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KPJ Healthcare, Novo Nordisk partner to advance structured obesity care in Malaysia

KPJ Healthcare Berhad and Novo Nordisk Malaysia today formalised a strategic collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen structured, multi-disciplinary care in Malaysia, reflecting growing demand for a safer, more coordinated and medically supervised support for people living with obesity and related metabolic conditions. The collaboration will support the development of the KPJ Metabolic & Weight Management Programme, a hospital-based care model designed to provide patients with a structured, specialist-led, multidisciplinary care within a regulated healthcare setting.

The collaboration comes at a time when Malaysia continues to face a significant obesity and metabolic health burden. Health Ministry data from recent screenings involving 1.2 million adults nationwide found that 1:2 Malaysians are living with obesity or overweight, highlighting the scale and urgency of the issue. The ministry has also said that 15.6% of Malaysian adults, about one in six, are living with diabetes, with many unaware of their condition. Obesity is also estimated to cost the country more than RM64 billion annually through healthcare expenditure, productivity losses and premature mortality

Under the collaboration, both parties will work together to support a more comprehensive care pathway that combines specialist consultation, dietetic support, lifestyle guidance and clinically appropriate medical therapy. In the first phase, the programme is expected to be introduced at 10 KPJ hospitals, namely Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital, Damansara Specialist Hospital, Damansara 2 Specialist Hospital, Ipoh Specialist Hospital, Johor Specialist Hospital, KPJ Klang Specialist Hospital, KPJ Penang Specialist Hospital, KPJ Selangor Specialist Hospital, Kuching Specialist Hospital and Tawakkal Specialist Hospital, with phased expansion planned for 12 months. Patients are expected to access the programme through hospital Health Screening Pathway & in-hospital referrals.

Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital, Damansara Specialist Hospital, Damansara 2 Specialist Hospital, Ipoh Specialist Hospital, Johor Specialist Hospital, KPJ Klang Specialist Hospital, KPJ Penang Specialist Hospital, KPJ Selangor Specialist Hospital, Kuching Specialist Hospital dan Tawakkal Specialist Hospital

The programme will bring together Health Screening and Allied Health Professionals, including Endocrinology, Internal Medicine, Bariatric Surgery, Psychology, Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation, Dietetics, and Pharmacy, under a more structured model of care. Patient care in this pathway includes initial assessment, body composition screening, metabolic risk review, personalised treatment planning, behavioural counselling, and follow-up scheduling, with a typical care duration of up to 6 months depending on individual clinical needs.

Chin Keat Chyuan, President and Managing Director of KPJ Healthcare Berhad, said, “Obesity is a complex, chronic disease that is closely linked to a wider spectrum of metabolic and non-communicable diseases, requiring coordinated, long-term management. Through this collaboration, we are strengthening a more structured and integrated care pathways across our hospitals, aligned with the KPJ Health System, which brings together clinical expertise, allied health support and evidence-based interventions within a consistent model of care. This reflects our ongoing commitment to deliver patient-centred care that is not only accessible, but also sustainable and outcome-driven.” In addition to patient care, the collaboration will also explore clinical education and responsible communication on obesity management, including the appropriate use of GLP-1-based therapies in regulated healthcare settings. This may include CME sessions and educational social media contents. The first phase is expected to involve 10 KPJ hospitals and 19 Consultant Endocrinologists.

Praful Chakkarwar, General Manager of Novo Nordisk Malaysia, said, “Obesity is a chronic disease that requires long-term, evidence-based management. As awareness grows in Malaysia, it is increasingly important that patients are supported through medically supervised care pathways with the right clinical expertise and follow-up. Through this collaboration, we hope to contribute to holistic care for people living with obesity where there are often multiple overlapping health conditions and believe KPJ Healthcare’s aim for holistic care for Malaysians, makes them a meaningful partner in this effort.”

The collaboration also aims to support broader awareness of obesity as a treatable chronic disease among patients, employers and the wider public. In recent years, Malaysian clinicians and health experts have increasingly emphasised that obesity should be managed through long-term, comprehensive care rather than short-term or fragmented interventions alone. By combining clinical expertise, structured support and responsible education, KPJ Healthcare and Novo Nordisk Malaysia hope to help advance obesity care in a way that is sustainable, evidence-based and meaningful for Malaysia.

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