Act responsibly, live healthily

I STRONGLY agree with Dr Junaidi Ismail (“Getting staff to be healthy”; The Star, Dec 22) that each of us has to take responsibility for our own health. By this, I mean practise preventive health rather than burden our healthcare system or depend on our employers or insurance companies to bear the costs for curative treatment.

How do we do this? Simply by eating and drinking right, exercising, getting enough sleep, staying away from alcohol and cigarettes, and generally trying not to be overwhelmed by stress.

I am a retired civil servant and every time I go to the the Universiti Hospital to replenish my medicine following my thyroid surgery, I will notice many patients happily taking home bagfuls of assorted medicines, as though reassured by them.

Many of these patients suffer from lifestyle diseases like diabetes, heart problems, high blood pressure and so on, all of which could have been prevented.

With a new year coming, let us resolve to act responsibly and live healthily. Let us not burden our government with such exorbitant healthcare costs. Savings in this sector can be used for other more deserving needs.

VIJAYALAKSHMI GOVINDASAMY

Kuala Lumpur