PETALING JAYA: The controversial Rakan KKM initiative is an attempt to creatively reform the nation's healthcare system, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
The Health Minister said that due to government's budgetary constraints, he had no choice but to get "creative".
“If you can’t give me the resource, allow me to be resourceful.
“We want to retain our specialists, reduce the bleeding, and invest back into public facilities.
“I can’t keep asking for more budget - so I’m unlocking value through reforms,” said Dzulkefly.
Rakan KKM is a new initiative by the Health Ministry to introduce a "premium economy" or paid service within public hospitals and clinics.
Various quarters have voiced fears that the incorporation of Rakan KKM Sdn Bhd signalled a move towards the privatisation of public health services.
Dzulkefly was speaking at a launch of the book titled “Crisis and Community: Covid-19 in Malaysia” at Gerakbudaya here on Sunday (July 27).
The book is a compilation of essays on the Covid-19 crisis by all levels of society, edited by Bridget Welsh.
At the forum, Dzulkefly insisted that health security must be dealt with “the same urgency as we defend our borders".
“That means sustained investment in our healthcare workforce.
“I am introducing a "game-changing" initiative where public facilities collaborate with private sector specialists, likely under a GLIC (government-linked investment company) model.
“The idea is to generate revenue through elective services (non-emergency), possibly in specialised private wings within public hospitals.
“Funds generated would cross-subsidise public health services and infrastructure,” said Dzulkefly.
He also stated that Covid-19 had shown that the healthcare system has inadequate social safety nets for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and the mentally ill.
“We must never again frame public health and economic survival as rigidly opposed choices.
“Future crisis governance must be targeted, empathetic, data-informed, and inclusive.
“We must design interventions that are community-driven and flexible - not one-size-fits-all,” said Dzulkefly, revealing that Malaysia’s struggle to get vaccines earlier in the pandemic exposed a global system skewed in favour of the rich.
