Patients upset over rising fees at private hospitals in Malaysia
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The escalating fees have prompted the Health Minister to urge the private healthcare sector to control costs.
PHOTO: UNSPLASH
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PETALING JAYA - Rising fees at private healthcare facilities in Malaysia are leaving patients reeling, as basic services such as temperature checks and wound dressings are being charged at a premium.
This has prompted some patients to explore more affordable options at public hospitals.
One patient, Ms Fazureena Hashim, 40, claimed that private hospitals are charging for every minor procedure, resulting in significant expenses, compared with those at government hospitals.
“Private healthcare personnel bill you for everything they do, including minor things like checking your temperature or drawing blood, which should be included in the main fee.
“I do not understand why these private hospitals charge close to RM10 (S$3) for cotton swabs and alcohol swabs.
“And this depends on how frequently you need to do wound dressing,” said the lecturer, who had sought treatment for an ear, nose and throat condition.
Ms Stephanie Lim, 63, who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, switched from a private hospital to a government facility for her consultation and medication.
“I have knee pain and I used to see a consultant at a private hospital for treatment, and it was very expensive... In the end, I could not afford it,” she said.
“I have started going to the government hospital instead.”
The retiree said she did not mind the longer waiting times at the public hospital as the cost savings for her treatment were worth it.
Mr Mario Jaganathan, 24, said that when he was admitted for acute tonsillitis at a private hospital recently, he was charged several hundred ringgit each time the doctor visited the ward for check-ups.
He also claimed he had to undergo additional tests for Covid-19 and influenza that cost over RM200 each, which he felt were unnecessary.
“One of the antibiotics that I was prescribed cost RM2,000 for 10 tablets,” said Mr Mario.
“Because of this, most (of the) time, they check if a patient has insurance because they know how expensive their services are.
“A single 10-minute consultation costs RM200, and after tax and medical prescriptions from the hospital pharmacy, you end up having to fork out RM800 or more.”
The escalating private hospital fees have prompted Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad to urge the private healthcare sector to control costs for the benefit of citizens.
Speaking at the launch of the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia Fact Book on Nov 13, he said the significant rise in fees was alarming and needed to be addressed. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
