MMA president Dr Koh Kar Chai lauded health minister Khairy Jamaluddin for leading the charge for a health white paper, saying politicians often feared calling for healthcare reforms.

Citing the failures of past attempts at reforming the public healthcare system, Koh said the white paper needed bipartisan support so that it can be tabled at the next Parliament meeting.

“We have been doing reasonably well all these years with a rather low healthcare spending, which is remarkable, but there have been glaring inadequacies which were exposed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The voices of demand for healthcare reforms must continue into the next government that will be voted in to avoid the failures seen with previous attempts to reform the Malaysian health system.

“To rest on one’s laurel even after the white paper has been tabled will see a failure on the push for reform,” he said in a statement.

Expressing confidence that health reforms will finally be implemented this time around, Koh said the pandemic had increased health literacy among Malaysians, helping shore up society’s support for reforming the healthcare system.

The health ministry has formed a 13-member health white paper advisory council to contribute ideas, recommendations and advice to the ministry in the process of developing the white paper.

Co-chaired by ex-health minister Dr S Subramaniam and former Employees Provident Fund and Khazanah Nasional chief Shahril Ridza Ridzuan, the council also comprises individuals representing those with health, economic, academic and social experience.