In the previous year, more than 23 million patients received treatment at Ministry of Health facilities, according to Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni.
During the same period, a total of 72,078 non-citizen patients also received medical care at Ministry of Health facilities. This service provision contributed to a total healthcare service revenue collection of RM525 million last year.
“Of the total, 3.11 are non-citizens, 30 percent are citizens, and 1 percent are foreign nationals,” Datuk Lukanisman said, addressing additional questions posed by Senator Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim regarding the number of foreign patients treated in government hospitals last year and the percentage ratio of locals to foreigners seeking medical treatment.
He further disclosed that the Ministry of Health has implemented a policy requiring a deposit to be collected from foreign patients upon admission to hospitals, in line with Paragraph 14 of the Medical Fees Order (Service Charges) 2014.
Guidelines for implementing the Medical Fees Order (Service Charges) 2014 also stipulate deposit rates based on ward class and type of medical service. For instance, the deposit for medical procedures in a third-class ward is RM1,400, while for first-class wards, it is RM7,000.
Additionally, private companies have the option to arrange a bank guarantee with the Ministry of Health through an agreement under the Procedure for Applying for Facilities for Inpatient Treatment of Patients in Malaysian Ministry of Health Hospitals using Company Guarantee Letters and Bank Guarantee Provision.
Through this agreement, private companies are required to pay a bank guarantee based on the number of employees. If medical bills are not settled within the stipulated period, the bank guarantee will be deducted to settle outstanding bills.
Datuk Lukanisman further elaborated that as of February 2024, a total of 823 companies have signed bank guarantee agreements with the Ministry of Health for medical facilities for their foreign employees.
The Ministry of Health is currently reviewing the procedures for setting deposit and bank guarantee rates, as well as collection procedures, to ensure that they are sufficient to cover the medical costs of foreign nationals.
