84,500 Patients Benefit From TBP To Date - Finance Minister II

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- A total of 84,500 patients have benefited from the Medical Assistance Fund (TBP), with approved aid amounting to RM793.7 million from 2005 to date.

Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said the number included more than 3,800 approved applications, with a total value of RM56.2 million as of last month.

“This fund aims to assist the underprivileged in partially or fully financing the cost of treatment, medical equipment, rehabilitation devices and medicines, subject to certain conditions,” he said.

“Among the medical disciplines covered under this fund are cardiology, orthopaedics, respiratory medicine, surgery, rehabilitation and others,” he said when winding up the committee-level debate on the Supply Bill 2026 in the Dewan Rakyat here today.

On the medical and health insurance and takaful (MHIT) policy, he said the introduction of basic products offers both new and existing policyholders a more sustainable and reliable alternative, without the need to depend on temporary interim measures.

“This basic MHIT product will provide financial protection against hospitalisation costs, with a higher level of transparency for all parties,” he said.

However, Amir Hamzah said the government will introduce the basic MHIT product structure as a standalone product, with no link to investment performance.

“The status of medical plans sold as riders (additional benefits), to investment-linked policies is also being reviewed by Bank Negara Malaysia,” he said.

A total of 20 members of Parliament debated the Supply Bill 2026 at committee level in the Dewan Rakyat, today.

-- BERNAMA