From newbie to trailblazer: first woman health minister’s year of adversities

ALMOST a year since taking office, Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa has made significant strides in her work, considering the daunting circumstances, despite being a newbie in the federal cabinet.  

The medical doctor-turned-politician has her work cut out as the country’s first woman health minister. 

One of her most striking achievements is the Madani Medical Scheme, which received an overwhelming response since its launch in July.  

Under the scheme, B40 households can receive subsidised medical treatment for simple ailments like coughs and colds at 1,587 registered private healthcare facilities nationwide. 

B40 households can also enjoy up to RM250 in medical expenses until the end of the year. Elderly singles can enjoy up to RM125 while those who are not married can get up to RM75 during the same period. 

Eligible beneficiaries are no longer confined to seeking affordable medical treatment in public clinics and hospitals. 

As of late September, Zaliha announced that 112,887 B40 households had benefited from the scheme. Some 181,460 B40 patients had also sought outpatient treatment from private clinics under this scheme. 

When tabling Budget 2024 last month, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the scheme would continue next year with a RM100 million allocation. 

A ‘groundbreaking’ Health White Paper 

Another feather in the cap for Zaliha is the tabling and approval of the Health White Paper in parliament. The paper outlined much-needed and overdue reforms towards a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient health system.  

It covers key areas such as service delivery, promotive and preventive approaches, financing, human resources for health, and system governance over a 15-year period. 

A doctor from Serdang Hospital described the white paper as “groundbreaking” with its plans to overcome perennial problems like overcrowding in public hospitals, especially in emergency departments and health clinics. 

“Apart from that, the white paper also strives to change society’s approach from seeking treatment to ensuring overall wellbeing by promoting preventive measures,” he said. 

With sustainable use of resources a key element of the white paper, Zaliha has made enviable progress in resolving one of the most contentious matters in public healthcare – the contract doctor issue. 

This year alone, some 4,300 doctors will be offered permanent positions at a cost of RM1.7 billion. Over the next three years, 12,800 contract doctors will get the same. 

The setting up of a high-level, inter-agency committee following a cabinet directive on April 1 helped untangle much of the bureaucratic knots that impeded progress in this long-standing issue. 

Uphill battle against smoking 

Another one of Zaliha’s challenges lies in the tabling of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023.  

One of the provisions in the proposed law was the Generational End Game (GEG), which aimed to reduce smoking prevalence. One way to achieve this is to prohibit the sale of tobacco and tobacco products to individuals born on and after January 1, 2007.  

In other words, it would have paved the way for Malaysia to be virtually smoke-free.  

The bill sought to end the commercial sale of tobacco products, de-normalise smoking culture, and ban the sale of smoking products, including conventional and e-cigarette products, to children.  

However, it has hit a snag. 

The Attorney-General’s Chambers has given its legal opinion that the GEG provisions in the bill can be challenged in court.  

It said this is because the provisions contradicted article 8 of the Federal Constitution: “...the provision creates unequal legal treatment between a person born before January 1, 2007 and a person born on and after January 1, 2007.” 

Health advocates maintain the GEG needs to remain in the bill.

“We can ill-afford to have young Malaysians hooked on nicotine,” a teacher told The Vibes, noting the increasing prevalence of vaping among the young. 

Each year, Malaysia records an average of 27,000 deaths nationwide due to smoking, which causes cancer, respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular problems. A 2019 study estimated that the economic toll due to productivity loss arising from tobacco use was at RM275.3 billion.  

Breaking from convention, Zaliha recently launched an online public survey to gather feedback on improvements to the bill. The final version is expected to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat soon following several postponements.  

Still, hopes are high that she keeps on breaking new ground in the ministry.  

As the doctor from Serdang Hospital said: “Our healthcare is set to catapult to the next level under her leadership.” – The Vibes, November 26, 2023