LAM THYE: FOCUS ON 3 KEY ISSUES
Council urged to introduce mental health plan, boost health industry and ensure safety of premises
TO improve Malaysia’s healthcare services, social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye has recommended that the Health Advisory Council focuses on three key issues.
He stressed the need for the introduction of a mental health development plan in view of the 2015 National Health and Morbidity Survey that showed 4.2 million Malaysians, aged 16 and above, suffered from mental health problems.
“Of late, we (have been) shocked by cases, including murder, involving suspects suffering from mental disorder. The ratio of students with mental problems has increased from one in 10 people in 2011, to one in five in 2016,” he said yesterday.
Last month, Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said an independent Health Advisory Council would be set up to advise the ministry on measures to strengthen healthcare delivery in Malaysia.
Lee also recommended that the national health industry be improved, especially public health services at government hospitals and clinics.
He said the third issue was the safety aspect of healthcare premises, especially hospitals and clinics, stressing the ministry needed to ensure they were at a satisfactory level.
He said data from the Fire and Rescue Department showed some healthcare premises were unsafe and a fire risk.
He said the authorities should conduct annual safety audits at healthcare premises.