DR Dzulkefly Ahmad’s return as health minister comes with tough decisions to ensure healthcare quality and coverage is accessible to everyone who needs it, the Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy said.

Its chief executive officer Azrul Mohd Khalib said Dzulkefly’s appointment showed Prime Minister’s Anwar Ibrahim recognised the need for experience, expertise and prioritisation to address the short- and long-term challenges of the health portfolio.

“Dr Dzulkefly will need to hit the ground running and will face a steep learning curve,” Azrul said in a statement.

 “There will be less patience, very little sympathy and cynicism among many stakeholders. 

“The health minister must act to rebuild confidence, build alliances, and regain trust,” he said in a statement. 

Earlier today, Anwar announced his new cabinet, in which Dzulkefly would reprise his role of health minister. Dzulkefly held in the portfolio in the 2018 Pakatan Harapan government.

Azrul said some aspects of healthcare had become more challenging over the past year. 

“We make the following two recommendations for consideration in his first 100 days.

“Firstly, the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023 needs to be shepherded until it passes the Dewan Negara, is signed by the king, and gazetted into the statute books and hence becomes law. Nothing should be taken for granted.

“Anything could happen to stall the progress of the bill. Somehow, this past year has seen the government becoming labelled as being pro-tobacco and pro-vape industry, with many compromises.

“It erodes Malaysia’s obligations under the World Health Organisation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The incoming minister needs to immediately act to repair the damage to Malaysia’s reputation.”

Secondly, he said Dzulkefly needs to consider the critical issues of finding a solution to sustainable healthcare financing; responding effectively to the crisis of non-communicable diseases; closing the gap on mental health; and addressing the lack of preparedness to an ageing population. 

“The previous minister faced the same issues and they did not see any improvement in the past year.

“The Health Ministry must also prioritise communicating its work more effectively and ensuring involvement of all stakeholders in the planning of programmes, and evaluation of outcomes.”

Azrul added that Dzulkefly must make people the centre and beneficiaries of policies.

“We hope that he works in collaboration and consultatively with the private sector, patient groups, affected communities and civil society organisations.” – December 12, 2023.