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KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer, cost the Malaysian economy more than RM8.91 billion, equivalent to about 0.65% of the Gross domestic product (GDP) of the country, says Health Director -General Tan Sri Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah.
Citing a new report from the Ministry of Health (MINSA) and the World Health Organization (WHO), he said that the economic cost was estimated from productivity losses due to absenteeism, presenteeism (working while sick) and death. premature age of the working-age population. in Malaysia.
“Aside from productivity losses, NCDs also place a serious burden on the health of countries as a result of disability and loss of years of healthy life, called the cost burden of disease.
“This is an intangible cost that is estimated to be around RM100.79 billion, equivalent to 7.35% of GDP,” it said in a joint statement with the WHO on Tuesday (September 8).
The report released Tuesday, titled “The Impact of Noncommunicable Diseases and Their Risk Factors on Malaysia’s Gross Domestic Product,” was based on data from 2017.
Dr Noor Hisham also said that the 2019 National Health and Morbidity Survey shows that the prevalence of NCDs in the country continues to rise.
Meanwhile, the WHO Representative in Malaysia, Dr Lo Ying-Ru, said that NCDs are often associated with health care costs, but evidence like this report shows how NCDs also hamper social development and economic of the country.
“All disability and premature death from non-communicable diseases is tragic because we know they can be prevented.
“If we cannot manage NCDs in the country, this will have a significant impact on health and the economy. We need a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to be able to turn the tide of NCDs and save lives and means of life, ”he said.
According to the report, an unhealthy diet contributed to approximately two-thirds (68.9%) of the cost of lost productivity due to premature deaths from cardiovascular disease (CVD), while tobacco use contributed to more than a third (36 , 9%) of losses.
Tobacco use also contributed to the highest proportion of cancer losses (15%).
WHO member states recognize the importance of addressing NCDs to achieve sustainable development, which is why the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development called for the reduction of premature NCD mortality by one third through preventive and control measures.
The Malaysian government has taken up this challenge by implementing the National Strategic Plan for Noncommunicable Diseases 2016-2025, as well as associated national strategies and plans aimed at reducing risk factors for NCDs.
“Malaysia has demonstrated the highest level of political commitment by creating a Cabinet Committee on a Health Promoting Environment to support the whole government response to address NCDs.
“While we are working hard to tackle NCDs at their roots, it is clear that much more needs to be done,” the joint statement said.
The public can submit comments on the impact of non-communicable diseases and their risk factors on Malaysia’s gross domestic product to the Ministry of Health and WHO until October 1 at [email protected]. – Bernama
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