Fix food policy now or face health crisis, says economist
Published on: Wed, Jun 18, 2025
By: Pan Eu Joe, FMT Text Size: Economist Jomo Kwame Sundaram speaking at EPF's International Social Wellbeing Conference in Kuala Lumpur today. Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia must urgently reform its food and nutrition policies, especially for young children, to improve long-term health and development, says economist Jomo Kwame Sundaram. Speaking at EPF's International Social Wellbeing Conference here today, the Khazanah Research Institute adviser said many government nutrition programmes were low in quality and did not meet basic dietary needs.
Advertisement He also criticised the government's reliance on market mechanisms like the sugar tax, saying these alone were insufficient. 'The sugar tax is not working well. We need real rules and changes in how people eat,' he said in his keynote speech for the session titled 'Living Longer: Is Malaysia Ready for the Challenges Ahead?' 'People must be encouraged to eat fresh, healthy food again. Not everything can be solved by taxes.' In 2019, Malaysia introduced a sugar tax of RM0.40 per litre for sweetened beverages which it raised to RM0.50 in 2024, with plans to hike it to RM0.90 this year. While the tax has led to some product reformulation, its impact on public health remains under debate. Jomo described Malaysia's surging diabetes rates as a serious warning sign, saying prevalence had tripled since the 1980s, with nearly one in four adults now living with the disease. 'This shows that our past health campaigns have failed. We must act before it gets worse,' he said. He cited the 1970s village midwife programme as an example of an effective, low-cost public health policy that reduced maternal and child mortality but was never scaled up. 'These ideas worked well before. But we didn't build on them,' he said. He urged the government to adopt a 'whole-of-government and whole-of-society' approach to issues such as poor nutrition, ageing, and unequal access to care. 'This should not be led by companies trying to sell products,' he said. 'We need to talk about real solutions for everyone's health and well-being.' * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
17 hours ago
- Daily Express
Health ministry mulls total vape ban
Published on: Monday, July 28, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jul 28, 2025 By: Predeep Nambiar, Kim Osman, FMT Text Size: The health ministry is considering a total ban on the sale and use of vape and electronic cigarettes. Kuala Lumpur: The health ministry is considering a total ban on the sale and use of vape and electronic cigarettes, but says the move will require careful planning and coordination with key agencies. Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat today, Dzukelfy Ahmad said the move required the consideration of several issues, including legal implications, enforcement, and public health. 'A thorough study is currently underway to evaluate the effectiveness of current control measures and the need for a more comprehensive policy to protect the overall health of the public,' he said in response to Ahmad Saad Yahaya (PN-Pokok Sena). According to Dzulkefly, a special committee on e-cigarettes, chaired by senior health officials Ismuni Bohari and Lokman Hakim Sulaiman, met on July 22 to discuss stronger regulatory measures, including the possibility of a full ban. 'The committee also recommended studies to assess legal, industrial, government revenue, and licensing aspects in the event that a total ban on the sale and use of electronic cigarettes or vapes is pursued,' he said. The ministry will now consult the Attorney-General's Chambers and several other ministries to refine the proposed approach, he added. 'For now, the health ministry prioritises a strict regulatory approach to smoking products through the implementation of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024,' he said. Speaking at a press conference later, Dzulkefly clarified that the ministry would only proceed with the ban if it is recommended by the committee. 'They will propose evidence-based recommendations based on data, legal frameworks, and enforcement considerations. 'If a ban becomes our agenda, it will be guided by the committee's evidence-based proposals,' he said.
Daily Express
19 hours ago
- Daily Express
Malaysia's healthcare at a tipping point as costs surge
Published on: Monday, July 28, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jul 28, 2025 By: FMT Reporters Text Size: For illustrative purposes only. PETALING JAYA: Malaysia's healthcare system is edging towards a crisis. According to the Khazanah Research Institute, medical inflation is projected to hit 12.6% this year, outpacing both the global and Asia-Pacific averages. At the same time, insurance premiums are rising well beyond Bank Negara Malaysia's 10% cap, while public hospitals are overwhelmed with long queues, a shortage of specialists and stretched resources. However, instead of focusing on faults, experts say the conversation must shift toward practical and transparent solutions that improve outcomes for all Malaysians. Medical costs are escalating worldwide. Malaysia is no different, experts say, yet in some ways, it is even more exposed. Why are healthcare costs climbing? Private hospital charges are often perceived as excessive, yet data shows they operate on modest post-tax margins of between 7% and 11%—lower than the margins reported by insurers (13%), pharmaceutical firms (15%), and MedTech companies (16%). Up to 90% of private hospital earnings is reinvested in infrastructure, equipment and staffing. This reinvestment is critical in a competitive environment where retaining skilled specialists has become increasingly difficult. Healthcare costs are rising in part because hospitals must bear the cost of globally-priced technologies, imported drugs and rising wages. Meanwhile, the public system remains severely overburdened. Over 70% of Malaysians depend on public healthcare, where the doctor-to-patient ratio exceeds 1,500:1. Those who can afford private treatment gain faster access and a more personalised care environment, complementing the essential services offered by public hospitals. Medical bills also vary depending on a patient's health profile. A young, healthy individual will naturally incur lower costs than an elderly patient with multiple chronic conditions. However, variations are driven by the complexity of treatment, not arbitrary pricing. The insurance factor Patients are often taken aback by the cost of private treatment, particularly in insured cases. However, these outcomes are frequently the result of how insurance policies are structured. Hospitals usually charge the same base prices for treatments regardless of whether a patient pays out-of-pocket or via insurance. However, insurance companies often negotiate business-to-business (B2B) discounts with hospitals premised on patient volume. In such cases, the final bill that an insured patient incurs would likely be lower than the standard rate. Before admission, hospitals typically offer patients an estimated treatment cost based on the clinical recommendations of doctors. Patients are always informed of options available to them if the insurance coverage excludes certain procedures or the treatment cost exceeds their policy limit. Patients who choose to self-pay may, in some cases, incur lower overall costs. This can result from patients opting for less intensive treatment or receiving discretionary discounts and financial aid from hospitals and doctors in deserving cases. While these practices are typically rooted in clinical judgement and goodwill, they may contribute to the perception of dual pricing between insured and self-paying patients. When appraised of the estimated costs, patients can then decide whether to pay for treatment out of their own pocket or seek a transfer to a public hospital. This process ensures decisions are made transparently and with informed consent. Health economist Prof Syed Mohamed Aljunid of IMU University attributes the inflationary pressures to factors affecting both demand and supply. 'On the demand side, an ageing population and the rise in chronic non-communicable diseases are important factors. They require a huge amount of resources—especially in the long term—to treat. 'On the supply side, new technologies, specialised equipment and treatment, and the development of new drugs are also costly,' he told FMT. He said the insurance sector must also be subject to scrutiny as some policyholders have seen premiums rise by as much as 50% over three years—well above official caps. When insurance coverage lapses or is exhausted, patients often fall back on the public system. This shift is especially pronounced in cases of recurring illnesses like cancer, where policies typically cover only the initial diagnosis. Transparency vs. reality in medical billing Unlike retail products, medical costs can't always be quoted upfront. Treatments may evolve in real-time depending on a patient's condition, complications and their recovery trajectory. While hospitals provide detailed, itemised bills post-treatment, estimating exact costs in advance is often impossible. Since May 1, private healthcare providers have had to publicly display medication prices—a move aimed at enhancing transparency. However, industry stakeholders have voiced concern over practical hurdles, from administrative burdens to unclear regulatory oversight. Critics of the move say doctor-patient consultations may end up becoming price-haggling sessions. Smaller clinics, already struggling with rising costs, may find it difficult to absorb the compliance burden. Penalties for non-compliance—up to RM50,000 for individuals and RM100,000 for companies—are also raising alarm. Dr Nomee Ashikin, group medical director at state-owned Selgate Healthcare Sdn Bhd, said private hospitals already operate on tight margins and absorb significant overheads to maintain high standards of care. 'Hospitals have no choice, as they are facing a lot of headwinds. With the current issue of tariffs and a poor ringgit, a lot of these problems will trickle down and be borne by the public,' she told FMT. Other countries offer mixed lessons. Thailand's price controls were met with resistance due to fears of stifling innovation. Vietnam has capped basic services but allowed premium offerings to offset costs. Singapore has sought to balance public and private roles through hybrid funding and structured pricing. What can be done? One critical area is better regulation of the insurance industry, said Nomee. 'When the bottom line is prioritised, it will be to the detriment of the public. We need some sort of regulation. 'We know that the medical doctors are the ones who are being regulated. Our fees have not changed for the last decade. Before, the ratio of medical bills was one to the doctor, three to the hospital. Now it's one to ten,' she said. Some patients have faced steep premium hikes and coverage inconsistencies. Improving transparency around claims and clearly communicating co-payment structures could help rebuild trust. Another priority is strengthening coordination between public and private healthcare. Both sectors are essential, and better collaboration can ease congestion and improve access across the board. At the policy level, reform needs to be cautious and deliberate as overly aggressive regulation could deter investment and affect service quality. Dr Khor Swee Kheng, CEO of Angsana Health, said reforms must be gradual and consultative. 'Reforms should take place with enough notice so that people are not surprised by it. As long as you manage the reforms in a gradual, predictable way that is familiar to people—without scaring them—reforms will work,' he told FMT. He said addressing Malaysia's healthcare challenges will require cooperation from all sides. 'Stop blaming each other. Stop saying that a certain stakeholder has got more duty, more responsibility, and therefore has more on the hook than other stakeholders. 'The middle way must be collaborative, evidence-based and should be implemented in a pilot fashion. If it shows some early promising signs of results, then we go all in,' he said. - FMT * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
4 days ago
- Daily Express
Two Sabah media practitioners receive aid from Tabung Kasih@Hawana
Published on: Thursday, July 24, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jul 24, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Fahmi (second right) and others observe the injury on Vicky's arm. - fotoBERNAMA PENAMPANG: Tabung Kasih@Hawana's has brought much-needed cheer and meaningful support to two media practitioners in Sabah who are battling health challenges. One of the recipients, Sabah State Information Department photographer Vicky Sylvester Matanjang, 52, said he was moved by the kind gesture of Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, who personally visited his home in Kampung Hungab here today to deliver the contribution. 'I feel appreciated, even though I'm just a photographer. Today is my first day back at work, but I'm only doing light duties as I haven't fully recovered,' said Vicky, who sustained serious injuries in a road accident in March. He said the initiative also reflected the Madani government's concern for the welfare of those facing hardship, especially media practitioners nationwide. Also present were Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa; Bernama chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin; Sabah State Information Department director Jainisah Mohd Noor; and Sabah Journalists Association (SJA) president Mariah Doksil. Sabah Media journalist Hafizul Andie Zulkarnain, 35, who is still recovering from surgery for a bowel complication and ruptured appendix in June, expressed his heartfelt thanks after receiving the contribution from Nur-ul Afida at his residence in Sepanggar, Kota Kinabalu, last Tuesday. 'Thank you for taking the time to visit and hand over the contribution. It will definitely help with my treatment expenses during my recovery,' he said. Meanwhile, Nur-ul Afida said media associations in Sabah could reach out to the secretariat of Tabung Kasih@Hawana, managed by Bernama, to provide information on media practitioners facing health issues or hardships. 'I would like to seek the cooperation of media associations in Sabah to share information with us so that we can assist our fellow media practitioners in need,' she said. Meanwhile, Mariah expressed hope that the SJA could serve as a key platform for coordinating aid to media practitioners in need. 'We will suggest the names of those eligible to receive donations and assist in providing the necessary information,' she said. The Tabung Kasih@Hawana initiative reflects the spirit of Malaysia Madani by upholding values of compassion and care, particularly for media practitioners who have long contributed to society but are now facing life or health challenges. The fund was established as a Communications Ministry initiative and implemented through Bernama to support serving and retired journalists and other media practitioners who are facing hardships or financial difficulties. To date, a total of 463 media practitioners nationwide have benefited from the initiative. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
