KJ hopes GEG, healthcare blueprint will get approved

Sekijang MP Dr Zaliha Mustafa officially takes charge of the Health Ministry – an entity that has led the battle against Covid-19.

In a symbolic handover ceremony in Putrajaya today, former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin - who was present at the ministry - was heard wishing his successor “all the best” in her endeavours as health minister.

Zaliha, a 58-year-old family health doctor, is also the first woman to helm the Health Ministry.

Khairy took charge of the Health Ministry in August 2021 and stabilised it after a series of gaffes by his predecessor, Dr Adham Baba.

Khairy came to be known for his efforts such as coordinating the national Covid-19 vaccination drive, the proposed generational end game (GEG) bill and pushing for further studies on the use of medical cannabis during his tenure, among other things.

Speaking to reporters following the handover, the former Rembau MP expressed hopes of seeing both the proposed GEG and healthcare blueprint bills being tabled and approved in Parliament.

He added that the healthcare white paper had been raised during discussions with the minister.

“This is important to reform the healthcare system in the long term. This white paper is not my work but of the experts who have been involved in the mediation sessions (for the policy),” Khairy said.

He added that without reforms to the system, the country would be lacking the resources to manage the burden brought by infectious diseases in coming years.

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