Medical funds approved within 14 days

Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Some patients seeking aid from the Medical Assistance Fund are rejected as they insist on being treated at private hospitals although the treatment concerned is available at government hospitals.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, who said this, added that other reasons included the applicants being non-citizens, public sector staff applying although they were already entitled to medical coverage and patients who had already received treatment.
“I want to emphasise that applicants must fulfil all the requirements. We can approve applications within 14 days.
“The patient and hospital can begin treatment once we approve it, even before written approval is given,” he told reporters last night before the Rainbow of Life Forces (ROLF) All-Star Charity Dinner, held to raise funds for the Blue Ribbon campaign for child cancer victims.
Up to October, RM30.6mil from the fund has been disbursed to 2,263 patients, 83 of them cancer patients, for treatment and the purchase of equipment.
Dr Chua said help could be given to child cancer sufferers for treatment like stem cell transplants, adding that counselling could also be offered to the parents involved at government hospitals.
Some 1,200 children are diagnosed with cancer annually, with 40% diagnosed with leukaemia and 10% with lymphoma.
In his speech, Dr Chua said treatment often had significant and long-term impact on a child’s health.
“One parent, often the mother, may need to give up her job in order to take care of the child. Thus, child cancer patients and their parents are often under severe stress and need strong support,” he said.
During the function, it was announced that the Prime Minister's wife Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah had contributed RM50,000 to the fund from proceeds raised during P. Ramlee - The Musical charity show while AMP Radio Networks donated RM100,000.
A charity auction was also held which included an autographed jersey from the Hong Kong All-Stars football team and jerseys of Manchester United football star Ryan Giggs and England captain John Terry. A total of RM205,000 was raised. A soccer match will be held here today between the Hong Kong and Malaysia All-Star teams to raise more funds.