RM40bil for health sector under 13MP
KUALA LUMPUR : Putrajaya will allocate RM40 billion for the health sector under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said today.
Tabling the 13MP in the Dewan Rakyat, Anwar said this would include initiatives to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for public health services.
Anwar said new government hospitals and clinics would be built while more projects to upgrade existing health facilities would be carried out.
This includes the construction of Hospital Tuanku Ja'afar 2 in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan; Hospital Sultanah Aminah 2 in Johor Bahru, Johor; a cancer centre in Sungai Petani, Kedah; a heart centre in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah; and a cancer centre in Sarawak.
'A national framework for professional development in the health sector will be developed to address human resource needs.
'This initiative encompasses pre‑service training, licensing and registration, recruitment, placement, as well as career development to ensure talent retention in the health sector,' Anwar said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
10 hours ago
- Malay Mail
InvestPenang pitches Penang as Asia's next top medtech hub
GEORGE TOWN, Aug 10 — Penang's medical technology (medtech) industry is rapidly emerging as one of the state's most promising sectors, driven by strong global demand, robust local capabilities, and a well-established ecosystem. InvestPenang chief executive officer Datuk Loo Lee Lian said the state's expertise in precision engineering and automation, developed through its thriving semiconductor industry, has been instrumental in the growth of the medtech sector in the state. 'In the semiconductor industry, precision and automation are essential, and these competencies translate directly into the production of surgical instruments, implants, and high-accuracy medical devices. 'In fact, medtech often requires even greater precision than the semiconductor industry,' she told Bernama. The medtech sector also benefits from its synergies with the electrical and electronics manufacturing sector, as medical devices such as pacemakers, glucose monitoring systems, and diagnostic equipment rely on sophisticated electronic and mechanical components. Loo described the medtech sector as a 'hidden gem' because, unlike the cyclical semiconductor sector, it offers steady growth and higher profit margins, enabling companies to invest more in training talent. 'This stability also attracts talent, as jobs in the sector are less vulnerable to sudden hiring freezes or retrenchments,' she said. Globally, she noted, leading medtech clusters include the United States (US), Ireland, Puerto Rico, and Costa Rica, countries where government support has spurred industry growth over the past decade. In recent years, many companies have expanded into Asia due to rising cost pressures, shifts in policies, and the region's growing, wealthier, and ageing population. She said companies find it attractive to set up operations in Penang when expanding into Asia, thanks to its mature industrial base, skilled workforce, and well-developed supplier network. Moreover, local participation in the sector is also rising, with homegrown firms such as Straits Orthopaedics (Mfg) Sdn Bhd and UWC Healthcare, now serving the global market. Loo said InvestPenang has facilitated the sector's growth by organising exhibitions and engagement sessions with the Health Ministry and industry partners to showcase products and encourage the companies' inclusion in government procurement. However, she noted that medtech companies in Penang face three key challenges: the US Trade Agreements Act, which restricts the value of Malaysian-supplied products in US government contracts; geopolitical tensions and tariffs; and ongoing supply chain disruptions. Despite these hurdles, Loo is optimistic about the prospects over the next five years, and InvestPenang is constantly in talks with several medtech companies about potential investments. 'With Asia's ageing and increasingly affluent population, demand for advanced medical devices is set to rise. We expect to see more global names here, particularly in higher-end products, and we aim to strengthen the role of local companies in this space,' she added. — Bernama
Malay Mail
13 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Nearly 40,000 small businesses wired; next up tech boost for healthcare
JOHOR BAHRU, Aug 10 — A total of 38,804 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) nationwide were successfully digitalised under the Madani MSME Digital Grant (GDPM) in 2024, with approved funding of RM89.6 million. Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching stated that 2,838 of the recipients were clinics and pharmacies, representing approximately 19 per cent of such premises in Malaysia, based on data from the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA). 'This achievement demonstrates GDPM's effectiveness in helping MSMEs digitalise their services. This year, we are focusing on the health sector, targetting at least 50 per cent participation of private clinics and pharmacies,' she said at the GDPM Fest 2025 press conference here today. She added that in 2024, the government channelled RM90 million to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) through telecommunications service providers, with nearly the entire amount fully utilised. This year, Teo said the Finance Ministry has approved an additional RM50 million, with RM30 million channelled to MCMC through telecommunications companies to further support and strengthen MSMEs. 'This reflects the government's continued commitment to implementing digitalisation initiatives, which form a core pillar of the 13th Malaysia Plan,' she said. Regarding the GDPM Fest 2025 organised by MCMC today, Teo said the event demonstrates the government's determination to ensure MSMEs, particularly in the health sector, are not left behind in the wave of technological advancement. She said the initiative is a concrete step towards building a more efficient, inclusive and future-ready healthcare ecosystem. The programme will also be held in Kuantan, Pahang, and Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, with the support of strategic partners including the Ministry of Finance, Bank Simpanan Nasional, the MMA, Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society, telco providers such as Maxis, Digi and Telekom Malaysia, as well as digital solutions providers. 'We hope more private clinics and pharmacies will adopt solutions through this grant to drive digital transformation,' she said. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
15 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Expert panel's proposals on vape ban to be presented to Cabinet
Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said that with strict enforcement, he is confident of effectively regulating vape sales and protecting children from its exposure. PETALING JAYA : The health ministry will present an expert committee's recommendation on banning electronic cigarettes or vape to the Cabinet once the study is completed, says health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad. He said the recommendation would mark a key step towards implementing the ban. 'We are committed to this (vape ban) and it is no longer a matter of 'if'. 'I will present it to the Cabinet for deliberation,' Bernama reported him as saying after officiating the Sihat Milik Semua carnival at Dewan 2020 in Kangar today. Dzulkefly said enforcement of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) had already shown positive results, with the number of smoking product variants in the market dropping to 2,794 in June from 6,824 before the Act's enactment. 'That means only 40.9% remain. With strict enforcement, I am confident we can effectively regulate electronic cigarette and vape sales. 'Most importantly, we must protect non-adults, students and our children from exposure to vape. 'Act 852 will be enforced firmly to regulate all smoking products, including vape, to safeguard public health,' he said.
