WHO Representative pays courtesy call on Kelantan State Health Director

WHO Representative to Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore, Dr Rabindra Abeyasinghe, had a courtesy call with Kelantan State Health Director, YBhg. Dato' Dr. Zaini bin Hussin, on 27 June 2022 at Wisma Persekutuan, Kota Bharu.

Among the State Health Department's officials joining the meeting were Deputy Director of State Health Dr Abdul Haris bin Muhamad, Deputy Director for Medical Service Dr Narazman bin Alias, Deputy Director for Oral Health Dr Asmani binti Abd Razak, Deputy Director for Pharmaceutical Service Ms Ruzita binti Awang, Deputy Director for Food Safety and Quality, Ms Natrah binti Abu Bakar and Deputy Director for Management Ms Nazlina binti Ahmad.

Dr Zaini welcomed Dr Rabindra and conveyed his appreciation for WHO's initiative to learn more about the situation at the sub-national level and opened an explorative conversation between Kelantan State Health Department and WHO.

During the visit Dr Rabindra acknowledged the successful efforts of Kelantan Health Department to minimize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the people in Kelantan and thanked the State Health Department for their leadership. He emphasized that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over yet and highlighted the importance to continue strengthening preparedness and response capacities. The meeting acknowledged the need to improve the low booster vaccination percentage (65%) among health care workers (HCWs) in Kelantan and among elderly population groups. WHO offered to partner with Kelantan Health Department to support such efforts. The continuing evolving of the virus with new variants of concern being detected globally and in Malaysia necessitates efforts to increase booster vaccine coverage among healthcare workers and elderly population groups.

State Health Department also highlighted their efforts to address the twin challenges of non-communicable diseases and ageing in the State. Dr Rabindra proposed collaborations between WHO and the State Department in expanding, upscaling and piloting activities relating to these and other health related issues in Kelantan State including the organization and strengthening of service provision for remote indigenous population groups. 

"We have conducted different activities to promote COVID-19 vaccines. Considering that over 90% of Kelantanese are Muslims, Kelantan State Health Department has engaged Islamic clerics to promote COVID-19 vaccination," explained Dr Zaini. 

State Health Department also highlighted their efforts to address the twin challenges of non-communicable diseases and ageing in the State. Dr Rabindra proposed collaborations between WHO and the State Department in expanding, upscaling and piloting activities relating to these and other health related issues in Kelantan State including the organization and strengthening of service provision for remote indigenous population groups.