Primary Care Facility Evaluations in Malaysia: Lessons from Global Practices

Abstract

Primary care clinics are the working backbone of the health systems particularly in the quest of universal health coverage. Infrastructure assessment and improvement of clinical facilities, human resource capacity and quality of services are thus critical in providing equitable and effective healthcare services. The narrative review is a synthesis of the academic literature (2015-2025) concerning the topic of primary care facility evaluation based on the information on Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus and official reports. It places the Malaysian context in the context of the global practices, and relies on the evidences provided by other countries like Thailand, Turkey, Estonia, the United Kingdom, Canada and Kazakhstan. Results indicate that primary care systems are performing well through robust infrastructure, equal distribution of workforce and patient-centred quality programs. As drivers of change, digital technologies, task shifting and continuous quality improvement come up. Nevertheless, Malaysia is challenged with the ageing physical infrastructure, poor distribution of workforce, low use of electronic health records and quality of services. The strategic reforms suggested in this review comprise infrastructure investments, creative approaches to the workforce, accelerated digitalisation, institutionalised quality provisions, governance changes and partnerships between the government and the business. These are the recommendations that correspond with the Astana Declaration and Sustainable Development Goals, that improving the primary care is the key to the transformation of Malaysia into a modern, resilient and equitable health system.