25 Oct 2024
6 mins read

University of Cyberjaya Hosts Inaugural Selangor State Public Health Conference 2024: A Call for Sustainable Healthcare

Share This Post:
Any enquries on University of Cyberjaya or this article?
Contact Us

The inaugural Selangor State Public Health Conference 2024, held from 23 to 24 October, concluded successfully with a powerful call to action for a sustainable healthcare future. Themed "Future-Proofing Health: The Role of Prevention in Sustainable Healthcare," this landmark event was a collaborative effort between the Selangor Public Health Advisory Council (SELPHAC) and the University of Cyberjaya (UoC).

Officiated by state Public Health and Environment Committee chairman YB Jamaliah Jamaluddin, the two-day conference served as a unique platform for discussing how innovative ideas can influence the future of healthcare and how prevention can pave the way for sustainability within our healthcare system.

In his opening speech, Major General Prof Dato' Dr. Mohd Zin Bidin, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Cyberjaya, emphasised the university's commitment to advancing public health through innovative education and proactive community health initiatives. "Public health remains a critical aspect of societal well-being, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. We must focus on preventing disease and promoting health through organised community efforts," he stated.

YB Jamaliah Jamaluddin also highlighted the significance of proactive healthcare, envisioning a future where Selangor's healthcare system centres on personalised health plans, routine screenings, and health coaching. She discussed various initiatives, including:

  1. Iltizam Sihat Selangor: Outpatient treatment and hospitalisation benefits.
  2. Bantuan Sihat Selangor: Financial aid for medical treatments for low-income families.
  3. Skim Rawatan Jantung: Support for cardiovascular treatments.
  4. Anak Selangor Anak Sihat: Improving nutrition for children from low-income families.

“A healthcare system should not wait for problems to escalate but should help people stay healthy from the start, making prevention the norm, not the exception,” she declared.

In his keynote address, Professor Dr. David Whitford, Vice Chancellor of the University of Cyberjaya, emphasised the urgent need to transition from reactive healthcare to proactive prevention. He pointed out that over 70% of global deaths are attributed to preventable non-communicable diseases (NCDs), underscoring the unsustainability of the current healthcare model. "We are investing vast sums in treating diseases that could often have been prevented. This model is not sustainable—economically, socially, or ethically," he warned.

Professor Whitford also outlined the profound economic and social benefits of preventive care. He called for government-led public health campaigns and financial incentives to promote preventive healthcare, stating, "Prevention saves lives, prevents suffering, and reduces healthcare costs. But most importantly, it empowers communities." His remarks aligned perfectly with the conference's aim of fostering a healthcare system prioritising prevention over treatment.

The conference concluded with insights from Tan Sri Dato' Seri Dr. Noor Hisham, Chancellor of the University of Cyberjaya. He emphasised the importance of public health leadership and addressed the challenges of policy and public acceptance in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, reinforcing the need for collective action to transform Selangor's healthcare system.

As the conference wrapped up, participants left inspired and equipped with new knowledge and strategies for fostering a healthier, more sustainable future. The collaborative spirit of the event highlighted the vital role of partnerships among healthcare professionals, policymakers, and community advocates. The Selangor State Public Health Conference 2024 marks a significant step towards a proactive healthcare model, ensuring prevention becomes the norm rather than the exception.

This article contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals:

homestarbubblemagnifiercrosschevron-uparrow-left
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram