Media Statement by Kelvin Yii:
I welcome the implementation of PekaB40 by the Federal Ministry of Health(MoH) that will commence starting from today that will benefit a total of 3.94 million eligible recipients nationwide and the scheme will be expanded in stages.
The scheme, which emphasised early detection of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), is fully sponsored by the government and is free for all eligible recipients aged 50 and above who receive Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH) as well as their spouses. Eligible recipients of BSH will automatically be part of the scheme and no registration is needed
Based on the parliamentary answer by the Minister of Health YB Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad to my question in parliament regarding the matter, the total of BSH recipients above 50 years old in Sarawak is currently at 416,582 people. For this first phase of the project where RM 100 million is allocated nationwide, as of 9/4/2018, there are a total 84,537 Sarawakians will then benefit from PekaB40.
This scheme is transformational in addressing the increasing rates of NCDs in our country and hopefully through proper prevention and early treatment, such occurrence can be reduced as we build a stronger and healthier society. This is in line with the World Health Organisation(WHO) recommendations to treat NCDs which emphasize the need of “Prevention”
Under this scheme, the recipient can benefit from 4 different health packages. The first is health screening where patients can undergo blood test, diagnosis test, cholesterol test, urine test, and kidney functions test. They will also be checked for mental health, breast cancer and prostate cancer, if needed. Subsequent check-ups and follow up treatments will be referred to government clinics, if they are diagnosed with any diseases.
While for recipients who do not have any health problems and complications based on the screening, they will be referred to the ‘Sihat Cergas’ programme, a wellness programme under the ministry. This is in hopes of creating a healthy nation.
The second package is for medical equipment aid, where a maximum of RM20,000 is allocated for patients seeking treatment at government hospitals only. Among the equipment given by the ministry are stent for heart diseases, artificial joints, hearing aid, intraocular lens, wheelchairs and oxygen concentrator.
Third package is for the cancer treatment, where recipients will be given RM1,000 in phases, based on the stage of treatment, if they complete their treatments at government facilities.
Fourth package is to help recipients with their transportation cost. They are provided with transport incentives up to RM1,000 for Sabah and Sarawak yearly compared to RM 500 in Semenanjung Malaysia, for every disease they are diagnosed with. Many in rural areas did not continue treatment due to financial constraints and they could not afford transportation cost.
I would like to encourage all those Sarawakians who are receiving BSH this year eligible to check their eligibility for first phase online through the website https://kelayakan.pekab40.com.my/semakan-kelayakan or can seek assistance from my office.
They can also check on all the listed private clinics in the area that provides for this scheme online at https://bms.pekab40.com.my/provider/index
Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen
MP for Bandar Kuching
