Private hospital charges should be compatible with cost of living

KUALA LUMPUR, May 17 (Bernama) -- The rising cost of living should not be an excuse for private hospitals as well as the insurance companies to raise medical charges to the maximum.

Malaysian Muslims Doctor Organisation (Perdim) president Datuk Dr Ahmad Shukri Ismail said while the increase in medical charges currently was brought about by the rise in the cost of living, he felt the charge should be negotiable so as not to burden patients or holders of medical insurance policies  

"Private hospitals should discuss with insurance companies so that the charge for services rendered would not burden the people especially those using their insurance to fund their treatment. 

“The parties involved should understand that the government is now trying to improve the cost of living of the people, so treatment charges of private hospitals should also be appropriate. Insurance companies should  also review their respective insurance premiums. I believe by offering reasonable prices, hospitals can still make profits,” he said when contacted by Bernama.

The local media had earlier reported the medical charges of private hospital had continued to rise in the past few years and it has created fears among holders of life and medical insurance policies.    

Dr Ahmad Shukri also urged specialists to reconsider the cost of treatment to help lighten the burden of patients and their families.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president, Dr Mohamed Namazie Ibrahim said at present there is no price control for private hospital charges unlike the regulated professional fees of doctors.

According to him, there is a provision in the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act (1998) for the Minister of Health to regulate hospital charges but this has not been done as it is difficult to control prices due to various factors like the high investment and labour-intensive nature of healthcare together with the varying currency exchange rates.

"Most of the patent drugs are imported a such hospital charges excluding the doctors' fees are going up constantly,” he said.

Dr Mohamed Namazie also suggested to the insurance industry should step in for a check and balance and to ensure the charges are fair. 

The private health insurance is relatively new in Malaysia and the industry is still on the learning curve, he added.

-- BERNAMA