{
  "id": 3481645,
  "title": "Haze: Health Ministry prepares for possible spike in asthma, respiratory infections",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/haze-health-ministry-prepares-for-possible-spike-in-asthma-3481645",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-26T09:51:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/08/26/haze-health-ministry-prepares-for-possible-spike-in-asthma-respiratory-infections/232755"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 26 - The Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH) is ramping up its readiness to handle a potential surge in health issues arising from the ongoing haze crisis across the nation. Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad revealed that the ministry's focus is on preparing for a significant uptick in health cases like asthma and upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) caused by deteriorating air quality. The current haze situation has led to 30 areas nationwide reporting unhealthy Air Pollution Index (API) readings, prompting the government to take preventive measures. Dr Dzulkefly cautioned vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions, to wear face masks, limit outdoor activities, and stay hydrated. The Ministry of Health is collaborating with other departments, such as the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, to tackle haze-related challenges. Furthermore, Dr Dzulkefly has arranged a special media briefing to elaborate on the government's choice to abandon its appeal against the High Court's ruling that invalidated the removal of liquid nicotine from the list of scheduled poisons. Earlier, Dr Dzulkefly highlighted Malaysia's thriving medical device industry, which attracted RM57.17 billion in investments from 2015 to 2025, generating 131,994 high-value jobs. The sector remains primarily export-focused, with 80% of its trade being sent abroad. In 2025, medical device exports amounted to RM21.1 billion, primarily comprising surgical gloves, needles, catheters, electro-diagnostic equipment, and orthopaedic implants. Dr Dzulkefly also emphasized the ministry's intensified efforts against unregistered medical devices, conducting around 15 raids between 2023 and 2025, leading to the seizure of 1.3 million units valued at RM1.68 million. Over 4,000 raids targeting unregistered health products have resulted in the seizure of more than 43,000 items. The ministry remains committed to safeguarding public health and preserving the integrity of the medical supply chain against counterfeit products.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 26 — The Ministry of Health (MOH) will step up its preparedness in terms of manpower, monitoring...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Haze: Health Ministry prepares for possible spike in asthma, respiratory infections",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/haze-health-ministry-prepares-for-possible-spike-in-asthma",
        "published": "2026-08-26T09:51:21.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}