The Madani Government Backbenchers Club (BBC) publicly urged the government on May 4 to deliver a clear mitigation plan addressing the proposed RM3 billion restructuring of the national health sector budget [1]. BBC chairman and Sekijang MP Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa stressed the need to ensure the adjustments do not harm the quality of public healthcare services, saying, “A clear and comprehensive mitigation plan must be presented to ensure that adjustments to allocations do not affect the quality of public healthcare services” [1].
Dr Zaliha emphasized accelerating key initiatives from the Health White Paper, including a shift to a wellbeing-based healthcare model. She also underlined introducing a basic Medical and Health Insurance and Takaful Plan (MHIT) to cut the federal fund reliance and build a sustainable financing system. “The introduction of a basic Medical and Health Insurance and Takaful Plan (MHIT) should be expedited as an alternative financing mechanism to reduce reliance on federal funds, while ensuring an inclusive, sustainable and affordable healthcare system,” she said [1].
To manage resources efficiently amid the restructuring, the BBC proposed temporarily putting new hospital construction on hold to prioritize upgrading existing facilities and increasing medical equipment availability. The club also called for enhancing local production capacity of medicines and medical devices to strengthen Malaysia’s health supply security [1].
The BBC highlighted the importance of refurbishing dilapidated health clinics and upgrading primary care facilities to at least Type 4 Health Clinics to alleviate congestion at public hospitals. It advocated continuing the Madani Medical Scheme, which has helped reduce dependence on public hospitals for minor treatments [1].
The club noted the restructuring must protect healthcare workers’ welfare to avoid increased workload, burnout, and migration of specialists to the private sector [1]. The government has yet to respond with details of any mitigation plan following the BBC’s call.
The BBC’s public appeal on May 4 marks the latest development as officials consider changes to the RM3 billion health budget aimed at meeting fiscal targets without compromising care quality [1].