Latest news with #DzulkeflyAhmad
Daily Express
2 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Express
Fresh approaches needed to reignite interest in medicine, says expert
Published on: Friday, June 20, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 20, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Once regarded the pinnacle of academic achievement, pursuing a career in medicine is now seen as a long, demanding and rigid path. Kuala Lumpur: There was a time when becoming a doctor was seen as one of the most prestigious career paths; when local universities could no longer cope with the surge in applications for medical studies. Many parents were once willing to spend large sums to send their children abroad to study medicine after failing to secure places in local universities. Times, however, have changed, and the field is now increasingly being overlooked. Advertisement Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad recently urged straight-A SPM students to consider pursuing medicine at the university level. He also expressed concern over students' declining interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields, warning that it could have long-term implications for the country's medical sector. This decline in interest is acknowledged by Dr Norsham Juliana Nordin from Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, who notes that today's youths are more informed and career-conscious, having grown up in a vastly different environment from that of previous generations. 'They are more critical when evaluating career choices, often prioritising work-life balance. While medicine was once regarded as the pinnacle of academic achievement, it is now seen as a long, demanding and rigid path,' she told Bernama. 'This especially when compared to emerging fields like technology, entrepreneurship, data science, or artificial intelligence.' Advertisement Further discouraging high-achieving students from a career in medicine are the social media narratives that highlight hardships, long working hours, and perceived lack of fair compensation. 'This trend reflects society's growing tendency to prioritise income over impact. Today, students who aspire to become doctors are often discouraged by the perceived academic burden and the significant personal sacrifices involved,' Norsham added. She pointed out that ongoing issues within the national healthcare system – such as unstable contract positions, excessive workloads, and toxic work cultures, including bullying or high-pressure environments with minimal support – have become red flags for young people. At the same time, social media glamourises other careers as being more flexible, expressive, and less stressful. Norsham also believes the declining appeal of medicine is partly due to how the profession is treated as 'guilty until proven innocent' when it comes to patient care. Every medical decision carries inherent risk, and as such, 'every action taken to save a patient, no matter how small, invites scrutiny and accountability', she said. Restoring true purpose To reignite interest in the profession, Norsham suggests regularly reminding both practitioners and medical students of its true value: the nobility of saving lives. She believes a more holistic approach is needed, starting with restoring joy to the learning process. 'The younger generation is not afraid of sacrifice – they just want that sacrifice to be valued and supported by a fair system. Now is the time for all stakeholders, especially experts and influential medical figures, to step forward and lead the change.' Norsham also stressed the importance of nurturing interest in medicine from secondary school, giving students early exposure to the profession. 'If they see that being a doctor isn't a burden but a meaningful life path, they'll choose it willingly. But this requires collective readiness to shape a more appealing and competitive career path in medicine, so we can present a more convincing narrative to students.' Relatedly, she believes medical curriculums today can be both fun and innovative without compromising the integrity of the field. 'Creative learning methods like simulations, virtual reality, gamification, and story- or visual-based teaching not only strengthen comprehension but also foster positive emotion, which is vital for sustaining student interest,' she said. 'Let's restore the core strength of this profession: the healing spirit. Today, we must first 'heal the young healers' by restoring their mental health, motivation, and work environment.'
Barnama
4 hours ago
- Health
- Barnama
Proposed EPF Health Insurance Scheme Will Be Voluntary, Says Dzulkefly
KUALA LUMPUR, June 20 (Bernama) -- The government's proposed health insurance scheme, to be funded through Account 2 of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), will be voluntary and not mandatory, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. He said the initiative aims to offer EPF contributors the option of broader insurance coverage, as currently, 32 percent of healthcare costs are paid out-of-pocket by patients without insurance protection. "Through this approach, the government hopes to expand access to faster, higher-quality private healthcare without increasing the financial burden on the people," he said in a Facebook post today.
Free Malaysia Today
5 hours ago
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
Just 1% of Account 2 funds will be used in voluntary insurance scheme
The government is considering allowing contributors to use their EPF Account 2 to pay for their health insurance premiums. PETALING JAYA : The proposal to allow contributors to use their EPF Account 2 to pay for their health insurance premiums would only involve 1% of the funds in the account, says health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad. Dzulkefly reiterated that the proposed scheme would be voluntary and not mandatory for all EPF members, Bernama reported. 'Through this approach, the government hopes to expand access to faster, higher-quality private healthcare without increasing the financial burden on the people. 'It doesn't come out of their pockets. Only about 1% of their EPF Account 2 would be used to pay for insurance. This is the best way,' he was quoted as saying. Yesterday, Dzulkefly said Putrajaya was considering the proposal which would benefit 16 million EPF members. He said 32% of the total healthcare costs in Malaysia were paid out-of-pocket by patients without insurance protection. Funds saved in EPF Account 2 are accessible for education, healthcare, housing, and a partial withdrawal at age 50. For health withdrawals, they are limited to treatment costs for illnesses approved by EPF, the purchase of healthcare equipment, and fertility treatments. Bank Negara Malaysia previously called on insurers and takaful operators to review their repricing strategies for more 'reasonable implementation' after reports of a 40% to 70% hike in medical insurance premiums this year. Insurers and takaful providers said the increased premiums were 'unavoidable' in light of rising claims and medical inflation.
New Straits Times
6 hours ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Dzulkefly: EPF medical scheme will be optional, not mandatory
KUALA LUMPUR: The government's proposed health insurance scheme, to be funded through Account 2 of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), will be voluntary and not mandatory, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. He said the initiative aims to offer EPF contributors the option of broader insurance coverage, as currently, 32 per cent of healthcare costs are paid out-of-pocket by patients without insurance protection. "Through this approach, the government hopes to expand access to faster, higher-quality private healthcare without increasing the financial burden on the people," he said in a Facebook post today. Dzulkefly said that the proposal drew inspiration from countries like Singapore, which prioritise insurance access for the majority of citizens. "It doesn't come out of their pockets. Only about 1 percent of Account 2 would be used to pay for insurance. This is the best way," he said. Yesterday, Dr Dzulkefly was reported as saying that the government is considering allowing Malaysians to use their EPF Account 2 to pay monthly health insurance premiums. If implemented, it would enable 16 million EPF members to utilise their contributions to access private hospital care. –Bernama
The Star
6 hours ago
- Health
- The Star
Proposed EPF health insurance scheme will be voluntary, says Dr Dzul
KUALA LUMPUR: The government's proposed health insurance scheme, to be funded through Account 2 of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), will be voluntary and not mandatory, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad says. The Health Minister said the initiative aims to offer EPF contributors the option of broader insurance coverage, as currently, 32% of healthcare costs are paid out-of-pocket by patients without insurance protection. ALSO READ: Ageing society will deeply affect healthcare and workforce, says EPF chairman "Through this approach, the government hopes to expand access to faster, higher-quality private healthcare without increasing the financial burden on the people," he said in a Facebook post on Friday (June 20). Dr Dzulkefly added that the proposal draws inspiration from countries like Singapore, which prioritise insurance access for the majority of citizens. "It doesn't come out of their pockets. Only about 1% of Account 2 would be used to pay for insurance. This is the best way," he said. On Thursday, Dr Dzulkefly was reported as saying that the government is considering allowing Malaysians to use their EPF Account 2 to pay monthly health insurance premiums. If implemented, it would enable 16 million EPF members to utilise their contributions to access private hospital care. - Bernama
