Gist of new Madani health scheme already offered in Selangor 6 years ago, says expert

A public health expert says the medical scheme recently introduced by the health ministry was implemented in Selangor six years ago through the Skim Peduli Sihat programme which took effect during Mohamed Azmin Ali's tenure as menteri besar.

Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar also said that the services announced were already available at government facilities at a cost of RM1.00.

"This new scheme is more or less the same as that of Selangor," he said to MalaysiaNow.

"The aim is to give those who receive Rahmah Cash Aid (STR) the opportunity for quick treatment from general practitioners (GPs) and reduce congestion and waiting time at health ministry facilities."

The Madani Medical Scheme, the pilot programme of which was implemented in 10 districts nationwide today, was part of the budget for 2023 announced last year.

It aims to allow those in the low-income bracket who are also recipients of STR to receive primary care services.

"The free services include consultation, examination, medication, procedures and referrals, to be provided by the GP to beneficiaries according to the package in question," Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said.

Zainal said up to 700,000 households were expected to benefit from the scheme, which has an allocation of RM100 million.

The Madani Medical Scheme and Skim Peduli Sihat are essentially health subsidies, where the government bears the cost of treatment by the GPs involved.

"There is a maximum limit for each household and type of service," added Zainal.

Skim Peduli Sihat was introduced in 2017 with an allocation of RM125 million for 250,000 families with a household income of less than RM3,000.

It saw the participation of 1,000 clinics registered in Selangor and the Klang Valley.

In 2018, the cost of treatment for Skim Peduli Sihat cardholders was increased to RM700 per person, including RM180 for pneumonia vaccine jabs.