Alifah Zainuddin

Most Malaysian stroke patients exhaust insurance coverage for rehab within 2 months, missing the “golden period” of first 6-12 months for recovery potential. Rehabilitation hospitals cost RM100-RM300 daily; visiting therapists charge RM100-RM150 per hour.

Over 85% of female lung cancer patients in Asia never smoked, compared to 15% in the West. Genetic mutations are far higher in Asia. Initial cost-benefit analysis suggests Asian countries may gain US$40 million by screening the high-risk for lung cancer.

Due to a dire nurse shortage and insufficient nursing graduates, MOH is diverting "100%" of nurses from specialist clinics to wards in its hospitals nationwide, except those in O&G and paeds, replacing nurses in specialist clinics with medical assistants.

A senior nurse proposes that MOH hire foreign-trained nurses like what was done in the mid-90s. Max nurse-to-patient ratio in wards should be 1:8, but common ratio in MOH hospitals is now 1:15, 1:20 or higher, risking patient safety. Double shifts are common.

APHM is asking the Health Minister to extend the one-year exemption, beyond Sept 2024, of the post basic qualification requirement for foreign-trained nurses to work in private hospitals. Some candidates are only sitting for Nursing Board exams this month.

Dr Musa Nordin calls for a joint MOH-MOHE task force to resolve doctor shortages and other staffing issues in MOH and university hospitals, saying there has been much “bad blood” between health care staff on the ground and leaders in MOH and academia.

Some QEH doctors oppose MOH's order to rotate medical officers from other departments, especially non-clinical, to the emergency department's Green Zone for the new 2-hour waiting time KPI. As some have left clinical work for years, they fear patient harm.

The Selangor Heart Treatment Scheme helped cover a 43-year-old's RM55,000 heart bypass surgery at IJN. Consultations and meds cost over RM1,000 per visit before the operation; his last post-op check-up cost RM3,000. "Without Selcare, I wouldn't be alive."

UM epidemiologist Prof Dr Nirmala Bhoo-Pathy says cancer prevention and treatment should be viewed as an investment in the economy, not a cost burden, as many patients are employed young adults who can return to work if cancer is detected early or treated.

Selcare Management, a Selangor state-owned TPA, has no cap on consultation fees or a list of reimbursable meds. Panel clinics get paid in a month. Klinik Aurora says the lack of a cap on consultation fees leads to better patient recovery and satisfaction.