GEORGE TOWN: Malaysia is embarking on a bold wave of healthcare reforms aimed at building a more resilient, equitable and future-ready system, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (pic).
The Health Minister outlined several key pillars of the national healthcare reform agenda.
He said these include healthcare financing reform, the Rakan KKM initiative to enhance government hospitals and clinics for all Malaysians, and implementing the Diagnosis-Related Group payment system by mid-2026 to address runaway medical inflation.
He noted that the revamped basic medical and health insurance/takaful is being introduced in collaboration with Bank Negara and industry players to provide better coverage for the M40 population.
“The digitalisation programme has already been rolled out, and we now have about 200 clinics using the Cloud-Based Clinic Management System,” he said on Saturday night, Bernama reported.
“About 15 hospitals will adopt Electronic Medical Records in 2025, with 16 hospitals to follow next year,” he added.
Dzulkefly also highlighted challenges in retaining medical professionals, while confirming that the Cabinet has been briefed on the consultation fees for private general practitioners and third-party administrator issues.
The Health Minister said the amendments to the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 (Act 586), specifically the Seventh Schedule, are under active discussion.
Previously, the media reported that the Seventh Schedule had never been amended since it was gazetted in 2006.
