Govt grants for private GPs to digitalise welcomed
In a press statement released today, MMA expressed their gratitude towards the health minister for his confirmation regarding the grant to digitalise GPs' clinics on July 23.
This decision was made under the joint initiative by the Health Ministry and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to support the national health transformation agenda by leveraging digital technology to expand healthcare coverage and improve access to services in urban and rural areas.
It was reported earlier that the Health Ministry is committed to strengthening Malaysia's healthcare service delivery and enhancing digitalisation under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), backed by a RM40 billion allocation.
MMA president Datuk Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira said private GPs provide essential front-line services in the community and help reduce strain on the public sector.
"Government support in the form of funding or grants for digitalisation, particularly electronic medical records (EMR) will be a significant boost for both young and senior private GPs."
For new clinics, the funding helps offset startup costs, while for established ones, it facilitates the transition from paper-based to digital systems.
Kalwinder said that EMR adoption improves care continuity, reduces administrative errors and supports nationwide health data integration.
With proper digital tools and policies, private GPs can be more seamlessly integrated into the national health system, enabling smoother referrals and better chronic disease management.
"A unified digital health infrastructure will also strengthen health surveillance and data-driven planning.
"As Malaysia moves towards becoming an ageing nation by 2030, and with non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension and heart diseases continuing to rise, it is more vital than ever that we invest in and prioritise our primary care system."
MMA also expressed its readiness to collaborate with the government on implementing healthcare reforms that strengthen primary care delivery. It emphasised the importance of coordinated action and inclusive policies in building a sustainable, equitable and future-ready healthcare system for all Malaysians.
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