In recent weeks, there have been a spate of media reports of Malaysians feeling the strain of increased medical costs such as insurance premiums.
Now, it seems that it has spilled over to medical supplies as well, with face masks and surgical gloves seeing a sharp rise in costs at private hospitals.
Face mask being sold 2000% higher than market price
During a debate over the Supplementary Supply Bill at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday (Mar 3), Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin highlighted the absurd amount Malaysians have to pay for face masks and surgical gloves at private hospitals.
Currently, a box of 50 face masks is being sold for RM5. But private hospitals charge RM2 for a single piece of face mask, amounting to a 2000% profit.
“As for surgical gloves, a box of 100 pieces is being sold for RM10 only. But at private hospitals, one pair is being charged for RM20. To me, this is excessive profiteering.
“Malaysia is the world’s largest glove producer, yet private hospitals are selling a pair of gloves for RM20. How does this make sense?”
Addressed high hospital bills
Sim also revealed that based on data from the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), only specialist consultation fees are regulated under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998, while the remaining 70%, such as medical supplies and service fees, are unregulated.
He then shared a case where an elderly citizen complained about being charged RM39,000 for a knee replacement surgery and a two-day stay at a private hospital.
“After reviewing the patient’s medical bill, I found that the regulated specialist consultation fee was RM7,800. However, the unregulated charges, including medical services and equipment, amounted to RM32,000. Anyone looking at this bill would find it unreasonable.
“Patients are innocent. Who would willingly want to suffer from illnesses? Who would want to keep going in and out of hospitals? But once they enter a private hospital, they become victims of exorbitant medical fees,” he said.
Sim called upon the government to enforce the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 (PCAPA) to ensure medical services are regulated and do not burden citizens.
“We’re not looking to strangulate (private hospitals), but to regulate them. We just want prices to be fair.”
Watch Sim’s remarks from the 2:50:00 mark here:
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