NOVEMBER-DECEMBER , 2021 | THE HEALTH

Prof Datuk Dr Hanafiah Harunarashid

Pro-Vice Chancellor , Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia ( KL Campus )

Looking ahead into 2022 , Prof Datuk Dr Hanafiah Harunarashid , Pro-Vice Chancellor of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia ( KL Campus ), said : " With a capable and enlightened leadership , the Malaysian public healthcare infrastructure should see further improvements in all areas , especially in the way analytics and data-driven decision-making is spreading across all layers of the organisation .

" I hope this momentum is maintained even after what should be a very lively general election . Regardless of the politics , we must ensure the continued investments of the appropriate magnitude and clarity of focus to survive the coming challenges ."

He also noted that as the borders were slowly opening to regional markets , Malaysia provided the best value for money in high-end clinical services for healthcare travel . The private healthcare sector should see a further pick-up in demand .

Improving the healthcare system

There are always plenty of important things to be done when it comes to healthcare as a sector . Prioritisation would be a challenging endeavour .

" Perhaps a better way of looking at it is which perspective the priority should be for the next two years or so ," said Dr Hanafiah .

Firstly , he noted focus must be given to the ageing consumer .

" The pandemic has revealed significant problems of access to primary healthcare and health literacy , especially those who may have been left behind by advances in popular consumer technologies .

" As digitalisation becomes more ubiquitous in every part of daily living , it is crucial that digital literacy should be ensured amongst all layers of society , including the ageing population .

" Merely assuming that these newfangled techs are accessible for any user may prove to be disenfranchising large segments of the community ."

Secondly is the health social security or lack of it , thereof .

While the public healthcare setup here is one of the best in the world , he said much is needed to ensure sustainable health financing and service accessibility guaranteed for all , especially in the light of depleting retirement reserves following the devastating effects of the pandemic on lives and livelihoods .

" Out of pocket spending for healthcare is still significant , with many public services struggling to meet increasing demand over time . As the government tries to rein in its debt , the public healthcare infrastructure should not be the victim of budget cuts and staff curtailing ."

We have come a long way with the dual system as our model of healthcare for the rakyat . Much like the public sector , the private sector has much to offer , especially with a growing middle class and the ever-present threat of an ageing Malaysia .”

Lastly is the local health market ecosystem . As with many other parts of the economy , the private healthcare sector , which goes beyond facilities and the support industries , was also affected by the slowdown of commercial activity and declining household incomes .

" We have come a long way with the dual system as our model of healthcare for the rakyat . Much like the public sector , the private sector has much to offer , especially with a growing middle class and the everpresent threat of an ageing Malaysia .

" Investments in public infrastructure should also come with bringing in more capital and funding opportunities for incumbent and start-ups alike ."

Leading amidst the pandemic

Dr Hanafiah , who was appointed UKM Pro-Vice-Chancellor ( KL Campus ) earlier this March during the pandemic , acknowledged that the pandemic issue took centre stage .

He shared that the teaching hospital remained operational throughout the pandemic , with a significant workforce comprising trainees from the Ministry of Health ( MoH ).

" Of course , this comes at a cost , whereby these trainees were exposed to a substantial risk of Covid-19 infection . Therefore , heightened safety procedures and related SOPs were implemented to ensure a risk-managed environment .

" I am thankful no severe complications have arisen amongst the MoH doctors attending speciality training from the start of the outbreak until now ."

He disclosed that as the hospitals had to take in more and more Covid-19 patients during the pandemic ' s peak , many surgical procedures had to be postponed . Hence , there was less exposure for trainees .

" However , they were not left idle as many willingly served in the ICU and other places needing doctors throughout the hospital ."

He also shared undergraduates from medical and other healthcare degree programs had to stay away from the premises during the outbreak ' s height due to safety concerns .

" Thankfully , we had the means and expertise to migrate to the virtual setting of higher education so that training could still proceed with the most minimum of interruptions ."

He added the most significant task was setting up and implementing the MOHE Vaccine Outreach programme on campus and nine missions to various places in West Peninsular Malaysia .

" I am happy to report we had successfully delivered more than 45,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines within the five months from various rural settings in Johor , Negeri Sembilan , Perak and Penang .

" We have a great team here , and I am forever impressed by their perseverance , ingenuity and dedication in running the programme ."

He shared the hospital itself also catered for a drive-through vaccination