76 Pct Of Psychiatric Patients Successfully Return To Work — Dzulkefly

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 – Mental health treatment programs under the Ministry of Health (MOH) have achieved significant rehabilitation milestones, with 76 per cent of psychiatric patients successfully reintegrating into the workforce as of June 2026.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad told the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday that the achievement, driven by the Community Mental Health Centre (MENTARI) vocational support framework, surpassed the ministry’s baseline Key Performance Indicator (KPI) target of 60 per cent.

“Mental health treatment aims not only to alleviate symptoms but also to help patients resume their daily lives with their families and return to work. Through 39 MENTARI centres nationwide, patients receive support such as rehabilitation, psychosocial assistance, and aid in returning to the workforce and achieving independence,” Dzulkefly said during the Question and Answer session on October 6, 2026.

He was responding to an inquiry from Datuk Adnan Abu Hassan (BN-Kuala Pilah) regarding treatment effectiveness indicators, success evaluation mechanisms, and hospital readmission rates at government facilities.

Rehabilitation Indicators and Clinical Outcomes

Data presented by the Health Ministry highlighted strong clinical outcomes and low readmission rates across MOH psychiatric facilities:

• Hospital Readmission Rates: The national readmission rate for psychiatric patients within a three-month post-discharge window stood at 6.32 per cent, well inside the ministry’s target cap of keeping readmissions below 25 per cent.
• Functional Recovery Focus: MOH protocols emphasize functional rehabilitation over basic symptom management to help former patients achieve personal independence and long-term economic stability.
• Network Infrastructure: Vocational support, psychosocial aid, and outpatient monitoring are currently coordinated across 39 MENTARI facilities operating nationwide.

Position on Cannabis Extracts and Substance Decriminalization

Responding to a supplementary question from Adnan regarding potential applications of cannabis extracts in treating mental health conditions, Dzulkefly reiterated the government’s evidence-based stance:

• Clinical Research: The Health Ministry remains open to medical and clinical research involving cannabis derivatives, provided trials are supported by robust scientific data and clinical trials.
• Rejection of Full Decriminalization: MOH strongly opposes any policy aimed at full cannabis decriminalization, with Dzulkefly citing public health crises and policy complications experienced in Thailand following similar regulatory shifts.

–NMT