Latest news with #DzulkeflyAhmad
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Two-tier healthcare or public lifeline? Unpacking the debate over Rakan KKM
KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 — The Ministry of Health's (MOH) plan to launch its 'Rakan KKM' programme has ignited a fierce public debate. On one side, detractors warn it would create a two-tiered healthcare system that favours wealthier patients using public facilities. On the other, supporters argue the programme could help alleviate the financial strain on government hospitals and clinics while retaining specialist talent. What is Rakan KKM? The programme is a paid-for service envisioned by the MOH to offer 'premium economy' healthcare, encompassing elective procedures and personalised care. According to Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, Rakan KKM will operate within the public healthcare ecosystem but provide services evocative of yet cheaper than commercial hospitals. The ministry aims to launch Rakan KKM by the third quarter of this year at four pilot locations: Hospital Cyberjaya, Hospital Putrajaya, Hospital Sultan Idris Shah Serdang, and the National Cancer Institute (IKN). Why the controversy? Criticism primarily centres on the argument that Rakan KKM amounts to a 'backdoor privatisation' of healthcare facilities and services funded by taxpayer money. Critics argue this will create a two-tiered system, allowing those with money to 'skip the line' for access to public healthcare services and bypass the long waiting lists that currently plague government hospitals under severe cost and manpower strains. They have also homed in on the salaries offered by Rakan KKM, with many top posts advertised with five-figure pay. Detractors have used this to question the MOH's stated inability to absorb thousands of contract health workers into permanent positions. Rakan KKM has so far received an allocation of RM25 million under Budget 2025, with a second phase of funding expected to come from government-linked investment companies (GLICs). The ministry's defence: Public interest, not profit Responding to the backlash, Dzulkefly has stressed that Rakan KKM's conception is underpinned by public interest. He rejected claims of privatisation by highlighting that Rakan KKM Sdn Bhd will remain fully owned by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, which would keep the entity aligned with government objectives. 'When a GLIC investor comes in, the GLIC may take an equity stake in Rakan KKM Sdn Bhd. Ownership of Rakan KKM remains with the government, directly or through GLICs, throughout its operations,' the minister said on the social media platform X on Sunday. He then urged the public to look at the programme's key objectives, which he outlined as: Making healthcare more affordable than fully private options. Using any profits to cross-subsidise regular public healthcare services. Providing better income opportunities for specialists to retain them in the public service. Dzulkefly argues that these goals demonstrate that Rakan KKM is rooted in public service, not profit maximisation. Recommended read:Dzulkefly explains government ownership of 'premium economy' Rakan KKM scheme amid privatisation fears
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
Health minister touts AI health reforms as clinics cut wait times to under 30 minutes
KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 — A total of 156 health clinics have been equipped with a cloud-based content management system (CCMS), with 70 per cent of patients being treated in less than 30 minutes. In a post on Facebook yesterday, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad, said the achievement was part of the artificial intelligence (AI)-based digital reforms that his ministry is currently implementing. He said that under the reform, phase 1 of the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system had also been completed involving five million prescriptions, 20 million vaccination records, and one million dental records. He said MySejahtera has now developed into a preventive health gateway and a national digital gateway. 'We are also very pleased to announce that the Ministry of Health and Google are now exploring a strategic collaboration to use artificial intelligence to address the country's key health challenges. 'It is a major step towards making Malaysia the leader in AI-based digital health in the region,' he said. He said as the 2025 Asean Chair, Malaysia is committed to driving regional cooperation in health data governance, ethical use of AI and cross-border digital capacity building. Today, Dzulkefly officiated the Precision Public Health Asia 2025 Conference which brought together over 500 delegates from across the region, eight technology exhibitors, and regional health leaders who share the aspiration of building a data-driven, personalised and people-centric health system. 'Precision Public Health is no longer a concept of the future. It is being implemented in Malaysia. And it will be a pillar for a more sustainable, equitable and competitive health system,' he said. — Bernama
The Star
a day ago
- Health
- The Star
Over 150 clinics equipped with CCMS, says Health Minister
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 156 health clinics have been equipped with a cloud-based content management system (CCMS), with 70% of patients being treated in less than 30 minutes, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. The Health Minister said in a Facebook post on Wednesday (July 16) that the achievement is part of the artificial intelligence (AI)-based digital reforms that his ministry is currently implementing. He said that under the reform, phase 1 of the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system had also been completed involving five million prescriptions, 20 million vaccination records, and one million dental records. He said MySejahtera has now developed into a preventive health gateway and a national digital gateway. "We are also very pleased to announce that the Ministry of Health and Google are now exploring a strategic collaboration to use artificial intelligence to address the country's key health challenges. "It is a major step towards making Malaysia the leader in AI-based digital health in the region,' he said. He said as the 2025 Asean Chair, Malaysia is committed to driving regional cooperation in health data governance, ethical use of AI and cross-border digital capacity building. Dzulkefly officiated the Precision Public Health Asia 2025 Conference which brought together over 500 delegates from across the region, eight technology exhibitors, and regional health leaders who share the aspiration of building a data-driven, personalised and people-centric health system. "Precision Public Health is no longer a concept of the future. It is being implemented in Malaysia. And it will be a pillar for a more sustainable, equitable and competitive health system,' he said. - Bernama
The Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Malaysia equips 156 health clinics with AI-driven CCMS for faster care
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 156 health clinics across Malaysia have adopted a cloud-based content management system (CCMS), significantly reducing patient wait times. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad revealed that 70 per cent of patients now receive treatment in under 30 minutes, marking a milestone in the ministry's AI-driven digital reforms. The initiative is part of broader upgrades, including the completion of Phase 1 of the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system. This phase covers five million prescriptions, 20 million vaccination records, and one million dental records. Dzulkefly noted that MySejahtera has evolved into a preventive health gateway and national digital platform. 'We are exploring a strategic collaboration with Google to leverage AI in tackling Malaysia's key health challenges,' he said in a Facebook post. 'This positions Malaysia as a regional leader in AI-based digital health.' As ASEAN Chair in 2025, Malaysia aims to pioneer regional cooperation in health data governance and ethical AI use. Dzulkefly highlighted these goals at the Precision Public Health Asia 2025 Conference, attended by 500 delegates and tech exhibitors. 'Precision Public Health is no longer futuristic—it's active here and will shape a sustainable, equitable health system,' he affirmed.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Health Ministry, Google explore AI to enhance healthcare system
KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry and Google are exploring a new partnership on using artificial intelligence (AI) to tackle some of Malaysia's most pressing health challenges. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad described the initiative as a potential game-changer. "It is still in its early days, but we are very enthusiastic about this partnership to improve the lives of all Malaysians," he said, adding that both parties share a common aspiration to use AI to improve health outcomes at scale. This was during the minister's keynote speech at the Precision Public Health Asia 2025 Conference in Petaling Jaya today. Dzulkefly said that the vision is to innovate and deliver real health value, positioning Malaysia as a regional leader in healthcare transformation. The minister said the transformative potential of data and personalisation in healthcare, pointing out how major tech firms have already mastered personalised engagement. "But what if we use the same tools to nudge healthier behaviours adapted to the right host, for the right individuals?" he asked. Dzulkefly also said that embracing AI is no longer a luxury but a necessity due to global economic turbulence, high budgets, and widening health disparities. To that end, he said the ministry is actively pushing the precision public health agenda, revealing that the cloud-based clinical management system (CCMS) is now in use at 156 clinics nationwide, and that 70 per cent of patients are seen within 30 minutes. The ministry is also pushing ahead with electronic medical records (EMR) reform. "Today, five million Malaysians can access their prescriptions, three million have their screening records available, one million have their dental records on file, and more than 20 million can view their vaccination history," he said. During the press conference, Digital Health Division director Dr Mahesh Apannan said the cooperation with partners such as Google reflects a commitment to harnessing existing capacities and capabilities. Mahesh said, with Google, the ministry aims to leverage their expertise and capabilities to enhance its own capacity. He added that the shift towards cloud-based systems has allowed the ministry to integrate existing algorithms into its system.
