Sarawak cancer centre project tops MA63 meeting agenda this Monday
Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said that preparations for the centre are underway, and coordination with key stakeholders is progressing smoothly.
'We have now finalised that the construction of the hospital will be undertaken by the Public Works Department (JKR) Malaysia instead of the Sarawak JKR.
'Yesterday, I also had a meeting with the Sarawak State Health Department, and they informed me that everything has been finalised. When you build a hospital, you must also ask the end user, in this case, the healthcare professionals, what is needed,' he told reporters after the launch of Batu Kawah National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI) here today.
Dr Sim, who is also Sarawak's Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, said he and Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad will attend the meeting in Kuala Lumpur.
On March 30 last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the federal government had agreed to the construction of the Sarawak Cancer Centre in Samarahan Division.
According to Anwar, through the project, the Sarawak government is creating history by becoming the first state government to finance a federal project in advance, to speed up its implementation. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
12 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
2026 budget to have special focus on tackling obesity, diabetes
Some 4.58 million of adult Malaysians, or 21.8%, are obese, according to the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023. (Envato Elements pic) KUALA LUMPUR : The health ministry will place special emphasis on tackling obesity and diabetes in the 2026 federal budget scheduled to be tabled in October, says its minister, Dzulkefly Ahmad. Dzulkefly said his ministry has submitted several proposals on the matter and is awaiting Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's tabling of the budget. He pointed out that both health conditions were key contributors to the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases in the country. 'The National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023 found that 3.55 million Malaysians, or 15.6% of adults aged 18 and above, suffer from diabetes, while 4.58 million, or 21.8%, are obese,' he said after launching a programme as part of an integrated treatment for diabetic patients. Dzulkefly said obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer accounted for more than 70% of premature deaths in Malaysia, costing the nation over RM64 billion annually in treatment, care, lost productivity and early death.
Malay Mail
12 hours ago
- Malay Mail
A health wake-up call for academics — Nazrul Anuar Nayan
AUGUST 16 — They are the architects of our nation's future, dedicating their lives to research and the education of the next generation. But behind the lecture halls and library stacks, many of Malaysia's academics are facing a silent, personal crisis. A case study tracking a group of male lecturers between the ages of 40 and 50 over fourteen years has shed light on the significant, yet often overlooked, health toll of their demanding profession. The life of a lecturer extends far beyond the classroom. It is a world of intense intellectual pressure, where days are spent hunched over keyboards preparing lecture notes, marking assignments, and writing research papers to meet publication deadlines. Evenings and weekends are often consumed by administrative duties and the relentless pursuit of academic excellence. This demanding environment fosters a lifestyle that is predominantly sedentary, stressful, and marked by irregular hours, creating a perfect storm for noncommunicable diseases. The findings from the long-term health study confirm what many in the field have long suspected. A consistent pattern of rising obesity was observed among the participants. The long hours spent sitting, combined with a tendency toward eating late at night after a long day's work, contributes directly to weight gain and the accumulation of dangerous visceral fat around the organs. This increase in weight sets off a cascade of related health problems, collectively known as metabolic syndrome. The study noted a clear trend towards unhealthy cholesterol profiles, where bad LDL cholesterol rises while good HDL cholesterol falls. This imbalance is a primary driver of atherosclerosis, the hardening and narrowing of arteries, which significantly increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Perhaps most alarmingly, the research highlighted a steady progression towards prediabetes. The combination of physical inactivity and a diet often high in processed foods and sugar impairs the body's ability to regulate blood sugar effectively. Without intervention, many academics are on a trajectory to developing type 2 diabetes, a chronic condition with profound consequences for their lives. Furthermore, the study pointed to signs of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. This condition, where excess fat builds up in the liver, is closely linked to obesity and metabolic syndrome and can lead to severe liver damage if not addressed. It is crucial to understand that these health issues are not a result of personal failure but are occupational hazards baked into the structure of academic life. The very dedication and passion that make a good lecturer can inadvertently lead to the neglect of their own wellbeing. The findings from the long-term health study confirm what many in the field have long suspected. A consistent pattern of rising obesity was observed among the participants. — Unsplash pic So, what is the prescription for this academic ailment? The path to better health is not about drastic measures but about making sustainable lifestyle changes. First, a dietary overhaul is essential. Lecturers are encouraged to move away from convenience foods and towards whole foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Practicing mindful eating and planning meals can help counteract the effects of a hectic schedule and prevent unhealthy late-night eating. Second, integrating physical activity into the daily routine is non-negotiable. This does not necessarily mean hours at the gym. It can be as simple as taking brisk walks between classes, using a standing desk, or incorporating short exercise breaks throughout the day. The goal is to break the cycle of prolonged sitting with at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per week. Finally, proactive health monitoring is key. Regular checkups to track blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels can catch problems early and allow for timely intervention, preventing the progression to more serious diseases. This study is a vital wake up call. The health of our nation's educators is a resource we cannot afford to lose. It is time for both individuals and academic institutions to acknowledge this hidden crisis and work together to foster a culture that values not just intellectual output, but the physical and mental wellbeing of the people who make it all possible. *Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Nazrul Anuar Nayan is from the Biomedical Engineering Research Group, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. He can be reached at [email protected] ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
Malay Mail
12 hours ago
- Malay Mail
MOH targets obesity, diabetes in 2026 Budget as diseases cost Malaysia RM64b a year
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 16 — The Ministry of Health (MOH) will place special emphasis on tackling obesity and diabetes in the 2026 Budget, scheduled to be tabled in October. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the ministry had submitted several proposals on the matter and is awaiting Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's tabling of the budget, as both conditions are key contributors to the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country. 'The National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023 found that 3.55 million Malaysians, or 15.6 per cent of adults aged 18 and above, suffer from diabetes, while 4.58 million, or 21.8 per cent, are obese,' he said. He told reporters after launching 'Roczen Universal', a programme developed by Reset Health and recognised by the United Kingdom's National Health Service (NHS) as part of an integrated treatment for diabetes patients. Dzulkefly noted that obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer together account for more than 70 per cent of premature deaths in Malaysia, costing the nation over RM64 billion annually in treatment, care, lost productivity and early death. He added that MOH had signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with Reset Health in September last year and had selected Gombak as the pilot location for the programme. It involves nine Perkasa Negara Healthy Community (Kospen) groups, including Rukun Tetangga, the Community Development Department (Kemas), and the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa). 'Starting this month, we are targeting 1,000 to 2,000 overweight or obese individuals to join the programme evaluation group,' he said. Earlier, Dzulkefly also witnessed the exchange of MoCs between Reset Academy of Metabolic Sciences, represented by Reset Health Executive Chairman Dr David Wong, and Prof Dr Rosmawati Mohammed of the Academy of Medicine of Malaysia. The collaboration aims to train more professionals in weight and obesity management nationwide. The Roczen Universal programme is a comprehensive digital health platform designed to help individuals lose weight and manage their blood sugar levels. It is free of charge. — Bernama
