Migrant Workers should not be charged 1st class rates at government hospitals in Malaysia

Did you know that foreigners, including migrant workers, are charged 1st class rates when they go to government clinics and hospitals? Malaysian government treats migrant workers as 'medical tourist' and is reaping great profits from them.

I believe that migrant workers, for whom annual levy have been paid by employers, and who is really helping in the development of our country should not be charged at the same rate as other foreigners and/or medical tourists are being charged. They should be charged at the same rate as Malaysians.

The other category of persons that should be charged at the same rate as Malaysians are foreign spouses of Malaysians.

It may be alright to charge foreigners a higher rate for medical treatment and care, but then, would it not be better that they are all charged the same. When Malaysians go overseas, would we not be wanting to be charged at the same rate that they are charging the local especially when we go to government/public hospitals. [With regard the private hospitals, they should be allowed to charge what they want - and I am wondering why the Malaysian government is interfering on the rates charged by private medical care providers]

In Thailand, there is a government scheme than enables Thais to even go to private hospitals and be charged the same low rate that they are being charged at government hospitals - maybe our Malaysian government should explore this possibility...

Back to migrant workers who are being charged 1st class rates, here are some information that I just recently obtained at the government hospital. The governing Act is Akta Fee 1951 (Fee Act 1951), and the rates now is as per Perintah Fee (Perubatan) 1982 [Fee(Medical) Order 1982]. Unfortunately I did not find this at our Health Ministry Website - or anywhere else. Should it not be freely available to the public?

First the payment required by Malaysians when they visit an hospital seeking treatment, it is RM1 if you are seeing a doctor, and RM5 if you are seeing a specialist. For the migrant worker, it starts with RM50 if you are seeing a doctor... more maybe if you are seeing a specialist.

Deposits Payable Where one requires to be warded

Then, the deposit payable by Malaysians who require to be warded, which depends on the type of treatment sought, i.e.Perubatan (Medical), Pembedahan(Surgery), Perbidanan/Sakit Puan (Maternity),...and then the whether one choses 1st Class, 2nd Class or 3rd Class.

Malaysians

Medical - RM700 (1st), RM200 (2nd), RM20 (3rd)

Surgery - RM1,100(1st), RM400(2nd), RM30 (3rd)

Maternity - RM800 (1st), RM350(2nd), RM15(3rd)

Pensioners - RM50(1A), RM40(1B), RM15(2nd), RM0 (3rd)

* Pensioners refer to those who are former public servants(a.k.a. government servants) - and sadly it just do not cover all elderly Malaysians above 55 yrs +

Foreign Nationals (including Migrant Workers)

Medical - RM1,400 (1st), RM600(2nd), RM400(3rd)

Surgery - RM2,200(1st), RM1,200(2nd), RM800(3rd)

Maternity - RM1,400(1st), RM1,000(2nd), RM800(3rd)

Well, for the Deposits where one needs to be warded, the charges is not exactly 1st class charges as seen above - but for all other charges, it will be 1st class charges...(In comparison, I have given the 3rd Class charges that Malaysians are charged)

Lab Charges

Foreigners (incl. Migrant Workers) RM5 - RM100 [depending on type of test]

*Malaysians RM2-RM25]

Surgery

Foreigners (incl. Migrant Workers) RM50 - RM3,000 [depending on type of surgery, A-F]

Malaysians RM10 - RM200

Ward Charges

Foreigners (incl. Migrant Workers) RM80/day

Malaysians Free - RM3

Delivery

Foreigners (incl. Migrant Workers) RM500[Normal Delivery] - RM1,000 [Cesarean]

Malaysians RM10[Normal Delivery] - RM100[Cesarean]

Ultra Sound

Foreigners (incl. Migrant Workers) RM100

Malaysians RM10 - RM50

Radiology Charges

Foreigners (incl. Migrant Workers) RM50 - RM600 (Depending on type, Z - AE]

Malaysians RM10 - RM120

Cardiology

Foreigners (incl. Migrant Workers) RM30 - RM250 (Depending on type)

Malaysians RM5 - RM50

Physiotherapy

Foreigners (incl. Migrant Workers) RM20 per session

Malaysians RM0 - RM5