KUALA LUMPUR – Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa has assured that the government will not be implementing changes to the fee structure at public healthcare centres anytime soon.
Addressing the Dewan Rakyat, the minister, who is also Sekijang MP, said that lower-income and hardcore poor members of society will continue to benefit from healthcare services offered by the government at a low price.
“The fee charged for all patients is the same. Even if there are people who are willing to pay higher charges, the ministry does not have a mechanism to collect such payments,” she said during her winding-up speech on the health white paper.
“Any amendments to our fee structure will not be done soon. We will have to look into the matter and hold engagement sessions with other relevant stakeholders,” she added.
The health white paper, which was tabled in Parliament earlier today, proposed that the fees for public healthcare services be increased for the rich, with the move aimed at basing charges according to household income.
The 58-page document details that while minimal fees charged by the government have allowed the general public to access affordable healthcare services, the existing structure has led to the government shouldering high costs.
It added the ministry’s proposal that the fee structure review be carried out within the first five years of its 15-year plan to address challenges faced by the nation’s healthcare sector.
For now, Malaysians who seek treatment from government hospitals and clinics are charged only RM1 for outpatient care and RM5 for specialist outpatient care, as detailed on the ministry’s website.
For child delivery services where the mothers go through normal births, citizens are charged respectively, RM300, RM150 and RM10 for first, second, and third-class wards.
The health white paper, which was initiated by the previous administration, outlines four pillars and 15 healthcare reform strategies to bring into existence a healthcare system that ensures public welfare.
After debates from 30 MPs, the health white paper was passed by a voice vote, with a majority of lawmakers in the lower House voicing their support of the document. – The Vibes, June 15, 2023
