6 October 2026
The real question is not whether Malaysia is ready for a sustainable health financing model, but whether we can afford to spend another decade pretending we have another choice.
Tag: health care financing reform
2 October 2026
Malaysia is attempting to sustain a comprehensive health care system without a sustainable financing mechanism.
21 January 2026
Letter
Resetting The Health Insurance And Private Hospital Business In Malaysia — Dr Mohamed Rafick Khan
Dr Rafick Khan proposes forming a National Health Financing Administration to roll out a National Contribution Fund and an assurance benefit scheme. Public hospitals must be corporatised and serve as service providers alongside private hospitals.
19 January 2026
Letter
Aligning Incentives, Not Assigning Blame: A Path Forward For Malaysia’s Health Assurance Industry — Dr Raymond Choy
If Malaysia can move the conversation away from defending silos and toward aligning incentives, there remains a credible path forward for a resilient and sustainable health assurance industry.
16 December 2025
The way forward lies in a new compact between insurers, clinicians, hospitals, policymakers, and patients, one where care remains accessible, costs are more predictable, clinical autonomy is respected and financing is sustainable within risk pools.
30 September 2025
As Malaysia reforms its health ecosystem, we must not be distracted by the false promise of “cheap care”. Instead, we should pursue affordable, quality care anchored in value, continuity, and sustainability.
18 September 2025
Chua Hong Teck parses through the "bold health care reforms" touted by Dr Dzul, including Rakan KKM, DRG model, basic MHIT product, and MOH's digitalisation programme, agreeing that while some of these are indeed bold, they haven't been implemented yet.
1 July 2025
Dr Sean Thum says nurse shortages aren't exclusive to Malaysia, but a global challenge. The new 45-hour work week for nurses, like for other civil servants, shows the need for a Health Services Commission to remove health workers from the general service.
15 May 2025
Analyst Chua Hong Teck says public-private partnership in financing health care has been “successful”. Like in education, the government has “outsourced” health care and participated actively in the delivery of health care services in the private sector.
7 January 2025
Dr Sean Thum, citing anecdotal testimonies, explains why doctors are leaving KKM. Key issues include rigid bureaucratic systems, mismanagement and lack of respect, contract system, overwork, cultural and structural issues, and lack of career progression.