Shah Alam: The Selangor government will continue the RM800 Tuberculosis (TB) Treatment Incentive for this year as part of its ongoing efforts to curb the spread of the disease in the state. State Public Health and Environment Committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin emphasized that the incentive, aimed at lower-income groups, is crucial to ensure patients receive treatment until they fully recover.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Jamaliah stated that this initiative reflects Selangor's commitment to ensuring that patients, especially from the B40 group, have access to consistent treatment. She highlighted that Malaysia recorded 26,183 TB cases, with a significant portion, 20 percent or 55,337 cases, occurring in Selangor. The rising incidence of the disease, increasing by 2.5 percent annually since 2020, underscores the necessity for continuous and comprehensive intervention.

Jamaliah noted the successful collaboration between the state government, the state health department, and the Malaysian Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis (MAPTB), which resulted in an increase in the treatment success rate from 80 percent in 2020 to 88 percent in 2024. She acknowledged the vital role of the state health department in addressing current TB challenges through strategic and innovative approaches, focusing on early detection, quality treatment, and public education.

Major initiatives include investing in healthcare technology, such as high-tech ultra-portable X-ray machines supported by artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the accuracy and speed of TB diagnoses. Additionally, the introduction of the latest laboratory tests and child-friendly medication formulations by the Health Ministry has further bolstered efforts to treat patients across all age groups.

"We hope to save more lives and reduce the burden of the disease on communities through approaches using medical innovation," Jamaliah added.