By Danial Dzulkifly
SHAH ALAM, Nov 9 – Newly-appointed state executive councillor for public health and environment Jamaliah Jamaluddin spearheads a transformative approach to public healthcare in Selangor by emphasising preventive strategies and healthy living.
She believes that reshaping public perception and educating the people about prevention before cure would be more cost-efficient given the high medical treatment expenses.
“Investing, say, RM1 million in awareness campaigns and preventative care could potentially result in savings of RM2 million to RM3 million.
“Considering the costs associated with medicine or surgical procedures, it would be more expensive compared to maintaining a healthy diet, taking supplements, and looking after one’s health and environment.
“Our challenge now lies in moving from a curative to a preventative approach to healthcare, but we are working on preparing the action plan and executing this change,” Jamaliah said in an interview with Selangor Journal on November 6.
Customised Approach
Raising awareness among the younger generations is important as they will influence how public healthcare is shaped in the future.
She said the upcoming campaigns to be launched by the state administration include anti-vaping initiatives and the Sihat Selangor carnival.
However, Jamaliah said there is a need to adopt more innovative approaches to engage and attract the younger generations.
“The rise of social media has led to the need for tailored approaches to each platform, including Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok.
“The older generation seems to enjoy attending health carnivals, but youths are less likely to participate unless there is a creative twist involved. Therefore, we need to explore various topics and innovative methods to capture their interest and involvement,” she said.
With advanced urbanisation and growth within the state, Jamaliah expressed her support for the ongoing development of public parks and recreational facilities but also called for creative approaches to healthcare, particularly for urban residents.
Selangor will introduce the ‘tower running’ initiative, an innovative pilot project involving instructors teaching apartment and condominium dwellers how to utilise staircases for exercise, facilitating physical fitness without traditional gym equipment or huge open spaces.
In addressing the ageing society of Malaysians, she noted that increased longevity does not necessarily reflect a better quality of life.
There is a need for healthier living and to prevent the increase of non-communicable diseases, which includes dietary choices, exercise habits, and fostering a culture that supports a healthy lifestyle.
“While people may live longer, they may have to deal with more health issues. Our goal is to achieve a better quality of life overall,” Jamaliah said.
Touching on the cooperation between different levels of government, she added that Selangor’s efforts to improve people’s lives by building more public parks and the Federal government’s expansion of healthcare facilities are mutually supportive.
Mind Matters
The councillor also noted the concerning trend involving mental health issues, particularly among those aged between 20 to 40.
This age group faces numerous challenges and is often under significant stress but usually without any evident indicators.
“Many individuals facing these issues may present as high-functioning on the outside, yet some tragically end up taking their own lives.
“People are reluctant to speak about mental health for fear of being labelled as ‘crazy, but I believe perceptions are changing. Despite this shift, there remains a low level of understanding about mental health and its importance,” Jamaliah said.
The state government had earmarked approximately RM200,000 annually to fund subsidised mental health therapy sessions, available through the state’s SELangkah app.
She also said the Selangor Public Health Department and Federal health agencies offer a wealth of programmes tailored to mental health, providing the appropriate platforms for those in search of assistance.
Raising awareness on the matter would also be able to address the concerns of individuals using social media or platforms like TikTok to self-diagnose mental health conditions.
“We aim to inform you about the next steps. This is crucial because, while there are plenty of commentators on social media, the government’s role extends beyond simply providing a list of potential mental health symptoms.
“We also want to guide you towards the appropriate platforms for seeking help,” Jamaliah said.
