PETALING JAYA: On a good day, marketing executive Julayka Junaidi spends about four hours waiting for her mother to be treated for her chronic kidney disease at a public hospital in Serdang, Selangor.
But sometimes, the wait time doubles. While Julayka might find that uncomfortable, it’s practically torture for her 56-year-old mother.
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When we float the idea of a “premium economy” service in public hospitals with Julayka, she’s all for it, saying she is willing to pay more for convenience.
“Currently, the total cost of treatment, which includes the monthly dialysis medication, can get up to RM4,000.
“However, I don’t mind paying a bit more when having to visit the hospital as long as my mother can have a more comfortable experience,” she said, adding that she is willing to fork out up to 30% extra for ease.
The 29-year-old added that even with the 30% extra, the bill would still be more affordable than going to private hospitals.
In comparison, fees at private healthcare facilities start at RM6,000 – provided that her mother has no other health complications, she said.
“I also believe that with the extra fees, nurses and doctors can be better compensated,” she said.
Diana R, 32, an expecting mother, agreed with Julayka’s sentiment, saying that the extra fees should go towards services provided by public healthcare professionals.
“On every visit to the health clinic, the doctors and nurses are very accommodating but they are overwhelmed and tired.
“I don’t mind spending more for convenience and for healthcare workers to receive better pay as well,” she said, adding that she plans to give birth at a public hospital.
For her firstborn, Diana said she had to pay about RM18,000 for an emergency caesarean section, which is significantly more than if she had had the procedure in a government hospital.
“I believe that public healthcare services are already efficient enough, just that some enhancements could be done,” she added.
Giselle Khoo suggested that, along with the premium economy service, the government should also introduce a special health insurance scheme for senior citizens with more affordable monthly payments compared with the conventional rate.
Khoo said her mother had stopped paying for private health insurance as the premiums had gone up two-fold from about RM14,000 annually.
“The older one gets, the more expensive the premium gets.”
