Call to expedite implementation of National Health Insurance Scheme
Jun 18th, 2008 by Takaful
Source: Bernama, 18th June 2008
The Malaysian Islamic Consumers Association (PPIM) today called on the government to expedite implementation of the proposed National Health Insurance scheme to cope with the rising health care cost.
Its secretary-general, Datuk Dr Maamor Osman, said there had been no new development on the proposal which was initiated in 2001.
He said in view of the current economic situation following the oil price hike and rising inflation, it would be better that an insurance scheme be introduced to take care of the people’s needs, like health, education, death benefits, etc.
In 2005, the then Health Minister, Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek, had said that the national health insurance scheme would take two years to implement and that its implementation would be carried out in stages.
On a suggestion by an insurance consultancy firm for the setting up of an insurance consortium to distribute financial aid directly to the people, Dr Maamor said this had been done with the cash rebate payment for vehicle owners.
“I’m not quite clear on the proposed setting up of the insurance consortium, but the cash rebate payment system is made directly to the people, although I think it will be better if it is paid to vehicle owners when they go to renew their road tax at the Road Transport Department,” he told Bernama Wednesday.
Suria Risk Consultant Sdn Bhd Chairman Tengku Kudin Tengku Nawal Kudin had suggested that an insurance consortium be set up as soon as possible so that the government would be able to give out subsidy and other forms of assistance to the people directly.
He said the establishment of the insurance consortium would enable the people to enjoy various facilities such as medical benefit, education assistance and death related claims without having to spend too much to buy insurance.
The consortium will involve all insurance companies in Malaysia as the risk bearing parties and the suggested premium to be paid for each citizen is RM300 a year.
Tengku Kudin suggested that the consortium be formed as a non-governmental body under the Prime Minister’s Department and administered by qualified government retirees with high integrity.