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MOH acknowledges the need for stricter financial controls due to rising costs from patient referrals to IJN (Pic credit: MEDIA MULIA)

by SHAUQI WAHAB

THE government continues to provide financial support for retirees and underprivileged patients needing treatments unavailable at public hospitals by allowing them to receive care at the National Heart Institute (IJN).

In a written parliamentary reply, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad revealed that in 2023 alone, a total of 44,257 patients received government-sponsored treatment at IJN.

This figure includes 26,782 retirees, government officers (16,303) and patients from underprivileged backgrounds (1,172).

“The treatment cost for these patients amounted to RM595 million last year — RM358 million for retirees, government staff (RM200 million) and underprivileged patients (RM37 million).

“This data clearly shows the government is still financing retirees and underprivileged patients requiring treatment unavailable at public hospitals,” he said.

Dr Dzulkefly was responding to a query from Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (BN–Bera), who asked whether IJN still maintains a welfare fund to support underprivileged patients, following reports that the fund has been discontinued.

He explained that patients must first seek treatment at a government hospital and be referred to IJN by a general physician, cardiologist, or emergency medicine specialist.

In emergency cases, retirees and civil servants may seek treatment at private hospitals including IJN, provided the terms and procedures outlined in the relevant circulars are followed.

As for underprivileged patients, eligibility for government subsidy is determined through a socioeconomic assessment conducted by a medical social welfare officer from the Health Ministry (MOH).

The issue gained attention last year when it was reported that MOH had begun discharging civil servants and pensioners from IJN to cardiac centres under the MOH as part of cost-cutting measures.

The ministry acknowledged the need for stricter financial controls due to rising costs from patient referrals to IJN.

However, it clarified that patients are only discharged from IJN once their conditions are stable, with adults being monitored for six months to a year, and children for one to two years.