Medicines By Post: Public Warned Against Scams Over Registration, Medicine Delivery

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 29 (Bernama) -- The public, particularly senior citizens, have been warned against scammers seeking payment or offering registration through unofficial channels for the Medicines by Post (UMP)  service, ahead of free medicine delivery from Oct 1.

Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said registration for the service could only be made through the Ministry of Health (MOH) facilities and was free of charge.

“Registration for UMP service is only made through MOH facilities, and not through any TikTok or Facebook account. There is no registration process other than through the MOH itself,” he told reporters after launching the UMP Financing Initiative here today.

Present were Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad, Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching, Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah and Health Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad.

Fahmi said registered patients receiving medicines through the UMP service would no longer have to pay delivery charges, with the government covering the cost from Oct 1.

Fahmi said an initial RM5 million allocation had been considered for the financing initiative, but additional funding would be provided following a decision to extend the benefit to all states.

“The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had previously informed us that, based on discussions with the MOH, several states had requested not to participate in the programme.

“However, out of concern and in the spirit of Malaysia MADANI, we decided to provide additional funding to ensure all states benefit from UMP service,” he said.

Fahmi said about 87,000 registered patients nationwide were expected to benefit from the initiative over a one-year period.

Previously, patients had to bear the delivery charges themselves. Under the new financing arrangement, these costs will be covered by the government.

Introduced in 2011, UMP service previously charged recipients RM5.70 for deliveries in Peninsular Malaysia and RM12.50 in Sabah and Sarawak.

Fahmi said UMP was another collaboration between the Communications and Health ministries, following the Internet Connectivity Enhancement Programme at Health Facilities (PERSADA).

Under PERSADA, up to RM1 billion has been allocated to improve Internet connectivity and access at all 150 government hospitals and more than 2,000 public health clinics nationwide.

-- BERNAMA