KOTA KINABALU: The Federal Government’s decision to bear medication delivery costs under the Ubat Melalui Pos (UMP) programme will benefit vulnerable groups in Sabah, says the Yayasan Pengguna Negara Malaysia (YPNM).
Its Sabah chapter chairman David Chan welcomed the move and described it as a consumer-friendly initiative that will especially benefit senior citizens, persons with disabilities, patients with chronic diseases, and those living in rural and remote areas.
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"This is a people-centric initiative that not only improves access to healthcare but also helps consumers manage their cost of living amid economic uncertainties," Chan said in a statement on Tuesday (June 16).
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil had announced earlier that Putrajaya will bear the full cost of delivering medication to about 80,000 patients a month under UMP from July, at a cost of RM5.69mil per year.
He said the measure will reduce the financial burden on patients who need regular medication, eliminate delivery charges and reduce the need for frequent travel to government hospitals and health clinics.
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"With fuel prices remaining uncertain due to global economic and geopolitical factors, the initiative comes at a crucial time to help consumers save on transportation expenses while ensuring uninterrupted access to essential medication," he said.
Chan also noted that the programme will save valuable time for patients and caregivers, reduce long waiting periods at healthcare facilities, and improve the overall efficiency of services.
He hoped the initiative will be expanded and continuously improved to ensure more Malaysians, especially those in rural regions, can benefit from convenient and affordable healthcare services.
