Schools to activate online learning if API breaches 200 mark
She said the decision follows existing guidelines jointly coordinated with the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry and the Health Ministry.
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New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Unhealthy air in Mukah
KUALA LUMPUR: Mukah in Sarawak was the only location to report an unhealthy air quality this morning. According to the hourly air quality readings published by the Department of Environment's Air Pollution Index Management System (APIMS), Mukah registered an unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 154 as of 9am this morning. An area is categorised as having unhealthy air quality after registering an API reading of between 101 and 200. Meanwhile, Miri, which reported an unhealthy air quality on Sunday, registered an API reading of 93 (moderate). Only seven stations nationwide registered good APIs of below 50 — Kapit, Sarawak; Pengerang, Johor; Minden, Pulau Pinang; Sandakan, Sabah; Kulim Hi-Tech, Kedah; Langkawi, Kedah; and Kangar, Perlis. Sixty stations recorded moderate readings between 51 and 100.
Malay Mail
2 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Air quality status: Peninsular Malaysia sees general improvement, Mukah at unhealthy levels
KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 — Air quality has improved across Peninsular Malaysia, with most areas reporting 'moderate' readings this morning, leaving only one location in the country with an 'unhealthy' Air Pollutant Index (API) level. According to the Department of Environment (DOE), the station in Mukah, Sarawak, registered an API reading of 154 as of 9 am, placing it in the 'unhealthy' category. In the Klang Valley, which experienced haze last week, all areas are now in the 'moderate' range. The highest reading was in Cheras at 93, followed by Johan Setia at 80—a significant improvement for the latter, which had recorded unhealthy levels last week. Other stations in the Klang Valley reported readings from the mid-60s to high-70s. Further south, the situation was similar, with API readings in the 70s around Melaka, improving further towards Johor. Under the DOE's current system, API readings between 0 and 50 are categorised as good, 51 to 100 (moderate), 101 to 200 (unhealthy), 201 to 300 (very unhealthy), while 300 and above are hazardous.
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Creative financing key to sustaining national healthcare, says Dzulkefly
PETALING JAYA: Bold, creative financing reforms are the only way forward to heal the deep cracks in Malaysia's healthcare system unmasked by the Covid-19 pandemic, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (pic). Unveiling plans for public-private collaboration under a government-linked investment company (GLIC) model, he warned that health security must be treated with the same urgency as national defence. Dzulkefly said this yesterday at the launch of a book titled Crisis and Community: Covid-19 in Malaysia at Gerakbudaya here. On the concerns that the Health Ministry's Rakan KKM initiative is a form of healthcare privatisation, Dzulkefly said he will not reveal details but noted it was created due to budgetary allocation limits, national debt, and GDP ratios that restrict spending. He said health security must be dealt with 'the same urgency we defend our borders'. 'That means sustained investment in our healthcare workforce. 'I am introducing a game-changing initiative where public facilities collaborate with private sector specialists, likely under a GLIC model. 'The idea is to generate revenue through elective services (non-emergency), possibly in specialised private wings within public hospitals. 'Funds generated would cross-subsidise public health services and infrastructure,' said Dzulkefly. 'We want to retain our specialists, reduce the bleeding, and invest back into public facilities. 'I can't keep asking for more budget, so I'm unlocking value through reforms,' said Dzulkefly. He also said the Covid-19 had shown that the healthcare system has inadequate social safety nets for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and the mentally ill. 'Future crisis governance must be targeted, empathetic, data-informed and inclusive. 'We must design interventions that are community-driven and flexible, not one-size-fits-all,' said Dzulkefly. At the forum, consultant paediatrician and child disability activist Datuk Dr Amar-Singh HSS said that Covid-19 has revealed the fragility of our institutional services. 'During the height of the pandemic, we experienced desperate cries for help to find an ICU bed for their family members. 'The support for carers was weak, and equipment and resources were limited even in non-pandemic times, stretched thin. 'Some doctors placed their children with grandparents and did not see them for months,' said Dr Amar. He said that there must be better preparation for the next pandemic by placing greater emphasis on building our institutional services, especially health, education and social services. He also urged making indoor air more clean, as he said most indoor air is filled with 'airborne diseases'. Ampang Hospital paediatrician Dr Tan Hui Siu narrated how medical officers and healthcare workers trudged the pandemic and had to make do with what they had as frontliners. Virologist and policy analyst Dr Lyana Khairuddin called for better education on the vaccine naysayers as well as more investments be made into vaccine research and development.
