Health Ministry acts to address non-communicable diseases

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 11 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry is focusing this year on reducing the incidence of five factors that contribute to non-communicable diseases among Malaysians, Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said today.

These were hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking and obesity, he added.

Dr Dzulkefly said a study conducted by the ministry and Harvard University showed that Malaysia´s success in addressing non-communicable diseases among its population was rather low compared to the achievement of other countries in the region.

He described the effort to achieve greater success in the area as a huge challenge that had to be shouldered by him and all staff of the ministry.

"In order to achieve that target, the ministry will focus on healthcare efforts by shifting (greater focus) from healing to prevention, " he told reporters after delivering his message for the new year to the ministry staff at the ministry here.

-- BERNAMA