Khairy Seeks To Double Budget Allocation For Healthcare

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The Health Ministry aims to double its budget allocation percentage from 2.1 percent of Malaysia's gross domestic product (GDP) at present to five percent in the near future, said Khairy Jamaluddin.
In an interview yesterday, the minister said MOH has tabled the request to increase its funding to the government but expects it might take some time to be achieved.
"This request by MOH is rational towards providing the best healthcare services and treatment to the rakyat.
"However, the ministry also understands that this wish may not necessarily be granted by next year. Maybe it will take about five years, and we understand the country's financial situation.
"But I believe this is something that can be achieved, for example, by increasing the country's tax collection or by rationalising the overall government budget, especially by rationalising petroleum subsidy to reach only the intended target groups.
"(If we do this), surely there will be extra funds that can be redistributed for healthcare," he said.
Khairy spoke to the media during a special interview held to mark his first anniversary as the health minister.
The government allocated some RM32.4 billion for MOH in this year's budget to cover its operational and development expenses.
Khairy did not reveal in the interview how much they were seeking from the government for next year, but it would include an additional RM3.4 billion for a list of new initiatives.
They include RM850 million to increase the effectiveness of medical treatment, RM791.5 million to improve and repair MOH facilities, and RM738 million to reinforce the ministry's healthcare and wellness programme.
Run-down infrastructure
Answering the media's question on his plans for MOH, Khairy said he has a list of things to do should he be given more time to helm the ministry.
On top of this list is to improve MOH facilities nationwide which many of them were described by Khairy as being in a sorry state, especially those in the rural areas.
"I have gone to the ground to see for myself our facilities, especially those in rural areas in Sabah, Sarawak and Kedah, among others, and I saw that many of them were in a very poor state.
"If I were given more time, surely this would be one of my main focuses," he said.
Next on his list would be to improve MOH's human resources, including increasing the number of doctors and allied health officers and nurses.
According to Khairy, allied health professionals make up the majority of MOH services, and he aims to give more attention to the group after addressing the issues faced by doctors.
"This effort would need the support of the cabinet and the Public Services Department so that we can increase the number of positions and give promotions."
He said the ministry has managed to acquire 8,686 additional permanent positions for medical officers, dentists and pharmacists.
They include 4,186 positions that were opened this year, while the other 1,500 would be made available in stages between 2023 and 2025. - Mkini

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