KUALA LUMPUR, March 14 — The Health Ministry (MOH) has several measures in place to address the risk of medical bill arrears from foreign patients, including collecting deposits.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said a RM2,800 deposit was charged to foreigners for third-class surgical procedures, while it was RM11,000 for first-class.
Among the measures include arranging bank guarantee agreements with private companies to enable employees to receive treatment at hospitals, and collaborating with the Immigration Department to make it mandatory for employers to contribute to the Foreign Workers’ Health Insurance Scheme.
“The measures also include working with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and non-governmental organisations willing to help fund the medical costs of foreign patients,” he said during the winding-up of the debate for the ministry on the Motion of Thanks for the Royal Address in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Lukanisman added that RM40.08 million in arrears involving foreigners was recorded last year.
Meanwhile, on the statistics of house officers (HO) who did not complete their housemanship, he said that based on records from 2021 to 2023, 1,059 HOs had resigned.
“During the same period, MOH received 355 applications and appeals for re-appointment from officers who have resigned,” Lukanisman said.
To address complaints related to cases of bullying among officers, MOH launched the MyHELP System on October 1, 2022, with 259 complaints recorded as of February 29 this year.
Of that number, 52 complaints were submitted by medical officers, with six complaints alleging bullying, which are currently under investigation for confirmation and verification.
The remaining 46 complaints involved various issues, including service matters, promotion requests, and transfers.
Meanwhile, regarding projects to upgrade and redevelop dilapidated health clinics, the deputy minister said it is being implemented fairly nationwide.
He said MOH did not treat the need to upgrade health clinics in the Parliamentary constituencies under the government or the Opposition differently, as it involved the people’s interests.
“Through the RM150 million allocation for this year, 401 projects will be implemented, including demolishing and reconstructing 81 KK (health clinics) and repairs covering 320 clinics,” Lukanisman said.
— Bernama
