Arya News - In its 2024 annual report, which was released a month ago, Bank Negara raised the issue of high costs of hospital supplies and services (HSS), such as drugs, laboratory fees and consumables.
PETALING JAYA – Baby wipes at RM18.80. An ice bag at RM43.35. RM1.60 for a paper wrist band to indicate that the patient is a “fall risk”. These are examples of consumables and items charged by a private hospital in Selangor.
Patients have to pay for such consumables once they undergo a procedure or surgery in private hospitals.
The list goes on. It could include items like syringes, latex gloves, surgical gowns, gauze swabs, disposable kidney bowls, absorbent hand towels, alcohol swabs and bedpan liners.
In its 2024 annual report, which was released a month ago, Bank Negara raised the issue of high costs of hospital supplies and services (HSS), such as drugs, laboratory fees and consumables.
“These costs are currently unregulated and show wide variation across hospitals. Given that the HSS accounts for 59% to 70% of overall private hospital bills, depending on the type of treatment (i.e. non-surgical versus surgical), its impact on overall claims costs is significant,” the central bank said.
Malaysian Coalition of Ageing chairman Cheah Tuck Wing said there is an urgent need to halt excessive profiteering in the private healthcare sector.
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He said transparency and regulation must be in place to protect vulnerable groups, particularly older Malaysians and persons with disabilities.
“Profiteering must stop to protect vulnerable groups like seniors and persons with disabilities,” he said.
Cheah cited examples of inflated prices for medical supplies post-Covid-19, such as face masks being charged at RM5 each when a box of 50 costs RM20, oral gel priced at RM110 in private hospitals despite its retail price being less than RM30, and a pair of surgical gloves charged at RM20 when a box of 100 costs no more than RM30.
He also highlighted the lack of transparency and regulation in private hospital charges, with 70% of fees being unregulated and no oversight bodies in place.
“There is no justification or transparency on how costs are determined and reviewed.
“We don’t need five-star luxury hospitals, but affordable healthcare is what we need,” he said.
Cheah noted that older Malaysians, who are more likely to need healthcare, face rising costs with inadequate financial protections.
Noting that 70% of hospital charges occur in the last 20 years of life, he stressed the importance of affordable healthcare for those over 60.
“Most seniors will struggle to afford healthcare and will rely on public hospitals,” he stated, adding that the private healthcare operators’ demand for higher drug prices, despite government efforts for transparency, only adds to the burden on the rakyat with increasing living expenses.
To tackle these issues, Cheah suggested capping private hospital charges for supplies, medicines and equipment, along with a transparent price list for medical items and procedures.
“There should be a regulatory body involving the Health Ministry, private hospitals, consumer groups, NGOs and the public accounts committee.”
Cheah also recommended using generic drugs to cut costs, and promoting preventive healthcare by encouraging healthy lifestyles.
“We must implement common-sense measures to reduce costs without compromising care,” he said, also cautioning against unnecessary tests.
Cheah also called on the government to address its inaction in regulating private hospital charges, saying it was “long overdue”.