MOH Launches Two Initiatives To Advance Healthcare Sector

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 4 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry (MOH) today launched two key milestones aimed at advancing Malaysia’s healthcare sector — the MOH single-door for health industry and Diabetic Retinopathy Inference with Multi Artificial Neural Network Technology Automation (DR.MATA). 

Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said the single-door initiative was designed to streamline the process for health tech development, assessment, adoption and implementation by establishing a HealthTech Hub. 

Spearheaded by the Malaysian Health Technology Assessment Section (MaHTAS), he said the single-door mechanism for health tech innovation will ensure that solutions are not only innovative but also safe, effective and accessible.

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“This initiative will foster an ecosystem that bridges innovation with regulation, ensuring that the rakyat benefits from cutting-edge advancements without delay,” he said at the launching ceremony held in conjunction with  the Health Tech Innovation Connect 2024, here today.

Themed “Collaborating for a Healthier Future: How Innovation Can Elevate National Healthcare Outcomes,” the Health Tech Innovation Connect 2024 was a flagship programme under i-Nation, organised by Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation (MRANTI).

Meanwhile, Lukanisman said DR.MATA is an MOH innovation developed in collaboration with a local company and will be the first technology rolled out under the single-door initiative.

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“DR.MATA is an advanced AI-powered solution designed to detect and diagnose diabetic retinopathy with the impacts of early detection, improved access and better outcomes,” he said.

Speaking to reporters after the event, Lukanisman said the MOH is studying the need to formulate a new policy on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the country's health sector following the rapid development of the technology.

"Once we are ready, it is possible that the MOH can propose something to Parliament and also if the Parliamentary Select Committee wants to hear the reasonableness of whether AI (in the health sector) is regulated through an act or we give space for AI to develop first to a level that requires legislation," he said.

Apart from DR. MATA, there are various AI based innovations that are currently in the research stage and will be introduced from time to time after going through a thorough evaluation.

"For example, the field of x-ray requires an AI approach and is being refined. MaHTAS is also reviewing the way forward, what kind of innovation that we can use in our healthcare facilities," he said.

-- BERNAMA