WHO applauds Malaysia's tobacco reforms
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, Ministry of Health deputy director of the Disease Control Division Dr Noraryana Hassan and Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control (MCTC) chairman Assoc Prof Dr Murallitharan Munisamy were recognised for their roles in shaping Malaysia's tobacco policy.
In a statement today, the Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS) welcomed the award as a sign of global recognition for the country's collaborative approach.
MPS president Amrahi Buang reiterated the society's support for stronger domestic measures, including stricter enforcement against unregulated vape sales and the Generational End Game (GEG) provision to phase out smoking for future generations.
He said the society remains active in national policymaking platforms such as the MCTC, the Poisons Board and the Pharmacy Board of Malaysia.
'Pharmacists are on the front lines of cessation work. Through the mQuit programme, we provide nicotine replacement therapy and counselling at both public and private healthcare facilities. We need clear, consistent policy support to ensure these efforts succeed,' he added.
In a separate statement, MCTC Secretary-General Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah said 2025 had marked two major milestones in Malaysia's tobacco control efforts, namely the international recognition from the WHO and the successful adoption of the Lung Health Initiative Resolution at the World Health Assembly, a global commitment to strengthening the prevention of lung diseases.
He noted that the passage of the Tobacco Control Act 852 earlier this year also laid crucial groundwork for regulating tobacco and nicotine products, but warned that passing the law is only the first step.
'The Act is only the beginning. What we need now is a commitment to put public health ahead of profit and realising Malaysia's vision of a tobacco-free society,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
20 hours ago
- The Star
Disapproving families contribute to longer wait for transplants, says Dzulkefly
KUALA LUMPUR: Objections from the next-of-kin of deceased organ donors are among the reasons behind the long waiting list for those who need organ transplants in Malaysia, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. The Health Minister said there were more than 10,000 kidney patients on the waiting list for transplants as of July 31 this year. He said those with liver, heart and lung conditions were also on the waiting list. 'The reasons behind (such) are multifactorial, but in general, objections from a donor's next-of-kin present a challenge. 'If we can overcome this, I'm confident we can improve the percentage of our organ transplants,' he told reporters after launching the National Organ Donation Awareness Week here yesterday. Dzulkefly said this year's campaign is focused on getting the next-of-kin to respect a deceased donor's pledge. 'We have always urged the public to pledge as organ donors, but now, we need to step up and have a call for action. 'It's no longer about talk.' For 2024, he said the organ donor rate from cadavers was still low with only 46 cases or 1.33 donors for one million people. On the number of organ transplants, he said 3,359 had been carried out between 1997 and July 31 this year. This comprised 1,121 cadavers while 2,238 were from live donors. A total of 404,925 Malaysians pledged to donate their organs during the same period. Almost 200 tissue transplant procedures were carried out last year, with 74% on cornea transplants involving donations from Malaysians. 'The figures are hopeful but also a reminder that the journey is still long. 'In reality, we are still facing challenges. Kidney, liver and heart (transplants) are among the most needed. 'The same goes for tissue and bones,' Dzulkefly added. He said the rate of organ transplants in Malaysia is still low compared with countries like Spain, Turkiye and China. The Health Minister said he will raise the matter at the Asean Health Ministers' Meeting next year, with the aim to strengthen governance, improve the capacity and speed up innovative processes in donor and transplant services. Meanwhile, Dzulkefly said efforts to reform the National Transplant Resource Centre are underway. This, he said, will see a shift towards setting-up a National Transplant Centre. 'The purpose is to empower governance, increase capacity and hasten innovation in organ donations and transplants,' Dzulkefly said, adding that engagements are also on the agenda.
The Star
21 hours ago
- The Star
MOH working to end medical doctor contract system
KUALA LUMPUR: Efforts to abolish the contract system for government doctors are being looked into, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. The Health Minister said the system was initially introduced as an interim measure at a time when there was a supposed influx of medical graduates. 'It began in 2016 as an interim measure, meaning that there is a start date and an end date. 'From 2016 to 2025, it's been more than nine years and this interim system is still around. 'I have proposed working towards ending the contract era. 'God willing, we are hoping to resolve the issue comprehensively and promptly,' he told a press conference after launching the National Organ Donation Awareness Week here yesterday. Public praise: Dzulkefly giving the thumbs up to healthcare workers during the National Organ Donation Awareness Week event in Kuala Lumpur. — Bernama Dzulkefly said the Health director-general has begun looking into this. The minister's comments come after the issue was raised in the Dewan Rakyat recently. Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii proposed that the government abolish the contract system among doctors to address the issue of health worker shortages in health facilities. He also called for a review of the on-call allowances for healthcare staff and the creation of clearer career pathways to specialisation. Dzulkefly had earlier hinted at making a strong push to resolve the long-standing issue. 'To all our doctors. We hear you, we value you, we are with you, always. Together, we will endeavour to end the era of contract doctors (from what was supposedly an interim arrangement in 2016),' he said in an online post. In July, Dzulkefly also said the ministry was expediting the transition of contract doctors to permanent positions.
New Straits Times
21 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Dzulkefly: 10,800 awaiting organ transplants
KUALA LUMPUR: Some 10,800 people are waiting for organ transplants in Malaysia, an increase of 5.4 per cent from last year, said the health minister. Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the figure highlighted the urgent need to increase Malaysia's organ donation rate, which was significantly lower compared with other countries such as Muslim-majority Turkiye and Iran. "In Malaysia, the ratio stands at only 1.33 donors per one million people, while Turkiye has reached 7.5, the United States 36.9, and Spain at the top with 50.26 per million," he said after launching the National Organ Donation Awareness Week at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa here yesterday. Dzulkefly said family refusal was one of the main barriers to the harvesting of organs despite more than 400,000 Malaysians pledging to donate since 1997. "This is the main hurdle we need to overcome. That is why this year's campaign theme is 'Warisku, Hormati Ikrarku' (to my family, respect my pledge), which seeks to ensure that the wishes of pledged donors are honoured by their families." As of July this year, 404,975 Malaysians have pledged their organs. However, only 3,359 transplants have been carried out since records began, comprising 1,121 cadaveric and 2,238 living donations. Dzulkefly said Malaysia planned to discuss organ donation at the Asean level. "I have asked for proposals to be prepared so that the issue can be tabled at the Asean health ministers' meeting later this year." He added that Malaysia's low organ donation rate must be addressed through governance reforms, better coordination at the National Transplant Resource Centre and public campaigns. Organ donation pledges, he said, had been rising steadily - with 29,960 new pledges in 2022, 31,058 in 2023, and 7,802 so far this year. Actual donations, however, remained low, with 43 cadaveric and 145 living transplants performed in 2022, compared with 82 cadaveric and 165 living transplants in 2023. Last year, there were 79 cadaveric and 135 living transplants.
