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[Photo: The ambulance serving Langkawi residents will be managed by the Marine Department.]
LANGKAWI, Malaysia: Asean countries will work together to keep the region free of influenza A (H1N1).
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said he would lead a delegation to a meeting with his Asean counterparts in Bangkok today to discuss joint preventive measures.
"The meeting is very important because all the Asean delegations will exchange information on how to keep the virus at bay," he said after the launch of the country's first ambulance boat service by Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat here yesterday.
Present was former Malaysian prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The ambulance boat service, to be managed by the Marine Department, will also be available in Port Klang, Mersing, Tioman and Pangkor islands, Kuala Terengganu and Labuan.
Liow said although Malaysia was free of influenza A, health authorities would continue to screen visitors at entry points.
"I have also directed the body temperature scanners at the airports in Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and Bayan Lepas to be activated round the clock."
Earlier, Ong said the Transport Ministry had allocated RM56 million ($23.39 million) to buy seven ambulance boats.
At the ceremony, Ong also handed a sailboat registration certificate to Dr Mahathir for his vessel, named Apanama.
The certificate is the 100th to be issued by the Langkawi sailboat registration services.
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