KUALA LUMPUR: Foreigners will have to pay the full cost of medical treatment at government hospitals and clinics by 2017, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam.

He said this was following the Cabinet's decision to remove the medical subsidy given to foreigners in phases beginning January next year.

"In the next three years, foreigners will be charged the full medical costs.

"This means that the medical costs for foreigners next year will be increased by 30%.

"In 2016, it will be increased by another 30% and subsequently be raised by 40% in 2017," he said when answering to points raised in the Budget 2015 debate for the ministry at the Dewan Rakyat.

Dr Subramaniam said by the end of 2017, foreigners will be paying 100% of the costs without any subsidy.

"This amount would be about twice as much as the current fees," he added.

It was reported in February that Dr Subramaniam had said foreigners were taking about 30% to 40% of the country’s entire allocation for medical treatment meant for Malaysians.

Last year, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya announced a plan to get foreigners, including students, to pay for their actual cost of medical treatment in government hospitals, not at a subsidised rate.

Dr Subramaniam had said the plan required some amendments to the Fees Act (Medical) 1951 for Foreigners.

He said this was following the Cabinet's decision to remove the medical subsidy given to foreigners in phases beginning January next year.

"In the next three years, foreigners will be charged the full medical costs.

"This means that the medical costs for foreigners next year will be increased by 30%.

"In 2016, it will be increased by another 30% and subsequently be raised by 40% in 2017," he said when answering to points raised in the Budget 2015 debate for the ministry at the Dewan Rakyat.

Dr Subramaniam said by the end of 2017, foreigners will be paying 100% of the costs without any subsidy.

"This amount would be about twice as much as the current fees," he added.

Last year, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya announced a plan to get foreigners, including students, to pay for their actual cost of medical treatment in government hospitals, not at a subsidised rate.

Dr Subramaniam had said the plan required some amendments to the Fees Act (Medical) 1951 for Foreigners.

source:The Star