Prepared By: Shawn Sharif, Nadhir Nasir, Mimie Rahman, Sharifah Tahir
with Hasbeemasputra, Ng Lai Thin, Yana Karim, Nasrul Noor, Annie Ong, Anthony Chong and Kavein Thran
Reviewed by: Dr Khoo Yoong Khean, Dr Mark Cheong Wing Loong and Tan Chia Yi
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
We, the community of Malaysians with disabilities, alongside our family members and allies, wholeheartedly support the Malaysian Government’s commitment to reform the Malaysian healthcare system. We, as the users of local healthcare services and facilities, face various barriers to accessing healthcare in Malaysia, in the form of structural environmental barriers, process barriers, and socio-demographic barriers.
The COVID-19 pandemic widened and amplified the inequalities in the healthcare sector. Until today, the consequences remain hindering persons with disabilities, senior citizens, care partners[1] and other marginalised groups. The current systemic inequities are also compounded by the rise of mental health issues among the Malaysian community and the increasingly terrifying effects of climate change.
However, the reform of the Malaysian healthcare system should be guided by appropriate fundamentals so the reform will be substantial, transformative and meaningful to Malaysian citizens, especially persons with disabilities, senior citizens, care partners and other marginalised communities. We strongly urge that the health reform agenda must adopt:
- The social model of disability, which shifts from individuals’ impairment to barriers that exist in society (e.g., attitudinal, physical, technological, structural, socio-cultural) as the causes of disability;
- Social determinants of health; and,
- Health as a fundamental human right.
To fully embrace and strategically translate the social model of disability and the recognition of the rights of persons with disabilities, senior citizens and other marginalised communities in the implementation of the reform goals as outlined in the Health White Paper, we strongly urge the Ministry of Health (MOH) to take the following Principal Actions:
- Establish continuous platforms for rights-based consultation with persons with disabilities, organisations of persons with disabilities and other relevant stakeholders.
- Appointing at least three (3) representatives of persons with disabilities and care partners into the MOH Health White Paper Council.
- Appointing at least three (3) representatives of persons with disabilities and care partners in each Technical Working Group (TWG) which will be established soon.
It is very crucial to understand that every pillar and sub-pillar outlined in the Health White Paper is relevant to the well-being of persons with disabilities, senior citizens, their family members, care partners and other marginalised communities. This recommendation paper put forward poignant measures according to the predetermined pillars, sub-pillars, and the phases of reform as outlined in the Health White Paper.
We implore MOH to seriously consider and integrate the Principal Actions and recommendations presented in this paper. We look forward to more engagement and the inclusion of persons with disabilities, senior citizens, care partners and other marginalised communities, as well as their representative organisations in the health reform agenda.
[1] A care partnership is a two-way process that involves mutual giving and receiving. We use the term ‘care partner’ because it emphasizes the relationship and equal partnership between the person giving care and the person receiving it, and focuses on the dignity of both parties.
Towards A Disability Inclusive Health Reform In Malaysia – 31 Jul 2023