Malaysian parents are taking action on childhood anaemia when given accessible screening options. Since launching its partnership with the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM), Danone Specialized Nutrition Malaysia has facilitated over 70,000 anaemia risk screenings, demonstrating a shift from awareness to measurable preventive action.
This shift was evident at KPWKM’s National Children’s Day Celebration at Stadium Merdeka on 23 November, where 800 children were screened in a single day. When barriers like clinic visits and cost are removed, parents are choosing proactive risk checks over waiting for symptoms to appear.
“On Iron Deficiency Day, we’re reminded that every child’s right to healthy development starts with early detection,” said Koh Kok Meng, Country Manager, Danone Specialized Nutrition Malaysia & Singapore. “The response we saw at National Children’s Day, with 800 screenings in one day, shows parents understand this. When you connect the theme ‘Our Rights, Our Future’ to preventive health, it becomes clear: a child’s right to reach their full potential depends on addressing iron deficiency early.”
“This programme shows what’s possible when private sector capabilities combine with government reach. We’ve screened close to 70,000 children for anemia risk thus far, and having ramped up our efforts through Public-Private Partnerships, we recorded a sixfold increase in the number of screenings in 2025 compared to when we started in 2023. This proves the model is working, but more still needs to be done to achieve national reach. Hence, we will continue expanding access through community touchpoints nationwide,” he continued.
Parents complete the Iron Strong Screening Questionnaire, a self-assessment tool developed with paediatric and nutrition experts that evaluates iron intake based on a child’s age. No blood tests, no clinic visits required. Families receive immediate guidance on nutrition recommendations tailored to their child’s age, and referral pathways for those flagged as higher risk. This removes barriers to early action, before symptoms worsen or affect development.
“Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anaemia, yet 90% of children with Iron Deficiency Anaemia may show no visible symptoms,” said Professor Dr Muhammad Yazid Jalaludin, Professor and Senior Consultant Paediatric Endocrinologist at Universiti Malaya. “Research indicates that IDA can have a long-term, irreversible impact on brain development, with affected children showing IQ scores up to 13 points lower than their peers. Early screening opens the window for intervention when it’s most effective.”
Early detection is only the first step. The programme reflects the continuum of preventive care, with screening that identifies risk, and nutrition guidance helps families intervene before symptoms develop. By operating through KPWKM’s community network, the programme removes barriers to both detection and action, connecting families to medical support where needed and providing nutrition recommendations to prevent deficiencies before they start.
The programme continues through KPWKM touchpoints and community events, with additional screening opportunities planned to reach more families nationwide.
