Going for insurance

THE Health Ministry has proposed the setting up of a non-profit statutory body tentatively called National Health Financing Authority (NHFA) to manage a national health insurance (NHI) scheme which employers, employees and the self-employed will contribute to a common pool and risks are shared. The concept is that the rich covers for the poor and the healthy for the sick.  

“The healthcare system will be more integrated and coordinated. Patients can seek treatment from any of these healthcare providers: the public, restructured public (corporatised unit) or private sector and the NHFA will pay for treatment,” says Health Ministry deputy director-general Datuk Dr Mohd Ismail Merican.