KUALA LUMPUR – Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah is set to retire from his role on April 21, following three decades of service in the government.
On that day, Dr Noor Hisham will turn 60 – the compulsory retirement age for civil servants.
The Health Ministry’s Food Safety and Quality Division previously noted that Dr Noor Hisham had chaired his final meeting on April 6, a fortnight before his retirement.
“A special session was held as an appreciation for all his (Dr Noor Hisham)’s contributions to the Malaysian Food Analyst Council,” it said in a Facebook post.
“He also left the following message: in our work, we should be sincere, do our best, and rely on god.
“Happy retirement, your service is remembered,” it added.
Dr Noor Hisham has held the post since 2013, and previously held its deputy position from January 2008 to February 2013.
He is also renowned to be the face of the health sector’s fight against Covid-19, following his daily updates on infection rates during the initial phases of the pandemic.
Last year, Dr Noor Hisham chaired the World Health Organisation Standing Committee on Health Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response.
He also specialises in breast and endocrine surgery, on top of his service in the public health sector.
Meanwhile, Dr Noor Hisham expressed his excitement to spend more time with his family during his retirement.
“Retirement is the next chapter of life. It’s a life journey. I will cross one bridge at a time,” he was quoted as saying by The Star.
“It is a memorable part of my medical journey to handle the pandemic and lead the challenge until we are almost back to normalcy,” he added. – The Vibes, April 10, 2023