THE Health Ministry’s budget recalibration does not involve any reduction in operating expenditure for essential services across the ministry’s healthcare facilities, including medicines, consumables, raw materials and utilities, says Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (pic).
He said the RM500mil adjustment for the ministry was derived from savings linked to unutilised allocations for approved but unfilled posts, rather than cuts to services or hospital operations.
“It only relates to allocations for posts where, out of the savings or allocation provided for 50,000 posts, only 18,641 posts have been filled or approved, and the remaining allocation represents unused capacity.
“Therefore, no allocation is taken from operating expenditure for services, procurement of posts, or any other operational needs,” he told Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman (PN-Kuala Krai).
Previously, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said all ministries would face budget cuts under Budget 2027 as the government seeks to strengthen fiscal discipline amid global economic uncertainties.
The Health Ministry previously faced a much larger proposed expenditure reduction of about RM3bil.
The adjustment was capped at RM500mil following negotiations and proposals submitted to the Finance Ministry.
Dzulkefly added that the RM500mil budget cut would not involve development expenditure.
“All approved expenditure ceilings for 2026 remain unchanged, and all projects will continue as normal.
“Healthcare services and delivery by the Health Ministr nationwide, including in Sabah, will not be affected.”
