It is the government, not capitalists, that should be allowed near the Malaysian healthcare system

 

THE presence of the government, not capitalists, near the healthcare system should be emphasised for several reasons to ensure healthcare remains accessible and equitable for all Malaysians.

Capitalists are individuals, corporations, or entities operating under a system where wealth, businesses, and resources are privately owned and controlled.

Their primary goal is to maximize profit through the production and sale of goods and services. In the healthcare system, capitalists may include:

• Private healthcare providers, companies or individuals running hospitals, clinics, or medical facilities for profit;
• Pharmaceutical companies and entities focused on developing and selling medicines, often prioritising high profits over affordability or accessibility;
• Health insurance companies, firms providing insurance coverage but potentially limiting access to care based on cost;
• Medical equipment suppliers and businesses manufacturing and selling devices or equipment for healthcare, often at high prices; and
• Investors in healthcare, Individuals or firms investing in healthcare facilities to generate financial returns rather than prioritising public welfare.

Why capitalist should not dominate healthcare

Profit over patient well-being capitalist-driven healthcare often prioritizes profit-making over patient care. This can lead to expensive treatments, unnecessary procedures, or the neglect of unprofitable services such as preventive care.

There is an inequality in access which led to private healthcare systems favouring those who can afford care, leading to unequal access for low-income individuals. Public or universal healthcare aims to provide equitable access for all citizens.

The rising of the healthcare costs are due to healthcare becomes a business, costs for medications, treatments, and hospital stays can skyrocket, making them unaffordable for many.

There is a short-term gains over long-term investments. The capitalist focus on immediate profits undermines investments in public health initiatives, research, and infrastructure development for the public healthcare system.

Healthcare as a fundamental right should be a basic right, not a commodity. Allowing capitalists to dominate the system reduces it to a marketplace where services are bought and sold rather than provided based on need.

(Image: The Centre)

There is conflict of interest whereby capitalist influence may encourage over-prescription of medications, unnecessary tests, or treatments driven by financial incentives rather than evidence-based care.

This leads to neglect of marginalised groups and communities, rural populations, the elderly, or stateless individuals may be underserved because they are not seen as profitable markets.

How to prevent capitalist domination

To ensure healthcare remains accessible, affordable, and patient-centred, governments can take the following measures thus strengthening the healthcare system.

The government must invest in public healthcare infrastructure to ensure universal access to affordable care.

The government must implement strict regulations and enforce policies such as price controls for medicines, hospital fees, and medical devices, based on thorough studies by healthcare experts.

To support universal healthcare which must be publicly-funded healthcare systems, like the NHS in the UK or Canada’s system, the government must ensure healthcare is treated as a right, not a privilege.

Putrajaya should also encourage non-profit providers by promoting non-profit healthcare organisations that prioritise patient care over profit.

To ensure transparency and accountability, the government should mandate transparency in pricing and healthcare decision-making to limit profiteering.

The government must reduce dependency on the private sector by improving access to public health services which will reduce reliance on private providers.

This is one area which is lacking on promoting community-based initiatives by encouraging local, community-run clinics or cooperatives to counterbalance the dominance of large private players.

Last but not least, the government must fund public research and medicine by investing in public research to develop medicines and treatments, thus preventing pharmaceutical monopolies on life-saving drugs.

While private investment can drive innovation and efficiency in some cases, a balance must be struck to ensure healthcare remains a public good.

By addressing these challenges, the society can work toward a healthcare system that prioritises well-being and equity over financial gain. 

KT Maran is a FocusM viewer.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT. 

- Focus Malaysia.