Latest news with #ProgramUsahaJayaInsan
The Sun
a day ago
- Health
- The Sun
Mandatory eye screening for Year One students urged to detect vision issues
KUALA LUMPUR: Mandatory eye screening for children entering Year One should be implemented nationwide to detect vision problems early, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa. Speaking at the launch of the Mata Hati Wilayah 2025 programme at SK Seri Bintang Utara in Cheras, Dr Zaliha cited a screening exercise involving 2,008 lower primary students in Kuala Lumpur last year. The results showed that around five per cent had eye-related health issues. 'Of those, 88 per cent suffered from myopia (short-sightedness), four per cent had colour blindness, and eight per cent were diagnosed with strabismus (crossed eyes),' she said. Dr Zaliha warned that untreated vision problems could hinder motor, cognitive, and language development in children, with potential long-term effects persisting into adulthood. She urged the Ministry of Education to consider making eye screening compulsory during Year One enrollment. The Mata Hati Wilayah programme, now in its second phase, has expanded to five primary schools in Kuala Lumpur. These include SK Seri Bintang Utara, SK Tun Hussein Onn, SK Jalan Bellamy, SK Seri Mega, and SK Sungai Penchala. Part of the Federal Territories Department's Program Usaha Jaya Insan (PUJI), the initiative promotes eye health and provides corrective aid to students. Dr Zaliha noted that 92 per cent of students who received spectacles through the programme showed significant improvement in communication and social interaction. To support the initiative, Dr Zaliha announced a RM10,000 allocation for SK Seri Bintang Utara, praising the school's active involvement. 'With the encouraging data and positive impact we've seen so far, I'm confident we're on the right track toward nurturing a generation of students who are healthier, more confident, and ready to take on future challenges,' she added.
Sinar Daily
a day ago
- Health
- Sinar Daily
Mandatory eye screening for children entering Year One should be implemented
Citing a vision screening exercise involving 2,008 lower primary students across five schools in Kuala Lumpur last year, Dr Zaliha revealed that approximately five per cent were found to have eye-related health issues. 03 Jul 2025 03:54pm Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories), Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa (right) with student, Muhammad Harith Mohd Syimir, 8, undergoes an eye examination at the Malaysia UiTM Mobile Optometry Clinic after officiating the Mata Hati Wilayah 2025 Program at SK Seri Bintang Utara, Cheras, today. - Bernama photo KUALA LUMPUR - Mandatory eye screening for children entering Year One should be implemented as a proactive measure to detect and address vision problems from an early age, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa. Citing a vision screening exercise involving 2,008 lower primary students across five schools in Kuala Lumpur last year, Dr Zaliha revealed that approximately five per cent were found to have eye-related health issues. Dr Zaliha urged the Ministry of Education to consider making eye screening a compulsory part of Year One student enrollment nationwide. - Bernama photo "Of those, 88 per cent suffered from myopia (short-sightedness), four per cent had colour blindness, and eight per cent were diagnosed with strabismus (crossed eyes),' she said during the launch of the Mata Hati Wilayah 2025 programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Seri Bintang Utara in Cheras today. She noted that untreated vision problems can delay motor, cognitive, and language development in children, potentially leading to long-term consequences well into adulthood. As such, Dr Zaliha urged the Ministry of Education to consider making eye screening a compulsory part of Year One student enrollment nationwide. On the Mata Hati Wilayah programme, the minister said the initiative's second phase now includes five primary schools, namely SK Seri Bintang Utara, SK Tun Hussein Onn, SK Jalan Bellamy, SK Seri Mega, and SK Sungai Penchala. The programme, which is part of the Federal Territories Department's Program Usaha Jaya Insan (PUJI) initiative, aims to promote eye health and provide corrective aid to students in need. "I was informed that 92 per cent of students who received spectacles through this programme showed significant improvement in communication and social interaction with peers,' she added. During the event, Dr Zaliha also announced a RM10,000 allocation for SK Seri Bintang Utara as a gesture of support for the school's active role in implementing the high-impact initiative. "With the encouraging data and positive impact we've seen so far, I'm confident we're on the right track toward nurturing a generation of students who are healthier, more confident, and ready to take on future challenges,' she added. - BERNAMA More Like This
