Shift from 'sick care' to prevention to stop RM64bil NCD toll, says Dzulkefly
Malaysia's Health Minister Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad is calling for a shift toward preventive healthcare to address the RM64 billion economic burden of non-communicable diseases. The government is expanding its network of Wellness Hubs to encourage early screening and healthier lifestyles.
Why it matters
This highlights the global challenge of managing chronic health conditions and the economic necessity of shifting from reactive to proactive public health policies.
KUALA SELANGOR: Malaysia must prioritise preventive care over treatment to tackle non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which kill nearly 98,000 people annually and cost the economy RM64bil every year, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
Speaking at the launch of the Kuala Selangor Wellness Hub on Sunday (Aug 23), Dzulkefly warned that the Health Ministry will remain in "crisis mode" unless the country shifts away from a "sick care" approach, where patients seek help only after becoming ill.
"We can build more hospitals and facilities, but we will not solve the problem unless we take an upstream approach and families take responsibility for their own health," he said, highlighting that ischaemic heart disease remains the top killer among NCDs, followed by chronic respiratory diseases, stroke, and cancer.
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