The Malaysian Insight

DIRECTOR-GENERAL of health Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah went teary-eyed at his daily press call today when he announced the retirement of a “comrade-in-arms” in the battle against Covid-19.

Deputy director-general of health (medical) Dr Rohaizat Yon reached the mandatory retirement age of 60 today, after serving the ministry for 35 years and 10 days.

“He has been with the ministry’s response team and has been instrumental in the fight against Covid-19. I would like to express our gratitude to our comrade-in-arms,” said an emotional Noor Hisham at the end of today’s press briefing in Putrajaya.

Rohaizat, who was encouraged to take the stand by the media, expressed gratitude to the ministry’s staff, Noor Hisham, the health minister and the media.

“I wish to particularly thank the media who have given ample coverage. 

“It is not that we want publicity, but it is important that we get the message across to the public on the importance of social distancing, which is the only ‘vaccine’ we have in this world that has reduced infections in our country by 80%.

“Perhaps tomorrow, or the day after, we will see no more new covid cases… This is a great accomplishment for the people of Malaysia.”

According to the bio from the Health Ministry, Rohaizat graduated from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in 1985 and obtained a Master of Health Planning from the University of New South Wales in 1991.

He was conferred a doctorate in public health and health economics by UKM in 2007.

He joined the Health Ministry in 1985, serving as a medical officer in Johor and was appointed the Hospital Kluang director from 1988 to 1990.

He was later transferred to the ministry headquarters where he held several senior positions before he was made the deputy director general of health on March 25, 2019. – June 10, 2020.