Spoke at BFM today
Spoke at BFM today
In summary:
The Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 (Act 586) provides a legal framework to regulate healthcare facilities in Malaysia. Currently it only regulates doctors’ consultation fees and fees for medical procedures; it does not cover medicines, devices, consumables, admissions/ward fees, lab tests, accommodation, nursing care or other supplies. Proposed expansion aims to curb rising private healthcare costs, especially non‐medical fees, but amendments alone are unlikely to be sustainable. Key cost drivers are an ageing population, over‐utilisation of services (“buffet syndrome”) and rising non‐communicable diseases; policy should target these systemic causes. APHM sits on the Joint Ministerial Committee on Private Healthcare Cost (JMCPHC) as a consultative member, will provide data and operational perspectives; substantive JMCPHC discussion on Act 586 expansion has not occurred. The government’s plans for DRG remain unclear and premature to judge. Practical measures include reducing over‐utilisation, greater public investment, stronger primary care, prevention and health education.
