Protection from NCDs crucial to lower premature death’

KUALA LUMPUR: The implementation of health promotion and screening programmes related to four main types of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) is critical in reducing premature mortality among older adults in Malaysia, says Dr Zaliha Mustafa.

The Health Minister said the effort is important as NCDs remain the largest contributor to premature mortality in Malaysia. The four main types of NCDs are cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory disease, and diabetes.


“NCDs and their complications pose a real and significant threat to Malaysia. “The diseases cost the nation approximately RM8.91bil (0.65% of gross domestic product) based on reports from the ministry and the World Health Organisation,” she said in a video during a conference on Living Your Golden and Best Years: Health Is Wealth, held here yesterday.


Dr Zaliha said according to the National Health and Morbidity Survey conducted in 2019, the prevalence of NCDs among seniors is high: 76.5% of Malaysians aged 60 and above have at least one NCD. “This is a concern as it could lead to a surge in NCD-related deaths in the future. “Many NCDs are preventable if detected early, so it is vital for people, especially seniors, to undergo health screening often as this can improve treatment outcomes and prevent complications,” she told Bernama.

She said the ministry is open to working with non-governmental organisations and civil society to create awareness about NCDs. At the conference, Universiti Malaya and the Third Age Media Association signed a memorandum of understanding on conducting research on various aspects of ageing as well as promoting healthy ageing.

Share:

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn

Related Posts

Risks of elderly living alone

Prompted by choice to be independent, such lifestyle isolates individuals from access to help in emergencies BY RAJVINDER SINGH newsdesk@thesundaily.com PETALING JAYA: The public has been urged

Care more for home alone elders.

By ALLISON LAI and JUNAID IBRAHIM PETALING JAYA: In the last few months, there were almost 10 cases of elderly people found dead alone, which

◆独家◆ 谢德荣建议政府 1对1助长者医保金

(吉隆坡23日讯/独家报导)大马老龄组织联盟(MCOA)主席谢德荣认同,国内多数长者没有足够的医疗保险,而政府可以考虑提供一令吉对一令吉配对基金,来鼓励长者投保。 他说,很多长者现在都没有足够的退休金,更遑论支付保险。 “不只是医疗保险,长者在年老和需要被抚养时,获得长期护理也很重要。” 谢德荣 他举例,在韩国和日本,人们在工作后会扣除薪资支付保费,而政府都会补贴保险。 “为鼓励长者为医保和长期护理做好储蓄,政府可以考虑提供配对基金,也就是受保人每拿出一令吉,政府也会配对相同金额。” 谢德荣是今日接受《中国报》询问,针对成人护理品牌添宁(TENA)推出的2023年大马人口老龄化报告,显示59%受访长者,根本没有准备好应对任何的医疗需求一事,作出回应。 他也说,政府也可以鼓励长者保持活跃,让他们尽可能长时间维持健康体魄,这样就能有效减缓政府和个人的医疗保健成本。 他强调,储蓄是每个人开始工作时就要做的事,确保拥有足够的退休金是自己的责任,长者们必须确保他们在退休时能够享受财务自由,而不是依赖政府和家人。 “高昂的生活成本,已经让包括我们孩子在内的多数人难以养家糊口,所以我们不能强迫他们供养我们。 “身体健康的长者仍有赚钱养活自己的能力,保持健康和活跃才是长者们的出路。”