Health screening results worrying | The Star

STATISTICS by the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) on the health status of employees have revealed concerning results.

Of the 175,526 workers who underwent health screenings, 59.59% were diagnosed with high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia), 23.52% overweight or obese, 20.45% had high blood pressure (hypertension) and 19.91% suffered from diabetes.

These figures were drawn from 2023 until Feb 29 this year, according to state publisher Buletin Mutiara, quoting Human Resources Minister Steven Sim.

Given the situation, the minister said it was vital for employers and employees to take serious steps towards practising a healthy lifestyle.

“We need to look at this seriously, as it is now impacting the younger generation. Our goal is to create a mutually beneficial scenario for Malaysian workers and the economy.

“Caring for your workers is the key to having contented employees, which in turn can translate to increased productivity.

“Heightened productivity leads to higher profits,” he said before launching the “Program Pekerja Sihat dan Selamat” and “Kempen Tolak Gula 2024” at Jabil Circuit in Bayan Lepas.

Sim said Human Resources Ministry, through Perkeso, has conducted health screenings for over 794,000 workers aged 40 and above since its introduction in 2013.

He also highlighted the ministry’s 3K mission, which was to increase workers’ welfare, skills and productivity.

Meanwhile, Penang youth, sports and health committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said there were alarming instances of individuals as young as 21 needing dialysis at the Balik Pulau CAT Dialysis Centre.

“There is a pressing need to address the repercussions of elevated sugar intake,” he said.

“We advocate for adopting healthy lifestyles and minimising sugar intake.

“The dangers of excessive sugar consumption are substantial,” he added.

Perkeso board chairman Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal also urged companies to care for their workers’ well-being.

“Workers are a corporations’ valuable asset,” he said.

Also present was Jabil Malaysia managing director SJ Tan.