INNOVATIVE healthcare solutions provider Novartis Malaysia has embarked on a month-long campaign entitled “Unblocked APMA Challenge” for its associates and healthcare professionals with an ambition to highlight the importance detecting bad cholesterol to minimise the risk of developing heart diseases in the future.
This month saw over 220 associates on-site coming together to participate in an interactive yet educational heart-healthy event with activities comprising sponsored cholesterol tests and an interactive ‘lunch and learn’ session that debunk myths regarding heart diseases and cholesterol with a cardiologist.
At healthcare professional level, Novartis Malaysia is spearheading a #CareUnblocked nationwide tour covering over 10 hospitals and visiting around 50 of the nation’s cardiologists to enhance awareness in the treatment of LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol) levels based on recommendations made in the newly launched Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) Management of Dyslipidaemia 2023 (6th Edition).
“The alarming prevalence of CVD (cardiovascular diseases)-related illnesses and fatalities not only affects patients and their families but also inflicts an unsustainable economic burden on the nation,” commented Novartis Malaysia country president Mohamed Elwakil.
“Treatment costs have reached a staggering sum of nearly RM3.9 bil annually, accounting for more than 40% of the total direct healthcare cost of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The impact extends beyond medical expenses, causing an estimated annual productivity loss of approximately RM4 bil.”
Elwakil also reiterated Novartis Malaysia’s commitment and it being well-positioned as a partner of choice to tackle this preventable burden given the group’s 30 years of leading science in CVD.
“We believe that this is the time to work together to transform the standard of care for twice as many patients – twice as fast – and lead a generational decline in CVD-related deaths,” he added. – Oct 17, 2023