The King’s Speech outlined the need to improve primary care services and upgrade MOH facilities; but it fell short of recognising that the public health care system is in crisis.
Private health care revenue more than doubled to RM1.2 billion in 2022, its highest since 2019, as air travel rebounds after three years of pandemic lockdowns and travel restrictions.
Sarawak state government proposes bearing the RM800m cost of construction for a cancer hospital, while the federal government provides specialists and equipment. The health minister indicates a Sarawak cancer hospital will not be allocated in Budget 2023.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim told Cabinet that the Health Ministry’s 2023 allocation will “at least be maintained”, although Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa hopes for more.
The Galen Centre moots health budgeting as a multi-year project with costing instead of annual allocations, besides including health spending in the higher education and defence ministries.
The Health Ministry allocated an additional RM600 million for contract staff emoluments for 2023, but maintained the number of permanent positions under its medical programme.
Azrul Mohd Khalib tells the government to invest in a new and sustainable approach to funding health care, amid challenges with NCDs, mental health, and an ageing population.