Peka B40: 265 applications involving RM1.7 mln

BUTTERWORTH, Aug 16 (Bernama) -- A housewife who had been suffering from excruciating back pain following a fall in the bathroom nearly a year ago is thankful that she could turn to the government health scheme for B40 Group (Peka B40) and Zakat Pulau Pinang (ZPP) for assistance. 

Maznah Abdullah, 60, a mother of five was in dire need of RM16,000 for spinal surgery, prosthetic device and implants to remedy her trauma.

It was all made possible when Peka B40 provided RM10,500 while ZPP topped up the balance.

Met by reporters at her home today, Maznah expressed her gratitude as she and her husband Mohd Ali Mustafa, 66, were unemployed, and could not depend on their children aged between 19 and 44 who were also not financially stable themselves.

Meanwhile, ProtecHealth Corporation Sdn Bhd (ProtectHealth)'s communications chief Khairul Faizi Dalaiil said Maznah received the highest amount thus far from Peka B40 in the government's endeavour to provide health security to the public in regard to non-communicable diseases. 

To date, he said 48,416 people had been given free health screening under Peka B40, with 1,310 private clinics and 844 government health clinics nationwide currently registered as Peka B40 clinics.

"As of yesterday, we have received 265 applications involving RM1.7 million and 85 of them involving RM571,120 have been approved," he told reporters after visiting Maznah at Kampung Baru, Bagan Dalam and Yeap Phaik Lee, 55, a breast cancer patient at Lebuh Macallum, George Town here today. 

ProtectHealth, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ProtectHealth Malaysia established under the Ministry of Health is the healthcare scheme administrator for Peka B40. 

Khairul Faizi said Household Living Aid (BSH) recipients aged 50 and above are automatically eligible for Peka B40 aid without having to register.

The public can obtain further information via www.pekab40.com.my or customer service centre at 03-27307575.   

-- BERNAMA