KUALA LUMPUR: The only hope for the world to end the COVID-19 pandemic is to ensure as many people are vaccinated as rapidly as possible, hence Malaysia reiterates its call for universal access to COVID-19 vaccine.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said vaccine equity is still a major issue and the world cannot win this war against the virus unless everyone has equal and rapid access to vaccines.
"These vaccines must be affordable and accessible to all. We joined the COVAX Facility to facilitate the equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines globally and commend the World Health Organisation (WHO) for spearheading this effort.
"I am delighted to note that Malaysia has started receiving the vaccines procured through COVAX," he said in his address during the closing session of the 74th World Health Assembly held virtually at Geneva, Switzerland tonight.
The government continues to provide free health screening and treatment for COVID 19 infections, and free vaccination to everyone in the country, regardless of their citizenship or immigration status.
"The roll out of vaccinations offers hope for us to win the war on COVID-19. It has already, evidently, done so much good in wealthy countries which have an abundant access to vaccines but we need all countries to have the same opportunity.
"Imagine the benefit to all of humanity if only more vaccines were immediately made available to people in need across the globe. We welcome the call for a people's vaccine, and the Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights or TRIPs waiver, to allow vaccine manufacturing in the developing world," he added
The premier said that Malaysia has successfully inoculated over five per cent of its population under Malaysia's National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme since late February, adding the pace is very much dependent on the supply and delivery of vaccines from the manufacturers.
He said Malaysia requires 53 million doses of vaccines to meet the needs of 70 per cent of its population and till date, the country has only received just under 3.2 million doses or 6 per cent of the required dosses.
"With the expected arrivals of more vaccines in the next couple of months, we hope to increase our daily vaccination rate from 100,000 to between 200,000 to 300,000 per day, so Malaysia can achieve herd immunity against COVID-19 before the end of this year," he said.
According to Muhyiddin, Malaysia is scaling up vaccinations through public and private health partnerships, besides implementing many good practices observed from other countries.
They include the citizen engagement and outreach of countries like Bhutan, drive-through vaccinations as in Arizona, United States, and to the use of mega vaccination sites from now under-utilised convention centres and stadiums in Thailand and many countries in the region.
Muhyiddin said Malaysia is committed to working closely with WHO and other countries in strategic partnerships, as guided by the General Programme of Work 13 to achieve Universal Health Coverage, addressing health emergencies and promote healthier populations, in line with the 2030 Agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals.
He said while the end to the COVID-19 pandemic might still be some time away, it is hoped that the global situation will continue to improve.
"This is a fight we cannot afford to lose. You can certainly count on Malaysia being a strong partner to WHO to create a healthier, happier and more equitable world for all," he stressed.
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin said Malaysia applauded WHO for designating 2021 as the International Year of Health and Care Workers and humbled by their abundant sacrifices.
"We are in awe of their courage and fortitude in the fight against COVID-19. We owe the healthcare front liners of the world a debt of gratitude, including in Malaysia. You have saved countless lives and the futures of generations," he added.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Mon May 31 2021
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said vaccine equity is still a major issue and the world cannot win this war against the virus unless everyone has equal and rapid access to vaccines. - AWANIpic
AWANI Tonight 18 Oct 2024
#AWANITonight with @_farhanasheikh
1. Belanjawan 2025: PM unveils record RM421 bil expenditure
#AWANIEnglish #AWANINews
1. Belanjawan 2025: PM unveils record RM421 bil expenditure
#AWANIEnglish #AWANINews
It's About YOUTH: Rethinking the workplace for the younger generation
Celine Ting (@celinetingkl) from OpenAcademy and Anas Hayyan (@anashayyan) from Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute (ASLI) discuss strategies for retaining and developing today's workforce, with a focus on meeting Gen Z's expectations while boosting productivity. #ItsAboutYOUth
345,000 rakyat Palestin di Gaza berdepan krisis kebuluran pada musim sejuk ini - PBB
Terdapat peningkatan ketara daripada 133,000 individu yang kini diklasifikasikan sebagai mengalami "krisis ketidakjaminan makanan."
Dua lelaki ditahan bantu siasatan penyeludupan warga Myanmar
Dua lelaki itu ditahan bagi membantu siasatan mengikut Seksyen 26J Akta Antipemerdagangan Orang dan Antipenyeludupan Migran 2007 (Akta 670).
Belanjawan 2025: Peruntukan RM5.8 bilion langkah penting perkukuh ATM - PAT
Peruntukan sebanyak RM5.8 bilion untuk perolehan aset strategik serta kerja penyelenggaraan dan pembaikan dilihat sebagai langkah penting dalam usaha memperkukuh Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM).
Kes pukul: Dia rakyat beta, beri keadilan sekarang - Tengku Hassanal
Tengku Mahkota Pahang dalam kemas kini di Instagram Story bertitah, keadilan bukan sahaja perlu perlu dilaksanakan, tetapi ia juga mesti dilihat dilaksanakan.
AWANI Ringkas: Langkah "war on sugar"
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
Belanjawan 2025: Peruntukan terbesar RM421 bilion
Analisis pembentangan Belanjawan 2025 oleh tiga penganalisis ekonomi.
AWANI 7:45 [18/10/2024] - Gaji minimum RM1,700 | Perbezaan hutang terkumpul dan hutang baru | Sehingga tujuh luruan Monsun Timur Laut
1. Belanjawan 2025, gaji minimum naik antara jadi tumpuan.
2. Jangan keliru hutang negara, kerajaan tidak tambah hutang baharu.
3. MetMalaysia ramal banjir di pantai timur, Sarawak dan Sabah.
4. Lima dikhuatiri lemas, perahu lumba karam ketika latihan regata Sarawak.
2. Jangan keliru hutang negara, kerajaan tidak tambah hutang baharu.
3. MetMalaysia ramal banjir di pantai timur, Sarawak dan Sabah.
4. Lima dikhuatiri lemas, perahu lumba karam ketika latihan regata Sarawak.
AWANI Borneo [18/10/2024] – Perahu karam | Belanjawan 2025 | Pan Borneo dan SSLR
Tumpuan Awani Borneo 18 Oktober 2024 bersama Syaff Shukri
1. Lima peserta latihan regata dikhuatiri lemas di Sungai Sarawak.
2. Pemberian khas Sabah, Sarawak dicadang dinaikan RM600 juta.
3. Pembangunan jalan raya di Sabah, Sarawak terus diperkukuh
1. Lima peserta latihan regata dikhuatiri lemas di Sungai Sarawak.
2. Pemberian khas Sabah, Sarawak dicadang dinaikan RM600 juta.
3. Pembangunan jalan raya di Sabah, Sarawak terus diperkukuh
Laporan PBB: Kemiskinan tegar dunia meningkat pertama kali dalam tempoh 20 tahun
Dunia menyaksikan peningkatan kemiskinan tegar buat pertama kali dalam tempoh 20 tahun dan ketidaksamaan meningkat dengan ketara serta kekal tinggi.
Kerajaan Sarawak belanja RM601 juta untuk 17 projek pembaharuan bandar - Awang Tengah
Kerajaan Negeri memperuntukkan RM601 juta di bawah Rancangan Malaysia ke-12 (RMK12) bagi melaksanakan 17 projek Pembaharuan Bandar di Sarawak.
COVID 19: Peniaga bebas, lepas tuduhan sebar berita palsu
COVID 19: PENIAGA BEBAS, LEPAS TUDUHAN SEBAR BERITA PALSU
Persidangan Kesejahteraan Mental dan Pemerkasaan Wanita bertujuan tingkat kesedaran - Nancy
Persidangan Antarabangsa mengenai Kesejahteraan Mental dan Pemerkasaan Wanita Khamis ini bertujuan meningkatkan kesedaran.
Pusat Kawalan Penyakit Negara dijangka siap sepenuhnya 2026
Pembinaan Pusat Kawalan Penyakit Negara (NCDC) kini mencapai 45 peratus kemajuan dan dijangka siap sepenuhnya pada Julai 2026.
Rai ulang tahun ke-125, alumni Convent Bukit Nanas anjur majlis makan malam 2 November
Sejak pandemik COVID-19 bermula, Persatuan Alumni Convent Bukit Nanas (CBN) memulakan inisiatif memberi sokongan kepada pelajar terkesan dengan melancarkan program bantuan untuk pelajar B40.
Felda mahu pupuk hubungan perniagaan Malaysia dan Indonesia
Felda bersedia untuk menghubungkan syarikat Malaysia, khususnya unit perniagaannya dengan firma dalam KEIND untuk meneroka peluang baharu di kedua-dua negara dan antarabangsa.
COVID-19 jejas kemajuan dalam mengurangi kemiskinan - KRI
Kemiskinan mutlak meningkat dari 2019 hingga 2022, terutamanya dalam kalangan isi rumah bandar, menokok kepada 4.5 peratus menjelang 2022 berbanding hanya 3.8 peratus pada 2019.
Invest Malaysia Iskandar 2024: Gerbang pertumbuhan ekonomi Asia Tenggara
Menjelang Invest Malaysia Iskandar 2024 esok, jangkaan semakin meningkat untuk acara penting ini yang telah meletakkan kedudukannya sebagai platform utama dalam membentuk masa depan pelaburan.
Perintah Mahkamah Majistret halang Siti Kasim daripada perhimpunan 2022 adalah sah
Hakim memutuskan perintah itu dikeluarkan untuk mengawal atau mencegah penyebaran virus COVID-19 pada masa itu.