Malaysia, Singapore Expand Strategic Healthcare Ties

KUALA LUMPUR, May 19  (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Singapore are strengthening strategic cooperation in healthcare, including food labelling policy alignment, access to medical technology and cross-border health tourism for the benefit of both countries.

In a Facebook post, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the matters were discussed during a bilateral meeting with his Singapore counterpart Ong Ye Kung in Geneva, Switzerland, today.

He said the close partnership between the two countries continued to be reinforced through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), reflecting strong mutual trust and commitment towards public wellbeing.

“This meeting reflects our shared commitment to enhancing strategic cooperation that brings direct benefits to the people,” he said.

Dr Dzulkefly said both countries also discussed aligning the Nutri-Grade food labelling policy as part of a proactive regional approach to tackling non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Malaysia also welcomed the implementation of the Medical Device Regulatory Reliance Programme, which is expected to speed up access to high-quality and innovative medical technologies in the regional market.

He said both sides further explored expanding cross-border health tourism, including facilitating patient referrals from Singapore to private healthcare facilities in Johor and widening Medisave insurance coverage.

“This will help stimulate economic spillover effects and strengthen healthcare connectivity for communities in the southern region.

“In facing increasingly complex public health challenges, this cooperation not only strengthens longstanding ties but also supports efforts to build a more sustainable, resilient and people-centred regional healthcare system,” he said.

Dr Dzulkefly said Malaysia remains committed to promoting diplomacy and cooperation based on mutual respect and shared prosperity.

-- BERNAMA