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PETALING JAYA: Medical groups have half welcomed the 2021 budget, saying they appreciate the government’s commitment to supporting the healthcare sector amid the Covid-19 pandemic, but feel the announced allocations and measures leave much to be desired.
Dr. Subramaniam Muniandy, President of the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), recognized the value of the RM 1 billion allocated to fight Covid-19 and the payment of RM 500 to the avant-garde, but said some of the interests of the medical fraternity had not been adequately addressed.
“One neglected group are general practitioners, who have been repeatedly marginalized during the management of the pandemic.
“The MMA proposed tax breaks and incentives to encourage and include the 7,000 GPs in the fight against the pandemic, but these calls were not heeded,” he said.
He also questioned whether the Short-Term Employment Program would include additional functions for doctors given the increased demand caused by the pandemic.
“Unfortunately, we do not see any major allocation for the much-needed boost in our healthcare workforce,” he said, adding that there was a lack of recognition of the “long-standing issues regarding permanent and contract positions for employees. junior health workers “.
However, he said the allocation of RM 90 million for a pneumococcal vaccination program, the numerous tax relief initiatives and the government’s focus on mental health stood out as bright spots.
Azrul Mohd Khalib, executive director of the Galen Center for Health and Social Policy, noted that the government had demonstrated that it was treating its response to Covid-19 as a top priority, but said this could have unforeseen negative consequences.
“The diversion of resources and cuts to fund the Covid-19 response now threatens to have a significant negative impact on our response to non-communicable diseases, such as cancer, kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease,” he said.
“For example, it is shocking to see that the allocation for cancer has been drastically reduced from RM 328.7 million in 2020 to RM 136.4 million. Nephrology also undergoes a massive reduction.
“We cannot afford to see one crisis at a time. Telling ourselves that we will take care of cancer and chronic kidney disease some other day after we finish Covid-19 is not an option, “said Azrul.
He said these cuts run the risk of leaving people more vulnerable than before and called on the government to review allocations for the health sector.
Dr Kuljit Singh, Chairman of the Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia (APHM), said his organization was “happy to note that this year’s budget has focused on greater containment and control of Covid-19, including the obtaining vaccines when available to citizens of this country. “
However, he added, the association still hoped that money could be provided to allow the transfer of patients awaiting treatment to private hospitals without personal expenses, at least for the duration of the pandemic.
He also welcomed the 35 million ringgit allocated to the Malaysian Health Travel Council, saying that the income generated by medical tourism in private hospitals had almost evaporated due to the closure of the borders.
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