THE Health Ministry (MOH) is hoping that the Health White Paper, which marks the beginning towards achieving a more sustainable and competitive Malaysian health system, will get full support from the government and all levels of society.

Health director-general Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan said the white paper is expected to be tabled in parliament in June to get bipartisan support from MPs before steps towards implementation can be carried out.

“Conceptually, it is complete and encompasses all aspects of health, but we need to start optimising the strategies and planning from now.

“We hope it will receive full support as this effort does not only involve the MOH. It requires comprehensive societal and governmental efforts to make the Malaysian health system more efficient,” he told reporters after attending the paper’s town hall session for the northern zone in George Town today.

Radzi said among the issues raised during the town hall session were the improvements in the health services, which are often plagued with over-crowding issues, especially at the emergency department and health clinics.

Apart from that, he said the MOH is also striving to change society’s approach from seeking treatment to ensuring overall wellbeing by promoting preventive measures.

He said the white paper will also focus on healthcare financing constraints as the drastic increase in the demand for health services and the rising cost of healthcare have also threatened the sustainability of healthcare funding. – Bernama, May 2, 2023.