HEALTHCARE in Malaysia may be among the world’s best but this is true only for those with deep pockets, said observers.

Professionals and lawmakers who have studied the public and private healthcare systems said the majority of working and middle-class Malaysians deal with long waiting time and skyrocketing prices.

Their comments come after the country clinched the top spot in the “best healthcare in the world” category of the 2019 annual global retirement index by expatriate and retiree magazine International Living.

Naturopathic physician Wong Ang Peng said the magazine’s evaluation is a “healthcare living index” targeted at an affluent foreign audience and not a true measure of a country’s healthcare system.

“Yes, our hospitals have a lot of modern equipment. We have English-speaking experts and staff, our complementary medicine industry is good and more importantly, we are relatively cheaper compared with similarly advanced countries,” said Wong, who has written research papers on micronutrients and cardiovascular diseases.

“But it does not reflect the quality and affordability of healthcare for the majority of our people.”

This is evident in the prices of drugs and treatments, said Klang MP Charles Santiago, adding that the majority of Malaysians struggle to pay for basic cancer treatment.

The cost of cancer medication and chemotherapy easily ranges between RM50,000 and RM300,000, said the lawmaker in his World Cancer Day message.

A 2015 survey showed that nearly half of Malaysian cancer patients became broke a year after diagnosis, he said.

“According to the George Institute for Global Health, 99% would use up their life savings, 39% could not afford to pay for medication and 19% decided to discontinue treatment.”

Top quality, for a few

International Living’s healthcare rating is used to assess its annual global retirement index, which rates the top 10 destinations for English-speaking retirees.

Its reviews appear to be aimed at an American audience, as price comparisons are in US dollars and the costs of medical care, food, utilities and property are measured against similar goods and services in the US.

Malaysia came out tops in the healthcare category, beating France, Thailand, Ecuador, Mexico and Costa Rica, getting high marks for quality and affordability.

“Healthcare is one of the most important factors that potential expats take into consideration before moving abroad and in the right places overseas, it’s possible to access world-class care for a fraction of the cost back home. The six countries that take top places in our global retirement index offer retirees first-rate care, with service that is top class and affordable,” said the magazine.

In the overall global retirement index for this year, Malaysia placed fifth, below Panama, Costa Rica, Mexico and Ecuador, but ahead of regional rival Thailand, which placed ninth, Portugal (seventh) and Spain (10th).

Surgeon-turned-lawmaker Dr Ko Chung Sen said the overall standard of doctors and specialists in Malaysia is similar to those in developed nations but at a fraction of the cost.

“It is easily accessible in most big cities, with easy communication as most doctors and nurses can speak English. Even government hospitals in big cities have good doctors and equipment,” said the Kepayang assemblyman and former Kampar MP.

“But Malaysia is ranked top for those who can afford to pay,” he said, adding that the high standards remain out of reach for most Malaysians, who depend on government hospitals.

Government hospitals are underfunded and understaffed and routine scans can take months to complete due to long waiting lists, he said.

During his time as MP, Ko regularly spoke on healthcare issues and three years ago, warned about a shortage of beds at government hospitals while private ones saw a massive increase.

Between 1990 and 2012, beds at private hospitals went up 202%, from 4,675 to 14,127, whereas those at government hospitals increased by a mere 28.9%, from 33,124 to 42,707, he had said, quoting government statistics.

“The cost is going up rapidly and is pricing average Malaysians out of essential healthcare.” – February 8, 2019.