BANGI: Issues surrounding mental health, food safety and quality, and pharmaceuticals will be highlighted at the ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting (AHMM) in 2026, scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the meeting will address the role of all segments of society, particularly counsellors and family doctors, in assisting those affected by mental health challenges. Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad emphasized the importance of these professionals in providing support and guidance to individuals facing mental health issues.

In the domain of pharmaceuticals, the discussions will explore how to harness the collective strength of ASEAN, particularly in terms of medication pricing and the development of clinical research. This focus aims to make pharmaceuticals more accessible and affordable within the region.

The issue of food safety and quality will also be a significant topic at the meeting. The discussions will concentrate on how nutritiona
l content affects health, addressing problems such as food poisoning and excessive food additives. Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad highlighted the necessity of the ASEAN platform to tackle these serious issues effectively.

He addressed reporters after opening the Regional Counselling Convention 2024 (RISE), themed ‘Bridging Wellbeing and Work’, where the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) chairman, Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, was present. The convention, organized by the International Counselling Association of Malaysia, gathers experts from across the ASEAN region to discuss mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.

Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad called on public and private organisations to create conducive working conditions to produce productive workers who are physically and mentally sound. He urged employers to create open spaces for discussions to support employees facing problems or symptoms of depression, preventing them from experiencing more severe issues.

He stressed the importance of a mutually rewarding and beneficial rel
ationship between employers and employees. “If employers do not understand the needs of their employees, the workers will experience burnout, stress, anxiety, and depression, and ultimately, it is the employers who will bear the losses,” he added.