Latest news with #HospitalSultanahAminah2
The Sun
6 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
New hospitals a welcome step but who will staff them?
THE announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim of a RM40 billion allocation for healthcare under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13), including the construction of Hospital Tuanku Ja'afar 2 in Seremban, has been met with optimism and public gratitude. The plan, which also includes Hospital Sultanah Aminah 2 in Johor Bahru, the Northern Region Cancer Centre in Sungai Petani, the Sabah Heart Centre in Kota Kinabalu and the Sarawak Cancer Centre, marks a significant investment in Malaysia's healthcare infrastructure. While these developments are timely, especially with overcrowding and deteriorating conditions at many existing hospitals, they raise a critical question: Who will staff them? Malaysia is facing a worrying exodus of healthcare professionals, especially specialists and surgeons. A study by the Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine identified poor workplace conditions and outdated facilities as key reasons for this brain drain. For these new hospitals to succeed, they must be more than just modern buildings. They must be fully staffed with qualified and well-supported healthcare professionals. A case in point is the National Heart Institute, where three of four operating theatres are currently closed due to a lack of cardiothoracic surgical teams. Critically ill patients are reportedly waiting up to seven months for surgery – a delay that puts lives at risk. To address this staffing crisis, Malaysia must consider implementing international reciprocal medical licensure, as practiced in countries like Singapore. This would allow top global talent to join and support local teams, helping to ease overwork, reduce patient wait times and improve care quality. Beyond the need for talent retention and recruitment, hospital design should prioritise green environments conducive to recovery – healing both mind and body. If Malaysia aspires to be the 'Medical Tourism Capital of the World', it must ensure that its public healthcare system is equipped with cutting-edge facilities and world-class staff. The rakyat, whose taxes fund these projects, deserve no less. C. Sathasivam Sitheravellu Seremban
The Star
31-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Healthcare gets RM40bil injection
KUALA LUMPUR: Building new public hospitals and clinics and upgrading present ones are part of the RM40bil allocation for the healthcare sector under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Prime Minister said this includes work on several current hospitals, such as Hospital Tuanku Ja'afar 2 in Negri Sembilan; Hospital Sultanah Aminah 2 in Johor; the Sabah Heart Centre; the Sarawak Cancer Centre and the Northern Region Cancer Centre in Kedah. The aim is to reduce the out-of-pocket expenses by the public for healthcare, Anwar said. He added that 'pro-health' taxes will be expanded to cover tobacco, vape and alcohol to further manage the burden of non-communicable diseases. 'This is not merely for revenue. It is to encourage behavioural changes and curb the worrying rise of non-communicable diseases,' he said when tabling the 13MP in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. A similar tax was previously only imposed on sugar. The Prime Minister said a national-level professional development framework for human resources in the healthcare sector will also be developed. 'This will comprise pre-service training, licensing and registration, intakes, placements and career development to ensure talent retention in the healthcare sector,' he said. Anwar also said medical record management would be strengthened as part of healthcare digitalisation efforts. 'This will contribute to generating high-impact healthcare analytics that can be further empowered through artificial intelligence as part of efforts to improve the rakyat's healthcare,' he said. Anwar added that domestic drug manufacturing will be encouraged alongside the use of generic medicines by both the public and private sectors. This, he said, is intended to enhance the security of medical supplies. 'Healthcare reforms are an integral part of government efforts to ensure sustainable healthcare financing. 'It will also ensure comprehensive access to healthcare alongside ensuring affordable and high-quality healthcare services,' he said.
The Star
31-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Pro-health tax to cover tobacco, vape, alcohol too, says PM Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR: Pro-health taxes will be expanded to cover tobacco, vape and alcohol products, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Prime Minister stressed the need to handle health risks, stressing that it is not solely for tax revenue. 'It is to encourage behavioural changes and curb the worrying rise of non-communicable diseases,' he said when tabling the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (July 31). The tax was previously only imposed on sugary beverages. Anwar added that the healthcare sector will receive as much as RM40bil in allocation through the 13MP. 'This can help reduce the rakyat's out-of-pocket expenses for healthcare services,' he said. Explaining further, he said there will also be upgrades and construction of government healthcare facilities. This includes Hospital Tuanku Ja'afar 2 in Negri Sembilan; Hospital Sultanah Aminah 2 in Johor; the Sabah Heart Centre at Hospital Queen Elizabeth II in Sabah; the Sarawak Cancer Centre; and the Northern Region Cancer Centre in Kedah.
The Star
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Projects worth RM10bil in limbo despite green light
Serious business: Onn Hafiz delivering his wrap-up speech during the state assembly sitting at the Sultan Ismail Building. — Bernama JOHOR BARU: Over 200 projects worth a total of RM10.8bil in Johor have not been implemented despite receiving approval under the 11th Malaysia Plan. Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the projects, which were approved in 2016, remain stagnant despite funds having been allocated. 'There are a total of 222 projects that are still in the pre-implementation stage. 'The state government views this as a serious matter as allocations for the projects have been approved, yet work has not been carried out. 'Imagine the number of development and upgrading projects, including those involving hospitals, schools and roads, that have not reached the people,' he said in his speech during the state assembly sitting yesterday. Onn Hafiz said he brought the matter to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the Johor Special Development meeting on Friday, which was chaired by the Prime Minister. 'Every time we have our state action council meeting, I raise this issue and have the Implementation Coordination Unit follow up with the ministries involved. 'With the Prime Minister's approval, we have decided that all state executive councillors will meet with the ministries involved in the projects. 'This is to ensure that they are carried out as soon as possible for the benefit of the people.' Onn Hafiz also thanked Anwar for approving nine major projects that would greatly benefit the people in the state. 'Out of the 10 projects we requested, nine have been approved under the 12th Malaysia Plan. 'This includes the Hospital Sultanah Aminah 2 project and several highways,' he said. On a separate matter, Onn Hafiz said the state assembly has two more years left before the end of its term. 'As the Johor Regent has reminded us, this is not election season. Our term ends in 2027, which is still two years away. 'Let us find common ground to foster unity, not division, which will only harm the state we all love,' he said. During the opening of the state assembly on Friday, Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim reminded assemblymen to focus on serving the people. 'You have all been elected to serve the people. So, focus on that responsibility. 'The people of Johor need assemblymen who are accountable and effective in serving them. 'They want representatives who can help drive the state's development and improve their standard of living,' Tunku Ismail added.
