July-August. 2025 | The HEALTH

13TH MALAYSIA PLAN

• 13th Malaysia Plan prioritises significant reforms in the healthcare sector, ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare and optimising financial resources through innovative funding strategies

• Key strategies include reforming health financing, enhancing health promotion, improving service delivery, digitalising health information, and ensuring medicine safety

• RM40 billion will be invested to upgrade facilities and improve access, prioritising professional development and advanced technologies

BY KHIRTINI K KUMARAN

These health reform initiatives aim to create a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient national health system, addressing pressing issues that emerged during the previous planning period.

ADDRESSING CURRENT CHALLENGES

While Malaysia has generally good health outcomes, the healthcare system faces numerous challenges. Medical inflation is affecting the quality of healthcare delivery, and access remains a significant issue, particularly for underprivileged populations.

Furthermore, the rising prevalence of both communicable and noncommunicable diseases, exacerbated by unhealthy lifestyles and an ageing population, places additional strain on public health resources.

During the 12th Malaysia Plan, the government made significant improvements, allocating RM936.86 million to upgrade over 2,215 dilapidated clinics and RM11.95 billion for 255 hospital upgrading projects nationwide.

As a result, the health component index of the Malaysian People ' s Wellbeing Index rose to 112.6 in 2023. The introduction of 24 invasive cardiology laboratories in public hospitals has also strengthened cardiology services.

However, the upcoming reforms aim further to enhance healthcare delivery and accessibility for all Malaysians. The primary goal of the health reforms during the RMK13 period is to ensure that all Malaysians have equitable access to quality and affordable healthcare services.

FIVE STRATEGIC PILLARS

The health reform initiatives are structured around five main strategies: 1. Reforming Health Financing and Governance

FUTURE FOCUS: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim outlines transformative healthcare initiatives for a healthier nation.

The government will implement a new health financing system to enhance access to better healthcare services.

The Rakan KKM initiative will be expanded, allowing private companies and insurance policyholders to utilise paid services at public health facilities. This ensures that eligible groups can still access quality care.

A standardised basic health insurance or takaful product, managed by the private sector, will be introduced to enable citizens to access both private and Rakan KKM services at affordable rates. This product will be developed based on international best practices, emphasising value-based healthcare.

Additionally, the creation of a national health fund and a strategic purchasing platform will be explored to modernise the health financing system.

Pro-health taxation will also be expanded to include high-risk products such as tobacco, electronic cigarettes, vaping, and alcohol, encouraging healthier lifestyle choices.

Access to quality healthcare services will be enhanced through public-private partnerships, particularly for high-investment services such as diagnostic imaging, elective surgical procedures, and virtual specialist consultations. 2. Strengthening Health Promotion and Security

To foster a health-conscious society and reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases, the government plans to strengthen health policies and promotional programmes across various sectors.

Health security initiatives will be enhanced to protect the population and the economy from health threats. A mandatory front-of-pack labelling system will be introduced to help consumers make healthier food choices by reducing sugar and salt content in food and beverage products.

Efforts to tackle emerging diseases will align with international health standards. The government aims to eradicate 12 infectious diseases, including polio and leprosy, by 2030, in line with WHO guidelines. The concept of " Health in All Policies " will be adopted to ensure comprehensive and fair healthcare. 3. Strengthening the Health Service Delivery Ecosystem

With an ageing population, the healthcare delivery system will be significantly strengthened. A highlevel committee will monitor health workforce needs, including various ministries and agencies. Additionally, a framework for professional development will be created to ensure a responsive health workforce.

The government aims to improve the country ' s capabilities in precision medicine through research, innovation, and commercialisation.

Health research institutions will be empowered as centres of excellence in clinical research, positioning Malaysia as a leader in the Southeast Asian region for precision medicine.

The legal framework for health will be updated to reflect demographic changes and technological advancements, including improvements to organ and tissue transplantation laws and drafting a mental capacity bill.

To enhance integrated care, health facilities will be clustered to provide better service delivery, particularly for the elderly and rural residents. 4. Enhancing the Digitalisation of Health Information Management

The digitalisation of health information management will be enhanced to ensure secure and integrated sharing of health information. A digital health information sharing platform will enable both public and private health service providers to offer quality services.

Outsourcing electronic medical record systems across government health facilities will further enhance health information management, leveraging big data, artificial intelligence( AI), and emerging technologies to achieve better patient outcomes. 5. Strengthening the Safety of Medicines and Medical Devices

To ensure self-sufficiency in pharmaceuticals, local manufacturers will be encouraged to enhance their production capacity and capabilities. The national pharmaceutical regulatory system will be improved in accordance with WHO standards, aiming to establish a comprehensive ecosystem for pharmaceutical product production.

The National Vaccine Production Development and Strengthening Fund and Vaccine Training Programme will be reinforced to support local vaccine research and development.

Malaysia will continue to engage with international pharmaceutical networks to strengthen its capacity to produce high-quality medicines. A tracking system for pharmaceutical products will be developed to ensure efficient logistics management, guaranteeing access to safe medications.

OVERALL COMMITMENT

With an investment of RM40 billion, the government is committed to expanding access to quality healthcare. This includes upgrading hospitals and clinics in regions such as Seremban, Johor Bahru, Sabah, and Sarawak. The professional development of health workers will be prioritised, alongside the integration of AI to enhance care quality.

As Malaysia begins these health reforms, the focus remains on creating a healthcare system that is efficient, fair, and resilient enough to meet future challenges. The government ' s proactive approach promises to significantly transform the healthcare landscape, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for all Malaysians.- The HEALTH