Countries

Malaysia

Map

Malaysia
This map is an approximation of actual country borders.

Malaysia is an upper-middle income country with a stable political system and democratically elected government. The Outline Perspective Plan and the Ninth Malaysia Development Plan articulate the national priorities which include (among others), promoting growth with equity, strengthening human resource development, improving the standard and sustainability of quality of life and pursuing environmentally sustainable development.

The health status in Malaysia is relatively good, being on target to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). An extensive and comprehensive primary health care (PHC) system provides good access to care. Total health expenditure (THE) is only 4.3% of GDP, with about 45% from the public sector, but 40% of THE is out of pocket from private households. The national health priorities include enhancing the health care delivery system to increase access to quality care, and reducing the disease burden, both communicable and non-communicable diseases. The key health challenges are posed by thechanging disease pattern with high prevalence of non-communicable diseases and their risk factors, a rapidly growing private sector and high proportion of health expenditure being out of pocket, and a large population of migrant workers who are at high risk of communicable diseases.

Malaysia joined WHO on 24 April 1958 as Malaya. In 1957, it obtained its independence. In 1963, Malaysia was formed with Singapore, North Borneo and Sarawak. In 1965, Singapore withdrew from the Federation.

From May 1956 to January 1964, the WHO Representative Office in Singapore covered Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia and Singapore. In 1964, the Representative Office was transferred to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Harrison, Dr Graham

The WHO Representative in Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore : Harrison, Dr Graham

WHO Country Office

Office address:

World Health Organization 1st Floor, Wisma UN, Block C, Komplek Pejabat Damansara, Jalan Dungun, Damansara Heights 50490 Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia

Postal address:

P.O. Box 12550 50782 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Telephone number:

(603) 20939908; (603) 20921184

Fax number:

(603) 20937446

Office hours:

08.00 - 12.00 13.00 - 16.30 (Monday to Friday)

Email:

who.maa@wpro.who.int

Website:

http://www.wpro.who.int

Ministry of Health

Address:

Block E1, E6, E7 & E10, Parcel E Federal Government Complex Administrative Centre 62590 PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia

Telephone number:
(603) 8883 3888

Email:

webmaster@moh.gov.my

Website:
http://www.moh.gov.my/

Sources

Additional information

Vital Statistics Malaysia 2008, 2009, Department of Statistics.

 

Statistics

Estimated Population ('000s) ( 2010 ) 28250.5
Percentage of Population 5-14 years old ( 2010 ) 18.6
Life expectancy at birth (years) ( 2006 ) 74.05
Under-five mortality rate (per 1000 livebirths) ( 2008 ) 8
Total health expenditure as % of GDP ( 2009 ) 4.8
General gov't expenditure on health as % of total general gov't expenditure ( 2009 ) 7.1
Human development index ( 2010 ) 0.74
Per capita GDP (US$) at current market prices ( 2010 ) 7689.18
Population below national poverty line ( 2003 ) 15.5
Adult literacy rate (%) ( 2009 ) 92.7
Maternal mortality ratio (per 100 000 livebirths) ( 2008 ) 27.3
Proportion of population with sustainable access to improved water source ( 2008 ) 100
Proportion of population with access to improved sanitation ( 2008 ) 96