Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City has partnered with Klinik Kesihatan Taman Medan to support Malaysia’s National Health Screening Initiative, with over 900 hospital staff screened for non-communicable diseases over three days.
The screening covered blood sugar, blood pressure, body mass index, and cholesterol checks, whilst female staff also underwent breast and human papillomavirus screening for early detection of breast and cervical cancers.
NCD Burden in Malaysia
Sunway Medical Centre said in a statement that the initiative comes as Malaysia faces a high NCD burden, with 2.5% of adults living with four NCDs—diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and obesity—according to the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023.
The survey found that two in five adults aged 18 and above had not undergone NCD screening in the previous 12 months.
For cancer screening, 46% of women aged 18 and above had not performed a breast self-examination in the previous 12 months, whilst 65% of women aged 20 and above had not undergone a Pap smear in the previous three years.
The high prevalence of un-screened adults is a concern, as early detection is key for effective management of NCDs, and can significantly reduce the risk of severe complications.
Importance of Early Detection
Sunway Medical Centre said early detection of NCDs is critical in managing severe complications, including kidney and heart disease.
Erica Lam, CEO of Sunway Medical Centre, said the Ministry’s National Health Screening Initiative highlights the importance of proactive health management and timely medical intervention.
This initiative will lead to better health outcomes for the staff and potentially inspire others to prioritize preventive healthcare, given the significant burden of NCDs in Malaysia.
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Erleena Nur binti Hassan, Head of Klinik Kesihatan Taman Medan and Family Medicine Specialist, said early detection can help prevent complications from NCDs.
Erleena said this collaboration reflects their shared commitment to making preventive healthcare more accessible and empowering the community to take charge of their health.
The partnership between Sunway Medical Centre and Klinik Kesihatan Taman Medan demonstrates the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing the NCD burden in Malaysia, and highlights the need for a multi-faceted approach to healthcare.
National Health Screening Initiative
The NHSI is part of Malaysia’s Healthy Malaysia National Agenda and aims to detect, prevent, and manage NCDs through early intervention.
Screening results and summaries will be recorded and displayed in the MySejahtera application, which is a health application used to track health data.
The initiative’s focus on early detection and prevention is a step towards reducing the burden of NCDs in Malaysia, and it will impact the country’s health outcomes in the long run.
They will continue to support the National Health Screening Initiative, and encourage others to participate in the programme to promote a culture of preventive healthcare in Malaysia.
The use of digital platforms, such as the MySejahtera application, will also facilitate the tracking and monitoring of health data, enabling healthcare providers to identify trends and patterns, and develop targeted interventions to address the NCD burden.
Furthermore, the NHSI’s emphasis on community empowerment and preventive healthcare will help to promote a shift in mindset, from a focus on curative care to preventive care, and encourage individuals to take an active role in managing their health.