Palliative care in Malaysia is provided through three main channels: palliative units in Ministry of Health (KKM) hospitals, KKM's home-based (domiciliary) palliative care programme, and NGO hospices such as Hospis Malaysia, which offers home-based care free of charge. It differs from elderly care because it focuses on comfort, symptom control and dignity for patients with life-limiting illnesses, regardless of age. Most patients need a doctor's referral to access these services.
- NGO hospice services such as Hospis Malaysia are completely free, but home visits only cover the Klang Valley.
- KKM launched its home-based palliative care programme in 2016, starting in Selangor, Perak, Kedah and Penang.
- Most palliative services require a referral from a doctor or specialist.
- Palliative care focuses on life-limiting illness, not general elderly care.
Who this applies to: Families and caregivers of patients with serious or end-stage illness, and elderly people who need end-of-life care.
On this page
When treatment is no longer aimed at curing, the focus shifts to one thing: keeping the patient comfortable and dignified. That is the essence of palliative care — and in Malaysia, it can be accessed through three different channels.
What are the palliative care options in Malaysia?
There are three main sources of palliative care in the country:
| Channel | Provider | Location | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government hospital | KKM palliative unit | Hospitals & clinics | Subsidised |
| Home-based (domiciliary) palliative care | KKM | Patient’s home | Subsidised |
| NGO hospice | Hospis Malaysia & other NGO hospices | Patient’s home | Free |
The Ministry of Health Malaysia (KKM) launched its home-based (domiciliary) palliative care programme in 2016, starting in Selangor, Perak, Kedah and Penang, with the aim of expanding it nationwide. The National Palliative Care Policy and Strategic Plan 2019–2030 was launched on 6 November 2019 at Hospital Selayang, aiming to integrate palliative care into the entire healthcare system.
As of October 2025, there were 34 palliative care specialists in KKM hospitals, with a target of increasing this to 50 within two years. The nation’s estimated need is around 180,000 people every year.
What do hospices like Hospis Malaysia offer?
For families in the Klang Valley, Hospis Malaysia provides home-based palliative care completely free of charge. Their services include:
- Visits by the palliative team to the home for symptom and pain control
- Training for family caregivers
- Loan of medical equipment at no cost (hospital beds, ripple mattresses, wheelchairs, oxygen tanks, and so on), subject to availability
- Counselling support and a 24-hour emergency call service
Note that Hospis Malaysia does not provide in-patient care or respite care. Home visits, meanwhile, only cover the Klang Valley area. To find hospice services in other areas, families can refer to the Malaysian Hospice Council directory at malaysianhospicecouncil.com, as recommended by Hospis Malaysia itself.
Who is eligible, and how do you register?
Hospis Malaysia’s palliative care is suitable for patients with life-limiting illnesses, including:
- Cancer
- Heart failure
- Lung diseases such as COPD
- Kidney failure
- Neurological conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis (MS) and motor neurone disease (MND)
- HIV/AIDS
They also care for children with life-limiting illnesses. Most services require a referral from a doctor or specialist so that complete medical records are available. After registration, Hospis Malaysia aims to contact the family within two working days to arrange an assessment visit.
How does it differ from elderly care?
This is often confused. Elderly care is general care for older people who may still be healthy and do not have an end-stage illness. Palliative care, on the other hand, focuses specifically on comfort, symptom control and dignity for anyone with a serious or life-limiting illness — regardless of age. A child can receive palliative care; a healthy elderly person, meanwhile, may only need general care.
What’s next
If a member of your family has a serious illness, start by discussing a palliative referral with the treating doctor or specialist. For families in the Klang Valley, contact Hospis Malaysia through their website. For broader general elderly care needs, see our related guide on healthcare for seniors.
Is palliative care in Malaysia free?
NGO hospice services such as Hospis Malaysia are completely free, including the loan of medical equipment. Services at KKM hospitals and clinics are also heavily subsidised.
How do I access Hospis Malaysia's services?
Patients must be referred by a doctor or specialist, and must live within the Klang Valley coverage area for home visits. After registration, the hospice aims to contact you within two working days.
What is the difference between palliative care and elderly care?
Palliative care focuses on comfort and symptom control for patients with life-limiting illnesses, regardless of age, including children. Elderly care, by contrast, is general care for older people who may not have an end-stage illness.
The following are deliberately unstated or described only qualitatively until confirmed by a subject-matter expert:
- Nama rasmi dan akronim badan payung hospis kebangsaan (rujukan menyebut 'Malaysian Hospice Council' di malaysianhospicecouncil.com; sumber luar lain menggunakan 'Malaysian Hospice and Palliative Care Council / MHPCC' di mhpcc.com.my). Sahkan nama yang betul dan sama ada Hospis Malaysia ialah ahli.
- Bilangan NGO/organisasi ahli di bawah majlis hospis kebangsaan — angka spesifik dikeluarkan kerana tiada sumber yang boleh dicapai dapat mengesahkannya (laman majlis memulangkan ralat capaian).
- Bilangan semasa pakar paliatif KKM (34 pada Okt 2025) dan sama ada program domiciliary telah berkembang melebihi empat negeri awal sejak 2016.
Sources
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) — Hospis Malaysia
- Malaysia aims for 50 palliative care specialists in two years to meet ageing nation's needs, says health minister — Malay Mail
- Malaysia Launches First National Policy on Palliative Care — Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network (APHN)
Change history
| Version | Date | Change | By |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01.00 | 1 Aug 2026 | Approved and published. | — |