MP SPEAKS A memo dated Feb 27, 2017, announced that the supply of medication and medical equipment through the e-MASS (Electronic Medical Automated Supply System) system will be terminated on the very next day itself, Feb 28.

e-MASS is a system managed by Oratis Rx Sdn Bhd, which acts as an intermediary to facilitate federal government pensioners and dependents who are eligible to obtain medicines and medical devices prescribed in government hospitals/clinics at community pharmacies.

As advertised proudly on the Public Services Department (PSD) website, federal pensioners used to be able to obtain their supply of medicine and medical equipment in private medical institutions without paying a single sen. Today, to obtain the very same medications they have been on for months, or even years, they have to fork out the cost of medications first before being able to claim the expenses from the PSD.

Many of the pensioners using the e-MASS facility are on treatment for chronic illnesses such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases and kidney failure, which require a high cost of treatment. A check with a pharmacy listed under Oratis Rx revealed a month’s worth of cardiovascular medications can cost up to RM400.

This sudden imposition of medication fees on pensioners, especially those in the B40 group, is extremely burdensome, not to mention unusually abrupt. Deputy Defence Minister Mohd Johari Baharum said the facility has been stopped temporarily for upgrading purposes. If this shutdown were due to upgrading purposes, why did it happen on such short notice?

Had ample notice been given, the pensioners affected could have stocked up on their medications instead of being in such a cumbersome situation.

Why outsource to Oratis Rx?

While the amount paid for medications and medical equipment is claimable, how long would it take before the pensioners will be able to get their money back? Despite placing 60 days as the maximum in the time frame, pharmacies have been noted to receive payment 90 to 120 days after making their claims. Only a failed system would have exposed our pensioners to such financial strain during their retirement years.

This is nothing short of irresponsibility, and shows plenty of disrespect to the men and women who have contributed decades of invaluable service to the country.

It is the duty of the Health Ministry to ensure all public hospitals and clinics have adequate medications and medical equipment for all Malaysians, including our pensioners.

Although it cannot be denied that e-MASS is a good system, which makes obtaining medications and medical equipment easier for our pensioners, to place such a system under the monopoly of a company making a profit simply by being the middleman reeks of public funds wastage.

Oratis Rx Sdn Bhd rakes in a profit of seven percent, which could have been saved had this service be placed under the purview of the MOH or the PSD.

Malaysia has the most bloated civil service in the world! Why do we need to outsource the management of e-MASS to a private company?

TEO NIE CHING is the MP for Kulai and DAP assistant national publicity secretary.

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