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EUROPEAN PARKINSON'S DISEASE ASSOCIATION
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The Global Declaration on Parkinson's Disease

Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Malaysia signs Global declaration on Parkinson's disease

By Dr Chew Nee Kong, Neurologist, Hospital Pantai Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur - The Health Minister of Malaysia, YB Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai has signed the Global Declaration on Parkinson’s Disease, reaffirming the Government’s commitment towards promoting Parkinson’s Disease (PD) patients’ rights and in particular to have easy access to proper and effective medical care and treatment just like any other chronic illnesses.

The signing was held on 11 April 2010 at a charity dinner themed, “Voices of Parkinson’s” jointly organised by the Lloyd Tan Parkinson’s Trust Fund / LTPTF (www.lloydtan-trust.com) and Negeri Sembilan Parkinson’s Society (www.nsmps-parkinson.org) to commemorate World Parkinson’s Day and Malaysian Parkinson’s Day. The charity dinner was aimed at raising the profile of the disease and to generate funds for future health programs organised by both non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

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Malaysia Health Minister signing the Global Declaration
YB Dato' Sri Liow Tiong Lai, Health Minister signing the Global Declaration. Also present were Professor Tipu Aziz (far right), Dr. Chew Nee Kong (second from left) and Ms. Gharizah Hashim, the President of Negeri Sembilan Parkinson's Society (far left).

During the charity dinner, YB Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai also performed the symbolic act of ‘switching on the battery’ ceremony for the first recipient of LTPTF (the NGO that offers financial aid to eligible PD patients from the lower-income group to undergo DBS), 45-year old Pandirajan Subramaniam and 51-year old Khoo Siew Lay who both underwent Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgeries to treat symptoms of PD recently. 

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Health Minister “switching on” the battery
YB Dato' Sri Liow Tiong Lai, Health Minister (far left) “switching on” the battery of Mr. Pandirajan Subramaniam. Also present were two other Parkinson's patients, Mr. Hamzah Abd Rahman (seated: centre) and Ms. Khoo Siew Lay (seated: far right), and also Professor Tipu Aziz (standing: third from left).

The surgeries were conducted by world renowned leading expert on DBS, Professor Tipu Aziz from the United Kingdom who was in Malaysia from April 4 to 14, 2010 to raise awareness of the surgical procedure. Professor Tipu Aziz also gave a talk on DBS.

Consultant neurologist and founder of the LTPTF, Dr Chew Nee Kong said cooperation between the government and private sectors was vital to coordinate efforts in ensuring PD patients get the help that they need.

“PD significantly impacts the normal functioning of the human body and patients have to endure painstaking physical disability and emotional distress just to get through the day.

In line with the dinner’s theme of “Voices of Parkinson’s”, we hope that the signing of the Global Declaration on Parkinson’s Disease will provide a voice for over 25,000-30,000 Malaysians who are suffering from the incurable disease,” said Dr Chew.