Health Minister needs time to achieve meaningful White Paper reforms, says MMA

PETALING JAYA: The Health Minister should be given enough time to address concerns about the future of the nation's healthcare, says the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA).

Its president Dr Muruga Raj Rajathurai said while it is waiting for the Health White Paper (HWP) to be tabled soon, “it is not a final document for the implementation of health reforms”.

He said that the HWP was a concept document with a comprehensive coverage of the areas that need to be worked on.

"Only when there is acceptance of the HWP by all concerned, will there be a concerted effort on the details which some are asking for," said Dr Muruga in a statement on Thursday (June 15).

He said the reform process will take up to 15 years which will allow for detailed engagement with all relevant stakeholders as well as detailed analysis of what is needed on the way forward.

"The 15 years is needed for adjustments to be made throughout the reform process as the health system will not remain static, as it traverses through the years of an ageing nation which will present different challenges along the way.

Dr Muruga said what is needed now is to allow the HWP to be approved as the first step towards a meaningful reform process.