Study Finds 94 Per Cent of Malaysians Delay Seeking Medical Care Due to a Lack of Support

New research shows that everyday responsibilities, limited decision‑making support and uncertainty about care often lead people to delay seeking medical attention.

KUALA LUMPUR, 31 March 2026 – Over recent decades, Malaysia has made sustained progress in improving health outcomes for its population. However, as the country’s population ages and chronic diseases become more prevalent, the focus is increasingly shifting towards how longer lives can also be healthier ones. In 2025, life expectancy stood at 75.3 years, while average healthspan was 64 years as of 2021^[1],[2] highlighting the importance of supporting quality of life alongside longevity.

To better understand these challenges, Prudential plc commissioned Economist Impact on the regional study, “Patient voices: experiences of healthcare access in Asia.” Building on these insights, we launched the Malaysia-specific report, “Patient voices Malaysia: making healthcare clearer and more connected.” This study surveyed 1,020 people in Malaysia as part of a broader regional analysis of 4,203 patients. It reveals that 94 per cent of Malaysians have put off seeking medical care in the past year. This is often driven by everyday life pressures, such as work and family responsibilities, alongside uncertainty and limited support in making healthcare decisions.

The study highlights three primary challenges facing patients in Malaysia:

Knowing where to turn is a major hurdle: 54 per cent of respondents admit they do not know where to get treatment when they feel unwell. Without a clear first point of contact, such as a regular family doctor, patients are often left to find their own way through a confusing landscape of public and private providers.
Cost anxiety is driven by a lack of clarity: 53 per cent of Malaysians worry they cannot afford the treatment they need. While 71 per cent of respondents said their initial healthcare bills were lower than expected, this often reflects the impact of subsidies and insurance coverage.

Digital tools are presenting new challenges: While technology could ease delays, 53 per cent of respondents struggle to book or manage appointments online. Disconnected platforms and complex interfaces often leave patients feeling overwhelmed.

According to Arjan Toor, CEO, Health of Prudential plc, “Malaysia has been an important part of Prudential’s story for over a century, and ensuring better health outcomes for our customers has always required more than just paying claims. Patient Voices Malaysia highlights an important reality: that many people delay seeking care not because help is unavailable, but because everyday responsibilities and lack of information make it hard to access care. This is why we are working closely with our healthcare partners to make access to care easier and cost of treatment more predictable, so patients can seek treatment with confidence and only focus on getting better.”

During the launch, Arjan Toor and Manisha Keyal, Chief Health Officer of Prudential Malaysia^[3]were joined by Dr. Muhammed Anis Abd Wahab, Head of Healthcare Sustainability and Assurance Division, ProtectHealth Corporation, and Assoc. Prof. Dr Murallitharan Munisamy, Managing Director of the National Cancer Society of Malaysia for a panel discussion on these findings.

According to Manisha, “Our aspiration is to give every patient peace of mind when they need care most. Patient Voices Malaysia shows us that many people delay seeking help not because they don’t care about their health, but because daily responsibilities take priority and they lack the clarity and confidence to make decisions. This is why we are focused on making healthcare simpler and more supportive, with clearer information, better guidance and more seamless support, so patients feel assured taking that first step and can focus on getting well.”

Manisha also highlighted that by focusing on patient-centred care and working with local partners, the experience can become hassle-free and worry-free. This includes using smart tools to better support patients when they need help most. Prudential is working toward a future where healthcare in Malaysia goes beyond just treatment. It should be genuinely responsive to the individual needs of every person.

The report concludes that building a more patient-friendly future requires strengthening primary care as a clear first step, increasing cost clarity through upfront estimates, and improving digital literacy to ensure technology supports rather than confuses the process of getting better.

To read the findings for our market in full, you can download the local spotlight report, “Patient voices Malaysia: making healthcare clearer and more connected,” by clicking here.

-END-

^[1] Life expectancy. 2025. Available from: https://open.dosm.gov.my/dashboard/life-expectancy

^[2] Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation, NUS Yong Loo Lin Medical School. The state of ASEAN’s health. 2025. Available from: https://www.healthdata.org/sites/default/files/2025-08/IHME_ASEANRegionAndCountry_PolicyBriefs.pdf

^[3]Prudential Assurance Malaysia Berhad (PAMB) and Prudential BSN Takaful Berhad (PruBSN), collectively referred to as Prudential Malaysia.