Continuous medical help

Star: PUTRAJAYA: Needy Malaysians who are disabled or suffering from chronic ailments can now obtain continuous medical aid under the new Medical Assistance Fund instead of being given “one-off” assistance as was the practice previously.
Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the assistance would stop if the patient died, obtained sponsorship from other parties or was found to have given incorrect information.
The assistance also does not cover treatment or any medical aid prior to application.
“This fund can support fully or partially the medical treatment, medication and medical equipment which is not provided by government hospitals.
“What makes it different from the TKKK (National Health Welfare Fund) is that this is not a 'one off' but can provide continuous treatment for chronic diseases,” he told reporters at his ministry yesterday.
Among the diseases in the continuous aid list are heart and cardiovascular problems, blood disorders, cancer, hepatitis, liver disease, Parkinson’s, HIV/AIDS, renal disorders, ear and hearing disorders, endocrine disorders, eye problems, respiratory disorders, orthopaedic and conditions requiring surgical intervention. Burn victims also qualify.
Dr Chua had announced last year that the TKKK, which had been plagued by controversy in the past, was to be replaced with the Medical Assistance Fund.
He had said this meant the closing down of the TKKK once its funds had dried up, while the Special Chronic Diseases Fund and Special Fund for Handicapped People with Chronic Diseases would be merged under the new fund.
Dr Chua said the Government had set aside RM100mil, with a RM25mil start-up allocation, but only 398 people had received assistance totalling RM6.1mil, so far.
The fund is only open to Malaysians, the poor and needy, those referred from government hospitals and only for treatment within the country. Government and retired government servants and their families were excluded as they were already entitled to free medical treatment in public hospitals and clinics.
Dr Chua also said that application procedures were easier as the patient only had to fill in a form and present such documents as certified doctor's letter, socio-economy report from the welfare department or the hospital’s social worker, salary and EPF slips.