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Additionally , the National Health Screening Initiative ( NHSI ) has been implemented from July 2022 across the country .
“ NHSI is one of the main thrusts of Agenda Nasional Malaysia Sihat ( ANMS ) to encourage the community to monitor their health for early detection of NCDs such as heart disease , diabetes , and cancer and prevent disease . Malaysia provides free health screening for Malaysians aged 40 and above through walk-ins or online appointments at selected MoH health clinics .”
The Government will allocate RM130 million for the ANMS , including health screening , early screening for newborns and providing vaccines for pregnant mothers .
At the same time , to mitigate health risks , the following measures will be implemented :
• An excise duty will be imposed on chewing tobacco products at five per cent plus RM27 per kilogramme , similar to the excise duty imposed on snuff tobacco .
• The excise duty rate for sugarsweetened beverages will be increased from 40 sen to 50 sen per litre . The revenue collected from this excise duty will be allocated for addressing and treating diabetes , including support for dialysis centres . Meanwhile , the Association of Private
Hospitals Malaysia ( APHM ) President Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh shared that the private hospitals have been proactive in addressing the challenges posed by an ageing population and the rise in NCDs .
He highlighted the presence of healthcare screening centres in private hospitals , offering early detection of complications .
“ We are prepared for these demographic shifts and have all the treatment modalities for NCDs and ageing ,” he said , acknowledging the associated costs in providing such services .
HEALTHCARE COSTS AND ALLOCATIONS
Dr Kuljit expressed optimism that 2024 will bring stabilisation after the uncertainties of the post-pandemic period . While acknowledging the likelihood of a surge in cases , he believes it will not reach the levels that could derail the economy .
He , however , emphasised the certainty of healthcare costs escalating globally . “ Healthcare costs will escalate . There aren ’ t any healthcare costs globally that come down . So , that is what we need to be very prepared for .”
Although private hospitals face regulatory pressures to control healthcare costs , Dr Kuljit emphasised the challenges in managing expenses , especially with the dependency on overseas purchases .
“ The exchange rate , particularly with the US dollar , poses a challenge . So , invariably , the cost will increase . And there will always be a lot of controls to try to bring the price down , which will make it very unsustainable , especially in private health care .
“ We hope for a reasonable approach to cost containment , recognising the need for sustainability in private healthcare .”
Dr Kuljit welcomes the idea of a national healthcare insurance scheme , foreseeing increased accessibility for patients who struggle with government hospital access but find private healthcare unaffordable . He believes there will still be a demand for private healthcare , especially from those willing to pay a premium for personalised care , even with the introduction of a
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Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh
Dr Micheal Jeyakumar
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national insurance scheme .
Parti Sosialis Malaysia Chairman and health activist Dr Micheal Jeyakumar , in analysing the MoH ’ s budget for 2024 , acknowledged the 13.5 per cent increase but deemed it insufficient .
“ The Peoples ’ Health Forum proposes a 25 per cent annual increase for the next five years to reach the minimum four per cent of GDP recommended for uppermiddle-income countries . The UK and Japan each spend nine to 10 per cent of their GDP on health provision . We need to catch up . Currently , we are at about 2.2 per cent .”
He highlighted financial challenges and a strong neo-liberal influence as potential hindrances to necessary changes .
He commented on the allocation distribution within MoH ’ s budget : “ We need an increase in both operation budget – to employ more staff as well as in development expenses – we need more beds , more clinics , more equipment , etc .
“ We have a good public health care system with many dedicated and competent people . But you cannot expect them to perform miracles , especially as we have been underfunding them for the past 20 years .”
FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS ACROSS MALAYSIA
The Government continues its commitment to improving the accessibility and quality of healthcare services , shared Radzi .
As per the Budget 2024 announcement by the Prime Minister in October 2023 , several new development projects will be implemented , including :
• A Regional Blood Centre at Kota Kinabalu , Sabah
• Preliminary work for the construction of Hospital Sultanah Aminah 2 , Johor Bahru , Johor ;
• A Dental Specialist Centre Perak and Logistic Pharmacy at Kinta District Office , Perak ;
• Upgrade the Radiology Department in Sibu Hospital , Sarawak ;
• An additional Pathology Block at Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II , Kelantan ;
• Preliminary work for upgrading the Emergency and Trauma Department at
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Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital , Ipoh , Perak ;
• Upgrade the Operating Theater at Tuaran Hospital , Sabah ;
• Upgrade the Kota Damansara Health Clinic in Petaling , Selangor ;
• Preliminary work of new additional block for Neurosurgery Operating Theater and Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit in Hospital Kuala Lumpur ;
• Five new health clinics , including Rantau , Negeri Sembilan ; Kuala Tahan , Jerantut , Pahang ; Kuala Jengal , Dungun , Terengganu ; and Pulau Mantanani , Kota Belud , Sabah ;
• Other upgrading and new projects ;
• Government support for the establishment of a Cancer Institute in Sarawak . The commitment of the Government to refurbish dilapidated clinics will be intensified . RM300 million will be allocated to refurbish 400 rundown clinics with wooden structures and dilapidated wiring . A total of RM766 million will also be allocated for the procurement of medical equipment at MoH hospitals to replace Beyond Economic Repair ( BER ) equipment and meet the needs of various new service disciplines . This includes RM200 million to procure ambulances to ensure healthcare service readiness in responding to emergency calls .
It is also time for the Government to recognise the private healthcare sector , particularly private general practitioners ( GPs ), as a valuable partner in shouldering the heavy responsibility of managing the population ’ s health , said Dr Azizan .
“ Cases of NCDs are rising uncontrollably and it is contributing to the problem of overcrowding at public healthcare facilities . An effective solution would be to outsource the management of NCDs to the 13,000 private GPs that are well distributed all over the country .
“ By doing so , it not only reduces congestion in public healthcare facilities but provides some relief to the overworked and not to mention underpaid public healthcare workers .”
Dr Azizan also highlighted the unresolved issue of the private GP fee schedule , calling for progress in these areas to ensure a brighter healthcare future in 2024 . – The Health
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