Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to strengthening healthcare and regulatory integration within Asean, aiming to position the country as a regional leader in high-tech medical manufacturing and healthcare innovation.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the International Medical Device Exhibition and Conference (IMDEC) 2024 on Thursday (Dec 12), he emphasised the need for the Health Ministry to enhance infrastructure, workforce skills, and upskilling.
He also stressed integrating cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and 5G into the healthcare system, supported by the RM45 billion allocation in the 2025 Budget.
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Speaking at the closing ceremony of the International Medical Device Exhibition and Conference (IMDEC) 2024 on Thursday (Dec 12), he emphasised the need for the Health Ministry to enhance infrastructure, workforce skills, and upskilling.
He also stressed integrating cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and 5G into the healthcare system, supported by the RM45 billion allocation in the 2025 Budget.
WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news
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NewsTranscript
00:00Over the past few days, IAMDAG 2024 has not only showcased Malaysia's capabilities,
00:18but also our aspirations to become an important player in medical technology in this region.
00:28The cutting-edge solutions and collaborations we have witnessed reaffirm that Malaysia is
00:36not merely keeping up with global trends, but is actively transforming and advancing
00:43health and wellness for the next generation.
00:48This year's 28th Global Harmonisation Working Party Annual Meeting marks a significant milestone
00:55for Malaysia as host.
00:58We have seen the participation of more than 34 countries give the gathering highlights
01:04of Malaysia's strategic role in promoting regulatory excellence and facilitating cross-border
01:12collaborations.
01:13Malaysia, of course, is very proud to be able to contribute to the global effort of harmonising
01:20medical device regulations, for which GHWP stands as one of the key platforms.
01:28Under ASEAN, various mutual recognition arrangements have been signed, with the latest one signed
01:36in 2023, focusing on facilitating trade and customs clearance.
01:44With the ASEAN Championship looming in 2025, we are committed to advancing MRAs and leading
01:51efforts to create a more efficient and integrated regulatory framework in the region.
01:59Our goal is not only to reduce market barriers for manufacturers, but also to improve the
02:05accessibility of safe and effective medical devices, ultimately enhancing patient care
02:12and strengthening the healthcare system across the region for its 680 million people.
02:21As you see, the thrust of ASEAN Championship next year will be, firstly, the energy grid,
02:30ASEAN energy grid, and secondly, of course, digitalisation and healthcare, of course,
02:37has been identified as a key pillar for sustainable growth, not only under the ASEAN strategy,
02:47but also under the new industrial master plan.
02:52We are positioning ourselves as a hub for high-tech medical manufacturing and healthcare
02:58innovation.
03:00So there's a great, there's a major challenge for the ministry and Dr. Zul and the key players,
03:08and I trust that they would accept this challenge because it is, as I said, the paradigm shift.
03:18There's a lot of confusion when you talk about paradigm shift.
03:21If you read Thomas Kuhn's theory about paradigm shift, it's not just mere adjustments, changing
03:27two, three rules, or changing two, three offices.
03:30It requires a systemic change, a different attitude, and a set of policies that really
03:39would render the policies we adopt and the changes that we demand must take place efficiently.
03:48Now, the ministry was allocated a huge sum of money, and I told the Secretary-General
03:58this R45 billion is tough for the treasury and the economic ministry to approve.
04:06But we need, of course, better infrastructure, workforce upscaling, integration of AI, IoT,
04:14and 5G technologies into our healthcare systems.
04:19But more profoundly, all this must be done expeditiously, efficiently, and transparently.