GOVERNMENT health clinics lack a sufficient number of dietitians to tackle disease-related malnutrition, says Suhaizan Kaiat (PH-Kulai).
According to the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Health chairman, there are about 1,100 health clinics nationwide with only 50% having access to dietitians.
“At the same time, there are only 120 dietitians in primary care, putting it at a ratio of one officer to between five and 10 health clinics.
“This limits their reach and makes it difficult for them to help, especially in rural areas,” he said when briefing the Dewan Rakyat on the PSSC report on Enhancing Food Policy and Nutritional Intervention yesterday.
Malaysia, he said, is facing disease-related malnutrition that is increasingly prominent and requires immediate attention.
“Food is not just a choice but the foundations to the health, productivity, economy and future of Malaysia.”
Referencing findings from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023, he said risk of non-communicable disease (NCD) among adults remains high.
Some 54.4% of adults aged 18 and above are overweight or obese, whereas 29.2% of adults have hypertension, 33.3% have high cholesterol and 15.6% adults have diabetes mellitus.
“This reflects how NCDs are no longer isolated but instead a matter that warrants an immediate structural change.
“The situation is further burdened by how 35.9% of adults experience metabolic syndrome while more than half a million adults have four NCDs concurrently,” he said, adding that this impacted productivity and increased the burden on the healthcare system.
The committee, Suhaizan said, also proposed scrapping sugar subsidies, with the allocations instead channelled to enhance healthcare agendas. Other proposals included imposing a minimum tax rate for sugary drinks.
Healthcare education must also be strengthened, he said, noting how social media was filled with content on unhealthy foods.
“We can see much of this content showing these viral meals but they are not necessarily the healthiest,” he said.
