KUCHING, Dec 14: The White Paper on Health and Generational End Game Policy (GEG) policy through the Control of Tobacco Product and Smoking Bill 2022 will be tabled in the upcoming 15th Parliament session on Dec 19th.
“This White Paper is important for the reform of our health system for the long term and this is not the result of the ministry’s work, but the work of all the experts involved in the discussions and also the engagement sessions that we have done previously.
“The changes reflect views from all parties, so it will be re-tabled. The government wants the Bill to go through another round of discussion and engagement sessions among the MPs,” Director General of Health Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Noor Hisham told a press conference at the Academy for Silent Mentor (AFSM) Tripartite Conference on Healthcare Challenges in the 21st Century held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching here, today.
The Health White Paper was supposed to be tabled in November, while the Bill was supposed to have been re-tabled on Oct 6 or after the Budget 2023 debate.
However, Parliament was dissolved on October 10th to pave the way for the 15th General Election (GE15).
Meanwhile, on the Control of Tobacco Products and Smoking Bill 2022, the Bill has gone through the necessary changes recommended by the Special Parliamentary Select Committee.
Recently, Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa had indicated that she seeks to fine-tune the Bill before the Dewan Rakyat sits for the first time in 2023. – TVS
