THE Health Ministry (MOH) will carry out a risk assessment of Covid-19 infection next month following an announcement by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that the epidemic is no longer categorised as a global health emergency.

Its minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the assessment is necessary to review local areas of infection, which will expire on June 30, and to help the government determine the next steps involving the latest protection measures against the disease.

Although WHO no longer categorised Covid-19 as an international health emergency, she said, the ministry needs to take into account local factors.

“We, at the technical committee, have given our views and will continue existing standard operating procedures (SOP) and monitor the local areas of infection.

“We want to look at the developments because there are still Covid-19 cases, but the situation is under control. We will consider all factors before adopting WHO’s recommendations,” she told a press conference after attending a town hall session on the White Paper on Health for the Southern Zone at the  Higher Education Hub, Pagoh in Muar today.

Dr Zaliha said the ministry will also review and update Covid-19 guidelines with reference to the WHO’s recommendations regarding the long-term management transition of the pandemic.

Yesterday, foreign news agencies reported that the WHO had lifted the Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) status for Covid-19, but insists the disease continues to pose a global threat.

Meanwhile, commenting on the White Paper on Health , Dr Zaliha said it will be the beginning of the journey of reforming the Malaysian health system towards making it more sustainable and competitive.

The White Paper will be tabled in Parliament next month, she added.

Dr Zaliha said the number of cases have increased by 53.1% to 7,596 in the 8th Epidemiological Week, which is from April 30 to May 6, from 4,963 cases in the previous week.

“The admission rate of Covid-19 patients (including suspected cases) to public health facilities also showed an increase from 5.8% to 7.2% per 100,000 population,” she said, adding that the situation in Malaysia is still under control and does not affect the health services of hospitals. – Bernama, May 7, 2023.