PRIME Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob today launched the Agenda Nasional Malaysia Sihat (ANMS) to help Malaysians face the endemic phase of Covid-19.

Ismail said ANMS aimed to promote a healthy lifestyle and environmental sustainability to support the health and wellbeing of Keluarga Malaysia.

He said the wellness package was researched, planned and subsequently introduced by the  Health Ministry, which is its main driver.

“The ANMS agenda is for a period of 10 years, from 2021 to 2030 and the implementation is to be divided into two terms; the first from 2021 until 2025, and the second from 2026 and ending in 2030.”

The launch of ANMS was aired on TV1’s Selamat Pagi Malaysia programme today.

Ismail said for the agenda to succeed, the government has adopted the “whole of nation” approach and by building strategic partnership with all parties.

“The government is responsible for formulating ANMS’ direction, strategy and initiatives while the private sector and non-governmental organisations are the driving force behind the strategy and initiatives.”

He said ANMS had four main thrusts – promotion of a healthy lifestyle, improving health wellness services, enhancing self-health management, and promoting a clean environment.

“I have high hopes that through ANMS, Keluarga Malaysia will continue to practise the standard operating procedures (SOPs), embrace the new norms, get vaccinated and take care of their health by getting screened or staying in quarantine if they have symptoms or have come into contact with someone with Covid-19,” he said.

Ismail said the agenda aimed to improve the delivery of healthcare services as well as health literacy and awareness.

He said the government would formulate a national health literacy policy to deliver healthcare awareness programmes.

“To ensure that the health literacy of Keluarga Malaysia can be improved, the Ejen Kesihatan Komuniti or MyChampion capacity building programme will be strengthened, especially in education and health promotion efforts,” he said.

With a high level of health literacy, Ismail hoped that the people would gain control over their health to prevent disease.

“For example, Keluarga Malaysia among the B40 (lower income) group will have access to health information to understand the importance of healthcare and undergo free health screening through the PekaB40 scheme.

“This allows us to identify health risks earlier and make health interventions either at the Wellness Hub (Hub Sejahtera), health clinics or hospitals,” he said.

He added that through the effort, Malaysians would not only be able to allay the risk of disease and reduce the cost of treatment and rehabilitation, but also enjoy a better quality of life. – Bernama, November 11, 2021.