Seven out of 10 Malaysian adults suffer from at least one non-communicable disease like diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. Latest Health Ministry statistics show that 11.6 million of the 16 million adults nationwide are sick with an NCD, and by all predictions the numbers are going to get worse, accounting already for 51% of all deaths in the country.

This is why EU-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Finpro and other partners in Germany and Thailand joined forced to organise the EU-Malaysia-Thailand Matchmaking Conference, which was the highlight of the 16-month project “Care and Prevention of Lifestyle-related Non-communicable Diseases”, which was 75% financed by European Union, the rest being financed by the project partners.

14 Malaysian companies active in the field of prevention and care of lifestyle-related non-communicable diseases (NCD), such as diabetes, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases participated to the match-making Conference in Bangkok 10-11 September 2007. The event attracted 73 companies from 6 countries in Europe and Malaysia and Thailand. The 2-day event was opened by Dr Siriporn Kanshana, Chief Inspector General of the Ministry of Public health, Thailand and by Mr Jean-Jacques Bouflet, head of Trade Section at the EU Delegation to Thailand.

Professor Pekka Puska, President Elect of the World Heart Federation, Vice President of the International Association of National Public Health Institutes and Director General of the National Public Health Institute of Finland, gave a presentation on “Effective prevention and control of NCD and the industry in it”. In his presentation Professor Puska gave testimonial of the world famous North Carelia project and of innovative nutrition activities and how it cut down the death rate of heart diseases by 75% in North Carelia, and 65% in all Finland in the last 30 years. This has led to a strong development in functional food sector and wide awareness on NCDs among the population. Partnership between government, civil society and private sector must be functional and involved in international collaboration. He also outlined how the ultimate goal of all societies should be healthy aging. The future public health is overwhelmingly dominated by chronic diseases and the real challenge lies in postponing the diseases to late years of life. Influencing national diets and lifestyles is a key issue.

Ms Nopmanee Somboonsub from the EU delegation in Thailand presented “FP7 Framework Program” EU funding opportunities for research and technical development and Dr Pradistchai Chaiseri, President of the Heart Association of Thailand and Datin Dr Liew Yin Mei, Medical Director of Heart Foundation Malaysia, presented “How the EU experiences can be implemented in Thailand and Malaysia”. The Conference ended to Finpro Singapore office Senior Consultant on Life Sciences, Mr Lim Hock Chye’s presentation on: ”Business opportunities and challenges in target markets”.

The afternoon and the 2nd day were dedicated to the prescheduled one-to-one meetings between the companies. During the 2 days, 472 meetings took place. The companies also had the opportunity to meet 80 VIPs from Thai Ministry of Health invited for the opening and the Get together cocktail. The guests were treated to a cultural show as well.

The companies which participated to the event represented the following sectors:

• diagnostics
• treatment tools
• functional and health food, food supplements
• training devices
• pharmaceuticals
• IT-related products and services to manage the care process
• educational tools and consulting

EUMCCI was the partner organisation of the project, the following Malaysian companies participated:

• Antonio Matachana, SA - Asia Pacific Regional Office
• Belmah Strategies (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
• DPO Malaysia Sdn Bhd
• Furley Group of Companies
• Hovid Bhd
• Infovalley Group of Companies
• INS Bioscience Berhad
• Medinova Sdn Bhd
• Pharmaniaga Berhad
• Sime Darby Technology Centre Sdn Bhd
• StemLife Berhad
• United Akrab Tech Sdn Bhd
• Vitis (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd

The Ministry of Health Malaysia was represented by Mr Choy Lup Bong, Undersecretary, Corporate Policy and Health Industry Division.

The Heart Foundation of Malaysia being the Associate partner, has been involved in the project by the very beginning. The 2 experts: Datuk Dr J S Sambhi and Datin Dr Liew Yin Mei, have been an invaluable source for support and information for the Conference and for the whole duration of the project.

The Heart Foundation is offering support to heart patients through “Halfway House”. In 1994, the Foundation started providing accommodation for heart patients and their families from outside Kuala Lumpur by renting 8 beds at the Malaysian Youth Council dormitories. In 1997, the Foundation established its own 30 beds shelter when it moved to its current premises. The accommodation is for accompanying outstation, including East Malaysia (Sabah & Sarawak) family members of heart patients who have been referred to hospitals in Kuala Lumpur for treatment. At the moment there are 40 beds available.

More information: www.health-management-sea.com and www.yjm.org.my