Latest news with #2025MadaniAfiatProgramme
Daily Express
26-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Health Ministry on alert over Trump tariffs' impact on pharmaceuticals, working on alternative sources, says Dzulkefly
Published on: Saturday, April 26, 2025 Published on: Sat, Apr 26, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad KOTA BARU: The Health Ministry is closely monitoring two key issues following the tariffs imposed by United States (US) President Donald Trump, particularly those affecting medical devices and pharmaceutical products. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said that although Trump had previously indicated an intention to exempt pharmaceuticals from these tariffs, recent developments suggest otherwise. 'Some of the announced tariffs remain unclear, and with Trump's unpredictability, we must remain vigilant. It is crucial for me, as the Minister of Health, to stay attentive to these two matters,' he told a press conference after opening the state-level 2025 Madani Afiat Programme in Tunjong here today. He was responding to questions about the potential impact of the US tariffs on the nation's healthcare supply chain. Dr Dzulkefly said the ministry was also making early preparations to find alternative markets and sources to ensure the continuity of the country's health supply is not affected. On April 2, Trump announced a series of reciprocal tariffs imposed on many countries, including 24 per cent on imports of goods from Malaysia, but this has now been postponed for 90 days. Meanwhile, regarding the ban on the sale of electronic cigarette (vape) products by the Terengganu government effective August 1, he said the ministry was determined to implement comprehensive regulation on vape products with the gazette of the Smoking Products Control for Public Health Act 2024. He said the act, which functions as a stand-alone legislation, would serve as a strong foundation for regulating all aspects related to smoking products, including their registration, sales, advertising, and nicotine content. 'Our approach is to enforce strict regulation. Sales to minors will be completely prohibited, and stringent controls will be in place to ensure there is no room for any form of leniency,' he said. He said the state government holds an important responsibility through its authority to deny business licences to entrepreneurs selling smoking products. He viewed the collaboration by the state government as a positive step towards safeguarding public health. The Terengganu government announced it will enforce a ban on the sale of vape products at all business premises across the state starting August 1. Terengganu Local Government, Housing and Health Committee Chairman Datuk Wan Sukairi Wan Abdullah was reported as saying that the enforcement is a proactive move by the state government to curb the sale and use of vape products, which pose health risks, particularly to the younger generation. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * 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
Malay Mail
26-04-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
Decision on medical officers' on-call allowance hike likely by June, says health minister
KOTA BARU, April 26 — The issue regarding the increase in on-call duty allowance (Etap) for medical officers is expected to be finalised by June at the latest, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. He said a committee chaired by Tan Sri Dr Abu Bakar Sulaiman, who is a former health director-general, is currently in the final stages of negotiations before the decision is finalised. 'The committee is actively discussing and is currently in the final phase of negotiation. We hope a decision can be reached soon. 'I understand the workload of health workers who work around the clock, and hope that all processes can be completed by June at the latest,' he told a press conference after opening the state-level 2025 Madani Afiat Programme in Tunjong, here, today. Dzulkefly said this when asked to comment on the latest developments regarding the on-call allowance for health workers. He said the welfare of health workers has always been a priority for him since helming the ministry. 'Waiting is torture. I hope this matter can be concluded in May because I know they are working very hard. We have reached the end of the discussion. God willing, this time we will resolve the matter,' he said. It was previously reported that the Health Ministry had received approval to increase Etap for health workers. Etap is compensation for the additional responsibilities carried out by medical officers in treating patients while on-call at hospitals after normal working hours. — Bernama
New Straits Times
26-04-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Health Minister: Task force to resolve on-call duty allowance hike by June
KOTA BARU: The issue regarding the increase in On-Call Duty Allowance (ETAP) for health workers is expected to be finalised by June at the latest, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. He said a committee chaired by Tan Sri Dr Abu Bakar Sulaiman, who is a former Health director-general, is currently in the final stages of negotiations before the decision is finalised. "The committee is actively discussing and is currently in the final phase of negotiation. "We hope a decision can be reached soon. "I understand the workload of health workers who work around the clock, and hope that all processes can be completed by June at the latest," he told a press conference after opening the state-level 2025 Madani Afiat Programme in Tunjong, here, today. Dzulkefly said this when asked to comment on the latest developments regarding the on-call allowance for health workers. He said the welfare of health workers has always been a priority for him since helming the ministry. "Waiting is torture. "I hope this matter can be concluded in May because I know they are working very hard. We have reached the end of the discussion. "God willing, this time we will resolve the matter," he said. It was previously reported that the Health Ministry had received approval to increase ETAP for health workers. ETAP is compensation for the additional responsibilities carried out by Medical Officers in treating patients while on-call at hospitals after normal working hours.
