He said the referrals involved 1,027 nephrology patients, 7,899 cardiology cases, 344 cardiothoracic patients and 15,464 radiology cases from 40 health ministry hospitals nationwide.

“Since July 18, a total of RM144 million has been allocated for this initiative and preliminary findings show a 75% reduction in patient waiting times for arteriovenous fistula surgeries from 16 weeks to four weeks, MRI and ultrasound procedures from 20 weeks to 16 weeks, and CT scans from 14 weeks to 12 weeks.

“Therefore, we hope to continue to increase this public-private collaboration to enable more citizens to access fast and effective health services for the treatment they need,” he said in the Dewan Negara today.

He was responding to Senator Robert Lau, who asked whether the government planned to outsource services to private hospitals, particularly in areas lacking specialist services.

Dzulkefly said HSOP used a bundle payment system covering procedures, consultations, medication, follow-ups and patient accommodation, enabling the ministry to influence private healthcare pricing in line with value-based healthcare principles.

Responding to Lau’s supplementary question about a potential national health insurance scheme, the minister said the proposal required careful consideration.