Healthcare Workers Laud 13MP Reforms To Strengthen Healthcare System, AI Integration

JOHOR BAHRU, Aug 1 (Bernama) --  The 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) is poised to significantly enhance the efficiency of the country’s healthcare services while ensuring a more secure supply of medical resources.

Healthcare workers have welcomed key proposals, especially the broader use of generic medicines and the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in managing health records, calling them forward-thinking and impactful reforms.

Aziahtun Akma Mohd Sarkawi, a 48-year-old nurse supervisor with 27 years of experience, said that encouraging the use of generic drugs in both public and private sectors would help reduce treatment costs and expand access to essential medicines.

“This is a good move. It will be easier and faster for patients to get the medications they need. Lower costs will ease the financial burden on patients, so I see this as a very positive step,” she said.

Commenting on the planned enhancement of health record management using AI, she said it’s a promising development.

“AI can streamline record-keeping and improve service delivery. It also has the potential to reduce errors in patient information management and improve treatment outcomes,” she added.

Pharmacist Nurul Syamimi Mohamed Sofi, 26, echoed the sentiment, saying the move aligns well with the National Medicines Policy (DUNas), which prioritises access and affordability.

“Generic medicines are more accessible and affordable. They reduce the cost of treatment for individuals and the public healthcare system. Lower drug prices mean government funds can be more efficiently allocated to other health sectors,” she explained.

She said that the quality and efficacy of generic medications are assured in terms of safety and usage, making them a reliable alternative to branded drugs.

On AI integration in health services, Nurul Syamimi added, “There’s still much for us to learn, but its potential in easing treatment and health management cannot be denied.”

The federal government has allocated RM40 billion under the 13MP to implement wide-ranging reforms in the healthcare sector for the next five years, the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced yesterday.

He said the healthcare reform agenda is a vital government initiative to ensure sustainable health financing while expanding access to quality and affordable healthcare services for all Malaysians, which is also aimed at increasing service options for patients without compromising on cost or quality.

Among the key priorities are expanding the use of generic drugs across public and private healthcare facilities; upgrading and building new hospitals and clinics; strengthening the management of health records as a core of healthcare digitisation; and empowering AI systems to enhance interoperability between health institutions.

-- BERNAMA