LAW ON GOVT HOSPITAL FEES FOR PRIVATE REFERRALS UNDER REVIEW
Fair treatment of all patients will be the focus in reviewing law, says minister
THE Health Ministry is reviewing legislation that requires patients to pay high fees for treatment at public hospitals if they are referred from private or university hospitals.
Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the government was aware of the problem and would address the issue as soon as possible.
He said consideration and fair treatment for these patients would be the focal point of the ministry in reviewing the law.
“We are addressing this issue because we understand that there are pertinent considerations that must be reviewed in the hope of giving fairer treatment to all, even though they come from private hospitals.
“We are looking into this seriously.
“We hope to come up with a review as soon as possible,” he said after opening the National Regulatory Conference 2018 here yesterday.
Under the Fees (Medical) (Amendment) Order 2017, it is mandatory for patients from private hospitals to be charged firstclass rates at public hospitals.
The law has been called unfair by critics, who argue that it is based on the misconception that those who initially opt for private healthcare can afford the highest rates at public hospitals.
On the alcohol poisoning cases, Dr Dzulkefly said up to Monday, the ministry had received 98 notifications on the matter, with the death toll at 45.
In his speech, Dzulkefly said the world was in an era where diversity and complexity of medicinal products had never been greater.
He said the advancement in science and technology had led to the development of new types of products, such as herbal products with therapeutic claims.
“The globalisation of biopharmaceutical products create novel challenges to regulators. This calls for regulatory process transformation to stay relevant and efficient.”