Niaga SPOTLIGHT: Managing healthcare shortages and costs
The Ministry of Health (MOH) received RM41.22 billion under Budget 2024, up from RM36.3 billion the previous year. Personal healthcare expenditures in Malaysia are projected to double to RM13.2 billion by 2028.
However, the national health service faces a severe shortage of medical staff and patient overcrowding, boosting the popularity of private clinics for their convenience and affordability. By 2022, there were over 9,800 registered private health clinics.
Dr. Azizan Abdul Aziz, President of the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), discusses solutions for public healthcare talent shortages and strategies to maintain affordable private primary care.
However, the national health service faces a severe shortage of medical staff and patient overcrowding, boosting the popularity of private clinics for their convenience and affordability. By 2022, there were over 9,800 registered private health clinics.
Dr. Azizan Abdul Aziz, President of the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), discusses solutions for public healthcare talent shortages and strategies to maintain affordable private primary care.
Fri Jul 05 2024
![Israeli troops storm back into eastern Khan Younis; bodies recovered in hospital ruins Israeli troops storm back into eastern Khan Younis; bodies recovered in hospital ruins](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/61713837555_Palestiniansjpg.jpg)
Israeli troops storm back into eastern Khan Younis; bodies recovered in hospital ruins
Israel says it was forced to battle inside hospitals because Hamas fighters operated there, which medical staff and Hamas deny.
Tue Apr 23 2024
![North Korea releases song praising leader Kim as 'friendly father' North Korea releases song praising leader Kim as 'friendly father'](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/81713513958_TBKIMJONGUNjpg.jpg)
North Korea releases song praising leader Kim as 'friendly father'
The music video features North Koreans of different backgrounds ranging from children to troops and medical staff.
Fri Apr 19 2024
![KKM discussing with PSD on absorbing contract workers as permanent staff - Dr Zaliha KKM discussing with PSD on absorbing contract workers as permanent staff - Dr Zaliha](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-03/71679897646_MenteriKesihatanD.jpg)
KKM discussing with PSD on absorbing contract workers as permanent staff - Dr Zaliha
Dr Zaliha said this is to deal with the workload that exceeds the capacity of available resources.
Thu Mar 30 2023
![NFL Bills' Damar Hamlin in critical condition after cardiac arrest; game postponed NFL Bills' Damar Hamlin in critical condition after cardiac arrest; game postponed](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-01/81672735218_DamarHamlin.jpg)
NFL Bills' Damar Hamlin in critical condition after cardiac arrest; game postponed
The game in Cincinnati was halted as medical staff quickly attended to him while players from both teams took a knee.
Tue Jan 03 2023
![Pele's health improving but no forecast for hospital discharge, doctors say Pele's health improving but no forecast for hospital discharge, doctors say](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-12/71670898027_PELE.jpg)
Pele's health improving but no forecast for hospital discharge, doctors say
Pele continues to show improvement, in particular the respiratory infection and is conscious with stable vital signs, a medical staff said.
Tue Dec 13 2022
![Austria mourns suicide of doctor targetted by anti-vaccine campaigners Austria mourns suicide of doctor targetted by anti-vaccine campaigners](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-08/61659322151_AUSTRIA.jpg)
Austria mourns suicide of doctor targetted by anti-vaccine campaigners
The doctor's death reflected a broader trend of threats against medical staff, the Austrian physicians' association said.
Mon Aug 01 2022
![Watford v Chelsea suspended after medical emergency in stands Watford v Chelsea suspended after medical emergency in stands](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-12/41638397323_TrevohChalobah.jpg)
Watford v Chelsea suspended after medical emergency in stands
Referee David Coote took the players off the field while emergency services, and the clubs' own medical staff, attended to the situation.
Wed Dec 01 2021
![Queen Elizabeth back home after first night in hospital in years Queen Elizabeth back home after first night in hospital in years](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-10/41634881943_950x600.jpg)
Queen Elizabeth back home after first night in hospital in years
The queen had been told to rest by her medical staff, and that her ailment was not related to COVID-19.
Fri Oct 22 2021
![Medical staff, volunteers at PPVs celebrate Aidiladha with spirit of sacrifice Medical staff, volunteers at PPVs celebrate Aidiladha with spirit of sacrifice](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-07/41626775598_PetugasPusatPember.jpg)
Medical staff, volunteers at PPVs celebrate Aidiladha with spirit of sacrifice
It was work as usual for staff and volunteers stationed at vaccination centres even during the Hari Raya Aidiladha celebration today.
Tue Jul 20 2021
![532 JKNK medical staff deployed to help states experiencing spike in COVID-19 cases 532 JKNK medical staff deployed to help states experiencing spike in COVID-19 cases](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-07/51626255085_ZainiHussin.jpg)
532 JKNK medical staff deployed to help states experiencing spike in COVID-19 cases
Dr Zaini said the staff were sent to Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, Kedah, Johor, Sabah and Sarawak in stages since July 7.
Wed Jul 14 2021
![150 volunteers to assist COVID-19 assessment centres in Selangor 150 volunteers to assist COVID-19 assessment centres in Selangor](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-05/71621263435_AmirudinShari.jpg)
150 volunteers to assist COVID-19 assessment centres in Selangor
150 additional volunteers will be mobilised to help smoothen the operations at COVID-19 Assessment Centres (CAC) in Selangor, especially at the Malawati Stadium here.
Mon May 17 2021
![Indonesia study finds China's Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine effective in medical staff Indonesia study finds China's Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine effective in medical staff](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-01/81610694290_Indonesia.jpg)
Indonesia study finds China's Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine effective in medical staff
The findings were based on data from 120,000 healthcare workers in Jakarta who had received the vaccine between January and March this year.
Wed May 12 2021
![Syria's President Assad and his wife test positive for COVID-19 Syria's President Assad and his wife test positive for COVID-19](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-03/71615255341_Bashar.jpg)
Syria's President Assad and his wife test positive for COVID-19
This comes at a time the COVID-19 cases in Syria are heading up amid warnings by medical staff that this wave is a strong one.
Tue Mar 09 2021
![Govt approves grade adjustment for contract medical, dental officers Govt approves grade adjustment for contract medical, dental officers](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-06/41591944558_hospital.jpg)
Govt approves grade adjustment for contract medical, dental officers
Contract medical officers will be promoted from Grade UD41 to UD43 while contract dental officers will be promoted from Grade UG41 to UG44, similar to their permanent counterparts.
Thu Feb 25 2021