WHO is not recommending the withdrawal of products containing aspartame, as a safety review classified the sweetener as possibly carcinogenic to humans, specifically for liver cancer, based on "limited evidence". Acceptable daily intake remains the same.
Health analyst Chua Hong Teck writes that the Health White Paper (HWP) lacks clear targets, without specific numbers for lower prevalence of NCDs over the next 15 years. The HWP only has general statements. "There must be a clear and definite True North".
Dr Kelvin Yii, the Health Minister’s advisor, highlights the gravity of NCDs and mental health; the Health White Paper will focus on preventive health and mental health to overcome the "ticking time bomb" of NCDs and the "silent pandemic" of mental health.
Dr Zanariah Hussein highlights SGLT2-i, a new glucose-lowering drug that helps prevent cardiovascular and renal death, but usage is low due to MOH’s limited budget.
Howard Lee wants to pilot a mobile wound care centre for those with bed sores or amputation wounds. One in five Malaysian adults have diabetes, which can cause foot wounds.
Diabetes made up about 45% of Malaysia’s RM9.65 billion direct health care costs from three chronic conditions (diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer) in 2017.