Healthy Communities,
Building the Nation
(KOSPEN)

Healthy Communities, Building the Nation or in its Malay term Komuniti Sihat Pembina Negara (KOSPEN),

Komuniti Sihat Pembina Negara (KOSPEN) is a community-based intervention program aimed at addressing NCD (non-communicable disease) risk factors by emphasizing the importance of prevention, early detection, and intervention to reduce the medical costs associated with treating non-communicable diseases, which are the main causes of hospital admissions and deaths in MOH (Ministry of Health Malaysia) wards. KOSPEN now has more than 900 localities across the state.

Currently, the MOH collaborates primarily with the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) through the Department of Community Development (KEMAS), the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA), the Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA), and the Southeast Johor Development Authority (KEJORA). It also collaborates with the Ministry of National Unity (KPN) through the Department of National Unity and Integration (JPNIN). Additionally, KOSPEN collaborates with the National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI) under the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (SKMM) and the Kelantan State Islamic Religious Department (MASJID). The basis of KOSPEN is the integration of basic health education activities, NCD disease detection screenings and their risk factors, early referrals, and community intervention activities into the activities of JPNIN, KEMAS, JAKOA, NADI, KEJORA, and FELDA in the localities implementing KOSPEN.

Through the "holding hands" concept, the MOH provides technical assistance and trains volunteer groups consisting of the Village Development and Security Council (KKDW), the Neighbourhood Watch Committee (JPNIN), the Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA), the Southeast Johor Development Authority (KEJORA), the National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI), and the Kelantan State Islamic Religious Department (MASJID). These volunteers may also include members of the local KOSPEN community. These volunteers will become the functioning units of KOSPEN and act as health agents of change towards fostering healthy practices.