According to the Health Ministry, there is a growing need for more ear health screening and awareness programmes in anticipation of Malaysia transitioning into an ageing society. Dr. Mohd Azman Yacob, the director of the Medical Development Division, emphasized that hearing loss is inevitable with age, and as the country continues to age, the number of individuals with hearing problems will only increase.
He highlighted that the Skim PeKa B40 aid program, established in 2019 to address the healthcare needs of low-income individuals, has seen a consistent rise in the number of recipients each year. In the latest data, a total of 13,218 recipients were recorded, with the majority (4,449 individuals or 33.65%) being aged 70 and above.
Speaking at the World Hearing Day celebration at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Dr. Mohd Azman referenced the World Health Organisation’s statistics, revealing that one in 20 adults and four in 1,000 newborns experience hearing difficulties. The WHO predicts that by 2050, one out of every four individuals will face hearing issues.
Recognizing the worsening situation, he stressed the importance of collaboration between government agencies and private sectors in addressing hearing problems and expanding outreach efforts. He commended the ongoing initiatives by hospitals and private entities in conducting hearing screenings and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to this cause.
Dr. Mohd Azman also shared encouraging progress regarding hearing test coverage, noting a significant increase from 60% in 2022 to 83% in 2023 for babies. He expressed hopes of reaching a 95% screening rate by 2025, with the number of hospitals providing tests rising from 48 to 61.
On a state level, Sabah Health Department director, Dr. Asits Sanna, reported achieving an 82% hearing screening coverage rate in the previous year. He commended the efforts of all involved in the success, particularly highlighting the contributions of the Women and Children’s Hospital in Likas.
Dr. Sanna expressed gratitude for the Health Ministry’s support and emphasized the department’s request for additional screening and diagnostic equipment, as well as more personnel in the field. According to him, the added resources would greatly aid in newborn hearing screenings and other outreach programs.
Requesting an extra 2,098 nurses to be stationed in Sabah, Dr. Sanna emphasized the importance of enhancing the quality of healthcare services in the state. He welcomed any assistance and collaboration from the Health Ministry to further improve health and medical standards in Sabah.
