NGO slams Rakan KKM as 'privatisation in disguise'
In a statement today, GEM president Armin Baniaz Pahamin described the programme, which allows patients to pay for expedited treatment at public hospitals, as a betrayal of the fundamental principle of universal healthcare.
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The Star
18 hours ago
- The Star
Creative financing key to sustaining national healthcare, says Dzulkefly
PETALING JAYA: Bold, creative financing reforms are the only way forward to heal the deep cracks in Malaysia's healthcare system unmasked by the Covid-19 pandemic, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (pic). Unveiling plans for public-private collaboration under a government-linked investment company (GLIC) model, he warned that health security must be treated with the same urgency as national defence. Dzulkefly said this yesterday at the launch of a book titled Crisis and Community: Covid-19 in Malaysia at Gerakbudaya here. On the concerns that the Health Ministry's Rakan KKM initiative is a form of healthcare privatisation, Dzulkefly said he will not reveal details but noted it was created due to budgetary allocation limits, national debt, and GDP ratios that restrict spending. He said health security must be dealt with 'the same urgency we defend our borders'. 'That means sustained investment in our healthcare workforce. 'I am introducing a game-changing initiative where public facilities collaborate with private sector specialists, likely under a GLIC model. 'The idea is to generate revenue through elective services (non-emergency), possibly in specialised private wings within public hospitals. 'Funds generated would cross-subsidise public health services and infrastructure,' said Dzulkefly. 'We want to retain our specialists, reduce the bleeding, and invest back into public facilities. 'I can't keep asking for more budget, so I'm unlocking value through reforms,' said Dzulkefly. He also said the Covid-19 had shown that the healthcare system has inadequate social safety nets for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and the mentally ill. 'Future crisis governance must be targeted, empathetic, data-informed and inclusive. 'We must design interventions that are community-driven and flexible, not one-size-fits-all,' said Dzulkefly. At the forum, consultant paediatrician and child disability activist Datuk Dr Amar-Singh HSS said that Covid-19 has revealed the fragility of our institutional services. 'During the height of the pandemic, we experienced desperate cries for help to find an ICU bed for their family members. 'The support for carers was weak, and equipment and resources were limited even in non-pandemic times, stretched thin. 'Some doctors placed their children with grandparents and did not see them for months,' said Dr Amar. He said that there must be better preparation for the next pandemic by placing greater emphasis on building our institutional services, especially health, education and social services. He also urged making indoor air more clean, as he said most indoor air is filled with 'airborne diseases'. Ampang Hospital paediatrician Dr Tan Hui Siu narrated how medical officers and healthcare workers trudged the pandemic and had to make do with what they had as frontliners. Virologist and policy analyst Dr Lyana Khairuddin called for better education on the vaccine naysayers as well as more investments be made into vaccine research and development.
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Getting 'creative' to reform nation's healthcare: Dr Dzul defends Rakan KKM initiative
PETALING JAYA: The controversial Rakan KKM initiative is an attempt to creatively reform the nation's healthcare system, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. The Health Minister said that due to government's budgetary constraints, he had no choice but to get "creative". 'If you can't give me the resource, allow me to be resourceful. 'We want to retain our specialists, reduce the bleeding, and invest back into public facilities. 'I can't keep asking for more budget - so I'm unlocking value through reforms,' said Dzulkefly. Rakan KKM is a new initiative by the Health Ministry to introduce a "premium economy" or paid service within public hospitals and clinics. Various quarters have voiced fears that the incorporation of Rakan KKM Sdn Bhd signalled a move towards the privatisation of public health services. Dzulkefly was speaking at a launch of the book titled 'Crisis and Community: Covid-19 in Malaysia' at Gerakbudaya here on Sunday (July 27). The book is a compilation of essays on the Covid-19 crisis by all levels of society, edited by Bridget Welsh. At the forum, Dzulkefly insisted that health security must be dealt with 'the same urgency as we defend our borders". 'That means sustained investment in our healthcare workforce. 'I am introducing a "game-changing" initiative where public facilities collaborate with private sector specialists, likely under a GLIC (government-linked investment company) model. 'The idea is to generate revenue through elective services (non-emergency), possibly in specialised private wings within public hospitals. 'Funds generated would cross-subsidise public health services and infrastructure,' said Dzulkefly. He also stated that Covid-19 had shown that the healthcare system has inadequate social safety nets for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and the mentally ill. 'We must never again frame public health and economic survival as rigidly opposed choices. 'Future crisis governance must be targeted, empathetic, data-informed, and inclusive. 'We must design interventions that are community-driven and flexible - not one-size-fits-all,' said Dzulkefly, revealing that Malaysia's struggle to get vaccines earlier in the pandemic exposed a global system skewed in favour of the rich.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
Rakan KKM part of push to fix public healthcare, says minister
PETALING JAYA: Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad has reaffirmed his determination to reform health financing, calling it a critical mission in his second term as the nation faces rising pressure on its public healthcare system. "This is my second bite of the cherry. I came back with a vengeance to get reform done — especially health financing. "We have studied the issues, we have run the numbers, and now, we must act," he said in his speech at the launch of the book "Crisis and Community: Covid 19 in Malaysia" here today. Dzulkefly said the country can no longer rely solely on annual budget increases, citing limited fiscal space and growing demands on public healthcare. He said there is a need for structural solutions that improve sustainability without compromising access or quality. Part of that broader reform agenda includes Rakan KKM, which he described as a "game-changer" to address talent attrition and generate revenue within the public system. The model allows specialists to offer paid elective services at selected public hospitals, with proceeds reinvested to upgrade facilities and expand capacity. "This isn't about jumping queues for emergency cases. It's about giving people an option for elective procedures while retaining top talent in the public sector." He also addressed concerns about fairness, emphasising that emergency and critical care services will remain fully subsidised and prioritised for all Malaysians. The programme, which provides "premium economy" services, will operate under the ownership of the Minister of Finance Incorporated (MOF Inc), ensuring transparency and public accountability. He said a full media briefing on Rakan KKM is expected soon, where further details on implementation, pricing, and safeguards will be announced. Dzulkefly also urged all stakeholders to support meaningful reform and judge the initiative by its long-term impact on the nation's healthcare system.
