Health screenings reveal high rates of undiagnosed NCDs in Malaysia and Maldives

Health screening programs in Malaysia and the Maldives have identified significant rates of undiagnosed non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among participants.

In Malaysia, data from the Peka B40 program shows that approximately 44.5 percent of the 328,302 people screened in 2025 were found to have at least one previously undetected health concern. These findings included new diagnoses of NCDs or identified risks for anxiety and depression. The program, administered by ProtectHealth Corporation Sdn. Bhd., aims to provide free screenings to eligible Malaysians to manage chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension.

In the Maldives, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) reported that of the 37,038 people screened for NCDs as of September, 21.2 percent were found to have high cholesterol. Additionally, 10.4 percent of those screened had diabetes and 18 percent had high blood pressure. The HPA noted that NCDs account for 84 percent of all deaths in the Maldives, emphasizing the importance of preventive measures due to the geographic challenges of accessing emergency care.