ASTRAZENECA, a global science-led biopharmaceutical company, launched its Young Health Programme through a partnership with Hospitals Beyond Boundaries (HBB), focusing on youth and the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Held in conjunction with AstraZeneca’s 40th Anniversary in Malaysia, the Young Health Programme was launched on World Mental Health Day with a pilot programme on youths’ mental health, targeted at the adolescent residents of PPR Seri Pantai.
HBB was chosen as a partner as it is a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the health of vulnerable communities through sustainable healthcare efforts in non-communicable diseases.
Present at the event were Dr Sanjeev Panchal, Country President, AstraZeneca Malaysia and Dr Wan Abdul Hannan Wan Ibadullah, Co-founder & CEO of Hospitals Beyond Boundaries. They were accompanied by Tursiah Tino, Chairman of the PPR Seri Pantai Residents Association.
The event had the support of social welfare officers from the Social Welfare Department and saw the attendance of Datuk Ramlan Askolani, the Federal Territories Minister’s Special Tasks Officer. Residents attended the event in batches to avoid crowds and ensure that SOPs could be observed.
The AstraZeneca Young Health Programme is a global programme being rolled out in Malaysia to focus on adolescent mental health and well-being.
The programme aims to improve health and wellbeing among young people aged 10-24, getting them to take control of their health, especially to manage long-term conditions including mental ill-health.
Adolescent mental health was chosen as the focus topic because of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has exacerbated mental health challenges among Malaysians.
Commenting on the launch of the AstraZeneca Young Health Programme, Dr Sanjeev said: “Under our Young Health Programme, we are honoured to partner with Hospitals Beyond Boundaries. They have done remarkable work in Malaysia and around the region to uplift the health of our most disadvantaged community members, making them an ideal partner for AstraZeneca’s aim to improve the health outcomes for society.”
Globally, the Young Health Programme has reached more than five million youths in 30 countries across six continents since it was launched in 2010. In 2018, the Young Health Programme was recognised by Ethical Corporate when it was named Community Investment Programme of the Year in the Responsible Business Awards. — The Health
