By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 18: About 85 percent of tuberculosis (TB) cases reported in Malaysia involve local citizens, while only 15 percent concern foreigners, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
He stressed that perceptions linking the spread of TB to foreign nationals are inaccurate, noting Ministry of Health (MOH) data showing that the majority of cases occur among Malaysian citizens.
“This shows that the risk of TB transmission within our own communities is real and cannot be ignored,” he said in a Facebook post today.
Dr Dzulkefly highlighted that TB is not a new public health issue. It has long been present in Malaysia and remains an endemic disease that demands serious attention.
“TB is more than just a clinical issue; it is a ‘disease of poverty,’ closely tied to socio-economic factors such as overcrowded housing and malnutrition,” he said.
While the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium is notoriously persistent, Dr Dzulkefly reassured that TB can be prevented, treated, and fully cured if detected early and patients adhere to at least six months of antibiotic therapy.
He urged the public to be alert to symptoms such as a cough lasting more than two weeks, fever or night sweats, and unexplained weight loss, and to seek prompt examination and treatment at clinics.
He also reminded Malaysians not to stigmatise TB patients, emphasising that emotional support from family and community is crucial for treatment completion.
As a preventive measure, parents are encouraged to ensure their children receive the Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccination, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and ensure proper ventilation in their homes.
“The MOH is committed to strengthening active detection strategies and collaborating with multiple agencies through a whole-of-government approach to end TB in Malaysia. Let us work together to protect our families and communities,” he said. — DayakDaily
