In addition to food security, Malaysia’s new government should also consider the possibility of introducing a national health insurance scheme that fully covers all medical needs of its people.
Currently, only wealthy Malaysians can afford private health insurance, which acts as armor to ensure that the whole family has the best medical care available. Despite rising costs, many people still insure themselves and their entire family as a safety measure.
A private medical insurance policy can ensure that the insured receives prompt treatment. Most people worry about large medical bills, especially when the illness requires prolonged hospitalization, surgery, and follow-up care.
Unfortunately, such private health insurance is out of reach for many, and as a result, many cannot access quality medical care quickly. Ordinary people cannot afford private insurance.
In some cases, even private medical insurance may not cover the full cost of an insured’s hospitalization, surgery, and follow-up care.
A friend of mine recently had heart bypass surgery. He said the bill had risen to nearly RM90,000, but his insurance coverage only allowed him up to RM70,000. So he had to cut his RM20,000 out of his pocket. That’s a good amount for a retiree.
Against this background, the new government is exploring the possibility of transforming the Social Security Organization (Socso) into a national health insurance system. This will allow everyone to receive the same medical care.
Public and private sector employees would not mind paying a reasonable amount out of their monthly wages each month to support such schemes. We all know the benefits of such a scheme, it covers a person from cradle to grave.
Such schemes provide employees with enormous benefits for the rest of their lives. What could a country do better to protect its citizens than a national health insurance that covers medical emergencies?
The scheme should also cover medical care available in private clinics and medical centers for the employee’s entire family. Only then will employees have no worries or even nightmares about medical costs.
This scheme should be extended to cover foreign workers from other countries. we must never forget them. We are morally obligated to ensure that they receive the best medical care available. In fact, after receiving a valid work permit, they should also enjoy public and private health services, just like us.
After all, they contribute greatly to Malaysia’s economic development and prosperity. Without them, many sectors of our economy would be paralyzed.
Under such a national health insurance system, people can choose whether to go to public or private hospitals or clinics. This will also reduce the burden on public hospitals and clinics that have reached the limit of patient burden.
Malaysia will be recognized as a country guided by a moral compass if the national health system provides equal health care protection to all citizens. It will paint a picture of Malaysia as a country that has its priorities right.
If we go in this direction, we will slowly move towards an egalitarian society like Sweden.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will leave a precious and lasting legacy if a national health insurance scheme is introduced. Implementing such a scheme would give Malaysia moral leadership to many countries around the world.
All we need is a green light from the government for planners to come up with a national health insurance scheme. This country has enough talented people to submit ideas and proposals for the planning and implementation of a viable national health care system.
Such a plan would surely find bipartisan support. Both sides of the political divide can work together to come up with a workable plan. Feedback can be obtained from NGOs, industry associations, the Malaysian Employers Federation and the Malaysian Trade Union Congress.
How will such a national health insurance system be funded? Funding such a plan is not a big deal.
Employer and employee contributions, along with reducing corruption, mismanagement, and other forms of waste, will make ample financial resources available. If all these loopholes can be closed, ample financial resources will be available.
Malaysia can provide the best fully covered medical benefits available to all citizens. It’s not a huge dream, but it’s a dream that I want to fulfill while I’m still alive.
We owe all people this basic service in life. It will undoubtedly be an irreplaceable legacy for posterity, a legacy that future generations will cherish, and people of today will know that they care about their health.
No one should be denied the best treatment regardless of their position in life or social status.
Quality healthcare should always be a basic right for everyone, not the privilege of a privileged minority.
Agenda RAKYAT – Lima Perkara Utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani kresis alam sekitar
- Lykan Kerenkaman Dan Keterankman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan Rasuah dan Kronisme
The views expressed in Aliran’s media statements and NGO statements reflect Aliran’s official position. The views and opinions expressed in other articles posted here do not necessarily reflect Aliran’s official position.
