Health Pssc Urges Ummc To Explain Fee Hike

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The Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Health urged the higher education minister to explain Universiti Malaya Medical Centre’s (UMMC) decision to hike its fees earlier this month.
“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,” its chairperson Suhaizan Kaiat told Malaysiakini yesterday.
Asked if the PSSC would consider summoning Zambry or the hospital director for an explanation, Suhaizan (above) replied: “Yes.”
On Jan 3, MalaysiaNow reported that UMMC announced an increase of up to 70 percent in patient fees.
Citing a report by the Chinese publication Guang Ming Daily, the hospital’s ward fees are to be raised by 60 percent, from RM120 to RM300.
Fees for follow-up treatment at specialist clinics are to rise from RM15 to RM50, an increase of 70 percent.
UMMC cites rising costs
A day later, UMMC defended its decision, citing rising costs - particularly in getting advanced medical technology, consumables, medical supplies, and operations.
Yesterday, the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) also 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,” MMA president Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira was reported as saying.

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