00:00Over the past few days, IAMDAG 2024 has not only showcased Malaysia's capabilities,
00:18but also our aspirations to become an important player in medical technology in this region.
00:28The cutting-edge solutions and collaborations we have witnessed reaffirm that Malaysia is
00:36not merely keeping up with global trends, but is actively transforming and advancing
00:43health and wellness for the next generation.
00:48This year's 28th Global Harmonisation Working Party Annual Meeting marks a significant milestone
00:55for Malaysia as host.
00:58We have seen the participation of more than 34 countries give the gathering highlights
01:04of Malaysia's strategic role in promoting regulatory excellence and facilitating cross-border
01:12collaborations.
01:13Malaysia, of course, is very proud to be able to contribute to the global effort of harmonising
01:20medical device regulations, for which GHWP stands as one of the key platforms.
01:28Under ASEAN, various mutual recognition arrangements have been signed, with the latest one signed
01:36in 2023, focusing on facilitating trade and customs clearance.
01:44With the ASEAN Championship looming in 2025, we are committed to advancing MRAs and leading
01:51efforts to create a more efficient and integrated regulatory framework in the region.
01:59Our goal is not only to reduce market barriers for manufacturers, but also to improve the
02:05accessibility of safe and effective medical devices, ultimately enhancing patient care
02:12and strengthening the healthcare system across the region for its 680 million people.
02:21As you see, the thrust of ASEAN Championship next year will be, firstly, the energy grid,
02:30ASEAN energy grid, and secondly, of course, digitalisation and healthcare, of course,
02:37has been identified as a key pillar for sustainable growth, not only under the ASEAN strategy,
02:47but also under the new industrial master plan.
02:52We are positioning ourselves as a hub for high-tech medical manufacturing and healthcare
02:58innovation.
03:00So there's a great, there's a major challenge for the ministry and Dr. Zul and the key players,
03:08and I trust that they would accept this challenge because it is, as I said, the paradigm shift.
03:18There's a lot of confusion when you talk about paradigm shift.
03:21If you read Thomas Kuhn's theory about paradigm shift, it's not just mere adjustments, changing
03:27two, three rules, or changing two, three offices.
03:30It requires a systemic change, a different attitude, and a set of policies that really
03:39would render the policies we adopt and the changes that we demand must take place efficiently.
03:48Now, the ministry was allocated a huge sum of money, and I told the Secretary-General
03:58this R45 billion is tough for the treasury and the economic ministry to approve.
04:06But we need, of course, better infrastructure, workforce upscaling, integration of AI, IoT,
04:14and 5G technologies into our healthcare systems.
04:19But more profoundly, all this must be done expeditiously, efficiently, and transparently.
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