[MEDIA RELEASE] WHO Declares End Of COVID-19 As A Public Health Emergency – Prof Datuk Dr Lam Sai Kit

Emeritus Professor Dato’ Dr. Lam Sai Kit from the University of Malaya, and a member of an International COVID-19 Task Force, concurred with the decision of WHO. “After three long years of the pandemic, and with the decrease in cases and severity over the last year, it is time for life to return to normal. As a matter of fact, Malaysia had independently adopted a stand that the COVID-19 pandemic entered an epidemic phase as early as mid-2022, almost a year before the WHO Declaration last Friday.”

[MEDIA RELEASE] Scientists urged to engage more dynamically in the post-pandemic society

A recent international multi-stakeholder forum held at the Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, highlighted the need for scientists to engage more actively with society as the nation transitions into its post-pandemic reality. The forum, entitled “Translating Science into Public Knowledge: The Role of Science Communication in a Post-Pandemic Society” was organized by the Department of Science and Technology Studies, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya and gathered discussants from academia, industry and government.

[OPINION] Could Inhaled Vaccination be the Endgame for COVID-19 Elimination? 

Inhaled or aerosol vaccine delivery which mimics the natural route of COVID-19 infection, has attracted significant attention for the management of the disease and several clinical trials have been registered. The advent of inhalation as a potential route for vaccination of COVID-19 has a number of plusses compared to conventional administration. Nonetheless, several challenges need to be addressed.

[OPINION] Living with COVID-19 – Is Malaysia Ready?

In recent days and weeks there have been statements made about moving from a Covid-19 pandemic state to an endemic phase by the end of October 2021. The argument for this is higher adult vaccination rates that will be achieved nationwide by that time period. So we need to ask this question: Is Malaysia ready to move to an endemic phase by the end of October 2021?

[MEDIA RELEASE] A race between vaccination and virus to curb COVID-19 Delta variant

The public needs to be vaccinated as soon as possible to reduce the transmission rate of the more dangerous COVID-19 variants, said the former Health Ministry’s National Advisor for Infectious Diseases, Datuk Dr Christopher Lee. Describing the current situation as a “race between vaccination and virus,” he said, the best way to reduce the rate of COVID-19 virus mutation in the community was through vaccination.

[KENYATAAN MEDIA] ‘Perlumbaan antara vaksin dan virus’ bagi mengekang varian Delta COVID-19

Orang ramai perlu divaksin secepat mungkin bagi mengurangkan kadar penularan varian-varian COVID-19 yang lebih berbahaya, demikian saranan bekas Penasihat Kebangsaan Penyakit Berjangkit Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia, Datuk Dr Christopher Lee. Sambil menyifatkan situasi sekarang sebagai “perlumbaan antara vaksin dan virus” ujar beliau, cara terbaik untuk mengurangkan kadar mutasi virus COVID-19 dalam komuniti adalah menerusi vaksinasi. 

[EXPERT REACTION] What is the difference between VOI & VOC?

Recently, Malaysia has been recording an increased number of COVID-19 cases categorised by either the Variant of Concern (VOC) or Variant of Interest (VOI). VOCs or VOIs are mutant forms of the COVID virus (SARS-CoV-2), which are more virulent and infectious than its predecessor Wuhan strain. Dr Liyana explains the difference between VOI and VOCs in Malaysia.

[OPINION] Opportunity Knocks: How We Can Turn the Tide of Covid-19 Transmission in Malaysia

The 3rd iteration of the Movement Control Order (MCO) has just been intensified. It is as such an opportune time for us to take cognizance of our control measures so far and in doing so realign our response measures to COVID-19. Dr Dhesi BR in his opinion piece presents six key priority areas within which said realignment must take place.

[OPINION] Refining Our Covid-19 SOPs for the Public – Dr Amar Singh

We need to be science based with our daily SOPs, rather than resort to harsh measures. Heftier fines, extended MCOs, increased public blaming are counterproductive and also harmful to the poor and those that have lost their livelihood. We have to walk this fine balance between harm from Covid-19 and destroying lives from tight SOPs.