New law lauded for placing life above profit

Malay Mail: Social activists welcome the new Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act which takes effect on Labour Day (May 1).
They have hailed the new law which prevents private hospitals from turning away patients without money for a deposit, and “placing life above profit”.
Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (Fomca) president N. Marimuthu said they welcomed the move as one which affirmed the medical profession’s mission of saving lives.
He said: “Saving the lives of the sick is every hospital’s priority. Nobody should be made to suffer just because he did not have enough money to pay a deposit.”
Marimuthu, however, cautioned consumers against taking advantage of the new law by pretending to be seriously ill when in fact their ailment is minor.
“We also hope hospitals do not impose additional fees on patients who do not pay a deposit,” he said.
Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) president Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud also lauded the new law.
He said: “There should be no compromise when it comes to saving lives. Health is not a commodity and should not be placed below profit.”
He also called on hospitals not to charge patients extra if a deposit was not paid.
The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Service (Cuepacs) welcomed the new law as one which upheld the rights of patients and prevented them from being exploited.
Its president, Datuk Zainal Abdul Hamid, said they fully supported the provision for the Health Minister and Health Ministry director-general to determine the fees at private hospitals.
He said: “Private hospitals must charge reasonable fees and think of their patients first. A hospital is meant to treat the sick and save lives, not to maximise profit.”
The National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) also hailed the new law.
Its secretary-general, Lok Yin Pheng, said: “Many wage-earners may not have cash in hand to pay deposits. It is grossly unfair for hospitals to deny them treatment, especially when their illnesses or injuries are life-threatening.”
She said the NUTP proposes that teachers who take students on outdoor activities should be insured by the Government.
Social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the new law was in line with medical ethics.
He said: “Hospitals should focus on saving lives first. They should also not overcharge patients. I am glad the new law takes this into consideration.”
The new Act requires private hospitals to treat anyone admitted to the emergency ward, even if they cannot afford to pay a deposit.
The Act also stipulates that the Health Minister and the Ministry director-general will have the last say on the amount private hospitals charge their patients.
The Act comes in the wake of complaints about private hospitals turning away patients needing emergency care, and about exorbitant fees.
Several people have died because some hospitals had apparently refused to treat them as they did not have the money to pay a deposit.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek told Parliament on Monday that private hospitals had been reminded to give emergency treatment to anyone regardless of whether he could afford to pay the deposit.