Search the health news archive.

MOF says health cuts are "non-critical only" — but hasn't withdrawn its RM3.1b cut request to MOH. Core services "safe", yet the sword still hangs 💸

PUTRAJAYA, April 30 — The government’s recent expenditure adjustment measures will not affect essential public services such as healthcare, education, security and other core...

Hospital supplies take 74% of every inpatient insurance claim — up from 70% in 2022. Claims inflation: 21.6%. Premium inflation: 13.2%. The maths is unsustainable ⚠️

Hospital supplies take 74% of every inpatient insurance claim — up from 70% in 2022. Claims inflation: 21.6%. Premium inflation: 13.2%. The maths is unsustainable ⚠️

Sabah needs 9,000+ doctors but has just 4,828. The shortfall? 4,526. Doctor-to-patient ratio: 1:775 against a national target of 1:400 🏥

KOTA KINABALU, April 29 — Sabah is facing a critical shortage of doctors, with the state government saying the gap to the national average is a significant 4,526 doctors across...

Malaysia faces a healthcare crisis — yet Treasury is proposing to cut MOH's budget BELOW 2025 levels. RM43.4b on the table vs RM45.3b last year 💸

The Treasury has ordered budget cuts for various ministries this year due to a ballooning subsidy bill, specifying a proposed cut of about RM3 billion (6.6%) to the Health Ministry's RM46.5 billion 2026 budget, leaving MOH with a…

Malaysia's public health promotions run on seniority, not performance. Dr Musa Mohd Nordin says this is killing morale — and the healthcare system pays the price 📋

Restoring confidence in promotion practices is not just about fairness. It is about safeguarding the future effectiveness, morale, and integrity of our public health institutions.

An ex-senator is calling for an independent Health Service Commission to take healthcare workers out of the civil service framework. Structural fix or wishful thinking? 🏥

Ex-Senator Dr RA Lingeshwaran says a "code blue" crisis of health worker shortages demands the establishment of a Health Service Commission to manage human resources and budgeting for the health workforce, and to reduce dependenc…

Only 1 in 7 Malaysian seniors is ageing healthily. MMA says GPs must lead the country’s ageing nation response — or the healthcare system simply won’t cope 👴

Our seniors deserve more than fragmented solutions. They deserve a system designed around their realities, one that brings care closer to where they live.

Malaysia’s medical insurance premiums rose 13% — but claims rose 21.6%. World Bank says overutilisation and broken incentives, not just price hikes, are the real culprit 🩺

The World Bank says service-level medical inflation in Malaysia remains modest compared with the growth in claims paid and total billed amounts.

Hospital supplies account for 74% of Malaysia's inpatient insurance costs — up from 70% in 2022. World Bank flags the misaligned incentives driving premiums higher 💸

MND warriors, caregivers and volunteers united at the MND Malaysia Family Gathering 2026 — because behind every diagnosis is a community that refuses to let you face it alone 💙

A total of 48 participants, including 12 MND warriors and their families, took part in the gathering.

After the health DG admitted the system is broken, Hartal Doktor Kontrak is demanding a proper fix: an independent Health Service Commission 🏥

In endorsing DG Mahathar's rare acknowledgment of a fragmented health workforce pipeline, Hartal Doktor Kontrak wants a Health Service Commission to streamline the whole process, decentralise health service employment from JPA, a…

At a conference recently, the usual card exchange started. I didn’t have to worry about running out or carrying any at all. I just shared my virtual vCard. No printing. No hassle. One tap and everything is there, contact details, clinic info, links. If you’re still using paper cards, it’s time to upgrade. Get your free virtual business card: https://vcard.physician.my Share your vcard via QR code, phone share links or an optional NFC card.

Cancer care demand is rising. Malaysia has more oncologists than before, but still not enough. More patients. More complex care. More pressure. Train more oncologists now. 🩺

KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 — Cancer remains the third leading cause of death in Malaysia, with about 40,000 new cases recorded annually, underscoring mounting pressure on the...

"We all shared the gift of youth once." Dr Goh Heong Keong's open letter to his patient Paul is a rare, human window into what medicine is really about ❤️

We all shared the gift of youth once, for time is an impartial companion to every one of us.

450 surgeons and healthcare pros gathered in Sarawak to level up plastic and reconstructive surgical skills — reducing the need to fly patients to Peninsular Malaysia for specialist care ✂️

KUCHING (April 25): Some 450 participants attended the two-day Sarawak Plastic Surgical Update 2026, aimed at bridging the gap between traditional reconstructive excellence and modern aesthetic innovation. The event, which began…

Malaysia needs 8,500 vets but only has 2,600. A shortage of 6,000 puts food safety, livestock disease control and animal welfare at risk 🐄

Malaysia is facing a severe shortage of nearly 6,000 veterinarians, says the DVS, as the country only has 2,600 active vets compared to 8,500 needed. The ratio of vets to people in Malaysia is 1:13,700, far worse than the interna…

Selangor warns of up to 25% medical cost hike — 70-80% of Malaysia's medicines are imported and the Persian Gulf conflict is squeezing supply chains 💊

Selangor MB Amirudin Shari expects medical costs to increase by 15% to 25% amid the Persian Gulf conflict, noting that nearly 70% to 80% of medicines for Malaysia are sourced from overseas.

Malaysia's Base MHIT plan only covers "stable" pre-existing conditions. MP Rajiv asks: what about the rest? Unconditional coverage or it's just health insurance theatre 🩺

Bukit Gasing rep Rajiv Rishyakaran demands unconditional coverage of pre-existing conditions under Base MHIT, not just "stable" cases. He asks what percentage of the adult population living with chronic disease would qualify for…

Forgotten Baby Syndrome is not bad parenting. It is human memory failing under stress, fatigue or broken routine. Don’t rely on memory alone: Look before you lock. Put your bag in the back seat. Childcare should call if absent. One lapse can cost a life. 🧠

Medical tourism isn't stealing Malaysia's specialists — bad pay and broken career paths are. MMA sets the record straight on what's really driving doctors away 🏥

Malaysian Medical Association president Dr R Thirunavukarasu says the real issue lies within the national health system itself.

Malaysia is pushing for regional cooperation to make rare disease treatments affordable - over 12,000 patients across 500+ disease types can't afford to wait 💊

WHO chief Tedros praised Malaysia's active role in pandemic preparedness and global health cooperation during his official visit. Dzulkefly: Malaysia's voice matters globally 🤝

WHO just approved the world's first malaria treatment designed specifically for newborns and infants. Artemether-lumefantrine - a milestone for global child health 🌍