On a Twitter poll that was conducted during the Doctor in the House segment a week before the tabling of the budget, we asked what’s on Twitterjaya’s healthcare budget wish list. Here are the results:

What is on your healthcare #Budget2019 wish list? Today on Health & Living, we discuss #Bajet2019 with @azrulmohdkhalib.
— BFM89.9 (@BFMradio) October 26, 2018

1. Cheaper, better treatment

The majority vote went to cheaper, better treatments, which is not surprising, considering the growing concerns over the rising cost of health care, which became the theme of BFM’s Health & Living LIVE 2018 event. This concern has also been acknowledged on the global level when the World Health Organization observed World Health Day on April 7th this year with the theme "Everyone, Everywhere," which focuses on universal health coverage for all.

Edmund Lim focused specifically on orphan drugs:

Fair and equal access to life saving medicines including orphan drugs
— edmund lim (@ScEdmund) October 27, 2018

Rusdi Yahya wanted cheaper insurance:

Cheaper health insurance premium
— anakpulau (@RusdiYahya) October 26, 2018

While Ramzdhan Masdar wished for universal healthcare:

Universal healthcare insurance
— Ramzdhan (@ramzdhanmasdar) October 26, 2018

However, the Twitter poll also sparked a broader conversation. Here were the other issues that were raised:

2. Better wages and working conditions

Hans called for more healthcare facilities and better pay:

Definitely more hospitals and clinics as well as better pay for everyone working in the sector. https://t.co/2sC4Q4Oa2I
— hans 🌻 (@haneul_pp) October 26, 2018

Ibrahim Sani also called for better pay for healthcare professionals:

Higher wages for doctors nurses, ambulance drivers, etc
— Ibrahim Sani (@ibrahimsaninet) October 26, 2018

While Mohamed Iqbal elaborated on how working conditions in healthcare can be improved:

Better working conditions and perks for our medical staff and better structured training for houseman, including shortening the current 9-12mth waiting period for medical graduates to get posted as housemen.
— Mohamed Iqbal (@MI70977) October 26, 2018

3. Primary and preventive care

Emergency physician Dr Azman Abdullah asked for improvements in primary and preventive care:

Improve primary and preventive care. More doctors & consultation rooms in Klinik Kesihatan so doctors can spend more time with patients, managing their diabetes, high blood pressure, heart failure, etc to the last detail. Give it 5 years and you won't need as many hospital beds.
— Azman Abdullah (@azmanrocks) October 26, 2018

While another doctor, Dr Li Shun, also unequivocally called for an emphasis on primary care:

Two words: Primary. Care.
Primary care. Primary care. PRIMARY CARE. ALL OF IT. EVERY ASPECT OF IT.

MOE. KPWKM.
— lishun | Haramkan Nikah Bawah Umur (@lifeofadoct0r) October 26, 2018

4. Allied health

Allied health professionals received considerable praise and attention as well:

Better remuneration plan for Allied Health staff please. They are the unsung heroes & made my medical journey bearable ☝️
— Supa Libural ♿️ (@shawnsharif) October 26, 2018

Training and placements for allied health professionals seemed to leave much to be desired:

Wishlist for proper training placements for AHPs (Allied Health Professionals) such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapist
— Xiao (@Shiaulee) October 26, 2018

5. Data security

Also making the cut was the concern over IT infrastructure:

More personal data protection and security in healthcare industry. So stressful when people can get our personal info. 😔
— AG (@AfiqGhafur) October 26, 2018

Meanwhile, another physician on Twitter, Dr Yoong suggested:

Also replace aging equipment in hospitals, including IT infrastructure. Our eHIS software is not standardise, obsolete. Good IT system is investment for the future.
— Yoong (@pseudolokun) October 26, 2018

So, do you agree with Twitterjaya? Listen to the podcast 'A Healthcare Wish List':

In the next part of this series, we dig a little deeper to find out whether the people’s wish list for the healthcare allocation is in line with what the industry players expect.

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