• Road conditions, transportation options and current weather conditions become determinants of whether they make it to the hospital or not. In the case of a medical emergency, this could mean life or death. The appeals filed by Bandar Kuching MP Dr. Kelvin Yii came after two deaths—that of an elderly lady and a baby—caused by a failure to get timely and appropriate medical care. While traveling from remote locations to the hospital, they passed away. Additionally, it was essential to guarantee that these organizations provide the required knowledge and workforce to facilitate the seamless and prompt transfer of patients. According to the report, a tragic incident occurred when a nine-month-old baby passed away while being transported on a bus from Julau to Kuching for medical care, while in the arms of its mother. On Tuesday, an old lady from Lawas passed away at the Sungai Tujoh immigration, customs, quarantine, and security point due to the inability of the ambulance to access the premises via a barred gate that lacked personnel. (Dr Kelvin Yii, 2022)

  
  

• For example, healthcare personnel may have to spend more time manually gathering information if redundant systems make it impossible to access a patient's test results, medical history, or prescription drugs. This could make it more difficult to give patients with the treatment they need. This leads to longer wait times for patients in hospitals and clinics, as well as a slowdown in the decision-making process itself. Under the pretense of anonymity, he told MalaysiaNow that "it is therefore preferable if we simply ask the patients about their condition there and then." He continued by saying that even internal data frequently falls behind and that the strain on doctors would be much eased if this problem could be resolved. Since different software is used by each hospital, the data is not linked across them. (MalaysiaNow, Ahmad Mustakim Zulkifli, 2023)

  
  

• In addition, the inability to share and integrate data in real time impedes the capacity to simplify operations like appointment scheduling, medication refills, and referral systems. As a direct result of this, patients may experience delays in obtaining the necessary treatment, which adds to the burden that is already being placed on the healthcare system as a whole. Meanwhile, some doctors are nevertheless forced to make use of outdated machinery at the hospitals located inside the area. (MalaysiaNow, Ahmad Mustakim Zulkifli, 2023)

• Malaysia is always faced with under-staff or short-staff in any industry that also applies in healthcare. These issue has gone for years.

  
  

• Expanding healthcare facilities and hiring more medical personnel is a critical requirement in Malaysia. There is now a scarcity of healthcare workers, needing at least three times as many people. Malaysia's healthcare system includes a variety of institutions, including district hospitals with medical officers but no specialists, health clinics with some doctors, and rural clinics with nurses but no doctors. In contrast, specialists are housed in tertiary hospitals, which also function as medical professionals' training grounds. Before being assigned to district hospitals, health clinics, or other locations where their services are needed, house officers receive specialized training in tertiary hospitals. Their training focuses on general and minor healthcare cases such as the management of diabetes and hypertension.

  
  

• It is well known why Malaysian doctors initiated a strike at the beginning of this year. These doctors work under contract; contracts have different lengths and often last between one and three years. Usually, the contracts are renewable, so once they expire, doctors can still work for the government. The contract outlines all of the terms and conditions of employment, including payment, benefits, and duties. A different viewpoint has been presented by the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA). It was mentioned that the public healthcare system of the nation had only appointed around 790 of the 23,000 contract doctors to permanent positions. (Yusof, 2021).

• Regardless of the patients' nationality, seamless interactions with patients depend on healthcare professionals' proficiency in English communication. Accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and overall patient satisfaction depend on doctors and patients having clear communication. This language ability guarantees flawless communication in Malaysia, facilitating quick and easy access to healthcare for both residents and foreign guests.

  
  

• In conclusion, Malaysia's performance in the "Best Healthcare in the World" category can be attributed to its top-notch medical facilities, hospitals that have earned JCI accreditation, and the fluency of its medical professionals in English. All of these elements work together to make Malaysia a desirable travel destination for people looking for top-notch medical care and greatly enhance the nation's standing as a worldwide leader in healthcare.

In this transformation, Malaysia is confronted with both opportunities and challenges. They are attempting to ensure that everyone, regardless of where they live, can get medical assistance by utilising cutting edge technology. The nation is making great efforts to enhance the health and welfare of its people. This shift is a part of a larger strategy to make healthcare a crucial component of Malaysia's development, not just for the here and now.

• The funding of public healthcare in Malaysia comes from general income taxation, implying that the citizens of Malaysia make tax contributions towards the system. All citizens and legal residents of Malaysia are able to use the public universal healthcare system thanks to this funding model.

• In Malaysia, the public healthcare system is wide and reasonably priced. A wide range of healthcare services are made available to everyone by government funding. Medical consultations, hospital care, surgeries, prescription drugs, and a range of treatments are among these services. Because the government subsidises the costs of these services, Malaysian citizens and legal residents can take advantage of them without having to worry about having a large financial burden.

• Higher working salaries in the private sector are a defining feature of private healthcare in Malaysia, drawing a greater number of doctors to this field. Patients receive faster and more effective care as a result of the large number of medical professionals working in private healthcare facilities.

  
  

• People can anticipate quicker access to medical consultations, treatments, and procedures in private hospitals due to a higher doctor-to-patient ratio, which improves the general effectiveness and convenience of private healthcare services.

• Furthermore, patients who receive private healthcare have the freedom to select the doctors of their choice and make appointments at a time that works for them. Because of its high degree of personalization and incredibly fast service, private healthcare is a preferred option for people looking for quick, excellent healthcare in Malaysia.

2. Medical staff and facilities

• There is no difference in the quality of physicians, surgeons, and other medical personnel in public and private hospitals. Malaysian medical professionals have received extensive training and education in contemporary healthcare best practices, with many having attended universities overseas.

  
  

• Similar to medical personnel, hospital equipment is of the highest quality and is subject to standards inspections by regulatory bodies. Malaysia has become a popular destination for medical tourism due to its excellent medical facilities, drawing in foreign visitors seeking dependable and safe surgery or treatment for a range of medical conditions.

3. Health care in rural areas

• The farther you get from the big cities, the harder it is to find enough medical clinics. Rural areas lack public healthcare facilities, but online consultations between remote doctors and doctors in other hospitals offer better access to care and information.

  
  

• Medical professionals in Malaysia are increasingly choosing private hospitals due to their superior facilities and higher pay scale. As a result of the shortage of doctors, public hospitals are growing overcrowded. The government is making an effort to support public hospitals financially and with investments, but recently, funding for public healthcare has decreased. This indicates that a shift from public to private practise is occurring as more medical professionals choose to work in private hospitals where they can make more money.

Subsector: Health Care Providers

2. Top Glove Corporation Berhad

Subsector: Health Care Equipment & Services

3. Hartalega Holdings Berhad

Subsector: Health Care Equipment & Services

4. Supermax Corporation Berhad

Subsector: Health Care Equipment & Services

5. Kossan Rubber Industries Berhad

Subsector: Health Care Equipment & Services

Govt hospitals lag behind with computer software over 20 years old | MalaysiaNow. (2023, February 23). Malaysia Now. Retrieved November 2, 2023, from https://www.malaysianow.com/news/2023/02/24/govt-hospitals-lag-behind-with-computer-software-over-20-years-old

Healthcare Issues In Rural Malaysia - Learn More on Wiki Impact. (2020, December 12). Wiki Impact. Retrieved November 2, 2023, from https://www.wikiimpact.com/healthcare-issues-rural-malaysia/

Health Minister Admits Staff Shortages Amid Spike In Patient Visits. (2023, June 30). CodeBlue. Retrieved November 2, 2023, from https://codeblue.galencentre.org/2023/06/30/health-minister-admits-staff-shortages-amid-spike-in-patient-visits/

Rural areas in East Malaysia still lacking proper healthcare, says MP. (2020, August 5). FMT. Retrieved November 2, 2023, from https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/08/05/rural-areas-in-east-malaysia-still-lacking-proper-healthcare-says-mp/

Rural areas must have better access to healthcare, says MP. (2022, December 10). Free Malaysia Today. Retrieved November 2, 2023, from https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2022/12/10/rural-areas-must-have-better-access-to-healthcare-says-mp/

Tee-Melegrito, R. A. (2022, September 30). Telemedicine: What to know. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/telemedicine#what-is-it

Thong, H. K., Wong, D. K. C., Gendeh, H. S., Saim, L., Athar, P. P. B. S. H., & Saim, A. B. (2021). Perception of telemedicine among medical practitioners in Malaysia during COVID-19. Journal of Medicine and Life, 14(4), 468–480. https://doi.org/10.25122/jml-2020-0119

Bringing basic healthcare to underserved indigenous folk. (2023, January 15). The Star. https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2023/01/16/bringing-basic-healthcare-to-underserved-indigenous-folk

Alu. (2022, September 15). How do mobile health clinics improve access to health care? School of Public Health. https://publichealth.tulane.edu/blog/mobile-health-clinics/

Yusof, A. (2021, July 13). Malaysia government contract doctors frustrated over lack of job security, benefits as COVID-19 drags on. CNA. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-government-contract-doctors-frustrated-over-lack-job-security-benefits-covid-19-drags-2023451

• These partnerships involve collaboration between the public sector and the private sector, resulting in an integrated healthcare system.

How does Public-Private Partnership help:

1. Financial resources: Public-private partnerships can provide additional funding for healthcare programs and initiatives. The private sector can contribute financial resources that can supplement the public sector's budget and help expand healthcare services (Mitchell, n.d.).

2. Access to resources: Partnerships with the private sector can provide the public sector with access to resources that may otherwise be limited. This includes access to medical equipment, technology, pharmaceuticals, and infrastructure, which can help improve healthcare facilities and expand access to care.

3. Expertise and innovation: The private sector often brings specialized knowledge, skills, and innovative approaches to healthcare delivery. Through partnerships, the public sector can tap into this expertise and benefit from new ideas, technologies, and best practices (Mitchell, n.d.).

Results:

• This approach encourages the sharing of medical equipment and facilities, similar to how it's done in countries like Australia (Hospital Management Asia, 2023).

• In Australia, private wings are often situated alongside public hospitals, offering different pricing for private and public healthcare services, but using the same equipment and personnel.

• Notably, about 20% of private hospital beds are currently underutilized. By allowing public sector patients to access these beds, we can make better use of these available resources.

Applications:

1. Synchronous Telemedicine:

   This method involves real-time communication between healthcare providers and patients, including:

• Video Consultations: Patients and doctors connect through video calls, enabling face-to-face interactions.

• Telephone Consultations: Healthcare professionals provide consultations over the phone, offering advice and guidance to patients.

• Live Chat and Instant Messaging: Real-time text-based communication for medical advice and guidance (Benefits of Telemedicine, 2022).

2. Asynchronous Telemedicine:

   In this approach, healthcare data is shared between patients and providers, but not necessarily in real-time, which includes:

• Secure Messaging: Patients can send messages and medical inquiries, and healthcare providers respond at their convenience.

• Medical Imaging and Document Sharing: Patients can share medical records, images (e.g., X-rays), and reports for later review.

• Email Consultations: Patients can email medical questions, and doctors respond at a later time.

3. Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM):

   RPM involves patients using various healthcare devices to monitor their vital signs and health conditions from home. This data is transmitted to healthcare providers for review, including:

• Wearable Devices: Patients utilize wearable technology, such as fitness trackers, to monitor their heart rate, steps, and other health data.

• Chronic Disease Management: RPM is particularly valuable for patients with chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension, allowing healthcare providers to track their health status and make adjustments to their treatment plans.

Benefits:

1. Convenience:

   Telemedicine is super convenient for patients because they can chat with healthcare professionals right from their comfy couch. No need to commute or wait around in clinics (Benefits of Telemedicine, 2022).

2. Savings:

   Patients can pocket some cash for travel expenses by cutting down on healthcare costs, especially for non-urgent check-ups.

3. Specialist Access:

   Folks living in places without easy access to specialists can still get the expertise they need through telemedicine.

Uses:

1. Reaching Remote and Neglected Areas:

   Mobile clinics play a crucial role in reaching remote regions that don't have easy access to traditional healthcare facilities. They deliver healthcare services directly to these communities, ensuring that even the most isolated individuals receive the care they need.

2. Emergency Medical Assistance:

   Mobile clinics are especially valuable during emergencies, such as natural disasters or disease outbreaks. They can provide immediate medical care and relief to affected communities when traditional healthcare facilities may be overwhelmed or hard to reach.

3. Dental and Vision Services:

   Some mobile clinics also offer dental and vision care services, including dental check-ups, cleanings, eye examinations, prescription glasses, or specialist referrals (Alu, 2022).

Benefits:

1. Improved Access to Healthcare:

   Mobile clinics bring healthcare services to areas where medical facilities are hard to find or far away, making sure that people in remote regions can get the vital care they need (Alu, 2022).

2. Tackling Staffing Shortages:

   Mobile clinics help address the lack of medical staff in underserved areas by deploying healthcare professionals where they are most required.

3. Cost-Efficient:

   Mobile clinics can offer a cost-effective solution compared to constructing permanent healthcare facilities, making the most efficient use of available resources.

1. Enhance Retention Strategies:

   The health minister emphasized that the Ministry of Health (MOH) is encouraging medical officers to further their education through the Parallel Pathway program and the MOH's Master's program. Additionally, the MOH is hiring outside specialists on a temporary basis. Dr. Zaliha also highlighted the recent passage of the Health White Paper (HWP) by Parliament, with a focus on its fourth pillar, which aims to strengthen the healthcare workforce. (Dr. Zaliha Mustafa, 2023)

2. Transitioning Contract Workers:

   The MOH has requested permanent positions for 2,336 contract nurses who were hired from private companies during the COVID-19 outbreak. In the first phase, 620 nurses have been assigned to permanent positions, and the remaining nurses will be hired gradually through December of this year. The contracts of 3,498 paramedics and members of allied science programs, who have been working with the MOH since the epidemic, are also being extended as part of seven service schemes. (Dr. Zaliha Mustafa, 2023)

3. Expanding Housemanship Opportunities:

   Dr. Zaliha mentioned that the number of housemanship positions at the MOH has increased over nearly a decade, going from 10,835 in 2013 to 12,228 in 2022, representing an increase of 1,393 slots or 13 percent. (Dr. Zaliha Mustafa, 2023)

Budget 2023: Public health services capacity strengthened, RM36.1 bln allocated to MOH. (2022, October 7). Kementerian Kewangan. Retrieved November 2, 2023, from https://www.mof.gov.my/portal/en/news/press-citations/budget-2023-public-health-services-capacity-strengthened-rm36-1-bln-allocated-to-moh

Chan, J. (2023, October 6). Ipsos: Malaysians rank third highest globally for trust in healthcare system. Malay Mail. Retrieved November 2, 2023, from https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/10/06/ipsos-malaysians-rank-third-highest-globally-for-trust-in-healthcare-system/94548

Chew, A. (n.d.). Top 10 biggest companies in Malaysia Healthcare sector. FSMOne Malaysia. Retrieved November 2, 2023, from https://www.fsmone.com.my/funds/research/article-details/227841

Malaysia ranks 1st in world's best healthcare category. (2019, February 6). The Sun Daily. Retrieved November 2, 2023, from https://www.thesundaily.my/local/malaysia-ranks-1st-in-world-s-best-healthcare-category-GJ487181

MALAYSIA: Top-6 Countries with the Best Health Care Systems in the World 2019. (2020, April 13). Malaysia Today. Retrieved November 2, 2023, from https://www.malaysia-today.net/2020/04/12/malaysia-top-6-countries-with-the-best-health-care-systems-in-the-world-2019/

Sampson, S. (n.d.). What is health?: Defining and preserving good health. Medical News Today. Retrieved November 2, 2023, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/150999

Hospital Management Asia. (2023, July 6). Bridging the gap: Role of public-private partnerships in Malaysian healthcare. HMA. https://www.hospitalmanagementasia.com/patient-safety/bridging-the-gap-role-of-public-private-partnerships-in-malaysian-healthcare/

Mitchell, M. (n.d.). An overview of public private partnerships in health. Mitchell :  an Overview of Public Private Partnerships in Health, 11. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/international-health-systems-program/wp-content/uploads/sites/1989/2020/04/PPP-final-MDM.pdf

National Academies Press (US). (1996). Introduction and background. Telemedicine - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK45440/#:~:text=As%20defined%20here%2C%20telemedicine%20is,when%20distance%20separates%20the%20participants.

Benefits of telemedicine. (2022, January 18). Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/benefits-of-telemedicine

Thong, H. K., Wong, D. K. C., Gendeh, H. S., Saim, L., Athar, P. P. B. S. H., & Saim, A. B. (2021). Perception of telemedicine among medical practitioners in Malaysia during COVID-19. Journal of Medicine and Life, 14(4), 468–480. https://doi.org/10.25122/jml-2020-0119

Bringing basic healthcare to underserved indigenous folk. (2023, January 15). The Star. https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2023/01/16/bringing-basic-healthcare-to-underserved-indigenous-folk

Alu. (2022, September 15). How do mobile health clinics improve access to health care? School of Public Health. https://publichealth.tulane.edu/blog/mobile-health-clinics/

Yusof, A. (2021, July 13). Malaysia government contract doctors frustrated over lack of job security, benefits as COVID-19 drags on. CNA. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-government-contract-doctors-frustrated-over-lack-job-security-benefits-covid-19-drags-2023451