It will take a lot to future-proof Malaysia’s healthcare system, especially if the proposed improvements are meant to guide healthcare reforms, regardless of who is the health minister and the government of the day.
Besides support across the political spectrum, it also requires people to realise that nothing is free, and that any gains for the current, and future generations, will involve investment and sacrifice by the people.
Obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr John Teo said this in response to Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin’s statement that “the future of healthcare is not in hospitals”, during his opening speech at the Health Policy summit in Kuala Lumpur, earlier this week.
Dr Teo, who is also a member of the Federation of Reproductive Health Association of Malaysia, said it was important to understand what this meant. He said most Malaysians wanted a healthcare system that was easy to access, kitted out with all the necessary equipment, facilities, and most importantly, highly trained doctors and medical staff.
The people too, he said, wanted a healthcare system that was affordable and treated them with respect, in a non-judgmental approach, regardless of gender, race, beliefs, or sexual orientation.
“While that may sound like a utopian healthcare system, there is no harm in shooting for the stars,” said Dr Teo.
“However, what needs to be done and included in the Health White Paper, is complex, and this includes integrating ideas, far and wide. It also includes dismantling decades of ingrained practices that cause more harm than good.”
Earlier this week, Khairy said reforms were needed in primary healthcare services to ensure it could provide whole-person care throughout an individual’s lifespan, not just for specific diseases. The minister said that the health model we inherited, from the time of independence, had changed very little over the past 65 years, and was premised on a predominantly curative lens, responding after the fact to illness, diseases and infirmity.
Dr Teo said while many were aware that prevention is better than cure, primary care must be the nucleus of the healthcare system.
“Only on rare occasions, will Malaysians need to be hospitalised, and even so, most should be planned, or elective events,” he said.
He added: “The bureaucracy-heavy Leviathan that is the Health Ministry may need to evolve in its role. It should also be noted that most of the suggestions mentioned by Khairy in his speech had been proposed and debated on over the years.”
Dr Teo said real, meaningful healthcare reforms can only take place if there is unified support across the political spectrum.
“I hope that this time, when the nation needs all the healing it deserves, politicians will stop playing politics, and for once, do what is right for all Malaysians.
“Malaysians too, need to realise that nothing is free. It may also involve some investment and sacrifice on our part, including changing our lifestyles, such as exercising more, and quitting smoking, and reducing the consumption of alcohol.”
Dr Teo added that Malaysians may also have to accept the fact that they may need to pay higher taxes, or fees at government healthcare facilities, or even buy health insurance.
“Malaysia’s healthcare has never been at such a pivotal crossroads, and I trust this time, politicians and Malaysians alike, will join hands and lead us on the road that will make our healthcare system safer, better, and greater.”
The Health White Paper is expected to be tabled in Parliament in November.
