KUALA LUMPUR: The RM30 million allocation for dengue prevention programmes and provisions for free dengue test kits to private clinics will allow for faster diagnosis of the disease.
Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president Dr H. Krishna Kumar said the move would reduce the waiting time at public hospitals and clinics and help complications among sufferers as treatment could be initiated earlier.
"These initiatives is another good collaboration between the public and private sectors,” he said when commenting on the allocations that were announced in the tabling of the 2015 Budget in Parliament today.
He also lauded the plan to provide space in public hospitals and health clinics to place 244 haemodialysis machines contributed by private sector, as part of the latter’s corporate social responsibility.
Increased tax relief for treatment of serious diseases from RM5,000 to RM6,000 would also be a relief to those with serious illnesses, he said.
Dr Krishna said the government's initiative to boost healthcare was generally good, but there was still room for improvement.
"These are good initiatives but they are still inadequate. Emphasis should be given on taking care of one's own health. The government could promote exercising by giving tax exemption to gyms and exercise equipment," he said.
He said sin taxes on cigarettes and alcohol should also be increased, and channeled to fund healthcare.
Meanwhile, Federation of Private Medical Practitioners Association Malaysia president, Dr Steven Chow lauded the special allocations to address the rising number of dengue cases in the country.
"The emphasis on dengue is good in view of the seriousness of the problem," he said, adding the allocation for non-governmental organisation was also a very good move to empower such groups.
However, he proposed that the allocation could be contributed directly to specific societies such as the St John's Ambulance. He also proposed for a 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) specifically for healthcare needs.