Ozone therapy a danger but ministry will take a look again

BALIK PULAU: The Health Ministry will do an indepth study on “ozone therapy” after the Ozone Medical Practitioners Association Malaysia asked that the ban on the treatment be reconsidered.

Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya said the ministry would take another look although the treatment has been found to be dangerous and offers no benefit to patients.

“Ozone therapy is a dangerous treatment as it has a molecule that is unstable and can produce air bubbles in the blood,” he told reporters after attending the Jom Cari Siput contest here yesterday.

“Oxygen, or O2, in our blood is stable but the ozone treatment uses a much less stable oxygen, O3, that is unsafe.

“If O3 gets into the blood stream, air bubbles form and this can cause a heart attack,” he said.

“As a doctor, I do not see any benefit to consumers. We hope people will think properly before seeking such treatment.”

On Wednesday, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam announced a ban on ozone therapy. The treatment was being offered by certain businesses, including clinics and beauty salons.

He had said that it was a treatment not recognised by the ministry and which could lead to death.

The treatment requires a person’s blood to be run through a machine.

On another matter, Dr Hilmi who is also MP for Balik Pulau, maintained his protest against the DAP-led Penang government's intention to conduct land reclamation along Pantai Gertak Sanggul, on the southern part of the island. “The area is rich in marine life, such as various kinds of shellfish and fish.

“Also, this area is sheltered from the monsoon, it enables fishermen and the public to have a source of income from the sea throughout the year,” he said.

Housewife Mahsuri Husin, 57, who took part in the contest, agreed with Dr Hilmi that the beach should be left alone.

She said that she earned a side income from collecting shellfish there. Typically, she collects about 10 kilos per day, which is then sold at RM30 per kilo to restaurants. — Bernama