Answer for Written Question PT040

QUESTION

Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin

YANG BERHORMAT AWANG HAJI SALLEH BOSTAMAN BIN HAJI ZAINAL ABIDIN asked the YANG BERHORMAT MENTERI KESIHATAN to state the status of the Patient Charity Aid fund for elderly PR patients facing financial difficulties and having pre-existing conditions. How effective are the clinical consideration and Medical Social Services assessment methods, which should prioritise patients (patient-centric), in preventing the deterioration of illnesses and emergency treatment?

ANSWER

Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan

A. Status of the Fund and Existing Support

At present, the Ministry of Health does not have a specific scheme known as Patient Charity Aid. However, there is a Patient Welfare Fund that functions to assist any patient in need, particularly in the form of welfare support such as the provision of daily necessities or assistive devices that can support patients’ well-being in their daily lives.

For elderly patients with PR status who are foreign nationals, the Ministry consistently emphasises the importance of protection through insurance or other suitable protection schemes, to help them manage healthcare costs more effectively.

B. Role of the Medical Social Worker

Medical Social Workers will ensure that patients, including elderly patients in need, receive appropriate attention. Assessments are conducted comprehensively through a patient-centred approach, including referring patients to relevant agencies or organisations to obtain financial assistance or additional welfare support, in addition to providing any assistance available under the Ministry of Health.

The Ministry of Health is always concerned about patients who require assistance, and to strengthen this support, it has added 10 Medical Welfare Assistant Officers (Contract) to assist patients with applications and coordination with relevant agencies.

The Ministry encourages members of the public to seek medical treatment when necessary, and should there be concerns regarding payment, the healthcare team, including the Payment Unit and the Medical Social Work Unit, is always ready to discuss the available support.

C. Improvement Measures and Future Commitment

The Ministry of Health acknowledges that health insurance can become a financial burden for some affected elderly persons, and it is not appropriate to merely depend on external parties. In this regard, the Ministry will continue to examine and seek more sustainable alternative solutions to ensure that patients facing financial difficulties are not left behind.

The Ministry also welcomes views and suggestions from the public, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders, so that together, a more patient-centric approach can be developed, while also providing daily necessities directly to patients or to Medical Social Work Officers. In this way, more comprehensive support can be established to prevent the deterioration of illnesses and reduce dependence on emergency treatment.