Kuala Lumpur, 22 June 2026—Millions of Malaysians are living with diseases of the heart, kidneys and metabolism without knowing it, and for many, the first sign of trouble only appears once the damage is already serious. These cardio-renal-metabolic (CRM) conditions are deeply interconnected, often develop together, and tend to progress silently over years before symptoms surface.
Health experts say the most effective defence is to find these conditions early through regular screening, accurate interpretation of results, and coordinated follow-up care close to where people live. It is against this backdrop that Alpro Group, through Alpro Pharmacy and Alpro Clinic, together with Boehringer Ingelheim, today launched Jaga CarDia 2.0, an expanded community-driven screening programme that helps Malaysians understand their CRM risk earlier and guides them to the right next steps. The initiative builds on the momentum of last year’s Jaga CarDia, which reached over 5,000 Malaysians.
The launch 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.
A Silent But Escalating Burden
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death globally, with the WHO stressing that preventive measures, early detection and timely intervention are key to reducing the chronic disease burden. In Malaysia, the challenge is significant as the NHMS 2023 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.
Awareness remains critically low: nearly half of those with high cholesterol and two in five 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.
Building On a Proven Foundation
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 despite not knowing they were at risk. More than 700 individuals were referred for follow-up care, each one a person whose health journey may now look very different because action was taken earlier.
What’s New In Jaga CarDia 2.0
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, and ensuring participants are guided beyond screening to the right next steps, because screening alone is not enough; what happens afterwards matters just as much.
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 are often the first place people turn to for advice, screening and reassurance, and by working with Alpro we are bringing care closer to where people are.
But screening alone is not enough; what happens after matters just as much. This is the thinking behind our Sihat Sama-Sama initiative, the belief that better health outcomes can only be achieved when we work together, shifting from reactive treatment to proactive prevention so more Malaysians can take better care of their heart, their health and their future.”
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 and digital health touchpoints will be critical to reducing the chronic disease burden in Malaysia.
How To Participate
Eligible Malaysians, particularly those on long-term medication for conditions such as hypertension or diabetes, are encouraged to register at https://www.alpropharmacy.com/pages/cardio-renal-metabolic and book an appointment at any participating Alpro Pharmacy or Alpro Clinic nationwide. After all, the absence of symptoms does not always mean good health — it may simply mean the body has not spoken yet. Listen early, act early, and let early detection protect you and the ones you love.
