SHAH ALAM, June 5 — At least 8,000 Selangor residents are expected to undergo free health screenings this year to enable the early detection of serious illnesses, including cancer and non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
State executive councillor for public health and the environment Jamaliah Jamaluddin said the initiative, implemented through the Selangor Saring programme at more than 40 locations across the state, aims to address concerns over the late diagnosis of chronic diseases due to a lack of regular medical check-ups.
“According to medical standards and the Health Ministry's recommendations, we should undergo a health screening once a year. However, not many people do so, possibly because of the financial burden involved.
“What we are trying to do is encourage Selangor residents to adopt a culture of undergoing a health screening at least once every year,” she said.
Jamaliah added that the conditions most frequently detected via the programme include diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, chronic kidney disease, and various cancers, including prostate, cervical, colorectal, and breast.
The screenings also focus on senior citizens, with more specialised health assessments conducted as part of Selangor’s preparations for an ageing population.
She said the sub-initiative, introduced last year, is important for ensuring that older adults remain healthy, active, and able to enjoy a good quality of life.
“The screenings are somewhat different from standard health checks. For example, we assess how far they can walk in one minute, the strength of their handgrip, and their overall fitness levels.
“What the state government is doing is ensuring that the health of people from different backgrounds and age groups continues to be safeguarded so that they can enjoy a better quality of life,” Jamaliah said.
The 2026 Selangor Budget allocated RM2.5 million to continue Selangor Saring, which provides free health screening services to residents across the state.
