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H E A L T H C A R E D E M A N D V O L U M E III

2.5 IMPLICATION

Government healthcare facilities are the preferred choice for majority of the population (with the
exception for minor health problem). Importantly, a higher proportion among those in rural areas,
the lower socio-economic groups and the aged population (above 75 years old) preferred
government healthcare facilities when they need healthcare. This bears implication for the planning
and delivery of healthcare services to ensure both the availability and accessibility of healthcare for
these groups.
1
Oral disease has been reported as the fourth most expensive disease to treat . The findings of this
survey showed that the population had perceived dental treatment at private sector clinics to be 11.5
times more expensive than in government. As for other health conditions, treatment in private
healthcare facilities is perceived to cost 8 to 13 times more compared to government. The perception
of high costs involving healthcare and getting treatment may serve as a deterrent for seeking both
preventive and curative care. Thus, this finding on cost perception has implications in the planning of
future financial arrangements for healthcare.
There were discrepancies throughout SES subgroups in the perception towards Malaysia’s healthcare
delivery systems. This may affect the population’s health-seeking behaviour. Thus, further
understanding on what and how the population thinks; how they view our healthcare system delivery
will be crucial to provide guide and information on the areas that need attention or further
improvement.

2.6 CONCLUSION
Not with standing the limitations of the study, the survey has yielded several important findings with
respect to the perception of the population in regards to the preferred choice of healthcare provider
and the perceived cost. These findings will provide necessary information for the planning of
healthcare services towards the improvement of the health status of the population.

2.7 RECOMMENDATION
Taking into cognisance the findings of the study, the following recommendations are made:

1. Continuing emphasis on accessibility of healthcare for the rural population and lower socio-
economic groups in the planning and delivery of oral healthcare services.
2. Consolidation on healthcare for the elderly especially, in view of the fact that the rising
proportion of elderly population in Malaysia.
3. Inclusion of preventive oral health visits in future healthcare financing mechanisms in addition

to other curative oral healthcare items in view of the perceived high cost for dental treatment.
4. Strategic communication might help population to understand more on how our healthcare
systems performed. This will make perception or public opinion more accurate.

1
World Health Organization. Oral health: action plan for promotion and integrated disease prevention. Proceedings
from Sixtieth World Health Assembly. Provisional agenda item 12.9. A60/16. SS March 2007.

STRY OF HEALTH MALAYSIA
NATIONAL HEALTH AND MORBIDITY SURVEY 2015 54 MINI