Deputy Health director-general Dr Hasan Abdul Rahman has been appointed the new Health director-general, effective today, chief secretary to the government Sidek Hassan said.

He succeeds Dr Mohd Ismail Merican whose service expired on March 4.

Dr Hasan, 55, holds a master’s degree in public health and a bachelor’s degree in medicine, both from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).

He was the ministry’s disease control division director between 2007 and 2009 and Pahang Health director from 2004 to 2007.

Dr Hasan is an active member in the country’s medical fraternity, among others as the member of the infection and antibiotic control committee and a member of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health executive committee.

- Bernama