CEO Azrul Khalib said such an agency would be a dedicated, multidisciplinary organisation able to respond in a way to minimise the negative impact on vulnerable communities.

“We need an agency that combines the best in public health and social care expertise and experience with the mandate to marshal the resources of the government and private sector to respond to future threats such as Covid-19.

“It has to be more agile, proactive and flexible, with the ability to deal with emerging challenges such as combating misinformation, disinformation and pseudoscience,” he said in a statement.

Azrul also said the agency should be part of either the health ministry or the Prime Minister’s Department.

“It should have at its core leadership, a diverse group of individuals who are skilled in a variety of areas from epidemiology to social welfare. It should not be staffed solely by medical professionals,” he said.

Azrul’s comments follow the 77th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, at which 194 World Health Organization member nations agreed to revisions of the International Health Regulations (IHR) for member states to set up their own IHR authority.

According to health minister  Dzulkefly Ahmad, Malaysia will set up its IHR authority this year to enhance national preparedness for health emergencies.