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I disagree with UMMC fee hike but it’s unavoidable – Fahmi
However, he said it was unavoidable and revealed that he spoke against such a decision in previous meetings with the medical centre...
Summary
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil disagrees with Universiti Malaya Medical Centre’s (UMMC) decision to hike its fees but says it’s unavoidable.
He says this is due to UMMC’s role as a teaching hospital, which differs from government hospitals under the Health Ministry.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil disagreed with Universiti Malaya Medical Centre’s (UMMC) decision to hike its fees.
However, he said it was unavoidable and revealed that he spoke against such a decision in previous meetings with the medical centre.
“They previously held discussions with me twice, in 2019 and 2021, during which I voiced my stance that any fee increase would be inappropriate.
“This time, they did not consult me beforehand and made the announcement unilaterally.
“I called them for a meeting last Saturday to express my disagreement as an MP regarding the decision to raise costs,” Bernama reported him as saying today.
Fahmi, who is also the Lembah Pantai MP, was speaking to reporters after launching the Future Health for All (FH4A) pilot programme.
He acknowledged that the fee hike was unavoidable due to UMMC’s role as a teaching hospital, which differs from government hospitals under the Health Ministry.
On Jan 3, MalaysiaNow reported that UMMC announced an increase of up to 233 percent in patient fees.
Citing a report by Guang Ming Daily, the hospital’s ward fees are to be raised by 150 percent, from RM120 to RM300.
Fees for follow-up treatment at specialist clinics are to rise from RM15 to RM50, an increase of 233 percent.
A day later, UMMC defended its decision, citing rising costs - particularly in getting advanced medical technology, consumables, medical supplies, and operations.
On Jan 16, the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) also lambasted UMMC’s decision, saying the price hike should have been done gradually.
Funds to help those impacted
Meanwhile, Fahmi announced that his constituency will raise RM5 million this year to assist those in need following UMMC’s fee hike.
He said the amount would be channelled into the PPUMCare Fund, benefitting B40 and M40 groups impacted by the fee hike.
The minister added that the initiative is necessary as UMMC is a key healthcare provider for residents in his Lembah Pantai constituency.
Earlier today, the Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam, Selangor (Cassa) urged UMMC not to raise fees arbitrarily despite being partially government-funded.
“Though they have both public and private wings, the hospital’s management must remember they were established using public funds.
“And just because they are partially funded by the public, that doesn’t mean they could just raise their fees like how private hospitals do,” said Cassa president Jacob George.
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After the auta chameleon came to power with his equally snobbish and clueless incompetent ministers, the cost of almost everything in the country is going up including the stress level of the ordinary, hard working and helpless Malaysians. Anwar if he truly loves the country should resign gracefully and pass the baton to a young, capable, honest and competent person to take over the leadership. That will be a honourable service he will do for the country.
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