BEING known as the gastronomic haven in the country, Penang also must deal with the high number of diabetes cases which stands at 18.4 per cent compared to the national average of 15.5 per cent.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the figures were alarming and stressed that it should serve as a wake-up call for all to take better care of their health by adopting healthier lifestyle choices.
According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023, hypertension in Penang was recorded at 31.3% (national average: 29.2%), while the rate of high cholesterol was 34% (national: 33.3%).
Chow was speaking at the launch of the One Hope charity health carnival 2025 at the Penang International Convention Centre in Butterworth.
“I am aware that I always promote the idea of ‘Penang Leads’, but I certainly do not mean for Penang to lead in these health statistics,” he said.
The two-day health carnival features over 250 exhibition booths and offers more than 30 types of free medical screenings by medical practitioners and specialists – ranging from basic eye and foot checks to liver and heart examinations.
Chow commended One Hope Charity founder and chairman Datuk Chua Sui Hau and his team for their continued efforts to bridge healthcare gaps, particularly among the underprivileged.
“Health is a blessing often taken for granted. A healthy society forms the backbone of a resilient and prosperous state, in line with our Penang2030 vision of a ‘Family-Focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation’,” he said.
One Hope Charity has sponsored RM2.7 million for this year’s carnival.
Chow also noted it was a point of pride for Penang and Malaysia that several local public and private hospitals had been listed among the best hospitals in Malaysia for this year.
Each of Penang’s five district health offices and five district dental offices received donations from One Hope.
Seberang Jaya Hospital, Bukit Mertajam Hospital, Sungai Bakap Hospital, Kepala Batas Hospital, and Balik Pulau Hospital each received RM30,000, while Penang Hospital received RM100,000. Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital, Kulim Hospital, and Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital from Kedah also received RM100,000 each.
Chua expressed hope that the contribution will be used to improve public healthcare services, purchase equipment, and enhance treatment environments for the benefit of the people.
This year, One Hope is providing 4,000 free blood tests and 3,000 pairs of prescription glasses to senior citizens and underprivileged students.
The carnival is expected to benefit about 8,000 individuals from all walks of life, especially those in the B40 group.
The event also saw the presence of former chief minister Lim Guan Eng and Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong, who is seen as the next chief minister after Chow ends his term when the next state election is called. - May 18, 2025.
