GENEVA, 19 May 2026 (The Capital Post) — Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad called for urgent global action on lung health reform during a supplementary session held in conjunction with the 79th World Health Assembly World Health Assembly (WHA79), where Malaysia was entrusted to lead the international discussion.
In his address, the minister stressed that healthcare systems can no longer focus solely on policy discussions without immediate implementation, particularly as 95 per cent of lung cancer cases in Malaysia are still detected at late stages three and four.
He said issues involving tuberculosis (TB), chronic respiratory diseases, vaping risks and air pollution are closely interconnected and require a more integrated healthcare framework instead of silo-based treatment systems.
According to Dr Dzulkefly, the government is currently centralising screening, prevention and treatment services under a unified primary healthcare approach guided by the National Strategic Plan and Implementation Guidelines. By the end of 2026, the initiative is expected to be expanded to 902 health clinics nationwide.
The minister also highlighted the LungShield initiative, introduced through strategic public-private collaboration involving the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM), IHH Healthcare and AstraZeneca. The programme integrates ultra-portable AI-assisted chest X-ray technology and microinsurance schemes to improve lung healthcare access within communities.
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He added that the protection initiative is also being extended to frontline personnel, including members of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and other high-risk agencies, alongside the establishment of the National Lung Health Registry (NALURY) to strengthen data-driven healthcare policy management.
Dr Dzulkefly further noted that Malaysia’s healthcare transformation efforts have been documented in a special publication titled “A Breath For The Future”, which will be shared with participating countries during the assembly.
He urged the World Health Organization (WHO) and member countries to make lung health a core global healthcare agenda, stressing the importance of building a healthcare system that is equitable, humane and resilient.
The information was shared via the official Facebook page of Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. – The Capital Post
