Remembering Dr. Lim Eng Cheang

I remember Dr EC Lim who was my doctor and family friend.  This tall, kind and soft spoken gentleman used to examine my throat, listen to my chest and gave me those "fearful" vaccinations in his clinic in Anderson Road.  I am very thankful to him for what I am today.  It is certainly very joyous to hear that his legacy continues with a huge donation from his Trust for the betterment of society.  This article below is taken from Ipoh Echo.

A five-storey rest and recreation centre for the aged will be built in Ipoh, on a piece of land behind YMCA Ipoh. The centre, costing RM2.5 million and named in memory of Dr and Mrs (Bebe) Lim Eng Cheang, will be funded by the Estate of Aunty Bebe, as she was affectionately called. There will be 28 units of one-bedroom suites with sizes ranging from 260 to 480 sq ft.

The suites will have a lounge area, kitchenette, attached bathroom and individual balcony, in addition to the bedroom. Each suite can accommodate up to two persons.  Common areas of this retirement lodge will include a lounge on ground floor, day care centre and a sky lounge, which is open to the public for rent for social functions. It can accommodate some 100 people. The building, which will have an indoor garden, will be serviced by two elevators.

Construction work will start in September and is expected to complete in a year’s time. Once ready, the suites will be rented out on monthly basis. Although YMCA is a Christian-based non-profit organisation, the retirement lodge will also be open to non-Christians.

The idea to set up a retirement lodge was first mooted during a retreat of the Board of Directors, in 2011. It received tremendous support from the community and church leaders, who see a unique set of problems faced by the ageing population, where the number one malady is depression. This centre will serve as a refuge for those who need a place to rest and a platform to forge relationships with people whom they can relate to.

The launching of this retirement lodge and the piling ceremony were held on Tuesday, August 20, at YMCA Ipoh. Among the guests were the trustees of Aunty Bebe’s Estate, relatives and friends. Dato’ Ngeh Koo Ham, Member of Parliament for Beruas and Sitiawan state assemblyman, graced the occasion.  Ngeh called on associations and societies to do their part to meet the various needs of the community, “It’s more blessed to give than to receive,” he advised.  Joining in the memory of the late Dr Lim were representatives from Society of Caring Hands, Kiwanis Club of Ipoh and the Dementia Society Perak, all beneficiaries of Aunty Bebe’s estate.

Dr Lim Eng Cheang was amongst the first batch of post-war medical graduates from King Edward VII Medical College, Singapore. Lim and his wife, Bebe, believed in sharing their wealth with those in need.  Aunty Bebe had willed that a portion of her estate be donated to charities in loving memory of her husband, Dr Lim Eng Cheang. The trustees subsequently decided that the recipients of the bequests be named after both Dr and Mrs (Bebe) Lim Eng Cheang.  Though they are long gone, their spirit of love and generosity continues to live in the community.

Emily

Parents with Dr Lim during a birthday party at home

Florathon 2013

 

SMK Methodist (ACS) Ipoh made news again on Thursday 29th August 2013 with the entry of its "Florathon 2013" in the Malaysia Book of Records.   It was the third record to date for the school. 

 

ACS Cemerlang.  ACS Gemilang.  ACS Leads the Way. 

 

The floral arrangement as viewed from the 1st floor main building block.

The floral motif.

The arrival of the VIPs.

"Florathon" - the largest formation using plants.

Some souvenirs for the guests.

Students putting in place the last few plants before measurements by the officials.

Impressive formation. 

Dato Haji Roshidi, the Mayor of Ipoh, officiated the event.

Aerial View

Lightning Strkes around the World

Interesting map from Wikipedia showing the average number of lightning strikes per square kilometre per year.  Ipoh is in the hotspot for lightning events.  I had an unfortunate experience last year.  One thunderous lightning some distance away and the following equipment destroyed: a desktop computer,  the alarm system, one LCD TV and the fridge motor.   Fortunately I had an insurance policy to pay for them all.  Remember to take photos of your burnt out equipment showing all the roasted circuits when submitting papers for your claims!!

MCMC Connected Healthcare Workshop

The Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission conducted the workshop at KLCC on 24th August 2013.  Our Prime Minister opened the exhibition.  There were 8 winners of the BEE (Broadband Empowered Entrepreneur) awards worth RM 5,000.00 each.

YAB Dato Sri Mohd Najib delivering his speech

Winners of the BEE Awards

A nurse holding a stethoscope used in telemedicine. A patient console on stand.

Back from the workshop at Ipoh Railway Station.  Notice the new dancing fountain.

Two products caught my attention at the exhibition. 

1. Telehealth for all at www.u2Doc.com .  This portal allows anyone in the world to participate in a medical consultation with a doctor.  A patient can make an appointment, pay the fees and have a telemedicine consultation.  Project just started 2 months ago.  There are also gadgets for monitoring:  BP, weight, peak flow, blood glucose, ECG, pulse oximetry. 

2.  Metria is a wearable sensor which can record sleep pattern, physical activity (number of steps, METs, calories burnt).  The device is to be worn for a week.  Data is downloaded to a computer via a micro USB connection.  This device is suitable for lifestyle management, heatlh and wellness assessment, weight management and fitness.

The Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang

This movie is about the massacre in Nanking, China by the invading Japanese forces in 1937.  It is also a tribute to Iris Chang who wrote the book "The Rape of Nanking" published in English in 1997. The movie is based on her book.  Iris committed suicide in November 2004 because of depression which was possibly linked to the many horror stories which she had uncovered during her many interviews with the survivors and from the diaries of the deceased.   

I watched this movie to find out why grandpa, Leong Sin Nam, was so engrossed in raising funds for the mainland Chinese.  The letters addressed to him from China must have described the utter hopelessness of the Chinese people then.  The Japanese had already conquered Manchuria and Shanghai before Nanking.  Nanking was the capital city of the Nationalist Government of Chiang Kai Shek. 

You may wish to read more about Iris Chang in Wikipedia.  I admire her courage in bringing out the true story about Nanking which many still have relative amnesia, especially the Japanese. 

Choosing the Ideal Inhaled Corticosteroid

 

Inhaled corticosteroid is much better suited for asthmatics and COPD patients when compared to oral steroid.  There are now many ICS preparations in the market.  The choice can be difficult.   The table below shows some of the factors which need to be considered when choosing the ideal corticosteroid.

Ipoh Lahat Road YMCA

This picture shows the original Lahat Road YMCA building.   It also shows members helping children in the early 1960s.  The Lahat Road YMCA will soon be operating at its new premise opposite the Perak Stadium.  Programmes will be announced shortly when the building is ready for occupation.