BANDAR Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen has offered his experience to assist Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa and her deputy, Lukanisman Awang Sauni, in realising the nation’s healthcare agenda and reforms.

Yii, who was previously elected as chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, Science and Innovation, said he will continue to play his role in the Dewan Rakyat to push the healthcare agenda, which includes the health white paper (HWP) initiated by the then government for the benefit of the country.

“They are my friends and I have spoken to Dr Zaliha last week to share my views on things that she can concentrate on, especially for the next 100 days,” he told reporters after attending the Sarawak DAP committee meeting in Kuching today.

“One of the things is what we have been doing together with the previous minister, Khairy Jamaluddin, and hopefully, she can implement it as soon as possible.”

HWP was proposed by Khairy early this year and aimed at reforming the country’s healthcare system, especially in ensuring that it will be future-proof.

Yii acknowledged that Zaliha and Lukanisman were given a crucial role to address long-term issues regarding the healthcare sector such as underfunding and neglect in the healthcare system in Malaysia.

Therefore, he said the health minister would need some time to have a grasp on the current issues.

“I would rather want her (Zaliha) to understand (the healthcare issues) in depth before making commitments than making commitments without understanding the issues,” he added. – Bernama, December 11, 2022.