The Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy

06/04/2026

Integrated drive-by pharmacy available in KK Selayang Baru - Hospital Selayang.

Excellent service!

06/04/2026

Madam Lian represents the growing pool of liver transplant patients whose cirrhosis is linked to metabolic risk factors like obesity, Type 2 diabetes and hypertension, a stark contrast to past decades when viral hepatitis infections were the most common cause.

More liver transplant patients are linked to obesity and diabetes, marking a shift from hepatitis B as the primary cause. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

01/04/2026

"Price gaps between neighbouring countries can unintentionally fuel cross-border demand and criminal smuggling networks. If Malaysia keeps to***co relatively cheaper, we risk becoming a convenient “supermarket” where to***co products are legally purchased here and then smuggled into Singapore as contraband. This would undermine both countries’ public health goals, depriving governments of revenue, and empowering organised crime.”

This country should not become a supply base for illicit to***co flows.

20/03/2026

How is the Iran conflict potentially going to affect the various sectors in the Malaysian economy?

Here is an overview:

Source: Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy

08/02/2026

The Cardio-Renal Metabolic (CRM) National Policy Review Workshop was held from 4-5 February 2026 at Le Meridien Putrajaya. The programme held in collaboration with the Ministry of Health's CRM Sector, Disease Control Division and with the support of Boehringer Ingelheim (Malaysia) convened policymakers, clinicians, and health-system stakeholders to review Malaysia’s existing cardiovascular, renal, metabolic and nutrition strategies, identify implementation gaps, and strengthen policy alignment.

It built on outcomes from the Sesi Pemukiman Pengurusan Tertinggi KKM & Menteri Kesihatan and a recent commissioned report on CRM-related policies. Representatives included officers from the Medical Development Division, Nutrition Division, State Health Officers, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute and Institute of Public Health.

The workshop opened with remarks from Dr. Thahirahtul Asma' Zakaria on behalf of Dr Noraryana Hassan, Director of Disease Control Division, MOH.

A presentation on key findings from ACCESS Health International’s report "Advancing Cardio-renal-metabolic health in Malaysia: Connected risks, coordinated solutions", including the burden of multi-morbidity and projected economic impact, followed by a structured discussion of policy and implementation gaps—covering screening, referral pathways, primary care capacity, and alignment across NCD strategies, kicked off the workshop.

The day concluded with breakout discussions across three themes: (1) CRM strategy and policy alignment, (2) integrated screening and referral pathways, and (3) primary care strengthening and public–private models to expand diagnostics, chronic disease management, and digital integration.

Day two began with a recap and an overview of cardiorenal metabolic disease in Malaysia led by Dr Sivarajan Ramasamy (CRM Sector, Disease Control Division), followed by updates on Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) (Prof. Dr. Chan Wah Kheong, Universiti Malaya Medical Centre), chronic kidney disease (Dr. Shahnaz Shah Firdaus Khan, HTAR), and cardiovascular disease (Dr. Sivarajan).

Participants then moved into concurrent group work to identify opportunities for initiatives over the next five years, including disease-specific and cross-cutting discussions (MAFLD, CKD, CVD, and salt reduction strategies).

An integration segment consolidated each group’s 3–4 priority actions, with a shortlist of actionable policy directions for consideration in upcoming policy cycles.

02/02/2026

“Using EPF savings to pay for MHIT premiums is a sticking plaster action that creates a bigger long-term problem,” said Azrul. “Retirement savings are meant to safeguard dignity and security later in life. Diverting them to monthly or annual premiums risks leaving members exposed at the point they most need financial protection.”

In 2023, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim warned that 51% of Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) members or 6.7 million contributors under the age of 55 had less than RM 10,000 in their savings. As of August 2024, that number has reduced to 33%. Malaysia’s retirement security is fragile and weak.

It is bewildering why Bank Negara (BNM) and the Ministry of Finance (M*F) would propose this measure. BNM’s 2024 annual report showed that the percentage of Malaysians who had difficulty raising RM1,000 in an emergency increased from 47 percent in 2021 to 61 percent in 2024. Median EPF saving levels have also not fully recovered after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why would BNM and M*F propose something that would reduce Malaysians’ retirement savings knowing the precariousness of the situation?

Don't solve healthcare affordability by undermining retirement security.

29/01/2026

Press Statement

The Base MHIT Plan: Is It Really Affordable, For Whom And At What Cost?

The Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy agrees with the Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad that the proposed base medical and health insurance/takaful (MHIT) plan revealed yesterday will not be sufficient to rein in rising medical inflation. The base MHIT plan, which is being positioned as a national solution to affordability pressures and medical inflation in private healthcare under the RESET strategy, treats symptoms, does not address the need for fundamental private healthcare reforms, but tells the public that it aims to transform private health insurance and takaful offerings.

“The current design of the Base MHIT as outlined in its White Paper, is heavily dependent on the participation of private health insurance and takaful (ITOs) players and voluntary premium payments by the public. It risks creating a false sense of security, widening inequities in access to care, and shifting costs back onto patients, especially households already strained by rising living costs. Strangely, for a product aimed to raise the “floor” or set the minimum standard for base MHIT coverage, it also compares poorly against existing similar health insurance products already in the market,” said Azrul Mohd Khalib, Chief Executive of the Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy.

Click on link to read more:

The base plan can potentially introduce positive disruption.

29/01/2026

Malaysia’s diabetes crisis is accelerating, and the cost of complications is crushing families and the health system.

At our Symposium “GLP-1 Medication in Diabetes Management – Considerations for Medical Coverage” held on 20 January 2026, we discussed with insurance, takaful and third party administrators on how to expand access to newer therapies while keeping coverage sustainable.

Emeritus Prof. Dr. Chan Siew Pheng, Senior Consultant Endocrinologist from Subang Jaya Medical Centre was on hand to answer questions raised during the discussion.

Key takeaways:

- Diabetes prevalence is 15.6% (≈ 2.3 million Malaysians). Complications account for 44.6% of chronic disease healthcare costs.

- Around half of Malaysia’s 60,000–70,000 dialysis patients have diabetes. A stark reminder that late control leads to life-changing, expensive outcomes.

- GLP-1 receptor agonists have strong evidence for “three-in-one” benefits: better glucose control, weight reduction, and protection for the heart and kidneys (including reductions in major cardiovascular events and slower kidney disease progression).

- Yet uptake remains low: only ~1.5% of diabetic patients in Klang Valley were on GLP-1 therapy in 2024, while 70% had poor glycaemic control and 80% were obese.

What needs to happen next: smarter financing (co-payment designs, price/volume negotiations), clearer coverage criteria that recognise cardio-renal protection (not weight alone), and stronger primary care capacity so GPs can initiate and monitor therapy with specialist support, alongside sustained prevention and healthier environments.

04/01/2026

Frontline health providers and healthcare institutions may still face practical compliance, medicolegal challenges and vulnerable to legal action.

Doctors won't be able to practice medicine, charge fees and procure medicines w/o an APC.

This affects doctors working in public and private sectors.

24/12/2025

JOB VACANCY!

The Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy is looking for a suitable candidate for the position of Research and Projects Officer.

Summary

The Project Officer is part of the Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy (Galen Centre) programmes and projects capacity. The Project Officer will be involved in programme/ project development and implementation; coordination of capacity building initiatives, workshops and consultations; and supporting the Research Officer.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for development, management and implementation of workplans, projects and initiatives
• Conduct research activities in support of the Research Officer
• Generate project reports, proposals and summaries
• Support various programmatic and project coordination needs of the Galen Centre
• Assist in identifying potential programmes/ projects opportunities
• Carry out other requests or directions as determined by the Chief Executive

Location

• Work From Home
• Office as necessary

Requirements

• Relevant undergraduate degree
• At least two years of relevant professional experience preferred
• Excellent command of English and good command of Bahasa Melayu
• Experience in project and programme management
• Able to produce detailed and accurate work under tight deadlines, with a keen eye for consistency and detail
• Has knowledge of human rights and NGO environment in Malaysia, is an advantage

Please send CVs with a cover letter to admin@galencentre.org.

Applications without cover letters will not be considered.

Deadline for applications: 9 January 2026

02/12/2025

Public Forum: What is the urgency and relationship between diabetes and fatty liver disease in Malaysia? (Kuala Lumpur, 12 December 2025)

According to news reports, Malaysia now ranks 13th globally and the highest in Southeast Asia for diabetes prevalence, with 21% of Malaysians, or one in five adults, living with the disease.

Diabetes and fatty liver disease are increasingly common and closely intertwined health problems in Malaysia. High rates of obesity, sedentary lifestyles and diets rich in sugar and saturated fat have led to a growing burden of type 2 diabetes, and many of these same factors drive non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Malaysia faces a rising burden with the increase in diabetes, People with diabetes are at significantly higher risk of developing fatty liver, which can progress to liver inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and even liver cancer if left unmanaged.

Join us at this public symposium!

Event: What is the urgency and relationship between diabetes and fatty liver disease in Malaysia?
Date: Friday, 12 December 2025
Time: 1500 – 1700 hrs
Venue: Iola by Serai Group, 2A, Jalan Bukit Kiara 1, Bukit Kiara, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur

Registration link: https://shorturl.at/rxuE6

Guest speakers include:

- Prof Chan Wah Kheong, Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist, Universiti Malaya Medical Centre
- Akta Rahmat, Patient Advocate

No registration fee. Refreshments provided.

Event date: Friday, 12 December 2025 Event time: 1500 hrs - 1700 hrs Venue: Iola by Serai Group, 2A, Jalan Bukit Kiara 1, Bukit Kiara, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur Contact: Wan Alia (E: alia@galencentre.org, M: 012 475 2221)

14/11/2025

Inspiring!

In 1974, she became one of the region’s earliest Muslim trans women to undergo gender-affirming surgery.

(Link in comments)