M'SIA'S PERFORMANCE IN HEALTH CAN BE USED AS A BENCHMARK - MSIAN DPM

KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's performance in health has been
exemplary and can be used as a benchmark by other developing countries, Deputy
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said Saturday.

He said the salient features of Malaysia's achievements in health were
universal access to a comprehensive public health sector, safety net for
catastrophic expenditure for chronic illnesses, minimal or no co-payments for
services in the public system and health services focused on health promotion
and disease prevention with responsive private sector health system.

"Consequently, there have been significant improvements in the health status
of our population with reduction in morbidity and mortality and an increased
life expectancy," he said.

He said this when opening the 67th Malaysian Dental Association (MDA) Annual
General Meeting, FDI International Scientific Convention and Trade Exhibition at
the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) here.

However, he said, the system of financing the present healthcare system
could not be sustained because of the many challenges.

The main challenges were a growing public-private dichotomy, relative
operational inefficiency between the two sectors, variations in practice and
standard of care, rising healthcare cost and changing patterns of health
expenditure.

The ministry was now working towards reform in the healthcare system where
the role of the private sector would be significantly enhanced, he said.

Four levels of policy changes were required to transform the healthcare
system, some of which were radical with huge implications, he said, adding that
the details were being worked out and implementation would be done in phases.

"The public will be informed accordingly, but what I would like to stress
right now is for all Malaysians to be aware that change is imminent and our
workforce must develop appropriate skills to embrace, facilitate and implement
that change," he added.

Muhyiddin also urged those in the dental profession to familiarise
themselves with the Government Transformation Plan (GTP) roadmap and work in
tandem with the government to ensure the success of the proposed health system
reform.

In the context of the dental profession and practice, there was a need for
participation by the dental industry to innovate, develop and manufacture dental
services and materials of exceptional quality to compete with the international
market.

"In the health sector, we expect greater revenue to be generated by more
aggressive participation in the healthcare travel industry, manufacturing of
medical devices and pharmaceuticals," he said.
-- BERNAMA