The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) wishes to thank the health minister for confirming through his tweet on July 23, 2025, that there will be grants given to private general practitioners for the purpose of digitalising their clinics.
This is part of the recently announced joint initiative by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to empower the national health transformation agenda through digital technology by expanding coverage and access to health care services in urban and rural areas.
Private general practitioners (GPs) provide essential front-line services in the community and help reduce the strain on the public sector. Government support in the form of funding or grants for digitalisation, particularly for Electronic Medical Records (EMR) will be a significant boost for both young and senior private general practitioners (GPs).
For younger GPs starting new clinics, such support would help offset the high initial costs of setting up a digital infrastructure, allowing them to begin operations with more efficient, tech-enabled workflows from day one.
For older clinics, grants could ease the transition from paper-based systems to digital platforms, helping them modernise their practice and improve patient care without bearing the full financial burden.
Across the board, EMR adoption enhances continuity of care, reduces administrative errors, and supports better health data integration nationwide.
With the right policies and digital tools in place, private GPs can be better integrated into the national health ecosystem, allowing for more seamless referrals, shared care arrangements, and better continuity of care for patients, especially those with chronic illnesses.
A unified digital health infrastructure will also strengthen health surveillance and data-driven planning.
As Malaysia moves towards becoming an ageing nation by 2030, and with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease continuing to rise, it is more vital than ever that we invest in and prioritise our primary care system.
Strong, accessible, and well-supported primary care is the foundation of any resilient health system. It plays a key role not only in managing disease but also in prevention, early detection, and empowering healthier lifestyles.
We once again express our support for this joint initiative by the MOH and MCMC.
These are timely and necessary steps as Malaysia faces the dual challenge of an ageing population and a growing burden of NCDs.
The MMA stands ready to collaborate with the government in implementing meaningful reforms that enhance health care delivery, particularly at the primary care level.
Together, through coordinated action and inclusive policies, we can build a more sustainable, equitable, and future-ready health care system for all Malaysians. We look forward to more details on this initiative and to engage further with the MOH.
Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira is president of the Malaysian Medical Association.
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