BATU KAWAN: Efforts to encourage men to take greater responsibility for their health are gaining momentum in Penang, with the state organising its third Men’s Health Day in collaboration with Boston Scientific and Design Village Outlet Mall.
The programme, held on Nov 14 at Design Village Outlet Mall, brought together various health screening services and awareness initiatives under one roof, making it easier for men to access information and learn more about their health.
State Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi said the initiative was first introduced three years ago to address the lack of attention given to men’s health compared with women’s health awareness campaigns.
He said while October was widely recognised for its Pink October campaigns focusing on women’s health, there was a need to give greater attention to health issues affecting men, particularly during November, which is observed internationally as Men’s Health Awareness Month.
“Very rarely do we see initiatives specifically dedicated to men’s health.
We took the initiative three years ago with Boston Scientific to create a platform where men can access various health screening services and receive information under one roof,” he said.
Gooi said the programme was organised in collaboration with the Penang State Health Department, bringing together different medical disciplines to improve public access to health information and screening services.
He explained that patients would normally have to visit different hospital departments for specialised medical services, including neurology and cardiology.
By bringing these services together, the programme aims to make health screening more accessible while encouraging men to be more proactive about their well-being.
Gooi also highlighted that embarrassment and reluctance to discuss certain medical conditions remained among the barriers preventing men from seeking professional medical assistance.
He cited erectile dysfunction as one example of a health issue that men might feel uncomfortable discussing, resulting in some delaying the process of seeking medical advice.
“We want to create awareness and encourage men to speak up and seek help when they face health concerns. Prevention is always better than cure,” he said.
He added that the initiative was aimed at ensuring men in Penang were more aware of their health conditions and understood the importance of early detection and seeking appropriate medical attention.
The annual programme continues to serve as a platform to promote men’s health awareness and encourage healthier lifestyles among the community.
