Latest news with #NationalNutritionPolicy
The Star
4 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Promoting baby-friendly private hospitals
SEREMBAN: The Health Ministry, through the National Lactation Centre, has launched the Madani private hospital Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) 2025 to promote breastfeeding and reduce the prevalence of diet-related non-communicable diseases. Its deputy minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang said partnership between the public and private sectors to implement the initiative and support nursing mothers with confidence and respect was a shared responsibility. 'The core objectives of this tour, which is in line with the National Nutrition Policy, include expanding BFHI promotion, ensuring more private hospitals join the movement of nursing mothers, strengthening community support so that nursing mothers do not feel isolated and can confidently nurse their children,' he said at the launch of the initiative here yesterday, Bernama reported. Such inclusive efforts would ensure the health of both mother and child, and allow more Malaysians to support breastfeeding, he said, adding that 31 private hospitals are participating in the initiative. 'Currently, 31 out of 180 private hospitals have been accredited as BFHI. Congratulations to 20 KPJ Healthcare hospitals for being the hospital consortium with the most accredited hospitals,' he said. Lukanisman said there are 15 hospitals being in the final stage of training by the National Lactation Centre together with the state Health Department to receive BFHI accreditation while 65 hospitals are in the process of initial training.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Madani BFHI tour promotes breastfeeding in Malaysia
SEREMBAN: The Health Ministry has introduced the Madani Private Hospital Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) 2025 to encourage breastfeeding and lower the prevalence of diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang emphasized the importance of public-private collaboration in supporting nursing mothers. 'The core objectives of this tour align with the National Nutrition Policy, aiming to expand BFHI promotion, engage more private hospitals, and strengthen community support for nursing mothers,' he said during the launch. Currently, 31 out of 180 private hospitals have received BFHI accreditation, with KPJ Healthcare leading as the largest accredited consortium. The initiative includes hospital visits across Malaysia, such as Sri Kota Specialist Medical Centre and KPJ Klang Specialist Hospital in August, followed by others in September. Lukanisman highlighted that exclusive breastfeeding provides a natural, pollutant-free diet, promoting sustainable public health and reducing reliance on commercial baby food. 'Fifteen hospitals are in the final training stage for accreditation, while 65 are undergoing initial training,' he added. BFHI, a global effort by WHO and UNICEF since 1991, focuses on protecting and promoting breastfeeding. - Bernamapix
Barnama
5 days ago
- Health
- Barnama
MADANI BFHI Tour To Promote Breastfeeding, Reduce Prevalence Of Diet-Related NCDs
SEREMBAN, July 25 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry (MOH) through the National Lactation Centre, has launched the MADANI Private Hospital Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) 2025 to promote breastfeeding and reduce the prevalence of diet-related non-communicable diseases. Its deputy minister, Datuk Lukanisman Awang said partnership between the public and private sectors to implement BFHI and support nursing mothers with confidence and respect was a shared responsibility. 'The core objectives of this tour, which is in line with the National Nutrition Policy, include expanding BFHI promotion, ensuring more private hospitals join the movement of nursing mothers, strengthening community support so that nursing mothers do not feel isolated and can confidently nurse their children,' he said at the launch of the initiative here today. Such inclusive efforts would ensure the health of both mother and child, and allow more Malaysians to support breastfeeding, he said, adding that 31 private hospitals are participating in the initiative. 'Nursing exclusively contributes to a natural diet that's safe, pollutant-free, and supports sustainable public health and reduces dependence on industry-based baby food products that stress the environment. Currently, 31 out of 180 private hospitals have been accredited as BFHI… congratulations to 20 KPJ Healthcare hospitals for being the hospital consortium with the most accredited hospitals,' he said. The hospitals that will be visited during the tour include Sri Kota Specialist Medical Centre and KPJ Klang Specialist Hospital (Aug 1); Assunta Hospital and Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur (Aug 19); KPJ Kuching Specialist Hospital (Aug 29); Pusrawi Kuala Lumpur Specialist Hospital, KPJ Tawakkal and KPJ Sentosa KL (Sept 2); Penang Adventist Hospital, Lam Wah Ee and KPJ Penang (Sept 13); KPJ Sabah (Sept 18), KPJ Pasir Gudang and Johor Specialist (Sept 22–23). Lukanisman said there were 15 hospitals being in the final stage of training by the National Lactation Centre together with the state health department to receive BFHI accredition while 65 hospitals are being in the process of initial training. BFHI is a global initiative under the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations' Children's Fund (UNICEF) that began in 1991 with the goal of protecting, supporting and promoting breastfeeding.
The Star
16-06-2025
- Health
- The Star
Sabah seeing worrying rise in lifestyle-related diseases
Dr Maria Suleiman (centre) officiating the Jom Sihat Sandakan programme SANDAKAN: Sabah is grappling with a worrying rise in lifestyle-related illnesses, as health authorities highlight a 'double burden' of malnutrition, where communities are affected by both undernutrition and excessive calorie intake. Sabah Health Department director Dr Maria Suleiman said the spike in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension and stroke is closely tied to poor dietary habits and sedentary lifestyles. 'We are dealing with a dual challenge: undernutrition on one hand and overconsumption of calories on the other, along with poor dietary choices. 'If we consume too much, we open ourselves up to health issues such as diabetes, dyslipidemia and high blood pressure,' she told reporters after launching the Jom Sihat Sandakan programme at Sejati Walk here on Saturday. Dr Maria revealed that 298 new stroke cases were reported at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and 198 at Duchess of Kent Hospital in 2024 alone, many of which were closely linked to high blood pressure. She urged the public to take charge of their health by adopting healthier diets and incorporating more physical activity into their daily routines. Citing data from the National Health and Morbidity Survey, Dr Maria noted a steady increase in chronic illnesses across Sabah. 'For diabetes, the prevalence in Sabah rose from 5.7% in 2011 to 8.8% in 2023. Dyslipidemia increased slightly from 31% to 32%, while overweight rates rose from 28% to 30.9%. Obesity, which is very concerning, almost doubled, from 10.6% to 19.5%,' she added. The programme held at Sejati Walk included health screenings, nutrition exhibitions, counselling, interactive activities and health talks to raise awareness on the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Dr Maria added that the initiative aligns with the goals of the National Nutrition Policy, which promotes sustainable food systems and improved access to nutritious diets.
The Star
15-06-2025
- Health
- The Star
Sabah sees rise in lifestyle diseases amid malnutrition concerns
Dr Maria Suleiman (centre) officiating the Jom Sihat Sandakan programme. SANDAKAN: Sabah is experiencing a troubling increase in lifestyle-related illnesses as the state faces a "double burden" of malnutrition, where communities suffer from both undernutrition and excessive calorie intake. Sabah Health Department director Dr Maria Suleiman said the rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including diabetes as well as high blood pressure and strokes are linked to unhealthy diets and a lack of physical activity. 'We are dealing with a dual challenge—undernutrition on one hand and overconsumption of calories on the other, along with poor dietary choices. If we consume too much, we open ourselves up to health issues such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, and high blood pressure,' she said. She spoke to reporters after officiating the Jom Sihat Sandakan programme at Sejati Walk on Saturday. Dr Maria said 298 new stroke cases were recorded at Hospital Queen Elizabeth and 198 at Hospital Duchess of Kent in 2024, many related to high blood pressure. She urged communities to take proactive steps to improve their health through better diets and increased physical activity. She also highlighted a steady increase in chronic illnesses across the state based on data from the National Health and Morbidity Survey. 'For diabetes, the prevalence in Sabah rose from 5.7% in 2011 to 8.8% in 2023. Dyslipidemia increased slightly from 31% to 32%, while overweight rates rose from 28% to 30.9%. Obesity—very concerning—almost doubled from 10.6% to 19.5%,' she said. The programme featured health screenings, nutrition exhibitions, counselling sessions, interactive activities, and talks aimed at raising awareness of healthy lifestyles. Dr Maria added that the initiative supports the National Nutrition Policy's goal of promoting sustainable food systems and improving access to nutritious diets.
