Foster healthy lifestyles: Nearly two million Malaysians benefit from 38 Wellness Hubs nationwide, says Dzulkefly

MELAKA, Nov 1 — Nearly two million people have benefited from 38 Wellness Hub facilities operating nationwide under the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) initiative to expand access to disease prevention and foster healthy lifestyles.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said two of these facilities are located in Melaka, namely in Alor Gajah and Melaka Tengah, serving as community wellness referral centres.

He said the initiative is part of the ministry’s drive to shift the national healthcare model from solely treating illnesses to preventive care, particularly in addressing the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

“These are not clinics or hospitals for the sick; they are one-stop centres for people who want to stay healthy. At Wellness Hubs, we offer weight management services (IFitEr), smoking cessation support, mental health screenings, the ‘Stay Active’ module, and exercise therapy,” he said.

He told a press conference after officiating the national-level Wellness Month (BMSS) 2026 celebration in Ayer Keroh here today.

Dzulkefly said the preventive approach adopted by Wellness Hubs has shown promising results, with 87 per cent, or 460 of the 528 participants in its weight management pilot programme, successfully losing weight.

“Another 438 participants, or 83 per cent, improved their physical fitness, while 111 achieved a normal body mass index (BMI). This proves that with guidance, people can change,” he said.

He stressed that strengthening preventive healthcare has become increasingly critical due to the rise in NCDs, which he described as a silent pandemic costing the national economy up to RM64.2 billion a year.

Of that amount, RM51.8 billion, or 80.69 per cent, stems from lost productivity, while RM12.4 billion covers treatment costs.

Although public health literacy has improved through the National Agenda for a Healthy Malaysia (ANMS), Dzulkefly noted that the primary challenge remains translating knowledge into daily behavioural change.

To address this, he said the ministry has adopted a behavioural ‘nudging’ approach by creating supportive environments and facilities that encourage healthier choices, involving stakeholders including community leaders, Members of Parliament, and state assemblymen.

“If we want to shift from sick care to healthcare, we cannot simply ask people to stay healthy without providing the necessary facilities or environment.

“This is crucial because the strength of a healthcare system is measured not only by its capacity to treat patients in hospitals, but also by its ability to help people stay healthy so they do not require treatment,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dzulkefly said RM3.381 million had been spent on applications under the Malaysian Community Health Agent (MyCHAMPION) programme between 2025 and October this year to empower community participation in national health initiatives. — Bernama