Materia Medica Malaysiana

National Health Welfare Fund to be replaced

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Health Welfare Fund, which has been plagued with controversy, is set to be replaced by one that will be more effective in disbursing funds to the poor or disabled, said Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek.
He said the ministry was proposing to the Cabinet that the fund be closed once the money had been exhausted and the Special Chronic Diseases Fund and Special Fund for Handicapped People with Chronic Diseases be merged to form the Medical Assistance Fund.
"This is an extension from the Cabinet decision that the National Health Welfare Fund, if possible, would be combined with the Special Chronic Diseases Fund to ease administration and management.
"But seeing how the fund (National Health Welfare Fund) is at its last stages and with RM1.8mil left, it will be exhausted in the next three to four months.
"Once it is finished, we will merge the Special Chronic Diseases Fund and Special Fund for Handicapped People with Chronic Diseases. This is to not confuse the public," he told reporters yesterday after launching the Allianz General Insurance Malaysia Bhd's "Allianz Care".