Health Ministry to focus more on prevention as costs for treating NCDs balloon

Published on 8 Feb 2026 8:15:42 PM

The Health Ministry is shifting its focus from treatment to prevention amid rising costs of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which now total RM64.3bil annually—exceeding the ministry’s 2026 budget of RM46.52bil.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad emphasised that a healthy population is essential for a productive workforce and national prosperity under the Malaysia Madani framework.

The ministry is promoting preventive care through its Wellness Hub programme, community-based centres offering health education, lifestyle interventions, and early detection services.

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Keywords
non-communicable diseases , ncd , dzulkefly ahmad , health ministry news, thestartv, the star, heart disease, wellness hub, weight-loss, smoking cessation, treatment, prevention, health education, lifestyle interventions, early detection

Keywords:
non-communicable diseases , ncd , dzulkefly ahmad , health ministry news, thestartv, the star, heart disease, wellness hub, weight-loss, smoking cessation, treatment, prevention, health education, lifestyle interventions, early detection