The health minister’s first 100 days – MHC

THE Malaysian Health Coalition (MHC) welcomes Dr Zaliha Mustafa’s appointment as health minister and congratulates her on becoming the first female to do so in Malaysia. We pledge to offer support and constructive suggestions to the minister as necessary and wish her success. 

We suggest the following guiding principles for the new minister’s first 100 days:

Continue the reform process

With the double threats of Covid-19 and an economic recession, the ministry must prepare our public healthcare system to meet a surge of patients needing healthcare. 

In the long run, we must reform our health system to make it more resilient. The proposal to increase public health expenditure to 5% of gross domestic product by 2030 should be continued. 

We also urge the minister to continue with the work of the Health White Paper and the Control of Tobacco Product and Smoking Bill 2022. We must resume the unfinished business as we embark on a multi-year journey of reforms to future-proof our health system and improve the rakyat’s wellbeing.

Care for health professionals

We are reassured that the minister has pledged to resolve the issue of contract doctors. We urge the minister to also simultaneously resolve the issue of all contract health professionals like dentists, pharmacists, nurses, paramedics and other contract professionals. 

There should also be improvements in their career progression, scholarships for further studies, fairer terms of service, and a better work environment (including time to rest).

For this, we suggest expediting the establishment of a health reform commission to provide guidance on how to strengthen the human capital for health in Malaysia.

Increase focus on social determinants of health

The Health Ministry’s (MoH) focus cannot just be on sick-care or healthcare, but must include health and wellbeing. Health is broad and includes early childhood education, nutrition, labour rights, social protections and even air quality. 

Many of these factors are not managed by MoH. Therefore, MoH must establish strong collaborations with other relevant ministries or agencies, and work together to improve the social determinants of health for all Malaysian residents.

MHC looks forward to working closely with the minister, and to building a Malaysia where all residents can receive the best healthcare whenever and wherever needed, without financial hardship. We look forward to a progressive five years ahead. – The Vibes, December 12, 2022

The Malaysian Health Coalition is an apolitical coalition of over 70 Malaysian health professional societies, health professionals, and citizens

Readers may find a full list of members here myhealthcoalition.org