KUALA LUMPUR: The Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) has praised the government's decision to increase the healthcare budget, noting that the larger allocation would facilitate faster healthcare services, particularly with the private and public sectors' outsourcing programme.
Its president Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh however hoped that the collaboration could be expedited.
"The amount allocated (for healthcare) should be substantially good and it shows that the government is serious and acknowledges the fact that healthcare costs have indeed increased.
"We hope this will help the citizens to seek treatment quickly," he said.
Dr Kuljit also hoped that private healthcare would be allowed to operate with less stringent cost containment measures to ensure its sustainability.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in his 2024 Budget speech announced an allocation of RM41.2 billion for healthcare, an increase from RM36.3 billion last year.
A total of RM200 million has been allocated for outsourcing patients to military, university, and private hospitals, with the aim of alleviating congestion at public hospitals.