Putrajaya, 22 January 2026 — Malaysia’s Jawatankuasa Bersama Peringkat Menteri untuk Kos Penjagaan Kesihatan Swasta (JBMKKS), the Joint Ministerial Committee on Private Healthcare Costs, has endorsed a set of major initiatives under the government’s RESET strategy to address rising private healthcare costs and improve access, affordability and transparency in the healthcare system.
The committee, co-chaired by Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan and Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Haji Dzulkefly Ahmad, comprises representatives from the Ministry of Finance Malaysia, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Bank Negara Malaysia and key stakeholders from the private healthcare sector. JBMKKS was established in June 2025 to coordinate national reforms tackling private healthcare costs and medical inflation as part of a whole-of-nation approach.
Four Main Initiatives Endorsed
As part of RESET’s comprehensive strategy, JBMKKS agreed on four key initiatives aimed at expanding access, enhancing transparency, and strengthening the sustainability of Malaysia’s healthcare system:
- Publication of a White Paper on the Base MHIT Plan: A standard base Medical and Health Insurance/Takaful (MHIT) product will be developed to provide affordable, accessible insurance coverage and a benchmark baseline for private healthcare protection.
- Consumer Decision Support Tools: Introduction of tools such as the MHIT Made Simple Guide and the Hospitalisation and Surgical Insurance/Takaful (HSIT) Preparedness Calculator to help individuals plan their healthcare finances and understand their insurance needs.
- Published Medical Treatment Costs: Benchmark cost ranges for common procedures at private hospitals have been released to improve price transparency and help patients make more informed decisions about care costs.
- Tax Incentives for Hospital Welfare Funds: Private hospitals can apply for tax incentives to establish welfare funds that support healthcare services for underprivileged patients, particularly in emergencies or chronic care situations.
RESET: A Broader Strategy for Sustainable Healthcare
The RESET framework reflects a collaborative effort between government agencies and private sector stakeholders to tackle medical inflation, modernise delivery models and improve access to quality healthcare across Malaysia. The strategy emphasises value-based healthcare, digital health system enhancements and financing reform to ensure the long-term sustainability of both public and private healthcare delivery.
Officials say sustained cooperation among government, insurers, hospitals, medical professionals and consumer groups is key to achieving meaningful, long-lasting change in the healthcare ecosystem.
