KUALA LUMPUR: The deteriorating health standards of Malaysians, coupled with the country's ageing nation status, must be addressed comprehensively to stem further problems.
Experts believed that failure to do this would lead not only to productivity issues, but also place a massive burden on the country's healthcare system.
Public health expert Professor Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia said the 2023 National Health and Morbidity Survey's (NHMS) data on the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), especially among the younger generation, had raised concerns over future labour productivity.
"When more young people have NCDs, it will lead to a less productive workforce. This will only escalate no thanks to our status as an ageing nation," she said.
Dr Sharifa said addressing this was also crucial to reduce healthcare spending and to not overtax the healthcare system.
She noted that the government had embarked on key measures on healthcare financing reform to develop a more organised system in the long run.
"The Health White Paper will spearhead the reform of a new, more organised financing system.
"This includes a national health insurance system and fee-for-service payments already implemented in several major public hospitals."
Dr Lee Boon Chye, who is former deputy health minister, noted that three NCDs, namely cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer, were substantial financial burdens on the economy.
This, he said, was based on a 2020 World Health Organisation report on NCDs.
"Productivity losses, including absenteeism, presenteeism and premature deaths among the working age population were estimated to cost the economy RM12.88 billion at the high end.
"The burden of disease costs, which reflect the value individuals place on the loss of life or healthy life, were estimated to be even higher, ranging from RM100.79 billion (low estimate) to RM302.37 billion (high estimate)," he said.
"These findings underscore the dual impact of NCDs on the economy, namely tangible financial losses due to reduced productivity and significant intangible costs associated with diminished quality and length of life.
"The report highlights the pressing need for comprehensive strategies to address the burden of NCDs on individuals, industries and the government."
Dr Lee said the government must double its efforts to raise awareness of the risk of improper mitigation plans to address the NHMS's findings.
He said although some initiatives have been in place for more than 10 years, few Malaysians had adopted them.
"(For example), the 'suku-suku-separuh' (quarter plate of proteins and carbohydrates and half a plate of vegetables and fruits) dietary recommendation has been around for more than 10 years.
"However, only five per cent of the population have adopted this approach. This shows that Malaysians' lifestyles have mostly stayed the same, if not worse.
"I know the Health Ministry is doing lots of work at primary and secondary schools, and among the public. But the 2023 data showed that the outcome is far from satisfactory."