Kuala Lumpur: Lembah Pantai Member of Parliament Fahmi Fadzil has announced that the constituency will raise RM5 million this year to assist those in need following the increase in service charges at the University of Malaya Medical Centre (PPUM). The Communications Minister stated that the funds would be directed into the PPUMCare Fund to benefit the B40 and M40 groups affected by the fee hike, which took effect on January 1.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fahmi emphasized the importance of the initiative as PPUM serves as a crucial healthcare provider for residents in the Lembah Pantai constituency. Despite disagreeing with the increase in service charges, he expressed the necessity to provide aid to those impacted. He shared these thoughts with reporters after launching the Future Health for All (FH4A) pilot programme.

Fahmi mentioned that the funds would be allocated through PPUM’s Social Department, responsible for assessing patients’ eligibility for assistance. He also revealed that he had discussions with PPUM’s senior management regarding the fee hike. In previous meetings in 2019 and 2021, he had expressed his opposition to any fee increases, but this time, the decision was made without prior consultation with him.

Fahmi acknowledged that the fee increase was inevitable due to PPUM’s status as a teaching hospital, which operates differently than government hospitals under the Ministry of Health. PPUM attributed the revised charges to rising costs of medical supplies and equipment. The centre’s website indicates that the new charges include increased fees for medical and surgical procedures.