CONCLUSIONS

It is critical to address the prevailing social disparities between populations and close the gap in health inequity, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath. Amongst the top priority matters that Malaysia need to address the healthcare problems due to social disparities during this COVID-19 pandemic is through data sharing between academics and the data owner. All parties can work together to ensure that effective healthcare services can be provided with an evidence-based approach. At the moment of writing, due to data constraints and transparency, the problems of healthcare gap due to the socio-economic differences exist, however the magnitude of the problem is unknown. Through data sharing, academics can help to find scientific evidence that can support and assist in policy and decision making, while MOH can focus on healthcare service delivery to citizens.

Apart from that, another area that must be improved while we are battling with the pandemic is to provide education access to the youngsters to improve the literacy of citizens, defined as people’s knowledge and capacity to obtain, process, and understand information and services to make appropriate decisions, particularly on health-related issues. Through education, the knowledge and awareness of the disease and related preventive measures could be nurtured from a young age. There is also needs to improve employment opportunities to the low socio-economic people through effective infrastructure development. This could also help to reduce social inequalities, as well as health disparities amongst the people. While financial assistance provided by the government through welfare initiatives and also Prihatin packages could help to alleviate the financial implications, the approach could result in temporary relief. Continuous and sustainable approaches through work opportunities could help them to improve their socio-economic status and reduce health inequalities in Malaysia.

To minimise the health inequalities due to socio-economic disparities, we should build a tougher economy, sturdier and more resilient to any economic shock for our community. The efforts require the policymaker to address underlying structural and institutional weaknesses, including improving the data monitoring system, simplifying bureaucratic processes, promoting social dialogue, and addressing inequality and discrimination. This could serve for the future prioritisation of needs amongst these populations to improve health outcomes and to minimise socio-economic disparities in Malaysia, particularly during and post COVID-19 pandemic.

This report also presents the status, strengths, and shortcomings of research with respect to using AI/BDA applications for tackling the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia. It also discusses relevant issues and challenges in the aspects of data, system, and economy of using AI/BDA applications for COVID-19 and future disease outbreaks. Recommendations in relation to stakeholders, social, collaborative, R&D, dataset, and economic impacts are given to assist in policymaking, planning and implementing AI/BDA solutions to create a resilient Malaysian society and economy in the face of crises, such as COVID-19.