Existing healthcare aid of RM5,000 a year for Selangor poor to continue

Eligible Selangor citizens can look forward to subsidised payment at 1,001 clinics in the Klang Valley. — filepic

On top of the new card to subsidise clinic visits, Selangor citizens can continue to enjoy the benefits under the Sihat Selangor Assistance programme which provides a maximum coverage of RM5,000 a year.

The programme which started in 2010, sees financial support for the poor to undergo minor procedures like removal of tonsils, biopsy for a breast lump, cataract surgery and dialysis.

Selangor Health, Welfare, Women and Family Affairs committee chairman Dr Daroyah Alwi said under the Sihat Selangor Assistance programme, those who earn less than RM3,000 a month or are under the Bottom 40 (B40) category are eligible.

“Our aim is to help people to get through health problems with less debt and stress,” she said.

“Under the Sihat Selangor Assistance programme, we give priority to small income-earners single parents, those with several dependents, family members with prolonged illness and the physically handicapped,” she said.

Dr Daroyah added that apart from minor surgeries, the medical assistance programme will also cover the purchase of prosthetics and medical equipment like wheelchairs, crutches, walkers and canes.

Since the programme's launch, in 2010, more than 2,500 people have taken advantage of the financial aid.

“In 2014, the state paid medical bills amounting RM511,238, and in 2015 the total amount was RM1.2mil.

“We want to improve access to quality healthcare and allow people to live healthier lives. It’s good that more people have come to know about this programme,” she said.

“Our bills for medical care and dialysis came up to RM2mil in 2016. For this year, we have allocated RM5mil just for dialysis, and another RM500,000 for other medical needs,” she said.