BUTTERWORTH – Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has expressed concern over the state’s worrying chronic disease statistics, saying this is not the kind of “leadership” Penang should be known for.
Speaking at the launch of the 2025 One Hope Charity Health Carnival at PICCA Arena today, Chow said Penang should be leading in investments and sustainable development—not in diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol rates.
“I am aware that I’ve been promoting the slogan ‘Penang Leads’, but this is not the kind of leadership we want—certainly not in disease statistics,” he said.
“We’ll gladly lead in investments, sustainable living, and other areas—but not in health issues. It’s time we give this the attention it deserves.”
Citing the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023, Chow noted that Penang has surpassed the national average in several health indicators.
The state recorded a diabetes rate of 18.4% (national average: 15.6%), high blood pressure at 31.3% (national: 29.2%), and high cholesterol at 34% (national: 33.3%).
The annual health carnival, now in its eighth edition, is organised by Penang-based One Hope Charity and Welfare in collaboration with the state health departments of Penang and Kedah, as well as several government and private hospitals including the National Heart Institute (IJN) and Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Teaching Hospital (HPUPM).
This year, the charity donated RM850,000 to government clinics and hospitals in both states.
Hospital Pulau Pinang received RM100,000, while RM150,000 was distributed equally among five other hospitals in Penang—Hospital Seberang Jaya, Hospital Balik Pulau, Hospital Bukit Mertajam, Hospital Kepala Batas, and Hospital Sungai Bakap.
Meanwhile, three hospitals in Kedah—Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Hospital Kulim, and Hospital Sultan Abdul Halim—received RM100,000 each.
“We hope these contributions will help improve public health services, support the procurement of medical equipment, and enhance treatment environments for the benefit of the people,” said the charity’s founder and chairman Datuk Chua Sui Hau.
The carnival, which featured 250 booths, offered more than 30 types of health screening services—including eye exams, scoliosis consultations, medical counselling, physiotherapy, hearing tests, dental check-ups, and mental health assessments.
It also offered 4,000 free blood tests and distributed 3,000 pairs of prescription glasses to students and the elderly from low-income groups.
Additionally, 5,000 doses of influenza vaccines were provided free of charge to senior citizens, underprivileged students, and blood donors.
According to Chua, a total of RM2.7 million was spent to organise this year’s carnival, including the cost of tests and aid distribution. – May 17, 2025