Page 31 - PH Manifesto English

Promise 9: Improve access to and quality of health services

Equal access to quality health services is an important indicator of a

balanced society. But today only those who are better-off have regular
access to quality health services. Some public hospitals have sophisticated

equipment and committed specialists. But they are hampered by the high

number of patients, beyond the capacity they can cater. Among the causes
is failure of UMNO and Barisan Nasional to give adequate funding for the

healthcare sector. To this day, we are still far from the rate of 7 percent of

GDP that is recommended by international bodies.

The Pakatan Harapan Government will ensure that financial allocation for
the Ministry of Health is increased to 4 per cent of GDP in the first term our

administration. This will ensure the failure of UMNO and the Barisan

Nasional which only provides 2 percent of GDP will be addressed
immediately.

Pakatan Harapan understands that the people are increasingly concerned
about the rising healthcare costs. Many Malaysians still cannot afford to

buy health insurance that they require.

The Pakatan Harapan Government will introduce Skim Peduli Sihat, similar

to what was implemented in Selangor, to the rest of the country. The

scheme provides RM500 per year for B40 families to visit private clinics for
basic treatment (primary care). This will ensure they do not depend only to

government hospitals or public health centers that may be far from their

homes. It also reduces the workload of government health officers.

The Pakatan Harapan Government will also pursue closer collaboration
between government health centers with private clinics so that we can

enhance service coverage.

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