2011 HEALTH AWARENESS YEAR TO FIGHT NCDs, SAYS HEALTH MINISTER

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 10 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry will carry out various
health awareness programmes for the public this year to combat non-communicable
diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems and obesity.

Its minister Liow Tiong Lai said the campaign against NCDs must
be implemented through an integrated strategy and cooperation among various
sectors, including the relevant ministries and local communities following the
sharp increase in NCD cases of late.

"The NCD treatment cost is a huge burden and pressure for the public and
government, which spent RM1.3 billion (US$423,177) last year on medicines which
were mainly for treating NCDs.

"We also want to make 2011 as a health awareness year, to make the public
realise the importance of keeping a healthy lifestyle in order to create a
healthy, fit and happy Malaysian society," he said after opening the De Homebiz
Gallery at the Great Eastern Mall, here, Sunday.

He disclosed that 12 ministries which sat on the Cabinet Committee on NCDs
would meet for the first time soon to draw up a more effective policy on NCDs.

"With the policy, programmes and activities at the grassroot level to fight
the diseases will be drawn up by the 12 ministries involved," he said.

On the 1Care National Healthcare Scheme, Liow said his ministry was in the
process of preparing the working paper which would be submitted to Prime
Minister Najib Tun Razak by next month, the latest.

He said through the 1Care scheme, the people could seek treatment at the
government or private hospital of their choice regardless of their social status
and financial standing, besides each individual must select and appoint a clinic
of their choice as the family physician.

-- BERNAMA