MALAYSIA’S STATEMENT ON GLOBAL HEALTH SECURITY AGENDA
BY DATUK SERI DR S. SUBRAMANIAM

MINISTER OF HEALTH MALAYSIA

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 26. 2014 8.15 AM TO 1215 EASTERN TIME
VENUE: TREASURY BUILDING @ WHITE HOUSE

26 Sept Washington DC – We are gathered here during a period in history where the coordinated action of the international community is much needed in the prevention of the propagation of Infectious diseases. The Ebola crisis in West Africa has challenged the capacity of the affected countries to manage it effectively. The entire health system has been put under such tremendous strain and the threat of it, if uncontrolled; becoming a global epidemic cannot be underestimated. Hence, I would like to thank the United States of America for having convened this global gathering at this moment to enable us to collectively exchange our views, concerns and commitment towards the control of this scourge. I strongly believe and support the initiative by the international community to strengthen the capacity of the affected countries so that this epidemic can be quickly contained. The International Health Regulations of the World Health Organization (WHO) has clearly defined the principles and processes which are needed to be followed in the management of global health issues. The global community has to recognise that this is a global issue and not one localised to the West African nations alone. Towards this end the government of Malaysia has committed to donate 20.6 million medical rubber gloves to the 5 affected countries; and this is in the process of being transported to the affected countries. We are also exploring how we can extend further assistance to the affected nations to assist them in controlling this epidemic. Let us together put an end to this cruel scourge.

The global health security agenda is a laudable agenda to prepare the long term capacity of nations to handle and manage epidemics and pandemics if they were to occur. Malaysia has supported this initiative since its inception and this is reflected by the fact that we are the lead country in the Action Package pertaining to Emergency Operations Centre along with Turkey. We have been involved in the processes of building capacity needed to setup Emergency Operations Centre in Malaysia and we hope to share this expertise with other countries in our region and even globally. We recognise the need for all countries in the world to develop their individual capacities to deal with such crises. Thus, an attempt to collaborate and synergies these capacities, so as to build a global community with full capability to handle such emergencies effectively and quickly, is something which should be supported by all of us.

THANK YOU.

Datuk Seri Dr. S. Subramaniam
Minister of Health Malaysia