Focus on healthcare and wellness: Dr Zaliha (with pink scarf) being briefed on the Kuala Lumpur Wellness City project at its launch in Bukit Jalil. — Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: The Covid-19 standard operating procedure (SOP) will be updated during a Health Ministry meeting in the middle of this month, following the World Health Organisation’s announcement that the respiratory disease is no longer categorised as a global health emergency.
The review might include the removal of the face mask mandate on public transport, said Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa.
“In the middle of June, we will go through the SOP.
“We also have to see the trend of Covid-19 cases as it is something that we can’t predict. For example, we may face a spike in cases during festive seasons, so we’ll have to manage that, and then we’ll decide,” she told reporters after the launch of Kuala Lumpur Wellness City (KLWC) in Bukit Jalil here yesterday, according to Bernama.
Dr Zaliha said her ministry is taking a cautious approach before making any announcement, given that Malaysia is still designated a local area of infection until the end of this month.
Meanwhile, on the development of KLWC, she said that it signifies a bold step towards creating a sustainable and inclusive society, where the health and well-being of Malaysians are placed at the forefront.
“This visionary initiative represents a commitment to providing the best healthcare services and towards building a healthier nation, one that recognises the interconnectedness of physical, mental, and social well-being,” she said.
KLWC is the first purpose-built township project in South-East Asia to cultivate a lifestyle fully integrated with healthcare and wellness, with a gross development value (GDV) of RM11bil spanning 10.7ha of land.
The project will feature a well-rounded ecosystem primed for well-being and health, such as the Nobel healthcare park, Kuala Lumpur International Hospital (KLIH), innovation laboratories, clinical research and development facilities, healthcare company office towers, a retirement resort, a healthcare hub and a fitness-based central park.
Dr Zaliha also reiterated the ministry’s support for private sector-driven initiatives, such as KLIH, to boost the nation’s health tourism industry to be on a par with other countries such as Thailand and Singapore.
KLWC managing director Datuk Dr Colin Lee, in a statement, said the project is meant to support Malaysia’s national plan to be recognised as a medical tourism destination.
“KLWC is designed to provide and prioritise health and well-being as the heart of its development, through its vision of a 360-degree wellness hub centred on its township, which encompasses all aspects of medical care, health, wellness, fitness, and business, complete with residential, retail, and commercial offerings,” he said.
