Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, Ministry of Health exploring telehealth services at Nadi centres
Published on: Thu, Jul 24, 2025 Text Size: PAPAR: The Ministry of Communications, through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), is collaborating with the Ministry of Health (MOH) to provide e-health services at National Information Dissemination Centres (Nadi), particularly at over 700 centres located in rural areas nationwide. Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said MCMC and MOH are exploring several digital health initiatives, including telehealth services and the use of drone technology to deliver medications from selected Nadi centres to nearby health clinics, depending on location suitability. 'This collaboration has begun here, and we aim to expand it to all Nadi centres across the country. Our goal is to provide telehealth services to help ease the burden on people living in remote areas. 'With high-speed internet available at Nadi centres, these e-health services can be delivered efficiently through the Nadi-health clinic network. This will allow patients to undergo health screenings without physically visiting the clinics.' Fahmi said this to reporters after attending the Community Day at Nadi Kampung Langkuas Kinarut, Wednesday, which was also attended by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. Also present were Communications Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa and MOH Secretary-General Datuk Seri Suriani Ahmad. Elaborating on the initiative, Fahmi noted that the use of drone technology for medication delivery to rural health clinics is still in its pilot phase. 'A few months ago, the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) witnessed a drone-based medicine delivery demonstration at a Nadi centre in Tawau. 'Going forward, we will hold discussions to map out the connectivity between NADI centres and health clinics. This process may be complex as it involves coordination with multiple agencies, especially concerning drone operations,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sinar Daily
an hour ago
- Sinar Daily
4,352 medical officers to receive permanent post offer letters by Aug 18
All candidates who accepted the offer would report for duty at MOH health facilities nationwide in phases starting Oct 2. 07 Aug 2025 08:40pm The ministry said an engagement session had been held with the Ministry of Finance (MoF), the Public Services Commission (SPA) and the Public Service Department (JPA) to ensure the appointment process proceeded as planned. - Bernama file photo PUTRAJAYA - A total of 4,352 candidates for Grade UD10 Medical Officer posts will receive offer letters for permanent appointments by Aug 18, said the Ministry of Health (MOH). In a statement today, the ministry said all candidates who accepted the offer would report for duty at MOH health facilities nationwide in phases starting Oct 2. The ministry said the exercise involved contract officers from several cohorts and was being carried out in phases to preserve their seniority and safeguard their welfare. "The permanent appointments must be implemented in phases as they involve officers from various contract cohorts, and are aimed at preserving their welfare and seniority,' according to the statement. The ministry said an engagement session had been held with the Ministry of Finance (MoF), the Public Services Commission (SPA) and the Public Service Department (JPA) to ensure the appointment process proceeded as planned. The MOH also expressed its commitment to ensuring the smooth implementation of the appointment process. "This is in line with the MOH's strategic move to strengthen the country's public healthcare system by ensuring that critical positions are filled in an organised and balanced manner, based on current service needs,' the statement said. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in his Appreciation Announcement for Malaysians on July 23, said the government would expedite the filling of 4,352 positions at healthcare facilities this year, including contract doctors, in view of the urgent need in the country's healthcare sector. - BERNAMA
Daily Express
2 hours ago
- Daily Express
Government mulls raising tobacco tax: Anwar
Published on: Thursday, August 07, 2025 Published on: Thu, Aug 07, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: For illustrative purposes only. PUTRAJAYA: The government is considering a proposal to raise the tobacco tax rate, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said on Thursday. Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said the proposal aligns with the government's commitment to public health and fiscal reform, particularly given the long-standing moratorium on tobacco tax hikes. Advertisement Malaysia's tobacco tax currently accounts for 58.60 per cent of retail prices. The country has no formal mechanism for periodic adjustments or revaluation of the rate, which was last increased in September 2014. 'I support the spirit (of staying healthy), not just because I don't smoke, but also due to the reach of anti-smoking campaigns,' he said in response to questions on whether the government may revise the tax in Budget 2026, to be tabled in October. Anwar was speaking after attending a Budget 2026 engagement session here today. An economist reportedly suggested raising the rate to between 60 and 75 per cent Advertisement Last week, when announcing the 13th Malaysia Plan, Anwar said the government would broaden its 'pro-health' tax beyond sugary products to also cover tobacco, vapes and alcohol. He said the expanded tax framework aims not only to increase revenue, but more critically, to encourage behavioural change and curb the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). NCDs, commonly associated with unhealthy lifestyles, include heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer. Anwar said healthcare remains a key government priority, noting that the public system is under growing strain from medical inflation, the dual burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases, and an ageing population. According to the parliamentary calendar, Budget 2026 is scheduled to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat on Oct 10. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
3 hours ago
- Daily Express
Dentist highlights water woes at Sabah hospital in TikTok video
Published on: Thursday, August 07, 2025 Published on: Thu, Aug 07, 2025 Text Size: Stills from her TikTok videos. - Social media KOTA KINABALU: A dentist in Sabah shared a video on TikTok showing that her hospital had been without water for three days, Sin Chew Daily the clip, she demonstrated a dry tap at the hospital sink and highlighted that water issues should not be seen as normal in healthcare settings. Advertisement In a follow-up video, she said the hospital's water supply had resumed, but the tap water appeared murky. She also posted footage showing dark brown water flowing from the tap at her residence after the supply was restored. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
