Category: Health Policy

Malaysia is facing rising medical insurance premiums and significant cost variations in private hospital treatments, prompting calls for regulatory intervention and greater transparency to ensure affordability and sustainability in healthcare financing. Escalating Medical Insurance Premiums According to Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), around 61% of revised medical and health insurance policies saw premium increases of up to 20% in 2024, while 30% faced hikes between 21% and 40%. Some policyholders even experienced increases ranging from 40% to 70%, making insurance unaffordable for many (CodeBlue, The Sun). Several factors contribute to these…

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Malaysians who rely on iHerb for their health and wellness needs may be in for an unpleasant surprise—the global online retailer has ceased shipping to Malaysia. As of March 6, 2025, customers attempting to place orders on the platform are now met with a notice stating that delivery services to Malaysia are no longer available. Malaysians who rely on iHerb for their health and wellness needs may have noticed a recent change—the global online retailer has temporarily ceased shipping to Malaysia. As of March 6, 2025, customers attempting to place…

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The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has renewed its call for a periodic adjustment of private general practitioner (GP) fees, following a 20-year freeze that has left consultation rates unchanged since 2006. This discussion has sparked debate on how to ensure fair compensation for medical professionals while maintaining affordable healthcare access for the public. The Case for a Fee Adjustment MMA President Dr. Azizan Abdul Aziz has emphasized that private GP fees should be adjusted by at least 10% every two years, aligning with inflation and rising operational costs. According to…

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South Korea has long been recognized for its efficient and high-quality healthcare system. One unique aspect of its policy is the restriction on private hospitals from being listed on the stock market. This decision is rooted in concerns over balancing patient care and financial incentives. Malaysia, on the other hand, has allowed private hospitals to be publicly listed, raising discussions on how different approaches impact healthcare accessibility and affordability. Why South Korea Restricts Private Hospitals from Going Public South Korea’s healthcare system is predominantly private, with approximately 94% of hospitals…

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