A call for long-term care coverage

Photo: Filepic/The Star

WE refer to The Star’s article dated June 17 and titled “Ageing society will deeply affect healthcare and workforce, says EPF chairman” (online at bit.ly/ 3HWukKA). The concerns raised are timely and urgent – Malaysia is rapidly ageing, and our current healthcare and retirement systems are not adequately prepared.

Healthcare costs are rising at an unsustainable pace. Health-care inflation is currently estimated at 6%-10% annually, and out of pocket expenditure remains high at around 36%, based on World Bank and World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates. Malaysians spend an average of 9.5 years in poor health, and non-communicable diseases cost the Health Ministry nearly RM9.65bil annually. All this leaves many older Malaysians financially vulnerable, especially after retirement.