NEWLY appointed Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad must make tough decisions to ensure the quality and accessibility of healthcare, the medical fraternity said.

They welcomed Dzulkefly’s reappointment, saying the Amanah MP’s experience and no-nonsense approach was much needed, especially after the government decided to retract the generational endgame (GEG) provision in the Control of Tobacco Product and Smoking Bill 2022.

Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz said Dzulkefly has a proven track record, experience and strong leadership qualities.

She praised Dzulkefly for his abilities to address complex issues within the healthcare system.

“MMA had a good working relationship with Dzulkely (during his tenure as health minister for 22 months under the Pakatan Harapan government). He was willing to listen to experts’ views and engaged regularly with stakeholders on policy decisions. He was also willing to make unpopular decisions when needed (like the smoking ban at eateries) to protect public health,” she said.

A day after his reappointment, Dzulkefly apologised over the exclusion of the GEG provision from the anti-smoking bill and urged all quarters to support the government’s decision.

The move to drop the GEG clause was a major criticism against Dzulkefly’s predecessor Dr Zaliha Mustafa.

Another major complaint against Zaliha was the removal of vape liquids from the poisons list.

Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS) said Dzulkefly should now ensure the Health Ministry restored vape liquid – containing the addictive substance nicotine – to the poisons list.

Its president Professor Amrahi Buang said the ministry should also proceed with the GEG which seeks to ban smoking for those born after a certain year.

“MPS proposes Dzulkefly tackle the issue of nicotine-containing liquid and gel, which were delisted from the poisons list early this year. We ask him to restore such items to being covered by the Poisons Act (1952),” Amrahi said.

Previously, three civil society groups had sued Zaliha over the removal of the vape liquid from the poisons list and sought a court order to restore the Health Ministry’s regulation for e-cigarettes and vape liquids and gels.

Amrahi said the government should pay more attention to medicine security just as it does to food security.

He said the government must adhere to lessons it learnt during the Covid-19 pandemic and solve the shortage of medicine and ingredients for the manufacture of medicine due to geopolitical issues such as the Russia-Ukraine war and Palestine-Israel conflict.

4 critical issues

Hartal Doktor Kontrak (HDK) – an informal group representing contract doctors – hoped Dzulkefly would prioritise health reforms and staff welfare.

“We are open to be consulted to provide our views and constructive criticism to strengthen healthcare delivery for all our beloved Malaysian citizens,” HDK said on Facebook.

Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy chief executive Azrul Mohd Khalib said Dzulkefly must address four critical issues that Zaliha did not.

He said Dzulkefly must also prioritise effective communication and ensure stakeholder involvement in programme planning and outcome evaluation.

“He has to consider finding a solution to sustainable healthcare financing, respond effectively to the crisis of non-communicable diseases, close the gap on mental health, and address the lack of preparedness to provide care for our ageing population,” Azrul said.

“The previous minister faced the same issues but we have not seen any improvement in the past year.”

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in announcing the cabinet line-up at a media conference on Tuesday, said Dzulkefly was made health minister as his experience was essential to strengthen the portfolio.

Dzulkefly, who helmed the Health Ministry from May 21, 2018, until February 24, 2020, replaced Zaliha, who has been redesignated Federal Territories minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.

During her tenure, Zaliha removed liquid nicotine from the poisons list despite unanimous opposition from the Poisons Board. – December 17, 2023.