BATU PAHAT, 10 March – Penggaram Yang Berhormat Puan Gan Peck Cheng has called on society to place greater emphasis on women’s physical and mental well-being, while encouraging women to actively participate in social development and entrepreneurship, contributing more to their families and the nation.

She made these remarks during the “Meet Your Doctor 4.0 – Walking with You on International Women’s Day” health programme held in conjunction with International Women’s Day.

The event was jointly organised by the Pejabat ADUN Penggaram and Mahkota Medical Centre, with support from Persatuan Chin Kang Batu Pahat, Persatuan Lim Sz Chong Su Batu Pahat, Persatuan Eng Choon Batu Pahat, Persatuan Tionghua Batu Pahat Johor, Persatuan Hainan Batu Pahat, Persatuan Teochew Batu Pahat, DAP Wanita Malaysia, Persatuan Ban Ning Johor, and Persatuan Teck Hua Negeri Johor.

YB Gan Peck Cheng highlighted that International Women’s Day is not only a celebration of women’s achievements and contributions, but also an important reminder for society to pay greater attention to women’s health and overall well-being.

Women Carry Multiple Responsibilities

“As society evolves, women play increasingly important roles both in their families and in the community. However, while carrying these multiple responsibilities, many women also face growing pressures from work and daily life. For this reason, mental health issues should be a shared concern for the entire society,” she said.

She stressed that mental health is not merely a personal issue, but a broader public concern that requires collective attention.

“If society can create a more understanding and supportive environment, people will be more willing to seek help when facing stress, which in turn can improve the overall physical and mental well-being of the community.”

Gan also mentioned the government’s RM3 billion DEWI Women Entrepreneur Financing Programme, which is expected to benefit around 300,000 women entrepreneurs. The initiative aims to provide women with better access to financing, helping them expand their businesses, increase household income, and contribute to local economic growth.

Supporting Women Means Investing in the Nation’s Future

She expressed hope that all sectors of society would work together to prioritise women’s health, noting that caring for women’s well-being is essential to safeguarding family happiness. Supporting women’s development, she added, is also an investment in the country’s future.

The evening programme also featured a series of health talks delivered by doctors from Mahkota Medical Centre, focusing on women’s physical and mental health and common chronic diseases.

Topics included “The Importance of Women’s Mental Health” presented by Dr David Yeoh Boon Beng, Consultant Psychiatry; “An Overview of Diabetes and Common Endocrine Disorders” by Dr Tai Yong Ting, Consultant Physician & Endocrinologist; and “Chronic Kidney Disease – The Silent Disease Often Overlooked” by Dr Chew Chang Chuan, Consultant Internal Medicine & Nephrology.