PUTRAJAYA – The Health Ministry (MoH) will continue working closely with the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (Mosti) to develop more medical technologies as the country heads towards the endemic phase of Covid-19.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said more medical devices can be developed through the MoH-Mosti cooperation, including the latest tool for close contact detection that can be used in the country.
“More medical technologies and devices shall be developed in the phases to come, especially when we enter the endemic phase, and MoH really needs the cooperation from Mosti,” he told a press conference after the handing over of duties ceremony for both Mosti and health ministers today.
Khairy swapped ministries with Mosti Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba under the new cabinet announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on August 27.
On September 1, Khairy was reported saying that Malaysia is expected to enter the endemic phase of Covid-19 in October, in line with the government’s target to have at least 80% of the adult population in the country fully vaccinated.
Meanwhile, Khairy said MoH will give its full support to the task to produce Malaysia’s first Covid-19 vaccine entrusted to Mosti.
“The prime minister has given Mosti a heavy task, which is to produce a Covid-19 vaccine – the first human vaccine in Malaysia.
“This is very important because if the need arises in the future, we will not have to enter into deals with other countries,” he said.
Ismail Sabri announced on August 28 that Mosti will be focusing on research and development to produce a Covid-19 vaccine, while all programmes relating to the coronavirus vaccination and public health strategy will be handled by MoH. – Bernama, September 8, 2021
