Malaysia is intensifying its efforts to curb chronic respiratory diseases through stronger public health campaigns, tighter tobacco control, and broader partnerships that bridge government, civil society, and the private sector.
At the “Unpacking the Chronic Respiratory Disease Epidemic: A Media Workshop,” held in Kuala Lumpur this week in conjunction with the upcoming World COPD Day, health leaders and advocates called for sustained, multi-sectoral action to address what they described as one of the most neglected global health threats.
José Luis Castro, WHO Director-General’s Special Envoy for Chronic Respiratory Diseases , warned that the world faces a mounting respiratory health crisis. “Anyone who breathes can develop COPD — in that sense, the world is at risk,” he said.
He described COPD as the Cinderella of diseases, common, costly, and too often left behind. “Malaysia has shown that it doesn’t have to be this way,” Castro added. “Its leadership in integrating air quality, tobacco control, and respiratory health is an example of how national action can inspire regional momentum.”
Dr. Noraryana binti Hassan, Director of Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health, said Malaysia’s strategy focuses on prevention and integration. “We are committed to enforcing the Tobacco Control Act that came into force in 2024 and working with other agencies to improve air quality and identify high-risk populations,” she said.
Recognising that resources are limited, she emphasised the need for collaboration. “If we don’t have the resources, we have to work with resourceful people. These partnerships allow us to reach the same communities with multiple interventions.”
Malaysia’s integrated approach — which includes collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), community partners, and private health providers — aims to address overlapping risks such as smoking, pollution, and late diagnosis. The focus on lung health in recent years comes after the ministry had reviewed cancer incidence rates and lung cancer was the number one among the top ten cancers in Malaysia.
She added that Malaysia will chair the ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting next year, offering “an opportunity to set a regional tone for collective action on lung health.”
Dr. Helmy Haja Mydin, consultant respiratory physician at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur, further noted that the vaping industry continues to undermine public health efforts. “Vape companies are using influencers and gimmicks to attract youth. Our counter-messaging needs to be consistent throughout the year, not just on awareness days,” he said.
He also called for wider access to spirometry testing in community clinics. “Simple diagnostic tools can make a world of difference, early detection is vital if we want to change the trajectory of COPD in Malaysia.”
Dr. Saunthari Somasundaram, President and Medical Director of the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM) and President-Elect of the NCD Alliance Malaysia, stressed the importance of ensuring resolutions are funded and carried out for better outcomes.
“Policies to reduce air pollution and tobacco use are cost effective and have fast benefits for respiratory health, as well as long-term ones. Cost effective policies like taxation and removal of subsidies are considered a ‘triple win’, they reduce healthcare costs, improve population health and generate much needed public revenue which can be channeled back into health,” she said.
“We realised we needed to shift the conversation, from getting people to quit smoking, to helping them understand lung health more holistically,” she added. “Behavioural change must be paired with social change. It’s about creating environments that make healthy choices easier.”
Mr. Thiagaraja Munusamy, a person living with COPD, shared his experience of living with the condition. “It’s not just about medicine, it’s about understanding what the disease does to you,” he said, underscoring the importance of awareness and empathy in care.
Speakers agreed that lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the heightened risks for those with chronic diseases have made the need for a coordinated approach to noncommunicable diseases more urgent than ever.
“As air pollution and lifestyle factors compound respiratory risks, the challenge becomes more complex,” Dr. Noraryana said. “But by working together especially across agencies, sectors, and borders, we can ensure no one is left behind in the fight for clean air and healthy lungs.”
Malaysia emerged as a key global health leader following the adoption of a landmark resolution on integrated lung health at the 77th World Health Assembly (WHA), a milestone achievement aimed at transforming the global response to lung diseases.
The resolution, which calls for a coordinated approach to tackling lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, tuberculosis, and their shared risk factors such as air pollution and tobacco use, was spearheaded by Malaysia’s Ministry of Health. This marks a significant policy contribution from the Southeast Asian nation in shaping global health strategy.
