UMNO Youth sets up health unit to monitor GST

Umno Youth has set up a health unit to monitor private hospitals and clinics on the imposition of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on services to consumers.

Its special task bureau chairman, Syamsul Baharin Putra Ahmad Shibi told reporters here on Tuesday, the unit would start operations today, in line with the GST implementation nationwide.

He said the unit would comprise about 30 personnel from the youth wing and related agencies such as the Domestic, Cooperatives and Consumerism ministry (KPDNKK), as well as six medical practitioners.

"The implementation of GST will impact medical centres and private clinics and with the increased cost, they will raise the rate of their services," he said, adding that the youth wing would assist the customs department, health ministry and KPDNKK to monitor the health service industry so that no party took advantage by raising the price of medicine.

The implementation of GST at six per cent starting today, will replace the Sales and Services Tax which has an overall rate of 16 per cent.

In the medical sector, 4,215 brands of medicines under the National Essential Medicines List are exempted from GST.

To assist private healthcare facilities reduce cost of services, 120 types of medical equipment have also been exempted from GST.

Elaborating, Syamsul Baharin Putra said the health unit would collect consumer complaints on medical services, about two weeks after the GST implementation.