KUALA LUMPUR: The 11.5 per cent increase in health spending for 2023 has been lauded as significant improvement by stakeholders.
Malaysian Medical Association president Dr Muruga Raj Rajathurai said the allocation would pave the way for the much needed reforms in public healthcare.
"We wish to thank the health minister for working hard towards getting a higher budget for the Health Ministry.
"We believe his proposal for six new initiatives worth RM3.4 billion to the Finance Ministry in late September made an impact in convincing the Finance Ministry on the need for a much higher allocation for the Health Ministry," he said in a statement today.
He also said that the association was gladdened by the government's recognition that there was a need for a higher operational budget with its allocation of RM31.5 billion for the purpose.
Dr Muruga said he believed that this would go towards addressing the issue of many of its ageing healthcare facilities.
"We also welcome its plans to increase healthcare facilities. However we hope there will soon be further details on its plans for its healthcare human resources which represent the heartbeat of our public healthcare system. There is still a long way to go in addressing the issue of contract doctors and the shortage of specialists.
"The government's emphasis on prevention through enhancements to its various screening programmes is also welcomed. It is hoped this will encourage the public to take full advantage of the support given.
"Going forward, MMA hopes there will be transparency in the utilisation of the various allocations under the Health Ministry."
Association of Private Hospitals (APHM) president Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh said that while there were no incentives for private hospitals to help the public hospitals, the entities would continue to assist the government wherever they can.
"We will continue to help the government in treating patients who can afford healthcare on their own and this will reduce the burden of the public healthcare system.
"The budget is meant for patients who require a public healthcare system. We hope the government will continuously allow private healthcare to maintain its current structure without disruption of its business model. In turn private hospitals will be able to give more support to the public hospitals."
He said that private hospitals would also help treat medical tourists which would add revenue to Malaysia.