KUCHING: Individuals suffering from non-communicable diseases (NCD) have a high risk of contracting COVID-19.
Kuching Division Resident Datuk Sherrina Hussaini said the pandemic had shown that individuals with NCDs were at a higher risk of being infected.
She said those with NCDs such as diabetes and high blood pressure were more at risk of being infected with COVID-19, which was serious and could be life-threatening.
“Even though we are now heading to the endemic phase, this group is still at risk of being infected because the virus will remain for a long period of time.
“This can be prevented through regular health screenings,” she said during the Healthy Malaysia National Agenda (ANMS) 2022 Kuching programme at Mydin Bandar Baru Samariang here yesterday .
Sherrina added the diseases could be slowed down and easily treated if detected at an early stage because there are no complications.
“However, many people still do not go for regular health screenings because the people’s awareness of the importance of health screenings is still low,” she said.
In addition, she informed that the ANMS programme was implemented to increase the awareness of the people in Kuching Division about the importance of health screening.
“The Ministry of Health (MoH) and other strategic partners have provided various health screening services and facilities for free or at a minimal fee.
“Active involvement from the people, especially those aged 40 and above who have never been screened, are required to have a check-up from now until December 2022,” said Sherrina.
The two-day ANMS Kuching 2022 programme began on August 20 starting at 7am to 5pm.
Also present at the event were Deputy Minister for Telecommunication and Utility (Utility) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi as well as heads of department, community leaders and others.
