Medical Aid Fund Applications Processed In Two Weeks

KUALA LUMPUR, March 15 (Bernama) -- Applications for assistance from the Medical Aid Fund (TBP), which provides financial help to needy patients with chronic diseases, will be processed in 14 working days, the Dewan Rakyat was told Wednesday.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the application forms were available at all government hospitals and the Social Welfare Department.
The applicants only had to fill one form which seeks their personal particulars, he said in a written reply to a question from Datuk Razali Ismail (BN-Kuala Terengganu).
Dr Chua said the TBP had approved 478 applications involving more than RM7 million since it went into operation in January last year.
These applications made up 64 per cent of the total number of applications received between January last year and March 10 this year, he added.
He said the fund, which was established with a government allocation of RM100 million under the 2003 annual budget, had functioned relatively well in providing assistance to needy patients.
Dr Chua said aid given by the fund was specially for medical treatment, including medication and equipment, that could not be obtained at government hospitals.