Mechanism won't be privatised, reiterates Ministry

Health Ministry Director General Ismail Merican responded on 25 May 2005 to the Coalition’s letter of 4 May, reiterating the points he had made earlier:

The aim of the national health financing mechanism is to improve accessibility to high quality, efficient and comprehensive health care services and to ensure equity for the people.

This would be based on the concept of sharing costs among the various healthcare “stake-holders” and optimising the contribution and commitment of the government with the overall aim of raising the quality of health care services.

The mechanism would also integrate the public and private sectors and assist the government in monitoring health care providers more effectively. It would also strengthen social solidarity and promote a caring society.

This mechanism would be managed by a National Health Care Financing Authority, which would come under the supervision of the Health Ministry. It would be a not-for-profit entity, which would not be privatised.

The Health Ministry and the Economic Planning Unit are obtaining the services of healthcare specialist consultants to work out the details of the implementation of this mechanism. The Ministry welcomes feedback from all parties.

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