KUALA LUMPUR: Stakeholders are actively involved in discussions on the National Health Fund, which was recently proposed to enhance healthcare financing.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said his ministry has been engaging extensively with stakeholders such as the Finance Ministry, Bank Negara, Employees Provident Fund and the private sector – including Bursa Malaysia.

“This is for them to understand where we’re coming from, that the fund is actually beyond just the consolidated fund or the tax sources, but also mobilising other sources of funding as well,” he said after launching the Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Clinic (CRRC) expansion at the National Heart Institute (IJN) yesterday.

Last week, Dzulkefly said in the Dewan Rakyat that the ministry was exploring the establishment of the fund for better healthcare financing.

He acknowledged the significant burden of out-of-pocket healthcare expenses borne by Malaysians, which currently stands at 37%.

Dzulkefly outlined that funding would be pooled from various sources – including tax and non-tax revenues – such as the proceeds from the sugar-sweetened beverage tax, which are earmarked for healthcare.

On the amendments to the Medical Act, Dzulkefly said there was no set timeline yet for its implementation.

“I will be practical and honest about this. We hope to implement it as soon as possible. That is as much as I can say (for now),” he said when asked whether it could be implemented by this year.

The Health Minister noted that there were still outstanding issues with the four graduates and four registrable specialist qualifications not included in the Fourth Schedule of the Act yet.

Four cardiothoracic surgery graduates’ applications to be listed in the National Specialist Register was rejected by the Malaysian Medical Council, and they have since sued the council.

The Star has reported that there is a dire shortage of cardiothoracic surgeons which has caused 1,500 heart and lung disease patients to wait for treatment.

The Medical Act 1971 Amendment Bill 2024, which clarifies the parallel pathway for specialist registration, was passed by Dewan Rakyat last week.

Many in the medical fraternity have lauded the amendments, including the Malaysian Medical Association and the Academy of Medicine of Malaysia.

They said the amendments could be a solution to the specialist shortage in the country.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/07/23/stakeholders-involved-in-national-health-fund-talks