Malaysia practices ‘the highest’ humanitarian approach when it comes to medical aid for illegal immigrants , the government stressed.
Responding to a call to Malaysian authorities for better access to healthcare for foreigners, Health Minister Dr S. Subramaniam said no government hospital has ever refused treatment to a non-citizen.
He was quoted by Bernama as saying that Malaysia had a ‘clear policy and different procedure in providing treatment to non-citizens based on the status of their entry, whether legally or illegally’.
Foreigners, however, would be treated based on a different fee. According to Subramaniam, there have been cases of illegal immigrants trying different ‘tactics’ to get to healthcare facilities in Malaysia and because of that, more facilities have been set up at borders with the help of neighbouring countries.
“This situation frequently occurs in areas in Sabah, for example at the Tawau Hospital, where more than 40 per cent of its outpatients are Filipinos and Indonesians. Meanwhile, at health clinics in Lahad Datu and surrounding clinics, more than 60 per cent of the patients treated are illegal immigrants,” Subramaniam was quoted as saying.
United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health, Dr Dainius Puras had reportedly said that Malaysia should provide equal treatment to foreigners and stop having medical practitioners refer illegal immigrants to the police while they sought treatment.
Photo credit: The Star Online
