KUALA LUMPUR, May 2 — Former Health director-general Prof Dr Mohamad Taha Arif died yesterday, after leaving a legacy in public health and infectious disease control for more than two decades.
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) made the announcement yesterday about the death of Dr Taha, a Sarawakian who was formerly dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Science.
“Unimas has lost a leader who made many contributions and gave ideas for the development of students, the field of public health, and the University,” Unimas said.
Dr Taha served as the Health DG from 2001 to 2005. The Sarawakian was formerly the director of the disease control division of the Ministry of Health (MOH), as well as a former director of the Institute of Medical Research (IMR).
He was involved in combating the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the Nipah and SARS outbreaks in Malaysia.
Dr Taha was a member of the 2021 Emergency Independent Special Committee that was formed to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the Emergency proclamation in Malaysia at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to the Malaysian Medical Gazette, Dr Taha, who was interested in disease control since the early days of his career, had been actively involved on the ground during the infectious disease outbreaks of the Nipah virus; SARS; cholera; typhoid; dengue; malaria; and hand, foot and mouth disease. The field public health specialist had also chaired the Polio National Eradication Committee.
Former Health DG Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, who expressed his condolences on X, posted that Dr Taha had died at Sarawak General Hospital.
The Sarawak state health department also expressed their condolences on the death of Dr Taha, who was formerly Sarawak state health director.
The Malaysian Integrated Medical Professionals Association (Mimpa) described Dr Taha, its patron, as a “beacon of knowledge, an eminent scholar, and a visionary leader whose contributions have left an indelible mark on community medicine and public health in Malaysia”.
“Beyond his professional endeavours, Prof Tan Sri Dr Mohamad Taha Arif was known for his humility, kindness, and generosity of spirit. He touched the lives of many with his warmth, compassion, and profound wisdom, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to resonate for years to come,” said Mimpa.
The National Heart Institute (IJN) said Dr Taha, who served as its chairman from 2010 to 2016, had “touched the lives of many, and his contributions to our hospital community were immeasurable”.
