By Zareef Muzammil
SHAH ALAM, June 7 — The state government has formed the Selangor Public Health Advisory Council (Selphac) to strengthen the structure and functions of the public health standing committee.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said the establishment of the council, which was approved on April 13, coincides with efforts to strengthen the public health agenda as Malaysia enters the transition into the endemic phase.
He said the initiative is also in line with the Health Ministry’s wishes, which emphasises the formation of the Malaysian National Health Agenda (ANMS) Committee on the state level.
“Selphac assists the state government in planning, implementing and monitoring programmes as well as discussing and proposing solutions to current public health issues that may arise,” Amirudin said.
The Menteri Besar was speaking at Selphac’s launch and an appreciation ceremony for Selangor frontliners, at Dewan Jubli Perak in the Selangor State Secretariat Building here today.
Also in attendance was state executive councillor for public health and Selphac chairman Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud and former Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
Amirudin, who is also Selphac’s patron, said its committee members have a role to play in raising awareness and literacy levels concerning public health through policy and programme proposals.
“They will also identify current issues related to public health and propose solutions as well as expand the function of community leaders in implementing the healthy community agenda in Selangor,” he added.
Selphac consists of 15 members comprising state leaders, key implementing agencies, the Selangor State Health Department, medical experts in various fields as well as academicians.
It also includes former members of the Selangor Task Force for Covid-19 (STFC), representatives from the health industry, Malaysian medical associations and public health experts associations.
