Regenerative And Exercise Medicine Offers Hope To Reverse Global Health Crisis – Dr Mohamed Fadzli

KOTA BHARU, July 5 (Bernama) -- The World Conference on Exercise and Regenerative Medicine (WCERM) has grown significantly in recent years, evolving beyond its initial focus on exercise medicine to include regenerative medicine, particularly in the field of medical stem cell applications.

Deputy Kelantan Menteri Besar, Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan said regenerative medicine now encompasses vital areas such as cell therapy, immuno-modulation, and tissue engineering, which aim to heal damaged tissues and restore bodily functions impaired by aging, disease, or injury.

“The synergy between medical science, national institutions and exercise-related industries offers a bright and sustainable future, especially for our younger generation,” he said when opening the 7th WCERM here today.

Mohamed Fadzli said the world is now at a crucial turning point, where the combined potential of regenerative medicine and exercise science may help reverse a global crisis driven by physical inactivity, obesity, and preventable chronic diseases.

He noted that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) claim more than 41 million lives globally each year.

“This is not merely a statistic, it is a call to action. Exercise medicine, when supported by advancements in regenerative medicine, presents a genuine opportunity to curb and combat this deadly challenge,” he said.

He cited World Health Organization (WHO) data showing that physical inactivity is now the fourth leading cause of death globally. WHO estimates that 1.4 billion people are physically inactive, while more than 1.9 billion adults are overweight, including 650 million classified as obese.

Mohamed Fadzli reaffirmed that Kelantan and Malaysia remain committed to addressing this public health issue.

“We are proud to be part of this global scientific journey. We will continue to support the development and implementation of exercise and regenerative medicine through infrastructure, education and public policy,” he said.

WCERM, established in 2017, gathers experts in medicine, science and health policy to explore solutions in exercise and regenerative healthcare, including stem cell therapy and tissue engineering.

This year’s three-day event in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, involves delegates from 18 countries and focuses on addressing global health issues such as non-communicable diseases, obesity and physical inactivity through cross-sector collaboration.

The event is hosted by Asia College of Exercise Medicine (ACEM), in collaboration with the Kelantan state government and the Hungarian University of Sport Science.

Meanwhile, conference chair and ACEM chief executive officer, Professor Dr Muhammad Lee, said the college would establish a new campus in Kota Bharu, marking a major step forward in Malaysia’s approach to addressing NCDs through clinically prescribed physical activity.

“Malaysia is the first country in Asia to prescribe exercise as the first line of treatment for NCDs.

“With this new ACEM campus in Kota Bharu, we aim to expand research and improve training for healthcare professionals in prescribing safe, effective exercise interventions,” he said during his keynote speech.

ACEM, which currently operates in Damansara Damai, Selangor, is leading the charge in integrating exercise into clinical protocols for the prevention and management of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular conditions.

-- BERNAMA