KUALA LUMPUR: The Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia has welcomed the proposal in the 2025 Budget (Belanjawan 2025) to outsource patients from public hospitals to receive certain treatments at 91 private hospitals.
Its president, Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh said APHM believes the amount is appropriate and sufficient to allow private hospitals to fully treat these patients, even under challenging conditions.
"If at all possible, technology should be used to facilitate referrals between public and private institutions, saving patients from longer wait times," he said in a statement today.
Kuljit also praised the government's proposal to reduce health subsidies for the top 15 per cent income group, describing it as a 'positive approach'.
He expressed APHM's willingness to assist with the public hospital's private concept structure, suggesting the initiation of collaborative ventures and clinics where financially capable patients can receive treatment alongside private hospitals.
"This will enable the B40 and some M40 to receive public healthcare funding at a faster rate, while those who can afford it can receive treatment in a private initiative with a joint venture concept with private hospitals.
"This will relieve the use of public infrastructure and human capital," he said.
Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that high-income groups should contribute to better healthcare services in government hospitals.
He said the savings achieved can be used to fund medical devices for low-income patients and to upgrade equipment in public hospitals and clinics.
Among others, he said, the government is also enhancing collaborations with 91 private hospitals to outsource patients from public hospitals, covering services such as cardiology, radiology and nephrology.
He said the outsourcing initiative will also continue with the National Heart Institute, involving heart patients among retired government spersonnel.