About 15.1% of MOH’s specialist workforce are in Sabah and Sarawak, with Sabah having 503 specialists (7.3%) and Sarawak having 539 specialists (7.8%), as of March 31, 2023.
HDK warns of an imminent crisis in the public health care system triggered by severe staff shortages, following the relocation of some 4,000 contract doctors by end July after they received permanent positions. "This is not an abstract scenario".
HWCITF issued recommendations last August after the death of a Penang Hospital houseman in April 2022. Since then, two health workers – both in Selangor – died this month. A medical officer says stigma against mental health persists in the health service.
Dr Zaliha Mustafa says it's not suitable to form a Health Service Commission in today's context and that it won't solve MOH's problems, noting also that this requires a constitutional amendment. The Health White Paper moots long-term reform over 15 years.
Dr Zaliha Mustafa says public health care facilities given autonomy will remain under MOH's ownership as not-for-profit organisations. The main aim for autonomy is to increase flexibility in operations and to enable competition between public and private.
Dr Zaliha Mustafa says fees in MOH facilities won't be revised immediately, as stakeholder engagements will be done first. She points out there are "patients who are willing and want to pay more because they appreciate the comprehensive services received".
In a debate on the Health White Paper, former PM Muhyiddin Yassin urges the government to suspend its plans to increase medical fees in public health care facilities, as many outside the B40 have fallen into poverty due to the rising cost of living.
Kuala Langat MP Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi questions if the Health White Paper's proposed restructuring of MOH, which will cede its health service provider and purchaser roles, is a health care privatisation effort, saying that this should not burden people.
The Health White Paper moots reforming MOH by gradually removing both its roles as health service provider (goes to autonomous facilities) and purchaser (goes to a Strategic Purchaser entity). MOH will just retain its regulator & policymaker role instead.