KOTA KINABALU: The Health Ministry will submit a counter-proposal to safeguard non-negotiable core healthcare services from a proposed 10 per cent budget cut for the sector.
Its minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad stressed that essential services, including emergency care, medicines and medical supplies, must be protected as they form the backbone of the country’s public healthcare system.
“If it involves emergency healthcare services and medicines, we would say it is almost non-negotiable. This is because we know the Health Ministry is responsible for achieving universal health coverage nationwide. We are responsible,” he said.
Dzulkefly said the proposal to reduce the ministry’s budget came from the Treasury, but discussions are ongoing, with the ministry preparing its response.
He said the counter-proposal would be submitted in the near term, adding that any cost-saving measures should not involve critical areas such as patient care, medicine supply and medical requirements.
He said the ministry’s secretary-general would lead engagements on the matter, with input from relevant stakeholders before final recommendations are submitted.
“Our public healthcare facilities provide basic and essential services. These are fundamental requirements in ensuring quality healthcare delivery,” he said after launching the Sandakan Wellness Hub here on Saturday (May 2).
However, he indicated that adjustments could be considered in areas such as unfilled positions or deferred staffing needs, rather than affecting frontline services.
This comes after the Finance Ministry confirmed on Wednesday (April 29) that there were plans for a budget recalibration across all ministries, but only involving non-critical expenditure.
