World Health Day: Malaysia Accelerates AI, Data Use To Future-proof Healthcare System
PUTRAJAYA, April 7 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is accelerating the use of science, data and artificial intelligence (AI) to strengthen its healthcare system as the country joins the global community in marking World Health Day 2026 under the theme “Together for Health. Stand with Science.”
The Ministry of Health (MOH), in collaboration with the World Health Organisation, said this year’s observance underscores the importance of scientific collaboration in protecting the health of humans, animals, plants and the environment through the One Health approach.
"Aligned with the MADANI Government’s aspirations and the Health Service Delivery Reform agenda, Malaysia is advancing systemic reforms to future-proof its healthcare system," it said in a joint statement here today.
MOH said key policy priorities include strengthening digital health infrastructure, enhancing interoperability across health systems, standardising health data governance, and developing integrated platforms to support evidence-based decision-making across clinical services, laboratories, surveillance systems and public health programmes.
"The Ministry is also scaling the adoption of AI as a strategic enabler in healthcare delivery and public health. Current implementations include AI-assisted screening, diagnostic support, disease forecasting, and targeted population health interventions, aimed at improving efficiency, accuracy, and equity in health services," read the statement.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said Malaysia’s health policy must remain adaptive, evidence-based and forward-looking in addressing increasingly complex health challenges.
He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustained investment in health system strengthening, data-driven policymaking and international collaboration to enhance national health security and resilience.
Meanwhile, WHO Representative to Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore, Dr Rabindra Abeyasinghe, said the organisation would continue to work closely with national authorities and partners to harness global scientific collaboration in addressing health challenges, protect communities and further advance equitable access to care.
According to the joint statement, Malaysia continues to operationalise the One Health framework through strengthened cross-sectoral coordination involving human, animal and environmental health.
"Strategic initiatives such as the IHR–PVS National Bridging Workshop and the Mid-Term Review of the National Strategic Plan for Zoonosis have reinforced national policy coherence in areas including food safety, antimicrobial resistance, environmental health and health security," the joint statement said.
The joint statement said the integration of environmental and health data remains a key policy focus to enhance risk assessment, climate adaptation planning, and system resilience.
-- BERNAMA
