The HEALTH | OCTOBER, 2019
12
HIGHLIGHT
Ascending to
greater tech in
healthcare
If anything needs to be improved in our healthcare, it
is to ascend towards digital health
HOPEFUL: Shariff believes that the MyMEDEX will help
everyone recognise the industry in the near future.
Equipped for
medical device
industry
I
Dr Dzulkefl y spoke about how Malaysia can be the hub for medical devices for ASEAN
through R&D on incorporating robotics, automation, integrated processes, and IoT by
local companies.
W
E move forward in utilis-
ing newer and newer
technology as days go
by, be it with our smart-
phones, smartwatches,
smart cars, and smart
homes.
The need for technology to thrive and
improve is ever-present, and it doesn’t halt
when it comes to healthcare.
Th e 11th Malaysia Plan calls for improved
well-being for all, strengthening infrastruc-
ture to support economic expansion, and
to re-engineer economic growth for greater
prosperity, among other missions.
“It is a signifi cant growth area that includes
higher value-added and technologically
advanced products, such as cardiac pacemak-
ers, stents, orthopaedic implantable devices,
electro-medical, therapeutic, and monitoring
devices,” says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefl y Ahmad,
Minister for Health Malaysia in an exclusive
interview regarding Malaysia Medical Device
Expo (MyMEDEX2019) organised by the
Medical Device Authority (MDA) Malaysia.
The global hub prospect
According to Dr Dzulkefl y, the bigger vision
for MyMEDEX2019 is to position Malaysia
as a hub for medical device industry in the
ASEAN region.
“Th e medical devices industry is expected
to impact positively on the Malaysian econ-
omy and has been designated as one of the
high-growth sub-sectors under the Eleventh
Malaysia Plan,” Dr Dzulkefl y adds.
Data has shown that over 90 per cent of
medical devices manufactured in Malaysia are
exported. Th e industry comprises over 200
manufacturers with implemented invest-
ments of RM14.2 billion, making Malaysia
an up-and-coming global medical device
manufacturing hub.
More than 30 multinational corporations
have made Malaysia their off shore manufac-
turing location.
“With Malaysia’s strong ecosystems in the
semi-conductor, mechanical and electrical
(M&E) systems, electrical and electronics
(E&E), metal stamping, and plastics indus-
tries, it is an ideal investment location for the
procurement of parts and components when
it comes to the manufacturing of medical
devices.
“Compliance with the requirements set
forth by MDA is a recognition that a medical
device has reached international standards
that will facilitate the industry to explore the
global market,” says Dr Dzulkefl y.
Up and away
Prior to MyMEDEX2019, MDA had also
organised IMDC2017 (Innovate Malaysia
Design Competition) and MyMEDEX2018,
with both tasted success in showcasing the
latest tech in healthcare for healthcare provid-
ers nationwide. Th is year’s IMDC will once
again be a part of MyMEDEX2019, and brings
along with it greater prospect in digital health.
“IMDC2019, MyMEDEX 2019, and
Medinova will provide an exciting forum for
discussion, showcasing the latest technolo-
gies and innovation of global medical devices.
We target all relevant stakeholders such as
the industry players, medical professionals
and clinicians, researchers, service provid-
ers, investors, startup and key leaders, and
relevant government agencies to participate
in this 3 days event,” Dr Dzulkefl y says. — Th e
Health
Compliance with the
requirements set forth
by MDA is a recognition
that a medical device has
reached international
standards that will
facilitate the industry
to explore the global
market.” – Dr Dzulkefl y
To ensure
the
products
are up to
par with
the devices
used in
developed
countries,
our
regulatory
regime
strictly
follow the
interna-
tional
standards.”
– Ahmad Shariff
Hambali
NDUSTRY players to be gathered in MITEC
for the nation’s largest medical device expo
Th e medical device industry is quite
a new thing in Malaysia. Th e industry has
received government recognition as a contrib-
utor to the economic growth in the country
prompting a promotion of the industry to
further drive the local economy.
Th e Medical Device Authority (MDA) is an
agency responsible for regulating the safety
and performance of the instruments sold in
the market.
Says the Chief Executive of MDA, Ahmad
Shariff Hambali: “We are the agency under
the ministry of health. We are responsible
to ensure the safety and effectiveness of
the medical devices through registration
and licensing the companies handling such
products.
“To ensure the products are up to par with
the devices used in developed countries, our
regulatory regime strictly follow the interna-
tional standards.
“Th is means if a device is registered in
Malaysia, it has the same level of security and
effi ciency in other countries. Th ese criteria are
tested via clinical evidence and must comply
with the safety requirement and can perform
as they are intended to.”
Putting the industry on the map
Th e Malaysia Medical Devices Expo 2019
(MyMEDEX) is a two-in-one event consisting
of international medical device conference
happening on the Oct 15-17 in the Malaysia
International Trade and Exhibition Centre
(MITEC), located in Jalan Duta.
The event comprises an international
medical device conference, and an exhibition
that gathers industry players from all around
the world.
According to Shariff , this is the second
year that they are hosting an expo for medical
devices.
“Carrying the theme ‘Advanced Medical
Devices or improved healthcare, the sessions
are split into three tracks – the regulatory
requirements, medical device research devel-
opment and state of the art medical devices,”
says Shariff .
“We want to make the industry visible on
the local and the international platforms.
Compared to the inaugural MyMEDEX expo
where we only invited the manufacturers,
we’ve extended our invitations to clinicians,
researchers, universities, manufacturers and
business owners so they can match their busi-
nesses and exchange ideas with one another.”
So far, the expo has gathered 84 confi rmed
exhibitors and are still expecting a number
of potential bodies to join the MyMEDEX.
— Th e Health