KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 — A discussion will be held between the Health Ministry (MOH) and the National Heart Institute (IJN) to ascertain the reasons behind IJN’s request to increase its fees by up to 40 per cent.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said they could not influence the fees charged to patients as IJN is not an agency under its jurisdiction.
"IJN is under the Finance Ministry, and MOH is a client of IJN. What is happening now is IJN’s decision. MOH will discuss with IJN to find out the reasons behind the proposed increase in costs or fees.
"This will also impact MOH as we continue to refer patients to IJN. However, we cannot influence the fees charged, as IJN is not under MOH," he said during a press conference at the Parliament building today.
It was reported that IJN had requested a fee increase of between 10 to 40 per cent for patients referred by MOH, citing that it has been charging the rates set by the government since 2003.
— Bernama
