Consider This: Rare Diseases | From Policy to System Readiness

A new policy paper by the think tank IDEAS Malaysia is renewing attention on a difficult reality: while medical breakthroughs now offer life-saving treatments for rare diseases, many Malaysians remain unable to access them due to high costs and systemic gaps. Last year, the Ministry of Health unveiled the National Policy for Rare Diseases, marking a first for Malaysia in recognising rare diseases at the national policy level. However, questions remain about whether the health system is ready to deliver. Is Malaysia structurally prepared to support people living with rare diseases not just in policy, but in practice? On this episode od #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Durrah Sharifah Ahmad Azlan, Senior Research Executive at IDEAS Malaysia, and Nadiah Hanim Abdul Latif, President of the Malaysian Rare Disorders Society and Board Council Member of Rare Disease International.