BN assurance on healthcare
> Coalition will maintain affordable medical facilities if given mandate: Najib
PUTRAJAYA: The Barisan Nasional government will lead the way for the rakyat to benefit from affordable healthcare should it be given the mandate, said caretaker Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.
Speaking at the official launching of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) yesterday, Najib cited an example of a case involving a cancer patient from Malacca.
“In 2013, a patient named Razali Tompang was charged RM11,000 for treatment at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital.
“But he only had RM100 in hand. When he went to the counter to make payment, he was only charged RM31.80.
“This shows the government’s focus on healthcare subsidies for patients who cannot afford treatment in the country.”
Also present were Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam, Health secretarygeneral Datuk Dr Chen Chaw Min and Health Director-General Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah. The increase in the ministry’s budget, at about RM27 billion this year from RM26 billion last year, bears testament to the government’s commitment towards affordable healthcare, Najib said. “We do not make empty promises. What we pledge, we act on. As a result, our healthcare sector has received international recognition. “The International Living magazine, for example, has placed Malaysia’s healthcare services among the best five in the world.” Najib gave an assurance that such affordable yet high quality medical facilities will continue to be available as BN has placed healthcare and lifestyle related aspects as one of the main points in its manifesto. Since the NCI started operations in 2013, patient numbers have increased by several fold – from 505 that year to 10,864 patients in 2014 and as of last year, the institute received 37,452 patients. He also credited former premier Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for planning the institute during his tenure. The NCI, which is located beside Putrajaya Hospital, was completed on Aug 16, 2013 at a cost of RM700 million. The institute was the brainchild of Abdullah’s first wife, the late Datin Seri Endon Mahmood, who passed away from breast cancer in 2005.