A question of adequate coverage

THE government’s base medical and health insurance/takaful (MHIT) plan, covering hospitalisation, surgery, medicines and select critical illnesses, has faced criticism from health experts who argue that the priority should be strengthening the public healthcare sector, as around 80% of Malaysians lack medical insurance.

Late last month, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and the Finance and Health Ministries released a White Paper outlining the base MHIT plan. This is an insurance and takaful product that increases access to private healthcare at a more affordable cost, including lower premiums for those who accept higher co-payments and seek greater coverage limits.