National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) launches digital libraryDecember 8, 2023
Deputy Health Minister Dato Lukanisman Awang Sauni said the portal and library will have a significant impact on health promotion with its specific focus on its multicultural approach.
The National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM), the Asia Cancer Forum (Japan) and Astellas Pharma launched the Beauty & Health’s Digital Library for Health Promotion and the Cancer & Health Screening Portal, a one-stop comprehensive online resource center, aimed at enhancing public awareness and knowledge of cancer and other non-communicable diseases.
The digital library for health promotion on cancer features 44 educational videos and 48 informative educational booklet which are made available in four languages: Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mandarin and Tamil. These health materials cover information related to various common cancers in Malaysia - including breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer and others. Additionally, these materials encompass practical health information covering strategies for reducing cancer risks and promoting healthy lifestyle changes. “From the National Health and Morbidity Survey, less than a third of Malaysians have adequate health literacy levels,” said Associate Professor Dr Murallitharan M, Managing Director of NCSM. “Low health literacy acts to disable them from taking actions on their own health, such as screening for cancer or eating healthy. “This initiative is specifically tailored to different backgrounds, reaching out to them to increase their health literacy and be able to take proactive measures to protect themselves against non-communicable diseases including cancer which is on a steep rise in our country," he said. In addition to being made available on the Beauty and Health website and social media platfroms, these health education materials will be disseminated through multiple channels including health information platforms, healthcare facilities, television channels, advertising billboards and screens on public transportation systems, forming a comprehensive health promotion initiative to raise awareness about cancer. Complementing the digital library, the Health Screening Registry Portal offers a centralised hub for cancer-related self-assessments and health data storage. Users can conduct self-assessments for proactive health management and maintain detailed clinical records for personal and healthcare record. The portal further facilitates timely assessment and screening reminders, promoting regular cancer and health check-ups. For healthcare professionals and partnering facilities, the portal serves as a comprehensive repository for clinical records, enabling trend analysis in patient records to enhance care, supported by health education. Deputy Health Minister Dato Lukanisman Awang Sauni said the Beauty & Health’s Digital Library for Health Promotion and Health Screening Portal is a very commendable initiative. “This portal and library will have a significant impact on health promotion with its specific focus on its multicultural approach - which makes it unique,” he said. “It will further complement the health promotion work done by many parties including hospitals, clinics and the Ministry of Health and play a crucial role in enhancing health awareness across diverse communities in the country. The Digital Library for Health Promotion and the Cancer & Health Screening portal is part of the three-year BEAUTY (Bringing Education and Understanding to you) & Health project, a bilateral project involving the Asia Cancer Forum of Japan and NCSM. The project is supported by Astellas Pharma. |
SUPPORTED BY
|
