Qualitas: GP Clinics as First Line of Care for Mental Health

SELANGOR,
MALAYSIA – Media OutReach – 6 November 2019 – In response to worrying issues regarding
mental health in Malaysia, homegrown and leading primary healthcare provider Qualitas
Medical Group (‘Qualitas’) hosted a panel session to raise awareness and
initiate robust discussions on mental health at the workplace. Themed, “Mental
Health at the Workplace: The Unspoken Truth”, the session was attended
by representatives from the Ministry of Health, Department
of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), the Malaysian Society for
Occupational Safety and Health (MSOSH) as well as Third Party Administrators, corporate
and industrial leaders.

(L-R) Mr Karim Dhala, Director of Corporate Services, Qualitas Medical Group, Ybhg. Dr Koh Kar Chai, Honorary General Treasurer, Malaysian Medical Association (“MMA”), YB Hannah Yeoh, Deputy Minister Women, Family and Community Development, Ybhg. Dato Dr Noorul Ameen Mohamed Ishack, Chairman and Managing Director, Qualitas Medical Group and Ybhg. Dato Dr R.S Kumar, Chairman of Medical Governance Board, Qualitas Medical Group officiating a forum themed, ‘Mental Health at The Workplace: The Unspoken Truth’.

The
event was officiated by Yang Berhormat Puan Hannah Yeoh, Deputy Minister of
Women, Family and Community Development. In her keynote speech, Yang Berhormat Puan
Hannah Yeoh emphasised the pressing need to
reduce the stigma on mental health issues within the community and the
important role that general practitioners can play as the first line of care on
mental health.

Delivering
a keynote address at the session, Chairman and Managing Director of Qualitas
Medical Group, Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Dr Noorul Ameen Mohamed Ishack said, “Mental
health has been extensively discussed by key authorities, non-profit
organisations for many years. Sadly, individuals suffering from depression and
anxiety are reluctant to seek help as they fear the stigma of being
stereotyped. The time has come for immediate practical actions to be taken by
all stakeholders — The general practitioners should be empowered to play a more
active and positive role in the management of mental health wellness; and for
that, changes need to be made by the Government in empowering general
practitioners to act as the gatekeeper on mental health.”

While
depression and anxiety pose a mental health challenge for sufferers, these
issues also have a significant economic impact on the country. According to the
World Health Organization (WHO) this year, depression and anxiety is estimated
to cost the global economy approximately US$1 trillion per year in lost
productivity.[1]
As businesses thrive on optimum productivity, it is beneficial to both
employers and employees to prioritise the wellbeing of employees.

In
2017, a study conducted by AIA Bhd titled “Malaysia’s
Healthiest Workplace by AIA Vitality” reported that 12% of employees have
high level of anxiety and depressive symptoms.[2] A follow up survey in 2018
further revealed that 50.2% of employees have at least one dimension of
work-related stress.[3] This worrying trend poses
a challenge for individuals, companies and society in Malaysia which can have
tremendous repercussions if left unaddressed.

Dr Shawaludin Husin, Vice President, Malaysian Society of Occupational
Safety and Health shared,
“Prevention measures for accidents and injuries that affect one’s physique
is no longer sufficient but we need to manage how stress, depression and other
mental issues would lead to unforeseen mishaps in the workforce. Thus,
organisations need to urgently look into effective safety and health management
system and policies that ensures the overall wellbeing, which may include
initiatives such as mindfulness training, financial planning, on-the-hour flash
walk, among others.”

Primary Healthcare Personnel As The First Line Of Care

In Malaysia, primary healthcare personnel — general
practitioners (GPs) have been the first contact for people seeking healthcare. As
most GP clinics are well spread out in the neighbourhoods nationwide, the GPs
have traditionally been regarded by society as the first line of care.

“Primary healthcare needs to evolve, equipping its
workforce with the right knowledge, confidence and capacity to provide mental
health support, now more than ever. With primary healthcare practitioners
onboard, I am certain that employees will feel less stereotyped and more open
to receiving treatment in the early stages. This would greatly improve the
mental health outlook in Malaysia, contributing to a positive community,
workforce and the nation’s economy”, said Pn Sarah Waheeda Muhammad
Hafidz, Consultant Industrial and Occupational Psychologist from Leaderonomics.

“Over the years, many patients have come to the GP
clinics complaining of frequent migraine, insomnia, fatigue and impaired
concentration. These patients may or may not realise that they are suffering
from anxiety and depression. Coupled with the stigma attached to mental health
wellness issues, these patients are often reluctant to be seen as visiting mental
health professionals. Sufferers are looking to primary healthcare personnel for
their needs — As such, we as primary healthcare practitioners need to be
empowered, upskilled and be prepared to meet these requirements,” added Yang
Berbahagia Dato’
Dr Noorul Ameen Mohamed Ishack.

Today, the role of the primary healthcare is required
to shift beyond merely supporting physical wellbeing to becoming the first line
of assistance for mental health issues. More and more, the primary healthcare
workforce will need to be empowered with the right knowledge, confidence and
capacity to
provide first line mental health support for patients in their time of need.

The panel session was organised by Qualitas as part of
its commitment to continue to provide integrated healthcare within the primary
healthcare sector. With
over 20 years of experience in the primary healthcare industry, Qualitas
operates a regional network of GP clinics with a network of over 200 clinics in
Malaysia as well as in Singapore and Australia. The Group is further looking to
expand into existing markets as well as new markets in the region.

Approximately 100 guests from the public and private
sector, as well as civil society, attended the forum held in Sime Darby
Convention Centre.

About Qualitas Medical Group

Qualitas
Medical Group (“Qualitas”) was founded in 1997 in Malaysia. With over 20 years
of experience in the healthcare industry, Qualitas delivers cost-effective and quality
primary healthcare services to the community comprising GP (general practice),
dental and medical imaging services.

Today, Qualitas operates a regional network of General
Practice (GP) clinics, an ambulatory care centre, as well as dental clinics,
and diagnostics centres supported by over 1,700 medical doctors, dentists and
supporting personnel, backed by a network of over 250 medical clinics, dental
clinics (including a dental laboratory) and medical imaging centres.

For
more information on Qualitas Medical Group, please visit www.qualitas.com.my