Dr Sim calls for heart disease awareness due to rising prevalence in Sarawak
KUCHING (Sept 21): Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian has called for greater public awareness of preventive measures against heart disease, a highly prevalent condition in Sarawak.
Speaking at the World Heart Day 2025 programme at Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Community Hall today, Dr Sim highlighted that over 200,000 Sarawakians have sought treatment at the Sarawak Heart Centre in Kota Samarahan since its establishment, underscoring the importance of early intervention and lifestyle management.
“If you go to our Heart Centre, the queues are long and growing,” he said.
“Without the centre, many of these patients would not have survived. Before it opened, there was no heart facility, and many people did not receive treatment.”
Dr Sim noted that conditions such as high blood sugar, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and overweight were once uncommon but are now increasingly prevalent among adults in Malaysia, and remain key risk factors for heart disease.
“Nowadays, by the age of 60, it is almost abnormal not to have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or high blood sugar. Most people now have at least one of these conditions.
“Apart from these three, we also face the growing issue of overweight in Malaysia,” he said.
On the World Heart Day 2025 programme, Dr Sim described promoting heart health as part of nation-building, emphasising the importance of raising public awareness on cardiovascular care.
“World Heart Day is celebrated worldwide with the global theme ‘Don’t Miss a Beat’. Even here in what is regarded as ‘the jungle of Borneo’, we still observe it,” he said.
He also highlighted the state’s progress in cardiac care, citing millions raised to support the establishment of a cardiac unit at Bintulu Hospital, enabling local angiogram procedures, and the upcoming installation of a cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine at Sibu Hospital.
“These accomplishments show what we can achieve by coming together to help one another,” he said.
“Through fundraising and the generosity of sponsors and donors, we are able to look after our Sarawakians.”
Also present were Dr Sim’s wife Dato Enn Ong Siok Ean, Kuching South Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng, Sarawak Heart Foundation Board Trustees Dato Anne Teng and Pauline Kon Suk Khim and other distinguished guests.
