PETALING JAYA: Reforming Malaysia’s public healthcare system must be a top priority under Budget 2026, says Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
He said the Covid-19 pandemic had exposed long-standing weaknesses in the system, such as overcrowded hospitals, staff shortages, outdated facilities, and inadequate digital infrastructure.
“Budget 2026 should be a turning point in transforming Malaysia’s healthcare into a modern, resilient and people-centred system,” he said in a statement to The Star on Wednesday (Oct 8).
Lee said the government must allocate sufficient resources not only to upgrade physical facilities but also to address systemic weaknesses that affect the quality and accessibility of healthcare.
He highlighted six key areas that deserve priority attention, starting with the need to tackle manpower shortages and address the mental health of healthcare workers.
“Thousands of doctors, nurses and allied health professionals continue to struggle with overwhelming workloads and burnout. Budget 2026 should provide for more permanent positions, fair remuneration, and mental health support programmes for healthcare frontliners,” he said.
Lee also called for more investment in primary healthcare and preventive services, saying prevention must be at the heart of any reform effort.
“More resources should be channelled to community clinics, health screening, vaccination, and health education to reduce the burden of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity,” he added.
On hospital infrastructure, Lee said many public hospitals and clinics were operating beyond capacity, with ageing facilities and insufficient equipment.
“Budget allocations must be directed toward upgrading hospitals, expanding bed capacity, and ensuring equitable access to healthcare in rural and remote areas, especially in Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.
He also urged the government to accelerate digital transformation in healthcare, including the adoption of digital health records, telemedicine, and AI-driven diagnostics to improve efficiency and patient care.
“Such advancements will help reduce waiting times and streamline healthcare delivery nationwide,” he said.
On affordable medicines and healthcare financing, Lee said Malaysia needs a sustainable model that ensures universal access to essential medicines and treatments without burdening the public.
“Budget 2026 should explore public-private collaboration to strengthen healthcare delivery and innovation,” he said.
Lee also stressed the importance of mental health services, calling for funds to train more counsellors, expand community-based mental health centres, and support early intervention programmes.
“Mental health must be given equal priority as physical health,” he said.
Lee added that investing in healthcare should be seen as an investment in the nation’s productivity, security, and social stability.
“A healthy population is the foundation of a resilient nation,” he said.
“Budget 2026 presents an opportunity to chart a new course toward a healthcare system that is fair, accessible, and future-ready for all Malaysians,” he added.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to table Budget 2026 at the Dewan Rakyat this Friday (Oct 10).
