HSA 2026 To Serve As Platform To Boost Ecosystem, Public-Private Healthcare Collaboration

KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 (Bernama) -- The hosting of the Health Summit Asia (HSA) 2026 is expected to serve as a catalyst in strengthening the regional healthcare ecosystem through the gathering of industry players, medical technology experts and policymakers from within and outside the country to explore future healthcare solutions.

Deputy Health Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib said the platform would also create opportunities for stronger collaboration between the government and private sector in enhancing the national healthcare system, particularly through the sharing of technology, innovation and the latest expertise.

She said through exhibitions and discussion sessions involving local and international industry players, various new technologies and innovations in the healthcare sector could be highlighted not only in Malaysia but also across Asia.

“If we think about it, it is not necessarily the Ministry of Health (MOH) or the Malaysian government that knows every type of technology or breakthrough available from other countries or local industries.

“So through exhibitions and discussions like this, we can further strengthen understanding and facilitate solutions to more complex health problems,” she told reporters after launching HSA 2026 here today.

Also present were Green Wellness Malaysia founder and managing director Datin Dorph Peng and Qube Integrated Malaysia executive chairman Richard Teo.

The three-day conference, jointly organised by Qube Integrated Malaysia and Green Wellness Malaysia, is expected to attract more than 10,000 delegates, over 100 exhibitors and participation from more than 40 global and regional speakers, while targeting the generation of up to RM1.5 billion in commercial opportunities within the ASEAN healthcare and wellness economy.

Meanwhile, commenting on the issue of drug-laced vapes or “zombie vapes”, Hanifah Hajar said MOH continuously monitors the current situation while conducting awareness programmes in schools to educate students on the dangers of vaping to health.

“If there are vapes containing drugs and not produced by registered companies, we need to work together with the police, customs and enforcement authorities to ensure such matters cannot be compromised,” she said.

On the Ebola situation, she said the Ebola vaccine has yet to be registered in Malaysia, but the ministry is making early preparations, including identifying procurement and logistics processes should the vaccine be required in the future.

“We want to ensure that if needed, we are fully prepared to bring the vaccine into Malaysia,” she said.

Earlier, MOH in a statement today said no Ebola cases have been reported in Malaysia so far, but preparedness measures are being further strengthened in view of the risk of imported cases through international travel following outbreaks in Congo and Uganda.

-- BERNAMA