KUALA LUMPUR: A National International Health Regulations Authority will be set up this year to enhance preparedness for health emergencies, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
This is a result of revisions to the International Health Regulations (IHR), which require World Health Organisation (WHO) members to establish a national IHR authority.
The IHR are an instrument of international law that is legally binding on 196 countries, according to the WHO website.
Dr Dzulkefly, who is health minister, said 194 members of WHO agreed to the amendments at the 77th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.
"We will adopt a whole-of-government approach and engage stakeholders, so it does not involve only the Health Ministry.
"It (committee) may be established within six months, but I want it set up soon," he told reporters at World No Tobacco Day Segarun 2024 today.
He said WHO members also agreed to comply with "solidarity and equity principles", which underlined a commitment to strengthen access to medical products and financing.
He said other key points that were covered included the definition of a pandemic and the setting up of the States Parties Committee to assist members in the implementation of the IHR amendments.
The creation of the national IHR authority is aimed at improving coordination in the implementation of regulations within and among countries.
Dzulkefly said the IHR revisions emphasise the countries' preparedness for health emergencies.
"We already have the formulae. This (IHR revisions) is an enhancement.
"We have the instruments and tools, and we're looking at how we can strengthen them."
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had said that Malaysia stands for the principles of equity and solidarity to be operationalised in the revision of IHR and the pandemic agreement.