From the economic viewpoint, health care is a merit good that an individual or society should have on the basis of some concept of need, rather than ability and willingness to pay. However, current trends show that one day, there could be an eventual corporatization of the public sector facilities and services should be allowed to unfold, there could come a time when market forces dictate the price, extent and quality of the services offered.
According to THIS LINK:
A UNDP Human Development Report (2006) paper determined that in 2005, the
Malaysian government spent just 2.2% of its gross domestic product as its contribution to the public sector health care funding, while some 1.6% of our health care expenditure came from the private sector. The World Health Report 2006 stated that the Malaysian government spends some 6.9% of its total expenditure, on health care. Yet despite such a low level of national investment on health care (just 3.8% of GDP), we have achieved quite laudable health outcomes results. Our life expectancy at birth has risen from 55.8 years and 58.2 years for men and women, respectively in 1957, to 71.8 and 76.3 years, respectively for 2006.
The tax-funded public health care sector caters for the bulk of the population (~65%), but is served by just about 45% of all registered doctors, and even fewer specialists ((25-30%).7 The cost of these services is almost entirely borne by budget allocations from the central treasury, with patients paying paltry nominal sums for access both to outpatient clinics or admissions to hospitals. These are offered at unrealistically cheap but clearly cost-effective if heavily subsidised rates. However, this is questionably sustainable in the longer term, if we allow market forces to prevail.
Currently, budget allocations subsidize the public sector so patients paying only nominal fees for outpatient treatment and hospitalisation. The private sector on the other hand, has grown tremendously over the past 25 years. However, this two-tiered system with quite different goals may be unsustainable in the longer term. It is unlikely that there can be full integration of private-public health care sectors. We can hope for better partnership and collaboration of services to harness the best of each system for the health care betterment of our citizens. We should aim for a more cost-effective system. A single or easily portable system of reimbursement should also be considered. No matter what, our government must take care of the welfare of its citizens.
In reality, there are many health-care issues in our country including:
- Long waiting list at public hospitals
- Lack of control of charges in private hospitals
- Lack of control of high tech medical equipment.
- Lack of action on preventive health care
- Level of competence of the doctors, nurses and paramedicals
If you want to know more about health care issues, fret not. Sembang-sembang Forum is organizing a talk called "No Money To Pay The Doctor"--- What's Wrong with Our Health Care?" on March 20th Saturday, 2.30p.m. at Kompleks Penyayang, Penang.
The speakers are Dr. Jeyakumar (MP Sg. Siput, PSM) and Dr. Jayabalan (Occupational Health Specialist).
Please come for the talk. You can be assured that it will be an enriching time for you.
Recommended for further reading:
Dr. Jeyakumar's Budget Speech
The Malaysian Health Care System - A Review by Dr. David K.L. Quek
Health Care - The Rights for All
Malaysian Health Care System
Financing Primary Health Care
Please leave a comment if you wish to share your views or concerns about this topic. Thanks. Have a lovely evening!
Anonymous Health Care?
No money, no talk!