White paper on health set to be tabled in Parliament in June

KUALA LUMPUR: The much-anticipated Health White Paper (HWP) is expected to be presented in Parliament this June, says Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa.

She said arrangements to do so were already underway, with the matter also being brought to the Cabinet.

“We have contacted parliament officials to set a date for tabling the white paper,” she said at a press conference after attending a town hall session on the matter yesterday.

The HWP is a document that highlights challenges faced by Malaysia’s healthcare system and proposes solutions for a higher quality, more sustainable and resilient healthcare system, as a phased reform over a 15-year period.

She said reformations offered through the HWP were crucial to ensure the national healthcare system is sustainable.

She said it would also ensure the healthcare system was durable and responsive towards public health not only for the present but also the future.

“Town hall sessions are essential towards sharing some of the reformation plans (in the HWP) alongside hearing the people’s input on it.

“There will also be upcoming town hall sessions conducted in Sabah, Sarawak and other regions,” she said.

The document also outlines four pillars and 15 strategies to reforming the healthcare system.

The four pillars are transforming healthcare service delivery; advancing health promotion and disease prevention; ensuring sustainable and equitable health financing; and strengthening the health system’s foundations and governance.

Dr Zaliha also launched a website on the HWP during the session, adding it would function as a platform for the public to learn more about the document’s content.

“The website also allows the public and stakeholders to air their views and even submit suggestions for inclusion into the HWP,” she said.

The HWP also proposed for a health reform commission to be set up to monitor the implementation of all health reform strategies outlined in the white paper.

Separately, Dr Zaliha assured that the Covid-19 situation nationwide was under control.

She said the subvariants currently present were the XBB1.5, 1.16 and 1.9, and were from the Omicron strain.

“Although these subvariants are more infectious, their symptoms are not as severe.

“The Covid-19 situation is still under control, and there is no need to panic,” she said.