KUALA LUMPUR: Financially-strapped Covid-19 patients forced to be admitted to private hospitals due to a lack of beds in public hospitals may receive financial assistance under a special relief fund by the Health Ministry, says its minister Khairy Jamaluddin (pic).

       He said the ministry will review applications for such relief on a case-by-case basis.

       "Because they had no choice (during admission), I will look into this to assist them," he said during his winding-up speech on the Royal Address in Parliament on Thursday (Sept 23).

       Khairy was responding to Datuk Seri Tan Yee Kiew (PH-Wangsa Maju), who asked if financial assistance will be given to Covid-19 patients who were forced to be warded in private hospitals.

       Tan also cited the example of a Covid-19 patient she knew of who had racked up a RM400,000 bill after being warded for an undisclosed period of time at a private hospital

       "I want to know if the government is ready to assist those cases. It is not their choice to be warded in private hospitals," she said.

       Sim Tze Tzin (PH-Bayan Baru), who spoke later, said he agreed with Tan and added that it was inhumane to profit from the impoverished during a pandemic.

       Sim suggested that the government should use Section 26 in the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act, which provides for the temporary requisition of private healthcare facilities to help the government in its war against Covid-19.

       Sim pointed out that only 5% of beds in private hospitals were used for Covid-19 patients.

       "Private hospitals have not done enough to help the country and they charge exorbitantly. They are making money out of this pandemic and I think it is unfair.

       "The government must step in and correct the imbalance. Charging RM400,000 to RM500,000 is inhumane. The Health Ministry must be more stern on this," he said.

       Responding to Sim, Khairy said Section 26 of the Act would only be used if the situation became desperate.

       Khairy also gave an assurance that negotiations were ongoing on the increase of outsourcing capabilities between the Health Ministry and private hospitals.

       He said Covid-19 occupancy rates at private hospitals stood at 45% at present.

       "It may not be filled due to the issue of cost. Many are worried about paying high charges," he added.