Shaping Malaysia’s Healthcare Future: Insights from Prof Dato Dr Hanafiah Harunarashid

As Malaysia faces rising healthcare costs and evolving challenges, Professor Dato Dr Hanafiah Harunarashid offers his expert perspective on sustainable financing, patient empowerment, and the strategic reforms needed to safeguard the nation’s health system. Insights that matter to policymakers and leaders alike.

WORDS PROFESSOR DATO DR HANAFIAH HARUNARASHID

FEATURED EXPERT PROFESSOR DATO DR HANAFIAH HARUNARASHID Pro Vice Chancellor (KL Campus) Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)

Despite frequent concerns over the rising cost of healthcare and stories of families facing unexpected illness, Malaysians are generally living longer and healthier lives.

This trend is expected to continue as the nation works to reform its healthcare system for future needs and challenges.

LONGER LIFESPAN POSES A CRUCIAL CHALLENGE 

A central question in these discussions is how to sustainably finance the growing demand for high-quality healthcare, thus ensuring that all Malaysians can access its benefits fairly and effectively.

A recent opinion piece in The Star (7 September 2025) highlighted the importance of empowering patients to manage their own health financing as a key step in addressing this issue.

A National Insurance Scheme

A national healthcare insurance scheme for universal coverage has long been proposed as a long-term solution.

However, progress has been slow due to ongoing debates over funding responsibilities, resource allocation, and risk management.

Ensuring Fairness and Sustainability in Our Healthcare Ecosystem

Much like discussions on patriotism and national unity, there is a danger in letting a single perspective dominate this complex issue.

To ensure fairness and sustainability in the national healthcare system, financing must consider at least three key challenges:

1. Maintaining current service levels with appropriate quality and broad access.
2. Investing in healthcare transformation to keep pace with modern standards and technological advances.
3. Strategically growing financial capacity to meet future demand and expanding needs.

Addressing all three areas ensures adequate coverage, secure maintenance funding, and innovative strategies for cost recovery and revenue growth.

A CALL FOR ACTION

Now is the time to turn these discussions into actionable targets and move towards meaningful healthcare reform — before new systems grow too large and complex to change.