Public healthcare in Malaysia is heavily subsidized, but private hospital costs are unaffordable for many in the lower-income population, leading to high demand and backlogs in public hospitals. To address this, Management and Science University (MSU) launched the HEART (Healthcare Equity for Affordable and Rapid Treatment) program through its MSU Medical Centre (MSUMC), in partnership with the Ministry of Health (MOH). This SDG initiative has benefited 200 patients of low households income below MYR 4,850 (USD1,100).
The HEART program is a public-private partnership (PPP) where MSU has established a Public Wing at its MSUMC offering affordable healthcare services to economically disadvantaged patients, with treatments fully funded by MSU Foundation. Unlike other public hospitals that create Private Wings for full-paying patients, MSU’s approach reverses this model, providing free care to the lower-income population. This initiative aligns with several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 9 (Industry Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
MSUMC collaborates with five major public hospitals to handle specific surgical cases, offering free surgeries such as hernia repairs and gallbladder removals, along with premium ward accommodations. The program aims to reduce waiting times in public hospitals, encourage specialists to work in both sectors, and reduce financial risks in private healthcare. Additionally, it allows public hospitals to utilize modern private sector facilities, cutting down on government capital expenditures.
The program includes strategies like transferring high-volume, low-risk cases to MSUMC, implementing a flexible medical specialist scheme, and offering bundled service packages. Launched in April 2024, the HEART program helps improve healthcare access, reduce bottlenecks, and enhance talent development through collaboration between the public and private sectors. The benefit contribution under this PPP SDG driven initiative is budgeted at MYR4.8 million annually.
