APHM president Dr Kuljit Singh said private hospitals were concerned that these private payers could hamper the delivery of treatment and healthcare coverage to patients in attempting to lower healthcare costs.

“On the subject of private healthcare financing, our hope is there is a regulatory body that can govern the practice of reimbursement by the private payers that our patients have invested in.

“As much as controlling healthcare costs is important, the ethics of reasonable payments by payers must be watched.

“APHM is happy to work with the government, payers and our private hospital members to discuss this together to make healthcare costs viable for all parties,” he said at the opening of Hospital Management Asia 2023 today, attended by health minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa.

Kuljit expressed confidence that Malaysia is on course to becoming the “top healthcare nation” in Asia, saying the private health sector is committed to building a more comprehensive healthcare system for all.

He also praised the government’s health white paper, saying it outlines critical necessities for Malaysians, including the need for social healthcare financing and the use of technology in healthcare.

“The mission at hand may not be easy, but we will conquer any hurdles that stand in our way with tenacity and perseverance. We will reinvent healthcare and create a new benchmark for excellence in our region if we work together,” he said.