“ We continue to like the healthcare sector given its ability to deliver sustained earnings in times of high inflation and economic slowdown , given the rising demand . The relatively consistent earnings delivery vis-a-vis other sectors should garner investor interest ,” said Affin Hwang Investment Bank Research .

The research house believes earnings growth will be seen across stocks under its coverage , except for Apex Healthcare Berhad for 2024 , on the back of higher inpatient volume in hospitals and stronger manufacturing contributions for contract manufacturers . However , earnings delivery will depend on various factors .

These include occupancy of hospital operators , revenue intensity per patient of hospital operators and the extent of inflationary pressures .

Other factors include manufacturers ’ demand for products and associated expansion pipelines .

Affin Hwang remained “ overweight ” on the sector , given its consistent earnings delivery amid the rising demand for healthcare products and services .

“ We are optimistic that the demand for healthcare products and services will rise amid increased health awareness post-pandemic . New competition within the space should be limited in the near term due to the highly regulated nature of the sector .”

Its top sector “ buys ” are unchanged for KPJ Healthcare Berhad , with a

Affin Hwang has a hold on Apex healthcare .

target price ( TP ) of RM1.60 , mainly due to its cost optimisation efforts coupled with ongoing inpatient volume growth .

The research house also has a “ buy ” call on IHH Healthcare Berhad with a TP of RM6.70 .

“ For hospital operators ( KPJ and IHH ), ongoing improvements in inpatient volumes are expected to continue driving earnings growth , with KPJ further benefiting from cost optimisation efforts previously carried out , coupled with the ongoing divestment initiatives of its lossmaking foreign ventures ,” they added .

Affin Hwang also favours UMedic Group Bhd ( UMC ) with a TP of RM1 due to its earnings growth trajectory from its recent expansion .

The largest year-on-year growth in earnings comes from UMC , given its recent expansion and strong demand for its pre-filled humidifiers . On the other hand , the research house has a “ hold ” call on Apex Healthcare with a TP of RM2.40 .

“ We have pencilled in earnings decline for Apex Healthcare as we expect demand for its consumer healthcare products to slow down coming off from a high base of the post-pandemic demand .”

From left : CRM ’ s CEO Dr Akhmal Yusof , Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad , Director General of Health Datuk Dr Radzi Abu Hassan & PhAMA President Ms Kam Ai Teng .

CLINICAL Research Malaysia ( CRM ) and the Pharmaceutical Association of Malaysia ( PhAMA ) have entered a strategic partnership to propel the development of clinical research talents and skills in Malaysia . The Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU ) was formalised recently during CRM ’ s Clinical Research Excellence in Early Phase and People Development event in the Ministry of Health ( MoH ) office .

The MoU was signed by Dr Akhmal Yusof , CEO Officer of CRM , and Kam Ai Teng , President of PhAMA , witnessed by the Minister of Health , Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad . Under the MoU , PhAMA will support CRM through the provision of proteges on an annual basis for the next three years , effective this year

The partnership will be driven through the CRM ’ s Centre of Excellence ( CoE ), which aims to enhance the nation ’ s clinical research capabilities in building skilled study coordinators profession . This initiative will pave the way for fresh graduates to begin their career in clinical research , aligning with the Pharmaceutical Sector ’ s Research and Development ( R & D ) objectives outlined in the New Industrial Master Plan ( NIMP ) 2030 .

“ The establishment of the CRM ’ s Centre of Excellence further solidifies the organisations ’ dedication to shaping the future of clinical research in Malaysia . Through collaborative efforts , CRM and PhAMA are poised to contribute significantly to the advancement of healthcare and the pharmaceutical sector in the country ,” said Dr Dzulkefly during his speech .

Kam Ai Teng , President of PhAMA , echoed this sentiment , highlighting the crucial role of innovation and research in the pharmaceutical industry . “ PhAMA is enthusiastic about contributing to the clinical research landscape in Malaysia . The fact that the top five sponsors of new sponsored research in the last five years are all PhAMA members attests to our steadfast commitment to advancing healthcare through research and development ,” Kam added .

International SOS Launches Refreshed Malaria Digital Learning Solution for Global Workforces .

AS malaria remains a global threat and significant challenge for many organisations worldwide , its prevention is essential to the health and safety of the workforce . As part of an ongoing mission to support the health and wellbeing of the global workforce , International SOS , the world ’ s leading health and security risk services company , has recently launched a refreshed malaria digital learning module .

This e-learning course is designed to equip those living in malaria-affected areas or those travelling to such regions with the knowledge and preparedness necessary to safeguard their health while abroad .

International SOS Global Health Advisor Clinical Governance , Dr Chris Van Straten , said : “ International SOS has been committed to the fight against malaria for over 20 years in endemic regions , from conducting health risk assessments to implementing vector control programmes and supporting community outreach . Our refreshed malaria e-learning module is instrumental

in assisting organisations in fulfilling their Duty of Care by educating and empowering their workforce in malaria prevention .

“ It is important to note that signs of malaria can often be overlooked , given their similarity to symptoms of other , less severe illnesses . This presents a significant concern , as malaria can be fatal if not promptly diagnosed and treated . Organisations with local or international workforces , especially in malaria-prone areas , need to double their efforts to protect their employees and the surrounding communities where they operate .”

Developed and written by International SOS medical experts , the course covers a comprehensive range of topics including :

The ABCDE ( Awareness , Bite prevention , Chemoprophylaxis , Diagnosis and Emergency ) prevention approach for malaria : Providing a practical approach to promote healthy practices that reduce transmission of malaria and prevent severe illness from the disease .

Guidelines on preparing for malaria before travelling : Equipping individuals with the necessary information to plan for a safe trip .

Understanding malaria symptoms : Educating users to recognise the signs of malaria and the actions to take when experiencing symptoms .

Case studies from the International SOS Assistance Centres : Offering real-world scenarios and best practice to assist those preparing to travel to remote areas .

The digital learning module is initially available in English , with French , German , Italian , Spanish , Korean , Japanese , and Simplified Chinese versions scheduled to follow in the coming months . The platform has also been designed to adhere to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines , ensuring that it is accessible to a wide range of users . The course takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and can be easily accessed via the International SOS Training Portal within the Digital Learning Portfolios .