Philippines, Malaysia to ink health accord

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines and Malaysia will soon to sign an agreement to boost health cooperation between the two Southeast Asian nations.

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said he was looking forward to the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Philippines and Malaysia.

“I look forward to the finalization and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the government of Malaysia and the government of the Republic of the Philippines on cooperation in the field of health,” Mahathir said in his joint press statement after his bilateral meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang.

“I highlighted that Malaysia has been a favorite healthcare destination for the Philippines. The number of patients from the Philippines seeking treatment in Malaysia has been increasing over the years,” he added.

Duterte said cooperation in the health sector was one of the mutual concerns between the two countries.

“We devoted exchanges on other matters of mutual concern, covering our people-to-people ties, including the promotion of reciprocal tourism, cooperation in health and education, as well as in the protection and promotion of the welfare of our respective nationals,” he said. / gsg