Elmina: The Ministry of Health (MOH) has urged the public to prioritise early health screenings as a measure to prevent chronic illnesses. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad emphasized the importance of early detection in preventing diseases from progressing, thereby sparing individuals from the financial burden and high treatment costs associated with advanced-stage illnesses such as cancer.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dzulkefly stated that most patients are often shocked when they discover their cancer has reached stages three or four, which significantly reduces their chances of full recovery. He highlighted the financial impact on families when a member is diagnosed with a chronic disease, noting the high costs of treatment.

Dzulkefly identified breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers as among the diseases most commonly detected through health screenings. He mentioned that a large-scale health screening programme, conducted in collaboration with the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM) and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs), is one of the ministry’s initiatives to encourage early health screenings.

He also discussed the implementation of the National Health Screening Initiative (NHSI), which aims to reach more than one million people nationwide, encouraging them to undergo early detection tests at hospitals or clinics. The ministry plans to intensify awareness programmes to inform the public that chronic diseases, including cancer, can be cured if detected early.

Dzulkefly stressed the importance of screening and noted that the ministry has carried out numerous NHSI programmes, which are a key focus under the ‘Agenda Nasional Malaysia Sihat’. The Bald and Beautiful Day 2025 programme, held at the Elmina Lakeside Mall Sales Gallery, was an initiative by various NGOs and cancer-related foundations to raise funds. Dzulkefly was among 267 of the 4,000 participants who showed support for cancer patients by voluntarily shaving their heads.