KUALA LUMPUR: The financial allocation for the Health Ministry under the 2022 Budget focusing on the health and wellbeing of the people sees a 1.5 per cent increase to RM32.41 billion from RM31.94 million in the 2021 Budget.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the allocation for management rose to 2.96 per cent from RM28.03 billion compared to the year before where a large chunk was for medical programmes worth RM11.64 billion (42 per cent) and RM5.22 billion (19 per cent) for public health programmes.
"The ministry plans to carry out the procurement of antiviral medicine which is found to be effective against all viruses, including Covid-19," he said in a statement tonight.
Khairy said RM4.38 billion had been approved under the Building Allocation, covering physical health facilities development, including the building of hospitals and new clinics, as well as to upgrade, renovate and repair existing health facilities.
He said it will also cover non-physical development projects as well as the procurement of medical and non-medical equipment.
Under the Rolling Plan 2 and the 12th Malaysia Plan, the construction of two hospitals have been approved which is the Infectious Diseases Institute in Bandar Enstek in Negri Sembilan and the Kapar Hospital in Selangor, each will boast a capacity of 300 beds respectively.
Khairy also welcomed the government's decision to expand the scope of income tax exemption for clinical check-ups to cover consultation costs of registered psychiatrists, clinical psychologists and counselling services.
This move, he said, will encourage the affected individuals to step forward and seek help.
Under the 2022 Budget, the ministry will receive an allocation of RM70 million to ensure mental health issues are prioritised, especially to boost counselling and psychosocial support services; increase advocacy programmes and empower non-governmental organisations as drivers of mental health programmes.
An additional RM2 billion will also be disbursed to enhance the Covid-19 National Immunisation Programme.
"To date, the government has signed agreements to acquire 88 million vaccine doses (equivalent to 140 per cent of the population) and will be adequate to administer third doses to everyone aged 12 and above.
"A total of RM2 billion have also been allocated to increase the capacity of public healthcare facilities, such as the purchase of medicines, consumables, personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical kits," he said.
The government, he said, has also agreed to extend the contract for over 10,000 medical officers, dentists and pharmacists between two to four years after completing their compulsory service.
"This will ensure the continuity of service and prepare them for their specialisation.
"The government has also agreed to provide sponsorship for specialisation programmes with an allocation of RM100 million that will benefit 3,000 contract medical and dental officers," he said.
Through the budget, Khairy said the ministry will continue Agenda Nasional Malaysia Sihat (ANMS) and heighten the public health services preparedness through the cooperation of the Malaysian Red Crescent Society and St John Ambulance to enhance access, reachability and the ambulance services response to the people.
"In line with ANMS, the ministry welcomes the excise duty expansion on chocolate or cocoa-based, malt, coffee and tea premixed sugary drink products as well as the implementation of the tax on liquid or gel products containing nicotine which are used for electronic cigarettes and vape.
"The ministry is also thankful to the Finance Ministry for the RM20 million allocation for the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council to assist in the recovery of the international health tourism industry which at the same time strengthens Malaysia's position as a health tourism destination of choice," said Khairy.