PETALING JAYA, Oct 31 — Media practitioners are encouraged to undergo health screenings at least once a year to monitor their health and detect non-communicable diseases (NCDs) early.
Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said discussions will be held with the Malaysian Media Council (MMM) and media companies to identify the best way to implement the screenings.
The initiative is important to ensure more media practitioners have access to health checks, allowing diseases to be detected earlier and treatment to be provided before conditions become serious.
“We recognise that the health of journalists and media practitioners is an important issue. It is essential to identify illnesses, including NCDs, so that treatment and early assistance can be provided to prevent conditions from becoming more serious.
“To date, more than 12,000 media practitioners are registered with the Information Department. We hope as many of them as possible will be able to undergo health screenings,” he said.
Fahmi was speaking after launching the CVSKL Foundation’s Journalist Health Screening Fund today.
As an initial step, the Communications Ministry will work with the CVSKL Foundation and MMM to organise a health screening programme alongside the National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) celebrations in June 2027.
“We will mobilise more resources to help journalists and media practitioners undergo these screenings. The MMM can look into the best way to implement the programme,” he said.
Meanwhile, the MMM said that the CVSKL Foundation has contributed RM1 million towards the programme, which will expand access to healthcare for media practitioners.
The service will prioritise active and former journalists aged over 50 who do not have medical insurance coverage.
“With the support of the National Union of Journalists Malaysia, this initiative will provide eligible media practitioners with access to health screenings, with a particular focus on cardiovascular health and the early detection of disease risks,” it said in a statement.
