HEALTHY GLOW OF OUR HEALTH SERVICES
MALAYSIA has achieved universal health coverage. It has made remarkable progress in improving health outcomes over the past seven decades.
At the time of independence, the number of infant deaths was 75.5 per 1,000 live births.
This has fallen by more than 90 per cent to 6.7 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2016.
Maternal mortality, which refers to the death of a woman caused by her pregnancy as well as during and after delivery, has also decreased by 89 per cent between 1963 and 2013.
The country eradicated smallpox in 1978, a year ahead of the World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring the world smallpox-free.
In 2011, Malaysia achieved the WHO regional target on Hepatitis B control through its childhood vaccination programme. This achievement was six years ahead of the target date set to reduce the rate of Hepatitis B among 5 year olds to one per cent.
Malaysia has been acknowledged globally for a high-performing health system based on a well-trained workforce, excellent infrastructure and quality service delivery. It has a low incidence of catastrophic healthcare expenditure.
According to data, less than one per cent of the population spent more than 25 per cent of their household budget on health. However, it is noteworthy that with rising levels of noncommunicable diseases, out-ofpocket spending has increased to 38 per cent of total health expenditure as of 2016.
Life expectancy in Malaysia has increased to 75 years.
Population projections suggest that in two years, seven per cent of the population will be 65 years and older.
About 70 per cent of deaths in the economically-productive age group are from consequences of non-communicable diseases. The onset of such diseases is often silent.