LABIS: The national health and morbidity survey, previously carried out every 10 years, will now be conducted every four years to keep tabs with changing trends of diseases in the country.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the 10-year cycle was no longer able to reflect the actual situation.
The last survey was carried out in 2006, he told reporters after visiting the Air Panas health clinic near here, on Friday.
It showed the incidence of diabetes had shot up to 14.9% against 8% in 1996.
The survey also showed 43.8% of the population had hypertension while 60% were either obese or overweight.
Liow said various plans to create health awareness and upgrade healthcare facilities will be carried out to combat non-communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes and cancer.
He said the fourth survey would be carried out this year to help stop the rise of these diseases.
“The survey will give us the latest statistics and other information to to curb non-communicable diseases, especially diabetes and high blood pressure,” Liow said.
He added that studies by the ministry showed that an unhealthy diet and physical inactivity were among the main reasons Malaysians suffer from these diseases.
He said the ministry has allocated RM5,000 for every district to promote awareness of non-communicable diseases at the community level.
He also announced that the 1Malaysia mobile clinic for Johor will be launched in April, after three other mobile units are completed in March.
He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak launched the first 1Malaysia mobile clinic in Gopeng to reach out to those staying in the interior and encouraged them to go for regular health checks.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the 10-year cycle was no longer able to reflect the actual situation.
The last survey was carried out in 2006, he told reporters after visiting the Air Panas health clinic near here, on Friday.
It showed the incidence of diabetes had shot up to 14.9% against 8% in 1996.
The survey also showed 43.8% of the population had hypertension while 60% were either obese or overweight.
Liow said various plans to create health awareness and upgrade healthcare facilities will be carried out to combat non-communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes and cancer.
He said the fourth survey would be carried out this year to help stop the rise of these diseases.
“The survey will give us the latest statistics and other information to to curb non-communicable diseases, especially diabetes and high blood pressure,” Liow said.
He added that studies by the ministry showed that an unhealthy diet and physical inactivity were among the main reasons Malaysians suffer from these diseases.
He said the ministry has allocated RM5,000 for every district to promote awareness of non-communicable diseases at the community level.
He also announced that the 1Malaysia mobile clinic for Johor will be launched in April, after three other mobile units are completed in March.
He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak launched the first 1Malaysia mobile clinic in Gopeng to reach out to those staying in the interior and encouraged them to go for regular health checks.
