Kuala Lumpur: The proposal paper to grant additional autonomy to the Medical Assistant Service Branch (C4P) is currently in the final stages and is expected to be handed over to the Public Service Department (PSD) in May.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad stated that this initiative is part of the ministry’s efforts to enhance the role and position, as well as strengthen the strategic direction, of the profession. In line with these efforts, the ministry is also preparing a new Bill intended to replace the Medical Assistants (Registration) Act 1977 [Act 180], which is anticipated to be tabled in Parliament in the first quarter of 2026. The measures aim to fortify the position and role of over 20,000 Medical Assistants (PPP) in the public health sector and more than 25,000 practitioners across the entire health sector.

Dr Dzulkefly highlighted the positive progress made in regulating the profession through initiatives like the AMOTeX programme and the National Triage Committee. These initiatives have elevated the standards of the profession and enhanced its recognition at both national and international levels.

In a subsequent press conference, Dr Dzulkefly expressed support for the Education Ministry’s (MOE) decision to ban the sale of food items that pose health risks to students, such as candies resembling vape devices. He emphasized that this action aligns with the ministry’s objective of safeguarding public health.

The national-level 14th Medical Assistant Day celebration, themed ‘Digital Revolution: Evolution of Smart Medical Assistants,’ was attended by Health Director-General Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan, Health Deputy Director-General (Public Health) Datuk Dr Norhayati Rusli, and Chief Assistant Medical Officer Zulhelmi Abdullah. Medical Assistant Day is observed on March 10 annually in Malaysia.