KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stated that the Health Ministry will be receiving a significant increase in allocation in Budget 2024, with RM41.2 billion allocated for next year. The Prime Minister announced this during the tabling of the budget in the Dewan Rakyat on Friday, highlighting that RM5.5 billion will be used for medicine supplies, consumables, reagents, and vaccines. The budget also includes the commencement of several new development projects, such as the Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) Teaching Hospital Complex Phase 1 in Kota Tinggi, and the preliminary work for the construction of Sultanah Aminah Hospital 2 in Johor Baru.
Furthermore, additional facilities will also be built, such as the pathology block at Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital in Kelantan, the emergency and trauma unit building at Sultan Abdul Azizi Hospital, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang in Selangor, and five new health clinics in Rantau, Kuala Tahan in Jerantut, Kuala Jengal in Dungun, and Pulau Mantanani in Kota Belud. This marks the second budget presented by the unity government, led by Anwar Ibrahim who is also serving as the Finance Minister.
In a commitment to upgrading dilapidated clinics, the government has allocated RM300 million for 400 clinics that still have wooden structures and outdated wiring. The Prime Minister also announced an allocation of RM766 million for the procurement of medicines, replacement of beyond economic repair equipment, and to meet the needs of various new service areas in Health Ministry hospitals.
To support the digitalization of healthcare, the government has allocated RM150 million for the maintenance of the information technology system. Anwar emphasized the importance of digital health records for quick access to patient data and mentioned that currently, only 3% of health clinics in the country are equipped with such records.
Shifting the focus from treating the sick to disease prevention activities, Anwar highlighted the need to enhance the National Health Agenda. As part of efforts to curb health risks, an excise duty will be imposed on chewing tobacco products and snuff at the rate of 5% plus RM27 per kilogramme. There is also an increase in the excise duty on sugary drinks from 40 sen per litre to 50 sen per litre, with the revenue from this tax being used to treat diabetes and support dialysis centers.
Additionally, the Madani Medical Scheme has been extended to the entire country with an allocation of RM100 million, benefiting 700,000 people. RM50 million will also be allocated to reimburse the cost of medical devices such as stents for the heart. – Bernama
