When I was asked by the President, Dr Liew Fah Onn, to take over the Editorship of the Berita Menopos, I paused for a while, not decided whether to accept his invitation or not. I was aware that if I accepted, certain individuals would not be too happy about this !
 
After some thought, I decided to accept the President’s invitation. I told myself, be bold, be adult, be responsible, and why care about who likes or dislikes my appointment as Editor of Berita Menopos. I told myself I am doing this for the sake of the society & you members ! After all the society belongs to all of us, though ( for reasons beyond comprehension & unwarranted false beliefs ) some others think it belongs to them!
 
So, I am back !
Furthermore, I had made a promise to Dr Liew that should he become the President of MMS, I would stand by him for the sake of personal friendship.
 
I am making some adjustments to the presentation of our newsletter with the main objectives of 1. provide more information to both the doctors & non-doctors amongst our membership, and 2. utilize the space available maximally, and 3. work within a reasonable budget so that the Berita pays for itself.
 
I assured the President that during my tenure as Editor, I will attempt to ensure that Berita Menopos will have a healthy budget !
 
As a society, we must not be seen to favour one pharmaceutical company over another or one form of treatment over another. We must try to be open-minded and look at the scientific evidence for the many options of menopause treatment, be they hormones, non-hormones, or herbal preparations. MMS must stand firm in this vision, and must resist from being influenced by any pharmaceutical company or any particular individual.
 
Certainly there had been concerns and grumblings that MMS had been pro - certain forms of treatment, particularly hormone therapy. Rumours had been plenty including vested interests and personal interests. Such things should not happen, and can be considered irresponsible. Even worse, one may say something at one time, and something else at another time for vested interests, adding on to the lack of credibility. This, I hope, is a matter of the past, and not the present !
 
I have said, on many occasions, that our society should one day be led totally by lay people. When that day comes, I believe the society has finally matured. The doctors can then act in an advisory capacity.
 
Recently, I was asked about the medico-legal status of prescribing hormones for the postmenopausal woman. This is something we should seriously look into with the indemnity companies. It would be a worthwhile project for the current ExCo of MMS to take on. Recently too, I was told that a woman on HRT developed a stroke, and her physician promptly blamed this on her HRT given by her gynaecologist. Thus, it could be an issue !
 
All members are welcome to submit contributions to the Berita Menopos. However, these should not be of a personal nature. Definitely, all contributions will be edited.