Malaysia’s Ministry of Health will review private hospitals’ charges for medical devices and pharmaceuticals due to complaints of excessive fees. Currently, the Ministry has the Private Hospital Act to control medical expenditures. However, this Act only regulates doctors’ fees.
The Ministry of Health will also meet with the Malaysian Medical Association, Association of Private Hospitals of Malays and consumers association to get additional feedback.
Though fees may be increasing for some services, Malaysians can receive funding and financial assistance through the Health Ministry’s Medical Assistance Fund and the National Heart Institute Foundation. The fund is available for patients suffering from HIV/AIDS, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, kidney and heart disease and also for long-term medical treatments. Last year, the MAF provided more than $7 million in financial aid.