THE government is working towards establishing a new national health ecosystem to address escalating private healthcare costs and medical inflation, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad announced today.
The initiative is being studied by the newly-formed Joint Ministerial Committee on Private Healthcare Cost (Jawatankuasa Bersama Peringkat Menteri untuk Kos Penjagaan Kesihatan Swasta – JBMKKS), which includes representatives from the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Ministry of Finance (MOF), Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), private healthcare providers, insurance and takaful companies, medical associations and academics.
“The committee has already convened and formed several working groups to address the key issues related to rising private healthcare costs and medical inflation,” Dr Dzulkefly said during a press conference after officiating the handover of the Pasir Gudang Hospital project.
Also present were MOH Secretary-General Datuk Seri Suriani Ahmad, Public Works Department Director-General Datuk Roslan Ismail, Johor State Health and Environment Committee Chairman Ling Tian Soon, and Johor Infrastructure, Transport and Communications Committee Chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh.
Dr Dzulkefly said the aim of JBMKKS is to formulate a coordinated, collaborative framework that aligns with value-based healthcare principles.
On Wednesday, the MOF and MOH confirmed in a joint statement that the committee, co-chaired by Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan and Dr Dzulkefly, had held its first meeting and would be supported by a consultative council providing technical input and guidance.
“The cost of healthcare is a major concern for Malaysians, and the MADANI Government is taking proactive measures to address the issue,” he said.
Dr Dzulkefly noted that one such step already taken is the publication of medicine price listings to improve price transparency and enable patients to make informed choices before receiving treatment. - June 29, 2025
