White paper: Health Ministry to propose higher service fees for the rich

 

The Health Ministry will propose to the Parliament to increase the fees for public healthcare services for the rich.

The move is aimed at making high-income households pay for the services according to their financial capability, according to the Health White Paper that was initially scheduled to be tabled by Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa today.

According to the ministry, while minimal fees charged by the government have allowed the public to get affordable and better access to healthcare services, the current structure has led to huge disparity compared to the costs incurred.

"The current structure which imposes the same fees for all has led to huge disparity between what patients need to pay and the costs to provide the services. This is especially if compared to what some can afford, particularly among high-income households.

"Thus, to improve the sustainability of public healthcare services, the fee structure at government facilities will be reviewed to match one's financial capability.

"However, the safety net for low-income households will still be maintained," it said.

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

Currently, Malaysian citizens 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.

On a related matter, the ministry also plans to propose a new mechanism for healthcare services funding.

The white paper also stated that relying on the government as a single financial source is not a sustainable way especially due to the increasing demands caused by demographic changes in the country.

"A form of social compact will be proposed so that investment in healthcare will become a shared responsibility.

"A progressive contribution scheme mechanism will be tabled and debated in the Parliament to seek bi-partisan support," it said.

The document, however, did not furnish many details on the shape of the mooted mechanism.

Hospital function restructuring

Meanwhile, as part of its long-term plan, the Health Ministry will propose a restructuring of hospital functions.

The main target of this move is to ease the burden of government hospitals by moving out some of its services to primary health centres (PHC) such as community clinics.

This is so that the efficiency and performance of hospitals can be increased and focused on acute cases and complex diseases.

"Ambulatory care-sensitive conditions such as infections to the lungs and respiratory tract, diarrhoea, and asthma, which are more suitable for PHC and community levels, will be moved out in stages from hospitals to PHCs.

"Long-term care, such as for senior citizens or management of non-communicable diseases with complications, will also be handled outside hospital facilities with the collaboration of service providers for social, rehabilitative, or palliative care."

The white paper also stated that they will also launch Electronic Medical Record (EMR) and Life Health Record (ELHR) initiatives in stages.

These records, it said, will contain individuals' health status, medical history and other related information, and will be accessible to the individuals.

"The public will be given the right to keep their personal data and they can give access to their data to healthcare services providers, or the government whenever needed.

"This will ensure the privacy and secrecy of personal health records.

"EMR and ELHR will not only be used as a data repository for the rakyat's medical history but they will also be used to develop personal healthcare plans in the future," it said. - Mkini