PETALING JAYA: The Putrajaya Sihat Sejahtera (PSS) initiative has already been implemented, with its initial focus on civil servants, said Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
The six-year programme, touted as a well-rounded effort to inculcate healthy living among Malaysians, has begun in the country’s administrative capital, according to the Health Minister.
“All ministries and agencies based in Putrajaya are actively involving their staff in their own programmes focusing on healthy behaviours such as active living, healthy eating, health screening, KOSPEN WOW (health intervention programme), and health interventions like weight management and smoking cessation,” he said when contacted yesterday.
PSS is an initiative under Agenda Nasional Malaysia Sihat, with attributes such as building healthy public policies, promoting health literacy and personal skills, strengthening community action, reorienting health and well-being services, and creating a supportive environment for wholesome living for Putrajaya.
On March 4, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced the PSS programme, which involves collaboration with various health experts and will begin this year until 2030.
This came about after reports revealed that Putrajaya residents’ obesity and cholesterol levels had exceeded national rates, Zahid said.
Dzulkefly said he expects all ministries and agencies in Putrajaya to embrace the initiative wholeheartedly, adding that since the majority of the Putrajaya population consists of civil servants, it is only appropriate that the initiative begin there.
“This initiative also supports the current Local Agenda 21, Putrajaya (moving) towards Global City 2040, and the Health White Paper.
“Given that a significant portion of the Putrajaya population is employed in the government sector, it is crucial to strive for improved health and well-being among them, as they play a crucial role in the development of various programmes and projects by the Federal Government,” he said.
He added that the PSS programme will focus on six behavioural aspects in an effort to combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and their risk factors.
This includes physical activity, healthy eating, food safety, health screening, tracking mental health, and creating a conducive environment with strategic implementation aimed at improving health literacy.
“The initiative would also offer accessible health interventions and recognition to the best players who have made significant contributions to sustaining Putrajaya as a healthy city,” he added.
