PUTRAJAYA should raise the allocation for healthcare by 5% in Budget 2023 to show its commitment in reforming the healthcare system, the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) said today.

In Budget 2022, the government allocated RM32.4 billion to the Health Ministry for operating and development expenditures. 

MMA president Dr Muruga Raj Rajathurai said that this is important to address the manpower shortage in public healthcare facilities.

“We hope the current 1,500 permanent positions for next year can be doubled,” Muruga said in a statement.

“We also hope there will be increased allocations to support specialisation programmes. Emphasis is needed in this area to address both the acute shortages in specialists and to ensure Malaysia is equipped with specialisations that will be in high demand when the country reaches ageing nation status.”

In 2030, 15% of Malaysia’s population will be 60 years’ old or older.

Muruga said the additional funding is necessary for the upgrading and maintenance of current facilities.

New facilities are also needed in rural areas to ensure equal distribution of healthcare, he said, adding that corresponding infrastructures, such as roads, must be up and running for accessibility.

“The deep interiors of Sabah and Sarawak are where these efforts are needed the most. There is also a need for a respiratory centre in Kedah.”

Specialist centres must also be set up in the northern and southern parts of the peninsula to cut down on patient travel time, he said.

Muruga also suggested the setting up of a research and development unit locally to reduce dependency on foreign pharmaceuticals.

Tax breaks should also be given to encourage the public to go for health screenings, he said.

General practitioners also need to be looked after as they provide primary care, he said.

“The more than 8,000 private GPs nationwide, as witnessed during the pandemic, have an important role in the county’s healthcare system.

“The government should take advantage of this wide distribution of private clinics in the delivery of healthcare through programmes for the communities.”

In terms of the prevention of communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCD), more budget is also needed, he said.

“MMA is deeply concerned over the rising cases of NCDs. To encourage Malaysians to adopt a healthy lifestyle, the government should increase the tax incentives for those regularly engaging in sports and fitness activities as well as for purchases of sports equipment.”

The budget will be tabled on October 7. – September 16, 2022.