Malaysia is strengthening geriatric-ready healthcare facilities and senior citizen services as it approaches ageing nation status in 2030
KUALA LUMPUR: The government is strengthening geriatric-ready healthcare facilities as Malaysia prepares to become an ageing nation by 2030.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni told Parliament that development must be designed to suit elderly needs through joint planning with relevant ministries.
“We cannot implement these policies and guidelines alone,” he said during today’s question-and-answer session.
He emphasised ensuring recreational spaces, public amenities and facility designs meet requirements of an ageing population.
The same approach applies to shopping malls, where existing spaces should promote both shopping and healthy living.
Lukanisman was responding to Dr Halimah Ali (PN-Kapar) about health campaigns requiring whole-of-nation concept involving public-private cooperation.
The Ministry of Health is strengthening Senior Citizen Healthcare Service to help elderly achieve optimum health through comprehensive services.
The Senior Citizen Healthcare Service Action Plan 2023-2030 strengthens patient-centred care including health promotion, screening and treatment.
Services are available at 1,103 health clinics with 42 geriatric specialists placed in 21 government hospitals.
Lukanisman noted Malaysia has low levels of daily physical activity according to Stanford University’s 2022 report.
The ministry implements healthy living initiatives under Agenda Nasional Malaysia Sihat including the 10,000 steps daily campaign.
Other initiatives include active lifestyle guidelines for civil servants and the National Strategic Plan for Active Living 2026-2030.
Regarding non-communicable disease campaigns, Lukanisman highlighted the ‘War On Sugar’ to reduce public sugar intake.
Part of sugar-sweetened beverage tax revenue is channelled back to the ministry for diabetes treatment medicines amounting to RM25 million.
He called for support from all parties to ensure health campaigns are not implemented in isolation. – Bernama
