The health ministry allocation of RM36.1 billion, an increase of RM3.7 billion from the 2022 budget, is arguably not a game changer for the healthcare system, the think tank said.
Azrul Mohd Khalib, chief executive officer of the Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy, said it was disappointing that there was no mention in the budget speech of any commitment towards dealing with healthcare financing and investing in a sustainable long-term solution.
He welcomed the establishment of a mental health centre of excellence but said the allocation should have gone fully towards investing in more psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals.
“We need more service providers for the public to access both public and private mental health services. This will require long-term investment and commitment,” he said.
Azrul said the ministry did little about non-communicable diseases despite the finance ministry acknowledging that a high population lived with NCDs.
He said a national survey in 2019 showed that 3.4 million people currently live with at least two NCDs, and that half the adult population was overweight or obese.
“While the government has been willing to give RM150 aid for schoolchildren regardless of household income, it is still unwilling to introduce a nutritious food programme in schools,” he said.
“Stunting and obesity are both affecting a significant proportion of Malaysia’s children, regardless of economic background. When are we going to invest in addressing the problem of childhood malnutrition?” he said.
Former deputy health minister Dr Lee Boon Chye said there was no significant increase in funds for digitalisation for the healthcare system.
Lee said the RM117 million allocated was insufficient. “There should be more expenditure for computerisation so that we can access all medical records electronically. This will cost a few billion ringgit.
“Computerisation is essential as this will improve efficiency and service delivery for the health ministry,” he told FMT.
Lee also said it was disappointing that the budget did not provide more expenses for primary care as NCDs have been a big issue in the country.
The Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia president Dr Kuljit Singh said they were happy that there were a lot of incentives offered to the public.
Malaysian Medical Association president Dr Muruga Raj Rajathurai said the government’s recognition of the need for a higher operational budget would help address the issue of many ageing healthcare facilities.
Health minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the allocated funds given to the ministry would be used to strengthen health and wellness programmes, improve and repair healthcare facilities, increase the effectiveness of health treatments, replace critical and old medical assets, and digitalise healthcare services.