PETALING JAYA: Malaysia must move towards value‑based healthcare, going from volume to outcomes and cost sustainability, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
The Health Minister reaffirmed several government initiatives including Malaysia Digital Health Certification Network (MDHCN) and the upcoming MediAsas, which will undergo pilot testing by the end of July at selected private hospitals.
“We need to find the value in improving health outcomes and patient experience, while ensuring value in every ringgit spent by patients in healthcare,” he said during the launch of the 32nd Association of Private Hospitals, Malaysia (APHM) International Healthcare Conference and Exhibition at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on July 28.
“It is about prioritising preventive care, minimising unnecessary hospital readmissions and prolonged admissions, and ensuring that every clinical intervention genuinely improves a person’s long-term quality of life in an age-ready manner.
“This deliberate, measured approach is precisely what will allow us to tackle rising healthcare costs practically and sustainably," he said.
He also noted that medical claims inflation in the private sector has been reported at around 15%.
“In the first half of 2024 alone, approximately 340,000 policyholders surrendered their medical insurance policies.
“This represents hundreds of thousands of Malaysians losing their crucial financial safety net when they are at their most vulnerable,” Dzulkefly said, noting that the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) had warned of a potential domino effect on public hospitals.
He added that the Joint Ministerial Committee on Private Healthcare Costs (JBMKKS), which he co‑chairs with Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, is accelerating reforms under the RESET Strategy, which includes the launch of MediAsas.
“With indicative premiums structured as low as RM60, MediAsas provides an affordable, essential safety net to bring underinsured Malaysians back into private care.
“To ensure long-term stability and safeguard consumer interests, JBMKKS is also establishing an Independent Governance Board to maintain ongoing oversight over the plan’s execution.
“Private hospitals have also shared clinical and financial data to help design the Diagnosis‑Related Groups (DRG) payment system that supports MediAsas.
Separately, the minister also invited private hospitals to join the Malaysia Digital Health Certification Network (MDHCN), which enforces the principle of “One Person, One Record.”
“This will make electronic medical records shareable between public and private providers, helping cut duplicate tests and scans that raise hospital bills,” he added.
He also praised Malaysia’s public healthcare system as one of the nation’s greatest strengths, citing programmes such as PeKa B40, Skim Perubatan Madani, MySalam and the Hospital Services Outsourcing Programme (HSOP).
Similarly, he acknowledged private hospitals' efforts to place Malaysia among the world’s top 10 healthcare tourism destinations offering world‑class services that benefit both the economy and Malaysians seeking top‑tier care at home.
The ministry further claimed that JBMKKS and APHM are finalising a standardised framework for hospital bill presentation this year, ensuring total clarity and empowerment for consumers.
