PUTRAJAYA: Malaysians should take advantage of free health screenings under the National Health Screening Initiative (NHSI) as non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease often develop silently before turning life-threatening.
Health Ministry Cardiometabolic Renal Prevention and Control Sector Head Dr R. Sivarajan said under the National Health Screening Initiative (NHSI), the public could undergo free tests to identify health indicators including blood sugar levels, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), cholesterol and mental health status.
He said early detection through the screening could prevent serious complications such as kidney and heart diseases.
“If abnormalities are detected, individuals will be referred for confirmatory tests and follow-up treatment at health clinics.
“It not only saves lives, but also reduces long-term treatment costs and increases productivity by reducing absenteeism and premature deaths,” he told reporters after a health screening programme with the Putrajaya Media Club (KMP) here today.
The NHSI is one of the initiatives under the National Healthy Malaysia Agenda (ANMS), aimed at strengthening self-health management to ensure individuals, families and communities have the capability, capacity and skills to address the threat of NCDs.
The screening programme is offered free of charge at all government health clinics as well as general practitioner (GP) clinics under the PeKa B40 scheme.
Dr Sivarajan also urged Malaysians aged 18 and above to undergo regular health screenings, stressing that prevention also involves practising a healthy lifestyle, including balanced nutrition, physical activity and adequate sleep.
“In terms of diet, physical activity and sleep, all these are interconnected with our health status, especially for NCDs including diabetes and high blood pressure,” he said.
Earlier, 20 KMP members attended the health screening programme organised by the Health Ministry in collaboration with the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM).
Among the screenings conducted were for high blood pressure, hepatitis B and C, full blood count (FBC), glucose, liver function, prostate, pap smear and clinical breast examination. – BERNAMA
