FOREIGNERS will have to pay the full cost of medical treatment at government hospitals and clinics by 2017, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam.
He said this was following the Cabinet’s decision to remove the medical subsidy given to foreigners in phases beginning January.
“In the next three years, foreigners will be charged the full sum, meaning that the medical costs for foreigners next year will be increased by 30%.
“In 2016, it will be increased by another 30% and by 40% in 2017,” he said when responding to points raised in the Budget 2015 debate for the ministry.
Dr Subramaniam said by the end of 2017, foreigners will be paying 100% of the costs without any subsidy.
“This amount would be about twice the current fees,” he added.
In February, Dr Subramaniam had said that foreigners were taking about 30% to 40% of the country’s entire allocation for medical treatment meant for Malaysians.
Last year, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya announced a plan to get foreigners, including students, to pay for their actual cost of medical treatment in government hospitals, and not at a subsidised rate.
Dr Subramaniam had said the plan required some amendments to the Fees Act (Medical) 1951 for Foreigners.
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