Free health screening on Tuesday

NST: KUALA LUMPUR: Older Malaysians are generally an overweight lot.
This was what a chronic disease screening survey conducted among 1,300 Malaysians above the age of 40 found last year.
The survey, which was led by University of Malaya's Department of Social and Preventive Medicine senior lecturer Dr Moy Foong Ming, found that 46 per cent (598) of them were obese and what's more is that 35.2 per cent (458) were overweight.
Only 34.5 per cent (449) had a healthy cholesterol level, with one-third of them on the borderline (433) and the rest, with high cholesterol levels (418).
"The attitude of the participants was that it was alright to be overweight," said Moy.
"They felt that if they lost weight, it would imply that they were not well."
Moy said this mindset had to be changed as obesity was the precursor for many chronic diseases.
This gave birth to the idea of having a University of Malaya Wellness Programme.
The programme is an effort by the UM management to promote the health and well-being of employees.
The programme was launched last year where voluntary free health screenings were held for UM staff aged 40 years and above.
"Generally the risk tends to be higher after 40," said UM Social and Preventive Medicine department head Professor Dr Awang Bulgiba Awang Mahmud.
"There is a Public Service Department circular that states that staff above 40 should get screened.
"Those who are on the borderline of health problems are given advice while those who need medical advice are referred to wellness clinics run by the Department of Medicine and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology."
This year's Health Awareness Day which will be held on Tuesday is open to the members of the public of all ages from 10am to 5pm.
This initiative is led by the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Sports and Health Department, National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN), National Kidney Foundation, Federal Territory Health Department and the Malaysian Palm Oil Council.
There will be free screenings for blood glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), bone density, oral health and glaucoma.
"There will also be a booth on breast self-examination run by LPPKN as well as pap smear tests.
"There will also be a booth on men's health where a screening questionnaire will be used to determine if a individual has urinary tract problems.
"Everything is free except for the pap smear test which will cost RM20," said Dr Awang.
"Most hospitals don't provide wellness screening."
Dr Awang said they wanted to encourage people take proactive steps and stay healthy.