MOH Proposes Mandatory Health Insurance For Refugees, Asylum Seekers - Hanifah Hajar

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Health (MOH) has proposed making a health insurance protection or contribution mechanism mandatory for refugees and asylum seekers registered under the Refugee Registration Document (DPP).

Deputy Health Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib said this would ensure coverage for their treatment costs, while reducing outstanding medical bills owed by non-citizen patients.

She said the issue stems not only from weaknesses in the collection process but also from financial constraints, a lack of insurance coverage and instances of patients leaving facilities without settling their payments.

"In addition, incomplete or inaccurate identity and contact information has made it difficult for the MOH to trace patients and take follow-up action for collection purposes,” she said when winding up the debate on the Auditor-General's Report (LKAN) 2/2026 for the ministry in the Dewan Rakyat today.

She said cooperation through a whole-of-government approach, especially involving the Immigration Department, Home Ministry and Foreign Ministry, was needed to address the issues more comprehensively and effectively, including through mechanisms to verify identity documents.

Hanifah Hajar said the MOH viewed the issue seriously, given that over 80 per cent of outstanding medical bills were contributed by undocumented migrants and stateless persons.

However, she stressed that the MOH must ensure treatment is provided to all patients on humanitarian grounds, especially in life-threatening situations, in accordance with the Declaration of Geneva, the Hippocratic Oath and the 1978 Declaration of Alma-Ata.

She said the total revenue-related Accounts Receivable (AR) showed a downward trend, decreasing from an estimated RM359 million in 2024 to RM336 million in 2025, representing a reduction of RM23 million.

Hanifah Hajar said collection measures implemented by MOH healthcare facilities included issuing three reminder letters at specified intervals and notices of demand or legal action, as well as contacting the embassies of patients’ countries of origin or their next of kin and making claims against employers.

"The MOH is also strengthening the 'collect before discharge’ approach through the collection of deposits and payments during treatment, expanding cashless payment channels and enhancing monitoring of AR through relevant committees at ministry level,” she added.

She said cooperation with employers, insurance companies and non-governmental organisations was also being strengthened, alongside an increase in the value of bank guarantees for employers and private companies to align with rising treatment costs.

As such, she hoped that the ministry and relevant government agencies would continue to strengthen enforcement and controls on the entry and management of foreign nationals, especially undocumented migrants and refugees, to ensure the sustainability of the country's healthcare system.

Meanwhile, Minister of Housing and Local Government Nga Kor Ming, when winding up the debate on LKAN 2/2026 for his ministry, said all three issues involving the ministry were related to projects in Sabah.

He said the issues involved the Taman Permai Selagon People's Housing Project (PPR) in Beaufort, the reconstruction of the Semporna Fire and Rescue Station quarters and the construction of the Merotai Fire and Rescue Station and quarters.

Nga said all three issues raised in the LKAN were longstanding, but the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) would focus on resolving them and taking preventive measures to ensure such issues did not recur.

"However, the MADANI Government, through KPKT, does not intend to point fingers; instead, we remain committed and proactive in driving the best solution for the well-being of the people,” he added.

-- BERNAMA