SELANGOR,MALAYSIA - Media OutReach - 6 November 2019 - In response to worrying issues regardingmental health in Malaysia, homegrown and leading primary healthcare provider QualitasMedical Group ('Qualitas') hosted a panel session to raise awareness andinitiate robust discussions on mental health at the workplace. Themed, "MentalHealth at the Workplace: The Unspoken Truth", the session was attendedby representatives from the Ministry of Health, Departmentof Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), the Malaysian Society forOccupational Safety and Health (MSOSH) as well as Third Party Administrators, corporateand industrial leaders.

(L-R) Mr Karim Dhala, Director of Corporate Services, Qualitas Medical Group, Ybhg. Dr Koh Kar Chai, Honorary General Treasurer, Malaysian Medical Association ("MMA"), YB Hannah Yeoh, Deputy Minister Women, Family and Community Development, Ybhg. Dato Dr Noorul Ameen Mohamed Ishack, Chairman and Managing Director, Qualitas Medical Group and Ybhg. Dato Dr R.S Kumar, Chairman of Medical Governance Board, Qualitas Medical Group officiating a forum themed, 'Mental Health at The Workplace: The Unspoken Truth'.

Theevent was officiated by Yang Berhormat Puan Hannah Yeoh, Deputy Minister ofWomen, Family and Community Development. In her keynote speech, Yang Berhormat PuanHannah Yeoh emphasised the pressing need toreduce the stigma on mental health issues within the community and theimportant role that general practitioners can play as the first line of care onmental health.

Deliveringa keynote address at the session, Chairman and Managing Director of QualitasMedical Group, Yang Berbahagia Dato' Dr Noorul Ameen Mohamed Ishack said, "Mentalhealth has been extensively discussed by key authorities, non-profitorganisations for many years. Sadly, individuals suffering from depression andanxiety are reluctant to seek help as they fear the stigma of beingstereotyped. The time has come for immediate practical actions to be taken byall stakeholders -- The general practitioners should be empowered to play a moreactive and positive role in the management of mental health wellness; and forthat, changes need to be made by the Government in empowering generalpractitioners to act as the gatekeeper on mental health."

Whiledepression and anxiety pose a mental health challenge for sufferers, theseissues also have a significant economic impact on the country. According to theWorld Health Organization (WHO) this year, depression and anxiety is estimatedto cost the global economy approximately US$1 trillion per year in lostproductivity.[1]As businesses thrive on optimum productivity, it is beneficial to bothemployers and employees to prioritise the wellbeing of employees.

In2017, a study conducted by AIA Bhd titled "Malaysia'sHealthiest Workplace by AIA Vitality" reported that 12% of employees havehigh level of anxiety and depressive symptoms.[2] A follow up survey in 2018further revealed that 50.2% of employees have at least one dimension ofwork-related stress.[3] This worrying trend posesa challenge for individuals, companies and society in Malaysia which can havetremendous repercussions if left unaddressed.

Dr Shawaludin Husin, Vice President, Malaysian Society of OccupationalSafety and Health shared,"Prevention measures for accidents and injuries that affect one's physiqueis no longer sufficient but we need to manage how stress, depression and othermental issues would lead to unforeseen mishaps in the workforce. Thus,organisations need to urgently look into effective safety and health managementsystem and policies that ensures the overall wellbeing, which may includeinitiatives such as mindfulness training, financial planning, on-the-hour flashwalk, among others."

Primary Healthcare Personnel As The First Line Of Care

In Malaysia, primary healthcare personnel -- generalpractitioners (GPs) have been the first contact for people seeking healthcare. Asmost GP clinics are well spread out in the neighbourhoods nationwide, the GPshave traditionally been regarded by society as the first line of care.

"Primary healthcare needs to evolve, equipping itsworkforce with the right knowledge, confidence and capacity to provide mentalhealth support, now more than ever. With primary healthcare practitionersonboard, I am certain that employees will feel less stereotyped and more opento receiving treatment in the early stages. This would greatly improve themental health outlook in Malaysia, contributing to a positive community,workforce and the nation's economy", said Pn Sarah Waheeda MuhammadHafidz, Consultant Industrial and Occupational Psychologist from Leaderonomics.

"Over the years, many patients have come to the GPclinics complaining of frequent migraine, insomnia, fatigue and impairedconcentration. These patients may or may not realise that they are sufferingfrom anxiety and depression. Coupled with the stigma attached to mental healthwellness issues, these patients are often reluctant to be seen as visiting mentalhealth professionals. Sufferers are looking to primary healthcare personnel fortheir needs -- As such, we as primary healthcare practitioners need to beempowered, upskilled and be prepared to meet these requirements," added YangBerbahagia Dato'Dr Noorul Ameen Mohamed Ishack.

Today, the role of the primary healthcare is requiredto shift beyond merely supporting physical wellbeing to becoming the first lineof assistance for mental health issues. More and more, the primary healthcareworkforce will need to be empowered with the right knowledge, confidence andcapacity toprovide first line mental health support for patients in their time of need.

The panel session was organised by Qualitas as part ofits commitment to continue to provide integrated healthcare within the primaryhealthcare sector. Withover 20 years of experience in the primary healthcare industry, Qualitasoperates a regional network of GP clinics with a network of over 200 clinics inMalaysia as well as in Singapore and Australia. The Group is further looking toexpand into existing markets as well as new markets in the region.

Approximately 100 guests from the public and privatesector, as well as civil society, attended the forum held in Sime DarbyConvention Centre.

About Qualitas Medical Group

QualitasMedical Group ("Qualitas") was founded in 1997 in Malaysia. With over 20 yearsof experience in the healthcare industry, Qualitas delivers cost-effective and qualityprimary healthcare services to the community comprising GP (general practice),dental and medical imaging services.

Today, Qualitas operates a regional network of GeneralPractice (GP) clinics, an ambulatory care centre, as well as dental clinics,and diagnostics centres supported by over 1,700 medical doctors, dentists andsupporting personnel, backed by a network of over 250 medical clinics, dentalclinics (including a dental laboratory) and medical imaging centres.

Formore information on Qualitas Medical Group, please visit www.qualitas.com.my