Private healthcare profits while government hospitals struggle

Recently, a large private healthcare group proudly celebrated its substantial profit for the first quarter of 2025.

When a private entity makes large profits, its success is usually a reflection of its capability. 

But when a developing country like ours allows private healthcare to thrive while the government struggles to provide free, accessible and prompt healthcare, we must ask a fundamental question. Should the government continue to boost private healthcare at the expense of suffering ordinary people?

In a way, private healthcare has become a ‘sunrise’ industry that works against the interests of the masses. 

When private healthcare companies openly proclaim their huge profits, it reveals a couple of uncomfortable truths.

Government hospitals are failing so much that many ordinary people have no choice but to turn to costly private healthcare providers. 

At the same time, the government has failed to moderate the expansion of these private healthcare operations, which only keep shareholders celebrating all the way to the bank. 

We have overlooked another problem. Since the launch of former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s privatisation agenda, large, capital-fuelled private healthcare entities have killed off the growth potential of the traditional private clinics that provided primary care all over the country. These clinics could be found everywhere – from villages to tiny townships to big, sprawling city centres. 

This trend has also weakened the service quality and care-giving capabilities within government clinics and hospitals across the country. It has also partially absolved the government from its fundamental duty of care to the people.

While we allow private healthcare to profit (if not profiteer) at the expense of the people and nation-building, we are slowly killing off the humble private clinics in small and big towns. 

We cannot ignore another serious consequence. Lucrative offers from private healthcare giants have resulted in a damaging brain drain of specialists from government hospitals within the country. 

You cannot build a resilient nation if healthcare (like education) is surrendered to privatisation, which rakes huge profits from private firms and showers windfalls on their shareholders. 

Arguments that private healthcare brings in news technologies, offers higher quality care or provides well-paid jobs mask an ugly truth: the government has failed in its duty and the people are suffering under this burden.  

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama

1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme

Support our work by making a donation. Tap to download the QR code below and scan this QR code from Gallery by using TnG e-wallet or most banking apps: