Kuala lumpur: The mySalam social health protection scheme, managed by the Finance Ministry, has provided significant financial relief to 1.88 million Malaysians, with claims totaling RM1.423 billion as of December 31 last year.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil highlighted that the scheme, launched in 2019 with a budget of RM2.37 billion, offers coverage to eligible Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) recipients and their spouses up to the age of 65. The scheme includes three primary benefits: a hospitalisation allowance, a one-off payment for critical illnesses, and claims for medical devices.

Fahmi detailed that 1.294 million recipients have received hospitalisation assistance totaling RM394.87 million. Additionally, 89,085 recipients have benefited from critical illness assistance, with payouts reaching RM712.68 million. The medical device benefit has seen RM65.257 million disbursed to 13,128 recipients.

The scheme's performance was reviewed during today's Cabinet meeting. In other discussions, Fahmi mentioned that the Cabinet also addressed applications for foreign workers in the restaurant and construction sectors. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has tasked relevant ministries with gathering detailed information from their industries to further discuss the matter in a future Cabinet meeting.