logo
Itemised billing upon request at private clinics not a new requirement, says Health Ministry

Itemised billing upon request at private clinics not a new requirement, says Health Ministry

The Star17-05-2025

PETALING JAYA: Itemised billing for patients at private clinics, which must be given if requested, is an existing requirement provided by law, says the Health Ministry.
In a statement on Saturday (May 17), the ministry's pharmacy practice and development division said private clinics must prepare an itemised bill without additional charges to allow patients to understand the details of services provided as well as charges for treatment and medicine.
"The patient's right to receive itemised bills is a matter provided for under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services (Private Hospitals and Other Private Healthcare Facilities) Regulations 2006.
"The ministry would like to inform that there are no changes in policy or new announcements in relation to the implementation of itemised billing by private clinics," it said, adding this was to remove any confusion over the issue which arose after a TikTok Live session by the ministry on May 14 on itemised billing.
The Federation of Private Medical Practitioners' Associations Malaysia (FPMPAM) had on May 15 criticised the ministry, alleging it made the announcement on the TikTok live session without any formal directive, circular or legal amendment.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Sabah woman sues KJ, govt over wrongful Covid-19 enforcement
Sabah woman sues KJ, govt over wrongful Covid-19 enforcement

The Star

time38 minutes ago

  • The Star

Sabah woman sues KJ, govt over wrongful Covid-19 enforcement

KOTA KINABALU: A businesswoman from Ranau has filed a civil suit against the government and Khairy Jamaluddin, alleging she was wrongfully penalised for being unvaccinated during the Covid-19 pandemic. Naomi @ Neomi Francis filed the suit at the Sessions Court in Kota Kinabalu on Wednesday (June 11). This is believed to be the first known civil suit in Sabah relating to Covid-19 enforcement, raising questions over administrative overreach and alleged infringement of personal rights. The 59-year-old named the Ranau District Council, the Health Ministry and Khairy in his former capacity as health minister, a post he held from August 2021 to November 2022, as defendants in the suit. Francis, who operates a stall at the Ranau Central Market, claims she suffered financial losses, reputational harm and psychological trauma after being issued a compound notice on Dec 20, 2021. She said the compound notice was issued on grounds that she had continued to operate her business without receiving a Covid-19 vaccination. In her statement of claim, Francis said she felt compelled to receive the vaccine simply to keep her business afloat. 'I was pressured to obtain vaccination solely for the purpose of continuing my business operations,' she said, adding that the ordeal caused her 'significant mental exhaustion, emotional distress and trauma'. The compound notice was later cancelled by the Health Ministry on Feb 17, 2023. In an official letter, the ministry's chief enforcement officer acknowledged a technical error in the enforcement action and returned the case to the Sabah State Health Department for review. The Ranau District Council subsequently retracted the compound notice in a letter dated March 8, 2023. However, Francis said the damage had already been done. Her stall remained closed from Sept 2021 until March 2023. 'During this time, I lost income, loyal customers, and the public's trust in my business,' she said in the court filing. She is now seeking specific damages for 18 months of lost earnings, along with general and exemplary damages, interest, and legal costs. Francis is represented by Messrs Priskila Akwila Advocates. The court has fixed the hearing for July 14, 2025. Khairy is now a media personality and co-host of the Keluar Sekejap podcast.

Minister urges exemption of rural doctor allowance freeze in Sabah, Sarawak
Minister urges exemption of rural doctor allowance freeze in Sabah, Sarawak

Daily Express

time3 hours ago

  • Daily Express

Minister urges exemption of rural doctor allowance freeze in Sabah, Sarawak

Published on: Wednesday, June 11, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 11, 2025 By: Nora Ahmad Text Size: James visits one of the booths at the colloquium . KOTA KINABALU: Community Development and People's Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib has proposed that rural doctor allowances in Sabah and Sarawak be exempted from the current federal freeze. He said the proposal would be brought up with Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad during a scheduled meeting on Thursday. Advertisement James warned that the freeze could discourage contract doctors from renewing their service in remote areas, worsening the rural doctor shortage in Sabah. Speaking at the 17th Public Health Colloquium on Wednesday, he also highlighted ongoing basic facility issues in rural Sabah, including poor internet access, water supply, and electricity. He further urged the Health Ministry to strengthen regulations on e-cigarettes, noting concerns over the use of banned substances in some products. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia

Instead of banning vape, Sabah proposes tighter regulations
Instead of banning vape, Sabah proposes tighter regulations

New Straits Times

time3 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

Instead of banning vape, Sabah proposes tighter regulations

KOTA KINABALU: Instead of banning vapes, Sabah will look into tightening the regulation of electronic cigarettes. Datuk James Ratib said as Sabah health executive councillor, he could only make recommendations to the Health Ministry to improve regulations on vape-related matters. "I will recommend improvements in advisory measures to prevent indiscriminate vaping, a study to control (the manufacturing of vape products) and to determine whether they are laced with drugs. "If the vape liquid contains drugs, the responsible individuals should be arrested," said the state Community Development and People's Wellbeing Minister after launching the 17th Public Health Colloquium at a hotel here. Present was Sabah Health director Dr Maria Suleiman. On banning the sale of vapes, James said the jurisdiction lied with the Local Government and Housing Ministry. Perlis, Terengganu, Kelantan, Johor and Kedah have banned the sale of vape products. According to Universiti Sains Malaysia, the National Poison Centre recorded 76 poisoning cases linked to vape products suspected of containing dangerous synthetic drugs between 2020 and 2024. A senior economics expert from Universiti Putra Malaysia said the economic returns from the vape industry were relatively small and short term, as the government has estimated that treating a single case of e-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury would cost about RM150,000. Since last October, the Health Ministry has enforced the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), which includes provisions for e-cigarettes. James said he would meet Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad during his visit to Sabah tomorrow. Issues he plans to raise with the Health Ministry are the procurement of Sabah's first Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan machine, the provision of allowances for health personnel in rural areas and the need to expedite the establishment of the Sabah Heart Centre. Dr Maria said Sabah had about 4,000 doctors across the state. She said out of 130 dilapidated wooden health clinics, 97 had been upgraded to date.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store