19 MAY 2026

Why the Govt Should Not Appeal Nicotine Ruling & Raise Tobacco Tax Instead

It should not repeat the mistake of 2023.

15 MAY 2026

High Court Decision on Nicotine Delisting Vindicates Public Health Concerns

Malaysia cannot afford another nicotine policy failure.

29 APRIL 2026

Proposed RM3.06 Billion Cut Risks Deepening Malaysia’s Healthcare Crisis

This proposed cut comes at the worst possible time.

The Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy is an independent public policy research and advocacy organisation.

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What do we think about key health and social issues?

10 APRIL 2026

Why the Hormuz Crisis Could Become A Dialysis Crisis for Malaysia

For patients needing dialysis, this crisis becomes a matter of life and death.

19 MARCH 2026

Malaysia’s Medicine Security Is At Risk Due To Persian Gulf Conflict

This is a national health security issue.

15 MARCH 2026

Hospital Seberang Jaya Leads The Way In The School in Hospital Initiative

A practical example of inclusive, humane policy in action

16 FEBRUARY 2026

TB Risk Expected To Rise During Chinese New Year and Ramadan Period

TB is endemic to Malaysia.

13 FEBRUARY 2026

Malaysia Risks Becoming A Regional Supermarket for Tobacco Smuggling

This country should not become a supply base for illicit tobacco flows.

4 FEBRUARY 2026

Support Sarawak’s Proposal To Set Minimum Marriage Age At 18

Underage marriages are not necessary and are harmful.

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Our Focus Areas

Healthcare Reform

We look at how institutional reforms can create an adaptive and sustainable healthcare system and social care, capable of delivering integrated models of care to meet the challenges of our developing society.

Non-Communicable Diseases

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are emerging as the leading cause of death in Malaysia. About two-thirds of Malaysians have at least one NCD. What policies and interventions are needed in response?

Food Security

We look at the linkages of food security with health, sustainable economic development, environment, social justice and trade.

 

 

Transgender Health

Transgender people face numerous health disparities, stigma, discrimination, and lack of access to quality care. How do medical institutions, communities and individuals respond to their care?

Event Recordings

This session is Part 2 of the Health Economics for Rare Diseases Workshop previously held on 22 November. Prof. Rob Baltussen of Radboud Universiteit, Netherlands continues the conversation with a discussion on the use of multiple-criteria decision analysis for decision making on rare diseases. This session is Part 2 of the Health Economics for Rare Diseases Workshop previously held on 22 November. Prof. Rob Baltussen of Radboud Universiteit, Netherlands continues the conversation with a discussion on the use of multiple-criteria decision analysis for decision making on rare diseases. Speaker background Prof. Rob Baltussen is an economist specialized in global health economics. His research focuses on the development of methods and tools for priority setting in health, to support Ministries of Health to make socially acceptable choices. For this, Baltussen integrates methods from various disciplines such as economics, ethic and decisions, which resulted in the development of ‘evidence-informed deliberative processes’ (EDPs). He has also led the citizen forum on ‘Choices in health care’ which was held in the Netherlands in 2017. Presently, Baltussen and his team are supporting several Minisatries of Health around the world through the implementation of EDP, including in the Netherlands, Ghana, Indonesia, Iran, Kazachstan, Tanzania and Moldova. Baltussen was Chair of the International Society for Priorities in Health 2016-2018. He has extensive field work experience in around 25 countries in Africa and Asia, and worked as a senior health economist at the World Health Organization in Geneva being responsible for the development of WHO guidelines on cost-effectiveness analysis. Prof. Rob Baltussen is an economist specialized in global health economics. His research focuses on the development of methods and tools for priority setting in health, to support Ministries of Health to make socially acceptable choices. For this, Baltussen integrates methods from various disciplines such as economics, ethic and decisions, which resulted in the development of ‘evidence-informed deliberative processes’ (EDPs). He has also led the citizen forum on ‘Choices in health care’ which was held in the Netherlands in 2017. Presently, Baltussen and his team are supporting several Minisatries of Health around the world through the implementation of EDP, including in the Netherlands, Ghana, Indonesia, Iran, Kazachstan, Tanzania and Moldova. Baltussen was Chair of the International Society for Priorities in Health 2016-2018. He has extensive field work experience in around 25 countries in Africa and Asia, and worked as a senior health economist at the World Health Organization in Geneva being responsible for the development of WHO guidelines on cost-effectiveness analysis.
En. Syed Johari Syed Jamaludin, an ILD patient, shares his experience being diagnosed and treated for interstitial lung disease treatment, as well as the challenges faced throughout his journey. This presentation was part of the symposium "Interstitial Lung Disease in Malaysia: Addressing awareness, treatment and care, and unmet needs" organised by the Galen Centre of Health and Social Policy on 21 October 2022. Held with the support of Boehringer Ingelheim, the symposium discussed the state of care for interstitial lung disease (ILD) in Malaysia, as part of preparations to develop a White Paper on this condition.
Dr Noorul Afidza Muhammad, a pulmonologist with Hospital Serdang presents an update on clinical trials related to interstitial lung disease treatment. This presentation was part of the symposium "Interstitial Lung Disease in Malaysia: Addressing awareness, treatment and care, and unmet needs" organised by the Galen Centre of Health and Social Policy on 21 October 2022. Held with the support of Boehringer Ingelheim, the symposium discussed the state of care for interstitial lung disease (ILD) in Malaysia, as part of preparations to develop a White Paper on this condition.