Page 26 - THE COVID-19 CHRONICLES OF MALAYSIA Embracing Ripples: Coursing Forward

The Deputy Director-General of Health
(Research & Technical Support)
COVID-19 has stressed on the
important role that research plays in
a rapidly evolving health security
threat. Never has rapid evidence
generation and prompt sharing been
so crucial in addressing health
problems. Our health systems
response thus far has been robust,
evidence-based, and guided by
strategies and lessons from other
countries and recommendations
from the World Health Organization
(WHO). Moreover, the pandemic
highlighted that transparency of data
was equally important, not only to
track the progression of the
pandemic, but also to monitor
available resources, enhance
preparedness and evaluate the
effectiveness of implemented
interventions.
As more is known about SARS-CoV-2
and countries gradually return to as
“near normal” as they were before, it
is time to re-prioritise and shift our
focus to include other pressing
national health issues. The pandemic
may have left us with more health
problems, therefore, it is imperative
that we strengthen our research
capacity for the nation's health.
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The Manager
National Institutes of Health
Now it is time to revitalise and
transform our healthcare services for
the future
- Datuk Dr. Muhammad Radzi bin Abu Hassan
Datuk Dr. Muhammad Radzi bin Abu Hassan
Deputy Director-General of Health
(Research & Technical Support)
Ministry of Health Malaysia
Another year into the pandemic,
another book, but this time, it is a
sign of renewed hope that the end
may be near. This year, our country
has started the transition into
endemicity, where we learn to live
with the virus. Schools and borders
have been reopened, and a glimpse
of pre-pandemic life can be seen
once again.
Many sacrifices have been made and
will continue to be made as long as
the pandemic is not over, however
we should not forget the valuable
lessons learnt so that history will not
be able to repeat itself.
I would like to give a clap on the To get through this turbulence, we
back to the teams chronicling our must set sail as a team.
Sail, not tie at anchor.
journey of braving the COVID-19
storm, please know that what you're Sail, not drift.
doing today is important for our - Dr. Zulkarnain Bin Abdul Karim
future generation!
Dr. Zulkarnain Bin Abdul Karim
Manager
National Institutes of Health
Ministry of Health Malaysia