Lose weight, Health Ministry staff told

Published: Sunday April 12, 2009 MYT 3:37:00 PM

Lose weight, Health Ministry staff told

By MAZWIN NIK ANIS
PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry has issued its staff with a warning - shape up and lose weight.
Concerned with the rising cases of obesity, the ministry wants its staff to check their weight and has warned them against the dangers of obesity.
Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said he was concerned with the escalating number of obese people in the country, referring to the condition as an “entry point to all sicknesses.”
“This is serious. Obesity among ministry staff is high, more or less the same as the rakyat (where an estimated 60% of the population is obese)” he told reporters on Sunday after visiting the section of Putrajaya Hospital which was damaged in a fire on Saturday evening.
“I have given instructions for staff who have weight problem to reduce weight. They must measure their BMI (body mass index) and come up with their own plan (to reduce weight).
“They have to shed some fat. They have to shape up.”
He said an obese person was susceptible to various illnesses, including diabetes and high blood pressure adding this could be avoided if one could maintained their ideal weight.
“I have directed that the nutritional and food safety departments be strengthened to ensure preventive measures we take will be supported and implemented by staff,” he said.
On key performance indicators (KPI), Liow said MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat had directed all ministers and deputy ministers from the party to submit their respective ministries’ KPI and so they could be closely monitored.
“Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) will monitor us and the party (MCA) will also monitor us,” he said.
He added the ministry had implemented the KPI earlier and he monitors his staff, secretary-general and all department heads.