Materia Medica Malaysiana

Three Gov't Medical Funds To Merge Into One

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 11 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry plans to set up a Medical Assistance Fund (MAF) under which the National Health Welfare Fund, Special Chronic Diseases Fund and Special Fund for Handicapped People with Chronic Disease will be merged.
Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek Tuesday said the ministry would soon table the proposal in the Cabinet for approval.
"This follows the Cabinet decision last year that the health fund be merged with the fund for chronic diseases to facilitate better channelling and management," he told reporters after launching a health insurance product, "Allianz Care", here.
"We already have an allocation of RM25 million for the MAF and we hope to get an annual grant of similar amount," he said.
In addition, the MAF would be allowed to accept donations from the public and private sector, he said.
He said with the establishment of the MAF, confusion among the public on various aid funds, set up by the government, would be avoided.
In addition, more people with chronic diseases would be able to tap into the fund as currently the allocation for chronic diseases had almost been fully used, he said.
The National Health Welfare Fund, set up in 2002 with a RM5 million government grant and RM526,000 contribution by the private sector, is for patients who are seeking treatment which is not provided by government hospitals.
"Up to Sept 2004, 156 patients had benefited from the fund with RM4.36 million used and the fund will be closed when the balance of RM1.8 million is fully utilised in the next three months," Dr Chua said.
The Special Chronic Diseases Fund was established after the 2003 Budget while the Special Fund for Handicapped People with Chronic Disease after the 2004 Budget.
"The MAF will have the same function as the National Health Welfare Fund but the procedure to apply for the aid will be made easier," Dr Chua said.
He said the MAF would be placed under a board of trustee, operational all year round and provide long-term assistance, especially for patients with chronic diseases and the handicapped.
Dr Chua said the condition and qualification criteria to tap into the fund would be announced once the Cabinet gave its approval.
He said several conditions would be relaxed and the requirement that applicants must earn less than RM600 monthly would be abolished and replaced with verification from the Social Welfare Department.
In addition, the applicants will not be required to get certification of their chronic illnesses from a special panel. All they need to have is a confirmation from a government hospital's doctor.
The financial aid would also be given for treatment in private hospitals locally if such treatment is not provided by government hospitals.