Category: Uncategorized

inDrive, a prominent global mobility and urban services platform headquartered in Mountain View, California, USA, has announced a significant expansion in its financing partnership with venture capital firm General Catalyst, securing an additional US$150 million to bring the total funding to US$300 million. This extension, which may be further prolonged for another year, provides inDrive with enhanced financial flexibility to bolster growth initiatives, invest in product enhancements, diversify service offerings and penetrate new markets.

This financing milestone follows a prosperous year for inDrive, marked by a remarkable 54% surge in net revenue throughout 2023. The company’s consistent growth trajectory and strategic utilisation of adaptable financing mechanisms underscore its commitment to sustainable scalability.

Dmitry Sedov, Chief Financial Officer at inDrive, emphasised the significance of this financial backing, stating, “Securing this financing from General Catalyst empowers us to continue our rapid growth and innovation while maintaining a strong financial position and financial flexibility. This financial structure is designed to support our ambitious plans without introducing additional risk to our operations.”

Pranav Singhvi, Managing Director of General Catalyst, echoed this sentiment, expressing enthusiasm for supporting inDrive’s expansion into new markets. He said, “As long-time partners of inDrive, we are excited to help them continue to scale their growth and set the company up for success as they enter new markets. We are enthusiastic about supporting a business with a robust mission that positively impacts communities globally.”

The inDrive app has been downloaded over 200 million times and was the second most downloaded mobility app in both 2022 and 2023. In addition to ride-hailing, inDrive provides an expanding list of urban services, including intercity transportation, freight delivery, task assistance, courier, and B2B delivery. Last year, inDrive successfully navigated regulatory requirements in Malaysia, obtaining the business mediation license (LPP) from the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD). The company announced that it had resolved all matters concerning the LPP, essential for the official operation of ride-hailing services in Malaysia.

Operating in 749 cities across 46 countries, inDrive supports local communities through its peer-to-peer pricing model and community empowerment programmes, which advance education, sports, arts and sciences, gender equality, and other vital initiatives.

With this fresh injection of funds, inDrive is primed for further expansion in 2024. The strategic financial support will facilitate the expansion of service offerings and the reinforcement of its global presence, all while upholding its core mission of challenging social injustice and promoting equitable access to mobility services.

 

In an exclusive interview, Federation of Investment Managers Malaysia (FIMM) CEO, Kaleon Leong, shares insights on how the tax exemptions will benefit unit trust investors and strengthen Malaysia’s investment landscape.

The recent decision by the Ministry of Finance to grant exemptions from Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and Foreign-Sourced Income (FSI) Tax for the unit trust industry has been welcomed as a boost for Malaysia’s investment landscape. In this exclusive interview, Kaleon Leong, CEO of Federation of Investment Managers Malaysia (FIMM), provides insightful commentary on how these tax exemptions will benefit over 13 million-unit trust investors, especially those approaching retirement age.

He explains the pivotal role unit trusts have played in democratising investing since the 1990s, fostering inclusivity and accessibility across income segments. Leong also shares his perspective on how the exemptions will positively influence short- and long-term capital market trends, support economic recovery post-pandemic and enable savvy investors to optimise their retirement nest eggs. Overall, this decision cements unit trust as a reputable investment vehicle, providing Malaysian investors with an affordable path to grow their wealth tax-free.

Kaleon Leong, CEO of Federation of Investment Managers Malaysia

SmartInvestor (SI): How do you foresee the recent decision to grant exemptions from Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and Foreign-Sourced Income (FSI) Tax impacting the overall investment landscape, particularly within the unit trust industry?

Kaleon Leong (KL): Firstly, on behalf of the unit trust industry, we are very grateful to the Ministry of Finance (MOF) for granting exemptions on Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and Foreign-Sourced Income (FSI) Tax. As full details on these exemptions are still pending (at the time of this interview), my comments here are fueled by optimism that the impending legislation will give the unit trust industry the necessary impetus to generate higher yields for its unitholders.

To put things into perspective, the unit trust industry has been a significant component and contributor to the Malaysian capital market since the 1990s, with a present industry Net Asset Value (NAV) of more than RM500 billion[1].

The unit trust industry have been directly contributing to the liquidity of the capital markets and adding diversity to the sources of funds with investments in equities, bonds, sukuks and fixed-income markets, which channels additional capital for investment into Malaysia’s various economic sectors.

The imposition of CGT and FSI Tax would have had a sizeable impact not only on the unit trust industry but also on the wider Malaysian capital market as it was foreseeable that a large portion of investors would have exited the unit trust industry given the impact on their returns from the application of CGT and FSI Tax in an already challenging global economic environment coupled with inflation. If the CGT and FSI tax prevailed, huge redemption pressures will force fund managers to liquidate unit trust funds’ assets in the shortest time possible, causing the capital market to be more volatile than usual.

Additionally, there would have been a lower take-up rate by fund managers for new bonds, sukuks, debentures and any other unlisted instruments. This will impact the financing needs of companies, (including government-linked companies (GLCs)).

At an individual investor level, where CGT and FSI taxes had been imposed on the unit trust industry, it would have adversely impacted more than 500 funds and 13 million unitholders, of which over 90% are individuals.

SI: Considering the decision is expected to have a positive impact on over 13 million-unit trust investors, especially pensioners and those approaching retirement age, how might the newly granted tax exemptions influence their investment behaviour and decision-making?

KL: The announcement is timely and helpful to this group of investors as they seek to replenish their retirement savings, especially after the pandemic. Hence, this should further increase investor confidence.

To provide some context on the size of this investor group, based on the FIMM 2022 Investment Management Survey, it was found that in 2021, a total of 47% (8.3 million) of Unit Trust investors are either in the pre-retirement phase, i.e., 46 to 55 years old (3.0 million), or are in the retired phase, i.e., 56 years old and above (5.3 million)[2].

SI: In your opinion, how have unit trust funds contributed to the capital market since the 90s, and what role have they played in fostering inclusivity and accessibility for investors across diverse income segments?

KL: The 90’s were a significant period of growth for the unit trust industry. The centralisation of industry regulation, with the establishment of the Securities Commission on 1 March 1993, coupled with the implementation of the Securities Commission (Unit Trust Scheme) Regulations in 1996, resulted in even greater awareness of the unit trust industry and contributed to its tremendous growth during the period[3].

Today, the unit trust industry has grown by leaps and bounds, from a NAV of RM28 billion in the 90s to exceeding RM500 billion[4]

A key role of the unit trust industry is fostering inclusivity and accessibility for investors across diverse income segments. Unit trusts enable people of all walks of life to invest in a variety of unit trust funds, with some having a low minimum entry investment amount and subsequent investments.

This relatively low barrier to entry opens the possibility for a diverse range of potential investors to participate in the capital market while simultaneously gaining from the additional benefits of having an investment professional manage their portfolio, accompanied by better diversification and risk management.

SI: How do you anticipate the capital market to react to this news, both in terms of short-term market dynamics and potential long-term trends?

KL: While the details of the exemptions granted are yet to be announced (at the time of this interview), we anticipate optimism about unit trust funds as a reputable and highly regulated investment product by the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC).

In short-term market dynamics, the resolution of these tax concerns and the accompanying operational challenges will allow fund management companies to focus on delivering their core responsibilities of generating returns for unitholders.

We envisage that in the longer-term trends, investors will continue to set aside their savings to invest in unit trust as an investment vehicle where they will not only reap the benefits of long-term investment returns but also a peace of mind.

SI: Given that the tax exemptions also apply to those investing through their Employees Provident Fund (EPF) savings, how might this influence the investment strategies of individuals who utilise their EPF funds for unit trust investments?

KL: The unit trust industry is very cognisant of investors who choose to contribute part of their EPF savings towards investing in unit trusts. The investors are entrusting the industry with a portion of their retirement nest egg, which underscores the need for careful attention on the part of the industry. As a result, the funds that are green-lit for investments via EPF savings must have a 3-year track record and undergo a rigorous selection and approval process.

As it stands, investors investing through their EPF savings may decide to further diversify their portfolio into other asset classes through unit trusts to maximise their returns and grow their retirement nest egg.

SI: Post-pandemic, individuals are diligently replenishing their depleted savings. How do you see the investment industry contributing to the broader economic recovery efforts?

KL: These may be challenging times, but this is where the unit trust industry can help Malaysians replenish their savings. Through unit trust funds, Malaysians have the opportunity to invest a part of their savings into a portfolio of pooled investments managed by investment professionals. Should they decide to invest directly themselves, they may not have the same access to investment opportunities and diversification that a unit trust offers. This also includes economies of scale from the pooled investments in a unit trust which reduces the cost of investing as a whole.

In 2021, the Securities Commission launched the Capital Market Masterplan 3, or CMP3. Within the CMP3, it was addressed that, in the post- pandemic era, there would be a period of recovery in economic growth. It was emphasised that two critical parts of Malaysia’s economic growth moving forward, which the capital market can enable, are the structural upgrade of the economy and the redefining of the retirement savings landscape[5].

Both parts can indeed be contributed by the unit trust industry as it plays a role in channelling investors savings to the sectors of the economy that need support. For the retirement landscape, the unit trust industry serves as a move towards channelling retirement savings towards potentially higher-yielding portfolios, resulting in greater savings for retirement.

SI: With the newly granted tax exemptions, what advice would you give to individual investors, especially those approaching retirement age, in terms of optimising their unit trust investments for tax-free returns?

KL: The tax exemptions were granted in recognition of the importance of the unit trust industry towards both the Malaysian capital market and providing an avenue for individual investors to save and invest their hard-earned money. As a matter of fact, it was the realisation that most investors in Unit Trust are individuals (over 90%), which proved critical in the MOF’s decision to grant the tax exemptions.

It is important to diversify your investments. Deposits help, but inflation erodes savings. Unit trusts are established with the goal of helping individual investors preserve their savings by providing a hedge against inflation.

For individuals approaching retirement age, it is important to take stock of their financial situation and consider more income-generating investments.

Sources

1. Securities Commission Malaysia: Summary of Statistics – Unit Trust Funds for 2023.
2. FIMM Investment Management Survey. Date: November 2022.
3. FIMM Website: History of Unit Trust Schemes and Private Retirement Schemes in Malaysia (UTS History – FIMM).
4. Securities Commission Malaysia: Summary of Statistics – Unit Trust Funds for 2023.
5. Securities Commission Malaysia: Capital Market Masterplan 3. Date: 21 September 2021.

 

 

According to the NATIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN National Strategic Plan for Colorectal Cancer (NSPCRC) 2021 – 2025, colorectal cancer (also known as colon cancer) is the second most common cancer and contributed to 13.5 per cent of all new cancer cases diagnosed in 2012-2016.

The incidence of colon cancer increases with age and is slightly higher in males. Colon cancer is known to be highly preventable and treatable through early detection. However, the 2012-2016 cancer report showed, around 70 per cent of colon cancer patients in Malaysia were diagnosed at stage III or IV. This is the stage where treatment is more complicated, and the outcome is poorer.

Understanding Colon Cancer

“Colon cancer occurs when there is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the colon or rectum. These abnormal cells can develop into polyps, which are small growths that protrude from the inner lining of the colon or rectum. While most polyps are not cancerous, some can develop into cancer over time,” explains Dr Zakry Onn Yahya, a Consultant General Surgeon of ParkCity Medical Centre.

The exact cause of colon cancer is still unknown, but there are several risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing the disease. These include a family history of colon cancer, a personal history of colon polyps or inflammatory bowel disease, a diet high in red and processed meats, obesity, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle.

Symptoms Of Colon Cancer

“In the early stages, colon cancer often does not produce any symptoms. As the cancer grows, however, it can cause several symptoms, including changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhoea or constipation, blood in the stool, abdominal pain or cramping, unexplained weight loss, fatigue and weakness. These symptoms are not specific to colon cancer and can be caused by other conditions, so it is important to consult a doctor if any of these symptoms persist,” reminds Dr Zakry.

Screening For Colon Cancer

Screening is the process of testing for a disease in individuals who do not show any symptoms. For colon cancer, there are several screening tests available, including Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) which checks for blood in the stool and colonoscopy—a procedure that involves inserting a long, flexible tube with a camera on the end into the rectum to examine the colon and rectum. If polyps are found, they can be removed during the procedure. Meanwhile, the Stool DNA Test checks for DNA changes in the stool that may indicate the presence of colon cancer.

“The FOBT and colonoscopy is recommended for individuals over the age of 45, and those with a family history of colon cancer or polyps should start screening at an earlier age. Meanwhile the Stool DNA Test is recommended every 3 years for individuals over the age of 50. The choice of screening test depends on the individual’s risk factors, preferences and medical history. It is important to consult a doctor to determine the appropriate screening schedule,” stresses Dr Zakry.

Why Is Screening Important?

Screening for colon cancer is important for several reasons. Firstly, it can detect colon cancer at an early stage when it is most treatable. In fact, colon cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, as it can take 10 to 15 years for polyps to develop into cancer. If polyps are detected and removed during screening, the risk of developing colon cancer can be significantly reduced.

“Secondly, screening can also detect colon cancer before it causes symptoms. As mentioned earlier, colon cancer often does not produce any symptoms in the early stages. By the time symptoms appear, the cancer may have already spread to other parts of the body, making treatment much harder,” adds Dr Zakry.

Treating Colon Cancer

If colon cancer is detected in its early stages, the chances of successful treatment are much higher. Treatment for colon cancer often involves surgery to remove the cancerous tissue. Depending on the type and stage of the cancer, the surgery may involve removing a part of the colon or rectum, or even the entire colon or rectum. In some cases, a colostomy bag may be required temporarily or permanently.

While surgery is often necessary to treat colon cancer, it is not without risks. Patients may experience blood loss, infection or a prolonged stay in the hospital. Patients should be adequately prepared for surgery both physically and mentally and should be informed of the risks and benefits of the procedure.

“In addition to physical preparation, emotional support is also crucial for patients with colon cancer. Patients may experience anxiety, depression or denial when faced with a cancer diagnosis. It is important for doctors to provide adequate counselling and support to help patients cope with the emotional impact of the disease.

“Family support and participation in support groups can also be beneficial for patients with colon cancer. Support groups provide a safe space for patients to share their experiences and learn from others who have gone through similar experiences,” Dr Zakry advises.

Preventing Colon Cancer

“While there is no sure-fire way to prevent colon cancer, there are several steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of developing the disease. Some of these steps include eating a healthy diet that is high in fibre and low in fat, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, getting screened for colon cancer regularly and of course screening,” concludes Dr Zakry.

Dry eye syndrome, also known as dry eye disease or keratoconjunctivitis sicca, is a common eye condition that affects millions of people worldwide. This condition occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears, or when the tears evaporate too quickly, causing the eyes to become dry, itchy and irritated. This condition results in blurring of vision, discomfort, light sensitivity and other symptoms due to disturbances to the eye’s tear film.

According to a local study entitled ‘Prevalence and Risk Factors of Dry Eye Disease’, the prevalence of dry eye syndrome is estimated as 7 per cent to 34 per cent worldwide, occurring at a higher frequency in the elderly above 50 years of age and twice as high in women than in men. In Malaysia, dry eye syndrome was only considered a disease on its own in 2007.

Symptoms & Causes

“The symptoms of dry eye syndrome include burning sensation akin to stinging, sandy sensation when closing and opening the eyes, soreness, watery eyes, light sensitivity, heavy eyelids, deteriorating vision and red bloodshot eyes. The syndrome severely reduces the patient’s ability to read, drive and use screens for a prolonged period of time, significantly affecting the quality of life, particularly in middle-aged and elderly patients,” says Dr Norazlina Binti Bachik, Clinical Director of KPJ Centre for Sight.

There are many causes of dry eye syndrome, divided between internal and external causes, with dry and humid climate like ours being one of the external causes.

“Some of the internal causes of the disease include hormonal imbalance or changes, namely declining or lack of oestrogen in pre-menopausal or post-menopausal women, inflammatory systemic disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren’s Syndrome, allergic eye disease, and consumption of drugs like anti-histamines and certain anti-hypertensives,” explains Dr Norazlina.

“Meanwhile, the external factors include chronic contact lens wear, long hours on gadgets like computers or handphones and environmental factors like heat and wind. Drier climate specifically aggravates the condition and patients must take better care of themselves especially in our country,” she adds.

Diagnosing Dry Eye Syndrome

In addition to women in general and the elderly, Dr Norazlina also highlights that people who are in tropical countries especially those who receive year-round sun, those working outdoors like construction workers and those on long hours of intense desk-bound computer work in air-conditioned rooms are more prone to dry eye syndrome.

After assessing whether a potential patient with symptoms similar to dry eye syndrome fall into at risk groups as mentioned above, further tests are conducted for diagnosis. The examination entails assessing the eye surface particularly looking for signs of dryness on the cornea. This can be achieved through using dyes like fluorescein or Lissamine green or Red Bengal stains. Meanwhile, tear meniscus (a thin layer of tears that collects along the lower edge of your eyelid when your eye is open, keeping your eyes moist) can give us an idea of how much tears are present in one’s eye.

Treating Dry Eye Syndrome

Unfortunately for dry eye syndrome, there is no single treatment involved, but rather it must be a multi-angle approach.

“Usually, we begin treatment for local eye conditions such as blepharitis by using lid scrubs or warm compresses on the eyelids to improve the flow of meibum.* A judicious use of lubricants either in the form of drops or gel or even ointment also takes place, depending on the severity of the dryness. Mitomycin C eyedrops can also be helpful in inflammatory cases,” says Dr Norazlina.

(*Note: Blepharitis is a common inflammation of the eyelids, and meibum is an oily substance that helps keep tears from evaporating too quickly.)

Apart from medication, some lifestyle changes also need to be undertaken such as avoiding long constant hours on gadget use by taking frequent breaks, wearing sunglasses or any other eye protective gear when doing outdoor activities to prevent direct effect on the eyes from wind or sunlight, ensuring adequate daily water intake and even taking supplements like fish oil.

What advice would Dr Norazlina give to individuals living in drier climates who are concerned about developing dry eye syndrome or experiencing discomfort and vision problems related to their eye health?

“To start with, wearing protective eye gears like sunglasses with ultraviolet light blocking properties when going outdoors is very important. Lubricating eyedrops use will also help to alleviate the symptoms through the day. Once the root cause of the dryness has been identified, compliance to the treatment instituted by the eye doctor must be adhered to ensure the effectiveness of the treatment regime.

Don’t forget to stay healthy by drinking enough fluids and taking balanced healthy diet, with supplements taken as needed.”

It is rare to come across a book whose title comes in one word. Many books have titles and subtitles that are too many words.  Many such books, in the hope of crafting an exciting title to captivate readers, end up just too long.  However, there is one book on the market now of which the title is just one word, and it is powerful and sufficient.

MOTHERHOOD is a compilation by Jermaine Li Yuen of the sharing of 72 mothers describing their experiences of what motherhood is all about. Each sharing is brief and concise with a range from 200 to 300 words which makes easy reading.

This book is dedicated to all mothers and mothers-to-be. Jermaine believes that the real-life stories shared in this book can inspire, motivate and give hope to all mothers in their journey of motherhood.  The book is well illustrated by Alison Lim, with each write-up with a family photo of the mother and her children converted into a photo illustration format. 

The good thing about a photo illustration compared to the actual photo image is that it would not take the attention away from the write-up’s content.  The calligraphed name of each mother at the end of the write-up is elegantly done by Gladys Yowono.

The book’s content is as attractive as its layout, illustration, and calligraphy. The sharing of the insights of each mother comes with varied experiences. As much as there are differences in their journey of motherhood, there is also the common joy, pain, thrill, and chaos experienced by each mother.  

Having read this book I personally understand for the first time much clearer what motherhood is all about and the sacrifice a mother has to go through to bring a newborn to this world and nurture him or her with tender loving care all the way.  This is certainly a valuable book worth reading every page.

The review of this book would not do any justice if I do not share an extract of a two-liner from the book shared by the mothers.  It is certainly not easy to pick 5 from the 72 equally interesting ones.  So, I chose them based on the 5 criteria on being dramatic, hilarious, meaningful, touching and inspiring.   

Dramatic

“A journey of endless possibilities, like having your finger clipped in between the door hinge because your kid got excited and slammed the door while you were trying to grab some ointment to apply on his chest, and before you know it, you are lying on the hospital bed being dragged into the operating theatre because your finger tendon tore.”

-Jermaine Li Yuen, Co-Founder of The Ark and Arkmosphere, Mother of 3

Hilarious

“Motherhood is nights of breastfeeding while your 11 months old baby boy kicks you relentlessly at your caesarean wound as you suffer quietly in pain. Motherhood is watching your husband sleep and snore next to you as you enviously wish how good it is to be a man instead.”

– Mei Xin, Corporate Banker, Mother of 1

Meaningful

“Having a child is a gift from God and it is moments like this that you know somewhat God’s love and patience is with us.  I thank God daily for this gift and what my son has taught me about motherhood, patience and humility.”

-Freda Lu, Broadcaster/Author/Emcee/Speaker, Mother of 1

Touching

 “To me, motherhood is not about winning a popularity contest.  If I had come across as a naggy mother, it is because my love knows no bounds. I remember whenever my children had a fever, I would nurse them throughout the night till they recovered. I will do whatever it takes to ensure their safety and well-being.”

– Juliet Bee, Marketing Director, Mother of 3

Inspiring

One day, a therapist told me something that changed my parenting approach.  She said, “connect instead of correct”.  Wow! Simple yet powerful.  She explained that when spending time with our children, it is better to connect by talking and listening to them about everyday stuff rather than giving instructions and correcting their behaviour (e.g., constantly saying don’t shout, don’t run, don’t touch).

– Emelia Thiran, Artist & Art Educator, Mother of 2

The above two liners excerpts are too short and certainly have shortchanged the value of the full write-up and likewise for the other mothers’ sharing which are not extracted here. So, my recommendation:  go get this book and read these great insights from these wonderful mothers.  

I promise it will take you through the whole gamut of human emotions. This book is not just for mothers; in fact, everyone should read Motherhood to understand what a mother has to go through to bring all of us up and alive.

Arthritis is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide, including Malaysia. Arthritis is a general term that refers to inflammation of the joints, which can cause pain, stiffness and limited mobility. There are many types of arthritis, each caused by factors unique to the disease.

Understanding Arthritis

“Osteoarthritis is when the cartilage that caps the bones in your joints wears away causing the bones to grate against each other. Meanwhile, rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which the immune system attacks the joints, beginning with the lining of joints (synovium). Unfortunately, rheumatoid arthritis affects more women than men, with the ratio of 3 to 1,” says Dr John Decruz, a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at ParkCity Medical Centre.

“In addition to that, there are also joint paints related to gout, which is caused by uric acid build up in the form of painful crystals in the joints and more commonly seen in the younger group around 30 to 50 years of age. This is in contrast with the other types of arthritis that are more prevalent in much older groups. Joint pain may also occur due to an infection, which appears in the form of redness and reduction in range of motion around the affected joint,” he continues.

Some patients may experience joint pain due to a genetic predisposition, which causes their joints to stiffen up and become painful as they age. This can be diagnosed with a thorough family history, inspection and physical examination. Sometimes X-rays may also be necessary. Meanwhile, blood tests will also reveal joint pain caused by autoimmune diseases such as lupus, gouty arthritis and septic arthritis.

Diagnosing Arthritis

If you think you may be suffering from joint-related diseases, it’s best not to delay seeking treatment. However, not all symptoms lead to arthritis.

“Usually, patients begin suspecting of conditions are often marked by a ‘crackly’ sensation or sound that people may experience when performing physical activities, including something as simple as getting up from a chair,” explains Dr John. “However, most of the time, especially if there is only sound without any pain or swelling, it’s harmless. But of course, we can always rule out any potential of the disease with x-ray, blood tests and even MRI.”

X-rays of patients suffering from osteoarthritis will reveal a reduction of the gap between the bones indicating that the cartilage is worn out. There may even be hairline cracks, bone spurs or even bone cysts in more severe cases.

Treating Arthritis

If you’re diagnosed with arthritis, there are many options that you could explore before landing on surgery.

“Nowadays surgeries such as knee or hip replacement surgeries or joint replacement surgeries are often last resort options when the arthritis is no longer manageable. The go-to upon initial diagnosis are supplements such as Glucosamine and Chondroitin; which are often taken together and are believed to help repair and maintain the cartilage in the joints.

“One good thing is our local food is generally rich in turmeric, which contains curcumin that has been proven through studies to have anti-inflammatory properties that could help reduce joint pain and inflammation,” details Dr John.

In addition, an Omega-3 fatty acids-rich diet and vitamin D has also been found to help reduce inflammation of joints.

“And of course, we have medications that are commonly used to treat arthritis, including painkillers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologic agents.

“Painkillers such as acetaminophen can help to relieve pain, while NSAIDs such as ibuprofen can help to reduce pain and inflammation. DMARDs such as methotrexate can help to slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis, while biologic agents such as adalimumab can target specific parts of the immune system to reduce inflammation in the joints,” adds Dr John.

Physical therapy is also an option for effective treatment of arthritis, but Dr John reminds to approach it with caution.

“Yes, physical therapy improves joint function and reduces pain but only start it upon seeing a doctor to get a proper medical diagnosis of the type of arthritis that is afflicting you. I’ve seen cases of patients’ arthritis becoming worse due to premature physical therapy.”

Preventing Arthritis

If you would like to keep arthritis at bay, there are certain measures that can be taken. Similar to the way in which physical therapy is used to reduce pain in joints—through exercises to strengthen the muscles around joints, as well as stretches and range-of-motion exercises to improve flexibility, keeping active will help to keep the onset of arthritis at bay.

“Lifestyle changes is also important in treating as well as preventing arthritis. Maintaining a healthy weight to reduce the pressure on the joints while avoiding excessive inflammatory food such as sugar, fast-food and food fried with processed oil. Eating a healthy diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains can also help to reduce inflammation in the body,” advises Dr John.