By Alang Bendahara
SHAH ALAM, Nov 26 — The state government has shown its commitment to fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, dedicating RM65 million to improving public health under the 2022 Selangor Budget (#Selangor2022).
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said this is an increase of RM8.5 million from last year’s budget of RM56.5 million.
He said this would ensure the continuation of the initiatives that were started this year and highlight the state’s guarantee that it will protect the lives and livelihoods of the people as a key development plan.
Amirudin told the Selangor State Legislative Assembly today that this allocation is motivated by the state government’s belief in the need for easy access to good public healthcare, which will improve living standards, individual productivity, and the local economy.
“Realising that the Covid-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on Selangor, the public health management agenda has always been a priority for us.
“A comprehensive, affordable and effective public health management system based on digitalisation technology is central to the wellbeing of the people and the economic viability of Selangor,” Amirudin said.
The Menteri Besar noted that the pandemic had affected the entire public health system as it was not ready to deal with a crisis of such scale.
Citing the Ministry of Health’s data from April this year, he said over 80 per cent of Covid-19 deaths in Malaysia are people who suffer from comorbidities like diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.
“All these data and reports prove that strengthening public health is key to tackling this pandemic and will help us prepare for other such threats in the future,” he said.
