Stand Strong Against Anaemia, and 'Win Your Day'!

Hello readers ..

I am back with another Public Awareness Campaign that will definitely benefits my blog reader. 

Stand Strong Against Anaemia and Win Your Day! 

A raising campaign by Merck Consumer Health Division to educate the public on the iron deficiency Anaemia.

If you have one of the signs, please be aware .. you might have Iron deficiency anaemia and you might need help. Ok lets know Anaemia more, readers ..

Mr. Richard Lee, General Manager of Merck Consumer Health Division, Malaysia delivering his speech during the launching.

Anaemia happens when the level of red blood cells or level of haemoglobin is lower than normal, hence a reduced amount of oxygen is being carried around in the bloodstream. Oxygen is very important as it act like a fuel to keep cells alive and keep them working. Less oxygen means the functions of cells, tissues and organs will be affected too.

Dr. Dhara Shah, Associate Director of Medical Affairs, Merck Consumer Health Division.

Iron deficiency anaemia is the common type of anaemia, caused by insufficient iron in the body to produce haemoglobin. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that over 30% of the world’s population suffers from anaemia, with the disease being most prevalent in women and young children. In Malaysia, of the 5,184 adults tested by Merck Consumer Health Division, approximately 39% of Malaysian adults are living with anaemia – 42% of 3,676 adult females, and 31% of 1,508 adult males. Untreated iron deficiency anaemia can lead to a serious symptoms such as irregular heartbeat and in severe cases, lead to heart failure or enlargen the heart size.

Dr. Zulfitri ‘Azuan Mat Daud, invited speaker from the Malaysian Dieticians Association (MDA)

Many are not aware that they are suffering the iron deficiency aneamia. Many misunderstood that the symptom that they are having such as the constant fatigue and tiredness, dizziness, headaches and many others as simply coming from lack of sleep.  According to Dr. Zulfitri, not many think to have themselves checked by medical professionals, and the condition can persist for years. Anaemia, if left untreated, may become severe enough to affect our daily life. To combat iron deficiency, we must be proactive in taking steps in preventing it, and to seek help from healthcare professionals should that be necessary.

Merck Consumer Health Division, as a leader in healthcare and well-being is committed to improving and enriching the health and lives of Malaysians by guiding them in taking the initiative to seek opinions from healthcare professionals because when iron deficiency is not treated, it may become severe enough to affect our daily life.

The "Win Your Day" Campaign is set to educate and change the lives of women in particular, as they are more likely to be affected by iron deficiency anaemia. Pregnancy, significant menstrual bleeding and uterine fibroid are all reasons that contribute to more women experiencing iron deficiency anaemia than men.

Officiating the launch of the Stand Strong Against Anaemia and Win Your Day campaign, (from left) Mr. Richard Lee, General Manager of Merck Consumer Health Division, Malaysia; Dr. Zulfitri ‘Azuan Mat Daud, invited speaker from the Malaysian Dieticians Association (MDA); and Dr. Dhara Shah, Associate Director of Medical Affairs, Merck Consumer Health Division.

During the Sharing session, Nor Amni Bt Haris, 31, and (centre) Siti Noorshella Zainal, 37, both anaemia suffering patients, shared their daily duties and chores struggled prior to discovery of their ailment. Both ladies improved on their dietary habits and took iron supplements upon professional advise, and their health condition has since been improved. 

To support the above Campaign, Merck Medical team in Indonesia together with the medical experts has developed Anaemia Risk Assessment Tool which can help us check whether they are at risk of having anaemia based on the symptoms, combined with the Conjunctival Paleness Chart.

A pale conjunctiva is a clinical feature of anaemia, which allow us to self-detect whether we are at the risk of anaemia.  As part of the Anaemia Risk Assessment Tool, the chart is available online and free to use for all at www.WinYourDay.my

Can you see that, readers .. I did my anaemia self checked using the Anaemia Risk Assessment Tool.

Its so easy and does not take such a long time to complete the whole test

With the score below 10, the results shown that I am probably Anaemic.

Well readers, you can get yours done too .. the chart is available online and free to use for all at www.WinYourDay.my .. so be more aware on yourself go to the website and test yours.

With the result, I went to the next counter to get my blood test done.

I'm scared of needle, actually but yahh .. it is important to identify and know our body more especially the red blood cells count and the level of haemoglobin. 

And I am happy with my result .. I am free from anaemia *even I am a bit pale*

So readers, being a woman and a mom, I always believed that our health are everything. We are the main person who took care of our family. A strong and healthy mother is very important to ensure the day-to-day activities are run smoothly. Get yourself check, readers. 

For more information on iron deficiency anaemia, or to do a self-check on your anaemia status through the Anaemia Risk Assessment Tool and haemoglobin test event schedule, please visit www.winyourday.my.