THE Ministry of Health (MOH) is intensifying efforts to enhance and strengthen rehabilitation services, including the use of advanced medical technologies, to support the health and wellbeing of Malaysians aged 60 and above.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the ministry is committed to progressively equipping government clinics and hospitals with high-tech rehabilitation tools to ensure optimal and effective recovery treatments.
He said the adoption of advanced technologies in healthcare is carefully monitored, assessed, and implemented based on patients’ suitability and clinical needs.
“KKM recognises that Malaysia is projected to become an aged nation by 2036, with senior citizens expected to comprise more than 15 per cent of the population,” Dr Dzulkefly said in a written parliamentary reply published on the Parliament website.
“This demographic shift, coupled with the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), will have significant cost implications and necessitate holistic health planning. Therefore, KKM is actively enhancing and empowering rehabilitation services at all levels, including primary, secondary, tertiary and community health,” he added.
Dr Dzulkefly was responding to a question from Datuk Lo Si Fui (GRS–Tawau), who asked about government initiatives to support elderly healthcare, including the provision of rehabilitation centres and high-tech equipment to ensure more effective care.
Lo noted that Malaysia currently has 3.9 million senior citizens, accounting for 11.6 per cent of the total population of 34.1 million.
According to Dr Dzulkefly, basic rehabilitation services are available free of charge for citizens at 1,103 health clinics nationwide. These services include early detection of functional decline through physical and cognitive assessments, as well as screening for early signs of geriatric syndromes such as muscle weakness and balance problems.
He said at-risk elderly individuals receive targeted interventions such as therapeutic exercise, self-care education, mobility aid training, injury and fall prevention programmes, and caregiver training.
“To date, these services are delivered by 1,053 medical rehabilitation officers, comprising 603 physiotherapists, 446 occupational therapists and four speech therapists,” he said.
“For more complex cases requiring specialist care, patients are referred to Ministry of Health hospitals. For elderly patients needing specialised and extended interventions, specific programmes such as the Elderly Care Programme, Stroke Rehabilitation Continuum Programme, Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programme are also provided,” Dr Dzulkefly said.
He added that a total of 2,866 medical rehabilitation officers currently serve in these programmes — 1,398 physiotherapists, 1,099 occupational therapists, 157 speech therapists and 212 audiologists.
“Rehabilitation services will continue to be strengthened through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives under a ‘whole-of-government’ and ‘whole-of-society’ approach,” he said.
“This will serve as the foundation to ensure that Malaysia’s senior citizens age healthily, with dignity, productivity, and support from a sustainable and elderly-friendly healthcare system.” - October 31, 2025
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