78pct of Madani Medical Scheme allocation has been used: Minister

PARLIAMENT | Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad revealed that as of today, the Madani Medical Scheme (SPM) has used RM78.73 million of its RM100 million allocation.

He said this when explaining the recent decision to downscale the scheme’s scope from being carried out nationwide to only 10 districts.

Dzulkefly (above) told the Dewan Rakyat that the government had been spending RM1.7 million weekly in maintaining the programme expenses, totalling RM12 to RM15 million in weekly expenses.

“There is a balance of RM16.2 million. The budget expenditure is expected to run out by April,” he said.

The minister did not provide a breakdown of these expenses.

He added that the Health Ministry was extending hours at health clinics for patients with minor ailments and would periodically adjust the scheme based on needs and demands.

Dzulkelfy was responding to a question by Alias Razak (PN-Kuala Nerus) who asked for the government’s justification for only offering the scheme in 10 designated districts.

Pilot programme

The scheme was launched as a pilot programme on June 15, 2023, in 10 districts - Kuala Lumpur, Gombak, Hulu Langat, Petaling Jaya, and Klang in Selangor.

It also included districts in other states such as Johor Bahru (Johor), Kinta (Perak), Timur Laut (Penang), Kota Kinabalu (Sabah), and Kuching (Sarawak).

In August 2023, the scheme was extended to 11 other districts located in Kedah, Terengganu, Kelantan, Pahang, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, and Perlis.

However, ProtectHealth Corporation - which is helmed by the Health Ministry - announced two days ago (Feb 27) that it would reduce the scheme to its original 10 districts.

Local clinics

In a supplementary question, Alias lamented that four of the districts were located in urban areas such as Selangor, instead of rural areas, such as his constituency in Terengganu, which lacked local clinics.

In response, Dzulkefly said he would consider targeting states that required more assistance.

"This is a matter that can be considered. These 10 districts were decided by the previous minister (Dr Zaliha Mustafa) but as the minister today, it would be wise to review (the districts).

"We will not politicise or weaponise matters regarding health. I agree with you Kuala Nerus, for a reconsideration and look at (the scheme) as a whole, especially to aid the targeted communities," he said.

As of December 2023, the Madani Medical Scheme has provided over one million treatments for minor ailments to patients at registered private clinics since its implementation in June.

Over 1m receive free treatments under Madani medical scheme

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