DZULKEFLY: HEALTH ADVISORY COUNCIL TO BE SET UP
It will offer advice to improve healthcare, says minister
AHEALTH advisory council will be formed within Pakatan Harapan’s first 100 days as the new government to boost healthcare services.
Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the council would advise his ministry on measures to be taken to increase the standard of healthcare services, including the delivery system.
He said the council would comprise specialists from various fields.
“I have a list of these experts who will make up the council, but I will announce this at a later date.
“We hope that the council can be formed within the first 100 days of the PH administration.
“In working to increase the standard of healthcare services, we need to have an advisory council that can provide suggestions on various aspects.
“It will be an independent body and will not be tied to the Health Ministry, so it is free to criticise and advise us,” he said at a handing-over-of-duties ceremony yesterday.
Dzulkefly said he was committed to continue some initiatives of the previous administration as well as improving others.
“I am in the first phase where I need to take a look at the ministry’s policies.
“If there is a need to improve any, I will do so.
“Policies and programmes that have been proven effective, such as those done to transform services (within the ministry’s purview), that were introduced by the previous leadership will be continued as we prioritise providing the best in healthcare services to the people.
“This is an important ministry and it is of a world-class standard, so I want to maintain this standard.
“When Dr Subramaniam was the minister, we (PH) had supported him (in his work), especially in his efforts to seek a bigger allocation for healthcare programmes.”