Latest news with #NationalImmunisationProgramme
Free Malaysia Today
6 days ago
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
Health ministry to roll out free measles-rubella jabs for children
The nationwide campaign aims to boost immunisation coverage and support Malaysia's goal of eliminating measles by 2030. (File pic) PUTRAJAYA : The health ministry will roll out a free nationwide Measles‑Rubella Supplementary Immunisation Activity from Aug 4 to Oct 12 for children aged six months to 59 months. The ministry said the campaign targets children born between Aug 1, 2020, and Jan 31, 2025, aiming to strengthen the existing immunisation programme by boosting and restoring herd immunity. The programme also supports the national goal of eliminating measles by 2030, with the primary objective of raising immunisation coverage and providing early protection to prevent wider transmission, it said in a statement. Measles and rubella are highly contagious and can lead to serious complications, including ear infections, pneumonia, encephalitis, seizures, and in some cases, death. The ministry said both diseases are preventable through the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine. Under the national immunisation programme, the MMR vaccine is administered at nine and 12 months, while Sabah administers an extra measles dose at six months. 'Overall, Malaysia's immunisation coverage has exceeded 95% annually, including in 2024. However, only 62% of districts achieved MMR coverage above 95% in 2024,' the ministry said. It said a minimum of 95% coverage is crucial to achieve herd immunity and control the spread of the disease. Official data showed measles cases nearly doubled in 2024, with 3,791 cases recorded compared to 2,002 in 2023. The number of outbreaks rose to 231, from 112 the previous year. Of the reported cases, 44.1% involved children under five years old, while 28.9% were non-citizens, of whom 84.3% had never been vaccinated. Three measles-related deaths were recorded last year, all involving unvaccinated non‑citizen children aged eight months, three years, and 17 years. The ministry urged parents and guardians to promptly bring eligible children for the free supplementary measles‑rubella (MR) vaccination. Appointments will be sent via MySejahtera, or can be made directly in the app. Walk‑ins are also accepted at government health clinics, it said.
The Hindu
11-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Demography and democracy — moving forward with better health outcomes
On July 11, 1987, the world population reached five billion, prompting the UN to establish World Population Day in 1989. The day highlights crucial issues such as family planning, gender equality, maternal and child health, and human rights. Now, with over eight billion globally, progress is visible, but challenges remain. India, the most populous nation, has advanced in healthcare and innovation, yet regional disparities persist. Tertiary care thrives in urban centres, but rural and marginalised communities still face major gaps in access, infrastructure, and preventive care. World Population Day reminds us that population growth is not just a number. It demands action. Health systems must be inclusive, sustainable, and rooted in both technology and community. In this context, Census 2027 is vital, as it is not just a count but a tool for evidence-based policymaking that guides equitable healthcare and development. Once-in-a-decade health mapping opportunity The Census must be viewed as a health-mapping opportunity. It can reassess healthcare access, disease burden, ageing trends, and infrastructure gaps. India's major public health gains have often relied on Census-based data. In 1994, India had 60% of global polio cases. The National Immunisation Programme reduced cases by 94% between 2009 and 2010, leading to the WHO declaring India 'polio-free' in 2014. Similarly, the National Leprosy Eradication Programme used census-linked prevalence maps to target districts, reducing prevalence from 0.69 (2014-15) to 0.57 (2024-25). The TB control programme used demographic data to guide diagnostics and medicine distribution, achieving a 17.7% drop in incidence and a 21.4% fall in TB deaths between 2015 and 2023. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the value of real-time, granular data — India conducted over 930 million tests and administered 2.2 billion vaccine doses by March 2023. Today, rising NCDs, mental illness, and emerging infections demand a data-driven, future-ready health strategy. Census insights for healthcare outcomes By offering insights into population distribution, age demographics, occupational patterns, income levels, and broader socio-economic indicators, census allows policymakers to move beyond one-size-fits-all solutions. In the decade ahead, census intelligence will be essential for designing nuanced healthcare strategies that respond to both immediate needs and long-term behavioural shifts. Facilitating large-scale health screenings With accurate population mapping, governments can identify underserved areas and organise mass health screening programmes. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) can play a pivotal role — private labs and NGOs can support mobile diagnostic vans, while local industries can fund periodic camps through CSR initiatives. Schools and workplaces can be targeted for age-specific screenings, and digital registries based on census clusters can ensure timely follow-up and preventive care. Community awareness for healthier lifestyles Census data helps pinpoint clusters with high malnutrition, anaemia, or poor child growth, enabling targeted, community-led responses. In rural areas, panchayats and self-help groups can promote kitchen gardens, grow iron- and protein-rich crops such as pulses and millets, and improve food distribution under schemes such as PDS and ICDS. They can also monitor midday meals and anganwadi services for better outreach. In urban low-income and migrant communities, census insights uncover food insecurity and poor diets. Resident welfare associations, NGOs, and community kitchens can drive awareness around balanced nutrition, food safety, and reducing processed food intake. Using local influencers such as teachers and elder women for health promotion, often proves more effective than top-down campaigns. Strengthening primary health infrastructure Primary healthcare is the backbone of equitable health delivery. India has over 30,000 primary health centres (PHCs), yet many regions — especially in the north and central belt — remain underserved. Census data can help identify these gaps and guide the expansion or upgrade of PHCs into Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) under Ayushman Bharat, offering services such as chronic disease care and mental health support. States such as Tamil Nadu and Kerala have demonstrated effective, data-driven PHC deployment. Trust in neighbourhood general practitioners (GPs) is also key, particularly in urban areas, where census-linked registries can help integrate them into public health systems. Planning for an ageing population India's senior citizen population, 149 million in 2022, is projected to reach 227 million by 2036, nearly 15% of the population. This shift calls for a major rethink in healthcare delivery. Census data can identify elderly-dense areas, enabling targeted measures such as mobile geriatric units, chronic illness screening, and improved access to medicines. Telemedicine and home-based care can bridge gaps in rural and semi-urban regions. States such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Himachal Pradesh with high senior population can lead with elder-care innovations. Integrating census insights with pensions, insurance, and nutrition schemes ensures more dignified, inclusive care for India's ageing population. Policy planner for 2026 and beyond India spends only ~3.6% of its GDP on health — far below the 8–11% typical of developed nations, limiting productivity and well-being. Census 2027 must go beyond headcount to capture actionable health data: age, disability, sanitation, healthcare access, and household risk factors. In rural and underserved areas, such data can reveal hidden health burdens. A digitally enabled Census, linked with health registries and local surveys, can map both where people live and what care they need. Let the Census reflect not only how many we are, but how we live. Let it guide a health-first development model that adapts to new realities, rewards long-term effort, and lays the foundation for shared, inclusive prosperity. (Dr. Suneeta Reddy is the managing director of Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Ltd.; views are personal)
Barnama
25-06-2025
- Health
- Barnama
COVID-19 Situation Under Control In Kelantan
GENERAL KOTA BHARU, June 25 (Bernama) -- The COVID-19 infection situation in Kelantan remains under control with a cumulative total of 303 cases recorded up to the 25th Epidemiological Week (ME) of this year, said the Kelantan Health director Datuk Dr Zaini Hussin. He said the weekly average of cases remains around 12 cases, with 34 cases reported during ME24 compared to 35 cases the previous week. "Monitoring throughput ME25 also recorded five cases admitted to wards and these involved three adults and two children. "All these patients have fully recovered without any admissions to the intensive care unit (ICU) or deaths recorded this year," he said in a statement today. Dr. Zaini said that although Kelantan is still below the warning level, proactive preventive measures need to continue to be practiced, especially among high-risk groups such as the elderly, individuals with chronic diseases, immunocompromised teenagers, pregnant women and healthcare workers. "The state health department encourages this group to receive an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as extra protection, while individuals aged 18 and above can also voluntarily receive the vaccine after consulting with a medical officer. "The residents of this state are also urged to get immunisation as needed under the National Immunisation Programme. This vaccination service is provided free of charge at selected government health clinics," he said. In this regard, Dr. Zaini also advised the public to continue practicing preventive measures such as washing hands with soap or using hand sanitiser, practicing cough and sneeze etiquette, and wearing face masks if symptomatic or in crowded areas. According to him, the state health department is constantly monitoring the current developments of COVID-19, and any latest information can be accessed through the official website at
The Sun
25-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
COVID-19 situation under control in Kelantan
KOTA BHARU: The COVID-19 infection situation in Kelantan remains under control with a cumulative total of 303 cases recorded up to the 25th Epidemiological Week (ME) of this year, said the Kelantan Health director Datuk Dr Zaini Hussin. He said the weekly average of cases remains around 12 cases, with 34 cases reported during ME24 compared to 35 cases the previous week. 'Monitoring throughput ME25 also recorded five cases admitted to wards and these involved three adults and two children. 'All these patients have fully recovered without any admissions to the intensive care unit (ICU) or deaths recorded this year,' he said in a statement today. Dr. Zaini said that although Kelantan is still below the warning level, proactive preventive measures need to continue to be practiced, especially among high-risk groups such as the elderly, individuals with chronic diseases, immunocompromised teenagers, pregnant women and healthcare workers. 'The state health department encourages this group to receive an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as extra protection, while individuals aged 18 and above can also voluntarily receive the vaccine after consulting with a medical officer. 'The residents of this state are also urged to get immunisation as needed under the National Immunisation Programme. This vaccination service is provided free of charge at selected government health clinics,' he said. In this regard, Dr. Zaini also advised the public to continue practicing preventive measures such as washing hands with soap or using hand sanitiser, practicing cough and sneeze etiquette, and wearing face masks if symptomatic or in crowded areas. According to him, the state health department is constantly monitoring the current developments of COVID-19, and any latest information can be accessed through the official website at
The Sun
19-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Malaysia reports first COVID-19 death in 2025
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia recorded its first COVID-19-related death of the year during Epidemiological Week 24 (ME24), according to the Health Ministry (MOH). The fatality involved a patient with serious comorbidities, including heart disease and diabetes, who had not received a second booster dose. 'This marks a significant decline compared to 57 COVID-19 deaths reported in 2024, with the last fatality recorded on May 26 last year,' it said in a statement today. The decline, it added, reflects the effectiveness of ongoing control measures. However, COVID-19 cases rose to 3,379 during ME24, up from 2,011 cases the previous week. Despite the increase, the national situation remains under control and below the alert threshold, due to ongoing surveillance and public health interventions. To date, a total of 21,738 cases have been reported this year, with the weekly average holding steady at around 900. Six patients were admitted to intensive care during ME24, all with underlying health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and Down syndrome. All received intensive care, with four discharged home and two transferred to general wards. MOH continues to encourage all Malaysians, from unborn babies to the elderly, to stay protected by following appropriate vaccination schedules under the National Immunisation Programme.
