KUALA NERUS - The Health Ministry has taken legal action against 12 tuberculosis (TB) patients who stopped and refused to continue treatment.
Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni said the action was taken under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).
"Based on the latest data, we have 12 patients or cases who stopped receiving treatment, and the ministry has taken legal action against them.
"For patients who discontinue their treatment, we would follow certain procedures, such as contacting the patient and tracking them if they couldn't be reached.
"We will also send officers to track down patients who have stopped receiving treatment in addition to taking legal action according to existing laws," he said in a press conference after officiating the national-level World Tuberculosis Day at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), here, today.
Also present were Health deputy director-general (public health) Datuk Dr Norhayati Rusli and State Health director Datuk Dr Kasmani Embong.
In the meantime, Lukanisman said the ministry has also established the Malaysian Community Health Agents Capacity Building Programme (MyCHAMPION) to help identify those who have stopped receiving treatment.
"MyCHAMPION is a volunteer programme under the ministry to help identify and carry out activities such as screening or finding those who had stopped and did not show up for treatments," he said.
He said TB is treated with a combination of four types of antibiotics and must be taken continuously for six months.
He added that misconceptions related to TB as well as stigma against patients and families need to be stopped in order to realise Malaysia's goal of achieving zero TB cases by 2035.
"The ministry advises all patients to always adhere to the prescribed treatment schedule.
"Support from family members, employers, colleagues, and the community plays an important role in ensuring patients continue treatments.
"High commitment from health personnel in addition to cooperation from all government, private, and non-governmental organisations (NGO) agencies is essential to realising Malaysia's goal to eliminate TB by 2035," he said.