KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 26 — The Health Ministry (MOH) will step up preparedness in manpower, monitoring, and healthcare facilities to address the expected increase in health cases amid the current haze affecting the country.
Its minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the focus would include preparing for a sharp rise in health issues such as asthma and upper respiratory tract infections due to poor air quality.
“This is important as the latest reports show that about 30 areas nationwide recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index readings. This serves as a signal for us to be prepared, and I have also informed the Cabinet meeting today about the matter.
“We also advise children, pregnant women, the elderly, and high-risk groups to wear face masks if they experience symptoms, avoid outdoor activities, and ensure they drink enough water,” he said during a media conference after officiating the opening of the 2026 International Medical Device Exhibition and Conference today.
Dr Dzulkefly added that the MOH is also working closely with other ministries, including the Education Ministry and the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry, to address haze-related issues.
Meanwhile, a special media session will be held next week to provide a detailed explanation on the government’s decision to withdraw its appeal against the High Court ruling in May that overturned the move to remove liquid nicotine from the list of scheduled poisons.
He also presented a Cabinet Memorandum during today’s Cabinet meeting, explaining the MOH’s position and stance on the decision not to appeal the High Court judgment.
In his opening remarks, Dr Dzulkefly said Malaysia’s medical device sector secured RM57.17 billion in approved investments across 648 projects between 2015 and 2025, creating 131,994 high-value jobs.
The industry remained export-driven, with exports accounting for an average of 80 per cent of total trade.
Medical device exports reached RM21.1 billion in the second quarter of 2025, driven by products such as surgical gloves, needles, catheters, electro-diagnostic equipment and orthopaedic implants.
The minister noted that enforcement against unregistered medical devices had been intensified, with MOH conducting about 15 raids between 2023 and 2025, resulting in the seizure of 1.3 million units worth RM1.68 million.
“Additionally, more than 4,000 enforcement raids were conducted involving unregistered health products, leading to over 43,000 seizures.
“As we expand trade and innovation, protecting public health and maintaining the integrity of the supply chain against counterfeit goods remain our top priorities,” he said.
