Jaga CarDia 2.0 – Guarding Community Health
Many Malaysians live with silent diseases of the heart, kidneys and other organs without actually being aware of it. Many times, these conditions are only detected when there is severe damage and requires hospitalisation.
The latest highly discussed modality in the medical world is Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) syndrome.
It is a health problem linking heart disease, kidney disease and diabetes. Also, not forgetting to add in fatty liver disease, and obesity that increases the prevalence of diabetes. These conditions develop gradually and can lead to poorer health and a higher risk of heart problems.
The best way to detect and prevent this health issue is through regular screening and coordinated follow-up care within the community. It is against this backdrop that Alpro Group, through Alpro Pharmacy and Alpro Clinic, together with Boehringer Ingelheim launched Jaga CarDia 2.0.
Jaga CarDia 2.0. is an expanded community screening programme that helps Malaysians understand their CRM risk earlier and guide them to seek intervention and treatment. The first edition of Jaga CarDia reached more than 5,000 Malaysians, many of whom were identified with elevated HbA1c or early signs of kidney risk. Many of them were not aware of their health issues and more than 700 individuals were referred for follow-up care to clinic or hospitals.
What’s new in Jaga CarDia 2.0
(L-R): Dr. Jessica Kaur Moti A/P Amarjet Singh, Doctor Team Lead, Alpro Telehealth; Ng Yi Ling, Community Pharmacist; Dr. Ng Ming Lee, Medical Director, Alpro Clinic; Mohammed Tawil, Head of Region, Emerging Markets Human Pharma, Boehringer Ingelheim; Mr Cheong Yee Kok, General Manager and Head of Human Pharma, Boehringer Ingelheim Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia; and Torsten Mau, Regional Managing Director and Head of Human Pharma for ASEAN, Korea, Australia and New Zealand
Jaga CarDia 2.0 takes the programme a step further by expanding access through a subsidised screening initiative, deepening public understanding of how the heart, kidneys and metabolic health are interconnected. This ensures participants are guided beyond screening – because screening alone is insufficient, what happens afterwards matters just as much.
The launch of this programme was attended by Mr Mohammed Tawil, Head of Region, Emerging Markets Human Pharma, Boehringer Ingelheim, together with regional and corporate leadership, marking a significant step in Boehringer Ingelheim’s ongoing effort to close the treatment gap for cardio-renal-metabolic conditions in Malaysia.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Ng Ming Lee, Medical Director of Alpro Clinic said, “As chronic conditions become increasingly interconnected and prevalent, preventive healthcare can no longer focus solely on treatment after complications occur. Through Jaga CarDia 2.0, we are strengthening the continuum of care by connecting screening, health education and telehealth services into a more accessible and coordinated patient journey. By helping individuals understand their risks, interpret their results and access timely professional guidance, we hope to encourage earlier intervention, better disease prevention and more proactive health management within the community.
Mr Cheong Yee Kok, General Manager and Head of Human Pharma, Boehringer Ingelheim Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, said, “Cardio-renal-metabolic conditions are often silent. By the time symptoms appear, things can already be complicated. That is why early screening, early detection and early follow-up are so critical. Community pharmacies
A conversation on coordinated, team-based care
A key highlight of the launch was an interactive panel session bringing together Dr Tan Li Ping, Consultant Nephrologist at Ara Damansara Medical Centre; Mr Aslan, a patient advocate; Ph Ng Yi Ling, Professional Care & Development Manager at Alpro Pharmacy; and Dr. Jessica Kaur Moti A/P Amarjet Singh, Doctor Team Lead at Alpro Telehealth. Drawing from clinical, patient and frontline perspectives, the conversation centred on the urgent need for earlier detection of CRM conditions particularly for chronic kidney disease, where many individuals remain asymptomatic despite underlying risk factors. Panellists agreed that expanding access to screening, health literacy and coordinated care through community-based approach and digital health touchpoints will be critical to reducing the chronic disease burden in Malaysia.
A silent but escalating burden
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death globally and in Malaysia. Preventive measures, early screening and detection and timely intervention are keys to reducing heart issues and other chronic diseases.
NHMS 20231 reported approximately 3.6 million adults living with diabetes, 6.7 million with hypertension and 7.5 million with high cholesterol, with nearly 2.3 million carrying at least three NCDs simultaneously[1].
Awareness remains critically low: nearly half of those with high cholesterol and 2 in 5 with diabetes are undiagnosed, while over 80% of Malaysians aged 18 to 29 with diabetes are unaware of their condition.
The burden intensifies with age—among those aged 60 and above, 76% have high cholesterol, 73% hypertension, and 39% diabetes, with around one in two still uncontrolled even after diagnosis. This shows that detection alone is not enough without continuous, coordinated care.
How to Participate in Jaga CarDia 2.0
For those who concerned about their health or on long term medications for conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, do book your appointment at any participating Alpro Pharmacy or Alpro Clinic nationwide.
The appointment link is: https://www.alpropharmacy.com/pages/cardio-renal-metabolic
The absence of symptoms does not always mean good health. Listen early, act early, and let early detection protect you and the ones you love.
[1] Ministry of Health Malaysia, National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023 — Key Findings: iku.nih.gov.my/images/nhms2023/key-findings-nhms-2023.pdf
