Kuala Lampur, May 3 -- The Fire and Rescue Department has touted its wellness programme to tackle health issues among its personnel, following a recent assessment that identified over 1,100 firemen as obese.

Director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad said since the initiative began in June last year, 260 firemen have successfully reduced their body mass index (BMI) to ideal levels within six months.

"Johor led the way with 62 per cent achieving weight loss. Some of them lost up to 30kg," he said in an interview with The Star ahead of the national-level International Firefighters Day celebrations here tomorrow.

"This initiative will continue," he added, noting that personnel with serious health conditions such as diabetes, kidney failur...