‘HIGHER BUDGET REFLECTS FOCUS ON HEALTHCARE NEEDS’
It will boost health transformation initiatives, says health minister
THE increase in the Health Ministry’s 2018 Budget allocation shows that the government prioritises the people’s healthcare needs.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam, said the RM26.58 billion allocation was 9.5 per cent (RM1.7 billion) higher than the 2017 Budget allocation.
“This will boost health transformation initiatives and provide a strong base for health services to be provided to the people.”
Dr Subramaniam said RM30 million from the allocation would be used on new programmes. One such programme, named Kospen, was aimed at increasing awareness about noncommunicable diseases.
He said RM50 million would be used on a major transformative effort called Voluntary Health Insurance, a non-profit, voluntary insurance programme.
He said RM4.1 billion would be spent on medicine, drugs, medical aids and other consumables.
Dr Subramaniam said RM1.4 billion was allocated for the maintenance and upgrading of medical equipment and infrastructure at Muar, Banting and Balik Pulau hospitals.
A new 200-bed cancer institute in Sungai Petani will cost RM500 million, while a 300-bed block for women and children at Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital and Putrajaya Hospital will cost RM1 billion. Cardiothoracic and Cardiology services at Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital and Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital will also be upgraded.
He said Penang Hospital would get a specialist clinic and wards, while a forensic medical centre would be set up at Kuala Lumpur Hospital.
Dr Subramaniam said he was pleased to see a RM30 million allocation to boost end-to-end service in medical health tourism, and to promote in-vitro fertilisation and cardiology services.
“Private hospitals will be incentivised to take part in the campaign through the Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital programme.
“This will be managed by the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council, an agency in the ministry, to maintain the momentum of the medical tourism industry.”
On the introduction of flexible working hours for senior specialists, which would see them given a day to conduct research, training or locum work, Dr Subramaniam said the move was to incentivise them.
He said of the RM2.2 billion for scholarships under the Public Service Department, some would be allocated to the ministry for postgraduate education.
A special allocation of RM90 million was also announced for dialysis treatment.