An additional RM1bil has been allocated for public health service needs related to Covid-19, including for the purchase of PPE, reagent and consumables.
IN LIGHT of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the health and wellbeing of Malaysians, it is no surprise that Budget 2021 has an eye on the future by implementing forward-looking healthcare policies and programmes in ensuring the welfare of the country’s citizens.
Next year’s budget builds on the government’s efforts to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic in the interests of public health since March, with efforts intensified in August 2020 through the Temporary Measures to Reduce the Impact of Coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19) 2020 Act, including the Covid-19 Mediation Centre and the Temporary Measures for Government Financing (Coronavirus Disease 2019) Act.
Understandably, among the key focus areas is the battle against Covid-19, with Budget 2021 raising the ceiling of the Covid-19 Fund by RM20bil to RM65bil, mainly to fund the Kita Prihatin package amongst others.
Aside from that, there is also the additional RM1bil allocated for public health service needs related to Covid-19, including for the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE), reagent and consumables. This is on top of the RM1.8bil already spent on the movement control order (MCO) implementation and public health service needs.
For the Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN) and Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH), a total of RM21bil has been spent in 2020, with the remaining RM2.2bil to be disbursed in January 2021 for BPN2.0. These will be replaced by Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat, with higher rates of assistance and income category via an RM6.5bil allocation.
Supporting all layers of society
Looking towards the future in ensuring the health of the country’s citizens, more than RM3bil is anticipated for the participation in the Covid-19 Vaccine Global Access programme for vaccine supplies to Malaysians, while RM90mil has been earmarked for a pneumococcal vaccine programme for children and RM6mil for the procurement of biologic medicine for various rheumatology illnesses, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Not to mention, there is also RM100mil set aside from the proceeds of the Sukuk Prihatin for research relating to infectious diseases, covering vaccine development, treatment research and diagnostics.
An integral element of the budget - taking into account the impact of the MCO on mental health and domestic violence - is to strengthen the mental health, violence and injury prevention and substance abuse programmes via an RM24mil allocation and the RM21mil establishment of a One-Stop Social Support Centre in collaboration with NGOs to provide social protection and moral support to women facing domestic problems divorce and abuse.
On safeguarding the welfare of vulnerable groups, Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said, “Based on the Household Income and Basic Amenities Survey 2019 by the Department of Statistics Malaysia, the national Poverty Line Income (PLI) has increased to RM2,208 per month for each household. This means, more than 400,000 households earning less than the PLI now fall under the poor category.”
As such, the government is increasing assistance through an RM2.2bil allocation to ensure the welfare of vulnerable groups, including an increase in the monthly rate of financial assistance for persons with disabilities unable to work, older persons, carers of bedridden disabled persons and chronically ill patients, as well as incentive allowance for disabled workers and financial assistance for children. This is set to benefit more than 400,000 beneficiaries.
There will also be an increased tax relief limit for individual taxpayers with disabled spouses, in addition to the Home Help Services Programme to address the welfare of the elderly and disabled.
Aside from that, the government is also prioritising the wellbeing of the Orang Asli community with an allocation of RM158mil for social assistance programmes and the Integrated Development Programme for Orang Asli Villages, alongside the construction and upgrade of 14 new kindergartens at Pos Slim Sungai Kinta, Perak and Pos Sungai Kelai Jempol, Negeri Sembilan.
Proactive stance on health
To encourage Malaysians to be more proactive in taking care of their health, the government has also announced several tax reliefs.
This includes tax relief for medical treatment or vaccination expenses as part of preventive measures to cover vaccination expenses such as pneumococcal, influenza and Covid-19; medical expenses for self, spouse and child for serious diseases; full medical check-ups and expenses for medical treatment, special needs and parental care.
In addition, there is also the RM10mil for cervical cancer screening and subsidy incentives for mammograms to women who are at high risk of breast cancer and RM25mil allocation for the home-based Peritoneal Dialysis treatment programme.
Under Budget 2021, mySalam claims relating to hospitalisation and critical illnesses have been extended to medical devices such as heart stent or prosthesis, while social protection for the B40 group will be expanded through the Perlindungan Tenang Voucher Programme.
Other subsidies, assistance and incentives include an RM28bil allocation to aid the community in the form of transportation and welfare, and subsidies to control the price increase of goods and services.
Acknowledging the contribution of frontliners
As for frontliners, in acknowledgement of their selfless contributions, Tengku Zafrul announced that the Frontliners Covid-19 Special Allowance of RM600 per month that has been implemented since March 2020 will be continued until the pandemic is successfully addressed.
Moreover, there will also be a one-time payment of RM500 in appreciation to frontliners, which is expected to benefit 100,000 medical staff.
Aside from financial remuneration, the budget also aims to enhance the support system for frontliners and working women in childcare services to ease their burden. RM30mil has been allocated for the establishment of childcare centres or Taska in government buildings, especially in hospitals, as well as anRM20mil matching grant for the private sector employers to provide childcare centres for their employees.
This article is fourth in a seven-part special coverage on Budget 2021.
