KPJ Healthcare offers 500 free digestive screenings to public hospital patients

KUALA LUMPUR - KPJ Healthcare Berhad today launched a nationwide campaign offering 500 complimentary endoscopy and colonoscopy procedures to patients referred from the Ministry of Health (MOH) facilities, in a public-private initiative aimed at accelerating the early detection of digestive diseases and easing the burden on public hospitals.

The "Digestive Care 4 Life" campaign, launched by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad in conjunction with World Digestive Health Day 2026, focuses on promoting digestive health awareness, preventive healthcare and earlier intervention, particularly for colorectal cancer.

Dzulkefly said strengthening Malaysia's healthcare system must go beyond treatment and place greater emphasis on prevention and the cultivation of healthy lifestyles.

"The government cannot build a resilient and sustainable healthcare system if we fail to cultivate a healthy society first. Our hospitals and clinics must remain our final bastion of defence; our absolute first line of defence begins in our own kitchens, at our dining tables, and through the lifestyle choices we make every single day.

"We do not just want to be excellent at treating cancer and digestive diseases...we must be far more aggressive in preventing them," he said in his speech at the event here today.

Also present were KPJ Healthcare president and managing director Chin Keat Chyuan and KPJ Healthcare Medical Director Professor Datuk Dr Hanafiah Harunarashid.

Dzulkefly said the rising incidence of colorectal cancer in Malaysia warranted serious attention, as many digestive diseases develop with minimal or no early symptoms, often resulting in missed opportunities for timely diagnosis and treatment.

To strengthen the nation's preventive healthcare agenda, Dzulkefly said the government had allocated RM80 million under Budget 2026 for the PeKa B40 health screening programme to detect non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including the early warning signs of cancer, among vulnerable groups.

An additional RM10 million had also been channelled into the National Health Screening Initiative (NHSI), targeting two million Malaysians to expand access to health assessments nationwide, he said.

The minister urged Malaysians not to delay seeking medical advice until symptoms emerged.

"Early screening is not a sign of vulnerability; it is a proactive, life-saving measure. Colorectal cancer, when detected early, is highly treatable. Make health screenings an integral part of your life routine, not an afterthought," he said.

He said collaboration between the public and private sectors was essential in ensuring continuity of care and reducing delays in diagnosis.

"This is a prime example of a meaningful Public-Private Partnership (PPP). By absorbing this clinical load, KPJ is directly alleviating the backlog in public hospitals and accelerating the time-to-diagnosis for those who need it most.

"I strongly urge the public, especially those who are eligible and at risk, to fully leverage and maximise this invaluable initiative by KPJ Healthcare. Do not let this golden opportunity for early intervention slip by," he said.

At the launch, KPJ Healthcare also announced a community outreach initiative in collaboration with the Malaysian Federation of the Deaf and Hear Me Malaysia to provide 100 complimentary health screenings for members of the deaf community.

The initiative forms part of the group's efforts to promote inclusive healthcare, improve access to health information and screening services for underserved groups, and encourage early identification of potential health concerns and appropriate follow-up care. - BERNAMA