Foster healthy lifestyles: Nearly two million Malaysians benefit from 38 Wellness Hubs nationwide, says Dzulkefly

Melaka has two Wellness Hub facilities, Alor Gajah and Melaka Tengah, serving as community wellness referral centres, according to Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. The Ministry of Health's initiative, which has expanded nationwide with 38 Wellness Hubs, aims to shift the national healthcare model from treating illnesses to preventive care, particularly in addressing the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

These one-stop centres offer weight management services, smoking cessation support, mental health screenings, the 'Stay Active' module, and exercise therapy. A weight management pilot programme under the Wellness Hubs resulted in 87% of participants, or 460 out of 528, successfully losing weight, while 83% improved their physical fitness, and 111 achieved a normal body mass index (BMI).

The Ministry has spent RM3.381 million on community health agent applications between 2025 and October to empower community participation in national health initiatives. Despite improvements in public health literacy through the National Agenda for a Healthy Malaysia (ANMS), the primary challenge remains translating knowledge into daily behavioural change, which the ministry addresses through a 'nudging' approach that creates supportive environments and facilitates healthier choices.