As lifestyle changes from slow to fast in Malaysia due to rapid developments, urbanization and industrialization, poor health is a growing threat to the country’s workforce. Lifestyle related illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, heart and liver problems, and cancer are on an increasing trend. SOCSO pays RM158.37 million per year to those found medically unfit to work and RM222.86 million in survivor pensions to their families. The Ministry of Health spends RM2.4 billion per year in subsidies for treatments and surgeries in hospitals,amounting to 40% of the allocation of RM6 billion to the Ministry.

In Budget 2005, the Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi, revealed that nearly RM7.9 billion is allocated to upgrade health services, a sum of RM48.3 million is provided for treatment facilities in Intensive Care Unit (ICU), establishment of haemodialysis units and cancer treatment programmes. An additional sum of RM19.2 million is provided for implementing Public Health Programme.

At present, the Ministry of Health has only spent RM25 million on health promotion. There is a critical need to increase people’s awareness of the various illnesses and diseases arising from changes in lifestyle and diet. “More health campaigns would benefit the country in the long run as it would create a healthier society, thus reducing health care costs,” stated Datuk Dr. Abdul Latiff Ahmad, Deputy Minister of Health.

For Sarawak, in 2003, admissions to government hospitals and special medical institutions came to 156,229; while outpatient attendances in hospitals, special medical institutions and public health facilities (including satellite clinic, mobile health team and flying doctor service) came up to a huge figure of
3.75 million. With a population of 2.21 million (2000) in the state of which 1.37 million are between the age group of 15-64 years, the above numbers are daunting.

Health or medical insurance helps to reduce health care costs for government

Kuching recorded the highest admissions at 43,052 and outpatient attendances at 205,944; followed by Sibu at 27,364 admissions and 116,128 outpatients; and Miri at 18,241 admissions and 94,356 outpatients. Simunjan has the lowest admissions at 947 while Betong has the lowest outpatient attendances at 2,296.

One way which people could ease the financial burdens of the government with regards to increasing health care costs is to get medically insured. According to Datuk Dr. Abdul Latiff Ahmad, less than 30% of Malaysians have health insurance policies. This is low as compared to 98% of Taiwanese who are insured, allowing their government to concentrate on health campaigns and research instead. Due to lifestyle changes and its related illnesses, insurance coverage is no longer a luxury but a necessity today.