Kuala lumpur:<Text>

Issues surrounding healthcare financing and rising medical costs must continue to be raised and debated in Parliament as they affect the wider public, said Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president Datuk Dr R. Thirunavukarasu. He emphasized the necessity of addressing these issues to ensure the well-being of the nation.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr. Thirunavukarasu highlighted the Malaysian Health Insurance and Takaful (MHIT) initiative as a significant step by the government to tackle medical inflation and increasing insurance premiums. This initiative, he noted, marks the government's first coordinated effort involving multiple ministries and the regulator.

Dr. Thirunavukarasu explained that healthcare costs have risen due to various factors, including an ageing population, the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), higher regulatory costs, and the increased use of advanced medical technology, particularly in secondary and tertiary care. He also pointed out that delayed treatments during the COVID-19 pandemic have led to a surge in cases post-pandemic, further straining the healthcare system.

He stressed that about 70 percent of the population relies on the public healthcare system, which is overstretched and requires strengthening as the country's safety net. He called for consistent pursuit of reforms outlined in the Health White Paper, including healthcare financing reform and manpower retention.

Dr. Thirunavakarasu reiterated MMA's stance that public healthcare spending should reach at least five percent of the gross domestic product (GDP), approximately RM70 billion to RM80 billion annually. He urged Members of Parliament to engage more actively in discussions on sustainable funding mechanisms to ensure long-term system sustainability. He concluded by emphasizing that healthcare should be a collective national responsibility, free from politicization.

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