GERIK: All 628 Orang Asli villages nationwide are targeted to have health clinics upgraded or set up by 2035 to strengthen healthcare facilities for the community, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister said that despite budget constraints, the initiative could be jointly implemented by the Health Ministry and the Department of Orang Asli Development (Jakoa).
“There are already clinics in some areas, but we hope that in addressing healthcare needs, we can provide services to them because they are also Malaysian citizens who are entitled to the best healthcare services,” he said at a press conference after officiating at the launch of the 2026-2035 National Social Determinants of Health Strategic Plan for Orang Asli (NSPSDHOA) here yesterday.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said the plan also focuses on disease prevention among the Orang Asli community while ensuring continued access to treatment.
“The most important thing is how prevention should be carried out, not only in terms of nutrition, awareness and other aspects related to the daily lives of the Orang Asli community,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also chairman of the National Health Cabinet Committee, said specialist doctors should be made available at hospitals in districts where Orang Asli communities are located to ensure that chronic diseases affecting them can be properly treated.
On amendments to the Aboriginal Peoples Act, Ahmad Zahid said he hoped the Bill could be tabled at the next Parliament sitting before the end of this year.
“The Act was passed in 1954, which was a very long time ago.
“It is time for the Act to be amended,” he said, adding that the proposed amendments needed to be presented to the Conference of Rulers for consideration.
“I hope that once the Cabinet approves the paper after taking into account the advice and views of the Conference of Rulers, it can be tabled,” he said, reported Bernama.
Also present were Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Ramli Mohd Noor.
