National health cabinet committee established to tackle critical issues
Three key Cabinet committees under the Health Ministry have been merged into a single entity – the National Health Cabinet Committee – to streamline efforts in addressing critical healthcare issues.
The committees combined are the Cabinet Committee on Dengue Control, the Cabinet Committee on the National Malaysia Health Agenda (ANMS), and the Special Committee on Combating the Double Burden of Child Malnutrition.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the decision was made during the first meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Dengue Control in 2025, which he chaired today.
“The meeting decided to restructure the existing governance of the Cabinet Committees under the Health Ministry, which includes the merger of three Cabinet Committees within the ministry. This committee will be known as the National Health Cabinet Committee, which will meet three times a year,” he said in a statement today.
Ahmad Zahid added that there were 122,423 cases of dengue fever and 117 deaths last year, representing a 0.6 per cent decrease in cases and a 17 per cent increase in fatalities compared to 2023. He said the number of cases reported at the start of 2024 exceeded 3,000 cases per week.
“However, there is a positive development with a downward trend in cases starting from Epidemiological Week 29 (20 July 2024). Currently, the weekly average of cases has significantly decreased to around 1,200 to 1,500 cases per week and is below the five-year median,” he said.
As of Epidemiological Week 04 (Jan 25, 2025), a cumulative total of 5,537 dengue cases and three deaths have been recorded, compared to 14,458 cases and nine deaths during the same period last year, reflecting a 61.7 per cent decrease in dengue cases and a 66.7 per cent reduction in deaths.
“This reduction is the result of the integrated efforts of various parties, including ministries, departments, agencies, the private sector, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and the community, who have worked together to ensure that the environment remains free from Aedes mosquito breeding sites,” he said.
He added that several decisions have been made to strengthen the implementation of dengue prevention and control measures through a ‘Whole of Nation’ approach, including the need for all ministries, departments, and agencies to reinforce existing initiatives in dengue prevention and control activities.
“Collaboration between the Disease Control Division (BKP), MOH, and the Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA), Science, Technology, and Innovation Ministry (MOSTI) continues, improving existing systems based on current needs and utilising the latest technology to ensure more effective dengue management.
“We will also continue releasing Aedes mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia, with an additional 10 new localities each year, and expand the initiative to other states. Currently, only eight states are implementing this initiative, namely Selangor, the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, Penang, Kelantan, Melaka, Johor, Pahang, and Negeri Sembilan,” he said.
Source: NST
Category: MJN enews
