Malaysia And Singapore Deepen Health Ties On NCDs, Nutri-grade And Medical Tourism - Dzulkefly

KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Singapore are further strengthening their strategic health partnership, working together to address non-communicable diseases (NCDs), coordinate Nutri-Grade food labelling policies and explore opportunities to expand medical tourism.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the agreement was sealed through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during a meeting with his counterpart, Ong Ye Kung.

He said the MoU is a reflection of the high level of trust and commitment the nations share for the well-being of their people.

Among the key agendas discussed was the alignment of the Nutri-Grade food labelling policy, which he described as a proactive and integrated step to combat NCDs across the region.

"This agreement reflects the high level of trust and strong commitment for the well-being of the people of both nations," he said in a Facebook post.

Dzulkefly also said Malaysia welcomes the implementation of the Medical Device Regulatory Reliance Programme, which is expected to accelerate access to high-quality and innovative medical technology in the regional market.

He said both countries are also exploring the potential to expand cross-border health tourism, including facilitating patient referrals from Singapore to private healthcare facilities in Johor, as well as expanding Medisave insurance coverage.

This step, he added, will not only strengthen access to healthcare but is also expected to stimulate economic spillovers and expand health connectivity for the benefit of people in the country's southern region.

Dzulkefly said that as public health challenges become increasingly complex, Malaysia-Singapore cooperation serves as an important vehicle for building a more sustainable, resilient and human-centred regional health system.

"Malaysia remains committed to advancing health diplomacy and regional cooperation rooted in mutual respect and shared prosperity," he said.

Meanwhile, in a separate post, Dzulkefly said the use of AI in the healthcare sector should not be viewed merely as a symbol of technological sophistication, but rather as a practice built on public trust and strong government governance.

He said the matter was raised during a high-level discussion on the future of AI hosted by the Government of Portugal in Geneva.

He added that public trust can only be maintained if AI is implemented safely, ethically, fairly and in a people-centred manner.

"This means secure data management and interoperable digital health systems are absolutely critical. Patient information must be protected and systems can no longer operate in silos," he emphasised.

Dzulkefly said Malaysia is now demonstrating the effectiveness of AI in the healthcare sector through AI-powered lung screenings conducted at public health clinics and through field programmes nationwide.

To date, he said, 9,174 patients have been screened, with approximately 26.9 per cent showing abnormal chest X-rays.

These include the detection of 724 lung nodules, 73 high-risk cancer cases, and several suspected tuberculosis (TB) cases.

"These early detections allow for quick referrals and immediate treatment, helping to save patients' lives," he said.

However, he stressed that no matter how advanced AI technology becomes, medical practitioners and frontline healthcare workers remain the core of every clinical decision and treatment.

"The presence of AI will never replace the expertise and human touch of a doctor or nurse. Instead, it empowers and augments their abilities," he said.

Dzulkefly added that Malaysia will continue to ensure the development of health technology is guided responsibly, to build a more sustainable healthcare system that upholds human values.

-- BERNAMA