title: Healthcare in Asia: a perspective from primary care at the gateway to a continent.
abstract: Malaysia has achieved reasonable health outcomes even though the country spends a modest amount of Gross Domestic Product on healthcare. However, the country is now experiencing a rising incidence of both infectious diseases and chronic lifestyle conditions that reflect growing wealth  in a vibrant and successful economy. With an eye on an ageing population, reform of the health sector is a government priority. As in other many parts of the world, general practitioners are the first healthcare professional consulted by patients. The Malaysian health system is served by public  and private care providers. The integration of the two sectors is a key target for reform. However, the future health of the nation will depend on leadership in the primary care sector. This leadership will need to be informed by research to integrate care providers, empower patients, bridge  cultural gaps and ensure equitable access to scarce health resources.
authors.forename: Moyez
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jiwa
authors.forename: Sajaratulnisah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Othman
authors.forename: Nik Sherina
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Hanafi
authors.forename: Chirk Jenn
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Ee Ming
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Khoo
authors.forename: Yook Chin
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chia
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D001208:Asia; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018166:Health Care Reform; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008017:Life Expectancy / Q000639:trends; D008019:Life Style; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011157:Population Dynamics; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends*; D017149:Private Sector / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017150:Public Sector / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors