PETALING JAYA: When 75-year-old Abdul Samat Hussin came down with a high fever earlier this year, he braced himself for the usual - either a long queue at the local government clinic or a hefty bill at a nearby private one.
But to his pleasant surprise, all he needed to do was walk into a clinic in Teluk Intan, present his MyKad, and receive treatment without paying a sen.
“The process was simple. I just showed my IC, and the clinic confirmed I was eligible under the Health Care Scheme for the B40 Group (PeKa B40). I didn’t have to pay anything that day, which was convenient and helpful,” Abdul Samat told The Star.
Introduced under the Madani Government, the PeKa B40 scheme provides health screening and outpatient treatment benefits of up to RM250 a year for eligible individuals from the B40 group. It enables them to seek care at participating private clinics without any upfront payment, with costs handled directly between the clinic and the government.
For Abdul Samat, who prefers private clinics to avoid overcrowding at government facilities, the scheme has made a real difference.
“Before, going to a private clinic meant I had to pay out of pocket, which could be costly. Even for a simple check-up, it might come up to RM80 or RM100. This time, I got treated at a private clinic without paying anything. It really helped,” he explained.
He added that what sets PeKa B40 apart is its ease of access and inclusivity, especially for those living outside major cities.
“It is easy and convenient as there are no forms to fill, no long waits. Any eligible individual can just walk in, show their MyKad, and the clinic handles the rest. It gives people in smaller towns more options beyond the long queues at government hospitals.”
However, he pointed out that the RM250 yearly limit may not be sufficient for those needing frequent care.
“My visit that day cost over RM200, so the whole entitlement was used up in one go. For people with diabetes, hypertension or other chronic conditions, that amount won’t last the year,” he noted.
Abdul Samat hopes that the programme can be expanded and strengthened.
“The idea is good, but the limit could be higher. I hope the government increases the yearly cap so more people can benefit more than once. And for the new Skim Perubatan Madani (SPM), I hope more rural clinics are included so that people in smaller towns can also access these services.”
The PeKa B40 scheme enables patients to now choose to visit private clinics, helping them avoid long queues at government hospitals and clinics.
The initiative, which comes under the Health Ministry, is part of the Madani Government’s wider effort to make healthcare more accessible and equitable. PeKa B40 focuses on non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with automatic eligibility for Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) recipients aged 40 and above at participating clinics. As of June 2025, it has benefited over 163,000 individuals, supported by a total allocation of RM80mil.
SPM, meanwhile, aims to improve the welfare and well-being of vulnerable groups by widening access to treatment for minor ailments such as fever, flu, diarrhoea, vomiting, sprains, headaches and minor wounds among STR recipients through a public-private partnership model. The scheme has been allocated RM100mil, targeting 700,000 beneficiaries, with more than 410,000 individuals having received treatment to date.
To further strengthen healthcare delivery, the government has approved RM300mil in 2025 to upgrade 460 dilapidated clinics still operating in ageing or wooden structures. Of these, 45 projects have been completed, 412 are ongoing, and three are in the pre-implementation phase.
Mental healthcare has also been given greater attention, with expanded access to subsidised counselling and psychological support services, particularly for youth.
With Budget 2026 set to be tabled on Oct 10, many Malaysians are hoping such initiatives will continue and be further strengthened.
“Programmes like these make a difference. They make healthcare less stressful and more reachable for families like mine. I hope the government keeps this programme and improves it. Raise the yearly limit, expand access to rural areas because this is not about luxury, it is about dignity and basic care,” said Abdul Samat.
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