Article Search : Mrs. Balqis Binti Md Ruslan

Source : https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/690130/berita/nasional/visi-baharu-mengenai-kesihatan

 

 

 

In 2015, when the world adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), several leading scientists introduced the concept of Planetary Health.

According to the Lancet-Rockefeller Foundation Commission, Earth Health refers to the health of human civilization and the state of the natural systems that underpin it, and it sparks a new vision of health.

We live in the Anthropocene era where human activities are now significantly damaging the planet's natural systems at an alarming rate.

Earth Health emphasizes the urgent need to address this decline because it directly impacts the health and well-being of all life on earth.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a Healthy Earth serves as the primary framework for achieving the SDGs.

The idea is simple, if we take care of the planet, it will directly support and accelerate sustainable development and meet environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals.

Unfortunately, by 2023, six of the nine planetary boundaries had been globally crossed.

We are destroying this planet at an unprecedented rate.

We have nine planetary boundaries and if we maintain the balance and integrity of these critical processes, we can ensure that the planet remains prosperous for future generations.

Apart from these challenges, we also need to address issues such as biodiversity loss, pollution, plastic waste and health. The consequences will be huge if we do not act.

For Malaysia over the past 15 years, the welfare costs of deaths due to environmental risks have increased by 161 percent (Sunway, 2024).

 

Develop PTKPN

 

Stakeholder involvement is very important for the success of PTKPN.

In this regard, the National Science Council has agreed that the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), through the Malaysian Academy of Sciences (ASM), in collaboration with central agencies and relevant ministries, will develop a National Planetary Health Action Plan (PTKPN).

It is human-centered, uses STI, is based on nature and is value-based.

PTKPN is driven by the vision of a Preserved Earth, Healthy People, Prosperous Malaysia.

Six key outcome areas have been identified for this action plan, namely Environment and Health, Food Sustainability, Research and Education, Energy Transition, Governance, Values, Cultural Shift, Behaviour Change and Communication.

Through these six key outcome areas, five critical systemic leaps need to occur to reverse the trend of declining planetary boundaries in Malaysia.

These five spikes are

• Leap 1: Strengthen the governance and management system of the country's natural resources.
• Leap 2: Pushing the people towards a healthy, prosperous and value-based nation.
• Lead 3: Creating a planet-friendly business.
• Leap 4: Effective communication, and character- and value-based thinking.
• Lead 5: Create sustainable funding and resources for planetary health development initiatives.

Based on these five systemic transitions, PTKPN has outlined 53 strategies and 275 action plans in key outcome areas.

As an alternative to changing the existing system, PTKPN aims to leverage the existing system but change the way we do things through these transitions.

These include mainstreaming Earth Health into government policy through expanding the scope of the existing SDG central governance structure.

In addition, it places support for businesses that transition to the use of Earth Health-friendly technologies and business models, especially micro-enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in less industrialized states in Malaysia.

This strategy also includes the development of a strong communications strategy that can connect with various community groups and firms across the country on the connection between Earth Health and health.

The strategy also develops the Earth Health Expert Advisory Group and to change the sentiment and behavior of businesses and society towards Planetary Health friendly actions, where there is a need to review the support systems within the ecosystem.

 

Quality education is a systemic change implemented by PTKPN

This education encompasses all levels, from schools to higher education institutions and industrial training, ensuring generational awareness of environmental issues.

PTKPN also emphasizes six National Key Result Areas, including environmental management, clean energy, and food security.

With a holistic approach, PTKPN fosters a knowledgeable, innovative community, and encourages positive behavioral change through education and research.

PTKPN requires joint efforts from all levels of stakeholders, including the federal and state governments, the private sector, the media, youth, religious groups, institutions of higher learning and schools.

PTKPN can achieve the aspiration of 'Protected Earth, Healthy People, Prosperous Malaysia' by accepting the responsibilities given to each of us and the role we play in society.

 

 

Date of Input: 19/08/2025 | Updated: 19/08/2025 | muhammad.isam