Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said the ministry remains committed to improving the welfare of public healthcare workers. (Bernama pic)
KUALA LUMPUR: The health ministry’s new Rakan KKM initiative, offering “premium economy” healthcare services, is expected to begin at Cyberjaya Hospital in December.
Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said the programme would enable specialists to perform specific medical procedures to improve their earnings as part of efforts to retain them in the public sector.
“This is among the measures to ensure they are not compelled to leave the health ministry or take up locum work in the private sector,” he told Bernama.
Patients opting for Rakan KKM services will receive standard clinical care with added features such as personalised attention, doctor selection, enhanced privacy and greater comfort. The services will cover specialist outpatient consultations, elective day procedures, surgeries and inpatient admissions.
Dzulkefly said the ministry remains committed to improving the welfare of public healthcare workers, including through the 40% increase in the on-call allowance (ETAP) announced under Budget 2026.
“The ministry is also enhancing the critical allowance to help increase specialists’ income, reducing reliance on private locum work, and in turn, preventing higher treatment costs for patients.
“I will continue to champion the welfare of our specialists and have requested appropriate compensation for long-serving consultants,” he said.
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