| The pathetic attitude and evasive responses of the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia , and three associations of insurance companies - Life Insurance Association of Malaysia , General Insurance Association of Malaysia and Malaysian Takaful Association - on treating Covid-19 patients in private hospitals irk many concerned citizens and me in the country.
One should be reminded that maintaining public health is the responsibility of both the public and private health service providers, including public and private hospitals alike, pharmaceutical companies and laboratories. It is wrong to treat private hospitals as just a business. As for insurance companies, while we appreciate their offer to pay for the Covid-19 tests and a daily allowance to patients admitted to public hospitals, we are disappointed with Liam, Piam and MTA for trying to pass the buck when it comes to coverage for Covid-19 patients in private hospitals.
I, therefore, urge insurance companies to waive the pandemic exclusion clause in their existing medical policies to allow policyholders to seek treatment in private hospitals.