Woman in Kedah With Gastritis Escapes Hospital Ward Because Her Insurance Could Not Be Used

The healthcare system in Malaysia being heavily subsidised means that most people are likely to receive the medical treatment they need, however, medical insurance is still something one should purchase if can be afforded.

Additionally, it is also important to know what our insurance packages cover because not all expenses can be claimed.

Insurance cannot be used

Recently, a female patient in Kedah found this out about her insurance package too late and resorted to running away from the hospital she was admitted to to avoid paying the hospital bills.

In the incident which took place in Sungai Petani, Kedah yesterday, the female patient escaped from her ward in a private hospital without making any payment because her insurance did not cover her illness.

For illustration purpose only

Following that, the hospital nurse who discovered her absence made a police report.

Kuala Muda District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Zaidy Che Hassan said the 32-year-old patient initially registered for treatment at the hospital at 6:40pm yesterday before being admitted to the ward.

“However, at 9.30pm the hospital informed the woman that her insurance could not be used. This led her to refuse treatment and wanting to leave the ward.”

The patient was also asked to settle her hospital bill and collect some medicine before leaving.

“The nurse then told the doctor on duty about the patient before sorting out her ward discharge process,” he said when contacted.

Escaping the ward

Then, at 10.40pm, the patient was found to have left the ward without making payment or checking out of the hospital.

The hospital staff tried contacting her but the patient did not answer the phone call and a police report was then made by the nurse.

“Consequently, the police contacted the patient but to no avail. They tried looking for her at her home, but the woman was nowhere to be found and her house door was locked.”

Zaidy said the initial investigation found that the woman went to the private hospital because she had a stomach ache and said she had insurance when she checked in to the ward.

“The examination found that the patient had gastritis but the insurance company she took claimed that they did not cover the illness the woman suffered from so she was discharged from the ward,” he added.

“We are still conducting further investigations and are tracking the patient.”

How unfortunate! We hope the patient is able to receive the treatment she needs.

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