Hilmi: No proof that ozone therapy benefits patients

BALIK PULAU: Further research might be needed to review the ban on ozone therapy treatment in the country said Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya.
He however said as a medical practitioner himself, he believes that there are no proven record on the health benefits after using this treatment.
"As a doctor myself, the O3 molecules are not stable and it can be dangerous when it enters our body.
"If the molecules enter our heart, it can cause a heart attack and if it enters the brain, it can cause a stroke or put the patient into a coma," he told reporters during a Balik Pulau parliamentary program at Pantai Gertak Sanggul early today.
On Wednesday, the ministry had banned ozone therapy and directed all business premises, including clinics and beauty salons that offered the service to cease doing so with immediate effect.
On the south reclamation project, Hilmi who is also Balik Pulau MP reiterated his stand that the proposed reclamation project by the state government will bring no benefit to the locals in the area.
He said even if the property developer was to compensate RM1 million each to the affected residents, it wont be enough as it is not the best solution for the locals who have been depending on the ecosystem for their livelihood.
"The area they want to reclaim is rich in marine life and to propose a reclamation project here will bring no benefit whatsoever to the locals living who are mostly fisherman," he said.
The Penang government at the end of April has submitted the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) on the South Reclamation Scheme to the Department of Environment (DOE) for review.
The EIA for the scheme was required to fulfil the conditions required by the National Physical Planning Council before the DOE organise public hearings and hold public exhibitions on the matter.