Its CEO Azrul Mohd Khalib said both manifestos lacked an emphasis on structural reform, particularly to address the long-term financing of the public healthcare system.
Azrul said although PH had pledged an “ambitious increase” in budget allocation to 4% of the gross domestic product or approximately RM16.32 billion more, this would likely be insufficient.
In a statement, he said the combined cost of sustaining and improving the current infrastructure, rising medical costs and the new items promised in the manifesto threatened to overwhelm the proposed increase.
“This would make the majority of pledges less likely to be realised. There are just too many of them,” he said.
The BN manifesto, meanwhile, could have been further improved with a pledge to address the issue of recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals, which needs urgent attention, he said.
He also highlighted the lack of mention of the proposed Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme, saying it was a “critical omission as it is a key component of current proposed reforms”.
Azrul said neither manifesto appeared to recognise the need for change in the mechanism of fees and public funding supporting the system which he claimed had remained unchanged since 1982.
“Government hospitals, clinics and health facilities, under continuous strain from growing public demand, are encountering problems of insufficient supply and funding.
“The current arrangement is simply unsustainable and in urgent need of reform,” he said.
However, Azrul also noted the strengths of the two manifestos, praising PH’s pledges to improve the quality and coverage of healthcare in Sabah and Sarawak.
“The proposal to decentralise healthcare decisions to these state governments is also an innovative idea which should be seriously considered, regardless of the election outcome,” he said.
The BN manifesto meanwhile was acknowledged for its emphasis on building and improving on existing physical infrastructure and manpower, and increasing the coverage and quality of service delivery.
“The strengthening of general health systems and services, including investments in digital health in infectious disease prevention and control expertise, and in rural health services, is much needed and will yield long term institutional benefits,” he added.
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