Diabetes and high cholesterol cases in Kelantan above national average, says Dzulkefly
KOTA BARU: Cases of diabetes and high cholesterol levels in Kelantan have seen an increase exceeding the national average indicators, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
He said based on the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023, 16.3% of Kelantan folk suffered from diabetes, with the national average indicator at 15.6%.
"High cholesterol levels also showed an increase among the people in Kelantan, recording 34.9% against the national average indicator of 33.3%," he said when opening the Kelantan Wellness Hub Open Day in Pengkalan Chepa here on Friday (May 30).
Also in attendance was state Health director Datuk Dr Zaini Hussin.
Dzulkefly described the findings as worrying, although the state recorded better performance in several indicators against the national level.
He said 51.6% of people in the state are categorised as overweight or obese (national average 54.4%), while the high blood pressure figure is 27.9% (national average 29.2%).
"To address this, the ministry has introduced and implemented 'Agenda Nasional Malaysia Sihat' (Healthy Malaysia National Agenda) as a platform to mobilise the culture of a healthy lifestyle," he said. – Bernama Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
an hour ago
- Daily Express
RM2.3 billion lost to respiratory diseases: Experts
Published on: Saturday, August 02, 2025 Published on: Sat, Aug 02, 2025 Text Size: According to the 2023 National Health and Morbidity Survey, 6 per cent of adults and up to 13 per cent of children in Malaysia have asthma, with an estimated one in three sufferers remaining undiagnosed. Kota Kinabalu: Respiratory diseases continue to pose a significant challenge to the Malaysian and Sabah health systems, with experts calling for more integrated strategies to manage asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and post-tuberculosis (TB) lung conditions. According to the 2023 National Health and Morbidity Survey, 6 per cent of adults and up to 13 per cent of children in Malaysia have asthma, with an estimated one in three sufferers remaining undiagnosed. Another study puts the national prevalence of COPD at 6.5 per cent among adults, a disease that often leads to breathlessness and poor quality of life. The cost of managing COPD is estimated at RM2.3 billion a year, with additional financial pressure caused by reduced productivity and increased social welfare costs. Although Sabah-specific statistics are limited, health officials believe the situation mirrors the national trend. More efforts are being made in the state to strengthen screening and diagnosis, particularly in rural areas. These issues took centre stage in here as more than 100 health experts and researchers from across Asia gathered for the Annual Scientific Meeting of the NIHR Global Health Research Unit on Respiratory Health (Respire), Held from July 29 to Aug 1, marking the first time Sabah is hosting the annual meeting since the programme was launched in 2017. Themed 'Promoting and Prioritising an Integrated Lung Health Approach', the meeting brought together participants from Malaysia, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam and the United Kingdom, who presented research findings and discussed strategies to reduce the burden of lung disease in low- and middle-income countries. The discussions highlighted the need to improve early diagnosis, provide timely treatment and ensure long-term follow-up for chronic respiratory conditions, particularly for communities with limited access to healthcare. The event was officiated by Deputy Director-General of Health (Research) Datuk Dr Nor Fariza Ngah. Dr Nor said the Ministry of Health (MOH) remains committed to addressing lung health issues through the Healthy Lungs Initiative 2025-2030, which aims to enhance screening and care services nationwide. Sabah, in particular, continues to record the highest TB burden in the country, with 161 cases per 100,000 population. In response, Respire researchers are working with the Sabah Health Department and MOH to co-develop a clinical tool for improving TB diagnosis in primary care settings, especially for patients with smear-negative results. Malaysia has also taken a lead role at the international level, tabling a resolution at the 78th World Health Assembly to address asthma, COPD, TB, lung cancer and pneumonia, along with environmental factors such as air pollution and access to affordable diagnostics and medicines. The Respire programme, led by the University of Edinburgh and Universiti Malaya, is supported by the United Kingdom's National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). It aims to deliver sustainable, cost-effective respiratory health solutions through collaboration with institutions across Asia.
Malay Mail
5 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Op Selamat PaPa: Over 280,000 premises checked, 459 cases under smoking control law
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 2 — The Health Ministry (MOH) has inspected 281,381 premises throughout the country under Op Selamat Paru-Paru (Op Selamat PaPa) conducted since Oct 1, 2024. Its minister, Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad said that 459 investigation papers were opened under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), 340 for advertising smoking products, 68 for selling smoking products not according to set prices and 51 for manufacturing, importing or distributing smoking products not according to proper packaging and labelling. 'The operation is a significant step to protect the young generation from the dangers of smoking products, including electronic cigarettes and vape,' he told reporters after attending the launch of the national level Op Selamat PaPa here yesterday, after joining an operation at the area around KL Traders Square, where he distributed flyers on Act 852 to traders. Act 852 came into effect on Oct 1, 2024 and was introduced to strengthen controls over the sale, advertising and promotion of all smoking products and is specially for non-adults aged under 18, who are prohibited from being involved with the sale, purchase or use of any smoking product. — Bernama
The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
MOH inspects 281,000 premises under Op Selamat Papa to curb smoking
KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry (MOH) has inspected 281,381 premises nationwide under Op Selamat Paru-Paru (Op Selamat PaPa) since its launch on October 1, 2024. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad revealed that 459 investigation papers were opened under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852). Of these cases, 340 involved advertising smoking products, 68 were related to selling smoking products at non-compliant prices, and 51 concerned improper manufacturing, importing, or distributing of smoking products. 'This operation is crucial to shield the younger generation from the risks of smoking products, including e-cigarettes and vape,' Dzulkefly said during a press conference after the national launch of Op Selamat PaPa. The minister also participated in an enforcement operation at KL Traders Square, distributing flyers on Act 852 to traders. The law, enforced since October 1, 2024, tightens regulations on the sale, advertising, and promotion of smoking products, particularly targeting minors under 18, who are barred from purchasing or selling such items. - Bernama
