KUALA LUMPUR: The Prime Minister's Office in a statement today said that cooperation with health, economic and social experts in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic in the country will be strengthened to ensure the effectiveness of public health measures and patient management strategies.

The collaboration is also aimed at ensuring that the government's vaccination drive is continously evaluated and refined.

According to the statement, the matter was decided during the first meeting of the Special Cabinet Committee on the National Recovery Plan (JKKPPN) which was held via video conference today, chaired by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

"The involvement of professionals, especially public health and economic experts in managing the COVID-19 pandemic in the country is part of the government's ongoing effort to ensure its strategy remains on track," the statement read.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob; Senior Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein; Senior Education Minister Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin; Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz; Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba.

Also present were Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali and Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

The PMO said the government understood the current challenges and difficulties faced by the people, and therefore, it would continue to ensure that all actions taken under the National Recovery Plan (PPN) would prioritise the welfare of the people, besides being transparent and inclusive.

-- BERNAMA