KUALA LUMPUR: Foreigners, including undocumented immigrants, owe about RM100 million in outstanding medical bills at government hospitals and clinics.
The sum includes expenses for childbirths, emergencies, outpatient consultations and medication, similar to the privileges enjoyed by Malaysians.
Some foreigners disappear after receiving treatment, forcing the Health Ministry to write off the debts.
Sources at the ministry told BH that medical bills owed by foreigners stood at about RM100 million at the end of last year.
"Foreigners include those with refugee status, whether registered or unregistered, as well as undocumented immigrants receiving treatment in public healthcare facilities.
"Treatment was given to them based on principles of human rights and compassion, even if their status is dubious or they are undocumented immigrants.
"Despite their registration and deposit payment, they refused to settle the bills.
"Their excused include lack of funds, promises to pay later, or simply disappearing," said the source.
When contacted, Health director-general Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan confirmed the outstanding amount, stating a statement would be issued about the matter.
Dr Radzi said the ministry's management and technical team was discussing the issue.
Foreigners who owe government hospitals came from 38 countries.
Apart from India, Myanmar and Indonesia, they also include those from the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Finland, Singapore, Sweden and Japan.
According to a 2017 report, foreigners owed Kuala Lumpur Hospital RM7.87 million in medical bills, compared with RM3 million the previous year.
Government hospital staff members, when interviewed by BH, said the issue of foreigners refusing to settle their medical bill was prevalent at all hospitals and facilities under the Health Ministry.
They said the problem had persisted for a long time without any action taken by the health facilities or the ministry.
It is understood that the sympathetic and tolerant attitude of hospital administrators had contributed to foreigners taking advantage of their kindness.
This was exacerbated by claims of a lack of record-keeping systems and tracking of foreign patients in government hospitals.
Former Health secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Chen Chaw Min, in an April 15, 2017 report, said that at the time, the ministry did not maintain records of foreign patients based on nationality.
A case of a Briton involved in a road accident and who received treatment at a government hospital in the Klang Valley illustrated this issue.
After being discharged, the tourist claimed inability to pay the bill, amounting to more than RM20,000, promising to settle the bill upon returning to the UK.
However, the arrears remain unpaid and the person cannot be traced, despite efforts by the hospital seeking help from the embassy.
Many foreigners working in the country also evade payment for medical bills at government facilities, particularly for childbirth services.
Government hospitals are targeted due to their affordable maternity and childbirth packages, costing about RM3,000.
