IPOH: Despite dengue cases currently remaining low, the public must not become complacent, says Perak Health director Dr Feisul Idzwan Mustapha.
He said that dengue cases are cyclical and can rise, especially when environmental cleanliness is neglected.
“Currently, the trend is low and remains downward. What worries me is when dengue receives less attention and people become careless.
“Dengue is not just a mosquito-borne disease, but also a disease of cleanliness and maintaining environmental hygiene is crucial even when cases are low,” he told reporters after officiating the Community Care Day & Fire Safety Awareness Training Programme at Shell Jalan Hospital, Ipoh, on Saturday (Jan 17).
He urged communities to work together to maintain cleanliness in their areas.
“Mosquitoes don’t fly within boundaries. Even if your home is clean, stagnant water nearby can still increase your risk,” he said.
Meanwhile, on non-communicable diseases, Dr Feisul urged Malaysians to undergo regular health screenings, noting that many people delay check-ups because they feel healthy, only to seek medical help when complications arise.
“Most patients who come to emergency departments are not suffering from infectious diseases, but from heart attacks and strokes caused by undetected chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure,” he said.
He encouraged the public to make health screenings a routine, suggesting annual check-ups, including dental examinations and even using birthdays as a reminder to get screened.
On the surge in mental health calls, with nearly 91,000 calls made to Talian HEAL 15555 last year, Dr Feisul said the increasing numbers show that mental health issues continue to affect people of all ages.
He said that stigma remains a major barrier preventing people from seeking help.
“Many still view mental health issues as a weakness rather than an illness, causing people to delay getting help until the condition becomes severe,” he said.
He added that individuals or family and friends should step forward early when they notice behavioural changes linked to stress, anxiety or depression.
He said economic pressure, social stress and social media influence are among the main factors driving the increase in mental health issues, particularly among adolescents.
Dr Feisul said early detection is crucial, as many cases can be managed through counselling and early intervention without the need for psychiatric treatment.
