A forum titled “Rising Cost of Healthcare In Malaysia” organized by the University Malaya Student Union recently shed light on a critical issue: the increasing cost of private healthcare in Malaysia. YB Sim Tze Tzin, who revealed that the Parliament’s Public Account Committee (PAC) would soon hold a public hearing on the topic, helped steer a conversation on the matter.
The panel featured healthcare experts such as Azrul Khalib from the Galen Centre, former Thompson Medical centre CEO Nadiah Wan and moderated by Vital Signs Founder Manvir Victor. Despite the absence of key figures like Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh, President of the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM), who pulled out at the last minute due to an emergency, the event still drew about 300 attendees, with almost 800 more tuning in live via Facebook. Keynote speaker Associate Professor Dr Tharani Loganathan, who specialises in Health Economics from the University joined the panel in place of Kuljit.
The event was a response to growing concerns over rising private healthcare costs, coupled with fears that public hospitals like Pusat Perubatan Universiti Malaya (PPUM) may become overwhelmed as more Malaysians turn to private healthcare options. With rising costs and the increasing burden on the public system, the forum's aim was clear: to foster awareness about the right to healthcare and to examine the role of the government in managing healthcare prices sustainably.
As the project director, Ashmeta Deva Dass, apologised for the absence of Dr. Kuljit, there was still a sense that the conversation lacked a vital perspective. Patients, public healthcare users, and even healthcare experts voiced their frustration that no one from private healthcare institutions was there to answer pressing questions. How can we expect transparency and improvement when those responsible for private healthcare costs are not present in discussions like these, they asked.
The panel discussed the many facets of healthcare in Malaysia with ideas for solving the current crisis of rising costs to include data collection through digitization, a national health and social insurance, implementation of the DRG (Diagnosis Related Groups rates)
Sim, who has been vocal about advocating for both public and patient interests, questioned if a net profit of 11%—which is considered the average for most prominent private hospitals—was really enough to justify their growing prices. Is this rate truly necessary for hospitals to sustain their growth, or does it reflect a misalignment of priorities in an industry that, fundamentally, should be about care over profit?
Nadiah Wan, representing the private sector, explained that investments in staff welfare and regular facility upgrades were critical to maintaining high standards, suggesting that this margin might not be as excessive as it appears. But this raises an important question: Is there a better way to balance patient care and business growth without putting more pressure on the public?
Meanwhile, Associate Professor Dr. Tharani Loganathan from the University acknowledged that Malaysia’s healthcare system could benefit from better investment in preventative medicine to reduce the burden of disease—an issue that no one can afford to ignore. But with rising healthcare costs, who bears the responsibility for ensuring that everyone has access to preventative care?
As the conversation evolved, Azrul from the Galen Centre argued that better data collection and a national health and social insurance system could be the key to alleviating the financial strain on both the public and private healthcare systems.
He raised the possibility of such a system ensuring that no one is left behind, regardless of their financial situation.
While Sim agreed, the question remains: Can such a system truly become a reality in a system so dominated by profit-driven private healthcare?
Sim called on the public to stay engaged, pressing lawmakers to prioritize the right to accessible healthcare. However, how can we ensure that those at the top are listening, when key industry players like private hospitals seem to be avoiding tough conversations?
A large part of the forum was dedicated to a Q&A session, where participants voiced their frustrations over the absence of private healthcare representatives. Attendees felt their concerns about rising healthcare costs and insurance premiums were inadequately addressed. With no one from private healthcare facilities present to answer these critical questions, it's hard not to feel like the very people whose lives are affected by these costs are being sidelined in the conversation.
One attendee, Professor John George, suggested the formation of a National Health & Social Insurance board, which could include prominent figures like Prof Syed Aljunid, the first Malaysian to hold a Ph.D. in Health Economics.
Would such a move truly allow us to rethink healthcare in Malaysia in a more equitable way, or is it just another bureaucratic step with little real impact?
Despite the challenges, the event did offer hope. The feedback forms filled out by participants will be used to create a policy brief that will be submitted to stakeholders like the Ministry of Health and Bank Negara Malaysia. The event underscored the commitment of student-led initiatives to tackle national issues, and one can only hope that these dialogues will spark real change.
As both a patient and patient advocate myself, I can't help but wonder: Do the private healthcare facilities truly understand the core of their business? Yes, they may have the latest equipment, luxurious facilities, and skilled professionals—but let’s not forget that both public and private hospitals are, at their heart, in the business of trust.
When a patient walks through those doors, vulnerable, scared, and in pain, they place their trust in the institution to take care of them. They trust that they will be treated with dignity, and that the care they receive will be effective, accessible, and affordable. But when these trusted institutions fail to show up at forums designed to engage with their users, to hear their concerns, and to be held accountable, it leaves one questioning their commitment to that trust.
Why wasn’t anyone from the private hospitals there to answer the questions that matter most to the people who rely on them?
And when, if ever, will we see a truly inclusive conversation that brings everyone to the table—especially the voices of the patients who bear the consequences of these rising costs?
