Malaysian Budget 2007

From the Star Newspaper, these are some of the highlights concerning the health sector :

The Government will continue to assist the disabled. In this regard, the Government will increase the disabled workers monthly allowance from RM200 to RM300; and provide special assistance of RM300 per month for eligible persons taking care of the disabled, who are bed-ridden and patients suffering from chronic illness. It will also allow tax deduction on renovation costs in the work place incurred by employers for the disabled to encourage the private sector to hire more disabled workers.

A sum of RM13 billion is allocated for improving the quality of hospital services, purchasing medical supply and health equipment. Among the major projects to be implemented in 2008 are the construction of Ulu Kinta Allied Health Science College, Kuala Pilah Nursing College, Kluang Hospital, Tampin Hospital, Cheras Rehabilitation Hospital, as well as Kuala Lumpur Women and Children Hospital.

An allocation of RM76 million is provided for effective containment of contagious diseases, intensive care unit services and dialysis in government hospitals. The Government will also train additional nurses in private training centres to meet the shortage of nurses.

To retain medical specialists in government hospitals or clinics, the Full Paying Patient (FPP) scheme will be implemented in hospitals. The medical specialists will receive a portion of the payment, effective 1 January 2008.

To encourage private sector to invest in laboratories of international standards for testing of medical devices, the Government proposes Pioneer Status of 100% or Investment Tax Allowance of 60% for 5 years be given to companies undertaking such investments.