Restrictions on private health insurance companies need to be tightened, including making such schemes a social necessity rather than purely commercial ventures. Activist Datuk Dr. Zainal Ariffin Omar stated that the government must also establish a national healthcare financing mechanism, including health insurance schemes. He emphasized that these health insurance schemes need immediate transformation to assist the populace and healthcare aspects in the country.
The premium costs for health insurance are expected to increase by 40 to 70 percent in the coming year due to rising healthcare costs in private hospitals. Prof. Dr. Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh from the National University of Malaysia (UKM) suggests that private health insurance is more suitable in wealthier countries, whereas social insurance systems are better for underdeveloped nations