HEALTH Ministry officials conducted a briefing on the health protection plan for low-income B40 group, known as Peduli Kesihatan scheme (PeKa B40), for some of the Penang Hospital’s top management, medical personnel and other stakeholders at the hospital’s auditorium today.
Health Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Chen Chaw Min said his ministry welcomed input and feedback for the pilot project that would take off next month.
“As we’re aware, the healthcare system in the country is facing some challenges, particularly on its sustainability with the rising cost for treatment. To address the issue, the government has come up with the scheme to help B40 patients with non-communicable diseases (NCD).
“Not everything is perfect and that’s why we solicit input and feedback to strengthen PeKa B40. Nothing is cast in stone and the scheme needs some fine tuning,” Dr Chen said in his speech.
He added that briefings on PeKa B40 are being held throughout Malaysia from Feb 19 to March 10, with Perak and Malacca receiving very good response.
Also present were state Agriculture, Agro-based Industry, Rural Development and Health Committee chairman Dr Afif Bahardin and Penang Health Department director Datuk Dr Wan Mansor Hamzah.
An allocation of RM100 million was approved last year by the Federal Government for the scheme that would benefit 800,000 recipients.
The benefits of the scheme, catering to those aged 50 and above for the B40 group, include health screening, buying of medical devices up to a maximum of RM20,000, payment-incentive RM1,000 when cancer treatment is completed (for 2019), and up to RM500 for Peninsular Malaysia and RM1,000 for Sabah and Sarawak for transport allowance.
PeKa B40 is managed by ProtectHealth Corporation Sdn Bhd, a non-profit company set up under the Health Ministry.
Dr Afif said the state Health Department was working hand-in-hand with the ministry to tackle health issues and to make PeKa B40 a success.
“It’s fair to say that the majority of Malaysians have access to some form of aid in regard to health protection.
“Heart ailments, diabetes and high blood pressure are endemic in B40. This is one issue we have to look into. Prevention is better than cure,” Dr Afif said.
The briefing was mainly conducted by Dr Rima Marhayu Abdul Rashid from the National Health Financing (NHF) Unit, who also fielded questions from the participants.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis