As lifestyle changes from
slow to fast in Malaysia due to rapid developments, urbanization and
industrialization, poor health is a growing threat to the country’s
workforce. Lifestyle related illnesses
such as diabetes, hypertension, heart and liver problems, and cancer are on an
increasing trend. SOCSO pays RM158.37
million per year to those found medically unfit to work and RM222.86 million in
survivor pensions to their families.
The Ministry of Health spends RM2.4 billion per year in subsidies for
treatments and surgeries in hospitals, amounting to 40% of the allocation of
RM6 billion to the Ministry.
At present, the
Ministry of Health has only spent RM25 million on health promotion. There is a critical need to increase
people’s awareness of the various illnesses and diseases arising from changes
in lifestyle and diet. “More health
campaigns would benefit the country in the long run as it would create a
healthier society, thus reducing health care costs,” stated Datuk Dr. Abdul
Latiff Ahmad, Deputy Minister of Health.
For Sarawak, in 2003,
admissions to government hospitals and special medical institutions came to
156,229; while outpatient attendances in hospitals, special medical
institutions and public health facilities (including satellite clinic, mobile
health team and flying doctor service) came up to a huge figure of 3.75
million. With a population of 2.21
million (2000) in the state of which 1.37 million are between the age group of
15-64 years, the above numbers are daunting.
Kuching, the Capital
of Sarawak, recorded the highest admissions at 43,052 and outpatient
attendances at 205,944; followed by Sibu at 27,364 admissions and 116,128
outpatients; and Miri at 18,241 admissions and 94,356 outpatients. Simunjan has the lowest admissions at 947
while Betong has the lowest outpatient attendances at 2,296.
One way which people
could ease the financial burdens of the government with regards to increasing
health care costs is to get medically insured.
According to Datuk Dr. Abdul Latiff Ahmad, less than 30% of Malaysians
have health insurance policies. This is
low as compared to 98% of Taiwanese who are insured, allowing their government
to concentrate on health campaigns and research instead. Due to lifestyle changes and its related
illnesses, insurance coverage is no longer a luxury but a necessity today.
