ALLISON LAI
2 May 2025
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.
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.
Read further : https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/05/02/painful-cost-of-healthcare