KUALA LUMPUR – The proposed increase for public health spending will be discussed during the tabling of the white paper on health in Parliament next month, said Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa.
She said the ministry will continue discussions with the Finance Ministry for allocations to the Health Ministry to be increased to up to 5% of the gross domestic product.
“Now, it is 2.9% (of the GDP), and if we compare our country with other middle-income countries, our equivalent countries, which are middle-income countries, are already at a rate of up to 5% (of their GDP),” she told a press conference here today.
Earlier, Dr Zaliha opened the Clinical Research Malaysia Trial Connect 2023 programme, which was held in conjunction with Clinical Research Day 2023.
Meanwhile, Dr Zaliha said Malaysia was ready to carry out its first-in-human clinical research at two certified locations, namely Sarawak General Hospital and Ampang Hospital.
“We have the facilities, and we also have discipline when we carry out our research. This has actually attracted the interest of many companies to do first-in-human (clinical trials) in Malaysia,” she added.
The event was also attended by Health Director-General Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi, Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, and CRM chief executive officer Dr Akhmal Yusof.
Dr Zaliha said today’s programme was to showcase the country’s achievements and capabilities in sponsored research.
“In the last decade, sponsored research has brought in more than RM1 billion of clinical research contract value, created 2,700 skilled jobs in clinical research, and delivered over 2,000 pieces of sponsored research,” she said. – Bernama, May 11, 2023
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