By Danial Dzulkifly
SEPANG, Oct 23 — The upcoming 2025 Selangor Budget is set to include enhanced healthcare benefits for the elderly, specifically through specialised health screenings, as the government places greater emphasis on proactive care next year.
State executive councillor for public health and environment Jamaliah Jamaluddin said while current initiatives like Selangor Saring cater to the general population, the Iltizam Selangor Sihat (ISS) programme will see new additions targeting senior citizens.
“Moving forward, we will focus more on the elderly, as they have unique health screening needs,” she told Media Selangor on the sidelines of the inaugural Selangor Public Health Conference at the University of Cyberjaya, here, today.
“For instance, middle-aged individuals may not require assessments for mobility or strength, but for the elderly, tailored screenings can be introduced. These could include nutritional awareness and other aspects of care to ensure future preventive programmes are aligned with their needs.”
Jamaliah said the state is directing its healthcare budget primarily towards preventive measures, aiming to reduce the patient load on public healthcare facilities.
"It is more efficient for the state government to focus on prevention rather than cure, as we are closer to the community through local councils and community leaders. This enables us to implement these initiatives effectively," she said.
Selangor Mental Sehat
Meanwhile, Selangor Mental Sehat programme coordinator Dr Muhammad Adil Zainal revealed that over 1,400 individuals have sought help through the state initiative since its launch in 2021, with family relationship issues being the primary concern among participants.
Dr Adil said most cases involve individuals aged between 20 and 40, particularly young families in the Klang Valley facing economic pressures.
"About 55 per cent of the issues we encounter are tied to family relationships, which we expected, given the economic challenges in the Klang Valley," he told reporters.
The Selangor Mental Sehat programme aims to support Federal healthcare services by providing subsidies for private psychiatric clinics, addressing existing gaps that see mental health coverage excluded from insurance plans.
"Many patients face long queues at government hospitals. While health is a federal responsibility, we're working to complement their efforts," Dr Adil said.
The initiative currently includes 18 registered psychiatrists, four clinical psychologists, and over 50 counsellors across various hubs and clinics.
Dr Adil, however, noted a critical shortage of counsellors, with some districts having only one available counsellor.
Selangor Mental Sehat plans to increase its subsidy budget from the current RM250,000, while maintaining existing services.
