PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is considered an unhealthy nation as a large number of its people have health problems such as heart disease and high obesity rates, says Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

       Awareness on the aspect of health among Malaysians is also still at a low level, he said while on air in a Selamat Pagi Malaysia TV programme yesterday.

       “If you ask me, the Health Minister, is Malaysia a healthy nation? No. Our country has among the highest rates of obesity and heart disease.

       “One of the reasons why Covid-19 deaths in this nation is quite high is because a large number of patients had comorbidities or chronic diseases.

       “Out of every two Malaysians, one is obese, including myself right now, while one out of four Malaysians do not practise fitness regimes.

       “Besides that, only one out of every 20 Malaysians practise healthy eating according to the right nutritional guidelines.

       “According to official statistics, half a million adults are depressed. I believe that this number is still lower than reality,” he said.

       Realising the importance of health literacy and cultivating behavioural change among Malaysians, Khairy said the government launched the Agenda Nasional Malaysia Sihat (ANMS) initiative to cultivate a healthy lifestyle, allay the risk of disease and reduce the cost of treatment and rehabilitation.

       Khairy said Malaysians must voluntarily change their behaviour and increase their awareness on health issues in order to develop a healthy nation without solely depending on the Health Ministry or the government to compel them to do so.

       He said behavioural change is important; self-awareness of one’s own health is among the crucial elements of ANMS.

       “If we just depend on the Health Ministry to monitor standard operating procedures and issue compounds, it is not adequate.

       “We want the country to be successful in managing the pandemic,” Khairy said, adding that Japan was successful in its management of the pandemic due to the behaviour of its citizens, and did not have to issue compounds to deter unwanted behaviour.