Kuala lumpur: A total of 902 health clinics nationwide will be empowered with Artificial Intelligence (AI)-assisted lung disease screening by the end of this year, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. He announced that this initiative is part of the implementation of the 2025-2030 Lung Health Initiative, aimed at strengthening the prevention, early detection, and management of respiratory diseases in the country.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Dzulkefly highlighted that the introduction of AI-assisted screening will be supported by the NALURY database. He emphasized that this effort is further reinforced by the enforcement of the Public Health Smoking Product Control Act 2024 (Act 852), targeting the protection of younger generations from the risks associated with smoking products.
Dr Dzulkefly pointed out the critical nature of enhancing lung health, noting that respiratory diseases currently account for one in five deaths globally. He underscored Malaysia's proactive stance by championing an integrated lung health resolution at the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) and elevating it as a key regional agenda during the recent 17th ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting (AHMM).
The Health Minister stressed the importance of supporting health efforts and innovations with robust data and scientific evidence to ensure the efficacy of health policies and interventions. In this context, he commended the NIHR Global Health Research Unit on Respiratory Health (RESPIRE) for its decade-long contributions to public health research.
Dr Dzulkefly also called upon the research community to maintain close collaboration with policymakers to translate scientific discoveries into effective clinical practices and public health interventions. He expressed gratitude to Universiti Malaya, the University of Edinburgh, and all RESPIRE members for their ongoing dedication to addressing global respiratory health challenges.
"Malaysia remains committed to forward-looking, evidence-driven, and solution-centric health policies," Dr Dzulkefly stated after officiating the 2026 RESPIRE Annual Scientific Meeting, which convened over 100 international delegates in the capital.