The Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, proudly congratulates Dr. Ng Rui Jie on the successful completion of his Doctor of Public Health (DrPH). His outstanding thesis, titled “Evaluation of Financial Risk Protection Provided by Private Health Insurance in Malaysia,” addresses a critical gap in health financing research and offers timely insights into the role of private health insurance (PHI) in the Malaysian healthcare system.

Dr. Ng’s research tackled the vital issue of financial risk protection in healthcare—a cornerstone of universal health coverage (UHC). As Malaysia progresses in its health system reforms, understanding the role and effectiveness of private health insurance is pivotal.

Thesis Highlights

Dr. Ng’s thesis provides a comprehensive evaluation of PHI’s ability to protect Malaysians from financial hardships due to healthcare expenses. By adopting a multi-method approach, his research offered nuanced insights into the contributions and shortcomings of private health insurance:

Policy Analysis & Market Dynamics
- Using a case study approach, Dr. Ng analyzed PHI’s development through frameworks that examined policy, market structures, and consumer behavior. The findings revealed mixed outcomes, highlighting both the strengths and limitations of PHI.
Patient and Provider Perspectives
- Through qualitative methods, Dr. Ng identified key themes such as health insurance literacy, claim management processes, and the role of insurance agents. These insights underscore the importance of improving consumer education and policy clarity.
Quantitative Analysis
- Leveraging data from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (2019), Dr. Ng demonstrated that PHI was associated with increased out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditures and a higher risk of catastrophic health expenditures (CHE). This challenges the perception of PHI as a reliable safety net.

The research emphasizes the urgent need for policymakers to refine PHI frameworks to ensure they align with Malaysia’s broader health financing goals.

A Scholar Making Impact

Beyond his thesis, Dr. Ng’s work has already made significant contributions to academic literature. His first manuscript, published in the prestigious journal Health Policy and Planning (Volume 39, Issue 3, 2024), explores the effect of supplementary PHI on OOP inpatient medical expenses:

Ng, R.J., Choo, W.Y., Ng, C.W., & Hairi, N.N. (2024). Effect of supplementary private health insurance on out-of-pocket inpatient medical expenditure: evidence from Malaysia. Health Policy and Planning, 39(3), 268-280. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapol/czae004

Dr. Ng is currently preparing his second manuscript, continuing to disseminate his important findings to drive impactful health policy discussions both locally and internationally.

Shaping the Future of Healthcare Financing

As Malaysia embarks on transformative health system reforms under the Health White Paper, Dr. Ng’s research provides a critical evidence base for evaluating and strengthening PHI. His work ensures that PHI can better contribute to financial risk protection, particularly for vulnerable populations.

We would like to acknowledge the guidance and support provided by his supervisors, Prof Choo Wan Yuen and Professor Dr. Noran Naqiah Mohd Hairi, and his previous supervisor Prof Dr Ng Chiu Wan. We would also like to acknowledge his examiners Professor Dr. Ajay Mahal, School of Population and Global Health, (Nossal Institute for Global Health) University of Melbourne, Australia and Dr. Ainol Haniza Kherul Anuwar, Department of Community Oral Health & Clinical Prevention, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya.

The viva session, chaired by Prof Dr Pauline Lai Siew Mei, and supported by Professor Dr Shahrul Bahyah Kamaruzzaman, Deputy Dean (Postgraduate), Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya and Dr Victor CW Hoe as the Head of Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine.

We extend our heartiest congratulations to Dr Ng Rui Jie on this outstanding achievement.

We wish her all the best in his future endeavors and look forward to his continued contributions to the field.