Latest news with #MadaniAfiat
The Star
27-04-2025
- Health
- The Star
Allowance issue expected to be finalised by June
On-site visit: Dzulkefly being briefed by healthcare workers at the Madani Afiat programme in Tunjong, Kota Baru. — Bernama KOTA BARU: The issue regarding the increase in on-call duty allowance for health workers is expected to be finalised by June at the latest, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. The Health Minister 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. 'The committee is actively discussing and is in the final phase of negotiations. 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,' he told a press conference after opening the state-level 2025 Madani Afiat Programme in Tunjong here yesterday, Bernama reported. Dzulkefly said this when asked to comment on the latest developments regarding the 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 ministry had received approval to increase the allowance for health workers. It is compensation for the additional responsibilities carried out by medical officers in treating patients while on-call at hospitals after normal working hours.
The Star
27-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
Close watch on health products
KOTA BARU: The Health Ministry is closely monitoring two key issues following the tariffs imposed by the United States, particularly those affecting medical devices and pharmaceutical products. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said although the US had indicated an intention to exempt pharmaceuticals from these tariffs, recent developments suggest otherwise. 'Some of the announced tariffs are still unclear, so we must remain vigilant. 'It is crucial for us to stay attentive to these two matters,' he told a press conference after opening the state-level 2025 Madani Afiat programme yesterday, Bernama reported. He was responding to questions about the potential impact of the tariffs on the nation's healthcare supply chain. On April 22, The Star reported Malaysian medical product manufacturers are bracing for the potential impact as the US considers imposing tariffs on pharmaceutical imports worth US$200bil. Malaysia's medical device export to the United States was valued at RM13.69bil (US$3.07bil) in 2024, making up 36.97% of the country's total medical device exports, which stood at RM37.03bil. Pharmaceutical exports to the US were worth RM560mil or 18.48% of Malaysia's total pharmaceutical exports, which amounted to RM3.03bil. The report also quoted the Malaysian Medical Device Manufacturers Association as saying the impact was already felt when President Donald Trump announced the 24% reciprocal tariffs against Malaysia earlier this month. On the Terengganu government's decision to ban the sale of electronic cigarette products, Dzulkefly said the ministry was determined to implement comprehensive regulation on vape products with the gazette of the Smoking Products Control for Public Health Act. 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. Dzulkefly also said the state government would hold an important responsibility through its authority to deny business licences to entrepreneurs selling smoking products. He viewed the collaboration as a positive step towards safeguarding public health. The Terengganu government announced that effective Aug 1, it would enforce a ban on the sale of vape products statewide – a move to curb the sale and use of vape products, which pose health risks, particularly to the younger generation.
