national health insurance Archives

2 September 2026

Opinion

Why Malaysia’s Health Care Financing Model Is Mathematically Unsustainable

Malaysia’s health financing model is fundamentally unsustainable because most Malaysians don't pay income tax. This is also the reason why a mandatory NHI scheme isn't feasible. MediAsas is also just a mirage because it's just private health insurance.

19 August 2026

Malaysia

Scrap ‘Uncompetitive’ MediAsas, It’s Not A Game-Changer: Tanjong Karang MP

Tanjong Karang MP Zulkafperi Hanapi wants MediAsas axed because it’s “not a game-changer”. Excluding pre-existing conditions means the sick/elderly might not be covered while MediAsas’ “uncompetitive” RM100,000 annual limit won’t attract the young/healthy.

10 February 2026

Letter

Is It Time For National Health Insurance? — Dr Mohamed Rafick Khan

Adopting a National Health Insurance/ National Health Fund must be approached with careful planning and strong institutional support. Fiscal limitations, administrative capacity, stakeholder resistance, and public acceptance remain substantial challenges.

7 October 2025

Letter

Malaysia’s Ageing Challenge: Why We Need A National Health Insurance Now — Prof Dr Rafidah Hanim Mokhtar

A national health insurance scheme will protect families from financial ruin, guarantee access to long-term care, and strengthen confidence in the nation’s health system.

22 September 2025

World

Singaporeans Get MediShield Life Discounts With Brisk Walks

Singaporeans aged ≥40 will get discounts on national health insurance MediShield Life premiums by taking a brisk 20-minute walk daily. Care teams in Singapore govt hospitals will also be streamlined so that patients only need to see one principal doctor.

18 September 2025

Opinion

Bank Negara’s ‘Reset’ Strategy Needs A Reset

Galen Centre lists 6 shortfalls with BNM's Reset strategy: unclear legal pathway, inadequate local cost data, ineffective price transparency, low participation for base MHIT, public opposition to GPs' role as gatekeepers, missing national health insurance.

15 July 2025

Malaysia

MP Brands Rakan KKM ‘Commercialisation’ Disguised As ‘Reform’

Tanjong Karang MP Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi is the first MP to come out against Rakan KKM, describing it as "commercialisation" of the public health service disguised as health care reform. "The rakyat's health is a responsibility, not a business opportunity."

1 July 2025

Opinion

EPF Savings For Health Insurance: Each Ringgit Withdrawn Today Is One Less For Tomorrow

Azrul Mohd Khalib says uptake of life & critical illness insurance like Tenang and i-Lindung for the low-income was poor. Govt's new MHIT shifts the burden to individuals. "Policymakers must resist the urge to mortgage our future for today’s convenience."

25 March 2025

Letter

Time For Assurers To Act For The Benefit Of Policy Owners — Dr Mohamed Rafick Khan

Dr Rafick Khan calls for the reintroduction of reimbursement-based health insurance. Assurers should develop products that limit benefit payments according to age, risk exposure etc. A young adult with employer insurance doesn't need an RM1 million cover.

13 December 2024

Letter

Why Malaysia Needs A National Health Care Financing Scheme — Dr Mohamed Rafick Khan Abdul Rahman

Dr Rafick Khan calls for a National Health Care Financing Scheme (NHFS), with a legal framework, a statutory fund and gradual corporatisation of government hospitals to improve services. NHFS should be independent of MOH as its primary activity is finance.

Tag: national health insurance

Why Malaysia’s Health Care Financing Model Is Mathematically Unsustainable

Scrap ‘Uncompetitive’ MediAsas, It’s Not A Game-Changer: Tanjong Karang MP

Is It Time For National Health Insurance? — Dr Mohamed Rafick Khan

Malaysia’s Ageing Challenge: Why We Need A National Health Insurance Now — Prof Dr Rafidah Hanim Mokhtar

Singaporeans Get MediShield Life Discounts With Brisk Walks

MP Brands Rakan KKM ‘Commercialisation’ Disguised As ‘Reform’

EPF Savings For Health Insurance: Each Ringgit Withdrawn Today Is One Less For Tomorrow

Time For Assurers To Act For The Benefit Of Policy Owners — Dr Mohamed Rafick Khan

Why Malaysia Needs A National Health Care Financing Scheme — Dr Mohamed Rafick Khan Abdul Rahman

HSAJB Probes Doctor’s Sexual Harassment Complaint Against Anaesthesiologist

Malaysian Medical Negligence Damages Still Too Low: Lawyer

Universiti Malaya’s Nirmala Appointed To WHO Science Council

Taiping Hospital Medical Officers Drowning Under Cluster Expansions, Zero Housemen — Medical Officer

Why Malaysia’s Health Care Financing Model Is Mathematically Unsustainable