GEORGE TOWN, July 30 — Malaysia needs to navigate the challenges of an ageing nation effectively and compassionately, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
He said Malaysia would attain the aged nation status by 2030, where at least 15 per cent of the population will be elderly individuals above 60.
“Like all other Asean countries, we have to carefully allocate available resources to provide care for the whole population, caring for the older generation while ensuring that the younger generation is equipped health-wise to live longer, healthier lives,” Dr Dzulkefly said at the 3rd Asean Conference of Healthy Ageing 2024.
His speech was read by the Health Ministry’s Family Health Development Division Director Dr Mohd Safiee Ismail.
Dr Dzulkefly said a lesson from the Covid-19 pandemic was that pre-existing poor health, especially in older people, was catastrophic when faced with such a grave challenge.
“We are just now returning to post-pandemic normalcy. No doubt, many lives were saved by the vaccines.
“Although we cannot anticipate these rare ‘black swan’ events, we must work hard to weather these unforeseen crises by ensuring that every citizen achieves and maintains his or her peak health,” he said.
The old paradigm that focused on the treatment model should be re-imagined, adding that a fundamental change in the approach to ageing is needed.
On the three-day conference, Dr Dzulkefly said it presents the much-needed platform for discussions on shifting the old paradigm to a more integrated and preventive care model, changing cultural attitudes towards ageing, cultivating age-friendly environments, creating responsive healthcare systems, and providing long-term care and support which are essential to living with dignity and ageing successfully.
He hoped the conference would clarify what is needed and how to bring about changes to achieve successful ageing.
Themed ‘Ageing Successfully – Equitably, Actively and Naturally’, the conference that kicked off today is organised by the Malaysian Healthy Ageing Society in collaboration with the Commonwealth Medical Association.
The conference gathers over 600 delegates, 45 international and 87 Malaysian speakers, who will share their insights, research findings, and innovative approaches to healthy ageing.
— Bernama
