The Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy

14/09/2025

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) has claimed that healthy diets are unaffordable only to less than 2 per cent of Malaysians.

According to KPKM’s Draft National Food Security Blueprint (NFSB) 2030: Policy document, which was uploaded onto the government’s unified public consultation portal for public feedback from last August 26 to 12 Sept, the cost of a healthy diet in Malaysia rose 17.1% from 3.22 purchasing power parity (PPP) dollars per person per day in 2017 to 3.77 PPP in 2022.

“Despite these rising costs, the proportion of Malaysians unable to afford a healthy diet remained relatively stable over the period,” stated the Draft NFSB 2030.

KPKM's Draft National Food Security Blueprint 2030 claims that just 1.8% of Malaysians can't afford healthy diets. The Draft NFSB 2030 cites "rapid urbanisation, globalisation and rising income levels" for higher consumption of unhealthy food and NCD rise.

14/09/2025

A Galen Centre-UiTM poll shows that “Suku-Suku Separuh” is unaffordable for most families, as eating two such healthy meals daily costs 46% of household income in Malaysia.

“One of the most important things that we’ve learned from this finding is a confirmation that fruits and vegetables are expensive, but also, the fact that trying to be healthy is expensive.”

“This is something that we’ve talked about, wondered about, but we haven’t been able to get enough data. Now, we have some data that shows very clearly that if you were to follow the Suku-Suku Separuh recommendations by the MOH, most households may likely not be able to afford it.

A Galen Centre-UiTM poll shows that “Suku-Suku Separuh” is unaffordable for most families, as eating two such healthy meals daily costs 46% of household income in Malaysia. In Sarawak, it's 66%. National average price of Suku-Suku Separuh plate is RM12.60.

14/09/2025

This bold move reflects the Government’s commitment to protect public health, particularly young Malaysians, from the dangers of va**ng and ni****ne addiction.

This phased approach beginning with open-system vapourisers which are easily modified, misused and spiked with adulterated v**es liquids and mixed with drugs such as etomidate, is the right thing to do.

We have to be firm and pragmatic.

We have to be firm and pragmatic on this issue.

14/09/2025

Budget 2026

The Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy calls upon the Federal Government to allocate at least RM 80 million in the upcoming Budget 2026 to fund long-overdue increases in on-call allowances (ETAP) for all medical officers and specialists under the Ministry of Health (MOH).

This modest yet crucial allocation can be achieved by removing existing sugar subsidies and redirecting these funds to strengthen Malaysia’s healthcare workforce.

It makes no sense to subsidise sugar while underpaying doctors.

09/09/2025

A single consultation with an FMS can last an hour or more. Family medicine is not a conveyor belt of quick visits. It's about addressing health in full context, recognising that a patient’s well-being is shaped not only by biology but also other factors.

05/09/2025

Join us for this upcoming seminar on food affordability!

To register, click: https://shorturl.at/z8BjB

02/09/2025

MyMediSAFE, initiated by Malaysia's Ministry of Health, aims to Control Medicine Wastage & Reduce Environmental Pollution. (www.mymedisafe.org.my)

19/08/2025

Our CEO, Azrul Mohd Khalib, was recently on popular podcast Keluar Sekejap with Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Hamdan to discuss the government's Rakan KKM initiative.

Rigorous and heated discussion! Take a look!

From 55:00 onwards.

Audio Siar Keluar Sekejap Episod 166 dibuka dengan promosi Ombak Festival 2025 di Desaru Coast pada 12–14 September. KJ dan Shahril bersama tetamu Karina Rid...

19/08/2025

The Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy calls for an increase in excise duties on ci******es and other to***co products. The enforcement of the open display ban of ci******es, v**e and e-ci******es embedded under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 also needs to be carried out.

The upcoming Budget 2026 should include an increase in excise duties on ci******es and other to***co products.

Increasing the excise tax rate on ci******es to at least RM0.77 per stick, equivalent to 61 percent excise tax of the retail price, would generate an additional tax revenue of RM771.8 million.

Malaysia spends RM16 billion annually treating smoking-related illnesses

19/08/2025

It is heartening to know that more than 404,000 Malaysians have pledged to donate their organs. A person who donates all their organs and tissues can help to save up to 8 lives.

"However, the stark and sober reality is that 10,800 patients are on the organ transplant waiting list. There is a major gap between pledges and realising those pledges,” said Azrul Mohd Khalib, Galen Centre’s Chief Executive.

The existing Human Tissues Act 1974, one of Malaysia’s shortest pieces of legislation, even when an individual has registered as a donor, permits next‑of‑kin such as family members to legally override the expressed consent of the deceased. This law is overdue for a revision as the current opt-in approach is not fit for purpose.

We argue that Malaysia should consider adopting an opt-out system which presumes that Malaysians are donors unless they actively record their objection or opt-out ensuring that their wishes are honoured and carried out.

The Human Tissues Act 1974 is overdue for revision.

13/08/2025

A very interesting proposal.

Kapar MP Dr Halimah Ali tells MOH to treat private GPs as the real "Rakan KKM" aiding with patient loads in primary care. Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii wants BNM and MOH to form a committee to regulate TPAs by setting a GP fee floor, starting with GLCs.

05/06/2025