First step towards taking charge of your health

EARLY health screening can help us stay on track with our health.

But as involved as we all are in today’s rat race, there are always excuses made when screening is advised.

“My schedule is packed”; “I’m fine, just some headaches and neck pain, must be work stress”; “Waste of time just to find out that I’m healthy”; “The more you seek, the more you’re sick”.

Many of us feel that if we look healthy and don’t feel any significant ill effects, screening is not necessary. But that’s exactly when you should check yourself.

Why? Because health screening is about tracing conditions that could be silently brewing inside, showing no outward signs or symptoms yet.

The sooner we take necessary action if there’s anything wrong, the better our prognosis will be.

And let us not forget that many sudden cardiac arrest cases occur among seemingly healthy people.

Furthermore, healthcare is getting more and more expensive, so detecting a problem early enough to correct it with just lifestyle changes, rather than medication, would not only be easier on the body, but also your wallet.

What if no threat is found from the screening? Well, it’s such a gladness, ain’t it?!

As unpredictable as life can get, let’s not allow ignorance, fear and excuses make us suffer irreversible chronic diseases.

Get your health screening done – at least the basic measures such as body mass index, fasting blood sugar and blood cholesterol levels, and blood pressure.

If you’re 18 years old and above, affordable and accessible health screening services are available through the Health Ministry’s National Health Screening Initiative.

Free screenings can be booked in many government clinics through the MySejahtera app.

There are also Socso’s (Social Security Organisation) health screening programme and the Peduli Kesihatan Scheme (Care for Health scheme, or Peka B40) for eligible recipients aged 40 and above.

Subsidised health screening, including cancer screening for women, is provided at Klinik Nur Sejahtera under the National Population and Family Develop-ment Board (or LPPKN).

In conjunction with the Health Ministry’s Wellness Month this September, start your screening now, take charge of your health, and live life to the fullest.

GUNASUNDARI MARIMUTHU

Senior assistant director

Population Wellness Branch

Health Education Division

Health Ministry