— John Teo
The Malaysian Insider
Feb 19, 2012
FEB 19 — 1 Care for 1 Malaysia sounds like a very good slogan but behind this impressive slogan and all the controversies, rhetoric, claims and counter claims lies a very big and fundamental question of where is the funding of such a massive overhaul of our healthcare system going to come from?
We know that the basic principle of part-government and part-public funding underlies this concept and the reason behind this shift of funding policy is the ever-escalating health costs which the government cannot continue to provide funding for indefinitely.
Let me quote two very important facts. 1) According to the 2012 Budget that was announced by our prime minister, the allocation for health totals RM1.8 billion, which is equivalent to 3.7 per cent of the total budget. There were other ministries that have higher budget, notable ones being the Ministry of Defence.
The World Health Organisation recommends that at least five to six per cent of a total budget be allocated to health. Many other countries allocate up to seven to eight per cent. Malaysia is way below that mark.
2) A recent quote by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Idris Jala, as published in The Star on February 19 is as follows “I am of the view that we must introduce the GST. We have 28 million people but only one million are paying tax.”
My questions to the ruling government are as follows. 1) Since Malaysia’s health allocation is still way below the WHO recommendations and that many other countries have much higher contributions, is it justifiable at this point to claim that we cannot continue to fund our healthcare system when many other countries are funding theirs at a much higher rate?
2) Even if this inability to fund the healthcare system is inevitable, wouldn’t it be prudent to cut costs first by running the system more efficiently, multitasking staff rather than having one staff for each and every task, preventing leakages and unnecessary wastage of medicine, resources etc and only finally if all this is done, then sources of other funding such as from the public are considered as any basic financial course will have taught us.
3) If only one million Malaysians are paying tax, how is it mathematically possible for the one million to support the healthcare bill of 28 million? How can the other 27 million contribute to the fund, when they are not even eligible to pay tax? Even if they are supposed to contribute to the fund, how much as total percentage will come from the 27 million? Inevitably, the government’s bill will still be substantially higher than what it is today considering that a big portion of this general fund will obviously go to the third party who will be tasked with running this massive system.
These are fundamental questions that need to be answered before such a scheme can even be considered in finer detail.
Healthcare is a human right and each and every government of this world is obliged to provide to its citizens the best of healthcare in the form that is most efficient, cost effective and acceptable to its citizens.
It is an integral principle in medicine that “First do no Harm” and each and every government is mandated to hold on to this principle where the provision of healthcare is a concern, for any wrong move may result in tragedies befalling families that will never heal.
I plead with the government concerned to not institute any massive steps without being very sure that the results will not harm its citizens and that if the proposal was from the heart then the results will always be good and if it is otherwise, then let the Person above judge our actions.
The Maths is simple. 9.5% per household + government contribution gives a cashcow ( punt intended ) of RM 44.23 billion.
We need to change the tenant at Putrajaya. GE 13 is coming soon. It is our best chance Lets get all eligible to register and all to vote.
How much leaks from the 16 billion given each year? Not accounted for year in and year out …
If you cant account for that…how are you going to account for the leakages that are going to take place from 44 billion…
Dont forget, its the same guys (MOH + Cronies Sdn Bhd) who are going to manage (steal) the money….
Here we go again. Make a plan, unsure the logic but the beef (another pun intended) is RM44b chunky. Another kaki will be given the National Health Project – no past experience or qualifications needed probably cos precedent wise they didn’t need any when awarded a National Cow Project anyway – and the country will continue to spend to have world class military toys in times of peace. Bring on the polls.
Oredi more UmnoB/BN kakis r abt 2 submit their business plans 2 apply 4 SOFT LOANs 2 FEED n house a LOT of their family members
The Maths is simple—
Our money = unmo’s bank account
Our neighboring tiny nation can host Air Show! Our Bolehland can show Sodomy I and II. Pretty soon, Sodomy III…
What a shame?
Actually the math is not enough. The problem with just the math is that the average person don’t understand the complexity of healthcare industry and its finances. Having look at detailed finances in Canada, US, Singapore, and Europe, it all boils down to the fact that our very lives and our quality of life is difficult to put a price on and the technology of the healthcare and pharma industry basically have many options to ransom as much as they want.
It must in the end begin with certain principles such as transparency and accountability as well as much competition as possible for all goods and services – both which UMNO-Perkasa/BN can NEVER achieve.
Ali baba and the forty thieves are at work again. Their game plan is to steal until kingdom comes. Then buy their way in to heaven. Boy, their gods must be as corrupted as them.
Will there be other “creative programs” after 1Care e.g. 1Transport (5% of salary earned goes to 1Transport), 1Sewage (2% of salary earned goes to 1Sewage), etc?
While working temporary in UK for my industrial training in the early 1990s, few % (not sure how much but it was a minimal) of our salaries was deducted under the scheme call national Health Service. This was the money deducted directly from our gross pay toward the national health care in UK. All those who receive a pay regardless daily, weekly or monthly will need to make a compulsory contribution. I was fortunate enough that my three years working in UK has never visist a doctor before, but I remember one of my friend who has fever but need to make an appointment with the nearest clinic before he was allowed to consult the doctor. Doctor in UK working very short hours and most of them works few days a week. It was very troublesome to see a doctor in UK unless you go to the hospital on emergency basis. That was what I understand national health service in UK.
In Malaysia all workers have also contribute towards PERKESO. Perkeso must have collected a lot of money too. The national health service should expand from here rather to start another new scheme to run the health care.
Perkeso while only given its member insurance protection but again as accident happen it naturally relate to hospitalisation etc. The government should look into a more comprehensive PERKESO scheme rather than an ad hoc introduction of a totally new scheme.
Many people are sceptical on government project as most of the projects are behind the scene, at least this was most people perception. We have many projects that have failed miserably due to corruption and awarded to incompetent company to run it. Most of the people are very suspicion on this 1 care scheme
In the words of the DG of the Health Ministry, it would be nice for the people to seek health care without having to distinguish whether it comes from the government or the private health services. So the problem is not that the government cannot afford health services, however deficient it might be, but the government is interested that the cronies of the power-that-be can make health a business enterprise. Though private sector can open up hospitals and compete with the existing establishments for business and then profit, but then it would be sweats and hard work. It is more efficient to have the government collect taxes from those who pay taxes and to pass the money over to the private company who then can claim to become billionaire, another creation of Najib.
The defense ministry are buying toys for their personnel to pass time. Enough is enough, but when commissions can be had with impunity, who would ever call it quit?
I was told that in UK, taxpayers pay one percent to the national insurance which covers health. There is no separate payment for health. This is 2012, and it might be different from 1990s.
Sorry, the 1% I quoted was on taxable income; not gross earnings.
The BN have plenty of money for projects like the 100 storey
building which costs in the region of RM5b.
Just that one building alone.
On top of that it has plenty of money for scams, the latest concerning
cows; in fact everything and anything can be scammed is scammed!
BN’s Law? This should be made a universal law; much like Murphy’s
law!!!!
Leave it to these experts!!!
And that cow scam is arguably the least expensive to cost the
taxpayers!
One discerning blogger even listed out 65 scams, some of which ran
into billions over the period BN has been ruling (ruining?) the country!!
On top of this, what happened to the largesse from our natural
resources?
These resources are for the benefit of the citizens of this country
and not an inheritance for the BN top hierarchy from their
grandfathers!!!!
Can anyone in the BN answer these questions?
And yet they have the cheek to face the public and take part in
debates!!!
What can they REALLY talk about?
Scams, scandals and an uncaring attitude under the guise of
1Care?
#8 yhsiew, please don’t give them any more ideas!
Otherwise, we’ll have to pay for 1Cock & Bull!
We are still waiting for the past 5 years or so as to how the government arrived at the 18%, 23% or whatever % of the Bumi equity share of the economy.
Many have said the figure is already well above 30% many years ago but the gomen says otherwise. So what is their methodology that researchers can use to confirm or disprove the figures?
So don’t expect any mathematics or even simple arithmetic for 1care or 2care any time soon.
“I plead with the government concerned to not institute any massive steps without being very sure that the results will not harm its citizens and that if the proposal was from the heart then the results will always be good and if it is otherwise, then let the Person above judge our actions.” – John Teo
The above statement is very lame.
Doesn’t he know that Malaysians (being a very funny breed) likes to elect their
MPs and then fight tooth and nail to protect their own interests from these
very MPs whom they have put into Parliament in the first place!!!!!!!
You go figure that out!
So, the only way out is to wise up everybody and go all out for change.
Don’t never ever hope for change from the BN!!!
One must just forget the statistic given by the government. Many are simply day light liars. Just read today Sun paper where Citizen Nadez reason out how ridiculous statistic given by the tourism ministry. Some apply for crime rate given by the home minister. Ask anybody on the street whether they feel safe or not? Many businesses still conduct their business behind the girdled door or window.
As to 30% bumi equity it will never achieved as they are given to specific group of bumi that have connection with UMNO, that as simple as that.
We must also understand that anything that was given free it will not be appreciated. When the price is good they will just sold it and enjoy life by driving big cars and living in all big house renovated with all as expensive as possible goods and decorated items.
How many will work like the IOI boss toiling day and night in the palm trees before he become one of the richest. What bumi want to do not if when IOI go listed 30% is free on hand to give, it is free you understand the meaning of free. So we will never have bumi boss like IOI’s Lee.
Ha, ha, another GOLDEN opportunity 4 some privileged kakis 2 get really big fat rich super fast – remember 9Bio, MOH kakis with big big titles?
D Money Making Team: d 4 conspirators 2 siphon public fund
http://steadyaku-steadyaku-husseinhamid.blogspot.com/2011/12/9bio.html