KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 29): Budget 2022 has mixed implications for Malaysia’s healthcare, said the Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy.

The public policy research and advocacy group said the allocations related to the Covid-19 crisis such as the continued procurement of vaccines, drugs, personal protective equipment (PPE) and consumables demonstrate the government's continued resolve and commitment to addressing this public health emergency, avoiding repeating the mistakes of the past budget and increasing the preparedness and resilience of the health system to future pandemics.

“The government is sending the message that the threat is not over and there is no time for complacency,” said Galen Centre CEO Azrul Mohd Khalib in a statement.

"However, I am very concerned that there has barely been an increase in the health allocation compared to what was allocated for 2021.

“It is an increase of 1.5%, the amount is arguably the smallest increment to the health budget in more than a decade. It gives the wrong impression that despite the crisis that Malaysians have endured over the past 22 months, somehow health needs and service delivery remain the same,” he said.

Azrul, however, noted that Budget 2022 includes a significant increase in the allocations for public health of more than RM 200 million, benefiting areas such as disease control, health education and promotion, and family health development.

“This is welcome news as it will cover non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, kidney disease, and cardiovascular diseases. That investment will bring benefits in the long run, improving the quality of patients and saving lives. Public health is the most important aspect of our healthcare system right now and we need it to be strengthened. We cannot afford to look at one crisis at a time,” he said.

Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, in his Budget 2022 speech, announced a RM32.4 billion allocation to the Health Ministry for operating and development expenditure.

Azrul said the problem regarding medicines allocations that was identified last year remains present and problematic.

“Though mental health was highlighted prominently during the budget speech, the fact is that the allocation for this important area of healthcare (RM319.58 million) still remains lower than was provided in 2020, which was RM344 million,” he said.

However, he said an initiative to provide 130,000 young women from B40 families each month with hygiene products such as sanitary pads is remarkable. 

"We [also] welcome the announcement that the government will consider imposing excise duties on e-liquids and juices used for vape and e-cigarettes. However, the duties should extend to include those that are nicotine and non-nicotine.

“It was disappointing to not have heard an increase in cigarette taxes which have been frozen since 2015. This was a lost opportunity for increased revenue and funds which could be used to support prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases," added Azrul.

See more Budget 2022 highlights here.