Malaysia: Health & Development

Malaysia
Malaysia is composed of Peninsular Malaysia and the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo, with a
total land area of 330,803 km2. It is composed of 13 states and three federal territories. Malaysia is a multiracial
country consisting of Malays, Chinese, Indians, Ibans, Kadazans and other ethnic groups. The country continues
to enjoy political stability, with a multi-ethnic and united population. At the same time, per capita income has
increased to US$ 15,650 and the incidence of poverty has been reduced to less than 6.0%. Malaysia's next medium
term planning cycle (the 10th Malaysia Plan 10MP, 2011-2015) has started with the Economic Planning Unit
(EPU) providing guidance to ministries, state governments and statutory bodies on the submission of
programmes and projects proposals to be implemented in 2011-2012. This will contribute to achievements of
outcomes (Key Result Areas - KRAs) of 10MP. The Ministry of Health is responsible to outline the way forward
in the health sector under Thrust 4 of the National Mission towards Improving the Standard and Sustainability of
Quality of Life. The three Ministerial KRAs identified by MOH under this Thrust are: health sector
transformation, healthy lifestyles and self- and community-empowerment to increase responsibility to health.
http:// www.who.int/countries/
Total population (2011)1

1
% Under 15 (2011)
Population distribution %
urban (2011)1
Life expectancy at birth
(2011)1
Total (years)
Male
Female
HEALTH & DEVELOPMENT
28,859,000
30.0
73
74
72
76
Under-5 mortality rate per

1000 live births (2011)1
Maternal mortality ratio per

100 000 live births (2010)1
29.00
Total expenditure on health

as % of GDP (2010)1
4.40
General government
expenditure on health as %
of total government
expenditure (2010)1
9.20
Gross national Income

(GNI) per capita US$
(2011)1
15,650
Human Development Index

Rank, out of 186 countries
(2012)2
64
Adult (15+) literacy rate

(2011)1
93
% population with access

to improved drinking water
source (2011)1
% population with
improved access to
sanitation (2011)1
100
Burden of communicable and noncommunicable diseases (NCD) in Malaysia. The top five
contributors to the burden of disease are categorically, NCDs, similar to the disease burden of a developed
nation. A study on the burden of disease using disability-adjusted life years (DALY) showed that the five leading
diseases in Malaysia are ischaemic heart disease followed by mental illness, cerebrovascular disease/stroke, road
traffic injuries and cancers. The top five notifiable diseases were dengue fever, tuberculosis, food poisoning,
hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) and HIV/AIDS.
Health related Millennium Development Goals (MDG). Malaysia has made remarkable progress on all
health related MDGs. High population coverage with safe water supply and sanitation, impressive child
immunization, nutrition and growth monitoring, harm-reduction strategies to curb the spread of HIV among
drug users and extensive coverage by the integrated PHC system have contributed to the good health status.
However, pockets remain within some of the MDGs. For example, although maternal mortality reduction has
been very impressive, it has plateau in recent years, contraception prevalence rate (CPR) is low indicating an
unmet need for reproductive health services. Others like HIV/AIDS face new challenges such as increasing HIV
transmission through sexual contact, TB-HIV co-infection, while malaria is still prevalent in certain states
particularly Sabah. Nonetheless, progress has been promising with numerous 'good practices' to be shared.
Emerging diseases pose threats in recent years. The Pandemic H1N1 2009 highlighted Malaysia's
strong surveillance system and concerted response. While practical lessons were learnt, the need to consistently
strengthen disease surveillance and early warning systems, develop effective rapid response mechanisms and
pandemic preparedness, and to strengthen interagency collaboration was highlighted. The future direction of
Malaysia must be towards full implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005).
Health sector transformation. Malaysias public sector health care system, which is tax based, has provided
remarkable equity and access. However, new challenges have emerged, disease pattern and population profiles are
changing. There is a growing private health sector and a high proportion of health expenditure comes from outof-pocket expenditure; expectations continue to rise with an increasing need for high-cost medical technology.
These factors have acknowledged the need to restructure systems for financing and delivery of health services. In
order to ensure that all Malaysians continue to receive comprehensive and quality healthcare, the reform will need
to address enhancing efficiency and quality, achieving greater integration between public and private health
sectors, achieving equity and greater accessibility based on needs with an emphasis on primary preventive care.
OPPORTUNITIES
96
Sources:
1. World Health Statistics 2013 - WHO
2. Human Development Report 2013 UNDP

The Thrust of the Ninth Malaysian Plan 20062010

is 'towards achieving better health through
consolidation of services'. This is in line with the
Thrust identified for 10MP (20112015) ensuring
solid health delivery systems of high quality and an
equitable financing tool is developed.
Emphasis has been placed on sustainability
upgrading and maintenance of existing facilities and
equipment, and quality of health care including
institutional infection control and patient safety.
The national health financing scheme should
facilitate the integration of health services at primary,
secondary and tertiary levels, within the public sector,
and between the public and private sectors to achieve
equitable access to healthcare.
Research is given a priority in MoH under the
auspices of the National Institutes of Health.
Efforts to develop Malaysia's human capital have
strengthened education and research capacity in the
health sector through continuous professional
development programs.
Strong political will in ensuring provision of quality
healthcare services, health information/promotion
and prevention-focused strategies for the nation.
CHALLENGES

Scaling-up of HIV/AIDS prevention and care

services by the Government and civil society
including strategies to address sexual transmission of
HIV i.e. condom promotion, provision of
reproductive health services and targeting bridging
populations.
Inadequate integration of public and private health
service in surveillance and response to
communicable diseases.
Increased risk of health challenges brought about by
globalization and rapid urbanization including
increasing prevalence of NCDs.
Ensuring universal coverage and equitable access to
health services especially in rural areas including for
mobile populations, migrants and the poor.
Inadequate human resources for health because of
changing demographics and the emigration of skilled
workers, i.e. brain drain.
Some challenges remain in health-MDG indicators
that will require detailed understanding of local
dynamics and augmentable policies towards 2015.
PARTNERS
Due to its policy of national self-reliance, Malaysia does not actively seek outside financial assistance from donors or international financial institutions. Malaysia's
development partners, United Nations (UN) agencies and bilateral agencies focus on selective interests and areas in development because of the countrys
comparatively strong economy and capacity to provide health care services. The top five donors of official development assistance (ODA) (20062007 average)
were Japan, United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark and France. The six UN agencies present in Malaysia are the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR), regional humanitarian relief hub of the World Food Programme (WFP) and WHO. The other agencies residing in Malaysia are United Nations
University (UNU) Administration, UNU International Institute for Global Health (IIGH), UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
ASYCUDA and WHO Global Service Center (GSC). The UN Country Team works closely with the Government in preparing Millennium Development Goals
(MDG) reports for Malaysia, specifically MDG 6. A UN Theme Group provides support in the area of HIV/AIDS.
OPPORTUNITIES
The Government is placing more emphasis on regional health development

cooperation, and playing a leadership role, particularly as a member of the
Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the areas of food safety,
public health laboratories, risk communication and multi- non-health sector
pandemic preparedness and response.
Malaysia, as a member of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), has
been sharing its successful development experiences with other Islamic countries
and actively providing support and leadership. Malaysia chaired the 10th Summit
of the OIC (June 2007) and urged combating Malaria among OIC Member
States.
CHALLENGES
Limited health sector activities retained by UN agencies in joint collaboration.
After the Common Country Assessment/UN Development Assistance
Framework (CCA/UNDAF) was developed, the preparation of Malaysia's
MDG report and the control of HIV/AIDS are the only activities that have
united all the UN agencies.
WHO STRATEGIC AGENDA

The strategic approach for WHO and Malaysia collaboration during 2009-2013 is composed of two arms, namely: a First Arm consisting of WHO support to
Malaysia in selective national health priority areas, and a Second Arm consisting of WHO support for Malaysias participation and contribution to regional and
international health collaborations and activities through sharing and transfer-of knowledge. The strategic agenda proposes three principal components of
cooperation in this period:

Development and strengthening of health system and health policy

Strengthening of prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCD), NCD risk factors and promotion of healthy lifestyles

Communicable diseases prevention and control
Second Arm: Malaysias participation in-and contribution to-regional and
First arm: WHO support for Malaysian priority areas
international collaboration with WHO support towards mutual learning
Development and strengthening of the health system and health policy

Health system governance
related to:

Improved quality of care

Health reform and health care financing

Integrated Primary Health Care (PHC)

Inter-sectoral action in addressing health inequities

Maternal, newborn, child, adolescent and reproductive health

Strategic planning and coordination for human resources

Nutrition

Capacity building for evidence based policy and practice

Food safety and Quality

Health information and knowledge management

Pharmaceuticals
Prevention and control of NCD, their risk factors and promotion of healthy

Environmental health
lifestyles

Harm Reduction Programmes for Injecting Drugs Users
Communicable disease control focusing on:

HIV/AIDS and STIs

Surveillance and response to outbreaks, IHR including APSED and
Beyond

Prevention and Control of Dengue, Malaria Elimination and Lymphatic
Filariasis Elimination
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
WHO Country Page:
http://www.who.int/countries/mys/eng
World Health Organization 2013 - All rights reserved.

The Country Cooperation Strategy briefs are not a formal publication of WHO and do not necessarily represent the decisions or the stated policy of the Organization. The presentation of maps
contained herein does not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of WHO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the
delineation of its frontiers or boundaries.
This brief is available online at http://www.who.int/countryfocus

WHO/CCO/13.01/Malaysia
Updated May 2013

Malaysia: Health & Development

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Malaysia

Total population (2011)1

HEALTH & DEVELOPMENT

Under-5 mortality rate per

Maternal mortality ratio per

Total expenditure on health

Gross national Income

Human Development Index

Adult (15+) literacy rate

% population with access

The Thrust of the Ninth Malaysian Plan 20062010

Scaling-up of HIV/AIDS prevention and care

The Government is placing more emphasis on regional health development

WHO STRATEGIC AGENDA

World Health Organization 2013 - All rights reserved.

This brief is available online at http://www.who.int/countryfocus

Updated May 2013

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