KOTA BARU: Cases of diabetes and high cholesterol levels in Kelantan have seen an increase exceeding the national average indicators, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
He said based on the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023, 16.3% of Kelantan folk suffered from diabetes, with the national average indicator at 15.6%.
"High cholesterol levels also showed an increase among the people in Kelantan, recording 34.9% against the national average indicator of 33.3%," he said when opening the Kelantan Wellness Hub Open Day in Pengkalan Chepa here on Friday (May 30).
Also in attendance was state Health director Datuk Dr Zaini Hussin.
Dzulkefly described the findings as worrying, although the state recorded better performance in several indicators against the national level.
He said 51.6% of people in the state are categorised as overweight or obese (national average 54.4%), while the high blood pressure figure is 27.9% (national average 29.2%).
"To address this, the ministry has introduced and implemented ‘Agenda Nasional Malaysia Sihat’ (Healthy Malaysia National Agenda) as a platform to mobilise the culture of a healthy lifestyle," he said. – Bernama
