HEALTH Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad has identified low health literacy as a major factor behind the public's reluctance to undergo regular health screenings, especially for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), cancer, and mental health disorders.
Speaking after officiating the Healthy Mind, Prosperous Community Carnival in the Paroi constituency today, Dzulkefly said that many Malaysians only seek medical treatment once an illness has progressed or is diagnosed, rather than taking early preventative steps.
“This is why the Ministry of Health (MOH), under the National Health Screening Initiative (NHSI), emphasises screening, not only for NCDs, but also for cancer and mental health,” he said.
He called on the public to be more proactive in managing their health and that of their families, starting with timely health screenings followed by appropriate interventions and treatment.
Quoting data from the latest National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS), he noted that one in three adult Malaysians has hypertension, one in three suffers from high cholesterol, and one in six is diabetic. He also highlighted the alarming statistic that 50 per cent of adults face obesity.
“That is why I want to see greater awareness about the importance of health screenings. I hope these efforts are well-received by the people. We have initiatives like Peka B40, Komuniti Sihat Pembina Negara (KOSPEN), and services at District Health Offices,” he added.
Also present at the event was Negeri Sembilan State Health Director Dr Zuraida Mohamed.
On the topic of COVID-19, Dzulkefly reassured the public that current infection rates are under control and remain below the national alert threshold, with an average of 600 cases per week.
Asked whether there was a need for Malaysians to receive an additional COVID-19 vaccine dose in light of rising cases in a neighbouring country, the minister said there was no plan to make further vaccination mandatory at this stage. However, he urged the public to remain vigilant and continue practising preventive measures. - June 15, 2025
