KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry will not make any rash changes to the fees charged for public healthcare services, says Dr Zaliha Mustafa, adding that low-income and vulnerable groups will not be affected.
"Fees in the public healthcare sector are very minimal as the government provides a lot of subsidies," the Health Minister said while winding up her speech on the Health White Paper in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (June 15).
"The fee is the same for all patients. Currently, the Health Ministry does not have a mechanism to collect extra fees although there are patients who are willing and want to pay more because they appreciate the comprehensive care received.
"Changes to the fee structure will not be done immediately or arbitrarily," she added.
She said the option will be studied and analysed thoroughly and transparently, with stakeholder views sought.
"The most important thing is that the people, especially the low-income and vulnerable groups, will not be affected and will continue to enjoy healthcare services," she said.
The White Paper was tabled and passed on Thursday (June 15) with a voice vote after more than 20 MPs debated for over four hours.
The 57-page policy document, which outlined the reformation of the healthcare sector for the next 15 years, said that the ministry is exploring the option of reviewing the fee structure for its health facilities.
It said fee increment would not be exponential and additional fees collected would be used to improve facilities and procure technologically-advanced healthcare equipment.
The paper said the review of the fees would be made in accordance with the patient's budget, ensuring health services are affordable for low-income households.
"The low fee rate at public healthcare facilities is a well-cherished feature of the healthcare system, where the public are given access to the healthcare system at an affordable cost," the paper said.
However, the paper noted that the fee structure, which was the same for all Malaysians, had created a disparity of sorts, especially when it came to high-income households.
"For the sustainability of healthcare expenditure, the fee imposed for public healthcare will be reviewed so that it is compatible with affordability.
"Nevertheless, the safety net for low-income households will be maintained," it added.
