Budget 2027: Health Ministry Gets RM47.7 Bln To Strengthen Healthcare Services
PUTRAJAYA, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry (MoH) has been allocated RM47.7 billion under Budget 2027, an increase of RM1.18 billion or 2.55 per cent from RM46.52 billion in 2026, to strengthen its workforce, upgrade healthcare facilities and expand public access to medical services.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said RM40.95 billion of the allocation was for operating expenditure, up RM1.18 billion or 2.96 per cent from RM39.78 billion in 2026, while the remaining RM6.75 billion was for development expenditure, an increase of RM5 million or 0.07 per cent from RM6.74 billion this year.
“The Health Ministry expresses its deepest appreciation and gratitude to the Prime Minister for continuing to prioritise the healthcare sector in Budget 2027,” he said in a statement today.
Among the key initiatives announced was the offer of 9,000 permanent positions to contract doctors, including those who complete their housemanship, as part of efforts to strengthen the national healthcare workforce.
In addition, the post-basic incentive for 47,000 paramedics and nurses will be increased from RM100 to RM200 a month, while the air health services incentive will rise from RM30 to RM100.
In terms of healthcare infrastructure and facilities, nine new healthcare facilities will be built, including health complexes in Johor, Kuching, Gerik and Rembau.
Dzulkefly said the government had also allocated RM1.2 billion for the maintenance and repair of hospitals and health clinics, including upgrading dilapidated clinics and quarters, as well as RM968 million for modern medical equipment, upgrading haemodialysis facilities and acquiring 400 new ambulances.
To ease congestion at healthcare facilities, the allocation for outsourced patient care will be increased to RM200 million, with an expanded scope of services covering the use of private facilities, sessional specialist services and specialised treatment.
“The implementation of electronic medical record systems at healthcare facilities nationwide will also continue through a RM1 billion investment by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC),” he said.
To ensure vulnerable groups are not left behind in accessing treatment, Dzulkefly said the Medical Assistance Fund would be increased to RM60 million, while RM80 million had been allocated for free health screenings, medical equipment assistance and cancer treatment incentives under the PeKa B40 scheme.
He said free thalassaemia screening would also be extended to the spouses and children of thalassaemia carriers.
On expanding financial protection for healthcare, Dzulkefly said the affordable MediAsas Plan had been launched, with hospital payments based on diagnosis and treatment to help the public better plan and manage their medical expenses.
“The Health Ministry remains committed to carrying out the trust placed in it by the MADANI Government with full responsibility to ensure Malaysians continue to enjoy a quality, fair and comprehensive healthcare system,” he said.
-- BERNAMA