20 AUGUST 2026

Government’s Withdrawal of Nicotine Appeal Is the Right Decision

Malaysia cannot afford another period of regulatory vacuum.

18 JULY 2026

5-Year Sentence Reflects Failure of Healthcare, Protection & Compassion

The reported circumstances are tragic.

6 JULY 2026

Abortion: Misinformation, Women’s Health, and Unintended Pregnancies

More compassion is needed.

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?

1 JULY 2026

Make Free Drinking Water Mandatory in Restaurants and Food Premises

This is a simple, practical and low-cost public health measure.

25 JUNE 2026

PAC Report Confirms Need for Urgent Regulatory Reforms In Private Healthcare

Structural reforms, better accountability & an independent institution are needed.

15 JUNE 2026

Health Minister Must Withdraw Appeal on Liquid and Gel Nicotine Judgement

The government must stop trying to defend the indefensible.

6 JUNE 2026

Tax Condensed Milk To Help Malaysia Fight Diabetes and Non-communicable Diseases

Condensed milk is often invisible.

26 MAY 2026

Are We Really Serious About A New Public Hospital in Petaling Jaya?

The opportunity to build it cheaper and earlier was lost by previous governments.

19 MAY 2026

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

It should not repeat the mistake of 2023.

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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.