THE Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy said building more hospitals clinics and other health facilities do not address the root of the problem that the growing number of Malaysian falling ill with non-communicable diseases, saying doing so could instead cause more harm.
Its CEO Azrul Mohd Khalib said this in response to Health Ministry (MOH) deputy secretary-general (finance) Norazman Ayob’s earlier comment that too many Malaysians are becoming ill, thus needing treatment and hospitalisation and causing tremendous strain on the country’s healthcare system.
Citing the findings from MOH’s National Health and Morbidity 2023 survey, Azrul noted that 54.4% of Malaysians are either overweight or obese.
Meanwhile, the survey further revealed that over half a million people are living with four NCDs, namely diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and obesity, and that around 2.3 million people are living with three of these diseases.
“The reason why there is rising demand for medical care where hospital beds are full and clinics are packed with patients is because Malaysians are getting increasingly ill and become burdened by chronic diseases which affect their productivity, quality of life, and ability to live,” Azrul noted.
“The excessive demand and burden on the healthcare system must be reduced. Malaysians need to take charge, be encouraged to be healthier, more active, and care about their health and those of their family members and community.”
According to Azrul, there needs to be political will and social support to get serious and consistent about policies affecting health and the surrounding environment.
He pointed out that while a war on sugar has been declared and an increase in the sugar-sweetened beverage tax has been announced, the government continues to subsidise sugar up to RM600 mil annually, making it artificially cheaper in the country.
“Politicians are opposed to restricting late night eateries despite evidence which show that late eating is associated with increased obesity risk, increased body fat, impaired weight loss success and onset of chronic diseases such as diabetes. Amputations due to diabetes have even become jokes and memes on social media,” he continued.
“During the ongoing parliamentary session, we also heard multiple requests from MPs to build more hospitals, clinics and haemodialysis centres in their constituencies.
“We have not heard a single request or proposal to address the massive shortage of doctors, nurses and various medical personnel affecting both the public and private health sectors. We need to invest in recruiting and retaining more healthcare professionals.
“This shows an incomplete understanding of what is needed to protect and support our public healthcare system.”
Azrul said creating more healthcare facilities require careful planning to ensure adequate staffing, and that the government should introduce initiatives to encourage and incentivise careers in healthcare.
“On the other hand, building more healthcare facilities today even in East Malaysia where the need is great will instead create massive manpower shortages and imbalance as we do not have doctors, nurses and medical staff to fill them,” he added. – Nov 4, 2024
