KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 — Gopeng MP Tan Kar Hing backs only two spending cuts in the Ministry of Health (MOH): cancellations of festive celebrations and overseas travel restrictions.
The PKR lawmaker opposed the other eight cost-cutting measures in the MOH that took effect last June 1:
- Freeze on the creation of new positions.
- Control Elaun Lebih Masa (ELM) allowance claims.
- Optimise medicine usage based on a generic-first policy.
- Prudent laboratory testing based on clinical justification.
- Postponement of events, conferences, seminars, or workshops.
- Restrict domestic travel.
- Energy-saving (air-conditioning or lights).
- Savings on utilities and consumables like paper.
“Health care is a fundamental human right and a basic public service; it’s not supposed to be a soft target for fiscal consolidation,” Tan told CodeBlue in a statement today.
“If budget rationalisation is necessary, the administration must look into cutting non-essential administrative expenses, rather than jeopardising the health and well-being of the Malaysian public.”
He said the MOH’s austerity drive could affect health care quality and increase burnout among health care workers.
Public hospitals in Malaysia already face long waiting times and severe overcrowding.
“Taking away resources and limiting the hours health care professionals can work will potentially lead to delayed treatments, higher risks of medical errors, and as seen as compromised patient safety,” said Tan.
The government backbencher also noted that frontline health care workers are toiling under “extreme pressure”.
“By controlling overtime allowances and leaving vacancies unfilled, without reducing the actual workload is an insult to their dedication and will severely worsen the ongoing burnout crisis,” said Tan.
“It is as good as driving our highly trained doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals out of the public sector into private practice, or worse, to neighboring countries offering better appreciation and compensation.”
