IPOH: Dr Zaliha Mustafa stated that the response to the Madani Medical Scheme introduced three months ago has been positive and encouraging. As of September 29, a total of 112,887 households have benefited from the scheme, with 181,460 patients receiving out-patient treatment. The beneficiaries consist of various age groups, including children, adults, and the elderly, demonstrating that the scheme helps people from all walks of life. A total of 1,587 private clinics have registered and provided services since the implementation of the scheme.
During the launch of the Madani Medical Scheme and the national-level Madani Afiat programme by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Dr. Zaliha expressed her pleasure at the involvement of private clinics as strategic partners in providing access to quality health services for the community. The scheme is part of the government’s initiatives to reduce overcrowding at government hospitals and assist the B40 group in obtaining acute primary care services or outpatient treatment at nearby private general practitioner (GP) clinics. The government has allocated RM100mil for the implementation of the scheme for this year, in line with the Madani economy agenda emphasizing inclusivity and social well-being.
Dr. Zaliha expressed her hope for the continuation of the scheme next year so that more people can enjoy its benefits. The Ministry will constantly strive to improve the scheme by considering input and suggestions from various parties. Enhancements that have been implemented include the addition of more prescribed medicines and an increase in the cost of financing for private clinics, including the cost of procedures and X-rays. The Ministry will also periodically re-evaluate the covered scope of services, such as dentistry, to ensure the scheme meets the health needs of the people.
Dr. Zaliha highlighted the efforts towards the digitalization of health services, with ProtectHealth developing a mobile application for easy facilitation. The application allows for tasks such as eligibility checks, clinic searches, checking the balance of benefits, and OTP (one-time password) verification when receiving treatment. Eligible individuals only need to bring their identity card to any registered clinic, and eligibility can also be checked through the MySejahtera application.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
