Review haemodialysis allocation, Socso told

NST: Socso has been asked to review benefits for haemodialysis treatment of its members, as the current RM500 allocation is insufficient, said Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn.
He said Socso beneficiaries suffering renal failure would continue to get free haemodialysis treatment, with Socso paying the RM500 directly to dialysis centres to help cover equipment costs, as well as patients’ out-of-pocket expenses such as transportation costs.
The allocation does not include the fixed RM110 rate for haemodialysis treatment, which is also borne by Socso.
Fong said he had asked Socso to consider increasing the RM500 allocation as it may not be enough to cover the additional costs incurred by treatment centres and patients.
There are 157 haemodialysis centres nationwide affiliated with Socso. To date, 2,600 Socso members have benefited from the treatment scheme.
Fong today handed over 23 haemodialysis machines worth RM876,000 to 12 centres to be deployed nationwide. He also gave out compensation amounting to more than RM1 million to 40 benefactors under various Socso schemes.
Socso has also stepped up enforcement to ensure that employers register their workers.
Until last year, 576,244 employers were registered with Socso, of whom 348,000 were active contributors.
Fong said Socso collected an average of RM1.5 billion a year and had an accumulated amount of RM13 billion, with 4.8 million active employees subscribed to the scheme.