By Danial Dzulkifly
SHAH ALAM, Oct 13 — The Health Ministry is set for a significant funding boost next year, with a record RM41.2 billion allocated under Budget 2024, a significant leap from the RM32 billion it received the previous year.
The increased funding is the largest among all ministries, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said during the Budget 2024 tabling in Parliament today.
These funds have been earmarked to procure essential medical supplies and enhance the nation’s public healthcare infrastructure.
Among the notable projects includes the construction of a new Emergency and Trauma Department building at the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Hospital in Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang.
Other noteworthy developments are a Teaching Hospital Complex in Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Kota Tinggi, Johor, with a RM938 million allocation; the initiation of Sultanah Aminah Hospital 2 construction in Johor Bahru; and a new Pathology block at the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital in Kelantan for RM175 million.
He said these initiatives are set to mitigate overcrowding in public healthcare facilities and align with the nation’s ambition of ensuring one doctor for every 400 patients.
Additionally, five new public health clinics are on the cards, including in Rantau, Negeri Sembilan; in Kuala Tahan in Jerantut, Pahang; Kuala Jengal in Dungun, Terengganu; and Pulau Mantanani in Kota Belud, Sabah.
RM150 million has been allocated for these projects.
To further alleviate the congestion woes in public hospitals, a proactive strategy will be adopted, facilitating patient referrals to alternate healthcare facilities, including military, university, and private hospitals.
This initiative will be backed by RM200 million in government funding.
Anwar added that Putrajaya has also pledged support towards establishing a dedicated Cancer Institute in Sarawak.
