Need to combat high cost of health care - The Star

TAIPING: May 25, 2008

The Sultan of Perak has called for a strategic approach to combat the escalating cost of providing health care and services to the people.

Sultan Azlan Shah said yesterday a preventive approach via effective education especially at the school level, should be enhanced.

He said the young must be inculcated with values which promoted healthy lifestyle including a balanced diet, promoting daily recreational activities, adequate sleeping time and rest period, abstain from smoking and avoid excessive drinking.

“Among strategic approaches that need to be developed are preventive measures through effective education,” he said when opening Taiping’s new health clinic.

Sultan Azlan Shah also said there might be a need to introduce a medical and health treatment scheme, which benefited the poor and low- income earners.

Present were Raja Permaisuri Tuanku Bainun, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Nizar Jamaluddin and Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai.

Sultan Azlan Shah also called for stern action to be taken against those who carried out activities which contributed to pollution and environmental degradation.

He added approval requirements for economic activities should be tightened so they would not affect the health of the people.

Earlier in his speech, Liow said the clinic treated between 600 and 800 patients daily.

Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, he said the ministry had built about 4,000 health clinics throughout the country.

He added Malaysia’s life expectancy had also increased from 56 years to 72 years.