Paxlovid is a pill given to Covid-19 patients after they are infected with this dangerous virus. After clinical trials showed positive effects last year, Malaysia became one of the first countries to announce it for use in health facilities owned by the Malaysian Ministry of Health.
Today the MOH announced they will be expanding paxlovid treatment to selected privately owned health facilities for free. However, patients are still subject to consultation service charges and other related charges at such private health facilities.
Steps to expand Paxlovid to private facilities are being made to ensure that high-risk groups such as the elderly and individuals with comorbidities, including those who have not been vaccinated, must be given the best possible protection so that they are spared severe COVID-19 infection. As of June 5, 2022, a total of 1365 patients have received Paxlovid treatment and have fully recovered.
Apart from that, MOH will also start monoclonal treatment of Tixagevimab plus Cilgavimab (EVUSHELD) in the near future. EVUSHELD can protect recipients from Covid-19 infection within six months of receiving the injection. Treatment will only be given in government facilities to moderately to severe Immunocompromised people who show severe non-response effects if receiving the Covid-19 vaccine or do not reach a satisfactory level of immunity.