by ANIS HAZIM / pic TMR File
SCHOOLS recorded the highest influenza cluster in the country for this week, says Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
According to him, a total of 213 primary and secondary school clusters, while 16 kindergarten clusters were reported.
However, he said that the number of cases reported so far this year is similar to the same period last year.
“If we look at the 29th epidemiological week (June 17 to 22) which is this week, four clusters were reported, a rise from the 169 total cumulative clusters reported within the same period last year,” Khairy told a press conference after witnessing the official opening of Hematogenix Asia Pacific in Malaysia on Friday.
He noted that the increase was due to the end of the movement control order (MCO) and the reopening of schools and kindergartens.
“This exposes people, especially children who may have a relatively low level of immunity due to two years of lockdown at home,” he said.
Despite the increasing number of clusters, he confirmed that no death had been reported so far.
Nevertheless, he advised parents, teachers and daycare centres to maintain good personal hygiene and take care of the cleanliness of the students and children.
“Children with symptoms should not be sent to school, seek treatment immediately and wear masks when indoors unless during meals or while giving public speaking,” he added.
Earlier, Khairy witnessed the official opening of Hematogenix Asia Pacific in Cyberjaya, Malaysia which is estimated to bring an investment amounting to US$15 million to US$20 million (approximately RM65 million to RM80 million) to the country in the upcoming five years.
The minister said that the establishment of Hematogenix Malaysia is also believed to positively impact the Malaysian economy.
“Apart from boosting foreign direct investments and boosting the clinical research industry, a collaboration between Hematogenix and MoH will spur more local collaborations especially in providing cutting edge diagnostics services to Malaysians as well as an exchange of knowledge and training for scientists within the MoH,” he said.
Hematogenix CEO Dr Hytham Al Masri said that to date, Hematogenix has invested more than US$5 million (about RM 22 million) for its cancer clinical trials in Malaysia which are expected to be the hub in the Asia Pacific region.
“Malaysia has been chosen because of its strategic location and the solid healthcare system.
“We also believe Malaysia has the capability and capacity to progress further in cancer research and diagnostics, and we hope to be a part of this tremendous growth,” Masri said.
Since its operation in Malaysia in 2021, the facility has managed at least 18 clinical studies from multinational global pharmaceutical companies and has processed over 2,000 shipments of biological specimens from study sites across Asia Pacific, including Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Australia.