Collaboration for Productivity Streamlines Medical Clinic Establishment in Malaysia
21 March 2024, Petaling Jaya – The Malaysian healthcare sector is set for a significant transformation with the launch of a groundbreaking guidebook by the Ministry of Health (MOH). This comprehensive resource, designed to streamline the process of setting up and operating medical clinics, is anticipated to revolutionise efficiency by reducing construction permit processing times by a staggering 50%.
Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) Director General, Zahid Ismail remarked, "With this invaluable guidebook serving as a roadmap for navigating regulatory procedures, we anticipate a surge in private sector investment in establishing new medical clinics across the nation. This translates to not only greater access to quality healthcare for Malaysians, but also a potential rise in total health expenditure, propelling Malaysia's ranking in the prestigious World Competitiveness Report published by the Institute for Management Development (IMD)".
The World Competitiveness Report serves as a global benchmark for national competitiveness, and Malaysia currently sits at 60th position out of 64 economies (2023) in the total health expenditure indicator. The streamlined clinic establishment process facilitated by the guidebook is expected to contribute positively to this ranking.
"Furthermore, this initiative underscores the government's unwavering commitment to embedding robust Good Regulatory Practices (GRP) within the healthcare sector. These practices are fundamental in fostering a conducive business environment that fosters national productivity improvement”, Zahid emphasised.
Dato’ Jacob Thomas, Champion of Private Healthcare Productivity Nexus (PHPN), stated "Institutional quality and transparency are cornerstones of effective public service delivery, particularly in fostering public-private partnerships within Malaysia's healthcare sector. Since its inception in 2018, PHPN, in collaboration with MOH and MPC, has spearheaded initiatives to enhance regulatory transparency, and this guidebook serves as a testament to that ongoing commitment".
This latest guidebook marks the sixth publication emerging from collaboration between MOH, MPC, and PHPN. Notably, the previous guidebook focused on establishing private hospitals and successfully reduced construction permit processing times from an astounding 800 days to a mere 200 days.
"Beyond the significant reduction in processing time, the private sector stands to benefit from a more business-friendly environment fostered by the consistent application of regulations outlined in the guidebook. As more clinics enter the market, competition will intensify, ultimately resulting in enhanced service quality, treatment options, and overall health outcomes for patients." Dato’ Jacob elaborated.
The newly launched guidebook, officially unveiled by YB Minister of Health, features five key chapters designed to equip operators with the necessary knowledge and tools to embark on a successful journey in establishing and managing their medical clinics.
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About Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC)
MPC is a statutory body under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI). It drives national productivity holistically at the national, sectoral, and enterprise levels through three main thrusts: developing future talent, driving digitization and innovation, and building a robust ecosystem. It collaborates strategically with the private and public sectors by emphasising productivity as a key agenda to boost productivity growth and national competitiveness, ultimately leading to shared well-being and prosperity.
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