6 March 2026
Hasnol Zam Zam has been transferred from Mosti to MOH as secretary-general effective March 9, replacing Suriani Ahmad, amid several leadership changes in other ministries.
Tag: public health
3 February 2026
Unlike poorer neighbouring countries that improved on childhood stunting from 2000, Malaysia's childhood stunting is on an upward trend, reaching 24% in 2024—higher than Indonesia (23%), Cambodia (22%), Vietnam (19%), Thailand (12%), and Singapore (3%).
23 January 2026
The US has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO), accusing the WHO of failures during the Covid pandemic. "The United States will continue to lead the world in public health," say HHS Secretary RFK Jr and Secretary of State Rubio.
27 October 2025
Letter
In Support Of The Health Director-General On The Legal Scope Of Vaccine Administration — PMPASKL
Patient safety is not negotiable. Public health is not a playground for professional experimentation or self-promotion.
14 October 2025
Letter
Building A Healthier Health Care System Must Begin With Compassion — Academy Of Medicine Of Malaysia
Budget 2026 reminds us that true health care investment must go beyond infrastructure; it must also empower the people who make healing possible.
10 October 2025
Budget 2026 allocates a raise in tobacco taxes (including a raise of 2 sen per stick for cigarettes), besides a 10% hike in excise duty on alcoholic drinks. Both will take effect on Nov 1, 2025. Revenue from these tax hikes will be earmarked for health.
8 October 2025
Letter
Beyond Pandemics: Why Rare Diseases Must Be Part of Malaysia’s Public Health Agenda — Saida Abu Bakar
If Malaysia fully implements its Rare Disease Policy, it can become a regional model for integrating rare diseases into public health systems, in line with WHO and Asean principles on health equity and system resilience.
6 October 2025
MMA suggests raising public health care registration fees from RM1 to RM5 for primary care and RM5 to RM25 for specialist outpatient care, but to continue exemption for B40. MMA also wants a raise in doctors' on-call allowance to RM25/hour in Budget 2026.
29 September 2025
Malaysia
Malaysia’s First Scholarly Public Health Article, Co-Written With AI, Published Internationally
A public health physician at the Institute for Public Health has published Malaysia's first peer-reviewed scientific article, transparently co-written with AI, in an international journal. Dr Kishwen says his work shows AI can be a partner in research.
24 September 2025
Letter
Civil Servants Must Lead By Example In Upholding Integrity And Public Health — Malaysian Medical Association
Civil servants must be role models in promoting healthy behaviours, not only through policy but through personal example.