Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli says the govt plans to increase investments in reproductive health to counter declining birth rates, with RM171 million earmarked for a National Subfertility Centre in Shah Alam, Selangor.
The Galen Centre says the PM's "Madani Economy" vision fails to recognise Malaysia's increasingly sick and ageing population. "People who are sick and infirm will be disadvantaged and unable to participate in the benefits of this economic vision."
Senator Ras Adiba Radzi calls for increased public spending and better regulation of long-term care facilities and services, including regular quarterly auditing by government authorities or local councils, as well as a long-term care fund for care homes.
Ipoh Timor MP Howard Lee calls for a carer's allowance beyond RM500 monthly: "Some people are having to give up their M40 jobs to suddenly take care of someone who used to be the main breadwinner. And now you both can’t work. Who cares for the carers?”
Ipoh Timor MP Howard Lee urges the government to restructure aged care as an economy, instead of seeing it as a cost burden, stressing that the care economy plan must begin today, just in time.
The lack of an Elderly Care Act to regulate Malaysia’s care economy sees low wages for care workers, with some part-timers paid only RM10/ hour. Care providers also can’t hire certified foreign caregivers, says care services provider Homage.
The Galen Centre says the minister can address a continuum of care, including aged care and reproductive health, by running MOH and KPWKM in a dual portfolio.
PH’s Ipoh Timor candidate Howard Lee says that to solve Malaysia’s care and ageing crisis “just in time”, the government must start working on it now, not in three or five years' time.
PN also pledges to form a Health Service Commission to manage health care professionals' human resources, besides improving the health care system to include senior citizens' needs.