KUALA LUMPUR: The Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) has nominated five representatives from different private hospital conglomerates to assist the Health White Paper (HWP) advisory council.
Its president, Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh, said APHM supported the council, adding that these five representatives would strengthen the partnership of private hospitals with the government.
"We are of the opinion that the current system of public and private healthcare system is sustainable, provided further collaborative efforts can be undertaken but with precise advice and knowledge from the ground, particularly from the private hospital operators," he said in a statement today.
Dr Kuljit said the nomination of the five had been submitted to Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
"All of them have over 20 years of individual experience in private hospital management, and each of these private hospital groups have been in existence for between 40 and 50 years.
"The president and secretary of APHM will represent the other smaller hospital groups and stand-alone private hospitals till further notice," he said.
The 13-member advisory council, announced by Khairy last week, is co-chaired by former health minister Tan Sri Dr S. Subramaniam and Axiata Group chairman Tan Sri Shahril Ridza Ridzuan.
On separate matter, Dr Kuljit said the association hoped Khairy would remain in Parliament and continue as health minister after the 15th General Election.
"His contribution to the country's healthcare has been significant, particularly during the pandemic and currently in the proposed HWP.
"His efforts have augmented the foundation that was built by previous ministers, and his courage to enhance the partnership with private healthcare stakeholders is very commendable.
"This partnership with private hospitals will have the details on how delivering healthcare could be made possible to every citizen with the best mechanism of reimbursement and create sufficient accessibility for early treatment without any disruption to any of the existing public and private healthcare structures," he said.