KUALA LUMPUR – In his maiden address as the new health minister, Khairy Jamaluddin highlighted the importance of the ministry, which he said goes beyond efforts to battle Covid-19.
Speaking to staff members of the ministry immediately after his swearing-in ceremony yesterday, Khairy said it is vital that they do not neglect other health issues plaguing the nation, what with attention now seemingly focused on the pandemic.
The Rembau MP has put the agenda of a “healthy Malaysia” as his priority as he takes over official ministerial duties, while calling on the cooperation of those in the ministry to assist him in achieving this goal.
“The Health Ministry is not just the most important ministry during a pandemic, it is the most important ministry, full stop. Because without health, nothing else matters.
“I know there is a pandemic but do not let the urgent obscure all the other important things we face,” he said in his speech, parts of which were made available on social media.
“Kementerian Kesihatan adalah kementerian yang paling penting. Kalau tidak ada kesihatan, kesejahteraan itu tidak bermakna"
— KKMalaysia?? (@KKMPutrajaya) August 31, 2021
Dengarkan ucapan pertama YB @Khairykj kepada warga KKM sempena pelancaran Sambutan Hari Kebangsaan dan Hari Malaysia Peringkat KKM pada 30 Ogos 2021. pic.twitter.com/4q0EBi3pXt
“We have been in a pandemic for the last one and a half years, but healthcare is more than just a pandemic. It’s more than just Covid-19.”
In highlighting the importance of the Health Ministry, Khairy said the welfare of the people means nothing if health, which he describes as a strong and important foundation for well-being, is not taken care of.
Khairy clocked in to start his official duty yesterday evening after he took his oath of office at Istana Negara.
He takes over from Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba, who will now oversee the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, the portfolio helmed by Khairy prior to the resignation of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister on August 16.
Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has since been appointed the country’s ninth prime minister, before naming a relatively unchanged cabinet last Friday. – The Vibes, August 31, 2021
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