Medical reforms underway to shave off inflation in pharma and medical services

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad has pledged to reform the medical sector to head off the runaway inflation gripping the pharmaceutical and medical services.

He said that the ministry is now adopting a bold sense of measures to address growing concerns over healthcare inflation, which is said to be contributing to rise in living costs.

“We want an equitable, and cost effective system, ” he told delegates to dinner banquet of the 65th annual general meeting of the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) on Saturday night.

MMA has mostly 17,000 members, of whom majority are general practitioners while Penang has about 400 members.

Among the new measures to be introduced is the adoption of digitalisation to drive down costs and improve efficiency.

There is also the association (Rakan) ministry initiative to enhance the ministry’s hospitals and clinics for all Malaysians, and the implementation of a diagnosis – related group (DRG) payment system by next year to curb rising medical costs.

Many Malaysians are now forced to pay more for their medical insurance, due to the escalating import and operational costs.

Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin has been at the forefront in finding new ways to cut the rising medical costs.

To overcome high insurace premiums, Dzulkefly said that he would be revamping the basic medical and health insurance/takaful (MHIT) in collaboration with Bank Negara and insurers to provide better coverage to the M40 /B40 segments.

A digitalisation app will be rolled out, with about 200 clinics now using the cloud – based clinic management system (CCMS) while 15 private hospitals have adopted the Electronic Medical Records (EMR) with 16 more to follow next year,.

Dzulkefly highlighted challenges in retaining medical professionals of doctors and nurses, confirming an acute shortage due to pinching and migration.

The cabinet has been briefed on the consultation fees for general practitioners (GPs), and third-party administrators.

Sabah Umno leader Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan has urged the authorities to consider imposing levy on foreign companies hiring Malaysian GPs, who were trained to be doctors in public institutions, but end up plying their skills overseas.

Dzulkefly also said that the amendments to the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 (Act 586), specifically the Seventh Schedule, are under active discussion.