PORT DICKSON: Low health literacy among the people can lead to the onset of non-communicable diseases (NCD), which imposes a significant burden on individuals, families, society and the national healthcare system.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad stated that this includes young people, who should ideally be in the most active and healthiest phase of their lives.
He emphasised the need for immediate intervention as this could become a "cancer" within society and potentially pass on the burden to future generations.
"According to the 2023 National Health and Morbidity Survey, one in two adults is overweight; one in six adults has diabetes; and four out of five adults aged 18 to 29 are unaware they have diabetes.
"We have already overcome infectious disease pandemics like Covid-19, which came and went. Now, we are facing this trio of chronic illnesses," he said in a speech at the 2024 National-Level Malaysia Sihat Sejahtera Month celebration here on Sunday (Sept 8), officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and also attended by Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.
Dzulkefly stressed the necessity for the nation to transition its healthcare approach from merely treating illnesses to prioritising prevention, promotion, and prediction.
This, he added, requires a comprehensive reform of health-related behaviours.
He recommended that the empowerment of the health agenda should begin at the frontlines, starting at the grassroots level within every community nationwide, and MyChampion community health agents should be mobilised with this awareness in mind.
He further explained that the National Agenda for a Healthy Malaysia, which is the cornerstone of the country's health agenda, has been developed using a whole-of-nation approach, harnessing the collective efforts of the government, private sector, third sector, and grassroots communities.
Meanwhile, in his speech, Aminuddin expressed hope that the government would consider building a new hospital in Negri to address the limitations and overcrowding at Hospital Tuanku Jaafar Seremban.
He stated that the hospital is currently undergoing upgrades, resulting in a 17% reduction in the number of beds (188 units), compared to the previous 1,134 units.
Aminuddin, who is also the Port Dickson MP, noted that Negri still lacks cardiology services.
"Therefore, I request the Health Minister to establish a Cardiologist Specialist Clinic at HTJS to facilitate access to specialist services for the people of Negeri Sembilan," he said. – Bernama
