Interested In Medical Subsidies By The Government

---

 
UNBEKNOWNST to many, a total of 84,500 patients have received assistance from the Medical Assistance Fund since 2005, with total aid approved amounting to RM793.7 mil, as disclosed by Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan during the committee-level debate on the Supply Bill 2026 in the Dewan Rakyat recently.
I am one of the many recipients that have benefited greatly from government health care, without which I will not be alive today. I had angiograms in 2006 and 2023 at Serdang Hospital, which was later renamed Hospital Sultan Idris Shah Serdang (HSIS). Thankfully, they were free of charge and mercifully, angioplasty was not required.
This year, I had Transoesophageal Echocardiogram and Direct Current Cardioversion (TOE-DCCV) twice at the same hospital, in February and July.
The second TOE-DCCV was necessary as my irregular heartbeat resumed within 24 days after the first procedure, and I had been enjoying regular heartbeats and exercises since July 3.
The actual cost for the second TOE-DCCV was RM782, but I paid only RM38. The two angiograms were free, and so were the Multislice Computed Tomography (MSCT) done in 2014 and 2020, fixing a Holter monitor to record my heart’s activity on two occasions, and wearing a wireless Cardea SOLO patch offered free by a doctor.
I am currently very satisfied with my heart condition but was recommended to undergo extensive treatment to ensure a more permanent cure. I would certainly do so if I was 20 years younger, but now at age 75, I can walk briskly for an hour for exercise, and even had to slow down to ensure my heart is not triggered to beat irregularly.
However, I wish to applaud the persistent efforts made by the medical social work department (Jabatan Kerja Sosial Perubatan). Between June and November, I received 17 calls from the hospital and answered only one. This was because I do not make or receive phone calls, and also I may forget what was spoken on the phone.
I was informed by phone that my ‘operation’ would cost around RM230,000, and I could apply for a subsidy. But I was not at all interested, as I would have to pay RM2,300 if the subsidy was 99%.
Instead of undergoing such a massive treatment, I would prefer to live life in my present condition and happy to drop dead one day.
Those interested in applying for assistance from the Medical Assistance Fund must submit information regarding the patient and all family members living together or separately when attending an interview at the department in the hospital, which I had called to cancel. But the phone calls continued unabated.
The documents include copies of identity cards, salary slips, Employees Provident Fund, bank statements, utility bills for electricity, water, phone, internet and Astro, receipt for house rental, insurance premiums paid for house, car and medical, and other assistance received.
Such stringent requirements made me appreciate even more the free medical treatment that I have been enjoying at government clinics and hospitals for the past 20 years.
However, this applies to HSIS and Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL), but not hospitals like Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (formerly known as HUKM). 
YS Chan is the master trainer for Mesra Malaysia and Travel and Tours Enhancement Course. He is an Asean Tourism Master Trainer and also a tourism and transport business consultant.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.
- Focus Malaysia.

---