MOH Gets Tiny Mental Health 2020 Budget Raise

The sector’s budget is up by 2.81% from 2019.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 – The Ministry of Health (MOH) has allocated RM344.82 million under Budget 2020 for psychiatric and mental health work, marking a 3 per cent increase from 2019.

In 2019, the sector received an allocation of RM335.38 million. The allocation for 2020 is an increase of 2.81 per cent from the previous year.

This resonated with MOH’s renewed focus on the mental wellbeing of Malaysians.

In July, MOH announced its backing of AIA Malaysia’s newly launched mental health policy that covers six disorders, including depression.

“This will provide autonomy and reduce mental health patients’ cost burden,” Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad had said.

The Malaysian chapter of global insurance company AIA recently launched a feature under its “A-Plus Health” medical plan to cover psychiatric consultation fees, up to RM1,500 annually, for major depressive disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, Tourette Syndrome, and postpartum depression.

MOH also observed Oct 10 as World Mental Health Day, and urged the public to seek help for mental health issues.

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