The ministry of health has recently unveiled a new proposal to upgrade our existing healthcare system in Malaysia... This is just in the discussion stages, it was said that it would take 10 years or more to finally implement the proposals ideally, but the suggestions are really interesting... Here are the summary of the news report from NST...
To ensure all Malaysians get adequate healthcare, wage earners will have to make scheduled monthly contributions to the proposed National Health Financing Scheme. The self-employed, those who have an independent income as well as employers would also have to contribute.
The rate of contributions is expected to be based on wage scales, in which the rich will pay more. The poor will not have to contribute to the scheme but will still be covered.
The government proposes to set up a health financing scheme that will give all Malaysians access to primary healthcare at any public or private clinic for free.The scheme will also look at secondary healthcare coverage and the illnesses and treatments it might be able to cover.
Only workers aged 18 and above with an income that has reached a certain threshold, need to contribute.
Children will be financed by their parents.
The poor and disabled who have no income or whose income does not reach the threshold need not contribute.
For those well-to-do people who wish to stay in a suite rather than a standard room, they will have to pay the difference. The rich will still get to enjoy whatever luxury they want as long as they pay for it. Otherwise, they will get a standard room like everyone else.
To ensure that no one abused the free healthcare provided, patients would have to pay part of the cost (a co-payment) of the drugs and medication prescribed to them. For the poor and less fortunate, the government will take up the copayment.
Strengthening the healthcare system like governance and standards of care
To grant more autonomy to primary healthcare providers in areas like human resource and management
To integrate all public and private clinics so that they are all linked under a common network so that people can access either one
Introduction of the national health insurance under the national health financing scheme.
The minister of health said it was time the government seriously look into this scheme, which was proposed during the Fourth Malaysia Plan (1981-1985) because although Malaysia has an enviable healthcare system among developing countries, it faces several challenges that affect its sustainability.
The benefit of the the scheme are controlled escalating healthcare costs, lets consumers choose to go public or private, offers better quality care, is more effective and efficient, and more viable and sustainable.
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