Health experts in Malaysia are endorsing a proposed social health insurance scheme, viewing it as a sustainable means to finance healthcare. The initiative, introduced as part of the health white paper by Health Minister Dr. Zaliha Mustafa, entails mandatory contributions from the government, employers, and working adults.
Azrul Khalib, CEO of the Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy, emphasized the potential of the scheme to address the prevalent issue of underfunding in the healthcare system by distributing the financial burden more equitably. Khalib, in a report to FMT, stated, “It also has the potential to stabilize public subsidization and allow space for cost-containment, while maintaining access and quality to essential services.”
Drawing parallels to successful models in South Korea and Taiwan, where social health insurance systems are funded through public contributions, Khalib recommended a sliding scale for individual contributions. This scale would consider factors such as age and monthly income, ensuring a fair and proportionate financial commitment from all participants.
Dr. Azizan Abdul Aziz, President of the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), echoed the support for a social health insurance scheme. Emphasizing the need for inclusivity, Dr. Aziz stated, “We need to take into consideration all income groups as well as those who are unemployed. If we decide to take this route, it needs to be fair to all.”
Dr. Aziz highlighted the impact of historical policies and a lack of political will on the current state of healthcare funding. Issues such as the uneven distribution of healthcare workers, shortages in specialists, and burnout among public healthcare workers were attributed to these challenges. To address these issues, Dr. Aziz stressed the importance of increased healthcare spending and effective leadership. The proposed social health insurance scheme is seen as a crucial step toward achieving these objectives and ensuring fair, accessible, and quality healthcare for all.
