KUALA LUMPUR, September 20 – The Galen Center for Health and Social Policy today called for the 2023 budget to eliminate RM1 and RM5 fees for outpatient and specialist care respectively at Ministry of Health (MOH) facilities.
Galen Center CEO Azrul Mohd Khalib says these charges for patient visits to MOH hospitals support a “misconception” that Malaysian healthcare is somehow cheaper at government facilities. said.
“They are insufficient for meaningful cost recovery and mislead the public as to the true cost of health care,” Azrul said in a statement today, ahead of the October 7 submission of the 2023 federal budget. Stated.
“We believe these fees act as barriers and should be removed to facilitate future reform of health care financing.”
Public health care is heavily subsidized in Malaysia. Health Minister Kairi Jamaluddin told parliament last July that RM1 and RM5 health care costs were unsustainable, with revenues from these fees accounting for only 1% of public health spending. did.
Azrul said the conversation around healthcare in Malaysia should not focus on responding to current needs and ongoing challenges with a growing population, or on Malaysia’s transition from a middle-income to a high-income economy. He pointed out that it has long been dependent and limited by affordability issues. .
“Decisions are often based on what we need, how much funding is available, and what we can afford rather than finding solutions to fill those funding gaps.” He said.
“It’s not just about raising more money, it’s about how that money is spent. We need to change the way we look at health. An investment, not an expense.”
In its 2023 pre-budget statement, Azrul called on the government to reduce government subsidies for diabetes care and introduce co-payments of up to 30% of actual costs.
Out-of-pocket payments refer to payments for medical care that are shared between the patient and the government through co-payment or health insurance.
The Galen Center cites recent reports by the MOH and World Health Organization (WHO) that the annual direct medical costs of diabetes in Malaysia reached MYR 4.38 billion, compared with cardiovascular disease, the three most common It was the highest among non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Disease (RM393m) and Cancer (RM134m).
For every ringgit spent on three chronic diseases, 45 sen is spent on diabetes, 41 sen on cardiovascular disease and 14 sen on cancer. Azrul noted that about 4 million people in Malaysia have diabetes.
“People have to look after and take control of their health. It also helps reduce wastage of subsidized medicines,” he said.
Galen Center proposes to introduce a national insurance scheme for those over 40 specifically to fund the elderly and long-term care rather than relying on underfunded and unsustainable entitlements Did.
“A quick-fix approach is insufficient and unsustainable,” says Azrul.
He urged the government to make improving the elderly and long-term care a priority in the 2023 budget, noting that Malaysia is ill-equipped to address the needs and consequences of its growing aging population.
“Elderly and long-term care facilities and related essential services remain limited, mostly confined to urban areas and concentrated in private providers,” said Azrul.
“There is a lack of clarity about which ministry should be held responsible. There is an unsustainable reliance on informal care. vulnerable to care and even abuse.”
For the 2023 budget, the Center for Galen called for increased commitment and investment in five key areas: healthcare financing, NCDs, public health emergency preparedness and response, reproductive health, and care for the elderly. rice field.
On public health emergencies, Azrul noted that the Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated the value of investing in public health systems that can effectively respond to new infections and outbreaks.
“We need to increase the capacity of the Ministry of Health’s disease control department to prevent, detect and control future epidemics. And that means investing in increasing the capabilities of our diagnostic laboratories.”
On sexual and reproductive health, Azrul described unwanted pregnancies as a “public concern” and emphasized that unwanted pregnancies are not just a problem for teenagers, unmarried women, and poor women from disadvantaged backgrounds. did.
“The ability to plan or decide on a pregnancy gives women control over their future, helps them complete their education, get better jobs and avoid the cycle of extreme poverty and deprivation. ,” he said.
“This budget should be allocated more to strengthen essential reproductive health services in the Ministry of Health and the National Board for Population and Family Development (LPPKN). It includes providing
