One of the Klang Valley's largest government-funded hospitals has announced an increase of up to 70% in patient fees for procedures, treatments and services, a move that will affect the lower and middle-income groups in Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur.

Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), popularly known as Universiti Hospital or UH, cited "changes in the cost of disposables and equipment" as the reason for the increase, which comes into effect on Jan 1.

"Disposables and equipment are among the elements that determine treatment prices at UMMC.

"Any change in the cost of disposables and equipment will result in increased costs to be borne by UMMC," reads a frequently asked question on the website.
UMMC is a teaching hospital that caters to the public, and operates as a statutory body under the higher education ministry.

In the same FAQ, UMMC absolved the government of blame for the increases, saying that while the government remains its main source of funding, the hospital is responsible for generating its own revenue.

It also pointed out that those in the lower income group B40 can avail of the benefits of MySalam, the government's critical illness insurance scheme, adding that eligible patients can also apply for assistance from its Finance Department and Welfare Services.

At press time, the hospital had not published details of the increase.

However, Chinese-language daily Guanming reported that ward fees are to be raised by 60%, from RM120 to RM300.

Meanwhile, fees for follow-up treatment at specialist clinics are to rise from RM15 to RM50, an increase of 70%.

Screenshots of the new rates have been widely circulated on social media, with a flood of comments taking the government to task for failing to absorb the higher costs.

Many also described the latest hike as another example of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's U-turn on his earlier promises to ensure the welfare of lower income groups, including through the provision of cheaper public health services.

When contacted, a spokesman for the hospital confirmed the new rates to MalaysiaNow, adding that they were based on a notice posted on the hospital's website.

The notice is apparently removed and only a general announcement of the rates increase is made.

MalaysiaNow's attempts to find out more details about the increases were unsuccessful. A spokesman for the hospital's Finance Department said no officer was available to answer queries.