Implementation of national health insurance policy requires public support

KUALA LUMPUR: The implementation of a national health insurance policy requires the support of the public, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam (pix).
He said the government had been criticised by the public in 2012 when it proposed the 1Care for Malaysia policy.
"The government did try something similar five years ago with the 1Care system, but it was so badly damaged politically.
"Malaysians are so used to the public health system that even if there is an increase from RM1 to RM2 in charges, there is a hue and cry," Subramaniam said during a press conference after he launched the angiography and angio-CT hybrid machine at the Selayang hospital today.
Subramaniam was responding to a report on an online portal in which doctors called for a single payer, multiple provider system to be managed by the Health Ministry to bridge the gap between private and public hospitals.
The doctors added that the proposal could lead to better overall health care services for Malaysians, lower out-of-pocket spending, reduced waiting time and more modern medicines and technology.
Subramaniam said although the policy looks nice on paper, there is a lot to be done in terms of implementation.
Meanwhile, Subramaniam said the two doctors involved in recent cases of botched circumcisions have been referred to the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) for investigation.
"I have ordered for the two doctors that carried out the surgeries to be referred to the MMC for investigation."
Subramaniam said MMC has the power to revoke their license if the doctors were found to be negligent.