'Cheaper than private hospitals' - Health PSSC now backs UMMC fee hike

Summary

• The Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Health now defends Universiti Malaya Medical Centre’s (UMMC) decision to hike its fees after it earlier questioned the move.

• Its chairperson Suhaizan Kaiat says the decision was made to improve the hospital’s delivery system for patients.

• He adds that those who can’t afford the payment can seek financial assistance from various other avenues.

The Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Health is now backing Universiti Malaya Medical Centre’s (UMMC) decision to hike its fees earlier this month.

This comes after it earlier voiced reservations over the hospital’s decision.

“The fee hike is implemented to improve its delivery system to the patients. Plus, the new fee is still lower than the ones imposed by private hospitals.

“For the B40 community and those having problems paying, they could use MySalam (the national health protection scheme).

“In addition, they could also seek assistance from UMMC’s Finance Department or the Welfare Department,” Health PSSC chairperson Suhaizan Kaiat told Malaysiakini today.

On Jan 17, Suhaizan urged UMMC and the Higher Education Ministry to explain the fee hike.

“UMMC is under the Higher Education Ministry. I request an explanation from the minister (Zambry Abdul Kadir).

“The increase in the cost of treatment at UMMC does not benefit patients, especially those with low incomes,” he had said.

Rising costs

On Jan 3, UMMC announced an increase of up to 70 percent in patient fees.

This includes raising ward fees by 60 percent, from RM120 to RM300.

Fees for follow-up treatment at specialist clinics were also raised from RM15 to RM50, an increase of 70 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) lambasted UMMC’s decision, saying the price hike should have been done gradually.

“Charges for specialist consultation, ward admission, as well as advance charges for specialist procedures and critical care ward admission may not be affordable for this group of patients.

“Patients from the B40 income group should still be subsidised by the government as per the policy in all public healthcare facilities,” said MMA president Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira.

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