PREVENTION, early detection and timely medical intervention are essential to safeguarding public health and improving quality of life, says Penang Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen.
Highlighting Malaysia’s growing health challenges, Gooi said statistics serve as a stark reminder of the importance of community health education and the need for people to take greater responsibility for their well-being.
“According to the Health Ministry’s National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023, 54.4% of Malaysian adults were overweight or obese, while 15.6% had diabetes, 29.2% had hypertension and 33.3% had high cholesterol.
“These figures are more than numbers on a report. They represent people at risk of heart disease, stroke and other complications that can affect their families, livelihoods and quality of life,” he said.
Gooi was speaking during the closing ceremony of the National Association of Women Entrepreneurs (Nawem) Penang Health Carnival 2026 at Disted College Penang today.
Also present were Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC) chief executive officer Datuk Ong Bee Leng, Nawem Penang chairperson Bharati Suresh Chand and Nawem Penang Health Carnival 2026 organising chairperson Jacelin Lim.
Gooi stressed that the message was clear: people should not wait until they fall ill before taking their health seriously.
“Regular health checks, appropriate physical activity, healthier eating habits and timely medical advice must become part of our everyday lives,” he said.
He also emphasised the importance of prioritising women’s health, particularly through preventive measures and early detection of diseases such as cervical cancer.
“Cervical cancer prevention through human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, appropriate screening and timely follow-up can save lives.
“Women should feel empowered to seek reliable information and take preventive action without fear or embarrassment,” he said.
Gooi added that health awareness should not be confined to specific age groups or genders, as its benefits extend across families and the wider community.
“These are not issues that affect only older people or only women. They concern our entire community, because every one of us has parents, relatives, colleagues or friends who may one day need this knowledge and support,” he said.
Urging the public to translate health awareness into action, he encouraged people to take practical steps towards healthier lifestyles, including scheduling medical screenings they had been putting off and encouraging their loved ones to adopt healthier habits.
“Start a conversation with your parents about healthy ageing. Encourage a colleague to adopt healthier habits. Share reliable health information with your family and community.
“And when someone around us needs help, let us respond with understanding, compassion and support,” he said.
Gooi said building a healthier Penang required a collective commitment, with the government, healthcare professionals, community organisations and members of the public all playing important roles.
“After all, a healthier Penang is not built by the government alone, by healthcare professionals alone, or by community organisations alone.
“It is built through the everyday choices and collective efforts of all of us,” he concluded.
Story by Riadz Akmal