Foreigners, including illegal immigrants (PATI), have accumulated hundreds of millions of Ringgit in bill arrears at government clinics and hospitals.
This includes the costs of maternity, emergency situations, outpatient check-ups and medications.
According to a report by Berita Harian, these foreigners have allegedly used various tricks, including promising to pay later, before ‘disappearing’ after receiving treatment so that the Ministry of Health (KKM) has to turn a blind eye, bear the losses and pay off the debts.
The latest figures show that until the end of 2023, the amount of arrears involving treatment for foreigners have reached approximately RM100 million.
“When foreigners are mentioned, it includes those with refugee status, whether registered or unregistered, as well as illegal immigrants who seek treatment at public health facilities. Treatment has to be given to foreigners on the basis of human rights and sympathy, even if their status is suspicious or if they are illegal immigrants.”
“Even though they have registered with us and paid a deposit in advance, they eventually escape because they refuse to pay the arrears of treatment bills that may have exceeded their expectations. Among the reasons that are often used is that they do not have the money, they promise to pay later and some just disappear,” a source from KKM shared.
The foreigners who are ‘in debt’ to government health facilities come from 38 different countries.
In addition to Asian countries such as India, Myanmar and Indonesia, this also includes foreigners from the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US), Germany, Finland, Singapore, Sweden and Japan.
The source added that KKM is currently holding discussions in regards to this issue.
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