Healthcare roadshows off to a good start

The Star PETALING JAYA: The Health Ministry's roadshows on Malaysia's healthcare transformation kicked off with its top officials and the public coming together at its first forum here.

More than 100 healthcare professionals and the public filled the hall at the Institute for Health Management for the event yesterday.

The forum, moderated by Universiti Sains Malaysia pro-chancellor Tan Sri Dr M. Jegathesan, featured three panellists International Movement for a Just World president Dr Chandra Muzaffar, Primary Care Doctors' Organisation Malaysia representative Dr Mahendran Markandoo and Health deputy director-general (medical) Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, in his opening speech, said changes to the healthcare system would be implemented in stages.

“Whatever system we implement must be better than the system we have now,” he said, adding the ministry had yet to decide on a new healthcare model.

Liow said the public engagement exercise would be carried out till the end of the year.

“Hopefully, next month we can organise another one,” he said, adding the frequency of the forums would depend on the “needs of the situation in a particular area”.

Liow also said ideas and opinions expressed during the roadshows would be compiled for the ministry's consideration while discussions with technical working groups would continue.

He added that the ministry would look into better ways to inform the public about the forums, including posting details on its website.

Dr Chandra welcomed the idea of public engagement and national dialogue on healthcare.

He hoped the Government would listen to the views of all parties and urged the public to be sincere in engaging with the Government.

Mahendran rooted for change, voicing his concern on the healthcare burden of an ageing population and increasing healthcare costs.

Noor Hisham explained the need to transform the healthcare system into one which was of high quality and affordable.

While most doctors in the audience were concerned about the details of the proposed healthcare model, the public wanted to find out whether they would get improved access to healthcare and if they would have to pay more for a new system.