January-February . 2024 | The HEALTH

Oliver is a leading supplier of sterile barrier flexible packaging solutions to the global healthcare market . The 122,000-square foot manufacturing facility is located within the i-Tech Valley , an integrated industrial park in the established economic zone of Iskandar Puteri , Johor .

The plant is expected to begin its operations by the end of 2024 . This new plant will assist in developing Malaysia ’ s medical devices ecosystem by supplying innovative flexible packaging solutions for Asia-Pacific ’ s rapidly growing healthcare industry .

Minister of Investment , Trade and Industry ( MITI ), Tengku Datuk Zafrul Aziz , said : “ Oliver Healthcare Packaging ’ s choice of Malaysia for its inaugural presence in Asia stands as an unequivocal testament to our attractiveness not only as an investment destination but also as a thriving and dynamic hub for companies wishing to establish strategic access to the region .

“ The commencement of their facility ’ s construction sends a strong signal on Malaysia ’ s efficient facilitation of investments to other investors . To us , timely implementation of committed investments is equally key , because it means that jobs and opportunities for SMEs can be quickly realised to benefit the Malaysian economy .”

Malaysian Investment Development Authority ( MIDA ) CEO Datuk Wira Arham

Abdul Rahman underscores the significance of Oliver ’ s decision , marking a milestone for our thriving medical devices ecosystem . “ The move reflects confidence in Malaysia ’ s businessfriendly environment and the resilience of our medical devices supply chain . MIDA is fully committed to collaborating with the company to bring this project to fruition , extending a warm welcome to similar initiatives .”

Oliver Healthcare Packaging General Manager Asia Pacific , Kenneth De Muynck , said : “ Malaysia plays an important role as a strategic hub for the many pharmaceutical and medical devices companies in Southeast Asia .

“ We look forward to working closely with MIDA to further the growth and development of Malaysia ’ s medical devices ecosystem . It ’ s a critical investment that will support the everevolving healthcare needs of this region and beyond .”

The new manufacturing facility will provide new employment opportunities with jobs in engineering , manufacturing , plant management and more . It will also boast the latest state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment housed in ISO-7 and ISO-8 clean rooms , meeting the stringent regulatory standards for medical packaging .

ROCHE Malaysia Sdn Bhd recently unveiled an initiative to ease the financial burden of treatment for breast cancer patients in Sabah . A pilot co-funding programme partnership with MUIS Malaysia spearheads this initiative .

The project aims to assist financially disadvantaged patients in the public sector . The joint funding , ZAKAT for HER , will be managed and governed by the Persatuan Kabajikan Islam Perubatan Sabah ( PERKIPS ), the state ’ s Islamic Medical Welfare Association .

Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin and Yang di-Pertua MUIS elucidated the current distribution of the healthcare cost burden in Malaysia .

“ In our nation , a substantial portion of the population , particularly those in the B40 and lower M40 income brackets , rely heavily on the public healthcare sector . The Ministry of Health ( MoH ) currently shoulders 49.3 per cent of public healthcare costs , but out-of-pocket expenses still comprise 31.5 per cent . There is an urgent need for strategic interventions and private sector partnerships to alleviate the burden on both the MoH and the citizens we serve ,” he said .

With breast cancer being the most prevalent type of cancer in Malaysian women , equitable , timely and sustainable access , especially novel ones , is crucial .

Sabah ’ s healthcare ecosystem has recently been in the spotlight for its call to increase awareness of early cancer detection . Over 66 per cent of cancer patients in the state get diagnosed with late-stage cancer , underscoring the gaps in health-seeking behaviour , particularly in the rural population . The delay is often driven by women seeking alternative or traditional therapies before getting a complete diagnosis .

The funding pilot programme , led by the joint venture of Roche and MUIS , supports 14 eligible patients with HER-2 positive breast cancer through neoadjuvant therapy . This innovative Funding Model unites contributors to share treatment costs for financially challenged B40 and lower M40 patients in the public sector . Designed for expansion , the model aims to provide equitable access to sustainable , innovative treatments , ensuring optimal patient outcomes .

Roche General Manager Deepti Saraf stressed , “ No woman should be denied her opportunity for remission or extended survival simply due to the prohibitive cost of treatment . Although this programme is in its initial phase , our vision is to amplify this initiative , guaranteeing accessibility to neoadjuvant therapies for women of all socio-demographic backgrounds .”

From left : Sanali Ismail ( Naib Yang Di-Pertua PERKIPS ), Dr Samsul Tuah @ Ag . Tuah ( Yang Di-Pertua PERKIPS ), Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin ( Yang Di-Pertua MUIS ), Datuk Malai Ali Malai Ahmad ( Timbalan Yang di- Pertua MUIS ), Ramlan Awang Ali ( Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif , MUIS ), Koh Wan Ling , ( Country Disease Area Lead Roche ( Malaysia ) Sdn . Bhd ) and Jane Tan Yee Mun ( Healthcare System Partner Roche ( Malaysia ) Sdn . Bhd ).

Malaysia ’ s largest private healthcare provider , KPJ Healthcare Berhad , recently announced the divestment of its Australian aged care business by its subsidiaries , Jeta Gardens ( Qld ) Pty Ltd and Jeta Gardens Aged Care ( Qld ) Pty Ltd ( JGAC ).

This strategic realignment reinforces KPJ ’ s commitment to the Malaysian healthcare market .

Jeta Gardens , part of KPJ Healthcare ’ s diverse portfolio , was a testament to its international reach in providing quality aged care services in Queensland , Australia . The disposal involves the sale of transfer of selected assets and liabilities related to the business , resulting in an expected gain from the extinguishment of net liabilities amounting to AUD6.171 million ( approximately RM18.938 million ).

This aligns with KPJ ’ s strategy to optimise operational efficiency and focus on growth opportunities within Malaysia .

“ KPJ Healthcare is embarking on a strategic transformation with a clear goal – to strengthen our core services on home turf , where we have built a legacy of trust and excellence for over 40 years ,” stated KPJ Healthcare President and Managing Director Chin Keat Chyuan .

“ We believe this move will allow us to be in a better position to leverage emerging opportunities , enhance our responsiveness to market dynamics and accelerate our overall growth trajectory . This strategic realignment is in tandem with our commitment to delivering exceptional value to our stakeholders and solidifies our dedication to excellence within our primary market .”

The disposal is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2024 . The purchaser will take on the assumed liabilities at the point of completion .