Health Ministry channels funds into screening and treatment as diabetes and heart disease complications strain the national healthcare system

KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Health has allocated over RM137 million this year to strengthen early prevention of non-communicable diseases.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad announced the funding in Parliament, citing rising diabetes and heart disease complications that are pressuring the healthcare system.

The allocation is channelled through several key initiatives focused on screening, treatment and nutrition advocacy.

RM10 million is designated for the National Health Screening Initiative to expand early NCD screening for adults aged 18 and above.

A further RM80 million is allocated for the PeKa B40 programme, which provides free health screenings for the low-income group.

The ministry has also set aside RM1.7 million for the War on Sugar campaign to advocate for healthy nutrition and reduce excessive sugar consumption.

Dzulkefly said RM45.4 million will expand access to SGLT2 inhibitors for diabetes treatment.

This aims to reduce risks of complications like chronic kidney disease and heart failure, thereby lowering hospital admissions and long-term costs.

He revealed the economic burden of NCDs in Malaysia is estimated at RM64.2 billion.

This comprises RM12.4 billion in direct healthcare treatment costs and RM51.8 billion in indirect costs from productivity losses and premature deaths.

Responding to a supplementary question, Dzulkefly provided the latest screening statistics.

As of last year, 1.8 million individuals were screened under the NHSI, with 17.9% found to have high blood pressure and 9% recorded elevated blood sugar levels.

 The Sun Malaysia