WHO Praises Malaysia's Multisectoral Approach In Combating NCDs

KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Health Ministry's multisectoral approach in combating non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country has received praise from the World Health Organisation (WHO). WHO regional director for Western Pacific, Dr Shin Young-Soo who attended the WHO Regional Meeting on National Multisectoral Plans For NCD Prevention and Control, here, said the approach was also a fine example to emulate. "Malaysia has been a pioneer in addressing NCD prevention and control through multisectoral actions by collaborating with other sectors such as the ministries, NGOs, community-based groups and business entities," he told reporters after the opening of the four-day meeting by Malaysian Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai, Monday. The meeting is participated by 37 high-ranking government officials from 13 Western Pacific Region member states including Australia, Brunei, China, Hong Kong, Laos, Korea and Vietnam. Meanwhile, Liow said the ministry had come up with holistic measures that involved commitment from all sectors and the community to fight NCDs as well as to create a healthy environment for the public. For instance, he said, the unprecendented circular issued by the Public Service Deparment last February on "Guidelines on the Implementation of Healthy Eating in the Public Sector" for all ministries, aimed to cultivate healthy eating habits among civil servants. The circular covered two aspects, namely "Healthy Menu during Meetings" and "Healthy Vending Machines" which contain guidelines and labels for the calorie content of food served. "We only recommend the menu and calories, and it is up to the individual to take up the recommendation. They must be cautious of what they eat and the calorie intake," he said. Liow said the ministry was advocating less sugar, less fat and less salt intake in food as an adult only needs 2,000 to 2,500 calories per day. Earlier, in his speech, Liow said the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers Malaysian Food Manufacturig Group (FMM MAFMAG) had in April this year agreed to put front-of-pack energy icons on food and beverage products to help consumers estimate their daily nutrient intake. He said the National Council of Local Governments had also approved a guideline for all local authorities to ban the sale of food and beverages by mobile vendors outside school grounds. The Housing and Local Government Ministry is currently producing a circular for the implementation. Liow said a 2011 National Health and Morbidity Survey showed that NCD cases in the country were on the rise, and 60 per cent of premature deaths amongst Malaysian adults today were caused by NCDs. He noted that an estimated 2.6 million Malaysian adults were living with diabetes, 5.8 million with hypertension, 6.2 million with hypercholesterolaemia and 2.5 million being obese. "What is more worrying is that the proportion of those undiagnosed NCDs has also increased," he said. -- BERNAMA