May-June . 2021 | @ Halal

19

BY CAMILIA REZALI

VIRTUAL signing ceremony between the Malaysian government and the Islamic Development Bank ( IsDB ) was held on Mar 21 , 2021 . Shortly after the virtual signing of the MoU , a webinar was held on the “ Role of Locally Developed Innovation and Technology Transfer in Strengthening Health Industry amongst IsDB Member Countries ”.

The health industry worldwide has transformed monumentally following the Covid-19 pandemic . It has opened many doors for innovative efforts and technology transference to create an intensified system . Catching sight on the role of locally developed healthcare innovation in Malaysia , the webinar featured a few expert panellists to speak on the matter .

There are no two ways about the growth of our health industry today . Clearly , we have seen how countries moved on their ability and capacity to quickly reduce infection rates and manufacture test kits and vaccines to exit the pandemic faster .

The Ministry of Health ( MoH ) undertook numerous steps to increase health capacity , build sufficient security , and secure the welfare of frontliners in Malaysia , noted the Minister of Health Dato ’ Sri Dr Adham Baba in his keynote address during the virtual session .

Some of the significant changes include converting MoH ’ s hospitals into full Covid-19 and hybrid Covid-19 hospitals . Secondly is by engaging general practitioners to assist the government in providing health education for patients on home isolation and monitoring .

Besides that , MoH is continually increasing laboratory capacity to perform Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction ( RT-PCR ) tests .

“ The primary care services set up Covid-19 assessment centres in every district to assess Covid-19 patients according to the suitability

of home isolation and home monitoring ,” said Dr Adham .

“ In providing better care for healthcare workers , MoH initiated an Action Plan of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support for both state and national level through collaborations with governmental and nongovernmental agencies .

“ There is also the National Surveillance System which synthesises data across a reporting system with real-time entry at a district , State and national level . This leads to the individual tracking system MySejahtera .”

Constructing durable ( and permissible ) vaccine facilities

Group Managing Director of Duopharma Biotech Berhad , Leonard Ariff Abdul Shatar ,

one of the panellists , said Malaysia had done exceptionally well managing the Covid-19 .

However , there were still gaps in the ecosystem – from research and development ( R & D ) all the way to the manufacturing processes .

Considering 60 per cent of the Malaysian population were Muslims , the development of a Covid-19 manufacturing facility had to address concerns of the Muslim community , mainly means that the vaccines produced and formulated with materials permissible under Islam .

Leonard Ariff also pointed out one of the elements to be considered was preparedness in facing any possible pandemic .

“ It is extremely tempting to put out facilities globally . But we must do so with all eyes open because we want to be ready for the next pandemic if and when it comes . But the price of those ( facilities ) would be multiple white elephants all over the world ,” said Leonard Ariff .

“ When we do have these Covid-19 vaccine facilities , and soon after we get past the current pandemic , the facilities are not going to be utilised . So here , flexibility in funding is going to be extremely important when we do start to talk about vaccine self-sufficiency .”

“ A lot of thought has to be put into place . Both government and private companies must figure out unique types of financing models that would allow these facilities to continue operating even during phase zero of the pandemic .”

Added Leonard Ariff : “ Some level of harmonisation of the public sector financing on a grant basis will help to manage the risk profile of vaccine facilities .”

Issues in vaccine supply

The government has decided to move promptly by negotiating contracts with multiple manufacturers . And moving forward , Malaysia decided to expand the agreement and use government procurement tools for future pandemics .

“ The agreement has allowed Malaysian pharmaceutical companies to participate in the fill and finish of vaccine-making and also partake in technology transfer as well as R & D ,” said Minister of Science , Technology and Innovation ( MOSTI ), Khairy Jamaluddin .

“ This opportunity will then help to jump-start investments on an end-to-end vaccination facility .”

He pointed out there has actually been an injustice to the development and manufacturing capacity of Covid-19 vaccines .

Khairy said : “ Developed countries , where much of the vaccines are being manufactured , have cornered the initial supplies , leaving the rest of the countries to rely on them .

“ The Covid-19 pandemic is seen as a huge wake-up call for us to realise that global solidarity is not forthcoming . Furthermore , Malaysia itself has an acute inadequacy in developing vaccines .”

Made By Duopharma Biotech , the pharmaceutical company with Halal products .

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