KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is facing a growing non-communicable disease (NCD) crisis that is fast becoming a major economic threat, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad warned.
He said the latest findings from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) revealed alarming trends, with more than half a million adults in the country living with at least four major NCDs simultaneously.
"One in six adults has diabetes, while one in three suffers from hypertension," he said in his speech at the launch of the "Mai Kurang Gula, Garam dan Kalori" recipe book here on Saturday (April 25).
Dzulkefly said dietary habits remained a key contributor to the worsening health situation, pointing to excessive sugar and salt intake among Malaysians.
Some 47% of adults consumed sugar beyond the recommended level of more than 7.5 teaspoons per day, largely driven by sweetened beverages, he said.
Meanwhile, three in four adults consumed excessive salt, averaging 7.3g daily - far exceeding the World Health Organisation's recommended limit of less than 5g per day, he added.
He stressed that the issue extended beyond personal health, warning of its far-reaching impact on the country's economy.
"This situation is not merely a personal health issue. It is a ticking time bomb for the national economy," he said.
Citing recent estimates, Dzulkefly said NCDs cost Malaysia about RM64.2bil annually.
He said direct healthcare costs amounted to RM12.4bil, while indirect costs - including premature deaths, absenteeism and reduced productivity due to illness - accounted for RM51.8bil.
"The true burden of NCDs is far greater and more critical than what we see in hospitals or clinics," he added.
