With the holiday season slowly fading and many returning to work after celebrating both New Year’s and now the Chinese New Year, I’ve had time to reflect on what improvements I’d like to see in healthcare, both globally and locally.
On the home front, particularly in the larger ASEAN region, our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (PMX) has assumed the chairmanship of the region. This presents an opportunity for Malaysia to introduce initiatives focused on partnership and innovation that could strengthen local products and services.
However, amidst all these developments, we’ve seen some decisions made by healthcare authorities that have raised more questions than answers. First on my list is the perplexing decision by the Malaysian Medical Council to ONLY suspend a psychiatrist and not remove over a controversial issue. You can read more about it here
Following that, the rise in healthcare costs, particularly insurance premiums, sparked intense discussions with nearly all stakeholders – yet the consumers were left out of the conversations. Thankfully, the issue is not yet fully resolved, and there may still be room for intervention for policyholders. For more on this, refer to this article
Lastly, the Health Ministry had to backtrack on a proposed shift system that they had devised. You can read more here
It may seem like a lot has happened in just one month, but many other significant issues have occurred behind the scenes as well. And this brings me to my wish list for 2025.
1. Digitalization of Healthcare
Many still fail to recognize the importance of digitalizing healthcare, viewing it as a "nice-to-have" rather than a necessity, especially considering the costs involved. However, failing to invest in digital healthcare means we will continue to waste money in a rapidly growing industry without knowing if we're spending efficiently or effectively.
The lack of centralized data on patients, illnesses, hospital visits, and treatments means we are unable to make informed decisions on purchasing supplies, deploying staff, or investing in necessary areas. This inefficiency leads to healthcare professionals in public systems feeling overworked, underpaid, and underappreciated.
In a country where one can easily order food, shop online, or pay bills, the healthcare sector is still operating in an analog world. The gap between healthcare providers and patients continues to widen, and this issue needs to be addressed for the benefit of both parties.
2. Women’s Health
At least half of the population – women – need a stronger voice and better access to comprehensive healthcare. Awareness of menopause remains limited, despite it being a major global health issue championed by women’s health advocates. Both education and access to resources around menopause need to be prioritized. At Vital Signs, we believe this topic should be prominently featured and addressed in all healthcare facilities.
The short- and long-term effects of menopause can be severe if not addressed early in life, potentially leading to conditions like heart disease and osteoporosis, as discussed in our Vodcast
3. Transplant Awareness
2025 marks the 50th anniversary of Malaysia’s first transplant, and we’ve come a long way since then. Our transplant capabilities now include kidney, heart, lung, liver, eye, and even bone marrow transplants. However, many experts argue that we still haven’t done enough.
Currently, over 51,000 people are on dialysis, with around 12,000 eligible for transplants. It’s estimated that Malaysia spends over a billion ringgit annually just on dialysis treatments. The International Society of Transplantation has referred to dialysis patients as a "moveable barrier”, an illness that can be treated relatively quickly with a transplant. You can read more here.
Many of these patients could lead normal lives if given a transplant. As a transplant recipient myself, I can now work, earn a salary, and contribute to the economy instead of burdening the system. The pain and suffering experienced by transplant candidates and their families is enormous, and globally, evidence shows that transplants not only save lives but also save money.
My wish, and that of countless others in need, is that the Ministry of Health recognizes both the financial and moral responsibility they have to provide life-saving transplants. Steps need to be taken to increase transplant rates in Malaysia.
While these are my personal thoughts, I welcome your opinions and comments, which we can share here for broader discussion. After all, as patients, caregivers, and citizens of the world, we all want to live meaningful lives.
Please feel free to send your comments to media@vitalsigns.asia
