‘Practise healthy living habits’
Malaysians need to be more aware about their well-being, says Najib
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysians should have greater awareness about taking care of their health and embracing a healthy lifestyle, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.
This is important even with the availability of world-class medical facilities.
The Prime Minister also advised going for regular check-ups to detect any health issues at an early stage.
While the Government continues to strive to provide quality and affordable healthcare, he said the public must also look after their own wellbeing by ensuring to eat healthy, exercise, reduce stress and get sufficient sleep, and prevent obesity, hypertension and diabetes.
“The (health) sector has always been a priority and this is reflected in the Budget every year.
“God willing, as the Government, we will continue to bring positive developments and changes, so that Malaysians can enjoy better services when they go to government hospitals,” he said when opening the National Cancer Institute.
Also present were Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam, ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Chen Chaw Min, Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah and Institute director Dr Asmayani Khalib.
Between this year and 2020, nine hospitals – in Kuala Krai, Rembau, Dungun, Bachok, Petrajaya, Sri Aman, Tanjung Karang, Cyberjaya and Bera – are expected to be open and be operational.
This, he said, would bring healthcare closer to the people, relieving them the hassle of travelling far to seek medical attention.
“We have received more requests for hospitals to be built. On top of this, several existing hospitals and clinics will be upgraded and expand-
ed to accommodate more patients,” he added.
Najib said the National Cancer Institute was a testament to the Government’s continuous commitment to provide quality and accessible healthcare to the people, allowing patients to focus on recovery and not worry about the bill as the costs are affordable.
“I would like to pay tribute to Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who raised the idea to set up this institute in 2007.
“Thanks to Tun Abdullah, Malay-
sia now has a dedicated hospital to give patients the best treatment using the most up-to-date and sophisticated technology,” he said.
Cancer was a matter close to Abdullah’s heart; his wife Tun Endon Mahmood died of cancer in 2005.
Najib said having such a facility in Malaysia was timely, given the fact that the number of deaths due to cancer was on the rise, with the World Health Organisation expecting the figure to reach 13.1 million in 2030 if there was no intervention or early treatment.
In Malaysia, cancer-related deaths were at No. 4 in 2015, reaching 13.5% of all deaths recorded in government hospitals.
Sixty-five per cent of cancer cases were only detected at the chronic stage due to a lack of awareness on the importance of early detection.
The 250-bed institute was built at a cost of RM700mil.