KKM launches Strategic Plan on Social Determinants of Health for Orang Asli
GERIK: The Ministry of Health (KKM) has launched the Strategic Plan on Social Determinants of Health for Orang Asli (NSPSDHOA) 2026-2035 to address the health issues of the community in a more comprehensive manner, including aspects of education, economy, nutrition and environment.
Health Minister, Datuk Seri Zulkefly Ahmad, said the 10-year plan is the first national policy document of its kind and is implemented through a whole-of-government approach involving 17 ministries and implementing agencies.
He said, this approach is important because the health status of the Orang Asli community does not depend solely on medical treatment, but is also influenced by economic factors, education, food supply and the living environment.
“This issue cannot be treated with medicine alone; instead, it must be resolved through the development of a more holistic foundation of life,” he said in his speech at the launch ceremony of NSPSDHOA 2026-2035 at Kampung Orang Asli Air Banun, here, today.
Zulkefly said, the need for the plan is also based on the findings of the Orang Asli Health Survey (OAHS) 2022 which showed that 44 percent of Orang Asli children suffer from stunting compared to 21.2 percent of Malaysian children.
He said, seven to eight out of 10 Orang Asli patients with diabetes and cholesterol are unaware that they have these diseases, while one in five Orang Asli families still face food insecurity.
He said, the plan is centred on six main pillars encompassing access and equity in healthcare, health literacy, education, economic stability, social support and environmental sustainability.
“What is the use of comprehensive healthcare facilities if the community’s health understanding and practices do not change.
“We believe that when the health literacy level of the community increases, they become capable and empowered to make better decisions for the health of themselves, their families, and their future generations,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said, KKM has set 46 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to ensure the implementation of the plan yields tangible outcomes for the Orang Asli community.
Among the targets set include addressing malnutrition, controlling non-communicable diseases (NCDs), eradicating infectious diseases and empowering literacy.
He said, this effort requires the cooperation of various ministries and agencies to ensure that the health rights of the Orang Asli community continue to be protected in line with the principle of ‘Leaving no one behind’.
Berita Harian