Madani medical scheme alleviates burden of B40

 

The Madani Medical Scheme, which offers free outpatient treatment to eligible groups starting June 15, has helped reduce the financial burden of Rahmah Cash Aid (STR) recipients and B40 households seeking treatment at private clinics.

The scheme is a government pilot initiative to meet the healthcare needs of the B40 group, particularly in accessing acute primary care or treatment for non-emergency cases at registered private general practitioner (GP) clinics.

The scheme, which was announced by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during the tabling of the 2023 Budget in February, is one of the government’s initiatives to address overcrowding issues in public healthcare facilities.

Treatments cover the common cold/flu, diarrhoea, vomiting, sprains, headache, minor trauma, cuts/wounds, and other non-life threatening cases with an allocation of RM250 for each household, RM125 for senior citizens (without a spouse), and RM75 for unmarried individuals.

Bernama checks found that the public appreciates the scheme as it helps them receive immediate healthcare treatment without having to face congestion in public health clinics and eases their financial burden.

They also hope the scheme will be continued beyond its current expiration date on Dec 31.

In Perak, Maimunah Abd Rahman, 60, expressed gratitude for the scheme, which enables her to get medical treatment promptly.

“This scheme reduces waiting time as compared to public health clinics. We know public health clinics can sometimes be crowded,” she said.

In Penang, STR recipient Mohd Syukor Mohd Sulaiman, 38, said the scheme reduces the financial burden on his family.

“I’m not asking for myself, my wife, or three children to fall ill just to receive medical assistance, but at least we can save money if any family member is unwell and requires treatment at a clinic or hospital, especially before payday.

“I work in a small eatery, and my salary is not so big. I have a two-year-old child, so fever and common cold occur quite often. Therefore, this medical assistance is truly a blessing and greatly helps our whole family,” he said.

In Johor, Mohd Ali Mohd Ekhbal, 58, lauded the government’s scheme, which he described as capable of helping retirees, especially those in the B40 group.

“The assistance provided through this latest medical scheme not only alleviates financial burden but also helps reduce waiting time for treatment. However, I hope that in the near future, it can be expanded to other districts besides Johor Bahru,” he said.

In Selangor, State Public Health, Unity, Women, and Family Development executive councillor Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud said the scheme needs to be explained more clearly to the people.

“The scheme is good in providing a solution for decongesting outpatients at public health clinics and hospitals who require prompt treatment for acute cases such as fever, cold, headaches, and diarrhoea, and it directly reduces waiting time for patients to receive consultations from doctors,” she said.

She added that the state government has no issue with expanding the scheme to clinics managed by state subsidiaries, but it would need further study as Selangor also implements a similar programme through the Iltizam Selangor Sihat Programme where registered B40 households receive RM500 for the family category and RM250 for individuals.

In Sarawak, Dexter McQueen, 42, said the initiative can also reduce the number of patients at public health clinics and alleviate the burden of doctors.

“At least doctors at public health clinics can focus on treating those who are in critical need of medical attention, such as the elderly, pregnant women, and more severe health cases.

“This is a good step and effort in improving the overall quality of healthcare services in the country,” he said.

Sharing the sentiment was Christopher Alexander, 34, who also hoped the scheme would be expanded beyond Dec 31 to benefit more people.

The pilot initiative is currently implemented in selected districts: Gombak, Hulu Langat, Klang, and Petaling (Selangor), Kuala Lumpur, Kinta (Perak), Timur Laut (Penang), Johor Bahru (Johor), Kota Kinabalu (Sabah), and Kuching (Sarawak).

- Bernama