White Paper Will Kickstart National Health System Reform Says Minister

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PARLIAMENT | The Health White Paper is the beginning of the national health system’s reform journey and will be continued if accepted, said Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa.
She explained that one of the strategic thrusts of the White Paper is to ensure the sustainability of healthcare funding by diversifying funding sources for health, where special focus is given to the development of a national health insurance scheme.
"If the mandate is obtained through the passing of the Health White Paper, the Health Ministry will take the next step by carrying out the basic work required in the development of the national health insurance scheme.
“(This includes) calculating the appropriate contribution rates, developing health benefits packages and determining the payment mechanism for health service providers.
"Therefore, I call on all MPs in the august House to understand and support the Health White Paper that I am aiming to present in Parliament this June," she told the Dewan Rakyat today.
The minister was replying to a question from Zulkafperi Hanapi (Perikatan Nasioanl-Tanjong Karang) who wanted to know about the implementation status of the national health insurance scheme.
Zaliha said that her ministry is continuing to engage with stakeholders to ensure that more people understand and give input in the development of a stronger Health White Paper.
Replying to Zulkafperi's supplementary question about the status of the Health White Paper, she said the ministry is conducting several engagements with stakeholders and will hold a town hall session for health workers to ensure they understand the contents.
"The policy we are using to develop this White Paper is a comprehensive one that we will try to develop within 15 years," she added.
- Bernama

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