SHAH ALAM, April 7 — The Selangor Saring programme remains a key state government initiative as it intensifies efforts to prevent and detect diseases early through free public health screenings.
State executive councillor for public health and the environment Jamaliah Jamaluddin said the programme helps with early detection of diseases, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension.
The Bantuan Sihat Selangor scheme also helps ease patients’ financial burden by providing funding for treatment, medical equipment, and medication, particularly for non-communicable diseases (NCD).
“In addition, Iltizam Selangor Sihat (ISS) was introduced to assist eligible groups, including senior citizens, in accessing basic healthcare such as vaccination.
“Therefore, in conjunction with World Health Day, the public is urged to adopt a healthy lifestyle and undergo regular check-ups, as prevention is the best step towards well-being,” she said in a statement today.
Jamaliah added that Selangor, as the most densely populated state with more than seven million residents, faces significant challenges in ensuring the continued well-being of its people.
Among the main challenges are the growth in NCDs, rising treatment costs, and the need to strengthen public awareness of healthy living.
“Simultaneously, mental health is also being enhanced through the SEHAT Hotline as a channel for psychosocial support, subsidised psychiatric treatment, as well as free counselling via the SEHAT Hub Counsellors.
“A pilot peer support programme, Peer-Z, has also been introduced in schools to help adolescents better manage their mental health,” she said.
World Health Day, observed annually on April 7, is an initiative by the World Health Organisation to raise awareness of global health issues and encourage collective action to address them.
