KUCHING: Malaysia’s proposed RM5.4 billion spending cuts could test access to public healthcare as household pressures rise.
The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) said recent developments indicated that the Treasury had proposed budget cuts affecting the health and higher education ministries.
“The proposed reduction to the Ministry of Health was particularly worrying as it came at a time when demand for public healthcare, nutrition support and essential social services was increasing,” it added.
It pointed out that the economic hardship placed added strain on households and could lead to reduced access to nutritious food, delayed healthcare seeking, and worsening physical and mental health conditions.
“Fiscal retrenchment in healthcare during periods of economic pressure was concerning, as healthcare systems were often among the hardest hit during crises,” it further said.
It warned that such reductions could have long-term consequences for public health outcomes and risk widening existing gaps in access, quality and equity in healthcare services.
“The impact could be felt most by women, children and low-income communities, including undocumented persons, stateless persons and refugees.
“The cuts, if implemented without adequate safeguards, could undermine access to essential services linked to women’s health, child development and the wellbeing of vulnerable and marginalised groups,” it opined.
“These include the elderly, persons with disabilities and low-income households.”
The commission said such measures could also amount to a regressive step in the realisation of economic, social and cultural rights.
“Malaysia has voluntarily committed to Sustainable Development Goal 3 on good health and wellbeing, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all agesm” it added.
It noted that Target 3(c) calls for increased health financing and strengthened health workforce capacity.
“Both the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economy had identified SDG 3 as a national priority due to its significant social impact. These commitments must be meaningfully upheld,” it said.
SUHAKAM said the government must not regress on the public right to health, which it described as a core economic, social and cultural human right.
It also said the public right to health was a constitutional right protected by the Federal Constitution.
“Any fiscal consolidation measures must be carefully calibrated to avoid undermining equitable access to healthcare and essential support systems,” it added.
The commission reiterated that the right to health, adequate food and wellbeing were fundamental human rights protected by the Federal Constitution.
“These rights were also reflected in international obligations, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child,” it said.
SUHAKAM called on the government to ensure that any fiscal consolidation measures did not disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly, women, children and low-income groups.
It also urged the government to safeguard and, where necessary, increase allocations for essential health services, including maternal and reproductive health, child nutrition and mental health support.
The commission called for stronger community-based health and social support systems, particularly for underserved and at-risk populations.
“Targeted social assistance should be expanded, including food and nutrition support for low-income families,” it suggested.
SUHAKAM urged the government to adopt a human rights-based approach to budgeting by ensuring transparency, participation and accountability in fiscal decision-making.
Policy responses to economic pressures must not come at the expense of the most vulnerable.
The commission said Malaysia’s commitments to sustainable development and human rights must be matched by concrete policy choices,” .
“Malaysia should not only prioritise SDG 3 in principle, but also reflect that priority in practice,” it stressed.
