PETALING JAYA: The appointments of the new Health Minister and his deputies are welcomed as the country faces critical health issues such as the Covid-19 outbreak says the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA).
Its president Dr N. Ganabaskaran said among the urgent issues the new Health Ministers must tackle are the Covid-19 outbreak and rising healthcare costs.
The newly-appointed Health Minister is Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba while his two deputies are Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali and Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang.
He also noted how both Dr Adham and Dr Noor Azmi are trained doctors who had served in Malaysia's healthcare system.
"We believe this will be a plus point and beneficial in policy-making of our nation's healthcare," he said.
He added that the appointment of two deputy ministers shows how the Health Ministry is viewed as a priority.
"The handling of the Covid-19 situation in the country, the issues of contract officers and the welfare of the healthcare workers are urgent areas that will need to be addressed.
"It is also hoped that the Health Ministry under the new leadership will look into more allocation of funds for public healthcare and the sustainability of our nation's healthcare," he said in a statement on Monday (March 9).
He added that the rising cost of healthcare for serious illnesses remain a concern among the people and good policies such as the smoking ban at restaurants should be continued.
"The public private initiatives that complement each sector should also be an area of priority for the betterment of the health system," he said.
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