In conjunction with World Hepatitis Day celebration, Pantai Hospital held a health awareness programme at Aeon Kinta City Mall on Sunday, July 28.
According to Ipoh Pantai Hospital Chief Executive Officer, Chong Siet Fong, the programme’s objective was to instil awareness in the public, especially men, on health issues such as hepatitis, prostate cancer and related diseases.
“People rarely talk about the health problems faced by men. That’s the reason why we’re organising this event today,” he told reporters.
The one-day event was officiated by MP for Ipoh Timor, Wong Kah Woh and graced by the State Assemblywoman for Canning, Jenny Choy.
Dr Eric, Pantai Hospital’s Family Health Specialist, said men tended to take health problems for granted. They’re reluctant to see doctors.
“Half of the men in their 60s and older are at risk of developing critical diseases such as prostate cancer,” he posited.
According to Eric, the Hepatitis B notification rate in Malaysia has increased in the last five years. The rate in 2014 of 12.94 cases per 100,000 people has escalated to 14.52 cases per 100,000 people in 2018.
As for Hepatitis C, an estimated 3000 new cases are reported to the Ministry of Health each year.
“Last year alone, a total of 2842 new cases of Hepatitis C were reported with a rate of 8.77 cases per 100,000 people,” he lamented.
