoeal diseases, during which the lining of the small intestine is slightly damaged by the frequent bowel movements. This results in a reduced production of lactose by the cells lining the small intestine.

Other causes of lactose intolerance are diseases of the stomach or intestines and its surgical treatment.

There are, however, some people who have low lactase levels but who are not lactose intolerant. The reason for this is unknown. The symptoms of lactose intolerance are abdominal distension and/or colic, stomach rumbling, increased passage of wind, nausea and diarrhoea.

There is marked variation in the symptoms of lactose intolerance. Some people do not have problems but others have symptoms with a small amount of lactose. Some do not have problems with certain foods which contain lactose but cannot tolerate other lactose-containing foods.

Self diagnosis of lactose intolerance is not difficult. This is done by refraining from consumption of lactose containing foods for a few days and then drinking two to three glasses of milk. If there is a tummy ache or diarrhoea within 30 minutes or so, it is likely that there is lactose intolerance.

The diagnosis of lactose intolerance can be confirmed by tests done by the doctor. One test involves measuring the blood sugar before and after drinking a lactose containing fluid. If the blood sugar is increased, there is no lactose intolerance. Another test involves analysing the breath for hydrogen gas after drinking a lactose-containing fluid. Hydrogen gas will be present if there is lactose intolerance as the lactose-containing fluid will be fermented by the bacteria in the large intestine. If one has an endoscopic examination, which involves passing a tube-like instrument into the stomach and intestine, the lining of the small intestine may be analysed.

Treatment

The treatment of lactose intolerance depends on the severity of the symptoms. If the symptoms are mild, all that is necessary is to reduce the consumption of milk and milk products. If the symptoms are severe, a lactose-free diet would be necessary. The doctor will, in such situations, refer the patient to a dietician who will advise on the composition of a lactose-free diet.

Lactose intolerance can be prevented by abstaining or reducing the consumption of milk and milk products when one has diarrhoea or has just recovered from it.

There are two ways in which cow’s milk allergy present: gradually or suddenly. It usually presents gradually before the baby is six months old. The clinical features commonly occur with the passage of loose stools, blood in the stools, vomiting, colic, irritability and poor growth.

It can also present suddenly and rapidly with vomiting, wheezing, swelling of the skin and eyes, and rarely, anaphylactic shock, which is a sudden and severe allergic reaction involving the whole body and which is life threatening. This usually occurs soon after contact with the cow’s milk allergen. Both the cardiovascular and respiratory systems are affected with marked changes in the blood pressure and breathing difficulties. Most babies will outgrow their allergy to cow’s milk by the time they are two to four years of age.

Cow’s milk allergy may also be associated with other allergies like eczema and asthma. If the cow’s milk allergy is not addressed adequately, it may lead to effects on growth with failure to thrive and nutritional deficiencies. The management of cow’s milk allergy is premised on avoiding cow’s milk. This would include a breastfeeding mother avoiding dairy products in her diet, lest it be transmitted to the baby in the breast milk.

The formula for bottle-fed babies has to be changed to one that is soy or hydrolysate-based. The latter contain cow’s milk proteins which are less allergenic because they have been broken down. If the allergy is severe, an amino acid based formula is used. Most manufacturers market “hypoallergenic” formula products.

It is important to remember that there is cross allergy between cow’s milk and soy milk in up to 50% of the late onset type of cow’s milk allergy and 15% of the rapid onset type. If the allergy is severe, treatment with medicines like anti-histamines and adrenaline will be necessary. Vitamin supplementation may also be necessary.

If there is a family history of allergies (eczema and asthma), it is advisable to totally breastfeed the baby for six months or more. This will delay the onset of symptoms if the baby has cow’s milk allergy. There are other benefits of breastfeeding which include improved immunity for the child and bonding.

If one wants to provide cow’s milk in a child’s diet, this may be done when the child is 12 to 18 months old. However, it is advisable to do this under medical supervision. It is important to check all food labels and avoid any food that contains milk or milk products. Advice from a doctor or dietician would be useful if one is unsure.

DR MILTON LUM
http://www.thestar.com.my/health/story.asp?file=/2010/4/28/health/6103183&sec=health
Dr Milton Lum is a member of the board of Medical Defence Malaysia. This article is not intended to replace, dictate or define evaluation by a qualified doctor. The views expressed do not represent that of any organisation the writer is associated with.

Letter: Daughters are a parent’s assets

2010-04-18T09:31:00.000-07:00

EVERY mother, I guess, would hope to have a daughter primarily due to the belief that daughters would take care of their parents better.

I don’t really know how true that is.

I come from a small family and have two brothers. Being the only girl, I’m the one closest to my mum and I was my Dad’s girl when he was alive. However, my elder brother is the favourite of my parents and the younger one, as usual, is treated as the bongsu (youngest child).

My brothers and I are now in our 50s and have our own families. My elder brother migrated to the West with my mum after my father passed away. I migrated to Malaysia because of marriage and my younger brother stayed back in our home country.

At first, it was difficult for my mother to overcome her longing for her children because we couldn’t all be together to see her regularly due to financial constraints. I communicate with her through letters and phone calls. I had the opportunity to visit her in 1997 (after eight years) and then again in 2008. She managed to be reunited with my younger brother after 15 years.

Now she’s 85 years old and with that comes the typical problems of old age (and sometimes it’s only daughters who can understand). She has won two battles against cancer but lost her battle to partial blindness and deafness. And because of this, communicating with her through letters and phone calls is very tedious on her part.

Being away from my mum and not being able to care for her needs, especially her emotional needs that my elder brother and family cannot fully satisfy, hurts the most. It is at this point that I realised that an emotional handicap is harder to face than a physical handicap.

Every time I see aged women, it brings tears to my eyes and I long for my mum. When I see daughters taking care of their aged mother or parents, it pierces my heart so deeply that sometimes guilt overwhelms me. And it becomes worse whenever my elder brother asks me to talk to my mum because they can’t tolerate her “stubbornness” any longer.

I always envy people who are able to take care of their aged parents for I believe this is the best way to “pay them back” or fulfil our filial obligation for the good life they have provided us. Whenever I go for my medical checkup, it eats at my heart seeing daughters who are able to care for their parents and to see the parents who are lucky to have such daughters. And my heart goes out to the aged who have nobody to care for them.

And because of this, I tend to treat my friends’ mothers as my own and I have a soft spot for the elderly. It warms the cockles of my heart to be able to call somebody who is physically present, “mum”.

I am also a mother and I have two wonderful sons. And that is the reason I know how mothers feel. Often I ask myself, “Are daughters really a parent’s assets?” There may be a big generation gap between parents and children but I know that in one’s heart of hearts, this gap is invisible.

Well, I guess I would say that whatever the distance may be, my loving, caring and understanding mum never demanded that I take care of her. She always has our best interests at heart. And I hope that when my husband and I reach that stage, we would be blessed to have someone with a heart of gold to care for us when we’re incapacitated.

By ALELI
http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2010/4/18/lifefocus/6031886&sec=lifefocus

Surah pilihan untuk wanita mengandung: Maryam

2010-04-18T08:37:00.001-07:00

Bayi tercekik bebola ikan

2010-04-16T07:00:00.000-07:00

TAMPIN: Seorang bayi lelaki berusia sembilan bulan maut dipercayai akibat tercekik bebola ikan di sebuah taman asuhan kanak-kanak (taska) di Jalan Cantik di sini, pagi semalam.

Dalam kejadian kira-kira jam 9 pagi, mangsa, Wan Nur Alif Wan Arif Fadhla terpaksa dikejarkan ke Hospital Tampin kira-kira 50 meter dari taska itu untuk mendapatkan rawatan. Bagaimanapun, dia disahkan meninggal dunia sejurus tiba.

Sumber berkata, mangsa yang juga anak bongsu daripada dua beradik dihantar ke taska berkenaan oleh ibunya yang bertugas sebagai guru di sebuah sekolah di sini, kira-kira jam 7.30 pagi untuk dijaga pengasuh berikutan ibu dan bapanya bekerja.

“Bayi itu tiba-tiba tercekik bebola ikan sebesar ibu jari yang dibelah dua menyebabkan dia terjatuh sejurus selepas itu.

“Pengasuh yang menyedari kejadian itu membawa mangsa ke Hospital Tampin untuk mendapatkan rawatan, tetapi disahkan sudah meninggal dunia,” katanya di sini, semalam.

Difahamkan, pihak berkuasa mengenal pasti bagaimana bayi itu boleh tercekik bebola ikan yang menjadi antara menu makanan pagi di taska itu, semalam.

Sementara itu, bapa mangsa, Wan Arif Fadhla Wan Yusof, 41, ketika ditemui di perkarangan Hospital Tampin, berkata dia menyedari kejadian itu selepas dihubungi isterinya kira-kira jam 11.15 pagi memaklumkan kejadian menimpa bayi mereka.

“Saya terima panggilan daripada isteri (Nur Azita Ibrahim, 31,) memberitahu tubuh anak kami dalam keadaan kebiru-biruan dan sudah dihantar ke hospital untuk menerima rawatan.

“Sebaik tiba, pihak hospital memaklumkan anak saya sudah meninggal dunia kerana tidak dapat bernafas akibat tercekik bebola ikan,” katanya kakitangan Jabatan Penerangan Daerah Rembau itu.

Dia kesal dengan kecuaian pengasuh terbabit menyediakan sarapan bercampur bahan sebesar ibu jari dan diberikan kepada bayi sekecil anaknya.

Katanya, jenazah anaknya dibawa pulang ke kampung asalnya di Marang, Terengganu untuk dikebumikan.

Berikutan itu, Wan Arif Fadhla membuat laporan di Balai Polis Tampin kira-kira jam 12 tengah hari.

Sementara, Ketua Polis Daerah Tampin, Superintendan Wooi Hooi Cheng ketika dihubungi mengesahkan menerima laporan kejadian.

Menurutnya, polis sudah membuka kertas siasatan dan akan memanggil pengusaha taska terbabit untuk merakamkan keterangan.

Seorang pegawai Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (JKM) Daerah ketika dihubungi, berkata pihaknya akan menjalankan siasatan bagi mengetahui punca kejadian itu.

Katanya, mengikut rekod JKM, walaupun taska terbabit sudah beroperasi sejak beberapa lama, pihak pengurusan baru saja memohon untuk didaftarkan dan kini masih dalam proses.

http://www.hmetro.com.my/myMetro/articles/Bayitercekikbebolaikan/Article
Oleh Jaafar Mulup
am@hmetro.com.my
2010/04/15

Ibu Mithali (Cerpen)

2010-04-09T01:16:00.001-07:00

PENERIMA ketiga berjalan perlahan-lahan turun dari pentas. Di lehernya, telah terkalung pingat "Ibu Misali". Tangan kanannya menggenggam erat satu sampul dan segulung sijil. Tangan kirinya pula memegang beberapa hadiah iringan.

Anaknya setia melangkah di sisi."Sekarang ...," suara pengacara majlis bergema kembali, "Tibalah kita kepada penerima anugerah "Ibu Misali" yang terakhir. Penerima ini agak lain daripada yang lain dan sungguh istimewa. Untuk itu, dipersilakan Puan Afifah Rashid naik ke pentas bersama- sama Cik Nurul Humairah, untuk tampil memperkenalkan ibunya. Dipersilakan. "Mataku tercari-cari pasangan ibu dan anak yang bakal mengambil tempat itu. Di barisan penonton paling hadapan, aku dapati seorang anak gadis berkulit hitam manis dan bertubuh tinggi lampai, sedang berusaha memujuk seorang wanita dalam lingkungan usia 60-an untuk bangun.

Aneh, kenapa ibu yang seorang ini nampaknya begitu keberatan untuk naik ke pentas? Kenapa dia tidak seperti tiga orang penerima sebelumnya, yang kelihatan begitu bangga menapak naik ke pentas, sebaik sahaja mereka dijemput? Hampir lima minit kemudian, barulah tampak si anak gadis yang memakai sepasang kebarung bertanah ungu dan berbunga merah jambu serta bertudung ungu kosong, bersusah payah memimpin ibunya naik ke pentas.Ibu itu pun menduduki kerusi yang telah diduduki oleh tiga orang penerima sebelumnya. Anak gadis itu kemudiannya beredar ke pembesar suara. Dia beralih pandang kepada ibunya yang hanya tunduk memerhati lantai pentas.'Pelik sungguh ibu yang seorang ini. Lagaknya bukan lagak orang yang akan menerima anugerah. Dia tak ubah seperti seorang pesalah yang sedang menanti hukuman. Duduknya serba tak kena. Sekejap beralih ke kanan, sekejap berpusing ke kiri. Tangannya menggentel-gentel baju kurung biru muda yang dipakainya.'Dehem si anak dalam pembesar suara membuat aku sedikit tersentak.

Tumpuanku yang sekian lama terhala ke pentas, aku alihkan pada buku notaku. Aku menconteng-conteng helaian yang masih putih bersih itu untuk memastikan penku dalam keadaan yang baik. Kemudian, aku memeriksa kameraku. Filemnya masih ada. Baterinya masih dapat bertahan.Sempat juga aku mengerling rakan-rakan wartawan dari syarikat akhbar dan majalah lain yang duduk di kiri kananku. Nampaknya, pen sudah berada dalam tangan masing-masing. Mata mereka sudah terarah kepada ibu di atas pentas dan anak yang sudah pun memulakan bicaranya dengan bismillah dan, memberi salam.Aku tersenyum dan mengangguk kepada rakan- rakan wartawan yang duduk semeja denganku. Tetapi, senyuman dan anggukanku sudah tidak sempat mereka balas. Aku lantas mengemaskan dudukku mencari posisi yang paling selesa."Pertama sekali, saya ingin memanjatkan rasa syukur ke hadrat Allah, kerana dengan izin-Nyalah saya dan, mak berada dalam majlis yang gilang-gemilang ini. Seterusnya, saya ingin merakamkan penghargaan saya kepada pihak penganjur yang telah mempertimbangkan mak saya sebagai, salah seorang penerima anugerah "Ibu Misali" tahun ini."

Suasana menjadi sunyi. Hadirin memberi tumpuan sepenuhnya kepada percakapan gadis itu."Sebetulnya, ketika saya kecil, saya memang membenci mak. Darjah kebencian itu meningkat setelah saya mendapat tahu Puan Afifah hanyalah mak angkat saya. Pada masa yang sama, saya merasakan sayalah anak yang paling malang, disisihkan oleh ibu sendiri, dan diperhambakan pula oleh mak angkat untuk membantu menjaga anak-anak kandungnya"

"Membantu menjaga anak- anak kandungnya? Mungkin, persoalan itu sedang pergi balik dalam benak tuan-tuan dan puan-puan sekarang. Persoalan itu pasti akan terjawab sebentar lagi, apakala saya mempertontonkan rakaman video yang memaparkan kehidupan anakanak kandung mak. Sebelum itu, saya harus menegaskan bahawa anak-anak yang bakal hadirin lihat nanti bukan terdiri daripada doktor, peguam, jurutera, pensyarah, ahli perniagaan, pemimpin masyarakat, dan guru, seperti mana anak ketiga-tiga "Ibu Misali" yang baru menerima anugerah sebentar tadi."

Suara hadirin yang kehairanan mula kedengaran."Inilah dia abang-abang dan kakak- kakak saya!" suara hadirin semakin kedengaran. Mereka tidak dapat membendung rasa kekaguman."Yang mengeluarkan berbagai-bagai bunyi itu, Abang Long. Yang sedang merangkak ke sana ke mari itu, ialah Kak Ngah. Yang sedang mengesot ke ruang tamu itu, ialah Abang Alang. Yang sedang berjalan sambil berpaut pada dinding itu, ialah Kak Anjang. Yang sedang berjalan jatuh dari dapur ke dalam bilik itu, ialah Abang Andak.""Seperti yang tuan-tuan dan puan-puan saksikan, tahap kecacatan fizikal dan mental abangabang dan, kakak-kakak saya tidak sama. Daripada yang tidak boleh bercakap dan bergerak langsung, seperti bayi yang baru lahir hinggalah kepada yang boleh berjalan jatuh dan, bercakap pelat-pelat, seperti budak berumur satu atau, dua tahun."

Hadirin yang sebentar tadi bingit suaranya kini terdiam kembali. Mereka menonton video yang sedang ditayangkan itu dengan khusyuknya."Untuk pengetahuan semua, abang-abang dan kakak-kakak saya, telah menjangkau usia 20-an dan, 30-an. Namun, meskipun telah dilatih dengan sungguh-sungguh, mereka masih belum pandai mengurus makan minum dan berak kencing mereka sendiri. Lihatlah betapa sukarnya mak hendak melayan makan dan, pakai mereka."

"Sewaktu saya berusia enam atau, tujuh tahun, saya sering mencemburui abang-abang, dan kakak-kakak kerana mereka, mendapat perhatian istimewa daripada mak. Saya iri hati melihat mak memandikan mereka. Saya sakit hati melihat mak menyuap mereka. Sedang saya disuruh buat semua itu sendiri.""Mirah dah besar, kan? Mirah dah boleh uruskan diri Mirah sendiri, kan?" Lembut nada suara mak tiap kali dia memujuk saya. Namun, kelembutan itu telah menyemarakkan api radang saya"Tapi, mak tak adil!" Saya kerap membentak. "Mak buat segalagalanya untuk kakak- kakak dan abang- abang. Kalau untuk Mirah, mak selalu berkira!""Mirah, abang-abang dan kakak-kakak Mirah tidak secerdas Mirah. Mereka cacat!" Berkali-kali mak menegaskan kepada saya. "Sebab itulah mak terpaksa membantu mereka."

"Mereka cacat apa, mak?" Saya membeliakkan mata kepada mak. "Semua anggota mereka cukup. Kaki dan tangan mereka tidak kudung. Mata mereka tidak buta. Yang betulnya, mereka malas, mak!""Mirah ... Mirah belum faham, sayang." Suara mak akan menjadi sayu tiap kali dia mempertahankan kakak-kakak dan abang-abang saya. Tetapi, kesayuan itu tidak pernah mengundang rasa simpati saya."Apabila difikirkan kembali, saya merasakan tindakan saya itu terlalu bodoh. Abang-abang dan kakak-kakak tak pernah kacau saya. Mak pun cuma sekali-sekala saja meminta bantuan saya menyuapkan mereka makan atau menukar kain lampin mereka. Itu pun saya tidak pernah ikhlas menolong.

Saya akan merungut tidak henti-henti sepanjang masa saya melakukan itu. Jika makanan yang saya suap tumpah atau jika abang-abang dan kakak-kakak terkencing atas tangan saya, ketika saya sedang menyalin kain lampin mereka, tangan saya ringan saja mencubit atau menampar mereka. Saya tahu mereka tidak pandai mengadu perbuatan jahat saya kepada mak. Ketika itu, memang saya langsung tidak punya rasa hormat kepada abang-abang dan kakak-kakak. Kepada saya, kehadiran mereka menyusahkan hidup saya.""Hantarlah abang-abang dan kakak-kakak ke rumah kebajikan, mak." Saya pernah mengusulkan kepada mak, ketika saya berusia sepuluh tahun.

"Lepas itu, mak dan ayah boleh hidup senang-lenang macam mak dan ayah orang lain. Mirah pun takkan rasa terganggu lagi.""Mereka anak-anak mak, Mirah. Jadi, maklah yang patut jaga mereka, bukan petugas-petugas di rumah kebajikan." Begitu reaksi mak setiap kali saya mencadangkan hal itu."Saya langsung tidak menghormati, apatah lagi mengagumi pendirian mak.

Mak memang sengaja menempah masalah. Mak tidak menghargai jalan keluar yang telah sedia terentang di hadapannya.""Rasa geram dan marah saya sampai ke puncaknya, semasa saya berusia dua belas tahun. Pada hari itu, mak demam teruk hingga tidak dapat bangun. Ayah terpaksa ambil cuti untuk membawa mak ke klinik. Lalu, saya ditinggalkan untuk menjaga abang-abang dan kakak-kakak di rumah.

Sebelum meninggalkan rumah, biarpun dalam keadaan yang lemah, berkali-kali mak sempat berpesan kepada saya, agar jangan lupa memberi abang-abang dan kakak-kakak makan, dan menukar kain lampin mereka."

Suasana dewan terus sunyi. Hadirin masih khusyuk mendengar cerita gadis itu."Itulah kali pertama saya ditinggalkan bersama-sama abang-abang dan kakak-kakak, selama lebih kurang lima jam. Jangka masa itu cukup menyeksakan. Kebetulan pada hari itu, abang-abang dan kakak-kakak benar-benar mencabar kesabaran saya. Entah mengapa Abang Long enggan makan. Jenuh saya mendesaknya. Abang Alang dan Kak Ngah pula asyik mencirit saja. Letih saya menukar kain lampin mereka. Abang Andak pula, asyik main air ketika saya memandikannya. Basah lencun baju saya dibuatnya. Kak Anjang pula, asyik sepahkan nasi dan tumpahkan air. Penat saya membersihkannya. "

"Apabila mak dan ayah pulang, saya sudah seperti kain buruk, tubuh saya lunyai. Saya sudah tidak berupaya melihat muka mak dan ayah. Saya terus melarikan diri ke rumah ibu kandung saya, yang terletak di sebelah rumah mak. Begitulah lazimnya. Apabila fikiran saya terlalu kacau, saya akan ke rumah ibu untuk mencari ketenangan.

"Ibu!" Saya menerpa masuk lalu memeluk ibu. "Kenapa ibu bagi Mirah kepada mak? Kalau ya pun ibu tidak suka Mirah, bagilah Mirah pada orang lain yang lebih menyayangi Mirah, bukan mak.""Mirah!" Ibu merangkul saya. "Kan dah berkali-kali ibu tegaskan yang ibu bagi Mirah kepada mak bukan kerana ibu tak sayang Mirah.""Lazimnya ibu akan membuka kembali lipatan sejarah hidupnya apabila situasi itu berlaku. Ibu ialah kakak mak. Ibu sakit teruk setelah melahirkan saya. Selama berbulan-bulan ibu terlantar di hospital, mak yang telah menjaga saya. Setelah ibu sembuh, ibu dapat lihat sendiri betapa gembiranya mak dapat menjaga seorang anak normal.Justeru, ibu tidak sampai hati hendak memisahkan kami.""Ibu telah berasa betapa nikmatnya menjaga tujuh orang anak yang pintar dan cerdas. Jadi, biarlah nikmat itu turut dirasakan oleh mak pula dengan menjaga Mirah. Lagipun, dengan menyerahkan Mirah kepada mak, ibu masih dapat melihat Mirah membesar di hadapan mata ibu, walaupun Mirah tinggal bersama-sama mak. Dari pemerhatian ibu, ibu rasa, mak lebih menyayangi Mirah berbanding dengan anak anaknya yang lain.""Sayang apa? Ibu tahu tak yang rumah tu macam neraka bagi Mirah? Ibu tahu tak yang Mirah ni tak ubah seperti hamba di rumah tu?"

"Jangan besar-besarkan perkara yang kecil, Mirah. Ibu tahu sekali-sekala saja mak membebankan Mirah dengan kerja-kerja rumah dan tugas menjaga abang-abang dan kakak-kakak Mirah. Itu pun Mirah buat tidak sesungguh hati. Nasi mentahlah, lauk hanguslah, abang-abang, dan kakak-kakak kena lempanglah.""Mak adu semua kepada ibu, Ya?" Saya masih mahu berkeras meskipun saya tahu saya bersalah."Mak jarang-jarang mengadu keburukan Mirah kepada ibu. Ibu sendiri yang kerap mengintai Mirah dan melihat bagaimana Mirah melaksanakan suruhan mak.""Saya tunduk. Saya sudah tidak sanggup menentang mata ibu.""Ibu malu, Mirah. Ibu mengharapkan kehadiran Mirah di rumah mak kau itu dapat meringankan penderitaan mak.Tetapi, ternyata kehadiran Mirah di rumah itu menambahkan beban mak.""Saya benar-benar rasa terpukul oleh kata-kata ibu.""Ibu rasa, apa yang telah mak beri kepada Mirah, jauh lebih baik daripada apa yang diberi kepada anak-anaknya sendiri. Mirah dapat ke sekolah. Kakak-kakak dan abang-abang Mirah hanya duduk di rumah. Mirah dapat banyak pakaian cantik. Sedang anak-anak mak yang lain pakaiannya itu-itulah juga. Setiap kali Mirah berjaya dalam peperiksaan, mak sungguh gembira. Dia akan meminta ibu tolong menjaga abang-abang dan kakak-kakak kerana dia nak lihat Mirah terima hadiah.""Saya tidak sanggup mendengar kata-kata ibu selanjutnya, bukan kerana saya tidak mengakui kesalahan saya, tetapi kerana saya benar-benar malu.""Saya meninggalkan rumah ibu bukan kerana berasa tersisih daripada ibu kandung sendiri, atau berasa kecewa sebab tidak mendapat pembelaan yang diharap- harapkan. Saya meninggalkan rumah ibu dengan kesedaran baru."

"Sesampainya saya ke rumah tempat saya berteduh selama ini,saya dapati mak yang belum sembuh betul sedang melayan kerenah abang-abang dan kakak-kakak dengan penuh sabar. Saya terus menghilangkan diri ke dalam bilik kerana saya dihantui oleh rasa bersalah. Di dalam bilik, saya terus resah-gelisah. ""Mirah," panggilan lembut mak seiring dengan bunyi ketukan di pintu bilik saya. "Mirah.""Saya cepat-cepat naik ke atas katil dan memejam mata, pura-pura tidur.""Sejurus kemudian, terdengar bunyi pintu bilik saya dibuka. "Mirah dah tidur rupa-rupanya! Kesian. Tentu Mirah letih menjaga abang-abang dan kakak- kakak semasa mak, ke klinik siang tadi. Maafkan mak, sayang. Mak tahu Mirah masih terlalu muda untuk memikul beban seberat itu. Tapi, keadaan benar- benar terdesak pagi tadi, Mirah. Mak janji, lain kali mak tak akan kacau Mirah lagi. Mak akan meminta ibu atau orang lain menjaga abang- abang dan kakak-kakak kalau mak terpaksa tinggalkan rumah".

Sepanjang mak berkata-kata itu, tangan mak terus mengusap-usap dahi saya. Suara mak tersekat-sekat. Saya terlalu ingin membuka mata dan menatap wajah mak ketika itu."Mirah, mak tahu Mirah tak bahagia tinggal bersama-sama mak."Suatu titisan air mata gugur di atas dahi saya. Kemudian, setitik lagi gugur di atas pipi saya. Selepas itu, titisan-titisan itu kian rancak gugur menimpa serata muka dan leher saya."Walau apa pun tanggapan Mirah kepada mak, bagi mak, Mirah adalah segala-galanya. Mirah telah menceriakan suasana dalam rumah ini. Mirah telah menyebabkan mak berasakan hidup ini kembali berharga. Mirah telah. ...""Mak!" Saya lantas bangun lalu memeluk mak. Kemudian, tiada kata-kata yang lahir antara kami. Yang kedengaran hanyalah bunyi sedu-sedan dan esak tangis.

Peristiwa pada hari itu dan, pada malamnya telah mengubah pandangan saya terhadap mak, abang-abang dan kakak-kakak. Saya mula merenung dan menilai keringat mak. Saya mula dapat menerima keadaan kakak- kakak dan abang- abang serta belajar menghormati dan, menyayangi mereka.Keadaan dewan menjadi begitu sunyi seperti tidak berpenghuni sejak gadis itu berbicara.Setelah meraih kejayaan cemerlang dalam peperiksaan penilaian darjah lima, saya telah ditawarkan untuk melanjutkan pelajaran ke peringkat menengah, di sebuah sekolah berasrama penuh. Saya telah menolak tawaran tersebut."Kenapa Mirah tolak tawaran itu?""Bukankah di sekolah berasrama penuh itu Mirah boleh belajar dengan sempurna?""Betul tu, Mirah. Di sana nanti Mirah tak akan berdepan dengan gangguan daripada abang-abang dan kakak-kakak! ""Mirah tak menyesal ke, kemudian hari nanti?"Bertubi-tubi mak dan ayah menyoal. Mata mereka tidak berkelip-kelip memandang saya."Mak, ayah." Saya menatap wajah kedua-dua insan itu silih berganti.

"Mirah ingin terus tinggal di rumah ini. Mirah ingin terus berdamping dengan mak, ayah, abang-abang dan kakak-kakak. ""Tapi, boleh ke Mirah buat ulang kaji di rumah? Pelajaran di sekolah menengah itu, bukannya senang." Mak masih meragui keupayaan saya."Insya-Allah, mak. Mirah rasa, Mirah dapat mengekalkan prestasi Mirah semasa di sekolah menengah nanti," balas saya penuh yakin.Mak dan ayah kehabisan kata-kata. Mulut mereka terlopong. Mata mereka terus memanah muka saya. Garis-garis kesangsian masih terpamer pada wajah mereka. Sikap mak dan ayah itu telah menguatkan azam saya untuk terus menjadi pelajar cemerlang, di samping menjadi anak dan adik yang baik. Selama di sekolah menengah, mak sedapat mungkin cuba membebaskan saya daripada kerjakerja memasak dan mengemas rumah, serta tugas menjaga makan pakai abang-abang dan kakak-kakak kerana takut pelajaran saya terganggu. Sebaliknya saya lebih kerap menawarkan diri untuk membantu, lantaran didorong oleh rasa tanggungjawab dan timbang rasa.Gadis yang bernama Nurul Humairah itu terus bercerita dengan penuh semangat, apabila melihatkan hadirin di dalam dewan itu mendengar ceritanya dengan penuh minat."Saya terpaksa juga meninggalkan rumah sewaktu saya melanjutkan pelajaran di Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Di sana saya membuat pengkhususan dalam bidang pendidikan khas. Bidang ini sengaja saya pilih kerana saya ingin menabur bakti kepada segelintir pelajar yang kurang bernasib baik. Di samping itu, pengetahuan yang telah saya peroleh itu, dapat saya manfaatkan bersama untuk abang-abang dan kakak-kakak. ""Kini, telah setahun lebih saya mengharung suka duka, sebagai seorang guru pendidikan khas di kampung saya sendiri. Saya harus akui,segulung ijazah yang telah saya miliki tidak seberapa nilainya, berbanding dengan mutiara-mutiara pengalaman yang telah mak kutip sepanjang hayatnya.""Sekarang, saya lebih ikhlas dan lebih bersedia untuk menjaga abang-abang dan kakak-kakak. Pun begitu, hati ini sering tersentuh apabila beberapa kali saya terdengar perbualan mak dan Ayah.""Apa akan jadi kepada kelima-lima orang anak kita itu lepas kita tak ada, bang?" suara mak diamuk pilu.Ayah akan mengeluh, kemudian berkata, "Entahlah. Takkan kita nak harapkan Mirah pula?""Mirah bukan anak kandung kita." Mak meningkah. "Kita tak boleh salahkan dia kalau dia abaikan abang-abang dan kakak-kakaknya.""Mirah nak tegaskan di sini, mak, yang Mirah akan membela nasib abang-abang dan, kakak-kakak lepas mak dan ayah tak ada. Ya, memang mereka bukan saudara kandung Mirah. Tapi, tangan yang telah membelai tubuh Mirah dan tubuh mereka adalah tangan yang sama. Tangan yang telah menyuapkan Mirah dan mereka, juga tangan yang sama. Tangan yang memandikan Mirah dan mereka, adalah tangan yang sama, tangan mak."Kelihatan gadis yang berkebarung ungu, berbunga merah jambu itu, tunduk sambil mengesat air matanya dengan sapu tangannya. Kebanyakan hadirin, khususnya wanita turut mengesat air mata mereka.

Gadis itu menyambung bicaranya. Tiga bulan lalu, saya terbaca mengenai pencalonan anugerah "Ibu Misali" dalam akhbar. Saya terus mencalonkan mak, di luar pengetahuannya. Saya pasti, kalau mak tahu, dia tidak akan merelakannya. Saya sendiri tidak yakin yang mak akan terpilih untuk menerima anugerah ini, sebab anak- anak mak bukan terdiri daripada orang-orang yang disanjung masyarakat, seperti lazimnya anak- anak "Ibu Misali" yang lain."Lorong dan denai kehidupan yang orang-orang seperti mak lalui mempunyai banyak duri dan, ranjau berbanding dengan ibu-ibu lain. Betapa keimanan mak tidak tergugat biarpun berdepan dengan dugaan yang sebegini hebat. Tiada rasa kesal. Tiada rasa putus asa. Tidak ada salah-menyalahkan antara mak dan ayah.""Maafkan Mirah sekali lagi, mak. Hingga ke saat- saat terakhir tadi, mak masih tidak menyenangi tindakan Mirah mencalonkan mak, untuk menerima anugerah ini. Mak merasakan diri mak terlalu kerdil lebih-lebih lagi setelah mak mendengar pengisahan "Ibu Misali" pertama, kedua dan ketiga. Berkali-kali mak tegaskan yang mak menjaga anak-anak mak bukan kerana mahukan anugerah ini, tapi kerana anak-anak adalah amanah Tuhan.""Saya ingin jelaskan di sini bahawa saya mencalonkan mak untuk anugerah ini, bukan dengan tujuan merayu simpati. Saya cuma berharap kegigihan dan ketabahan mak akan dapat direnung oleh ibu-ibu lain, terutama ibu-ibu muda yang senang-senang mendera dan mencampakkan anak mereka yang comel, segar-bugar serta sempurna fizikal dan, mental.""Sebagai pengakhir bicara, sekali lagi saya ingin merakam penghargaan saya kepada pihak penganjur, kerana telah mempertimbangkan mak saya sebagai salah seorang penerima anugerah "Ibu Misali" tahun ini. Semoga pemilihan mak ini akan memberi semangat baru kepada ibu-ibu lain yang senasib dengan mak.""Sekian, wassalamualaikum warahmatullah. "

Gadis itu beredar meninggalkan pembesar suara.Penku telah lama terbaring. Buku notaku telah lunyai dek air mataku sendiri. Bahuku dienjut-enjut oleh sedu- sedanku. Pandanganku menjadi kabur. Dalam pandangan yang kabur-kabur itu, mataku silau oleh pancaran cahaya kamera rakan semejaku. Aku segera mengangkat kameraku dan menangkap gambar secara rambang tanpa mengetahui sudut mana atau, apa sebenarnya yang telah menarik perhatian wartawan-wartanan lain.'Bertenang. Kau di sini sebagai pemberita. Kau seharusnya berusaha mendapat skop yang baik, bukan dihanyutkan oleh perasaan kau sendiri.'

Terdengar pesanan satu suara dari dalam diriku.Lantas, aku mengesat air mataku. Aku menyelak buku notaku mencari helaian yang masih belum disentuh oleh air mataku. Aku capai penku semula."Demikianlah kisah pelayaran seorang ibu di samudera kehidupan yang tidak sunyi dari ombak dan badai. Sekarang, dijemput Yang Berbahagia Puan Sri Salwa Najwa dengan diiringi oleh Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pemilihan "Ibu Misali" untuk menyampaikan anugerah "Ibu Misali" serta beberapa hadiah iringan kepada Puan Afifah Rashid. Yang Berbahagia Puan Sri dipersilakan."Nurul Humairah membantu maknya bangun. Kemudian, dia memimpin maknya melangkah ke arah Yang Berbahagia Puan Sri Salwa Najwa. Lutut maknya menggeletar.

Namun begitu kerana dia tidak berdaya menahan perasaannya dia terduduk kembali di atas kerusi.Melihatkan itu, Yang Berbahagia Puan Sri Salwa Najwa sendiri datang mendapatkan Puan Afifah, lalu mengalungkan pingat itu. Setelah itu, beliau menyampaikan beberapa hadiah iringan. Air mata Puan Afifah berladung.Tepukan gemuruh bergema dari segenap penjuru dewan. Sejurus kemudian, seorang demi seorang penerima anugerah "Ibu Misali" sebelumnya, naik ke pentas bersalaman dan berpelukan dengan Puan Afifah. Bertambah lebatlah hujan air mata penerima anugerah "Ibu Misali" yang terakhir itu.

OLEH NORHASHIMAH HASHIM
(Dewan Sastera Mei 2000)

Just a mum?

2010-04-09T01:09:00.000-07:00

A woman, renewing her driver's licence was asked by the woman at Registry to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

'What I mean is, ' explained the woman at Registry, 'do you have a job or are you just a ...?'

'Of course I have a job,' snapped the woman. 'I'm a Mum .'

'We don't list ' Mum ' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it,' said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation.

The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like 'Official Interrogator' or 'City Registrar.'

'What is your occupation?' she probed.

What made me say it? I do not know... The words simply popped out.

'I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.'

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

'Might I ask,' said the clerk with new interest, 'just what you do in your field?'

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, 'I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't) in the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?)and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.'

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern.

I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than 'just another Mum .'

Motherhood! what a glorious career! especially when there's a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations' and great grandmothers 'Executive Senior Research Associates?'

I think so!!!

Shahrizat Gesa Pengajaran Kesihatan Reproduktif Disegerakan

2010-04-09T01:04:00.001-07:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Menteri Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil menggesa agar pengajaran mengenai kesihatan reproduktif kepada pelajar sekolah berumur seawal 12 tahun disegerakan.

Beliau berkata subjek berkenaan perlu dipercepatkan kewujudannya bagi membendung gejala kelahiran dan kehamilan luar nikah yang menjurus kepada kes pembuangan bayi yang semakin meningkat kini.

"Saya minta Kementerian Pelajaran supaya mengambil berat isu ini, walaupun pada masa ini ada subjek atau pengajaran tentang kesihatan reproduktif tetapi ia tidak cukup mendalam.

"Kita mesti ajar mereka (pelajar) secara ilmiah, saintifik dan berhemah. Jadi kita minta kementerian berkenaan tingkatkan masa yang diajar untuk subjek itu," katanya kepada pemberita selepas melancarkan kempen 'Kami Prihatin' di sini semalam.

'Kami Prihatin' merupakan inisiatif akhbar Utusan Malaysia untuk mencetuskan rasa keinsafan dan menebalkan kembali nilai kemanusiaan di kalangan masyarakat dalam usaha menangani kes penderaan kanak-kanak dan buang bayi.

Beliau berkata kementerian itu telahpun mengesyorkan modul kesihatan reproduktif ini kepada Kementerian Pelajaran, tetapi sehingga kini masih tertangguh kerana ramai yang menganggap isu itu sebagai sensitif dan tabu.

"Selalu kita lihat kes-kes kehamilan ini berlaku kepada anak-anak muda kita berumur 14, 15 tahun...jadi sebelum hormon dan biologi mereka menimbulkan masalah, mereka mesti dah tahu, jangan terlambat.

"Kita dapati ramai remaja kita tidak mengetahui tentang risiko apa yang akan berlaku jika pasangan itu membuat hubungan intim. Saya percaya kalau ramai remaja kita tahu apa akan terjadi kepada badan mereka, maka perkara seperti kehamilan luar nikah dapat dikawal," katanya. - BERNAMA

Kasih Ibu Tiada Penghujung

2010-04-07T23:44:00.000-07:00

Budak maut tertelan anting-anting

2010-04-05T09:00:00.001-07:00

REMBAU: Seorang kanak-kanak lelaki berusia empat tahun maut akibat tertelan sebentuk anting-anting di rumahnya di Taman Pedas Indah, di sini.

Dalam kejadian kira-kira jam 2 petang Rabu lalu, R Arrokiya Nathan dipercayai mati ketika dalam perjalanan ke Klinik Kesihatan Pedas, dekat sini kerana anting-anting berkenaan tersangkut sebelum mencucuk kerongkongnya.

Ketika kejadian, kanak-kanak itu dikatakan bermain dalam bilik bersama seorang adik perempuannya berusia tiga tahun, manakala ibu saudaranya berusia 30-an sedang tidur di bilik sama.

Ibu saudara kanak-kanak terbabit yang terjaga dari tidur terkejut melihat anak saudaranya batuk dan muntah darah lalu memberitahu ahli keluarga lain.

Berikutan itu, mangsa terus dikejarkan ke sebuah klinik desa berhampiran untuk mendapatkan rawatan sebelum kanak-kanak itu dirujuk ke Klinik Kesihatan Pedas dan mati ketika dalam perjalanan.

Ahli keluarga pada mulanya tidak mengetahui punca sebenar kanak-kanak itu mengalami muntah darah sehinggalah satu anting-anting ditemui dalam kerongkong mangsa.

Ketua Polis Rembau, Deputi Superintendan Mizan Md Dom berkata, mayat kanak-kanak berkenaan kemudian dibawa ke Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar Seremban (HTJS) untuk dibedah siasat bagi mengetahui punca kematiannya.

“Hasil bedah siasat mendapati kanak-kanak itu mati kerana tertelan anting-anting yang tersangkut dan mencucuk kerongkongnya.

“Polis mengklasifikasikan kes berkenaan sebagai mati mengejut (SDR) dan menolak wujudnya unsur jenayah di atas kematian kanak-kanak itu,” katanya kepada Harian Metro di sini, semalam.

Beliau berkata, polis yang menjalankan siasatan di tempat kejadian tidak menemui sebarang unsur jenayah terhadap kematian mangsa.

Menurutnya, polis menasihati ibu bapa supaya lebih berhati-hati bagi mengelak tragedi dialami kanak-kanak itu berulang pada masa akan datang.

“Ibu bapa dinasihatkan supaya menyimpan barang-barang yang berbahaya di tempat selamat bagi mengelak ia disalahgunakan sebagai alat permainan untuk anak-anak kecil mereka.

“Mereka (ibu bapa) mesti menitikberatkan aspek keselamatan dan memberikan pengawasan yang lebih terhadap anak kecil bagi mengelak kejadian sama berulang,” katanya.

http://www.hmetro.com.my/myMetro/articles/Budakmauttertelananting-anting/Article

Program susu sekolah ditangguh sehingga pengilang patuhi syarat

2010-04-05T08:57:00.001-07:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Program Susu Sekolah (PSS) akan ditangguh sehingga pengilang terbabit mematuhi syarat yang ditetapkan bagi mendapatkan sijil "Hazard Critical Control Point" (HACCP), Dewan Rakyat diberitahu hari ini.

Timbalan Menteri Pelajaran, Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong, berkata satu jawatankuasa bersama telah ditubuhkan antara kementeriannya dan Kementerian Kesihatan (KKM) dan menetapkan pemerolehan sijil tersebut bagi mengelakkan berulangnya kes keracunan susu di sekolah.

"Sejak dua tahun lalu, kementerian dan KKM sudah mengadakan beberapa mesyuarat dan lakukan audit ke atas pengilang tetapi sampai hari ni pengilang masih belum buat penambahbaikan atau pengubahsuaian seperti yang disyaratkan oleh pensijilan HACCP.

"Oleh itu adalah wajar program ini ditangguhkan sementara waktu," katanya menjawab soalan Chua Tee Yong (BN-Labis) yang ingin tahu bila PSS akan disambung semula dan langkah untuk mengatasi masalah keracunan susu, di sini.

Wee juga berkata, hanya terdapat satu pengilang susu di Semenanjung Malaysia iaitu Dutch Lady dan selepas tiga pengauditan dibuat dalam tempoh dua tahun, KKM telah menghantar surat kepada Kementerian Pelajaran bahawa kilang tersebut masih belum mematuhi syarat seperti yang dijanjikan.

"Maka disebabkan itu, kita tidak dapat meneruskan program ini," katanya.

Selain pengilang, katanya kerajaan turut menitik beratkan rangkaian pengagihan susu ke sekolah termasuk cara mengangkut dan menyimpan bekalan susu yang telah diterima.
"Tiga aspek ini perlu diberi perhatian. Kalau sekolah yang besar, 'chiller' perlu dibekalkan untuk memastikan susu yang segar, bukannya susu basi dibekalkan kepada pelajar miskin," katanya. - Bernama

Booklet Salindah

2010-04-02T09:22:00.000-07:00

Booklet Salindah boleh didownload dari:

Google Documents
Box.net (klik di bawah)

Soalan Yang Kerap Ditanya

2010-03-28T00:22:00.000-07:00

Sila klik di sini untuk membaca soalan-soalan yang kerap ditanya mengenai Salindah.

Kindy safety

2010-03-27T03:13:00.000-07:00

Kindy safety
By PRIYA KULASAGARAN
educate@thestar.com.my

It is impossible to live in a state of fear, but early childhood education providers are taking greater precautionary measures to keep their premises safe.

IT is unfortunate that certain issues only seem to merit serious widespread attention after a tragedy occurs.

The recent horrific attack on three children at Tadika Sinario in Muar, Johor has sparked questions on just how safe children are in their schooling environment.

A man armed with a hammer had barged into the kindergarten and bludgeoned three six-year-olds, after attacking the kindergarten operator who was present.

While the pupils survived the ordeal, the violent episode has only worried parents abouthow they can protect their children from it.

Johor State Women, Family, Health and Community Development Committee chairman Dr Robia Kosai had earlier this week called for all kindergartens in the state to hire at least one security guard, while State police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff urged for the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras.

But as an early childhood education provider in the Klang Valley quips, “No system is 100% foolproof. If some psychopath is bent on harming children, he will find a way to do so.”

Malaysian Association of Kindergartens chairman Jayawathi Perera thinks that in such unprecedented situations, parents and teachers should be careful to not play into knee-jerk solutions.

“While the Johor case was a brutal example of how twisted some individuals can be, this does not mean we should lock up our children in cages,” she says.

“We can’t live in a perpetual state of fear, because that will be equally damaging.

“The best measure is to be alert and vigilant all the time, to never let your guard down.”

She thinks that a blanket rule to enforce safety in kindergartens and preschools might not be entirely appropriate.

“The basic precautions aside, such locking up gates and employing security guards, each preschool is different and therefore each will have its own individual needs.

“This is where parents and teachers can work together in discussing the most effective solutions.”

Jayawathi adds that safety is a continuous community effort.

“We can’t just talk about the safety of children, as it also affects everyone in the neighbourhood. We need our communities to be close-knit and supportive to combat crimes like these.”

Angela Toh, the principal of Tadika and Taska Kinderland in Ipoh, says that many parents have voiced their concerns about her kindergarten’s safety precautions.

“We’ve already had in place plenty of security measures,” she says.

“This includes restricting who goes in and out of the compound and making sure that all pupils are escorted by a teacher during dismissal time.

“All our staff stay involved in maintaining the safety of the children.

“But of course, the parents’ worry is understandable, so we immediately responded by hiring a full-time security guard.”

Madeleine Kindergarten director Jeffrey Chew has even stricter procedures enforced at his kindergarten in Petaling Jaya, including CCTV cameras.

“We have one security guard each for the day and night shifts, and parents have to sign in to get a visitor’s pass before they can enter the premises,” he explains.

“If the parents don’t inform us that someone else will be picking up their children, we will not release them until we get clearance from the parents.

“Also, we have an intercom system that links all the classrooms to the main office, so that everyone will be immediately alerted if anything goes wrong.

“In the future, we hope to connect this intercom service to the nearby police station.”

He adds that he has yet to receive comments from parents questioning the safety of their children.

“This may be because before the semester begins, we request for parents to attend an orientation so that we can brief them on all our security measures.

“Having this sort of cooperation with the parents really helps us enforce our safety system.”

Parent Theva Rajendren agrees that parents should do their part to protect their children.

“Even so, this doesn’t absolve kindergarten operators from taking responsibility,” he says.

“We are entrusting our children in their care, so they should take every step necessary in ensuring their safety.

Lum Soon Heng meanwhile, is concerned by parents enrolling their children in what he deems to be “dodgy” nursery schools.

“It’s well and good to say that we must enforce security measures, but what if these kindergartens are illegal to begin with?” says the father of two toddlers.

“How will the authorities adequately monitor the security of these places when they are operating without a licence to begin with?”

Parent Fatimah Karim echoes this sentiment, but says that cost is an issue for a significant number of parents.

“Measures such as installing CCTVs and employing enough security guards will obviously be good, but are additional costs. Most parents will ultimately feel the pinch as it will be incorporated into the fees.

“I just hope that steps will be taken to ensure that every parent is able to send their children to a kindergarten or nursery that is safe.”

http://thestar.com.my/education/story.asp?file=/2010/3/21/education/5889217&sec=education

Senarai Produk

2010-03-21T08:49:00.000-07:00

Salindah adalah salah satu daripada produk yang kami pasarkan. Ada banyak produk lain yang boleh anda miliki.

Salindah.com juga memasarkan produk Examo, yang boleh anda layari di www.examo.biz.

Senarai barang-barang yang popular boleh dilihat di www.salindah.com.

Mengenai Kami

2010-03-20T10:20:00.000-07:00

Salindah yang telah diformulasikan oleh Prof. Dr. Azizan Hj. Ismail telah diperkenalkan kepada orang ramai pada tahun 1981. Ia adalah hasil penyelidikan ilmiah dan saintifik yang telah beliau lakukan selama beberapa tahun.

Hari ini, Salindah merupakan produk kesihatan untuk wanita hamil / dalam pantang berasaskan homopati, biokimia dan herba yang paling digemari oleh pengguna-pengguna di Malaysia.

Untuk memudahkan pengguna-pengguna mendapatkan produk ini dan juga produk-produk lain keluaran Prof. Dr. Azizan Hj. Ismail (seperti Examo, dsb), laman web ini telah dibangunkan. Senarai lengkap barangan boleh dilihat di sini.

Salindah.com dan juga Examo.biz merupakan laman web yang didaftarkan oleh Suhaila Marketing, sebuah syarikat yang berdaftar dengan SSM. Pihak kami sentiasa berusaha memperbaiki mutu laman web dan juga servis kepada pelanggan-pelanggan kami di seluruh dunia. Sekiranya anda ingin mengutarakan sebarang komen, sila hubungi kami melalui borang ini. Untuk mengetahui lebih lanjut mengenai diri Administrator Salindah.com Suhaila binti Zakaria, sila klik di sini.

Kami juga mengalu-alukan penyertaan anda sebagai agen syarikat ini. Anda boleh mendaftar dengan mengisi borang di sini.

Testimoni

2010-03-20T10:10:00.000-07:00

Untuk menghantar testimoni anda, sila isi borang ini.

Produk ini telah terkenal keselamatannya dan keberkesanannya. Antara pengguna yang berpuas hati:

Ade Natalisa, Kampung Baru

Anak pertama dah makan salindah... kakak ipar yg cadangkan.. saya tak menalami mabuk atau ape saje tanda yg selalu di alami oleh org mengandung... cume perut saje yg membesar..sewaktu hari saya melahirkan... saya lah antara org yg paling cepat.. saya mengambil B6 15minit sekali... sehingga habis.. setelah itu saya menunggu tanpa sebarang kesakitan.. Doktor merasa hairan kenapa saya tidak mengerang kesakitan apabila contraction.. tidak seperti ibu2 yg lain... semasa saya dimasukkan ke wad rahim saya telah terbuka sebanyak 2cm...setelah 2jam rahim saya dah terbuka 5cm..doktor terkejut betapa cepat nye proses itu... kerana ibu yg lain ada yg sudah hampir 24jm..masih juga 3cm... bertambah hairan bila doktor menanyakan bahwa kenapa saya tidak merasa sakit.. saya cume menjawab saya makan ini...sambil menunjukkan SALINDAH... 8cm saya sudah boleh melahirkan cuma mengambil masa 10-15 minit saja...

kini anak saya yg sulung berusia 8thn...bersekolah d sekolah cina..anak saya mengamalkan EXAMO semenjak berumur 2thn.. Alhamdulillah dia mendapat BEST STUDENT IN MATHEMATIC di sekolah tersebut...

En Riezal, Batu Caves

Assalamualaikum..
bersyukur ke hadrat Allah s.w.t isteri saya telah selamat bersalin anak pertama kami secara normal pada 7 Julai 2010. Baby boy berat 3.08kg.. Saya juga ingin mengucapkan terima kasih kepada produk Salindah kerana sejak usia kehamilan 3 bulan, saya telah belikan set Salindah dan beri kepada isteri saya untuk mencuba. Sepanjang kehamilan isteri saya kurang mengalami sakit2 yang teruk.. ketika ingin bersalin isteri saya cuma mengambil masa 15 minit sahaja sebelum dapat melahirkan baby kami. Sekarang setelah anak saya berusia 3 hari, saya nampak tanda-tanda dia telah mula mengangkat kepalanya kepalanya sendiri dan mula menendang. Ibu dan bapa mertua saya juga hairan melihatnya..

Puan Rosadia, Seremban

assalamualaikum,

Saya menggunakan set lengkap SALINDAH ketika mengandungkan anak kedua yaitu pada thn 2007, masa anak pertama tahun 2003 saya ada juga mencari SALINDAH tapi tak berjumpa masa tu mungkin belum rezaki lagi agaknya.

Perbezaan antara anak pertama dan kedua saya amat ketara, Anak pertama saya mudah mendapat demam, kurang keyakinan diri, dan mengenal huruf pun masa umurnya 5 tahun,mempunyai perwatakan yang agak lembut dan pemalu.

Bagi anak kedua pula ia tidak mudah mendapat demam, agak aktif ,berkeyakinan mempunyai tulang yang agak kuat, dlm usia mencecah 3 thn dia sudah boleh mengira sampai 10 dan mengenal beberapa huruf abc dan alif ba ta, mudah berkawan dan sentiasa mengingatkan kami sekeluarga membaca doa semasa makan..

Dan untuk anak ketiga saya juga pasti menggunakan SALINDAH hari ni baru nak pergi beli, sebab kandungan dah nak masuk 12 minggu..

tq SALINDAH

Puan Susie, Johor Bahru

Salam, saya telah menggunakan set mengandung Salindah sejak saya mengandungkan anak pertama & kedua.Saya menggunakan seawal usia kandungan 3 bulan (12mggu).

Hasilnya semasa mengandung saya tidak mudah letih dan sentiasa cergas walaupun saya perlu memandu 1 jam setengah setiap hari untuk ke pejabat. (Pergi balik 3 jam.)

Alhamdulillah semasa melahirkan juga tidak menunggu masa yang agak lama lebih kurang 2 jam sahaja untuk kedua2 anak saya.

Anak2 saya mempunyai kulit yang cantik dan kanak2 yg sangat aktif.IQ nya juga amat memberangsangkan.

Semestinya saya akan menggunakan Salindah lagi sekiranya hamil anak yang seterusnya..

Puan Dirayah Dollah

Saya telah menggunakan set lengkap Salindah sejak dari awal kandungan (3 bln), dan saya telah selamat melahirkan anak pertama secara normal dengan berat bayi 4.3kg.

Saya dapati anak saya lebih kuat tulangnya dan cepat dari segi pertumbuhan fizikalnya. Dia mula mengangkat kepala sejak usianya 2 hari, mula meniarap seawal 2 bln, mula tumbuh gigi di usia 4 bln dan mula duduk pada usia 6 bln. Malah pakar kanak2 mengatakan ia adalah bonus kerana mendapat anak yg cepat perkembangan fizikalnya.

Saya pasti akan menggunakan produk ini lagi sekiranya saya diberi rezeki utk mengandung anak kedua kelak. InsyaAllah.

Puan Yanti Mat Isa

Assalamualaikum,

Saya hanya mula menggunakan Salindah ketika mengandungkan anak yang ketiga. Itupun setelah diperkenalkan oleh kawan-kawan. Setelah menggunakannya, saya dapati memang ada kesannya. Semasa mengandung saya kurang loya berbanding dulu. Badan pun lebih bertenaga. Proses kelahiran juga cepat. Alahamdulillah saya dikurniakan anak yang sihat, berkulit cantik dan comel. Anak saya juga tahan daripada penyakit, misalnya susah nak demam, selsema dan sebagainya .

Memanglah kita yang merancang dan Tuhan yang menentukan, tapi sebagai manusia biasa kita boleh berusaha ke arah kesihatan yang lebih baik. Salindah memang tak menghampakan saya dan saya akan terus menggunakannya jika saya mengandung lagi.. Insyaallah.

Puan Ros Aslina, Sri Serdang

Saya telah menggunakan Salindah semasa mengandung anak pertama saya dan mendapati kesan-kesan baik contohnya anak tidak kena demam kuning dan kulitnya pun cantik. Cara bersalin pula sangat mudah, hanya dengan dua kali "push" sahaja. Semasa mengandung saya terpaksa memandu seorang diri dari Serdang ke Setiawangsa setiap hari bekerja. Pemanduan dua jam (sejam pergi dan sejam balik) setiap hari bekerja tidak terasa letih langsung. Saya memang mengsyorkan produk ini kepada ibu-ibu yang mengandung.

Puan Salbiah

Saya adalah salah seorang pengguna Salindah ini dan anak saya yang ke tiga baru berusia 3 bulan lebih. Dari pengalaman saya ini, produk ini amat sesuailah dengan saya. Walaupun setelah mengandung 7 bulan, saya baru menggunakan produk ini (baru dapat tahu), saya dapat rasakan perbezaannya semasa mengandungkan anak pertama dan kedua (kini 2 ½ tahun dan 1 ½ tahun). Antara perbezaannya ialah :

1 - Kurang merasa letih dan lesu, sentiasa ceria. (semasa mengandung dan selepas bersalin)
2 - Tidak kena "cramp"
3 - Anak tidak kena sakit kuning
4 - Anak tidak meragam, lebih cergas.
5 - Senang bersalin. (Berat anak saya ialah 3.85 kg dan bersalin normal - alhamdullilah)

Tentang anak putih melepak tu bergantung pada gennya lah, kebetulan saja anak saya keluar putih dan gebu (tembam).

Puan Wan Samihah Wan Ahmad

Makcik husband saya menggunakan product ni dari awal pregnant hinggalah lepas bersalin. Dari apa yang dia beritahu ianya memang OK, sehingga rasa sakit bersalin tu kurang lah berbanding dengan 3 orang anak yang kesebelumnya. Bayangkan, pintu rahim dah terbuka 5 cm pun dia cakap dia OK je...tak rasa apa-apa pun.

Puan Khasiba Taib

Saya ada menggunakan product ni sewaktu mengandungkan anak ke tiga. Alhamdulillah...pada saya kesannya seperti :
1 - ia mengurangkan keletihan badan semasa mengandung.
2 - waktu nak bersalin mengambil masa yang cepat.
3 - kulit anak sederhana cerah dan kurang ditumbuhi ruam.

Encik Norsham Yunos

Isteri saya ada menggunakan salindah nie sejak umur kandungan 3 bulan lagi (anak pertama). Nampaknya alhamdullilah isteri saya bersalin pun mudah. Tentang anak putih melepak tu bergantung pada gennya lah, jika emak bapak nya putih maka anaknya pun putihlah, kalau kelabu maka kelabulah......

Reazal

Setakat ini produk ini tidak memberikan sebarang masalah malah membantu ibu-ibu untuk bersalin terutamanya sewaktu tiba masa untuk bersalin dan seawal masa selepas bersalin. Pasti anda akan rasa perbezaannya bila mencuba produk ini. Sebab isteri saya sendiri yang menyatakan perbezaan yang dialaminya.

Puan Noormala Che Noor, Keramat Wangsa, KL

Saya adalah bekas pengguna SALINDAH dan ingin mengucapkan ribuan terima kasih dan tahniah di atas kejayaan produk ini. Saya telah selamat melahirkan seorang anak perempuan (3.8kg) yang sihat walafiat dan kini berusia 4 bulan. Dari pemerhatian saya, anak saya ini kuat daya tahanan diri dan punya tulang yang kuat. Kali pertama anak saya meniarap sewaktu berusia 1 bulan. Dan kini telah menunjuk tanda-tanda pertumbuhan gigi. Saya menggalakkan bakal-bakal ibu untuk mengguna produk ini. Saya juga insyallah akan mengguna SALINDAH untuk zuriat saya yang seterusnya.

Encik Hamizat Harun

Assalamualaikum wbt.

Isteri saya ada menggunakan salindah nie sejak umur kandungan 3 bulan lagi (anak ketiga). Nampaknya alhamdullilah isteri saya bersalin pun mudah. Seperti yang kita tahu segalanya dari Allah, namun jika tidak berusaha mana akan dapat hasilnya. Jadi jika sekiranya isteri saya mengandung lagi, insyaallah pasti saya akan memberi isteri saya "Salindah" ini.

Saranan saya kepada bakal ibubapa atau yang belum pernah mencubanya, agar mencuba akan produk berjenama "SALINDAH". Di sini saya juga ingin memberikan pendapat saya, kenyataan sakit bersalin itu sememangnya sakit. Sebab itulah Allah s.w.t berfirman "Syahid" bagi kaum ibu yang bersalin untuk melahirkan anak itu jika mereka-mereka ini meninggal dunia. Jadi sebagai kaum bapa, kita pun tidak boleh pun mengurangkan kesakitan yang di alami oleh kaum ibu. Tetapi, Insyaallah dengan produk salindah ini sekurang-kurangnya kita berusaha mengurangkan sedikit bebanan kesakitan kaum ibu itu. Insyaallah.

Penghantaran

2010-03-20T09:34:00.000-07:00

Penghantaran akan dilakukan oleh salah satu courier service ini: PosLaju, SkyNet dan CityLink.

Sekiranya barang tidak diterima dalam tiga hari bekerja (SM) sila hubungi 016-2240888 (En Ibrahim) dengan segera.

Penting:

Untuk pelanggan yang mempunyai alamat PO Box, penghantaran hanya akan dilakukan menggunakan Poslaju. Syarikat courier lain biasanya tidak menghantar ke alamat-alamat PO Box.
Untuk penghantaran ke universiti (IPTA dan juga IPTS), pastikan anda mengambil barang di bahagian Admin atau tempat lain yang telah ditentukan oleh pihak universiti. Pihak penghantar selalunya tidak dibenarkan pergi ke tempat-tempat lain.
Pastikan ada orang yang boleh menerima barang di alamat yang telah diberikan.

Pembayaran

2010-03-20T08:39:00.000-07:00

Pembayaran boleh dilakukan secara online, melalui kaunter bank atau mesin automatik ke akaun-akaun di bawah.

Semasa memasukkan nombor akaun, masukkan nombor sahaja tanpa tanda sempang "-".

Sekiranya anda menggunakan bank yang tidak disenaraikan di bawah (iaitu memindahkan wang melalui Inter-Bank Transfer), sila gunakan akaun Maybank Siti Suhaila.

Semasa membayar, sekiranya diminta, masukkan data di bawah supaya kami menerima notification dari bank:

telefon = 016-2240888
email = salindahdotcom@gmail.com

Selepas membayar, sila maklumkan kepada kami dengan menghantar SMS ke 016-2240888.

Contoh SMS: Puan Ramlah telah membuat pesanan dan bayaran ke akaun Maybank Suhaila pada 01-01-2010

Sila simpan semua bukti pembayaran. Anda tidak perlu menghantarnya kerana kami akan membuat pengesahan secara online dengan bank.

Bank	Nama	Jenis Akaun	Nombor / Email
Maybank	Siti Suhaila Zakaria	Saving Islamic	1621-0622-2447
CIMB	Ibrahim Abdullah	Saving Islamic	1261-0001-7722-09
Bank Rakyat	Ibrahim Abdullah	Saving Islamic	22-063-128336-5
Bank Muamalat	Ibrahim Abdullah	Saving Islamic	1202-000-2657-712
AmBank	Ibrahim Abdullah	Current Islamic	0742-0220-03335
Kad Kredit	Bayar menggunakan PayPal (klik sini)		salindahdotcom@gmail.com

Memesan Salindah

2010-03-20T08:31:00.000-07:00

Harga barangan di www.salindah.com adalah sama untuk SM dan SS. Perbezaan harga ditanggung oleh www.salindah.com.

Tiada caj tambahan untuk pembayaran menggunakan kad kredit atay PayPal.

Pembelian kurang RM100 dikenakan caj penghantaran RM10. Pembelian lebih RM100 tidak dikenakan sebarang caj penghantaran.

Cara membuat pesanan ialah dengan memilih SATU daripada cara-cara di bawah:

Gunakan borang di sini, yang hanya perlu disini online (tanpa perlu email semula)
Melalui telefon 016-2240666 (Kak Sue) atau 016-2240888 (En. Ibrahim)
Melalui email ke salindahdotcom@gmail.com

Senarai Agen

2010-03-20T08:12:00.000-07:00

Salindah boleh terus dipesan secara online melalui laman web Salindah (www.salindah.com) atau blog ini. Selain daripada itu, anda juga boleh menghubungi mana-mana agen kami.

Klik sini untuk melihat senarai agen / wakil Salindah.com.

Harga Salindah

2010-03-20T07:56:00.000-07:00

Harga adalah sama di Semenanjung Malaysia dan Sabah & Sarawak. Caj penghantaran sebanyak RM10 akan dikenakan bagi pesanan kurang daripada RM100.

Produk	Harga (RM)
Sebelum Bersalin
B1	46
B2	38
B3	46
B4	30
B5	34
B6	30
Selepas Bersalin
L7	26
L8	30
L9	30
L10	38
L11	53
L12	38
SET
Sebelum Bersalin	224
Selepas Bersalin	215
Lengkap (Sebelum & Selepas Bersalin)	370

Carta Penggunaan Salindah

2010-03-20T07:45:00.000-07:00

Cara Mengambil Salindah

2010-03-20T06:55:00.000-07:00

Produk	Kandungan	Masa Penggunaan	Cara Pengambilan / Penggunaan
Semasa Mengandung
B1	336 biji	mulai minggu 12 (bulan 3)	2 biji 2 kali sehari
B2	120 biji	mulai minggu 24 (bulan 6)	2 biji 2 kali sehari
B3	336 biji	mulai minggu 28 (bulan 7)	2 biji 2 kali sehari
B4	30 biji	4 minggu (1 bulan) sebelum dijangka bersalin	1 biji sehari
B5	84 biji	2 minggu sebelum dijangka bersalin	2 biji 3 kali sehari
B6	30 biji	1 minggu sebelum dijangka bersalin	1 biji sehari (Bila sakit, ambil 1 biji setiap 15 minit)
Selepas Bersalin
L7	30 ml	penggunaan luaran	basahkan kapas, lekap pada luka dan pusat bayi
L8	30 biji	mulai 5 jam selepas bersalin	1 biji setiap jam
L9	16 biji	mulai dari hari ke 2 bersalin	1 biji 4 kali sehari
L10	96 biji	mulai dari hari ke 6 bersalin	2 biji 3 kali sehari
L11	220 ml	mulai dari hari ke 7 bersalin	2 sudu 3 kali sehari sebelum makan
L12	96 biji	mulai dari hari ke 21 bersalin	2 biji 2 kali sehari

Pendaftaran dengan Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia

2010-03-20T02:33:00.000-07:00

SEMUA produk Salindah berdaftar dengan KKM Malaysia. Produk yang berdaftar dengan KKM mempunyai nombor pendaftaran MAL. Sila lakukan pengesahan dengan melawati laman web Biro Pengawalan Farmaseutikal Kebangsaan (http://www.bpfk.gov.my), klik pada "Registered Products Search" di bahagian kiri bawah, dan cari produk "Salindah".

Kelebihan Salindah

2010-03-20T02:13:00.000-07:00

Salindah terdiri daripada B1 sehingga L12. Produk berhuruf B digunakan sebelum bersalin mana kala produk L adalah selepas bersalin. Produk ini digunakan mulai 3 bulan mengandung sehingga 40 hari selepas bersalin.

Produk	Kegunaan-kegunaan
B 1	Membekalkan zat besi mudah hadam untuk wanita hamil, mengurangkan muntah, loya serta alahan, membantu tumbesaran tian, mencegah demam, batuk, selesema, sejuk-sejuk, sakit kepala, sakit gigi dan lain-lain. B1 juga akan menghilangkan kesan jatuh atau rebah di samping melancarkan aliran darah agar terhindar masalah tersimpul urat kaki dan menghilangkan lesu.
Biokimia
MAL05092335T
B 2	Membekalkan zat untuk tumbesaran tian, menguatkan tulang dan membina otak tian, di samping menambah darah serta selera makan. B2 juga dapat menghilangkan sengal tulang dan kebas kaki tangan, mencegah serangan sejuk dan sakit gigi dan osteoporosis.
Biokimia
MAL05092336T
B 3	Memberi zat untuk pembinaan saraf dan otak anak. Menghilangkan masalah takut, cemas dan bimbang. Mencegah simpul biawak atau krem betis. Mendatangkan ketenangan bagi menghadapi hari bersalin.
Biokimia
MAL05092337T
B 4	Istimewa untuk mengawal alamat palsu, menghilangkan sakit urat dan otot di samping mengurangkan sakit semasa melahirkan. B4 juga akan memudahkan kelahiran bayi dan menghilangkan rasa takut dan cemas pada bakal-bakal ibu.
Homeopati
MAL07021406T
B 5	Remedi ini melanjutkan tindakan B4, mengendur dan menganjalkan otot pencerut saluran peranakan dan memberi daya teranan labour sewaktu bersalin.
Biokimia
MAL05092339T
B 6	Berguna untuk menguatkan teranan, menolong mengurangkan sakit sewaktu bersalin, mempercepat dan mempermudahkan kelahiran, membuka luas saluran peranakan dan mengurangkan sakit selepas bersalin.
Homeopati
MAL08010729T
L 7	Bagus untuk menyembuhkan luka, jahitan serta pusat bayi di samping mencegah jangkitan kuman dan penanahan.
Herba
MAL05092341T
L 8	Membantu menyembuhkan rasa sakit-sakit, menghentikan darah, mencegah sakit meroyan, demam dan sakit kepala.
Homeopati
MAL07124635T
L 9	Menghilangkan sengal selepas bersalin dan bisa-bisa, sakit meroyan, menghentikan darah nifas, membetulkan urat-urat darah yang putus, menyusun semula alat peranakan dan menguatkan seluruh anggota tubuh.
Homeopati
MAL07021407T
L 10	Mempercepatkan kecut semula rahim. Mengangkat kembali rahim ke kedudukan asal dan mengurangkan simpul urat biru.
Biokimia
MAL05092338T
L 11	Tonik istimewa bagi memanaskan tubuh, menambah selera, membaiki penghadaman dan melancarkan pembuangan najis. Mengenakkan tidur, menghilangkan kebas-kebas serta menyegarkan rahim dan alat peranakan
Herba
MAL05092342T
L 12	Berfungsi untuk menjaga kesihatan ibu bersalin agar sentiasa sihat; mengembalikan kekuatan, memulihkan alat pengkelamian dan menimbulkan kesegaran.
Biokimia
MAL05092340T

Pengasas Salindah

2010-03-15T04:41:00.000-07:00

Beliau adalah seorang tokoh homeopati yang terkenal di Malaysia. Dilahirkan di Bukit Besar, Kedah pada 1 Mac 1949 dan mempunyai 11 orang anak. Beliau merupakan seorang pendidik yang berjaya sebelum melibatkan diri dalam perubatan homeopati dan menceburkan diri sebagai usahawan.

Bermula pada tahun 1976 sehingga 1980 beliau belajar homeopati dari Dewan Perubatan Homeopati Singapura. Kemudian beliau memperoleh Doctor of Homeopathy dari Brantridge Forest School Sussex, England. Beliau juga mendapat Doktor Falsafah dari Open International University, Sri Lanka dan pelbagai anugerah berprestij yang jarang diperoleh oleh kebanyakan pengamal homeopati di Malaysia.

Sebagai usahawan, beliau menapak maju dengan tertubuhnya beberapa syarikat yang dimiliki, khususnya Sistem Era Edar Sdn Bhd. Di antara produk popular beliau ialah Examo, Salindah dan beberapa jenama yang menjadi bualan dan digemari ramai.

Selain aktif dalam pertubuhan homeopati dan perniagaan, beliau turut melibatkan diri dalam aktiviti sosial dan kemasyarakatan. Kehadiran beliau sebagai seorang pengamal yang berjaya dalam keusahawanan homeopati tiada bandingannya di Malaysia.

Pengasas Salindah Prof Dr Azizan meninggal dunia 03-05-2007. Semoga rohnya dicucuri rahmat, Amin. Al-Fatihah

Pengenalan kepada Salindah

2010-03-15T04:23:00.000-07:00

Bagi wanita, kehamilan atau mengandung adalah suatu pengalaman yang tidak sama dengan pengalaman-pengalaman lain yang pernah dilalui, terutamanya wanita yangmengandung untuk kali pertama. Ada yang tersangat gembira dengan berita kehamilan itu dan ada pula yang menjadi bimbang dan cemas terutamanya bila menjelang waktu-waktu hampir melahirkan anak. Ini berlaku kerana mungkin bakal ibu ini pernah mendengar pelbagai khabar bagaimana susahnya untuk melahirkan anak.

Pengalaman bersalin sepatutnya menjadi satu pengalaman yang indah. Sesuai dengan itu, Salindah telah dihasilkan untuk membantu ibu-ibu yang sedang mengandung. Set lengkap ini boleh diambil mulai daripada tiga bulan mengandung sehinggalah masa berpantang (40 hari).

Formula Salindah ini dikeluarkan oleh Prof. Dr. Azizan Haji Ismail, seorang tokoh dan pengamal perubatan homeopati, biokimia dan herbalisma yang ternama di Malaysia.

Salindah kini di Blogspot dan juga Facebook

2010-03-15T04:20:00.000-07:00

Salindah.com kini di Blogspot (Anda sedang membacanya) dan juga Facebook. Harapan kami supaya perkongsian ini memberikan manfaat kepada semua.