Malaysia slashes hospital wait times through outsourcing program
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Malaysia’s Hospital Services Outsourcing Programme (HSOP) has referred 24,734 patients to private hospitals as of November 30, significantly reducing waiting times for critical medical procedures.
According to Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad, the initiative is part of the government’s effort to address overcrowding and delays in public healthcare facilities.
Malaysia cuts medical wait times by 75%
During a senate session, Ahmad revealed that the Health Ministry has allocated RM144 million (US$32 million) to fund the program and reduce critical medical procedure delays since its inception last July 18.
The HSOP has dramatically shortened waiting periods across multiple procedures, including:
- Arteriovenous Fistula Surgery: Reduced from 16 weeks to 4 weeks
- MRI and Ultrasound: Decreased from 20 weeks to 16 weeks
- CT Scans: Improved from 14 weeks to 12 weeks
These improvements demonstrate the program’s effectiveness in providing faster access to essential medical services, with some procedures seeing waiting times cut by up to 75%.
Wide-ranging impact across specialties
Ahmad added that the program also provided timely care across various medical specialties. Referrals include:
- Nephrology: 1,027 patients
- Cardiology: 7,899 patients
- Cardiothoracic surgery: 344 patients
- Radiology: 15,464 patients
Patients were transferred from 40 Ministry of Health hospitals to 91 private hospitals nationwide, ensuring broader access to necessary treatments.
The HSOP also employs a bundled payment system that covers procedures, consultations, medications, follow-ups, and patient accommodation. This approach allows the Ministry of Health to regulate private-sector pricing while promoting value-based healthcare principles.
Public-private partnership enhances healthcare access
Ahmad emphasized the crucial role of public-private partnerships in enhancing healthcare delivery during a recent senate session.
Responding to Senator Robert Lau Hui Yew’s inquiry about outsourcing services to private hospitals, particularly in areas with limited specialist care, Dzulkefly stated: “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.”
This statement underscores the government’s commitment to leveraging private sector resources to address healthcare gaps, especially in underserved regions. The ongoing collaboration aims to ensure more Malaysians can receive timely and quality medical care, regardless of their location.
Health insurance plans under review
Meanwhile, in response to Senator Hui Yew’s supplementary question about implementing a national health insurance scheme, Ahmad emphasized the need for thorough evaluation.
While many parties have proposed such a system, the minister indicated that careful consideration is required before making any decisions about this significant healthcare reform.
The government continues to assess various options to make healthcare more affordable and accessible to all Malaysians.
