ADOLESCENT WARD IN THREE MALAYSIAN HOSPITALS BY 2011

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- The government will build wards for
adolescents in three hospitals in northern states of Kedah and Perak, and east
coast state of Kelantan by 2011 to tackle the rising health issues concerning
the youth.

Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai said Thursday the country was also in need of
more doctors who specialised in adolescent health to curb the spread of
sexually-transmitted diseases (STD) as well as HIV/AIDS among the youth.

"We have several hospitals which provide a friendly environment for the
youth seeking medical treatment, but we will upgrade the service with the
setting up of the adolescent wards by 2011.

"This is because 300,000 adolescents had sought treatment at government
clinics in 2008. Of the total, 4,214 or 1.4 per cent had received treatment for
sexual and reproductive health problems. So, we have to be more concerned about
this issue."

He said this after opening the 9th World Congress of the International
Association for Adolescent Health here Thursday.

Thirty-six countries are participating in the three-day congress which began
Wednesday.
-- BERNAMA