Health Ministry takes necessary actions to ensure foreigners settle unpaid bills

He said among the measures taken were by increasing the hospital admission deposit for foreigners and providing a set of standard operating procedures (SOP) that has to be carefully followed by all revenue officers at government health facilities.

"The ministry is also collaborating with embassies to reduce the arrears on medical bills for the foreigners," he said when winding up the debate on the motion of thanks for the royal address for his ministry at the Dewan Negara sitting here today.

Dr Subramaniam said according to statistics, the number of foreign patients admitted to government hospitals nationwide was lower than the locals.

"Over (the past) three years, the percentage of (foreign) patients admitted to (government) hospitals is less than five per cent than the total number of patients," he said.

The minister said all registered foreign workers in Malaysia were now required to enroll in the Foreign Workers Insurance Scheme.

"Under the scheme, with an annual premium of RM120, the foreign workers will get coverage up to RM20,000 per annum.

"A total of 1,712,012 foreign workers between 2011 and 2016 had been insured under the scheme," he added.