KUCHING: Public awareness and preventive care must take centre stage in addressing heart disease in Sarawak despite advancements in cardiac treatment facilities, a programme highlighted during the Sarawak Health Foundation’s Heart Health 2026 initiative here today.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, who is also Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government and Batu Kawa state assemblyman, said this when officiating at the programme held at the Ang Cheng Ho Quarry Multipurpose Hall in Batu Kawa.
He noted that while Sarawak has made significant progress in cardiac services development over the decades, prevention remains critical as heart disease continues to be the leading cause of illnesses in both Malaysia and Sarawak.
“This is the first time I am holding this programme together with the Sarawak Heart Foundation, and moving forward, apart from raising funds and supporting equipment and services, the focus now is on public awareness because heart disease is still the number one disease in Malaysia and in Sarawak,” he said.
Dr Sim said the Sarawak Heart Foundation, established in the late 1980s by the late Datuk Amar Laila Tai, has played a significant role in supporting cardiac services development across the state, including contributions to heart centres and medical facilities in public hospitals.
“Most activities have the footprint of the Sarawak Heart Foundation, and without the foundation, many initiatives would have been difficult to implement because funding alone is never enough,” he added.
He said Sarawak’s Heart Centre continues to gain recognition at the regional level, noting that it is among the top 100 heart centres in the Asia Pacific region despite the state’s geographical challenges.
However, he stressed that strong facilities alone are insufficient if preventive measures are neglected, as rising cases linked to lifestyle diseases such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes remain a growing concern.
“We do not want more and more patients because it never ends, so public awareness is important because we want to see people healthy outside, not only in hospitals,” he said.
Dr Sim also highlighted the role of collaboration between government agencies, healthcare providers and community organisations, including the Sarawak Heart Centre and Malaysian Red Crescent, in promoting health screening, blood donation and community-based healthcare initiatives.
The programme also featured voluntary health screening services conducted in collaboration with Pusat Jantung Sarawak, allowing members of the public to undergo basic health checks and receive early health advice.
Heart Health 2026 forms part of ongoing efforts by the Sarawak Health Foundation to expand its role from supporting medical infrastructure to strengthening public education on heart health and encouraging healthier lifestyles among Sarawakians.
