January-February. 2026 | The HEALTH
CONTENTS
03
The HEALTH says...
Action for wellness
P21 The less popular cruciate ligament While less common than ACL injuries, PCL injuries can still affect knee stability and longterm joint health. Because symptoms may be subtle, diagnosis is sometimes delayed.
P22-23 Flipping the pyramid The 2025 – 2030 US dietary guidelines reposition protein and healthy fats as foundational, highlighting growing concerns about obesity, insulin resistance, and ultra-processed foods.
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IN 2026, Malaysia ' s healthcare system is facing unprecedented challenges, including high medical costs and overcrowded public hospitals. The government is stepping up with a budget of RM46.52 billion to improve healthcare for everyone.
Medical costs are rising, expected to exceed 16 per cent this year. To help control these costs, the government will introduce the Diagnosis- Related Group( DRG) system. This system sets fixed payment amounts for specific health issues, helping reduce unnecessary medical procedures and making costs clearer for patients.
By doing this, the government hopes to restore trust in the healthcare system and make it more affordable.
Overcrowding in public hospitals is another major issue. Many patients are facing long wait times, and some are even being treated in emergency departments due to a lack of beds.
The government plans to improve community health clinics to handle more patients and offer specialist services, helping relieve some of the pressure on hospitals.
The shortage of healthcare workers in public hospitals is serious. The Malaysian Medical Association( MMA) is calling for better pay for on-call hours, like an increase to RM25 per hour. This is essential for retaining skilled doctors and nurses in the public healthcare system and ensuring that patients receive better care.
Although the increase in the healthcare budget is modest at 2.76 per cent from last year, it shows the government ' s commitment to fixing important issues.
Investments such as the new Northern Region Cancer Centre and the Sabah Heart Centre will improve access to specialised care. The plan to work with businesses to make health insurance more affordable is also a big step toward helping Malaysians afford their medical needs.
Additionally, raising taxes on alcohol and tobacco will help fund treatments for chronic diseases. Focusing on preventive care and offering tax breaks for vaccinations is key to helping people stay healthy and reducing future health problems.
The government, private hospitals, healthcare workers, and the community need to work together to support these changes. It ' s important to raise public awareness of these improvements so they can make the most of the resources available.
2026 is a crucial year for Malaysia ' s healthcare. By addressing high costs, improving hospitals, and supporting healthcare workers, the country can build a better healthcare system for everyone.
With determination and teamwork, Malaysia can overcome these challenges and ensure that all citizens have access to quality healthcare.