Public health expert Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar said that although the increase in the Health Ministry’s (MOH) allocation was not substantial compared with medical inflation, the budget remained the best so far as it focused on the core problems in government hospitals.
“The large-scale permanent appointment of contract doctors and the concrete procurement of equipment directly address the most pressing bottlenecks in the healthcare system. Although the increase is not substantial, the MOH needs to focus on its priorities,” he told Bernama.
Dr Zainal Ariffin said the permanent appointment of contract doctors, together with the RM770 million allocation for the procurement of modern equipment, demonstrated the government’s tangible commitment to strengthening the quality of healthcare services on the ground.
He said the RM200 million allocation to outsource patients to other hospitals was also an effective short-term measure to ease congestion and shorten treatment waiting times.
He said the addition of 400 new ambulances, upgrading of hemodialysis facilities and provision of simulation equipment at 18 MOH training colleges would directly benefit patients and the training of healthcare personnel.
He also described the increase in basic allowances for 47,000 healthcare personnel and the air health services allowance as due recognition of the welfare of frontline heroes.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when tabling Budget 2027 in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, announced that the MOH allocation would increase to RM47.7 billion from RM46.5 billion in 2026.
Other initiatives include an allocation of RM1.2 billion to repair dilapidated hospitals and clinics, as well as the construction of nine new healthcare facilities nationwide.
