GEORGE TOWN – The globally accredited Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) or Doctors Without Borders called on Malaysia to reform its healthcare system in view of the destruction caused by the Covid-19 pandemic to be safer and more affordable to vulnerable groups such as refugees and asylum-seekers.
As at noon today, the pandemic has claimed close to 32,000 lives, and exposes the disparities between those who have access to healthcare and those unfortunately excluded as it continues to spread, its mission head Dirk van der Tak said.
In a statement today, van der Tak lauded Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin’s proposal to reform the system to include safe and affordable healthcare for all in Malaysia, regardless of country of origin, citizenship or documentation status.
“A reform of the national health system is timely. The pandemic has claimed close to 32,000 lives in Malaysia and continues to spread further, exposing health disparities between those who have access to the system and those who are excluded,” he said.
Van der Tak said that due to a fear of arrest and detention, MSF has witnessed how refugees and asylum-seekers without UNHCR documents or people without any formal identification are delayed medical treatment, even when they face life-threatening conditions.
This is because of the 20-year-old Health Ministry Circular 10/2001, which obliges government healthcare staff to report undocumented people to the Immigration Department.
He said the circular not only deters people from seeking medical care, but also pushes healthcare staff to break the universal medical-ethical principle of causing no harm to the patient as reporting an undocumented patient could lead to their arrest.
MSF called on the Health Ministry to steer a new course in reforming the health system to make it safe and affordable for all, including refugees, asylum-seekers, and stateless people, all of whom are among the vulnerable groups in Malaysia.
Van der Tak said its immediate priorities should include repealing the Health Ministry Circular 10/2001 and introducing proportional fees for people without formal access to employment or social safety nets.
“MSF stands ready to work with the government to support solutions for inclusive, safe, and affordable healthcare for all.” – The Vibes, January 19, 2022
