THE development of the Health White Paper comes at the right time to make the national healthcare system more resilient in facing future challenges, said Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob. 

He said the health challenges faced previously and future expectations should serve as a basis to improve and strengthen the existing healthcare system. 

According to Ismail, after more than two years since the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world, a comprehensive plan needs to be drawn up to ensure the well-being of Keluarga Malaysia remains assured in the future. 

“Our country’s healthcare system, whether public or private, has been functioning perfectly well, enabling the majority of Keluarga Malaysia to enjoy good health, especially when Covid-19 cases peaked. 

“However, we should not be complacent because there will be many new obstacles that will challenge the level of effectiveness of the existing healthcare system,” he said when officiating the Health Policy Summit 2022: The Future of Our Healthcare - Health White Paper Development in Kuala Lumpur today. 

The prime minister said the Covid-19 pandemic has presented serious health challenges for the coming years, including the issue of the ageing population, which poses a major challenge to the country’s healthcare and social systems. 

He said Malaysia is expected to reach ageing nation status by 2030 (when those aged 60 and above make up 15% of the population), contributing to an increase in disease prevalence as well as demand for healthcare from a group estimated to be two to three times bigger than that of younger adults. 

Ismail said the prevalence of non-communicable diseases would also increase with one in five adults in the country developing diabetes and one in three adults suffering from hypertension. 

“Based on the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019, these numbers are worrying because most of them are unaware that they have it, causing them to face a (higher) risk of fatality. For example, 87% of Covid-19 patients who die are those who suffer from at least one chronic disease, such as diabetes or hypertension. 

“In addition, mental health problems are also on the rise, with 2.3% of adults suffering from depression and 7.9% of children aged between five and 15 having mental health issues, and this figure is expected to increase,” he said. 

In this regard, Ismail expressed hope that the national healthcare system would support and help Keluarga Malaysia stay healthy, and no longer focus on reactive treatment and intervention. 

The prime minister said the government will continue to play its role to ensure that the country’s healthcare sector remains resilient and flexible to face future challenges. 

He said efforts to ensure the effectiveness of the national healthcare system should not be the responsibility of the Health Ministry alone, but also all parties from the public and private sectors as well as civil society groups. 

“...The transformation of the country’s healthcare system must involve various aspects, including adopting whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches. 

“I also believe that if we work together and strive for wellness, we can redesign healthcare services for Keluarga Malaysia,” he said.

In his speech, Ismail also called on Keluarga Malaysia to cultivate healthy lifestyles by staying active, nurturing healthy minds, eating healthily, not smoking, and undergoing regular health screenings. – Bernama, August 15, 2022.