Major public hospitals nationwide will be implementing a Full Pay Patient (FPP) programme for the rich and foreigners to retain specialists.

Health Deputy Minister Dr Hilmi Yahaya said the programme would not impact the people as they would still pay only RM1 for medical treatment.

“The FPP programme is only for those who can afford and it is a way to retain specialists at public hospitals and at the same time, capitalise the loop-hole in providing free healthcare for foreigners,” he told a press conference in George Town yesterday.

The FPP programme was introduced in 2007 and is an ongoing process to make as many hospitals as possible to opt for it. Among the hospitals which opted for the programme is the Langkawi Hospital.

From the money collected from each surgery or medical process, 40 percent is given to the hospital while the remainder is for the specialist in charge.

“We hope with this programme, specialists will stay with us instead of resigning and moving to private health institutions,” said Dr Hilmi.

Patients who opt for the FPP programme can chose their own doctor and suitable time to conduct the surgery. However, it will only be held on holidays and non-peak times.

However, the programme only caters to 30 percent of the total patients in hospitals and the price offered is half what is offered at private hospitals.

- Bernama