PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry is in the midst of preparing a white paper to reform the country's healthcare system to be tabled in parliament soon.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the white paper also included improvements in service terms to customers, especially the people of the country.
He said this includes improving the rostering system as well as the welfare of the ministry's staff.
"Civil servants are an asset to the government and they are also responsible for determining the future ups and downs of the ministry.
"I'm confident that the image and performance of the ministry will be at a high level if we collectively carry out the work and team up to deliver service in line with our slogan 'We Are Ready to Help'.
"We cannot remain comfortable with our achievements and have to face and deal with changes in the environment. Customer expectations in terms of public service are increasing by the day and we need to implement continuous reforms to meet their demands and expectations.
"This document will be tabled in Parliament soon so that all the recommendations and health reforms planned can be implemented in the future.
"The recommendations and reforms would still be planned and implemented no matter who leads this ministry in the future," he said.
Khairy was speaking at the ministry's Outstanding Service Awards Ceremony here today.
Also present was his deputy, Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali.
Touching on the transition to the endemic phase which came into effect today, Khairy said this was realised thanks to the efforts of all the ministry's staff.
He said the ministry's staff were not just concentrating on their duties but also going beyond their current responsibilities.
"All of you have played and still play an important role in healthcare particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic and to this day.
"Many of you were unable to take leave when the cases peaked, especially around the middle of last year, and had to go through quarantine and as such, were unable to see spouses, children, family members and peers due to work demands.
"You faced all of this calmly. Yes, of course there are times when our spirits, in critical moments, declined especially when our bodies and minds were tired.
"But look at today. As a result of your hard work, the country's borders have been reopened ," he said.
Khairy said he was proud of the work that the ministry's staff had done so far and considers their achievements a success.
He said he hoped the ministry staff would continue to remain steadfast so that the country enters endemicity in a smooth manner.
"Look at the news and social media sites. Thousands of Malaysians stranded in Singapore for more than two years can now return to their families by crossing the Johor Causeway.
"Some drove cars, some rode motorcycles and some walked. But all had relief and joy on their faces, with some even cheering as they crossed the border.
"In addition to the efforts of relevant ministries and agencies, remember that you, the ministry's staff, have also played an important role in ensuring that we have entered into the transition phase today before moving on into endemicity," he said.