KOTA KINABALU - WITH the exception of life-threatening medical cases, foreign patients in Sabah hospitals are now required to produce identification documents and pay before receiving treatment.

This follows a directive to strictly observe a regulation under the Fees Act (Medical) 1951, which has been in effect for many years but was not adhered to.

A source said the directive was recently issued by state health authorities. It gives the right to hospitals to turn away foreign patients who did not pay or produce identification documents.

The recently-released report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry on Immigrants in Sabah revealed that the Health Ministry was not able to recover RM21.67 million from more than 42,000 Indonesians and Filipinos who had failed to pay after receiving treatment in government hospitals between 2007 and 2012.

In the report, state Health Department’s Principal Assistant Director of health (Infectious Disease Control) Dr Maria Suleiman said the medical bills could not be claimed as it was unable to trace the patients.

Under the act and depending on the treatment, foreigners are required to pay between RM10 and RM1,250, almost double what locals have to pay, for consultation, treatment, surgery and delivery at government hospitals.

Ward admission deposits range from RM400 to RM2,200 for foreigners, which is also double the amount locals have to pay.

When contacted by the New Straits Times, Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said foreign patients in government hospitals must be charged according to the Fees Act (Medical) 1951, but such a rule did not apply if they faced a life or death condition.

“The exception occurs only when it is an emergency case. In such cases, the medical personnel will treat them,” he said.

Doctors serving in Sabah hospitals had mixed views about the directive. Some said it was not right to reject patients when they could not produce identification documents or were unable to pay for treatment.

Ranau Hospital director Dr Clarence Sirisani said most doctors would know if a case was life-threatening.

However, he said, any patient who sought consultation, medical checks or other services provided by government hospitals or clinics should pay first before being given such services.

A medical officer in Tawau, who declined to be named, said withholding treatment before payment was not right.

“As a doctor, I was taught to treat patients without racial, social and financial prejudice. Everyone has a right to healthcare,” he said.

Commercial photographer Flanegan Bainon said the healthcare system in Sabah was acceptable and, in some cases, better than in other countries.

“In Australia and Japan, for instance, only those with insurance are given treatment,” he said, adding that subsidised healthcare at government hospitals was a necessity as many people could not afford the high cost of medical care.

Lahad Datu resident Clarence Miwil lauded the directive that foreign patients must pay for medical costs.

“Foreign patients do not pay taxes and are not entitled to subsidised medical care.”

Between 2000 and 2011, about 1.3 million foreigners received outpatient treatment in government hospitals and clinics in Sabah.

During the same period, 295,053 of them were warded while 122,882 births were recorded.

Source: New Straits Times