KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has successfully handled 3,967 stem cell transplant (SCT) cases over the past 25 years, marking significant progress in the country's healthcare system.
"In the year 2000, patients had to wait almost 18 months for a transplant. Today, they only have to wait between four and six weeks," said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad at the Silver Jubilee Celebration of Stem Cell/Bone Marrow Transplant Services at Ampang Hospital today.
He added that there are 20 to 50 patients on the waiting list at any one time, all paying an affordable price for their chance at recovery.
"At a Health Ministry facility, a patient only needs to pay RM500. The elderly, who receive a 50 per cent discount, pay only RM250.
"The actual cost we are bearing is between RM20,000 and RM80,000, depending on the complexities of the procedures," he said.
The ministry has also decentralised the care of patients after their transplants, he said.
"We are doing stepdown care for transplant patients at major hospitals. This will decongest the four main hospitals (that offer SCT)," Dr Dzulkefly said.
The four institutions that provide the treatment are Ampang Hospital, Pulau Pinang Hospital, Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Johor Baru and Queen Elizabeth II Hospital in Kota Kinabalu.
Dr Dzulkefly stressed the importance of equitable healthcare access.
"It is essential to uphold the principle of equity to eliminate disparities in healthcare access."
He said to address this, Sarawak General Hospital in Kuching will begin offering SCT services next year.
Additionally, Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital in Kuantan will be developed into an SCT centre to serve the central region.
"In addition to increasing the number of hospitals offering SCT services, the Health Ministry plans to raise the number of trained haematology specialists across Malaysia to 50 by 2025," Dr Dzulkefly said.
This expansion aims to ensure all major regions, including the Klang Valley, northern and southern regions, east coast, as well as Sabah, and Sarawak, are covered, he added.
"I sincerely hope to see the Health Ministry supporting existing SCT treatment centres and those in the planning stages, so patients no longer have to travel far to receive treatment," he said.