S'gor's heart treatment scheme among key health initiatives, says exco

Heart disease remains the leading cause of premature deaths in Malaysia among individuals aged 30 to 69, an alarming statistic that prompted the Selangor government to launch the Selangor Government Heart Treatment Scheme in 2022.

Selangor State Public Health and Environment Committee chairperson Jamaliah Jamaluddin said her office is aware that treating heart disease can be financially and emotionally burdensome for families, which prompted the establishment of the scheme.

“If you need heart surgery and are concerned about costs, you can apply to my office as long as there is a quota and budget available. We have many quotas left.

“To be eligible for this programme, applicants must be Selangor state voters with a monthly income below RM8,000. The scheme can cover a portion of treatment costs, typically up to RM20,000, but in severe cases, it can extend up to RM50,000,” said Jamaliah in an interview with Malaysiakini.

The Bandar Utama assemblyperson also noted that two senior citizens from her constituency have already benefited from this scheme.

For more details about this scheme, follow this link.

Dengue in Selangor

Aside from heart disease, she pointed out that Selangor has long been a hotspot for dengue fever, and that is another area that requires her attention.

Health director-general Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan reported a total of 317 new dengue fever cases, including four deaths, during the 29th Epidemiological Week (ME29), which ran from July 14 to 20 in Malaysia.

“The number of hotspots reported in ME29 was 94, compared to 100 in the previous week, with 71 of them in Selangor; six each in Perak, Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya; four each in Negeri Sembilan and Kedah; two in Sabah; and one in Kelantan,” he said.

Responding to this pressing public health issue, Jamaliah acknowledged the difficulty in tackling dengue due to the high number of cases and the wide range of hotspots.

She stressed that while the government plays a crucial role, addressing dengue requires a collective effort.

“We’ve conducted inspections, held meetings, and involved grassroots leaders and NGOs. However, we cannot control household behaviours that often lead to mosquito breeding.

“If residents do not change their lifestyles, the problem will persist,” she explained, saying that addressing practical issues such as abandoned houses and clogged drains, which contribute to mosquito breeding, requires better collaboration and enforcement.

Jamaliah added that the state government is exploring innovative solutions like the Wolbachia mosquito project.

“This initiative releases mosquitoes that, when mated with dengue-carrying mosquitoes, produce eggs that do not carry the virus.

“The thing is that despite its promise, the project is expensive and requires comprehensive planning.”

Steps taken

To further combat dengue, the government has partnered with Kaw Malaysia to distribute 61,080 tubes of mosquito repellent lotion called Mozzie Block.

This initiative is designed to protect residents and students while promoting self-protection against mosquito bites.

Additionally, the state is exploring dengue vaccinations, said Jamaliah.

“We are studying vaccine effectiveness in neighbouring countries like Thailand. While vaccines are available in Malaysia, we have not fully promoted them due to concerns about side effects and the need for further research.

“We’re also addressing illegal dumping with other exco members, as these issues often overlap.”

Jamaliah highlighted the importance of creating more community leaders who can offer feedback and information.

“Since 2018, I’ve worked to connect residential associations for better communication with local councils. Educating residents on submitting complaints and engaging with councils can enhance response times and effectiveness.”

Furthermore, community grant events have been organised to encourage participation from residential associations. These events cover security, greenery, and facilities, allowing residents to propose projects that serve their areas.

“This initiative builds a strong platform where residents know how to seek help and are confident in the support they receive,” she said.

This is Part 3 of a three-part interview.

Part 1: Jamaliah gets to grips with S'gor environment challenges

Part 2: Jamaliah: Quotas and timeline needed to establish female leadership

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