Dr Dzulkefly (seated) with six of the seven panellists – (from left) Dr Yap Wei Aun, Datuk Dr Musa Mohd Nordin, Tan Sri Abu Bakar Suleiman, Tan Sri Kamal Mat Salih, Datuk Dr Adeeba Kamaruzzaman and Datuk Dr Alex Mathews.
PETALING JAYA: The Health Advisory Council has been set up with seven members on its panel.
Chairing the council is former Health director-general Tan Sri Abu Bakar Suleiman, who is now the IMU Group president.
The other three spots were filled up by KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital paediatric consultant Datuk Dr Musa Mohd Nordin, Gleneagles Medical Centre obstetrics and gynaecology expert Datuk Dr Alex Mathews and Dr Yap Wei Un, who is the country technical director for the Malaysia Health System Project of the Harvard School of Public Health.
The line-up was chosen and announced by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad in a press statement Wednesday (March 27).
The council is tasked with advising the Health Ministry on strengthening healthcare delivery, and has already met thrice.
In its meetings, the council has identified and summarised the major health factors affecting the country’s health performance, he said.
“Discussions among members are focused on identifying the steps to reform the country’s healthcare system.
“This includes the restructuring of the Health Ministry, reformation of the healthcare delivery system, human capital development, the national health financing system, public-private partnership in healthcare, national health indicator, and the promotion of health coverage.
“The council’s immediate focus would be on public private partnership in healthcare and human capital development,” said Dr Dzulkefly.
The council will be submitting a proposal on these issues by the third quarter of this year.
The council will meet at least 12 times a year and is also allowed to consult subject matter experts for matters outside of the members’ expertise and to form a temporary small committee to discuss relevant matters if need be.
The Cabinet approved the formation of this council on Jan 15 and is aimed at providing a platform for experts outside of the Health Ministry to discuss their ideas and views on the national healthcare sector, without denying the expertise available at the Ministry, said Dr Dzulkefly.
Reproduced By: The Star
Date: 27 Mar 2019
