Inisiatif kesihatan paru-paru Malaysia boleh jadi model Asean

The National Lung Health Initiative (NLHI) in Malaysia, launched in February 2025, aims to address the issue of delayed cancer diagnosis, which is now being expanded as a comprehensive lung health model with potential application across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Initially focused on lung cancer, the most common among Malaysian men, the initiative's scope has expanded significantly.

According to Dr. Nor Aryana Hassan, the Head of Disease Surveillance at the Ministry of Health, KKM, the initiative's focus has broadened well beyond lung cancer. NLHI now aims to unite previously separate efforts, focusing on comprehensive lung health. Dr. M Murallitharan, Head of National Cancer Survivorship Malaysia, stated that NLHI seeks to unite lung health efforts previously conducted independently.

The initiative now encompasses lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and tuberculosis. While these diseases differ clinically, they share risk factors such as smoking, workplace exposure, and air pollution. Aryana explained that shared risk factors indicate that prevention cannot rely solely on KKM. "When we talk about primary prevention, it actually encompasses the role of KKM," she said.

The framework includes prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care through public and private clinics, high-risk workplaces, and community programs. One of the flagship programs under NLHI is LungShield, which combines AI-enhanced chest X-ray screening with micro-insurance to cover the cost of follow-up tests.

Overcoming the challenge, Murallitharan noted that public perception of health screenings is a significant barrier. "We are so confident about our own health that we don't even consider the need for any screening. This is still the biggest hurdle," he said. For those who wish to undergo screening, the cost and access to follow-up tests can be prohibitive.

LungShield, developed by NCSM in collaboration with MCIS Life, aims to overcome this barrier. At RM179 for promotional rates or RM479 for standard corporate rates, the program provides subsidies to bridge the gap in underserved rural areas and low-income communities. Malaysia is now considering expanding several elements of NLHI to the regional level.

Discussions on this expansion were held during the 17th ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting in Kuala Lumpur and subsequently incorporated into the newly approved ASEAN Strategic Health Agenda (ASHA) 2026-2030. Aryana stated that the next step is to develop a strategic plan based on existing NLHI programs in each ASEAN member country before formulating regional guidelines.

However, Murallitharan emphasized that ASEAN countries do not need to replicate the entire Malaysia model or build a new system from scratch. Instead, elements of NLHI can be adapted to each country's healthcare system and market conditions. For example, LungShield can be introduced through insurance companies already operating in various ASEAN countries.

Malaysia has also negotiated rates with technology providers for the region, not just for the domestic market. He added that other countries can use Malaysia's pricing as an example, while incorporating it as a regional solidarity example.