Malaysia is a developing country situated in South East Asia with a land mass of 329 758 square miles. In 2000, the country had a total population of 21.9 million. The per capita Gross Domestic Product was $US 11 520 (on a purchasing power parity) and the life expectancy was 69 years for males and 74 years for females. Malaysia still faces a shortage of doctors and has a doctor : population ratio of 1 : 2063. Nevertheless, the leading health indicators have improved dramatically over the years and the infant mortality rate has declined from 75.5/1000 in 1957, the year of the country’s independence, to 9.1/1000 in 2000. The healthcare system in Malaysia is predominantly public. Government hospitals account for 82% of inpatient care. Healthcare in government facilities is almost completely subsidized. These facilities which are funded by federal tax revenues are comprehensive and widespread in the country and include community clinics (at the most basic level), health clinics, district and state level hospitals and national referral and university teaching hospitals (at the highest level). Private medicine has been growing rapidly in recent years. There are numerous general practitioner clinics and private hospitals but they are mainly concentrated in urban areas. Payment for private healthcare is primarily out of pocket. Some patients may be covered either by their employment health benefits or private health insurance. At the moment, there is no national health insurance scheme in Malaysia, although plans are afoot for comprehensive changes in healthcare financing and reimbursement procedures.