The Malaysian Insight

THERE is chronic under-investment in the public healthcare system, which will be addressed in a white paper for its reformation, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said today.

He said Malaysia, as a middle- to high-income nation, annually invested less than the optimum in healthcare.

“Funding for healthcare was 2.8% of the GDP in 2020, compared to other countries which spend 4%.

“That’s why financing for public healthcare is very important. It will be discussed and presented in the white paper,” Khairy (Rembau-BN) told the Dewan Rakyat today.

Khairy was responding to Wong Hon Wai (Bukit Bendera-PH), who asked about the scope of healthcare reforms in the white paper and when the latter would be tabled in Parliament.

The minister said the white paper would propose solutions in phases for service delivery, financing, governance and organisation over a period of 15 years.

“The white paper is expected to be tabled in Parliament in November 2022.”

Khairy said the white paper would be presented to parliament for bipartisan consensus to make it future proof.

“It doesn’t matter who is in the position of health minister, the changes to the healthcare system must proceed.

“So I decided that this process must be brought to parliament for bipartisan consensus.

“With the consensus, this document will set the direction for whoever helms the Health Ministry.”

He also suggested that all reports be not only be discussed by the cabinet but also the special selection committee.

Wong also asked Khairy about under-investment and the lack of allocation for the Health Ministry.

“Does the Health Ministry’s white paper have a chapter on funding for the healthcare system?

“Also, are there any suggestions to raise the allocation for healthcare to 4% of the GDP while the World Health Organisation has suggested 7%?”

Khairy said according to the Auditor-General’s 2018 report, there is staff shortage in the emergency and trauma departments, patient congestion, and lack of equipment and funds.

“These are some of the issues that had caused unpreparedness in the healthcare system.

“This is not only in the emergency and trauma departments but it reflects on other the government’s health facilities such as clinics and hospitals.”

He added the white paper would take into account the findings and recommendations of various health system studies as well as the views of stakeholders. – March 15, 2022.