KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 — The Health Ministry (MOH) has proposed making health insurance or a similar contribution mechanism mandatory for displaced people 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-citizens.
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.
“Incomplete or inaccurate identity and contact information has made it difficult for 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 2/2026 for MOH 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, is necessary to address the issues more comprehensively and effectively, including through mechanisms to verify identity documents.
Hanifah Hajar said MOH views the issue seriously, given that over 80 per cent of outstanding medical bills are contributed by undocumented migrants and stateless people.
However, she stressed that 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 by MOH healthcare facilities include issuing three reminders 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.
“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.
Hanifah Hajar expressed hope that MOH and government agencies would continue to strengthen enforcement and controls on the entry and management of foreigners, especially undocumented migrants and refugees, to ensure the sustainability of the country’s healthcare system.
