IN celebration of their centennial year, both Penang Adventist Hospital (PAH) and Prudential Assurance Malaysia Berhad (PAMB) officially launched the World Heart Day 2024 ‘We are 100’ Umbrella Walk at a press conference held at Komtar today.
The Umbrella Walk is scheduled to take place at Beach Street on Sept 29, coinciding with World Heart Day, from 7am to 11am. The day is globally recognised by the World Heart Federation and World Health Organisation.
State Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen, who officiated the press conference, urged the public to join the walk and take a step towards better cardiovascular health.
“Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, claiming over 18 million lives each year. This staggering number accounts for 32% of all global deaths. Here, in Malaysia, more than 20,000 people lose their lives to heart disease every year, representing 16.1% of medically confirmed deaths. The impact of heart disease on our nation is undeniable,” Gooi said.
He further highlighted that obesity is the leading modifiable factor in heart disease deaths, with nearly 19.7% of Malaysians classified as obese, according to a national survey.
“Additionally, 33.3% of Malaysian adults have been identified as having high cholesterol, equivalent to 7.6 million adults. Alarmingly, increased cholesterol levels often show no symptoms, meaning that one in two adults in Malaysia are unaware of their elevated cholesterol, which is a major contributing factor to heart disease,” he added.
Gooi emphasised that community awareness and action are crucial in tackling heart disease.
“When our community is well-informed about the causes, prevention, and management of heart disease, we stand a much better chance of combating it. Every individual plays a role in encouraging healthier eating, increasing physical activity, and quitting smoking. These small steps can significantly reduce our modifiable risks,” he said.
Also present at the press conference were Teh Kang Ze, the press secretary of Pulau Tikus assemblyman Joshua Woo; David Ong, director of Prudential Northern Region; Ronald Koh, group president of Penang Adventist Hospital; Albin Phua, chief executive officer of Penang Adventist Hospital; Caleb Lim, PAH’s director of Marketing & Business Development; and representatives of various sponsors.
Phua underscored the importance of the event, stressing that cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide.
“As healthcare professionals, national leaders, and responsible citizens, it is our duty to prioritise heart health through grassroots community initiatives and national policies. Elevating heart health should be at the top of our agenda.
“Raising awareness about the prevention of chronic heart disease within our community can be life-saving. In addition to focusing on diet, we also want to highlight that physical activity is a crucial element in the fight against heart disease,” Phua said.
In addition to the Umbrella Walk, the organisers have planned several exciting activities, including CPR demonstrations, a Zumba session, a health screening booth by PAH’s Community Health Department offering free health tests, and more.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Alissala Thian