KUALA LUMPUR: The federal government is continuously strengthening the public healthcare system to face any possible emergence of unknown diseases, including the ominous-sounding threat known as "Disease X".
Health director-general Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan said the Health Ministry was constantly prepared and remained vigilant to the possibility of facing new pandemics in the future, based on the country's experience when dealing with Covid-19, Nipah virus and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV).
He said, even though the possibility of Disease X happening in the country should be given attention, there should nevertheless be an avoidance of excessive anxiety.
"A comprehensive plan, expanding vaccination campaigns and the setting aside of a special allocation to face the pandemic as suggested by the World Health Organisation (WHO) is crucially important for the ministry (to face any eventuality of unknown diseases).
"In addition, continuous monitoring, proactive measures, rational usage of antibiotics as well as other measures including international cooperation is also important," Dr Radzi said in a statement.
He added that the "One Health" approach which emphasised the relationship between people, animal and environmental health, is also an important component in strengthening cooperation between various disciplines.
"The public should also continue to practise healthy lifestyles and guidelines as well as stay informed on the latest developments of a disease," he said.
The media last month reported that health experts expressed concerns that the looming threat of the next significant pandemic could potentially result in the loss of millions more lives than had been lost to Covid-19.
WHO has labelled the disease as "Disease X" because no one knows what the next pandemic will be.
It has recommended the immediate preparation of a vaccine as a quick response, citing the fact that the world had been unprepared when facing Covid-19 in 2020.