KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry has proposed making a health insurance protection or contribution mechanism mandatory for refugees and asylum seekers registered under the Refugee Registration Document (DPP).
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib said this would ensure coverage for their treatment costs, while reducing outstanding medical bills owed by non-citizen patients.
She said the issue stems not only from weaknesses in the collection process but also from financial constraints, a lack of insurance coverage and instances of patients leaving facilities without settling their payments.
"In addition, incomplete or inaccurate identity and contact information has made it difficult for the ministry to trace patients and take follow-up action for collection purposes,” she said when winding up the debate on the Auditor-General's Report (LKAN) 2/2026 for the ministry in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (Oct 7).
She said cooperation through a whole-of-government approach, especially involving the Immigration Department, Home Ministry and Foreign Ministry, was needed to address the issues more comprehensively and effectively, including through mechanisms to verify identity documents.
Hanifah Hajar said the Health Ministry viewed the issue seriously, given that over 80% of outstanding medical bills were contributed by undocumented migrants and stateless persons.
However, she stressed that the ministry must ensure treatment is provided to all patients on humanitarian grounds, especially in life-threatening situations, in accordance with the Declaration of Geneva, the Hippocratic Oath and the 1978 Declaration of Alma-Ata.
She said the total revenue-related Accounts Receivable (AR) showed a downward trend, decreasing from an estimated RM359mil in 2024 to RM336mil in 2025, representing a reduction of RM23mil.
Hanifah Hajar said collection measures implemented by the ministry's healthcare facilities included issuing three reminder letters at specified intervals and notices of demand or legal action, as well as contacting the embassies of patients’ countries of origin or their next of kin and making claims against employers.
"The Health Ministry is also strengthening the 'collect before discharge’ approach through the collection of deposits and payments during treatment, expanding cashless payment channels and enhancing monitoring of AR through relevant committees at ministry level,” she added.
She said cooperation with employers, insurance companies and non-governmental organisations was also being strengthened, alongside an increase in the value of bank guarantees for employers and private companies to align with rising treatment costs.
As such, she hoped that the ministry and relevant government agencies would continue to strengthen enforcement and controls on the entry and management of foreign nationals, especially undocumented migrants and refugees, to ensure the sustainability of the country's healthcare system. — Bernama
