Six million people received outpatient treatment at government hospitals and clinics last year, a testament that the country's health services are among the best in the world.

Health Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya said it showed people still trusted the health services provided by the government for RM1 charge fee for the past 35 years.

"Despite the increase in government cost, we still maintain the RM1 charge for not wanting to burden the people who use the service at the outpatient department," he said.

He said this when officiating the 32-slice computed tomography scanner (CT Scan) machine at the Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital (HSAH) here Monday.

As a result of the improved health services in the country, Dr Hilmi said the government was also projecting 15 per cent of seniors with life expectancy of 72 years for men and 76 years for women by 2030.

Meanwhile, HSAH Diagnostic and Imaging department head, Dr Sabariah Mohamed Kassim said with the new addition of CT scan machine worth RM1.87 million, the department received up to 900 cases since last month.

"An increase of up to 74 cases per month was recorded since patients began using the machine last month as compared to the old machine which saw an average of 826 cases per month.

She explained more cases could be accomodated, especially referrals from hospitals in Yan, Sik, Kulim and Baling.

"We hope this machine can provide better, faster and accurate radiology and imaging for the patients with shorter waiting period," she said. -- Bernama