Ayer Keroh:Melaka Nearly two million people have benefited from 38 Wellness Hub facilities across the nation, an initiative by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to expand disease prevention and promote healthy lifestyles.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad highlighted that two of these hubs are located in Melaka—specifically in Alor Gajah and Melaka Tengah—serving as community wellness referral centres.
The initiative is part of the ministry's effort to transition the national healthcare model from solely treating illnesses to focusing on preventive care, especially in addressing the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The Wellness Hubs provide services such as weight management (IFitEr), smoking cessation support, mental health screenings, the 'Stay Active' module, and exercise therapy.
Dr Dzulkefly shared these insights during a press conference after officiating the national-level Wellness Month (BMSS) 2026 celebration in Ayer Keroh. He noted that the preventive approach adopted by the Wellness Hubs has yielded promising results, with 87 percent of participants in the weight management program successfully losing weight.
Additionally, 83 percent improved their physical fitness, and 111 participants achieved a normal body mass index (BMI), demonstrating that guidance can lead to significant lifestyle changes. Dr Dzulkefly emphasized the importance of strengthening preventive healthcare in light of the growing NCDs, which he described as a silent pandemic costing the national economy RM64.2 billion annually.
The financial impact includes RM51.8 billion from lost productivity and RM12.4 billion for treatment costs. While public health literacy has improved through the National Agenda for a Healthy Malaysia (ANMS), the primary challenge remains translating knowledge into daily behavioral change.
To tackle this, the ministry has adopted a behavioral 'nudging' approach by creating supportive environments and facilities that encourage healthier choices, involving stakeholders like community leaders, Members of Parliament, and state assemblymen.
Dr Dzulkefly stressed the importance of providing the necessary facilities or environment to shift from sick care to healthcare, as a healthcare system's strength is also measured by its ability to keep people healthy. Meanwhile, he mentioned that RM3.381 million was spent on the Malaysian Community Health Agent (MyCHAMPION) program between 2025 and October this year to empower community participation in national health initiatives.