Ummc Fees Should Have Been Raised Gradually Says Health Group

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Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira said the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) should have considered a gradual increase in its fees.
He expressed concerns that those with large families or many dependents, particularly from the B40 community, would not be able to afford the new fees.
“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,” Kalwinder told Malaysiakini today.
On Jan 3, MalaysiaNow reported that UMMC had 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.
A day later, UMMC defended its decision to raise patient fees for procedures, treatments and services due to rising costs - particularly advanced medical technology, consumables and medical supplies and operations.
On that note, Kalwinder said UMMC should have carefully deliberated on the matter first, given its status as the only public hospital offering comprehensive healthcare services in Petaling Jaya.
“The nearest Health Ministry hospitals are in Shah Alam, Selayang or Sungai Buloh - which are quite a distance away,” he added. - Mkini

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