HULU LANGAT: With tens of billions of ringgit spent on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) annually, the Health Ministry is shifting its focus towards prevention through healthcare programmes aimed at keeping Malaysians healthy before they fall ill.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the cost of managing NCDs has surged to RM64.3bil annually, far exceeding the ministry’s RM46.52bil allocation for 2026.
“We can no longer rely purely on sick care. We must move towards prevention and empower the rakyat through health system reforms.
“We want Malaysians to be health- literate and capable of making wise decisions for their own well-being.
“As Health Minister, it is my responsibility to ensure this becomes a reality,” he said after opening the Health Ministry’s latest Wellness Hub here yesterday.
The Wellness Hub is a community-based health centre focused on prevention, healthy lifestyles and early intervention to help keep illness at bay.
Dzulkefly said five new Wellness Hubs have opened this year, bringing the total to 38 nationwide.
Apart from weight-loss and smoking cessation programmes, the hubs also address issues such as stunting and child malnutrition through nutrition counselling, educating parents on balanced diets from early pregnancy through the first 1,000 days of a child’s life.
“These targeted interventions aim to ensure future generations grow optimally and free from the burden of malnutrition.
“Our approach is grounded in behavioural science. We no longer simply issue instructions; instead, we offer choices and guidance to encourage voluntary behavioural change. People want to live healthier lives, but they need to know how, and these centres will guide them,” he said.
Dzulkefly added that the hubs are deliberately located in suburban areas to improve access, particularly for residents living far from major healthcare facilities in urban centres.
Other programmes offered include health and fitness assessments, gardening and creative arts. He said the hubs have recorded positive outcomes, with many participants achieving success in fitness and weight-loss programmes.
Dzulkefly noted that heart disease remains the leading health condition among Malaysians, followed by pulmonary-related illnesses and cancer.
Meanwhile, he said individuals with pre- existing health conditions will be eligible for the proposed affordable Base Medical and Health Insurance/Takaful (MHIT) plan, subject to specific terms.
The Base MHIT plan would be offered to individuals with stable and controlled pre-existing conditions, including mental health conditions. The plan will adopt a “no look back” approach, providing a fair and transparent assessment of pre-existing conditions while keeping premiums affordable and sustainable.
“The plan is designed to make health coverage accessible to all Malaysians without excluding those with pre-existing conditions. By providing a consistent underwriting guarantee, we hope to support individuals while ensuring the long-term stability of the scheme,” he said.
Dzulkefly said the framework for the base plan is currently being refined ahead of a pilot launch later this year.
“With this plan, we want Malaysians to be supported by both public and private healthcare. More details will be announced around the middle of the year,” he said.
The Base MHIT plan, announced last month, aims to expand basic health coverage amid rising medical costs and insurance premiums.
It will offer standardised annual coverage of RM100,000, with premiums determined by age and health status.
The voluntary scheme is intended to serve as a safety net covering 99% of essential treatments, with a full roll-out expected early next year.
