By Media Selangor Team
SHAH ALAM, May 8 — The state government continues to provide the Tuberculosis (TB) Treatment Incentive of RM800 this year, aiding primarily low-income groups in completing their treatment until full recovery, said Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari.
He said that doing so will also prevent more severe infections, noting that last year, Malaysia recorded 26,183 TB cases, with 20 per cent — or 5,337 cases — reported in Selangor alone.
"There has been a steady increase, averaging 2.5 per cent annually since 2020. This highlights the growing urgency for sustained and comprehensive intervention.
"The state government is also working closely with the Selangor State Health Department (JKNS) and the Malaysian Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis (MAPTB).
"Alhamdulillah, the treatment success rate has improved from 80 per cent in 2020 to 88 per cent in 2024," Amirudin said in a Facebook post today.
He added that this not the only measure, as preventive strategies have also been developed since prevention is better than cure.
Previously, state executive councillor for public health and the environment Jamaliah Jamaluddin said that JKNS plays a vital role in addressing current challenges related to TB through strategic and innovative approaches, focusing on early detection, provision of quality treatment, and public education.
Key initiatives include investing in health technologies, like the use of high-tech ultra-portable X-ray machines supported by artificial intelligence, to enhance the accuracy and speed of TB diagnosis.
