Malaysia in dire need of more palliative specialists

Well done: Khairy presenting prizes to winners at the 2022 World Hospice and Palliative Care Day Celebration programme at Hospital Rembau in Negri Sembilan. — Bernama

REMBAU: An estimated 218 palliative specialists are needed by the country since it is an important component of health protection and primary healthcare as stated by the World Health Organisation, says Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

“In Malaysia, it is estimated that a total of 150,000 adult patients require palliative treatment. Although palliative services have grown in the country, the Health Ministry is only able to cover around 10-15% of the total number of people treated.