By nurturing strong partnerships between the public and private health care sectors, we can envision a health care system that provides equitable care regardless of financial status, ensuring quality health care for all.
About 90 per cent of first heart attacks may be attributed to nine modifiable lifestyle factors: smoking, alcohol intake, diet, exercise, obesity, stress, blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol.
The Galen Centre says the PM's "Madani Economy" vision fails to recognise Malaysia's increasingly sick and ageing population. "People who are sick and infirm will be disadvantaged and unable to participate in the benefits of this economic vision."
The risk of developing severe disease is higher in the presence of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, or chronic lung disease.
Building awareness about healthy eating and the nutritional impact of fast food and hawker food requires a combination of nutrition labelling, collaboration with the private sector, and education.
The Netherlands, whose population is about half of Malaysia, has over 600 public-private partnerships in its life sciences and health sector. The European country aims to add five years of healthy living to the Dutch and cut health inequalities by 30%.
Advocates should push political parties and election candidates to address various health issues in GE15 election manifestos, like health care financing, social and aged care, access to abortion, NCDs, tobacco control, HIV/AIDS, and pandemic preparedness.