Kuala lumpur: The participation of 80 per cent of editorial department staff from the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) in the Executive Screening Programme (ESP) at the National Heart Institute (IJN) this year reflects a high level of health awareness among media practitioners. Bernama Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin highlighted that initially, some staff were hesitant to take part in the ESP due to concerns about the potential results.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, each year, 60 staff members are offered the opportunity to undergo screening, and the response has been increasingly encouraging. This year's participation signals a growing awareness even though some were initially reluctant to know their health status. Nur-ul Afida mentioned that participation is not solely based on age but also considers service grade and individual willingness. She also expressed Bernama's intent to continue collaborating with IJN, finances permitting, due to the screening's fast results and the facilitation of necessary follow-up actions.
IJN Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Ezani Md Taib praised the initiative as a positive and proactive step by Bernama. He noted that the journalism profession is associated with high work pressure, increasing the risk of chronic diseases. Factors like irregular working hours, stress, poor diet, and lack of physical activity expose media workers to conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Early screening is crucial for detecting risks and enabling preventive measures.
Awareness among media practitioners, while showing progress, still requires improvement. Continuous efforts by organizations and employers are essential to ensure employee well-being. The ESP programme, extended to Bernama staff of Grade 44 and below, aged 40 and above, first implemented in September 2024, has now entered its third year.
Bernama's initiative is seen as an important step in raising awareness about early disease detection. Bernama TV Chief Cameraman Ahmad Azmai Awang, 57, expressed appreciation for the opportunity, describing it as meaningful. Meanwhile, Bernama TV Assistant Assignment Editor J Kavirajan, 43, emphasized the programme's benefits in helping staff understand their health status despite busy schedules.