He said the proposal was made in his capacity as the health minister.

He said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and other Cabinet ministers were informed of the plan, expected to take off this year.

Dzulkefly said the proposal was made to generate funds for the ministry.

“Even though we are not expected to receive additional allocations from the 2019 Budget, I am committed to raising funding of about RM3 billion, especially for the procurement of sophisticated machines to improve the qualify of health services in the country,” he said at the closing of a programme to raise awareness on cancer today.

He said even though the government was currently facing financial constraints, the health ministry was committed to giving the best service to the people.

“As such, the ministry will be looking at supplementing allocations in future to combat diseases, including reducing financial costs, suffering and morbidity of patients,” he said.