PETALING JAYA: The government should regulate the cost of Covid-19 testing at private hospitals, say consumer groups along with Indian Muslim restaurant associations.
Currently, charges for Covid-19 testing range from RM350 to RM650.
Fomca president Datuk Paul Selvaraj said it was vital for the government to regulate the cost so that Covid-19 testing was accessible to all.
“Since we are facing an unprecedented situation, it is best that the government make the screening more affordable, especially to the lower income group,” he said.
Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia secretary-general Datuk Dr Ma’amor Osman said the government must take measures to ensure that there was no profiteering from providing these tests.
“The government can come up with a guideline on the prices of test kits from different manufacturers.
“The government can also give subsidies to private clinics to ensure that more people are tested. Otherwise, we will be discriminating against the poor and marginalised,” he said.
Malaysian Muslim Indian Restaurant Owners Association (Presma) vice-president Abdul Mukthahir M. Ibrahim questioned the huge difference in Covid-19 testing at private hospitals.
“Some hospitals are charging between RM350 and RM650. It should be uniform across the board and affordable,” he said.
Meanwhile, Socso will soon release a list of clinics and hospitals that provide mass health screening for workers during the third phase of the movement control order (MCO).Socso said all information regarding the programme would only be announced through its official channels, including its website and social media.
“The public has been urged not to be misled by any other offers over social media sites,” it said in a statement on its Facebook page.
On Friday, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali said workers from companies that are allowed to operate during the MCO period must undergo health screening at any of the 3,000 Socso panel clinics nationwide before they go back to work.
The MCO came into force on March 18 and has been extended until April 28.
Socso also said it was still establishing standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidelines for the screening process.
“The announcement will also be made soon,” it added.
The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) has urged Socso to ensure the smooth process of conducting mass health screening for workers.
FMM president Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai said panel clinics under Socso must be well-equipped to screen employees, who will be given clearance to work in selected sectors during the next phase of the MCO.
Currently, charges for Covid-19 testing range from RM350 to RM650.
Fomca president Datuk Paul Selvaraj said it was vital for the government to regulate the cost so that Covid-19 testing was accessible to all.
“Since we are facing an unprecedented situation, it is best that the government make the screening more affordable, especially to the lower income group,” he said.
Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia secretary-general Datuk Dr Ma’amor Osman said the government must take measures to ensure that there was no profiteering from providing these tests.
“The government can come up with a guideline on the prices of test kits from different manufacturers.
“The government can also give subsidies to private clinics to ensure that more people are tested. Otherwise, we will be discriminating against the poor and marginalised,” he said.
Malaysian Muslim Indian Restaurant Owners Association (Presma) vice-president Abdul Mukthahir M. Ibrahim questioned the huge difference in Covid-19 testing at private hospitals.
“Some hospitals are charging between RM350 and RM650. It should be uniform across the board and affordable,” he said.
Meanwhile, Socso will soon release a list of clinics and hospitals that provide mass health screening for workers during the third phase of the movement control order (MCO).Socso said all information regarding the programme would only be announced through its official channels, including its website and social media.
“The public has been urged not to be misled by any other offers over social media sites,” it said in a statement on its Facebook page.
On Friday, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali said workers from companies that are allowed to operate during the MCO period must undergo health screening at any of the 3,000 Socso panel clinics nationwide before they go back to work.
The MCO came into force on March 18 and has been extended until April 28.
Socso also said it was still establishing standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidelines for the screening process.
“The announcement will also be made soon,” it added.
The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) has urged Socso to ensure the smooth process of conducting mass health screening for workers.
FMM president Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai said panel clinics under Socso must be well-equipped to screen employees, who will be given clearance to work in selected sectors during the next phase of the MCO.
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