PUTRAJAYA - Malaysia’s healthcare digitalisation drive will not change the government’s policy of not extending healthcare subsidies to foreigners, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said.

He said non-citizens continue to pay substantially higher medical fees than Malaysians when seeking treatment at public healthcare facilities, as reported by NST.

“I have previously made a statement on this matter – they are not exempted.

“Foreigners are indeed charged significantly higher treatment fees than locals. For example, foreigners are charged RM120 for outpatient specialist care, while Malaysians may pay as little as RM5 for specialist treatment and RM1 to see a doctor,” Dzulkefly told reporters at the Health Ministry on June 15.

Dzulkefly stressed that foreign patients do not receive government healthcare subsidies.

He added that the ministry had recorded a gradual reduction in outstanding medical bills owed by foreign patients over recent years.

“At the same time, we are seeing a gradual reduction in outstanding bills, which has been addressed year by year, and the figure continues to trend downwards,” he said.

Malaysia’s public healthcare system continues to operate under the “no wrong door” policy, which requires hospitals to provide treatment for emergency cases and childbirth regardless of nationality.

“If they come in, we treat them. However, we follow through to ensure payment is collected,” Dzulkefly said.

The minister said outstanding payments from foreign patients currently amount to about RM30 million annually.

The figure has declined from RM33.46 million recorded in 2024 and RM34.97 million in 2023.

According to Dzulkefly, the ministry has strengthened enforcement measures to improve payment collection.

These measures include requiring deposits before treatment and taking action against employers who fail to settle medical expenses for foreign workers.

The ministry also works with the Immigration Department, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and non-governmental organisations to assist foreign patients unable to pay for treatment.

Dzulkefly said the ministry remains attentive to public concerns regarding foreign patients accessing public healthcare services.

“Perhaps the perception is out there, given the current situation that everything is focused on and targeting the Rohingya,” he said.

However, he said there had been no unusual increase in complaints beyond the levels routinely monitored by the ministry.

“So in any case, we are continuously monitoring this,” he added.

Foreigners, including migrant workers, expatriates and refugees, are generally charged higher fees at government healthcare facilities and are not eligible for the same subsidies enjoyed by Malaysians.

The government periodically reviews healthcare charges for non-citizens to ensure the sustainability of public healthcare financing.

Employers of foreign workers are also required to provide medical coverage through insurance schemes, although unpaid medical bills remain a recurring issue for public hospitals.