04 LOCAL NEWS
The HEALTH | May-June. 2026
Breathing under siege
MALAYSIA’ S ongoing struggle with tobacco and vaping-related illnesses took centre stage at the National Tobacco Control Conference & Lung Health Summit 2026, where health experts and policymakers renewed calls for stronger tobacco control measures to protect public health and reduce preventable deaths.
The three-day conference, held on May 8-10 at the University of Cyberjaya, was organised by the Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control( MCTC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health( MoH) and the National Cancer Society of Malaysia( NCSM).
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad officiated the event.
The summit brought together healthcare professionals, policymakers and stakeholders to discuss pressing challenges in tobacco control and strategies to improve lung health outcomes nationwide.
According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey( GATS) Malaysia 2023, 19.5 per cent of Malaysian adults, or approximately 4.8 million people, currently use tobacco products, including smoked, smokeless and heated tobacco. Meanwhile, 5.8 per cent, equivalent to 1.4
Steps towards wellness
ACTIVE LIVING: The Him & Her Health Run 2026 aims to promote healthier lifestyles while raising awareness of heart disease and cancer through a nationwide wellbeing initiative
YAYASAN MR D. I. Y. has launched the inaugural Him & Her Health Run 2026, a nationwide initiative aimed at promoting heart health and raising cancer awareness through a 5km fun run series across Malaysia.
The event encourages Malaysians to adopt healthier lifestyles by bringing together individuals, families and friends to run or walk in support of
BREATHING EASIER: Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad( 2nd from left), witnessing the MoU exchange of IHH-KKM-PDRM LungShield Programme
million adults, use electronic cigarettes.
Health experts warned that the figures represent a significant population at risk of chronic lung diseases, including lung cancer and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease( COPD).
Lung cancer remains among the top three most common cancers in Malaysia, with the current five-year relative survival rate standing at about 11 per cent. Around 95 per cent of cases are detected only at Stage 3 or Stage 4, when treatment options are more limited, and outcomes are significantly poorer.
The conference also highlighted
community wellbeing.
The Him & Her Health Run 2026 will be held in three locations nationwide, beginning in Pulau Pinang on May 17, followed by Sarawak on Jul 19, and Kuala Lumpur on Oct 18. Open to participants aged five and above, the run is designed as an inclusive platform for communities to unite behind a meaningful cause.
Yayasan MR D. I. Y. said the initiative growing concern over rising vape use among youths. Findings from the National Health and Morbidity Survey( NHMS) 2022 showed e-cigarette use among adolescents aged 13 to 17 increased from 9.8 per cent in 2017 to 14.9 per cent in 2022.
MCTC urged the government to reconsider the Generational End Game( GEG) provision under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024( Act 852), which previously sought to ban the sale of tobacco and vape products to individuals born from 2007 onwards.
aims to inspire Malaysians to take proactive steps towards better health while increasing awareness of heart disease and cancer. Funds raised from the event will support health-focused organisations and programmes covering prevention and education, treatment support, and patient care.
Beneficiaries include Yayasan Jantung Malaysia, Sarawak Children’ s Cancer Society, Persatuan Sokongan Kanser Kanak-Kanak( CAKNE), and Kumpulan Ibu Bapa Dan Sokongan Anak-Anak Kanser( KIDS).
The initiative is supported by partners including CUCKOO International( M) Berhad, Kumon Education Malaysia, Health Lane Family Pharmacy, The Mines Resorts and Hotels, Merdeka Waterfront Hotel, Delfi Marketing, Chuan Sin Sdn Bhd, and NCS Science Sdn Bhd.
Registration closes on May 3 for Pulau Pinang, Jul 1 for Sarawak, and Oct 1 for Kuala Lumpur. Participants will receive a fun run kit featuring an event t-shirt, a limited-edition towel, a race cap, a race bib, and a finisher medal.
Further information and registration details are available at https:// www. mrdiy. com / him-her-health-funrun-2026. More information on Yayasan MR D. I. Y.’ s sustainability and corporate social responsibility programmes can be found at yayasanmrdiy. com.
Advancing clinical frontiers
MALAYSIA is strengthening its position as a leading clinical research hub in Asia following the launch of CRM Trial Connect 2026 by Clinical Research Malaysia, which attracted more than 1,100 participants from the global healthcare, regulatory and research sectors.
Held under the theme“ Asia’ s Rise in Clinical Trials”, the fifth edition of the conference highlighted the region’ s expanding influence in global drug development. Last year’ s edition generated over 60 collaborations worth RM70 million, advancing clinical research across Asia.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, who officiated the event, said the conference demonstrated the progress made in clinical research while outlining the collective direction needed to shape the future of the sector in Southeast Asia and the wider Asian region.
In his keynote address, he reaffirmed Malaysia’ s commitment to strengthening Asia’ s clinical research ecosystem by advancing research and innovation.
During the ceremony, Dzulkefly also launched the latest edition of Malaysia’ s Good Clinical Practice Guidelines, underscoring the country’ s commitment to maintaining international standards and ensuring high-quality clinical trial conduct.
Among the conference highlights were the signing of a memorandum of understanding between CRM and Monash Health, as well as a research agreement with the National Cancer Center under the ATLAS project.
The event also featured the CRM Sponsored Research Awards 2026, participation from international agencies including PMDA, ARISE and IA-DATA, and expert presentations by leading researchers and regulators. The conference additionally hosted the 18th National Conference for Clinical Research, further strengthening regional collaboration in clinical trials.- The HEALTH
RESEARCH EXCELLENCE: Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad presenting the CRM Sponsored Research Award 2026 to a recipient during CRM Trial Connect 2026