PETALING JAYA, Malaysia —The ministry’s public health specialist Dr Feisul Idzwan Mustapha said
diabetes, hypertension and
heart disease will affect productivity and would have a negative impact on Malaysia’s socio-economic development, which can possibly delay the
progress in achieving developed country status by year 2020.
“Based on the results of the National health and Morbidity Surveys the
prevalence of diabetes could be 21.6 per cent for adults by 2020,” he
said.
Dr Feisul, who is from the Ministry’s NCD section, said the impact can
be seen now, as an increasing number of patients with diabetes are
seeking treatment at government clinics.
Meanwhile, there is an increase hospital admissions due to complications from diabetes, heart attacks and strokes.
Dr Feisul said individuals and communities need to take responsibility for their health.
“Excess food intake and a decrease in physical activity has caused the increasing trend of obesity among Malaysians,” he said.
Dr Feisul said the local governments and the Ministry of Youth and
Sports would have to look into promoting the use of available and
accessible facilities for exercise to increase the level of physical
activity among Malaysians.
“The police department will also take part in personal safety for
protection from personal harm, while people are out exercising,” he
said.
Though Dr Feisul said behavioural change does not come easily,
“pro-health” policies are needed to create a supportive living
environment to achieve positive changes.
“Many policies and regulations on promoting a healthy environment lie outside the responsibility of the ministry”, he
said
Source: Yahoo News
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