Answer for Written Question PT085

QUESTION

Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin

YANG BERHORMAT PENGIRAN HAJI ISA BIN PENGIRAN HAJI ALIUDDIN asks the MINISTER OF HEALTH to state what are the statistics of permanent residents holding purple identity cards who previously took advantage of free medical services? Why are service charges also imposed on those who have long been married and contributed to the country's economy, rather than only on those who manipulate the system?

ANSWER

Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan

The Ministry of Health takes note of Yang Berhormat's question regarding the statistics of permanent residents holding the Purple Identity Card (Purple Card) in relation to the previous use of free medical services, as well as the rationale behind the imposition of service charges on all categories of Purple Card holders, including those who have long resided and are married to Brunei citizens.

For information, detailed statistics distinguishing between Purple Card holders who are married to citizens and those who are not married are not specifically recorded in the patient information system. Therefore, the total number using public health services before the enforcement of the latest policy cannot be broken down based on marital status or length of residence.

In this year alone, it is estimated that more than thirteen thousand (13,000) purple identity card holders and more than four thousand (4,000) green identity card holders enjoyed free medical treatment in this country.

However, the approach of imposing healthcare service charges on all Purple Card holders is based on citizenship status, not marital status or length of stay in this country. This is in line with the principle of fiscal fairness and the need to ensure prudent public expenditure management, particularly in the provision of free healthcare services to citizens of Brunei Darussalam.

The Ministry has also adopted this approach as one of the measures to ensure the sustainability of the national healthcare system, especially taking into account the rising cost of treatment and demand for healthcare services from year to year.

For information as well, this charging policy has been implemented consistently for all Purple Card holders throughout this year, without discrimination, in line with the objective of reducing the risk of abuse of the system and ensuring fair contribution from all non-citizens, including permanent residents.

The Ministry continues to recognise the contributions of those who have long resided and contributed to the country's economy, however in the context of public health and fair service provision, priority remains given to the citizens of Brunei Darussalam, in line with the current national policy.