International health regulations, pandemic agreement: Malaysia stands for principles of equality and solidarity, says Prime Minister Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR, May 27 — Malaysia is committed to implementing the principles of equality and solidarity in the review of the International Health Regulations (IHR) and the pandemic agreement, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Recognizing the challenges of achieving consensus on the pandemic agreement and amendments to the IHR, he said prioritizing the right to health requires concerted efforts to address inequalities and enhance preparedness for future emergencies.

“I would like to emphasize that equality must be underpinned by any agreement to significantly improve our collective pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. Collaboration will be key moving forward, and it is essential to balance resources with the goal of global public health.

“Only then can we truly address gaps and inequities in preventing and responding to pandemics and other health emergencies, while protecting our nation’s sovereign rights. I am confident that we can make transformational changes that will deliver lasting results and leave a lasting legacy,” he said.

He said this in a video released by the Malaysian Ministry of Health while addressing the 77th World Health Assembly in Geneva today.

In his speech, Anwar also shared the Government of Malaysia’s commitment to ensuring that every person, regardless of their background or socio-economic situation, has access to quality essential healthcare services throughout their lives.

Meanwhile, reflecting on the universal right to health, Anwar also urged the international community to do more to stop atrocities and ensure accountability continues in the wake of the terrible humanitarian catastrophe faced by Palestinians in Gaza.

“Not only are they struggling with hunger, malnutrition and disease, but Israelis have bombed their hospitals and medical workers and humanitarian volunteers are being killed on a massive scale,” he said.

On May 24, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad stressed that Malaysia’s involvement in the two international negotiating platforms is aimed at protecting the country’s public health interests.

He was referring to the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) to develop an international instrument known as the Pandemic Treaty and the Working Group on Amendments to the International Health Regulations (WGIHR) to introduce targeted changes to the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005). — Bernama