Liow hopes allocations will help reduce NCD

The Star, Sunday September 30, 2012

(My story without byline)

PETALING JAYA: Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai hopes that the Budget allocation for blood test screening and free health checks under the Social Security Orga­nisation (Socso) will help reduce non-communicable diseases (NCD) by 10% to 20%.

He said the funds would help in financing programmes for the early prevention of such diseases.

“Many people come too late for check-ups and by then, they may have to be put on long-term medication,” said Liow.

The Budget 2013 will see cholesterol, sugar and urine tests being offered by 1Malaysia Clinics, while a RM200mil allocation for Socso would enable 1.4 million people aged between 40 and 55 years old to get free health check-ups.

Liow also that said more than 50% of breast cancer cases were detected late and welcomed the Women, Fam­i­­­ly and Community Development Ministry’s RM25mil allocation for free mammogram screenings for 100,000 women aged 40 and above.

On calls for private doctors to be included in the 1Malaysia Clinics scheme, Liow said the ministry would study the idea first.

Socso chief executive officer Datuk K. Selvarajah said the organisation was working out the details of the types of free health check-ups to be offered.

Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/9/30/budget/12105259&sec=budget

Boost for healthcare and well-being

The Star, Saturday September 29, 2012

THE Government has allocated RM19.3bil for healthcare management and development services next year. This is a 15% increase compared with last year.

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the 1Malaysia Clinics would begin to offer cholesterol and glucose testing services as well as urine tests for those who needed them.

As for the reduced sugar subsidy, he said this was done as 2.6 million Malaysians were diabetic.

“The Government urges retailers not to burden fellow Malaysians by increasing prices. Instead, reduce the content of sugar,” he said.

Najib added that the subsidy reduction was supported by consumers groups and health practitioners.

The Prime Minister said that the Government would still be subsidising sugar at 34 sen per kilo, totalling RM278mil.

Interests groups welcomed the reduction of sugar subsidy but some of them were not happy that the 1Malaysia Clinics are affecting private practice.

For instance, Malaysian Medical Association president Dr S.R. Manalan said they were disappointed that the Government did not include the request of private doctors to incorporate their services in the 1Malaysia Clinic scheme.

“We have mentioned to the Government that the programme had affected the livelihood of many private doctors.

“The Government said the doctors could sign up for slots in general hospitals but these slots were always full, filled up by their own doctors,” he said.

Dr Manalan also said that breast cancer had become more common among those aged 40 and below, thus allocations should be made for them for other forms of screening such as ultrasound.

On the RM200mil allocation for Socso to enable 1.4 million workers to go for free check-ups, he said it was a good effort but there must be follow-up efforts to their cases.

Fomca deputy president Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah said the Government should engage private practitioners for 1Malaysia Clinics instead of creating more clinics by renting new premises and employing additional medical assistants and staff.

He noted that there was no mention of the healthcare financing scheme, which was needed in view of Malaysia becoming an ageing population.

“This must come as soon as possible because healthcare cost has escalated and affecting consumers,” he said.

Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/9/29/budget/12097828&sec=budget