KUALA LUMPUR, March 19- The country's medical cost inflation rate has risen to 15 percent, higher than the global and Asia Pacific average of 10 percent, said Deputy Finance Minister, Lim Hui Ying.

She said the increase is based on the Global Medical Trend Rates Report 2024, which is driven by advances in medical technology as well as an increase in non-communicable disease cases.

"The MADANI government is always aware of the burden faced by the people. Therefore, interim measures have been taken through Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) to reduce the impact of the increase in health insurance and takaful (MHIT) premium rates," she said when replying to Senator Tan Sri Mohamad Fatmi in the Dewan Negara today.

She added health reforms under the Ministry of Health (MOH) are based on five main thrusts, including increasing transparency in medical costs including the publication of prices for medicines and health services.

Apart from that, she said the implementation of the Diagnostic-Related Group (DRG) payment model in phases in private hospitals is also underway.

This includes a study of the need to amend the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 (Act 586).

"BNM is collaborating with the MOH and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) to introduce more sustainable and affordable health insurance and takaful products," she said.

The government is also expanding access to affordable health services through the Rakan KKM initiative and the implementation of electronic medical records (EMR).

This is to reduce the repetition of diagnostic tests and increase the efficiency of the country's health system.