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03 Focus in Continuity: A Framework for Malaysia's Foreign
Policy in a Post-Pandemic World - A Monograph
the same time, we identified areas for
improvements so that we can prepare
better for the future.
Of course, there is a lot more that needs
to be done and we must continue to be
vigilant. The collision of NCDs and
COVID-19 demonstrate the need to invest
in NCD prevention and control as an
essential foundation for security and
preparedness. As we remain resilient,
recover and rebuild, we need to also take
into consideration that there is an
opportunity for us to improve our provision
of Universal Health Coverage and
strengthen our health system to better care
for our population and prepare for the
future.
The world is facing multiple health
challenges. These range from the
emergence of the COVID-19, growing rates
of non-communicable diseases (NCD),
obesity and physical inactivity due to the
health impacts of environmental pollution
and climate change.
The COVID-19 pandemic has turned
the world upside down. Currently, nations
are focusing on COVID-19 response and
recovery in addition to rebuilding their Firstly, let us be clear on what we mean by
economies. Here in Malaysia, we have health diplomacy. Global health diplomacy
shifted into the mitigation phase and is a practice by which governments and
resumed our daily activities while adopting non-state actors attempt to coordinate
the new norms and SOPs. This could not global policy solutions to improve global
have been possible without the health. Health diplomacy is important
sacrifice, dedication and commitment of because it is the intersection of public
our healthcare workers and frontliners from health and foreign a airs. This is an area
not just government agencies but also that I personally take very much interest
NGOs and the community at large. in.
Malaysia did struggle in facing the International aid forms a part of global
COVID-19 pandemic, especially during the health diplomacy. Malaysia continues to
earlier stage of it. But we managed to extend assistance to communities and
respond and work together to strengthen countries in need, within our capacity. Our
our action plan to curb this pandemic. At participation in the humanitarian and
