KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is expected to receive its first shipment of the COVID-19 oral antiviral treatment, Paxlovid by Pfizer, in two weeks, said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
He said for the first phase of the procurement, Malaysia had purchased 110,000 patient-courses (for 110,000 patients) to be given to high-risk individuals.
"If we find the use of the drug as effective as (stated in) the information we have received, we will increase the purchase of the drug, Paxlovid from Pfizer.
"There are two more (drugs) that we will buy (namely) Molnupiravir, and another is from AstraZeneca, but it has not been finalised," he told reporters after launching the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) 16th Annual Dialysis Conference here today.
Meanwhile, in his speech earlier, Khairy suggested a new feature in the MySejahtera application which allows the public to pledge to become organ donors.
He said the move was necessary with the increase in chronic kidney disease patients in the country, while the number of individuals who pledged to be organ donors was declining.
In fact, Malaysia is among the countries with the lowest organ donors, he added.
"I am going to do my best to push for pledges and make it easier for people to pledge their organs ... I'm trying to get the MySejahtera to be added with a button so you can just press the button and pledge to be donor organs,"he said.
According to Khairy, more than 40,000 chronic kidney patients relied on dialysis treatment in 2016 and based on projections, if the trend is not reduced, the number of patients is expected to increase to 100,000 people.
He said measures for the prevention and detection of chronic diseases through health screening should also be promoted, whereby the government had implemented the Health Care Scheme for the B40 (PeKa B40) to help the group undergo health screening for free.
However, he said, of the 5 million individuals who were eligible to undergo health screening under PeKa B40, less than 12 per cent of them went for the health screening.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Sat Mar 05 2022
Khairy said for the first phase of the procurement, Malaysia had purchased 110,000 patient-courses (for 110,000 patients) to be given to high-risk individuals. - Astro AWANI/Shahir Omar
Road safety a dire issue across ASEAN with over 97,000 deaths annually - GRSP
Malaysia recorded alarming figures, with over 4,600 deaths and around 212,000 injuries reported annually.
Malaysia-Indonesia synergy strengthens ASEAN's voice on world's stage - Prabowo
The synergy between Malaysia, Indonesia and their ASEAN partners is important to ensure that the region's voice is heard more at the global level.
King confers Most Esteemed Order of Johor Royal to Indonesian President Prabowo
President Prabowo is a close friend of His Majesty, whom he has known for over 40 years, since their military training days in the US.
Prabowo confident Malaysia, Indonesia can resolve border, labour issues effectively
Indonesian President Prabowo says they can be addressed effectively with the leadership's political will to cooperate.
Bukit Aman launches nationwide crime index audit
The Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) will conduct an audit of the performance of state-level criminal investigation divisions across the country.
CIA now says COVID-19 'more likely' to have come from lab
The agency had for years said it could not conclude whether COVID-19 was the result of a lab incident or it originated in nature.
OpenAI to face Indian digital news firms of Ambani, Adani in copyright battle
Digital news units of Adani, Ambani, Indian Express, and Hindustan Times sue OpenAI for alleged misuse of copyrighted content.
Sweden seizes vessel suspected of ‘sabotage’ after undersea data cable rupture in Baltic Sea
Sweden orders detention of a vessel in the Baltic Sea suspected of damaging an underwater fiber optic cable connecting Latvia and Gotland.
China captures scam centre suspect with Thailand's help
Police detains a man suspected of involvement in the case of a Chinese actor who was duped into travelling to Thailand for a film job.
Gaza residents start to return north as crossing opened after hostage breakthrough
The move brokered by Qatar and Egyptian mediators allows around 650,000 Palestinians in central and southern Gaza Strip to return to homes.
DNB, EDOTCO enhance travellers' experience through 5G IBS in KLIA, KLIA2
This indoor coverage also enables businesses and enterprises to implement new 5G use cases to improve operational efficiency.
Lukashenko pockets massive win in Belarus election scorned by the West
According to results from the Central Election Commission, Alexander Lukashenko took 86.8% of the vote in Sunday's election.
US, Colombia reach deal on deportations; tariffs, sanctions put on hold
Colombia agrees to accept military aircraft carrying deported migrants.
Speed limit on federal roads reduced by 10km/h for CNY period
Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi says the reduction during the six-day Op Bersepadu aims to minimise the risk of road accidents.
New Zealand loosens visitor visa rules to welcome digital nomads
The Immigration Minister says the visitor visa would change from Jan. 27 to allow people to work remotely while visiting the country.
Duck DNA in both engines of Jeju Air plane that crashed, report says
Both engines of the jet contain DNA from Baikal Teals, a type of migratory duck that flies to South Korea for winter in huge flocks.
No discussion yet on Jonker Walk 2.0
Low Chee Leong's proposal to create Jonker Walk 2.0 at Jalan Hang Tuah, is seen as having the potential to further boost the local economy.
Congo rebels close in on eastern city, forcing thousands to flee
Thousands of civilians flee as govt forces battle to stop rebels from seizing the city, forcing flights to be halted at the local airport.
South Korea reports initial findings of Jeju Air crash to ICAO, US and Thailand
The investigation focuses on the role of "bird strike" and involving an analysis of the engines and "localiser" landing guidance structure.
South Korea President Yoon indicted for insurrection over martial law decree
If Yoon Suk-Yeol is removed from office, a presidential election will be held within 60 days.