Kuala Lumpur: The potential of the 5G network is set to be harnessed to enhance health literacy and improve the quality of Malaysia’s health services through the Future Health for All (FH4A) pilot programme, as announced by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil. The initiative, organized by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), will leverage cutting-edge technology and 5G connectivity to ensure inclusive and equitable access to health services across the country.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fahmi detailed that the FH4A pilot programme will initially be launched in 20 selected locations across six states, including Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, and Johor. The rollout will begin in Kuala Lumpur and will progressively extend to the other states, culminating in Johor. Fahmi expressed optimism about increasing collaboration with other healthcare providers, including teaching and private hospitals, to broaden the programme’s reach and impact.
Fahmi highlighted that Malaysia’s nationwide 5G network coverage reached 82.4 percent in populated areas by December 2024, positioning the country as one of the fastest globally in expanding communication access. The penetration rate of 5G access among the populace increased nearly five-fold, reaching 53.35 percent, compared to 10.8 percent in October 2023. This extensive connectivity is anticipated to support self-help healthcare initiatives among the people.
The FH4A programme is a strategic collaboration involving MCMC, the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), the Malaysian Pharmacy Association (MPS), Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), ProtectHealth, Khazanah Research Institute (KRI), and KPJ Healthcare Bhd. It aims to promote future health technology, especially in light of the rising cases of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which significantly impact the national economy. Fahmi noted that RM9.65 billion, or 16.8 percent of Malaysia’s health expenditure, is allocated to treating NCDs.
The National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) revealed that Malaysia’s health literacy rate, which measures the ability to understand and access information for health maintenance, showed minimal improvement from 2019 to 2023, with an average increase of only one percent. Fahmi expressed hope that the FH4A programme will not only boost health literacy but also heighten public awareness and preparedness for health-related challenges.
In rural areas, nearly 1,100 National Information Dissemination Centres (NADI) will work to enhance health literacy through the e-Health programme. Fahmi cited examples of existing facilities in Pulau Bum Bum in Semporna, Sabah, and Ranau, Sabah, where residents can access the internet for health consultations without traveling to major cities like Kota Kinabalu.