THE Health White Paper will be brought to cabinet next week for approval before being tabled in parliament, said Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa. 

“It must be brought to cabinet before we can table it in parliament,” she told reporters after officiating the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) International Healthcare Conference and Exhibition in Kuala Lumpur today. 

The Health White Paper is the first step to reforming the Malaysian health system. One of its strategic thrusts is to ensure sustainable healthcare funding by diversifying monetary sources with a special focus on national health insurance.

When asked if Malaysia will follow in Singapore and Thailand’s footsteps in imposing a ban on vaping, Dr Zaliha said in making such a move, the government must consider aspects like public health and the economy.

Commenting on the nurse shortage at private health facilities, Dr Zaliha said the situation is likely due to distribution problems and requires reallocation. 

She said the country needs to consider recruiting nurses from abroad to help the private sector overcome the issue.

In his welcome address at the event, APHM president Dr Kuljit Singh said based on a November 2022 survey, which received responses from 103 hospitals, 9,224 more nurses are needed between 2023 and 2025.

During a media briefing at the ministry this afternoon, Dr Zaliha confirmed the Health White Paper will be tabled at the June 6-15 Dewan Rakyat sitting.

“After being tabled in parliament, we will still be open to views and suggestions from stakeholders … because we understand that during implementation, there will definitely be changes or new strategies or requirements in our health system,” she said.

She said the white paper, which will take effect over 15 years, covers short-, medium- and long-term strategies to overcome challenges faced by the public health service.

The briefing was done by Health Ministry Planning Division director Dr Rozita Halina Hussien. 

Dr Rozita said the white paper was developed to propose solutions with regard to service delivery, financing, governance and organisational reforms.

She said among the priorities of the Health White Paper are people-friendly primary healthcare that emphasises promotive and preventive care; strengthening public health functions, including preparedness to face health crises; and increasing investments for health while lowering patients’ out-of-pocket expenses. – Bernama, May 30, 2023.