PUTRAJAYA – Newly appointed Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said she is open to any advice, suggestions, and guidance from former health ministers who can help as references for her in running the Health Ministry.
As the first female health minister, Dr Zaliha said that her biggest challenge is to continue the ministry’s excellent work while strengthening the country’s health sector in general.
“I am very open to any help in terms of suggestions or opinions on things and policies that ministers have done before, or anything else,” she said.
“But as usual, as a new minister, I will get a briefing from the Health Ministry officials and see which policies we can adopt, which ones need to be improved, and which ones we should reject,” she told reporters at the ministry here today.
Earlier, Dr Zaliha had arrived at the ministry’s compound at 8.30am and was greeted by Health Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Harjeet Singh, senior management officials, and the ministry’s staff before scanning her time card to symbolically clock in at her office.
Dr Zaliha also expressed enthusiasm and described her appointment as a recognition of the dignity of women as policymakers, especially in the field of health.
The Sekijang MP, who has experience as a family health doctor, said she would focus on improving policies and health services for women and children.
“Women’s NGOs (non-governmental organisations) and doctors have started calling me. This is challenging but also exciting for me. I will work on issues that affect women and children,” she said.
Last Saturday, Dr Zaliha, 58, took her oath of office together with two deputy prime ministers and ministers in the unity government cabinet line-up before Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at Istana Negara.
In the 15th general election, Dr Zaliha, who was contesting Sekijang for the first time, won a four-cornered fight with a majority of 1,734 votes against Md Salleheen Mohamad (BN-Umno), Uzzair Ismail (Bersatu), Mohd Zohar (Warisan), and Mohd Saiful Faizal Abd Halim (Putra). – Bernama, December 5, 2022
