PN MPs at odds over MOH's move to increase public healthcare fee

 

PARLIAMENT | Perikatan Nasional chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin urged the government to reconsider its proposal under the Health White Paper that could see high-income households pay more for services at public health facilities.

In debating the white paper that Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa tabled earlier, the Pagoh MP said various factors had led to more households falling into the lower-income category.

"To help the people, the government can exempt individuals in the lower-income category from being charged a fee.

"But at the same time, recent studies have found that many more (previously) not from the B40 group are now in the lower-income category due to increased costs of living," said the Bersatu president.

"So, if there is a proposal from the government to increase the fees at public health facilities, I urge for it to be postponed and reviewed."

Muhyiddin also claimed the government had initiated the proposal as one way to boost its income when faced with a supposedly critical fiscal state.

However, another PN MP had a different take on the matter.

Tanjong Karang MP Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi

Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (PN-Tanjong Karang) commended the government's proposal, pointing out that the RM1 fee was only relevant when "nasi lemak still costs 10 sen".

"The RM1 fee had contributed to Health Ministry services being static and left behind (compared to private facilities).

"So, it shows political will on the government's part to increase the RM1 fee to a more reasonable rate when compared to the private sector," said Zulkafperi.

According to the white paper, the Health Ministry will propose the fee structure to be reviewed within the first five years of its 15-year plan.

Malaysians who seek treatment at government hospitals and clinics only have to pay RM1 for outpatient care and RM5 for specialist outpatient care.

According to the ministry’s website, citizens who receive in-patient treatment at first-class hospital wards are charged RM10 per day, while for second-class wards, RM5. No charge is imposed for Malaysians admitted to third-class wards.

For child delivery services (normal birth), citizens are charged RM300, RM150 and RM10 for first-, second-, and third-class wards, respectively. - Mkini