KUCHING, Jan 31: Foreigners suspected of contacting the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) will be exempted from paying the medical fees at government clinics and hospitals when they seek treatment.
The Health Ministry (MoH), in a recent circular, said foreigners exhibiting symptoms and confirmed to have contacted the virus will be exempted from outpatient treatment fees that includes registration, examination, treatment and ward.
“The medical exemption fee is also applicable to foreigners who need to seek medical treatment as a result of having close contact with suspected patient and those who have been declared positive of the virus.
“The exemption also applies to walk-in foreigner to government hospitals or clinics to have their blood sample being tested for the 2019-nCoV, even though they do not show signs of being contacted with the virus, but was charged RM40 out-patient treatment fee and other medical charges,” the ministry said.
MoH pointed out that any claim on the medical fees examination by foreigners must use the ministry’s form attachment.
The ministry said such measure was taken as a precaution to prevent and minimise the possibility of the virus spreading faster, especially to the local community, as well as to protect the safety of the locals. — DayakDaily
