Budget 2019: Health Minister happy with RM29bil allocation

KUALA LUMPUR: Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (pic) is “happy” and “thankful” to the Prime Minister and Finance Minister for increasing the allocation to his ministry by 7.8%.

“This is very encouraging for all the people in Health Ministry,” he told reporters after Budget 2019 was unveiled in Parliament on Friday (Nov 2).

“The top management would shoulder this responsibility well, and we will reduce inefficiencies,” he said.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, who had earlier tabled Budget 2019, said the allocation for health services would be increased to RM29bil from last year's allocation of RM27bil.

This allocation includes RM10.8bil to restore clinics and hospitals, as well as for the purchase of medicine and medical equipment.

On the Protection Health Scheme (Peka) for individuals in the B40 group, Dr Dzulkefly said it is expected to benefit 800,000 people.

“The scheme for this B40 group starts with RM100mil.

“At the very least we have started with these individuals, which is as many 800,000 people,” he said.

The Peka scheme will involve a pilot health screening project for B40s aged 50 and above.

When asked about the enforcement of no-smoking zones in restaurants and eateries, Dr Dzulkefly said he was not worried about it.

“It is not a problem, we will do it, we have enforcement (powers),” he said, adding that he has a “good number” of enforcement officials from his ministry for the matter.

For full coverage of Budget 2019, go to http://bit.ly/budget2019TheStar.