If you haven’t, it is time you got acquainted with the man: Aneurin Bevan was the Minister of Health in post-war Britain who played a key role in setting up the National Health Service.
Aneurin Bevan - Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
It was Bevan who uttered these immortal words: “The collective principle asserts that… no society can legitimately call itself civilised if a sick person is denied medical aid because of lack of means.”
Which means health care is not a commodity but a basic right that should be made available and accessible to all. It also means we need a top-class public health care system with adequate funding. That was what the speakers at a Sembang-Sembang talk this afternoon, Dr Jeyakumar and Dr Jayabalan, stressed.
Many among the audience at the Caring Society Complex in Penang were moved when they heard a woman, Roszita, describing how she lost her husband, Ahmad Nazri, 49, a heart patient, because the couple were unable to raise RM19,000 in time to buy three stents that were needed to deal with blockages.
Since the privatisation of the hospital’s pharmaceutical services, patients have had to buy such things on their own before surgery can be performed.
In Ahmad’s case, he did have the money – but it was tied up with the EPF, which was then apparently involved in a ridiculous ding-dong with the Penang GH over a guarantee of payment letter. By the time, the EPF finally issued the guarantee letter it was too late for Ahmad, who passed away on 19 January 2010. He leaves behind Roszita and five children.
As Ahmad noted just a month earlier: “Tak ada wang pun mati, ada wang di EPF pun mati. Ini adalah wang sendiri bukan nak minta wang EPF!” (Full story here.)
We can see the Health Ministry and other “health care industry” players rushing to turn health care into a commodity and trying to capitalise on so-called “medical tourism”. Hello, health care is a basic human right! What happened to rakyat didahulukan? How many more Ahmad Nazris are out there? I remember my plumber too succumbed to heart failure in very much similar circumstances a couple of years ago.
Steeped in its neo-liberal mindset, the Health Ministry now plans to extend a ‘Full Paying Patients’ pilot scheme to even more hospitals on the quiet. Basically, under this scheme, patients in general hospitals can now jump the queue to see specialists if they have the money. Apparently, the specialists are happy with the scheme (because they make more money, perhaps up to RM20,000 more a month) while patients – the ones with the money, that is – are pleased they can see the specialists more quickly.
But what about those patients without the money? No money, no talk.
What a ‘caring’ society. People First, Performance Now? More like Money First, Surgery Later.
this is what u call as 1st class infrastructure but 3rd class mentality.infrastructure not only fall to building but basic comodity as health care.Hire more morons in high level,this is the way the country will work.Can some on pls.let me be the health minister.I’ll give u fool proff solution.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
If this story is true and we have found the biggest oil field in the world, it would not be a problem to give each and every citizen in Malaysia free healthcare for the next decade and yet have ample abundance leftover.
All private hospitals also can provide a NHS type of scheme where they can claim back the money from the government for each patient seen.
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/business/56918-petronas-hit-jackpot-says-ku-li
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Before giving, along the route, they are sucked 10% at every stage. This is the system Gerakn/UMNO has been doing since Dr’s time as PM
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Even since this … Najib became PM he come out with an idiotic slogan that just did not care for the people. The only and best solution is to kick out this idiotic … PM Najib & UMNO in the next GE
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
That is simply disgusting (I can’t think of a stronger word). No one should be denied treatment because they lack money. What the ***************????!!!!
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
The Wikipedia article about him is marvellous:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aneurin_Bevan
I thought the part about his expulsion from the Labour Party for not toeing the line has particularly relevance for Malaysian politics. The Winston Churchill quote about Aneurin Bevan and the Chinese Communist Party made me laugh out loud!
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Dear Anil,
I feel sad after reading the above…
I dont know what to say…
But i do know that the West does take good care of their senior citizens and their PRs alike.
My uncle is a Canadian PR and he is very sick here. He could not return (due to his ill health) to Canada when he was due to be back.
Just a simple explanation and a letter from the hospital, the Canadian government still pays him alllowances (benefits) till today.
They said Canada has the best medical health care in the world.
When this Boleh Land is concerned, not millions but BILLIONS of Ringgit went “missing” year in and year out and yet the culprits are all scott free.
They made “wayang kulit” to investigate and then conveniently declared “case tutup” because there was no evidence.
However, when someone reported that Pakatan misappropriate of funds, they quiz you … (and you are found dead later)… sound familiar?
Therefore, enough is enough, wake up now and vote BN out totally and vote in a government which does not rob and steal but have the Rakyat’s priorities in mind.
To begin with, a RM100 allowance from the Penang government for all the seniors.
Hidup Pakatan !!!
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
When a country is ‘stupidly’ managed, money becomes the top priority to those greedy people. Why the need for a private wing in government hospitals? If doctors cannot stay with the government, let them go. There are many foreign specialists who want to work in these hospitals. Government hospitals are for all Malaysians, especially the poor. Even in the US, the poor get free treatment. There are hospitals for the rich (private) but the poor are taken care of by public hospitals.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
At one time, in the mid 90s, when one is around Tunku Abdul Rahman or Dataran Merdeka (in KL)it was common to see mother’s with sick babies in their arms going round approaching the public for money for the child to undergo a heart operation!
They will show you a letter by a doctor stating what the child is suffering from to proof they are genuine.
When you reason with them as to why the hospitalis not doing the most sensible thing, they will tell you the hospital staff told “me to do it, as heart operations are expensive”.
Since most of them were illiterate, they took the instruction kindly. I know of some who have come in contact with these people in dire straits,who have personally called the hospital and told them off for it. So you don’t see it happening at these spots now (I hope).
So much for “Caring Government” slogan.
Aid should be given to ALL races who desperately need help! That is being caring, no?
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Malaysia like to be seen as a developed nation with privatization of the hospital’s pharmaceutical services and health care industry…in actual fact, they are just CASH COW outlets for UMNO elites. No difference to any systems when efficiency is concerned…just plenty of show and hu-ha!
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Most malaysians (have) feudalistic mind that is why we still have UMNO ruling us for more than 52 years.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Thank you Anil for enlightening us (those who could not make it) on the proceedings of the forum.Roszita’s account of the sad plight of her husband was testimony of one of the shortcomings in our health care system.As highlighted by both the speakers we do have very good facilities in both the public and private hospitals. Unfortunately the service in the public hospitals is a far cry from what should be the norm,one reason being the perennial shortage of doctors and specialists ever since the 1970s. To beat the long wait for urgent treatment for critical illnesses we very often resort to the private medical centres only to face more stress, heartaches and frustration at the ‘NO MONEY NO TREATMENT’culture of these medical corporations. If the govt is earnest about the 1Malaysia People First, Performance Now slogan the PM should take a leaf from some of his father’s policies whereby The Rakyat was the PRIORTY over PROFITS. The late Tun Razak was magnanimous in co-opting an opposition member into his cabinet. PM Datuk Seri Najib could emulate him by appointing Dr Jeyakumar as the Health Minister to REVAMP the Malaysian Health Care system. HIDUP MALAYSIA
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
sorry mate,
the country needs the submarine that cant dive more. oh, they need to pay RM500m commission and RM600m mnaintenance contract in tow. these are the priorties. oh, there’s the need for new helicopters.
Target Resources is also hungry for more superlative contracts else it will starve.
So, the Ahmads can wait.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Please watch “Sicko”, a documentary by Michael Moore on the US health care system and comparing them with other countries like Canada, UK, France & even Cuba.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Besides the potential benefits from the alleged discovery of the biggest oil field in the world, Malaysia should set up a sort of National Insurance like that practiced in the UK and Australia.
Every working individual contributes, say, abt 5% of their pay to the National Insurance.
This can then furnish everyone with free healthcare. Obviously, it works like an insurance, whereby, the national insurance fund would never be depleted as not every individual will seek a claim of healthcare.
Simple things like this, nobody in the government can think of. But we know how to make the longest ketupat, tallest tower, biggest cake etc. Few years ago, we were so proud that we made the longest ketupat in the world.
A country that is super rich in oil like Brunei and yet cannot provide free healthcare, something must be seriously wrong. How come Brunei can do it?
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Dear Sir
How sick is this country and its people…
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
You need a non doctor, schooled in human resources, health administration and law to come out with a workable plan that can benefit all Malaysians. The current nut running the MOH is a DG who is a supposedly a liver specialist. Now what happens when you put a liver specialist to run the Health Ministry. Isnt this a recipe for disaster. Please go to the US, Canada or the hospitals that Bevan first initialized in the UK. They are all run by professionals. Usually accountants like Hassan Merican of Petronas. If you have someone like Hassan Merican as DG of Health, I bet my last dollar most of these KKM created problems will dissaper. The Penang Cardiac problem is (a) disgrace. Hope they sue the specialists and the hospital big time.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
1Pakatan will show the way to administer the country. The people want health service to be for the poor. If doctors are not happy, they can go private.We are producing 3500 doctors a year now. Why worry? If money is what they look for, they can set up their own clinics. The government should not be cowed by doctors leaving and start to privatise hospitals. This is the silliest thing to do. BN will pay for this comes the next general election.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
cant wait for the next election.its about time the people need to do something for the future of their children.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I see you as being swayed by this 1 case. Don’t be judgemental Anil. There may be a problem in the delivery system but not our Government Healthcare System. My dad goes to GH for his health issues and has high regards of GH. This week, someone was admitted in GH. Alongside, i met and spoke to many patients and all were in high regards of GH. A council labourer whose wife needs a pacemaker is only paying RM500 for the RM14000 pacemaker, aid from the Welfare Department. I was so happy for him. Another similar case, free. So, your judgement based on 1 case is not right. It is our delivery system that caused this man’s EPF money to be approved late and not a denial to treatment. It is also rediculous if we expect healthcare to be completely free. But the Government runs GH at a good cost. I get medications for 3 months in loads, original medications that cost a lot outside for my skin related problems. How to satisfy all humans completely, are you satisfied?
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Doctors in GH are also not millionaires. It is wrong to always pinpoint at them. They are trying, services are improving.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Hi Dalbinder
No doubt there are good people in the public health care system, but many of them are overworked, unrecognised, and leaving for the private sector. You should ask why.
One issue is underfunding of the public health care system. Facilities and human resources are stretched.
Then you have the privatisation of health services like cleaning, maintenance, pharmaceutical services – what is the impact on the costs to the government?
And what about the uncontrolled growth of private hospitals, aggravated by the push towards medical tourism?
And now we have the Full Paying Patients scheme. Great for those with the money, but what about the lower-income group?
All these government policies have steadily eroded the effectiveness of what was once a good public health care system.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
The forum people should have also brought success stories to its forum. Now even food and cleanliness in GH is improved a lot.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Yes, we have a problem with health care and the provision of it.
Currently, the Ministry has problems retaining the best ‘talent’ ie specialist and this problem is escalated with the disparity in wages for those in private practice and govt service. And hence, the situation that arises – those that can afford ‘better’ care as oppose to the lay person in general admission, Class C ward.
Personally, I know of an Indian chap(MD) operating out of University Hospital, who does ‘consultancy’ work in between his ‘working’ hours. Here we have a specialist in a quasi private/govt practice role that seems to be the ministry’s answer to retaining his services(list of patients would attest he is good) but a moral dilemma arises – those not able to afford his fees are denied his expertise.
Going forward, we can expect more of such ‘arrangement’ being struck, right or wrong notwithstanding.
While we are at it, perhaps the Medical Council might want to advance their own study to best serve the public. Already there are suggestion to change or alter the way in which medication is dispense ie broadly, the American way as oppose to an all encompassing National Health Service, and I believe the insurance boys are lobbying strongly for the former.
Here again, a moral dilemma arises. What about those uninsured ? Many would be left out and left to this UMNO garbage of a govt to seek out profit (sell out public interest), I fear the worst if unscrupulous agreements/deals are set in ink.
Vote all them … OUT is my answer to seeking a reasonable solution to the problems we have in hand. Regards Anil and all out there.
P/S* RM$19,000 for three(3) stents !
I’m not in the medical profession but one of my ex deals with such medical supplies in the States and a cursory inquiry has one(1) stent priced at US$500-600 wholesale. If this is the same stent in question, the person/entity supplying our hospitals is minting it, squeezing blood out of stone lah. Damn them !!!!
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Yes, it would be interesting to find out more about all the mark-ups and to learn which firms are profiteering from the poor health of people, many of them from the lower-income group.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
What is even worst is that Malaysian health in the first place is not being address. We have the dubious distinction of being the fatest Asian nation – bigger than much more developed countries like Japan, Korea, HK, Taiwan and Singapore. We have also have one of the highest rate of diabetes, heart diseases. How can a middling country like us worst off than developed countries? .
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Even Dr. Jeyakumar worked in GH, his dad also did at once. I am sure they would say, the Healthcare Mechanism in place is good but its delivery needs a push.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Even the UK NHS is now in shambles. Administrators have more say than doctors. Budget comes before patients. The spirit of NHS is all but forgotten.
Same here. The spirit of basic medical care for all citizens is now just a meaningless slogan.
Illegals now make full use of our medical facilities without paying a cent (by running away). Our poor citizens are made to pay first before treatment.
Doctors are overworked & unappreciated. No wonder so many dont want to come back to serve or if serving, quickly leave for private practice.
Leakages & corruption is endemic throughout the whole system. Kick backs are expected. Expensive, top of the range machines are abused, treated roughly & not serviced until they finally breakdown. Afterall, it’s not their money, it’s “gomen punya”.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
“The collective principle asserts that… no society can legitimately call itself civilised if a sick person is denied medical aid because of lack of means.”
The key word is civilised. In this context, as well as othe context, Malaysia is not civilised. We may have the trappings of one, but we are not civilised.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0