Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysian Health MinisterKhairy Jamaluddin said on November 16 that Malaysia is ready to become a hubfor hepatitis C treatment in the region by offering a treatment method combining ravidasvir and sofosbuvir at affordable prices.
Speaking at a press conference in conjunction with the region’sleading medical travel market intelligence conference insigHT 2021,
Jamaluddinsaid the new product for medical tourism was offered following Malaysiabecoming the first country to be given conditional approval to offer treatmentfrom the combination of the two drugs.
He added that Malaysia will market this treatment to travellersfrom abroad, and as it is a medium-term treatment of around three months. Thecountry expects a multiplier effect on the economy.
The offer was also in line with the WorldHealth Organisation's (WHO) mission to reduce the spread of hepatitis virusinfection by 90 percent and reduce deaths due to the virus by 65 percent by2030, he said.
According to him, medical tourism sectorbrought home nearly 1.7 billion RM (408 million USD) each year before thepandemic. Malaysia targets 20 million RM this year and 800 million RM inrevenue next year./.