KEPALA BATAS: Penangites appear to be slightly heavier than the average Malaysian, according to Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
He noted that overweight and obesity rates in Penang stand at 56.5%, surpassing the national figure of 54.4%.
“High cholesterol is also more prevalent in Penang at 37.4% compared to 33.3% nationally, and high blood pressure affects 35.4% of Penang residents, exceeding the national rate of 29.2%,” he said during the official opening of the North Seberang Perai wellness hub yesterday.
Findings from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023 showed the prevalence of non-communicable diseases in Penang is above the national average.
Diabetes affects 20.5% of Penang’s adult population, 4.9% higher than the national rate of 15.6%, with nearly 8% (7.7%) unaware of their condition.
Dzulkefly highlighted that an ageing population presents another challenge, with Malaysia projected to reach aged nation status by 2035, when 15% of the population will be 60 years or older.
To ensure a healthier ageing process, he stressed the importance of promoting a culture of healthy living to reduce the risk of chronic diseases later in life.
In 2024, seniors aged 60 and above made up 11.6% (3.9 million) of the total population.
On another matter, Dzulkefly said relaxing the entry requirements for more Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) graduates to enrol in nursing courses would not jeopardise the quality of the healthcare system. He said the move was to address the shortage of nurses.
He said although his ministry backed the call by the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) for the government to improve the terms of service for nurses to ensure a better healthcare system, it was also crucial to address the shortage of nurses.
“It is crucial for us to encourage SPM graduates to enrol in nursing courses by setting the entry requirement at three credits,” he said.
The minister was responding to a statement by the MMA, calling for better compensation, reasonable working hours, and career development opportunities for nurses, a move that would not only attract more students to the nursing field but also retain talent within the profession.
Dzulkefly assured that a favourable decision would be reached, not only to ensure the welfare of nurses but also that of medical assistant officers (PPP), healthcare assistants (PPK), and ambulance drivers regarding their demands related to the 45-hour work shift system per week.
