Latest news with #MOH


CNA
26 minutes ago
- Health
- CNA
Bins available for vape disposal at 24 locations across Singapore
SINGAPORE: Vape users are encouraged to dispose of their e-vaporisers at bins that will be placed across 24 locations in Singapore from Friday (Jul 25). The initiative is meant to help vape users quit the habit before the law catches up with them, said the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Health Sciences Authority and the People's Association (PA) in a joint release. Called "Bin the Vape", the campaign will involve e-vaporiser disposal bins being placed at 23 community clubs and one Residents' Network Centre for the public to voluntarily dispose of their devices safely. Bins will also be progressively placed at other locations, including institutes of higher learning. Those who wish to seek support for quitting, especially if they have been using etomidate e-vaporisers, may approach WE CARE Community Services, Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association, the Institute of Mental Health for assistance, or call Quitline counsellors at 1800 438 2000. "Persons who come forward to bin their e-vaporisers or voluntarily seek support for quitting will not face any penalties for doing so," said the authorities. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung previously announced that in the next few weeks, etomidate - a drug that has been found in vapes - will be classified as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Once this kicks into force, those caught using etomidate-laced e-vaporisers will be subject to mandatory supervision and rehabilitation. Repeat offenders may be prosecuted and jailed for at least a year.

Barnama
17 hours ago
- Health
- Barnama
Pasir Gudang Hospital To Begin Operations After Achieving 50 Pct Readiness
KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 (Bernama) -- The Pasir Gudang Hospital (HPG) in Johor will begin operations after it reaches at least 50 per cent readiness, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. He said the Ministry of Health (MOH) is carrying out meticulous preparations with the Johor government to ensure basic amenities, medical equipment and human resources are sufficient before the hospital begins operations. "The Johor Menteri Besar and I agreed to ensure that we achieve at least around 50 per cent readiness, not just in terms of the physical building, but also equipment and human resources, before fully operating,' he told a media conference after launching the Malaysian Year of Medical Tourism (MYMT) 2026 here today. Dzulkefly also said that the hospital staff intake process is expected to be completed by the end of this year or the first quarter of 2026, at the latest. "The state government will try to give whatever assistance it can to the MOH to ensure all human resources supply can be met by at least 50 per cent for us to begin operations,' he said. Previously, the HPG - a 20.6-hectare facility located in Bandar Seri Alam that is equipped with 304 beds and offering 14 specialist services - was reported to be ready to start operating in phases from Aug 1. Meanwhile, Dzulkefly expressed his gratitude following the announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday that the government will expedite the filling of over 4,000 positions at public health facilities, including contract appointments for doctors. "We are extremely grateful because we have received 4,253 positions, and just recently received the official letter from the Public Services Commission (SPA) regarding the matter. "We will immediately work on filling the positions, especially to push for the transition of the status of doctors and health workers from contract for service to contract of service and eventually to permanent positions,' he said.

Barnama
17 hours ago
- Health
- Barnama
MOH Conducting Maldistribution Studies On Permanent Placement Of Medical Officers
KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Health (MOH) is conducting maldistribution studies to scrutinise the placement of medical officers at health facilities nationwide, said its Deputy Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni. For example, he said the MOH had offered 650 permanent positions in Sabah and Sarawak, but nearly 600 medical officers submitted appeal letters to be released from their postings in both states. "Only seven medical officers clicked on the permanent positions.. So, how can we help and uphold the rights of the people of Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan? Should we place all medical officers in the Klang Valley or urban areas only? "We must consider the human rights of all Malaysians appropriately. Nonetheless, we are working on ways to increase the number of permanent positions for deserving medical officers,' he said. He said this when winding up the debate on the motion for the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) 2023 Annual Report and Financial Statement at the Dewan Rakyat here today. Meanwhile, Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad said the Gig Workers Bill 2025, scheduled to be tabled during this sitting, specifically emphasises four main components - the definition of gig workers, income, dispute resolution mechanism and social security. He said the bill introduces a structured dispute resolution mechanism as an official channel for gig workers to present any issues or unfairness regarding their services, thus allowing the complaints to be addressed systematically. "The dispute resolution process can be done through several stages, namely through internal mechanisms, conciliation proceedings, and, if unresolved, it can be brought before the gig worker tribunal,' he said when winding up the debate on the report for the ministry. Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah, meanwhile, said the ministry is ready to study the feasibility of regulating e-hailing fares based on the findings and recommendations of the Klang Valley Land Public Transport Strategic Plan (PSPALK), which is expected to be finalised at the end of this year.


Malay Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
Health minister: Cabinet memo on fixing healthcare staffing shortage ready; 4,352 posts to be filled
PAPAR, July 24 — The Ministry of Health (MOH) has prepared briefing notes and a memorandum to be presented to the Cabinet to address the shortage of personnel in the national healthcare sector, said its minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. He said the ministry is committed to resolving the filling of 4,352 positions to meet the healthcare needs of the people, as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday. 'We are aware that the shortage of personnel is a real issue and must be addressed. I am personally committed to expediting the appointment process for those currently on contract to be absorbed into permanent positions without having to wait by cohort. 'We are identifying ways to reduce this deficit or close the gap, and to implement redistribution or resolve the long-standing issue of maldistribution. I have inherited this situation, but I am determined to address it within a reasonable timeframe,' he said. He was speaking to reporters after attending the Community Engagement Day event at the National Information Dissemination Centre in Kampung Langkuas, Kinarut, near here yesterday. Also present were Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Ministry of Communications Secretary-General Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, and MOH Secretary-General Datuk Seri Suriani Ahmad. When announcing government initiatives for Malaysians yesterday, the Prime Minister said the government would expedite the filling of 4,352 positions at healthcare facilities, including the appointment of contract doctors this year, in response to urgent needs in the country's healthcare sector. However, Dzulkefly clarified that the responsibility for position appointments does not lie with the ministry, but rather under the jurisdiction of the Public Service Department (JPA) and Public Services Commission (SPA), though he is confident these agencies are committed to fulfilling the staffing needs of the health sector. He added that the MOH is also striving to boost the morale of healthcare staff by maintaining the 42-hour work week for nurses, housemen (PPS), and medical officers (MOs). — Bernama


Daily Express
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Express
Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, Ministry of Health exploring telehealth services at Nadi centres
Published on: Thursday, July 24, 2025 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