Healthy ageing begins long before old age

Photo: Pixabay

WITH people aged 65 and above projected to account for around one in seven Malaysians by 2040, the government has rightly accelerated preparations through the proposed Older Persons Bill, the National Ageing Blueprint, the 13th Malaysia Plan and a range of healthcare and community initiatives.

These are commendable steps. However, if Malaysia truly wishes to age successfully as a nation, one fundamental principle deserves much greater emphasis: disease prevention should stand shoulder to shoulder with treatment.