Kuching: Proposed reductions of up to RM3.06 billion in the national health budget have drawn concern from Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen, who warned that such cuts risk undermining patient care and placing additional pressure on Malaysia’s already overburdened public healthcare system.
Yii acknowledged the need for prudent fiscal management amid a global supply crisis, but stressed that the scale of the proposed reduction raises serious concerns.
“Such directive from the Ministry of Finance may have noble intentions, especially to have a prudent fiscal approach to optimise government resources, but to expect to save up to RM3.06 billion from the Health Ministry from a total RM10 billion across the board, seems tone deaf and shows little understanding of the already over-stretched operations on the ground under the Ministry of Health,” he said in a statement.
He pointed out that the proposed reduction represents nearly one-third of the total targeted savings across all ministries, placing a disproportionate burden on the healthcare sector.
“The concern is the cost it may have on patient care, which may show up as postponed surgeries, extended waiting times, shortages of medicines, crumbling hospital infrastructure, exhausted medical staff, preventable medical complications, and ultimately, deaths that could have been avoided.
“Unfortunately, the most vulnerable will be low-income families, elderly citizens, those living with chronic illnesses, children, and communities living in rural areas, such as in Sabah and Sarawak. Let’s not forget, more than 70% of Malaysians rely on this public system for their healthcare needs,” he said.
Yii also highlighted the ongoing healthcare workforce crisis, noting that Sabah and Sarawak alone face a shortage of up to 6,000 doctors.
“The Health Ministry must never be seen as an easy target for savings. Health spending is not a cost to minimise; it is a core public investment. It safeguards lives, sustains productivity, underpins economic stability, and builds social trust,” he said.
He urged the Ministry of Finance to reconsider its planned fiscal recalibration involving the Health Ministry.
At the same time, he called on the Health Ministry to ensure transparency in any cost-saving measures.
“If savings must be made, the government must clearly outline where these reductions will occur and demonstrate that essential services will not be compromised.
“This is crucial to maintain public confidence and support the morale of our healthcare workers,” he added.
