Deputy PM Fadillah Yusof emphasises public-private partnerships to bridge Malaysia’s urban-rural healthcare divide through digital transformation.
KUCHING: Strong partnerships between public and private sectors are essential for expanding healthcare access to rural communities according to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
Such collaboration would bridge the urban-rural healthcare divide while ensuring equitable access to quality medical services for all Malaysians.
Fadillah stated that public sector agencies must strengthen the digital healthcare ecosystem from data governance to infrastructure development.
He emphasised integrating digital health into public service through telemedicine artificial intelligence and data systems within the national healthcare framework.
Healthcare professionals should adopt innovations to make services faster more inclusive and efficient using technology to reach more patients.
Technology implementation can reduce waiting times and enhance care quality in both rural and urban settings according to the Deputy Prime Minister.
Fadillah delivered these remarks during the launch of two new digital healthcare initiatives by CelcomDigi and UNIMAS Teaching Hospital.
Healthcare remains a key development pillar with the 13th Malaysia Plan calling for reforms to ensure equitable access to quality services.
Over 40 billion ringgit has been allocated from 2026 to 2030 focusing on medical service expansion and public health facility upgrades.
Budget 2026 allocated 46.5 billion ringgit to the Ministry of Health representing the largest healthcare budget in Malaysian history.
This budget emphasises digitalising health services upgrading rural facilities and strengthening nationwide medical infrastructure.
All these efforts aim to ensure every Malaysian from Kuala Lumpur to Kapit has access to quality healthcare anytime anywhere according to Fadillah. – Bernama
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