By Zareef Muzammil
SHAH ALAM, June 7 — The state government is focusing its efforts on curbing non-communicable diseases (NCD) among the people, in the wake of Malaysia’s transition to the endemic phase.
State executive councillor for public health Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud said there is a concern that NCDs will negatively impact the people’s quality of life, in addition to increasing the nation’s economic burden.
She said the Selangor Saring programme currently underway will give a chance to residents to detect NCDs at an earlier stage.
“The post-Covid-19 period has indicated we need to pay serious attention to the matter. This is why we have implemented the programme to complete the existing ecosystem that was prepared by the Health Ministry.
“The people can undergo free health screenings and trace NCDs earlier, and subsequently get treatment which will increase their chances of recovery,” Dr Siti Mariah said during the launch of the Selangor Public Health Advisory Council (Selphac) at Dewan Jubli Perak in the Selangor State Secretariat Building earlier today.
The launch was officiated by Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari, and was also attended by former Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
The councillor added up to 70 per cent of deaths globally are a result of NCDs, of which 67 occur in low and medium-income nations.
She said NCDs are expected to cause up to US$47 trillion (RM206.4 trillion) in losses to the world economy within the next eight years.
“In Malaysia, the financial burden borne by the government to treat NCD patients is almost RM8.9 billion.
“In fact, the insignificant costs or disability and loss of years of healthy living has been estimated to be at RM100.79 billion, which is equivalent to 7.35 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product,” Dr Siti Mariah said.
